i am itching to get out there and shoot and have some fun! the weather is icky. the house is trying to get healthy. it is a little difficult with a newborn and a toddler!
BUT..
it is so so so important to keep practicing and to keep it fun.
i treated myself to some new clothes and wanted to take a few self portraits.
need to also treat myself to a pedi and haircut before Greg and Jenelle' BIG DAY!!!
i captured these during nap time yesterday :)
i am looking forward to a fun new project with some photog friends.
i am also creating and organizing my Photo Bucket List. i can't wait to start checking those off!
side note: are you watching The Buried Life? Love it! Love those guys!
for valentine's day.
zack surprised us with chocolate covered strawberries YUM and a teddy bear and balloon for the girls from Edible Arrangements.
the girls and i made daddy a BIG cookie pie! and bought him some of his favorite candy bars :)
and some Macro Fun!!
taken with 100mm 2.8 Macro Lens
i've got to use this lens more often- so fun!
I am still trying to figure out my RAW workflow, but here is how it looks now.
For info on why I shoot RAW (as opposed to JPEG) look here.
Upload RAW images into Adobe Bridge. Each upload/event gets its own name. (ie KatelynOutside_001). I should mention this gets put into a folder according to the Month and Year (ie Feb 2010).
Delete eyes closed, blurry, etc. images.
Give 1 star to images I want to further look at and/or edit.
Put in their own subfolder. (ie KatelynOutsideLR_001) LR = lightroom.
Import this folder into LR.
Edit. Adjust White Balance, Exposure, etc. Maybe apply a Preset or two.
Export these images back into the LR folder. I save over the previous images to save room.
Open these images into Photoshop for further processing.
This is where I apply my Noiseware, USM and Save and Save for the Web.
I've created Actions for all my processing so with 1 click of the mouse a bunch of post processing steps are done in a second!
I also use Batch Processing to speed up the process.
When I save, I put those JPEGS into their own folder (ie KatelynOutsideJPEGS_001).
And then the web sized images in their own folder (ie KatelynOutsideWEB_001).
I then upload to Flickr and share on my blog and Facebook and wherever else :)
This may make my Folder organization look more simple:
FEB 2010> KatelynOutside_001> KatelynOutsideLR_001
FEB 2010> KatelynOutside_001> KatelynOutsideJPEGS_001
FEB 2010> KatelynOutside_001> KatelynOutsideWEB_001
I've touched on my backup system, but I just subscribed to Backblaze. For $5 month it backs up my entire system automatically! I don't even know it is happening. It just does it. Gotta love that!
and some pics...
again, playing around with the many LR Presets and Actions trying to figure out my favorites.
Surprise, Bean wasn't in a very cooperative mood.
But gotta love her cute lil outfit from Aunt Emily and the Gap. I added the cute lil tutu because why not???
just browsing through my bookmarks to visit blogs for inspiration and thought i would share. i mean the post office, grocery store, gift buying, laundry and shower can wait, right??
some new.
some rediscovered.
enjoy!
lots of the following blogs were discovered from this blog: Blogs of photogs
i loved seeing some of my faves on this blog:
Lisa Russo
Tara Whitney
Carrie Sandavol
Joyce Smith
AGR
Jessica Claire
Pioneer Woman
Jasmine Star
bobbi + mike
and meeting some new "friends"
Tara Clark
Glee Photography
Susan Stripling
Deb Schwedhelm
Kathy Wolfe
Shannon Sewell
amanda e
Kristen Cook
Christina Grissett
Claire Smith
oh! and I have to mention these girls! MY GIRLS! we met during Marta's WS and have formed a tight knit support group! it is so refreshing bouncing ideas off one another and offering constructive criticism or just a little love when needed.
Check them out!!
Elise Garner
Kelsey Anderson
Danielle Lavis
Steph Bailiff
do you think it is too early to get her her own logo? LOL!!
holy baby belly!
we are happy Sophie seems to be doing better. she is a little camera shy :)
got to love the at-an-arm's-length-photo
look at my messy desk!
remember to get in the photos (even if you didn't wash your hair or put make up on. hey, i'm on maternity leave!) sneaky sophie trying to get in a lick!
thumbs up to a PERFECT evening with the fam!!
this night was FULL of fun and Sass! Bean even says "I'm sassy!" now. oh boy!
she was taking pics of me.
i was taking pics of her.
we were taking pics of each other.
Daddy joined in on the fun.
later we built "castles" with blocks.
built blanket forts.
and Bean served all of us, including Sophie, water and cupcakes from her lil kitchen.
loved every minute of it!
for my photog friends:
all taken with Rebel XT, Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 lens
(just hoping she doesn't drop it...i already did that once!)
FLASH (i shudder as I type this but i haven't taught her to shoot in Manual yet LOL!) was in FULL effect
edited in LR using Kevin Kubota's Old Film LR Preset- easy peasy and fast! perfect for these snapshots!
further processed in PS: noiseware, edge sharpening, save for the web.
and some I took of Bean....
i love this one b/c it looks like she is checking her settings to make sure she got a correct exposure :)
I am peeking in on Bean and Daddy before joining in on the fun!
look at her messy room! i think it is hilarious that you can see her toy organizer still in the box!!!
and more for my photog friends:
taken with my Canon 5D, 24-70mm 2.8 lens
NO flash was used. i cranked up my ISO to 1600-3200 and shot wide open at f/2.8
processed in LR
applied Lily Blue's Wisteria LR preset (gives it that pink glow that i really like)
further processed in PS: noiseware, edge sharpening, save for the web.
don't forget to capture the everyday!!
i came across this article on DPS and wanted to share. it has inspired me to create a list of my own...work in progress and will share when i have it complete. it may be very similar to this one.
maybe i/you can use this to help get you out of a photography rut.
or refer back to this list when you are looking for a challenge.
so, are you going to make a list?
either way...enjoy!
30 Photographic Goals for 2010
1. Don’t leave your camera
You never know what opportunities will present themselves to you if your camera is always at your side. It may be a bit of extra hassle, but you will develop a greater sense of observation by being aware of your camera constantly.
2. Shoot a Photo a Day
No greater photographic progress can be seen than by a personal photo a day challenge. Watch your development over a period of 1-3 months and be amazed at how far you’ve come.
3. Smile: Photos in your daily life
Most New Years resolutions include spending more time with friends and family. Take a photographer’s spin on this one, and make it a priority to take casual photos of your friends and family on a day-to-day basis. Capturing memories for others is commendable, but capturing memories for yourself is priceless.
4. Prioritize your goals
Do you want to develop your business practices? Learn a new technique? Save for a lens? Allow your tasks and plans to filter through your long-term goals.
5. Read a photography book a month
Many professional photographers have tremendous resources for up and coming photographers. Check out this list to get you started.
6. Join or Start a photo club
Camaraderie between photo buddies and colleagues is a treasure worth investing time in. Gain invaluable advice, and accountability by joining a local photo club. And if you don’t have a photo club in your town – start one!
7. Subscribe to 5 new industry leader blogs
David Jay. Jasmine Star. Mike Cologne. Dane Sanders. Scott Roberts. Becker. Ron Dawson. The list of industry leaders who enjoy giving back to others is endless. Glean from their wisdom and experience as often as you can!
8. Compete!
Submitting your photos to competitions is one of the greatest ways to get your photos off your hard drive and into the sights of important judges and industry leaders. Remember, it’s not about who you know, but who knows you!
9. Plan a formal shoot a week
If you want to learn more about portraiture, schedule a months’ worth of weekly sessions with models, couples, or seniors. Take a few hours to set up a shoot with as many details as possible, and build your techniques and portfolio.
10. Share online
Facebook, Flikr, and other photo sharing sites are obvious ways to share your photos online, but don’t stop there. Set up private albums for friends and family on picasa albums, or other services that will enable ordering and downloads to the people you love.
11. Learn a new slideshow program
Windows Movie Maker and iMovie may be convenient, but they may not offer you all the tools you need to display your photos with wow! Take some time to learn another program for your slideshows to create the most professional look.
12. Create a photo book a month
What do you do with the photos you take every month? Instead of simply storing them on a hard drive, put them into a simple photo book. Use Blurb, MyPublisher, or Snapfish for easy and professional looks. You will be ecstatic when, at the end of 2010, you have 12 books featuring your work!
13. Build your website
Whether it’s a free template or a friend’s design, take the time to present your work on your own piece of the web. It adds to your credibility, and enables you to easily share your work with others.
14. Challenge yourself with flash lighting
Flash is bad – NOT! Flash may be a bit scary and intimidating, but a little bit of discipline and hard work, and you can become a flash pro. Check out some of these articles to join the ranks of the proud flash photographers.
15. Get a photography or business mentor
Sometimes it takes a little bit of assistance to get where you need to be in creative or business endeavors. Send
16. Inquire at a newspaper
Look for connections in unexpected places. Even if you don’t want to go into photojournalism full time, getting some work at a newspaper will give you some good connections, and provide opportunities you may not have had otherwise.
17. Display your work
Many local cafes and coffee shops are interested in supporting local artists. Make some appointments to sit down and inquire if the owner is willing to display your work on the venue’s walls. You may not be able to display them for sales, but you will generate additional interest and possible clientele.
18. Get published
These days, being published does not simply mean by paper medium. There are hundreds of blogs relevant to the kind of photography you want to create. Do some investigating. Make a list of a dozen blogs and submit your work. Then – be persistent! Be cordial, but follow through.
19. Take monthly photo walks
Do you take photo’s to relax? Sometimes amid the tension of photographing for business, or photographing for development, it’s easy to forget the enjoyment of photography. Return to the joy by scheduling an afternoon or an hour to walk through a new town, trail, or area and find inspiration. Your eyes will be opened in a new way, and you will remember the euphoria of creative discovery.
20. Plan a monthly calendar for next year
What one theme do you love more than anything else? Florals? Landscapes? Smiles? Eyes? Shoes? Find your favorite theme, and plan to shoot one photo a month in that theme, and put them together in a calendar for next year. Friends and family will love the calendar, and it gives you an excuse to display your work on the walls of homes!
21. Follow a regular photo blog-posting schedule
Photo-blogging weekly will develop your skills rapidly. Your readers will force you to be accountable to shooting consistently, and you will be able to see your development by leaps and bounds.
22. Teach a class
You are always one step ahead of someone else. Challenge yourself to host a photography class for a group in your area of influence. A church youth group class on composition. A low income after school program on creativity. A free reach out to professional amateurs on best business practices. You have something to offer, and sharing with others will also help you know your stuff as best you can.
23. Promote your work in an online Gallery
Can’t afford to print and frame dozens of pieces in a photo collection? Don’t have to. Using a hosting provider such as Zenfolio, Shutterfly, or Pictage, you can bring your work into the homes of others with the click of a mouse. Force yourself to use your photos instead of allowing them to sit on a hard drive, never to be used.
24. Give away monthly desktop calendars
There’s no better way to stay in the thoughts and mind of future clients than offering monthly calendar wallpaper for free download. Design something with a photo, and perhaps a special quote or verse. Post on your blog, and forward it on to friends and family. If it’s really cool, they’ll forward it on to others also. Suddenly, strangers will know who you are, and you will be competition on a different level.
25. Reach a hand
Get involved with HelpPortrait, or offer your services to a Boys and Girls club, or other nonprofit. These organizations are infamous for having low budgets for multimedia, and if you can offer your skills for their cause, it will bring your name out, and give you value and worth that you don’t otherwise have.
26. Develop a post processing workflow
Systemizing your work is the best way to a quick development for future work. Even if you are not in the business of photography, deciding on a good workflow for every single shoot will help you save time and energy in post processing.
27. Create a business plan
Want to start a business? Or already have? The best way to get a quick start on competition is to develop a business plan answering questions such as, “where do I want to go?” “What do I want my business to become?” and “who is my ideal client?” Even if you are not sure about starting a photography business, setting a few goals for jobs will help you pay for that new lens.
28. Experiment with new presets
Develop your own editing style by playing with presets. Start here for a good list of presets, and then adapt them to your own style. Your photos will become more cohesive and specific – causing you to have a brand with your images no one else can mimic.
29. Make personal postcards to send friends
Print mail is a rarity these days. Imagine how you would stand out if you sent out monthly postcards to select friends and family? No one can afford an entire Christmas List every month, but you can rotate the list of recipients by month. Your work will get out, you will bless others with your images, and once again, you won’t have images sitting on a hard drive, idle and wasted.
30. Take a workshop
There is no shortage of professional photographers wanting to give back through workshops. You can find workshops of all kinds, levels, and price points. Want to get away for a weekend? Or study at your own pace? You can find a workshop on location or online and continue the transformational journey of your photography in an unforgettable and rewarding way.
***KLP NEWS***
KLP Valentine's Day Boudoir Special
Just thought it would be fun to show you a Before and After. I don't think I've done that in awhile.
The Before is SOOC (straight out of the camera) RAW image.
There are several benefits to shooting RAW and if you Googled it I am sure you can find tons of info on it.
I like shooting RAW because it gives me complete control over the post processing and allows me to correct any mistakes, like forgetting to set my WB- White Balance or reducing noise due to a high ISO.
With RAW images the camera does NO processing (as it does with Jpegs.)
Thanks to Marta's WS (I mentioned I am taking her WS and love how she is pushing me right???) and she once again has encouraged me to push my creativity in my post processing and it is making editing fun again!
I've had LR- Lightroom downloaded in my laptop for 6 months or so (thanks ILs for the wonderful gift) and I am just now playing with it and really seeing the benefits.
I still use PS- Photoshop for some finishing touches. I just can't let PS go completely LOL!
But LR has allowed me to speed up my workflow so I can spend more time shooting and spending time with my family. Zack is getting sick of me sitting on my laptop ALL THE TIME!!
And I can't end this post and not say something about how CUTE my lil bean looks in this photo! We are so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful, loving, fun family! I am so proud to be part of this family and feel blessed that Katelyn has them in her life.
More photos from the beach to come!!
My Workshop will cover some of my post processing workflow...especially my favorite programs, actions, presets, tips and tricks.
Nothing will be held back.
If I don't have an answer for you right then, I will find it!
I have spots open!!! Come hang out with us. You won't be sorry!
This is a pre-Sneak Peek. After a photo session I download the images and do a quick Rating using the Star Method. If it gets a Star that means I like it and want to see it in Lightroom (something new I am learning and loving!) or Photoshop (normally use, because I am comfortable with it, but looking to speed up my workflow). I delete blurry, eyes closed, etc. right away.
Well, when I came across this image I just had to play with it right away. Who doesn't love a hot pink tutu paired with polka dot tights and shiny pink shoes?
This is just a hint of what is to come!!!
more soon I pormise!
i am in a WONDERFUL Workshop with Marta Locklear. It started on Monday and it is already stretching my creativity. Our first assignment was to take a self portrait. EEEEKKK! I am not a fan of being on the "other side" of the camera especially being 6 months preggers. My first attempt was a disaster! Once I got over my anxiety, here is what i got:
so serious.
You should give it a try...it is harder than it looks! Ok, got to work on Assignment #2.
a photog friend and i (hi steph!) got to see the becker speak at a Smug mug/Meet Up Seminar. the best part...it was FREE! so totally worth it :)
It was entitled "Passion and Profits" and despite his disclaimer of NOT being a professional or motivational speaker, I found him to be both.
As he was sharing his personal photo slideshow with us (photos he did not get paid to take) I was inspired to "see." He had the most awesome photos of the ordinary and made them so cool! it made me want to go out and shoot rusty buildings, beautiful sunsets and broken down cars, peeling paint. I had a hard time falling asleep because the wheels were turning!
So here are some of the snippets of info I came away with:
...Becker shoots Canon and jpegs (yes, jpegs!) He is also a Mac user. Yah! 2 out of 3 similarities ain't bad!
...He uses his 50mm 1.2 90% of the time- wedding, portraits, traveling. hhhmmmm...makes me think. do you/I r\really need all these lenses?? Or should you just master what you have?
...His BIG message: Do whatever it takes to deliver an Outstanding Experience to your clients.
...He recommended reading this book by Paul Arden.
...He has the COOLEST friends: Jasmine Star, The Boutwells, The Kaisers, Jessica Claire. I requested to be his friend on Facebook :)
...He is super passionate about what he does and it shows.
...Check out the [b] school. He's got a ton of video shorts with LOTS of info!!
...He loves Blog Comments as much as I do...so leave one for me! it will make my day :)
...and totally random, but I look forward to the day to remarry Zack again and all for "rad photos."
and what is a blog post without a photo???
Katelyn..vintage style
Win a FREE photo session with KLP!!!
**don't forget about my Bookmark Contest!!!
Stay tuned for a Bookmark Contest announcement. You aren't going to want to miss this! Yes, I am a tease :)
I LOVE submersing (is that even a word? spell check didn't say it was spelled incorrectly, so it must be) in all things photography. I am always looking out for the latest book, workshop, class, online forum etc.
Here is my review...
You know I couldn't say enough about Karen Russel's Photog Class
LOTS of info
LOTS of interaction
LOTS of attention from Karen
ONGOING info supplied by Karen
LOVED it!
Then I took Allison Tyler Jones' Art That Happens to be your Life Photog class at BPS.
This class assumes you know the basics of your camera, exposure and all that. It really delves into creating creative portraits. Telling a story with your photos thru composition, light and other techniques.
I wish I wasn't so busy during the course so I could've have been more present. There wasn't everyday activity, like in Karen's class so I didn't find myself as involved (also life was really busy at that time!)
**In both online classes I was able to print out all the material which I have in a 4" three ring binder.
I attended Sandy Puc's Tots to Teens Seminar.
I didn't know much about her prior to going to the seminar, but thought I should take advantage of a seminar being close by. Remember I LOVE soaking up all this photo mumbo jumbo! Sandy and my style is VERY different, but she was so generous with her knowledge. She talked extensively about her marketing campaigns, shooting in studio with lighting and product reviews. She turned me onto Finao Albums and Rice Studio Supply. I also bought her Bellies to Babies DVD (that I have yet to watch.)
I signed up for Sam's World University but didn't feel it was worth the money, so I cancelled my subscription.
And joined Clickin Moms. I have heard great things about this. I only just joined recently so I haven't had time to really get into it. I will keep you posted.
I've also spent some time on I love photography. Another great resource.
I also attended Kevin Kubota's workshop. Again, I wasn't too familiar with him, but I just read that Karen Russell attended his week long intensive workshop so I thought I better jump on this bandwagon!!
Tons of info and he turned me onto Lightroom, which I haven't bought yet. But it is on my wishlist. I am looking forward to speeding up my processing time so I can spend more time shooting!!
There are so many more Workshops I would LOVE to take..if only I had the time and money!!
Brainwash with Lauren CLark
ANYTHING from Jasmine Star
The Love Affair Workshop
Brianna Graham Workshop
Me Ra Koh Workshop
THe Image is Found Shoot Shop
Carrie Sandavol workshop
and I probably could go on and on...
I've been trying to work on shooting in light...kind of tough to do when you got an active toddler who does not like to look at the camera!
I wish I didn't have the light streak going through..but I am just happy Bean gave me a smile as she was playing Patty Cake!
fishy lips!!
where's your nose?
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