Let Me Introduce You

This is my camera.

Pretty isn't she?  She's a Canon Rebel XSi, and she was a gift a few years ago from The Hubs.   Here she is from the back.

She's kind of like a super model.  All sleek and stylish and awesome.  She's perfect, except for one little thing.  She an I have a bit of a love/hate relationship.  See, I want to love her, and know how to use her and make beautiful pictures together.   But it just never seems to work out.

This is where it all falls apart for me.  She's got all these cool dials and settings and I get so confused, that I generally keep it on auto (that's the little green square there).  Which does make really beautiful photos, but isn't really a representation of any artistic talent.  Oh, I let that come out when I edit the photos later, but other than lining things up in the frame how I want them, I have no control over the photos I take.  And as a complete Type-A control freak personality, this is.. troublesome.

So, here's what I'm gonna do.  I'm re-dedicating myself to actually learning how to use my camera.  No really, I mean it this time.  I've had a few actual photographers try to explain it to me (Sorry Laura! It just didn't sink in!) and even read a few how-to's online, but I think I just didn't put in enough effort before.  And since I'm a complete Type-A control freak personality, who can't stand failure, I'm going to start again.

My Plan?  To start with the what the heck series from The Pioneer Woman's blog that starts with aperture.  She was the reason I got interested in photography again in the first place, so she's a good place to start. And as I move along and start to try to make sense of all this, I'll post my photos, what I'm learning, where I'm learning it from in a way that make sense.  I'll kinda be like Bob Ross, only without the afro.  And then we'll all shoot happy little trees together.

Seriously.. Thoughts?

Winner Winner We Have a Winner!

Oh my there were some good ones this time!  Everyone must love Starbucks!!!

There were a couple of Oasis names, and a few Jungle ones that were pretty good.  However, I wanted to make special mention of Arenwen's Jurassic Salad Bar because it made me laugh.  And I was really drwan to Tamlin's Free Adventure: Start Here.  I was also pretty giggly about Wolf's Three Clowns Walk Into A Bar...  I didn't understand it mind you, but it did make me giggle.

But ultimately, I went with a facebook entry, Jennifer's Ascent in Frondescence because it was intriguing enough to make me go look up the word "Frondescence".   

Frondescence
noun
1. the process, state, or period of putting forth leaves
2. leaves; foliage


CONGRATS JENNIFER!  I'll message you on facebook to get your address so I can send your prize out this weekend.  Thank you to EVERYONE who played!


Seriously.. Thoughts?

Give this Photo a Name Contest

Last weekend my friend Wendy came to visit from Washington state.  One of the things we did was head back to the LA Arboretum to explore a bit more.  We found a few more hidden places I hadn't seen last time I was there.  This is one of the photos that I think turned out the best and since I hadn't done a contest in a while, this was perfect!

I did mess with this image quite a bit, but I'll show you all of that in a later post!

The rules are simple, just give this photo a title.  Something descriptive and creative.

Winner will be chosen next Thursday night and will win a $20 Starbucks gift certificate!
Good luck and thanks for playing!

 

Seriously.. Thoughts?

Want to Win A Camera Bag?

I love my camera.  I might have mentioned that a few times.  But I have no camera bag.  I know, it's lame.  There are lots of camera bags that we've looked at, but most are black and very utilitarian.  I really want something with a bit more pizazz.  Of course, all the really cute ones are super spendy.  So I've been using my purse lately.  It's okay, but not very practical.  And then there are these cute numbers.  They "look" like purses, but inside are all sorts of pockets and compartments for camera bits and pieces.

My good buddy - okay, she has no idea who I am, but I might be stalking her like Ree over at Pioneer Woman - over at MCP Actions, (whose actions btw, I would love to have.  Did I mention recently in a different post that my birthday, Christmas and Labor Day were coming up?) is having a contest to give away a camera bag! 

Could I write one sentance without my inner stream of thought coming into the mix? Could I? Anyone?

There's a bunch of different ways to enter so it's well worth the effort.  Head on over and check it out!

http://networkedblogs.com/6KWpL

Seriously... Thoughts?

Preciousness Blooms

Looks like Brian wins again!  This isn't rigged I swear!  The Hubs picked the winner this time, and he didn't see who wrote what.  I just read them off to him. 

So I'll be shipping off your Apothia Plush Hand & Body Wash here in a few days.  You're house is going to be down right LA Chic if you keep this up!

I promise the next prize will be a gift certificate to a store other than Apothia!  Maybe Starbucks. MMMMM.
Keep playing!  And thanks so much to everyone who participated!

Seriously.. Thoughts?

PS.  I signed up to add ads to my blog.  If you guys see anything that even remotely interests you, please click.  The more clicks I get, the more money I have for better prizes.  Think Amazon, think electronics, think camera lens coffee cups and love and joy and peace on earth.  Or, think of all the things you could buy with bigger prize money!

Winner Annoucement Delayed & I Must Have This

My fellow voter (The Hubs) is down for the count this morning so we're delaying the winner of the photo contest until he's up and moving again.  Maybe this afternoon, so keep an eye out.

In other news, I must have this.  I must.  And if your new obsession is photography, you must have this too.

http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/camera-lens-mug/

"Behold, the Camera Lens Mug, a mug that looks JUST LIKE a 24-105mm lens!
It's equipped with a lens-cap lid (omg), rubber-grip focus and zoom rings (o…m…g), and an auto-focus switch that actually switches (OMG)! It's so realistic, you might have to use post-its just to remind yourself which is your mug and which is your lens!"

Just remember that my birthday is coming up.. and Christmas.. and Labor Day.  Also, I don't mind if you have to make up a holiday to get this as a gift for me.  I'm easy going like that.

Seriously.. Thoughts?

NEW Give this Photo A Name Contest

I'm giving away an APOTHIA Plush Hand & Body Wash.
Plush is Full service, crisp linens, deep baths, secret gardens, sleeping in. Do not disturb.

It's trendy, it's LA and you definitely want it for your bathroom.  You do.  You may not know it yet, but you do!  Follow the link to learn all about this wonderful prize which I will mail to the winner of this "Give This Photo A Name Contest".

The rules are simple.

1. Enter a name for this photo in the comments section of this post.
2. Only one entry per person.
3. Must enter before 7pm PST Saturday August 7th
4. The most creative and representative photo title wins the prize!  Winner announced Sunday Morning!

Remember, this is a title for this photo, not a long winded description.  A quick caption people, that's what I'm talkin' about! Can't wait to see what you guys come up with!  GOOD LUCK!

Seriously.. Thoughts?

Timid Spectator

Oh thank you thank you thank you to everyone who participated.  Even those of you who felt guilted into it.  I don't mind a little guilt to force my friends and family to play!  I don't.  And I'm not ashamed of it either.  I'm not!  I'm not because I had such great contributions!!!

Brent is the winner with Timid Spectator because it made me re-think the whole photo! It did.  And my heart skip a beat!  (email me at wendi@creative-muse.com with your addy and I'll mail your prize off this weekend!)  But it was close.. OH SO CLOSE.  I couldn't decide for a long time!  That's why I'm so late making this winner announcement.

Neva, you were so close with Tree Nymph! As soon as I saw it, I thought for sure that would be the winner.  Then Brent came a long.  Blame him!  It's all his fault!  And Norma and Wendy were on the same wavelength with sunshine peaking through the trees!  I loved it!  Julie's Hide & Go Peek was precious and Cinda's Naughty Little Monkey made me giggle.  A few times!  And Phyllis!  Russian Spy?? How perfect is that given what's been in the news lately.

She's not though, just so everyone is clear.  She's not a spy.  At least, not that I'm aware of.

Thank you thank you!!!  I love love love that you guys played!  You really made my day!  There will be more of these to come with different gifts (some more boy friendly.. but I'm sure you'll enjoy the soap Brent.  Honest!) so be ready!

Seriously.. Thoughts?

This Photo Needs A Name Contest

 Give This Photo A Name Contest

My good friend Ree over at Pioneer Woman has these little contests where she asks her readers to give a photo a name.  Okay, she's not my good friend, or rather, she's my good friend, but I highly doubt she even knows who I am.  I read her blog every day.  In fact, for the past few weeks, I've been reading every post she's ever made on her blog going back to May of 2006.  I'm up to June 2009 now.  I'm stalking her, alright?  Don't judge.  Ree rocks!  Plus, she takes lots of photos of her hottie husband in chaps.  Who could resist?

Anyway, while she gives away amazing gifts now, she started out small once upon a time, and so will I.  I'm planning to give away an APOTHIA Wave Hand & Body Wash.  It's trendy, it's LA and you definitely want it for your bathroom.  You do.  You may not know it yet, but you do!  Follow the link to learn all about this wonderful prize which I will mail to the winner of my very first "Give This Photo A Name Contest".

The rules are simple.

1. Enter a name for this photo in the comments section of this post.
2. Only one entry per person.
3. Must enter before 7pm PST Tuesday July 13th
4. The most creative and representative photo title wins the prize!

Can't wait to see what you guys come up with!  GOOD LUCK!

Seriously.. Thoughts?