If you’re lucky like me, you’ll be able to walk in the hardware store, hand your list over to an employee, and shop while you wait for them to gather your materials!  Thank you Ray!!  Our Higganbotham (Ace Hardware) here in Sweetwater, has one of the best fellas working for them.  He knows his stuff and will make it happen!   If you aren’t this lucky, then you’ll have to measure and cut your own pvc pipe.

You simply place the lights on the side, up close to the fabric so that it shines through the “box”. I forgot to take a photo but they look like this…

And here’s the photo I took immediately after I made it!  Not bad, especially considering that my room was completely dark and my camera was on P, using no flash!  There’s still some tweaks to make with my camera settings, and position of lights but this allows me to use various backdrops and not have to rely on the front door being open! OH, and iron your fabric if you plan to use it as the backdrop. lol  I sure hope this helps someone out and wasn’t too confusing!

WHAT’S INSIDE?

Photo Nuts and Shots is perfect for you if:

• look at others’ images and wonder “Why don’t my photos look like that?”
• want to take gorgeous shots, every single time
• know your camera, but want to learn the craft of photography
• long to take more emotive, expressive photos
• want to take photos that truly connect with viewers.

You’ll learn:

Packed with all-new, practical advice from professional photographer Neil Creek, Photo Nuts and Shots has been developed specifically for DPS readers.

• Learn to harness light to convey emotion.
• Understand the rules of composition … and know when to break them.
• Take the sharpest possible photo every time.
• Learn to adapt the camera’s exposure to produce the shot you want.
• Master the concepts of shot perception, planning, and execution — in any setting.
• Tap into your unique creativity to take evocative photographs that reach out to viewers.

WHAT DO I THINK?

I’ve had the chance to look the ebook over and while there are some tips that are very basic for a first-timer, there was also a ton of tips and helpful information that I didn’t even know.   I loved how it teaches you about histogram, exif, and other features that I sorta thought I knew but didn’t really.  It gives you an appreciation for that type of stuff.  It teaches you how to be creative and appreciate the moments.  You learn composition techniques, rule of the thirds, framing, and SOOO much more!  Exposures, lighting, and vivid photography!  Over 100 pages that is totally worth the buy!

I plan to apply some of the techniques into my future photos.  I highly recommend.  Nuff said!

Because it’s the launch, you can get Photos Nuts and Shots at a 25% discount so act now y’all!  I loved my other ebook from them and I LOVE this one.

Buy Photo Nuts and Shots 25% off for two weeks so instead of $19.97, it’s $14.97.

I thought it made a pretty picture. I could have taken photos of the all the ugly sweaters I suppose but the house and fire was too beautiful to go unnoticed.

As someone who has a camera attached to her hip,  I often take the time to reflect on the photos I’ve taken.  They tell much more of a story than I could ever tell but it just gives me a chance to go back to that moment and remember how it affected me, my family, or my friends.  As I decided to do this, I quickly realized that it was sort of a pain to thumb back through my blog, my flickr account and through files to find my favorite photo moments. I needed a way to create a book of memories; something I could hold and look through by myself, with my family, or with my friends.  A photo book is the solution.

I’ve made a photo book before but not to recap the year.  I think this is such a great way to preserve memories. I know that with today’s technology, we often overlook the thought of having something physical in our hands to flip through but I also know that my boys absolutely love going through our photo albums that I created years back and you just don’t get that same feeling gathered around the computer, or at least I don’t.

Kodak approached me the other day and asked if I knew about their SMARTFIT technology photo books.  I didn’t.  She told me about it and asked if I wanted to try it out and give you the chance to try it and of course, I was happy to.  It was perfect timing after all.  FYI, the SMARTFIT technology is well, smart of course. It’s pretty dang easy to use and has tons of quality options to make your photo book look fantastic.  I love when things are easy.  I’m a little bit more experienced with computers and such compared to the casual user at home so I always try to look at it through my mom’s eyes. Will she be able to use it and understand the options, instructions, and extra features.  I’m confident that she’d be able to with the Kodak photo books.    To give you an idea of how it works, here’s a quick video.

Here are a couple of my 2010 photo memories that I’ll be adding to my photo book.

Since I know we all have photos that we’d like compiled in a photo book, I want to give you the chance to make your own photo book from Kodak!!  There will be THREE winners who will receive a gift code in the amount of $55 per winner to use to create your own photo book.

HOW TO ENTER

Mandatory entry - Leave a comment on this post telling me what kind of photo book you’d create.  Would it be themed? If so, what type of theme?  Would it be random photos, only of kids and event that happened like a baby shower or wedding??  Let me know!

Additional, optional entry methods, leaving each one in a separate comment to count please.

• Share the giveaway on twitter or facebook.  Please do not Stumble the giveaway using stumbleupon. That is against TOS.
• Visit the Kodak Gallery website and tell me what else they offer that you’d like to do with photos.

This giveaway ends on December 27th, on or about 10pm CST.  Good luck!

You can follow Kodak Gallery on Twitter and on Facebook

Just released from DPS, is this fabulous ebook, Photo Nuts and Bolts, that compiles excellent tips and help for you to get to know your camera and improve your photos.  If any of you are wanting to improve your photography, this is going to help you a great deal and the fact that the information comes from such a trusted source, Darren  and his DPS peeps, it’s packed with tons of very useful information from respected, seasoned photographers.

From the site:

10 Lessons to Give You Control Over Your Camera

Buying this book – you’ll be walked through the following topics:

Lesson 1 – Light and the Pinhole Camera
Lesson 2 – Lenses and Focus
Lesson 3 – Lenses, Light and Magnification
Lesson 4 – Exposure and Stops
Lesson 5 – Aperture
Lesson 6 – Shutter
Lesson 7 – ISO
Lesson 8 – The Light Meter
Lesson 9 – White Balance
Lesson 10 – Metering Modes and Exposure Compensation

and so much more!

I ordered and downloaded my copy of  Photo Nuts and Bolts today and I highly recommend you do the same, especially because it’s on sale right now!

OH…and THERE IS A 30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE Y’ALL!!

When you arrive to their site, you are in awe of the breathtaking, endearing photos to the right and soothed by the color palette.  You immediately notice the focus on the photos and the welcome but can easily see who’s supporting the site with the drop down tab at the top. So subtle, yet clear.

I’ve seen a many communities in my day but I have to say, Clickin Moms is quality built, thinking of every kind of photographer.  Once a member, you have access to some of the kindness, most talented women I’ve met.  They immediately make you feel welcomed and even though you might feel a slight bit of intimidation by all that talent, don’t let it scare you. Like Jennifer told me,

“I look back at stuff from even one or two months ago (mostly post-processing, since that is what I will be focusing on) and I can see vast improvement, all kudos to the info and help I’ve received here. Don’t be intimidated and just focus on your journey and learning experience. :o) Everyone was new at some point.”

Those are the kind of people I like to surround myself around.

Not only are there good people at Clickin’ Moms, there are fabulous photo tutorials, challenges, resources for actions and templates, and even a vendor thread just in case you’re interested in purchasing  trendy camera straps or booking a photo session!  The gallery is the perfect, safe place to share your photos.  I love seeing the tweaked photos against the untweaked ones and how, if you are willing, you can see a whole new perspective when someone else plays with your photo.  Honestly there is a wealth of information made available to members that is sure to keep your busy for hours.

Anyone who is into photography should consider becoming a member.  I have no doubt that you’ll enjoy every second you’re there.  All this fabulousness does come with a cost. A cost that is very budget friendly and worth every cent in my opinion. A quick look at price packages:

• 1 Month ($8.00 for each month)
• 6 Months ($30.00 for each 6 months)
• 1 Year ($50.00 for each year)

You can see more options at the site.  You’ll definitely benefit from purchasing the advanced price and that’s what I recommend.  And of course, you can always pay for a month and try it out!

The only flaw I could find were a couple of forum errors. Nothing major at all.  I give this photography community two thumbs up and hope to see you over there!

SOMETHING FOR YOU

A one year subscription is up for grabs.  To enter, simply leave a comment one thing you’d love to learn about to enhance your photography/photography skills.

Additional ways to enter, leaving each one in a separate comment.

• Share on an social networking site like twitter, facebook, online communities, etc. If using twitter, please include my handle @ACowboysWife and don’t forget to follow Clickin’ Moms on Twitter too!
• Sign up for free updates from Clickin’ Moms
• Sign up for MY monthly newsletter.

Giveaway ends on Oct. 11th.  Good luck!

Truett loves Max. He goes down the slide with him, sometimes pushing him down.  He acts like he’s shoeing him.  He chases him and pulls his tail but it’s this sweet 15-second moment that shows his kindness.

I know you can’t tell but they are both laughing together. I don’t know what about and I don’t want to know because that is their moment.  Mine is watching father and son having a giggle together.

I have no clue what little man is lookin’ up at ’cause I didn’t see anything there.  Maybe it was a plane I missed, maybe a bird that flew by, or maybe he’s seeing a glimpse of his abuela and great grandmother….who knows, but he was still for what seemed like forever.

It’s rodeo time and game-face is on!  Both cowboy and horse are in concentration, making sure not to let that steer get by.  Still can’t believe I’m the mom of a 16yr old.

Who doesn’t love to see their son with his Dad but what I love about this photo, is seeing their hands together and my man’s thumb on little man’s hand and his hand holding Dad’s finger.

I know that everyone gets busy with things but I hope y’all are taking the time to enjoy the simple moments.

Every month,  a photo contest will be held here, each one with a different theme.  There will be two judges for each contest, whom of which will narrow down the entries one by one to choose the winners.  There will only be one Blue Ribbon winner.

I will be sharing my own photo for the current theme, however, it will not be eligible for the contest;) It will be a fun way for me to involved a little bit too.

SEPTEMBER BLUE RIBBON PHOTO CONTEST

Please read the complete rules before submitting your photo!

Photo entries will be taken from today, September 1st through September 20th at 10pm CST.  That’s over two full weeks to get your photo submitted here!

The September theme is “Sapphire”. I would love to see some creativity with these theme.  Sapphire is September’s birth stone so anything blue related applies to this photo contest.

The prize for September is:

• Blue Ribbon Winner – Kodak Zi6 Pocket Video Camera in Red and is valued at $160  The winner will also receive a 2GB SD memory card to use with your new Kodak Video Camera!

Kodak’s handy pocket video camera offers HD, easy video editing and easy uploads to youtube.  Comes in 3 colors; black, pink, and red but the winner will get red.

Here is my September, “Sapphire”  photo, which of course is not eligible but it’s fun to share my viewpoint of the theme.

Now it’s YOUR turn! Remember to read all the rules BEFORE submitting your link here to avoid disqualification.  I hope that you find this fun and exciting and really hope that you spread the word and participate.

Once your submission is ready, upload your photo into the comment box.  Share the title of your photo and feel free to tell us more about the photo in your comment.

Winner will be announced on September 28th.

Feel free to leave your comments here about my photo, other entries and the contest in general. I welcome your feedback. Be sure to check out each entry and leave comments on their submission as well!