3 Things : playing with printing + a giveaway

Ali, loved today's post! Makes me want to go and take pictures right now! My favorite tip is regarding the flash--to turn it off. I have read Life Artist and A Designer's Eye for Scrapbooking and I think what draws me to your photos is how natural they all look. I feel as if I'm there with you and your family. And I really think it's because of the natural lighting in the photos.
What I need to work on: Two things! 1) Not obsessing about the "perfect" photo and 2) Capturing more everyday life pictures.
Thanks for all the tips!

Would love to win this set!
My best photo tip:
when you see a very rare and special moment that you just HAVE to capture with your camera, just fire away one shot as quickly as you can without worrying about checking all the settings. Once you have taken that first picture, then quickly look over the settings (white balance, aperture, shutter speed, ISO, etc...) and shoot again. Also, don't bother zooming in - you can always crop the image later. The most important is not to miss the important moment. I am certain you'll be happy that you have a slightly faulty photo instead of no photo at all.

I am really embarrassed that I haven't figured out how to use our digital camera! It just intimidates me for some reason! I snap lots of pictures with a disposable camera. I think my best photography tip is that i read cool photographers blogs (yours, tara's, and kc's) so when my dream comes true (hubby buys me a rebel) i'll know what to do! i also am obsessed with my old photos, polaroids, my grandma's pics, and i scrap the heck out of them! No one was looking at them in a dusty box, but now they are in beautiful albums & minis.....thx ali, happy tuesday!

I want to capture more everyday moments - the little, unscripted events in my life. So that is my photography 'goal'.
I'm lovin this new series of yours!!

I want to capture more everyday moments - the little, unscripted events in my life. So that is my photography 'goal'.
I'm lovin this new series of yours!!

I almost bought a package of that make-your-own rub-on stuff this weekend - it looked really cool. I will wait to see if someone else has got it to work - maybe there's a trick to it! My favorite special photo treatment is to print on textured cardstock - not original, I know - but super cool effect!

my tip: have a digital camera (of course), take *lots* of photos, delete &/or crop.
thanks for all the inspiration.

My tips are on my blog, I just did a big post about it, but two of the big ones are turn OFF the flash, and auto ISO. :)
I want to work on the ruthless deletion! Also I'm trying out shooting in RAW, and need a lot of work, but that's more an editing thing....

ok I can't throw away photos, and I shoot in raw format a lot so you can imagine how much room they take up. I know I don't NEED them all but I WANT them all. I do now delete the really bad ones but now with things like soccer games I want every photo, I could actually make an animation they are so in sequence

I want my photos to be natural and not just in events, about the paper fabric I use colorfast form june taylor and works great.Thanks

I am not much of a photographer, so my photo tip is always check and make sure you have removed the lens cap before taking photos...what can I say?
Thanks!

It seems (in my life anyway) that there are always more "not so great" pictures compared to "really great" pictures. So my tip is to keep working and learning to improve your picture taking skills...in the mean time...keep using the not so perfect pictures to tell the story of your life and the lives of those your love. Embrace imperfection...hummmm...wonder where it heard that! :)

Hi Ali, I need to work on exposure. I think that is the key to getting great shots.

I've recently been inspired to print my photos with white borders. It adds a lot to my scrapbook pages without actually having to do anything to them.
What I'd like to work on with my photos is deleting! I take so many photos and try to use them all when I don't NEED to in order to tell my story. My goal is to at least HALF my photos. Obviously I'd like to do more... but it is at least a starting point :-)
--Maggie
Poulsbo, WA

My tip: take lots of photos! It gives you lots to choose from and helps you learn.
What I want to learn: Photoshop!! (guess that'll take a while)

Hi There
Right now my favorite paper is the Staples brand generic satin finish 4x6 paper. This is awseome stuff ... just like the matte from the developer.
Photo challenge, I would like to play more with photos on transparency and vellum. I have done a few and they have all smudged.
have a great day
keltie johnson

Hi Ali, I need to work on exposure. I think that is the key to getting great shots.

This stuff looks great! I will have to see if I can find it here in NZ.
I love to take photos and my personal favourite tip is simple dont pose, be free and trust me I take oodles of photos :O)

My only tip would be to always be ready. I always have a small point and shoot camera and two batteries in my purse in case I need to take a spontaneous photo. And don't be afraid to play with the settings of the camera.
Isabelle

My tip is to always have a camera around because you never know when you're going to need it.

My advice will be nothing new to regular readers of your blog (and fans of your work). And that's just to take photos of all the everyday moments. So many people I know only take photos at "events" (preschool graduation, birthday party, Easter, Christmas) not realizing that the true events of a life are made up of all the simple moments within a day (discovering a ladybug, painting a picture, giving a baby a kiss or a grandmother a hug, etc). Layouts and projects I've made using photos like this are my absolute favorites.

Hi Ali, my favorite photo tip is that I've started using the aperature priority mode on my Canon Digital Rebel, and using a large aperature, small f-stop to get only part of the photo im focus and the rest blurred. I'm loving the result.
Audrey

This prinitng your photos on vellum looks
so cool. i love to take pics of my family and friends in real moments. They always want to pose,so it is always a challenge.
Thanks for al the great inspiration

What I want most to work with my photos is for it to blend. I don't want to show off how much money I spent on decorations, or have everything in a frame or on a gallery wrap, I just like to subtely enhance the feel of the picture.

Thanks for focusing on just the photos and words this week - how liberating to take your challenge! 1) My unoriginal favorite photo tip would be that I upload my pix to Costco and then I do all of my editing and printing there - love their sizing options. 2) I have an unreal photo wish - I would just like to have someone come on over to my house and show me how to use Photoshop, or to be on speed dial, so I could just call and wouldn't have to read a manual.
Have a wonderful week!