Tag Archives: Photography

I Don’t Wanna Grow Up…

Posted on February 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

One of the things I love about artists, photographers, and other creative folks is the fact that most of them still embrace their inner child.  A lot more than the 9 to 5 office slaves…eh…I mean, workers.

We photographers and artists do what we do because we love it, because we have fun and it makes us happy.

How many times have you bought a new camera, an accessory, or some new art supply and had that “kid on Christmas morning” feeling while you’re opening the packaging?  Every time?  Me too!

Some artists take it a step beyond the giddy “I got something shiny and new” feeling and cross into the realm of all out playtime.  One photographer I stumbled upon on Flickr, Stéfan, illustrates my point perfectly.

Stéfan seems very fond of photographing toys and it’s a good thing he does cause he’s awesome at it. His series entitled “Stormtroopers 365”, in which he photographed two Stormtrooper toys in various adventures every day for a year, is hilarious!  Keep up the good work, Stéfan!

Check out “Stormtroopers 365”!  Seems like the dark side might just be more fun!

I’ve been inspired.

Until next time…

[^_^]

~A.M.

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It’s February!

Posted on February 6, 2012 | Leave a comment

That’s right, folks.  It’s the first Monday in the month of February.

Why is that significant?  Well, Valentine’s Day (it irks me when I hear people say “Valentime’s“) is quickly approaching.  It’s next Tuesday in fact (just a reminder for everyone).

Now, personally, I’m not a big fan of the holiday (maybe because I despise the color pink and I don‘t really care for the chocolates that come in that famous heart-shaped box) but a lot of people get into the spirit by grabbing up mushy cards, flowers, and boxes of chocolates.

Guys (and you girls too), those types of gifts may have worked when you were five and you wanted to get something for your mom, but they’re so overdone now that they’ve actually become quite boring.  How many people enjoy getting that same box of chocolates every year?

When I see the hordes of cards, cheesy stuffed animals, and candy I think…Last minute.  If the saying is true and it really is the thought that counts well then, shouldn’t the gift reflect the thought?  So, take a moment and put some serious thought and a little effort into your gifts.  Trust me, it will be appreciated ten times more.

Here’s an idea for you, get a two sided frame or a single frame with a mat that has space for two 5×7 prints.  In one side, give your significant other a portrait of yourself.  In the other, write a little message, love note, or poem.  My brother and I collaborated and actually did this for our mother one year for Mother’s Day and guess what?  She cried.  Score!  You know you’ve hit the mark when she (or even he!) cries in a good way!

And just to be more generous (like sharing the idea wasn‘t enough! [-_^]), I won’t even ask to be given credit if you happen to use this little idea of mine!  Though, if you do try it, or some variation of it, it would rock if you sent me an email or left a message on my Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AudreyMayPhoto) to let me how it worked out for you!

Until next time…

[^_^]

~A.M.

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Posted in Life, Photography

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It’s Monday…Again…

Posted on January 30, 2012 | Leave a comment

Ok folks, if you haven’t noticed yet, I’m attempting to start a little routine with my blogging here.  I’m going to try to keep to a somewhat regular schedule by posting a new blog every Monday.

Care to wager how long I’ll make it before I start to slack off…eh…I mean, lapse?

Well, I probably just jinxed myself by telling you my plans so we‘ll see what happens.

Anyway, it’s Monday again.  The last Monday of January, in fact.

I’ll keep this post short and sweet then send you on your way.

I want to share with you an interesting little site an awesome photographer shared with me a while ago.  Well, he shared it with his entire audience, not just me.  But I thought I’d pass along the enjoyment.  Thanks, Chris!

You Know You’re A Photographer When…

Until next time…

[^_^]

~A.M.

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Posted in Miscellaneous, Photography

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It’s Not The Camera That Matters….

Posted on January 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

…it’s how you use it.

Ok, you got me.  I stole that by reworking the popular “size” idiom but hey, it applies here.

Camera manufacturers constantly argue over who has the better camera.  Canon says they do.  Nikon says they do.  Sony says they do.  Pentax, Olympus…well, you get my drift.  But of course camera manufacturers are going to argue that their camera is the best of the best.  They want to sell them!

Some people buy into the manufacturer hype and start drooling the second they hear about the newest camera upgrades, or the newest lenses.  I think we’ve all been a little guilty of that to some degree at one time or another, but some take it to the max.

That’s all well and good, but fancy, top-dollar lenses, or a fancy top-dollar camera isn’t what makes someone a photographer.

It’s skill, folks.  Skill, a good eye, and we can’t forget the knowledge.

That brand-spanking-new, high performance camera with the badass lens won’t do you much good if you don’t know how to use it, and I’m not talking about just reading the manual that came with the camera.  Though, that’s always a good idea.  I’m talking about a solid foundation, a good photography course that can set you on the right path.

Some say that anyone can take pictures (didn’t someone give a camera to a monkey or a gorilla somewhere, and rave about the photos taken?).  But like having the newest camera or lens, just taking snapshots doesn’t make someone a photographer.  In short, nothing substitutes for knowledge.  What’s that other popular idiom? “Knowledge is Power.”

Well, kids, if you want to be a good (or even great) photographer, start by enrolling in a good photography course (personally, I attended the New York Institute of Photography and they’re amazing. Look them up!), gain some good foundation knowledge, learn how to develop your eye, then load up on the gadgets and fancy cameras/lenses, then go forth and use your new photographic powers for the good of the human race!

Until next time…

[-_-]

~A.M.

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If Ninjas Carried Business Cards….

Posted on January 16, 2012 | Leave a comment

 

….This would be the case they’d use.

Before I explain what I mean by that, let me give you a little background.

I entered a photography contest in 2010 and won a free pack of 50 business cards from Moo.com (<–Shameless plug for you right there Moo!).  Now, what’s so awesome about Moo.com?  Well, first off, they have nothing to do with the bovine world so forget that thought.  They deal in personalized business cards, post cards, greeting cards, labels, stickers, that sort of stuff.  And they’re awesome.  Super awesome.

Now, I recently placed an order with the fine folks of Moo.com for a new pack of business cards.  New year = New business cards, right?  Once my dinosaur of a dial-up internet connection finally let me upload and edit all my photos (get this, you can print up to fifty different images in one pack of cards!), I entered all my info and hit the “Add To Cart” button.  I sat there for a minute arguing with myself before I finally decided that where it was a new year I was going to let myself splurge a bit.  So, I added a nifty new business card case to my order.

Meet the “ShowCase”, folks.

 

 

What’s so special?  I’m glad you asked!  This little unassuming business card case has a sweet little surprise built in.  Now, why do I think of Ninjas when I mention this case?  Again, delighted you asked!  This is why….

 

 

Come on! Admit it!  That’s like the Ninja Star of business card cases!  And Ninjas are awesome!

I have a feeling this little case is going to get people talking about my cards.  And what’s on my cards?  Well, my photography, of course!

Now, just because I’m in such a good mood after receiving my cards and case, and because I’m just an all around nice gal, I’m going to share a little link with you folks so you can get 10% off your first order on Moo.com.  Sound good?  Well, I should hope so!  Here it is: http://moo.com/share/wphtrb.  Go forth and create!

Until next time….

[^_^]

~A.M.

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