Name Plates 2013

I'm finding it a challenge to keep up with all of my social media! Please feel free to visit and like my facebook page, which is updated with more regularity ... I also have a page for Image Awards that can be viewed/liked here. Loads of info along with pictures of the "stuff we do" can be found there. I will still post here periodically, however, so keep checking back!

Photographing Wildlife

Photographing Wildlife

© Text copyright Scott Bourne – Photofocus.com

1.     Always be ready for an animal encounter. Wherever you live, chances are there are animals nearby to photograph. Be aware of local species. Do research to find out which kinds of animals frequent your area and when they are nearby.

  2.   Always carry a 300 to 400mm lens with your camera. You never know when you’ll get a chance to make a wildlife image. And you can’t make that image unless you have a reasonably long lens and camera nearby at all times.

  3.   Keep your basic gear on your person, not in your bag. Things like flash, batteries, and memory cards should be in your pockets, not in your bag. Pawing through your bag in the middle of a wildlife encounter will usually result in a lost opportunity. I wear a vest for this reason and keep my basics in the same place every time I go out, so I know where to find them.

  4.   Start by finding a good background. Background, background, background is the most important thing in the image after the subject and the light. The simpler the background, the better. If the story is the animal, keep the background simple to focus attention on the real subject.

  5.   Shoot with a fast shutter speed when trying to get moving animals in focus. I shoot wildlife in shutter priority mode, and when using my long lens – the Sigma 300-800 f/5.6 – I set 1/750 of a second as my minimum shutter speed.

  6.   Look for situations that tell a story, convey a concept, or communicate a mood.

  7.   Keep the light at your back, and point your shadow at the subject unless you have a very good reason to do otherwise.

  8.   When photographing groups of animals, look for separation between subjects. Avoid merges. It takes patience, but it’s worth it.

 
  9.   Remember, in a photograph, a sleeping animal appears to be a dead animal and, therefore, not interesting.

10.   Remember, when photographing action such as moving animals, staring at the LCD screen will cause you to miss opportunities.

Photography tips by Shawna

I ran into this post by means of my Pickleberry Pop newsletter & thought I'd share :)


Photography tips through the seasons, by Shawna

Photographs play a very big part in the final outcome of our scrapbook layouts. Most scrapbook layouts contain at least one photograph. If your photo is lacking in quality, it will be more difficult to produce a layout that has that perfect touch. We all want to make layouts that not only will be cherished for years to come, but layouts that we can also proudly show off in the many galleries of digi land! I mean honestly who doesn't want to be noticed and praised for all of our hard work!

You don't have to be a professional photographer to take great photos, nor do you need a very fancy and expensive camera. The internet makes it extremely fast and easy to find great tutorials, tips and tricks to taking great photos. I know it is hard to rip yourselves away from scrap booking long enough to find tips on taking great photos, so I have done the grueling work of digging up a few tips and tricks for you. I am just nice like that :).

It is summer here in the U.S but not everybody is lucky enough to be sitting pool side, ice cold beverage and camera in hand. So I have included photography tips that span the seasons. To keep this article short enough to spare you some scrappin' time, I will give you three easy tips for each season.

First lets start with winter, it was a very warm 98 degrees here today and I need to think cold!

Did you know that keeping your camera cold can be key to keeping your camera ready for those wonderfully winter shots? Warming and cooling your camera will cause condensation and render your camera unusable. It is easier to brush falling snow off a cold camera as well. Falling snow on a warm camera makes for first a wet, then a frozen mess. But don't try to blow snow off your camera with your breath! This too can cause a frozen condensated mess.

The sunlight during the early morning and late afternoon offers unique photography opportunities due to the reflections and colors. Get an early start and you will be rewarded.

Look for the contrasting lines and objects that appear when the snow does not completely cover the landscape. Place yourself in multiple positions to find the most dynamic photograph. Don't forget to add some color to the photograph as it will create a dramatic effect with the white snow.

Spring….Oh the beauty of spring.

Take advantage of the best light. Usually morning light for warm yellow tones, late afternoon or evening light will give you a warmer hint of red to full red.

Shoot reflections. Puddles, pools of water, moisture on objects, close ups of dew, all make good subjects while we are still experiencing rain. After spring rains, creeks, streams and waterfalls are at their most picturesque. So spring is a great time to photograph these waterways.

Shoot in black and white. The sun's still not out quite as much so on overcast days try shooting in black and white to get whatever contrast you have to stand out.

Summer, warm temperatures at last!

The best times to take photos are in the morning and the late afternoons when light is not much of a hindrance to good photos. Whatever images you wish to photograph utilize these times to produce beautiful summer photos.

Too much light can destroy the photo. It can turn out to be too bright such that you cannot even see the image properly.

Time and place is also essential in taking summer photos. A good background can be the answer to a plain image and it can actually make the photo look different and a little less plain.

Last but not least, my favorite season, Fall.

While you can get great results at any time of the day – I love shooting Autumn colours at the end of the day just before sunset when the light is golden. This accentuates the reds and golds even more than normal.

Some people keep their cameras in their bags on days where the sun isn't shining – but they can actually be the best days. I like overcast days because they help create a mood that you can't get on a sunny day – plus the images are generally nice and rich.

Shooting into the sun will result in shadows, lower saturation of colours and lens flare which further reduces the impact of colours. On Sunny days – keep the sun at your back.

And that wraps it up. I hope these tips were as helpful to you as they have been to me. I am a beginning beginner when it comes to taking great photographs, if I can do it, ANYONE can do it! Have fun and share all of those captured memories.

Social/Networking Event - You're invited!

Get your business buzz kicked off for summer at the best networking/social event of the season - Business Bee Fest! Over twenty five local businesses have gathered to make this event THE place to be! Great prizes including a Grand Prize -a $350 flowering planter from Heinz Brothers Greenhouse Garden Center! Complimentary appetizers will be served for all attendees and a special drink "The Stinger" will be on tap! Come on down and be part of the fun--meet your next potential business contacts and maybe win a great prize donated by all of our participating businesses! See you there! Tuesday, June 7th, 4:15 –7pm.

Facebook Page info

I've admittedly been a little off on my blog posts! Altho I will keep posting fun stuff here, more frequent updates can be found on my facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/#!/CreativeKeepsakes

Thanks for your continued support!

Did you go for Coffee on your first date?

Here's your thoughtful Valentines Day gift! Personalized coffee mugs for your loved ones ... Just add a package of your favoright brand of coffee - preferrably from the place you first got together - and your in like flint :)

Choose from our ready made selection or have us create one for you.

To top it off, we'll be serving up our mugs for 20% off thru the end of the day Friday, February 11th!

So call or come in today and cross "find a v-day gift" off of your list!

Last Week! 13 weeks of Personalized Gift Ideas

Can you believe it? One week left 'til Christmas. Well, we can help you stuff those stockings! These acrylic paperwieghts can be custom engraved with your own quote, mantra or message, or you can pick up one of our ready-made versions for just $7.95.

Custom Mugs & Coasters! It's week 12 of our 13 weeks of Personalized Gifts promotion!

Logos, your kids art, photos ... all kinds of things can be imprinted on our custom mugs & coasters! Just send us your jpegs or drop off your hard copies, and we will take care of the rest! (and save 20% to boot!)

Scrapbooks you can wear! Week 11 - 13 Weeks of Personalized Gift Ideas

Visit our web site for some ideas then visit our store for an even more extensive selection!

You supply the photos & we'll take care of the rest!

Personalized Keepsake Boxes 20% off for Week 10!

Stop in this week to browse our selection (don't forget to bring your photo - jpeg or hard copy) :)

We can preserve your photos in a matter of seconds!

Week 9 (already!) - 13 Weeks of Personalized Gift Ideas - Photo Crystals

These are the newest, coolest photo gifts available, and we make them in our store!!! Check out all the shapes & sizes available by clicking here then get your pictures to us so we can take care of the rest!