3 Things : playing with printing + a giveaway

I love the idea of including words on photos or doing photo "film strips" like photo booths, but without Illustrator, it's gets hard. Any ideas on how to do these things, when you don't have the specific software people talk about would be helpful.
Chris SB

I really need to hand the camera to other people and ask them to take my photo. My 14 year old is a very good photographer, and he takes care to shoot flattering photos.

Photo tip: Spend 10 minutes a day in Photoshop adding brief journaling directly onto your favorite pics; gets the memories down while still fresh.

We just got a new puppy so I'm experimenting a lot with pictures of her - I love to take the unusual picture - close up of her little paws or whatever - just a different view. I love to try this when we are at get togethers - stepping away from the usual posed pics to get the unusal shots that make the memories that much more fun!
Amy

I want to work on taking photos from different angles and trying to get a different perspective. I have been trying more to get pictures from up high, or down low and to think about including negative space, where I could include journaling or words.

when photography kids get down on their level, photograph the everyday moments, the abstract, a great photo doesn't have to have the subject centred and smiling. Candid natural moments are always treasured.
I would like to play with depth of field more, and using words on my photos..
Thanks for the daily inspiration Ali.
Thanks,
Tara

I am so looking forward to this week. I need to get back to the basics which is my favorite part... the pictures and the story. I have become to focused on the extra goodies for the page. Thank you!!! I love your blog!!
Mary G

My favorite photo tip is to try a different perspective. It's amazing how the most ordinary things look so cool when you're looking at them from a different high or vantage point. I love to get up on my step ladder during sessions, or crawl on the ground. The view is pretty cool.

My big concern is storing the digital photos. Are they really safe on an external hard drive? Can that crash, too? And what about disks? i have most stored on websites like snapfish, too, but i have to keep using that service to keep them on there. i also need to scan all my mom' negatives, half of which are 110 film. i'm thinking about investing in a film scanner to make it go faster. Thanks for your inspiration! -Amy

my favorite photo tip is to take pictures at all different angles...get down on the ground, stand up on a chair, over a banister. Fun results
On the photo canvas problem...could you put a row of scotch tape along the edge to seal the canvas to the backing...maybe it will slide through easier and your printer will grab it rather than peel it back.
I dont know, maybe?

Without a doubt my favorite photos are the ones where the subjects are not looking directly into the camera. Interaction between sisters, animals and family...a father and daughter. I love profile shots where you capture emotion without knowing it. I try really hard to photograph a moment not just document time.

I want to be able to take my camera off auto and learn how to use it manually. The last few photos I have taken the flash off and I was surprised how good some of the photos were.

I noticed my two tips where already mentioned....but I agree to always carry a camera in your purse and taking photos from above is more flattering!!!

The thing I would really like to get better at regarding my photos is taking portraits. I LOVE taking pictures of nature and objects but am as good as I would like when it come to self and other peoples portraits.
Thanks for the chance to win some paper :)

I've been trying to avoid using my flash whenever possible & I love the results. I also try not to worry if I don't catch the perfect smile or if my "subject" (usually my 18 month old) isn't looking at the camera. The non-posed photos are becoming my favorites. :) Thanks for the fun giveaway opportunity!

The only tip I have isn't mine, but Donna Downey's ... Instead of using the specialty paper, you can use ink-jet transparency and rub it on either a paper or fabric using a gel medium.
As I had relocated to another country in a different continent - I like collecting as much photos as possible from my new enviornment and contrasting it with photos from my previous home and homeland.
Thank you very much for your new series on your blog, it is as inspiring as your books and I really appreciate your efforts.

I want to practice/learn Photoshop. I love to take pictures and want to learn how to improve them.
Mary

I'm having fun printing on transparencies. It's funny, actually. As a professor I've been printing on them for years for teaching, but never put two and two together until recently!

I'm having fun printing on transparencies. It's funny, actually. As a professor I've been printing on them for years for teaching, but never put two and two together until recently!

I have a Nikon D50 SLR with two lenses and love it. I don't always have it with me - too much to carry everywhere so I bought a small Canon powershot that fits in my purse and now I am always ready - never have to say - too bad I didn't bring my Nikon - This was the best decision I've made.

I think that my tip would be quite simple: stay spontaneous! Keep this naive look that we all had when we were children. This implies that you do not think so much to placement or lighting but that you almost feel your photo, right now!!!! =)

I love to take pictures of my son or daughter standing behind them, capturing a part of their head, and beyond that what they are looking at. It makes me see things from their perspective and sometimes gives me insight into what they are thinking. I also like to snap shots of their little hands doing things--picking berries, coloring, etc.
I want to get better at putting the camera down and being 'in the moment' instead of always trying to get the perfect shot for my layout!
I love the idea of a pic printed on vellum, definitely going to try that!

I recently purchased a used Nikon D100 from a photographer, and I still have no idea how to use it to its full potential. I need to work on not standing too close to my subject. I also need to work on my husband's willingness to take photos...I'm getting tired of taking pictures of my dog!

Great post. I've wanted to try several of these before.
My favorite photo tip is to think in thirds. When I take photos sometimes it helps to "break down" the photo. If you analyze how each third is composed rather than the whole, you can take a totally different picture than when you look at the big picture.

Always take a few photos from different distances and make sure to take a few photos in portrait and a few in landscape format of everything you shoot :)