Vintage Sewing Box

I went to a small outdoor “flea market” in the country this weekend.  During the nicer spring/summer/fall months it’s hosted once a month.  It’s mostly some of the local antique vendors, and not really a flea market in the traditional sense.  But the prices are on the reasonable side for the most part.  The booth I bought this from is one I frequent at one of my favorite antique malls in Portland.  There stuff always appeals to me. 

I’m pretty sure what sold me on this (and had me paying $22) was the little spot for the thimble.  It’s always the details that get me!  This is the perfect size for keeping my hand stitching supplies in one spot, and toting around the house easily.  I’m so happy with my find!

Photographing Crafts

I’m happy to report my finger is healing and doing much better.  It is very sensitive, but as long as that “cage” is on there, I do just fine.  Until I try and pick something up or reach for something.  It’s going to be a fun few months.  Thanks to everyone for their well-wishes!  With the difficulty in typing, I haven’t done much “replying” to comments, but I hope I will be forgiven this time. 

Today over at the Focal Press Blog, MasteringPhoto.com, I have a guest post on photographing crafts.  I talk about what I consider before actually hitting the shutter button.  I’m sure most of you consider some of these things, if not all, and don’t even realize it.  But it’s good to always try and keep it in mind.  I’ll let you head over there to read more.  (…and find out my $0.99 “secret” to great photos!)

And consequently, I happen to really like the Mastering Photo blog…so you might want to take a peek around!

Self-Inflicted Injury

Well, I had a little accident yesterday.  And because of it, it’s difficult for me to type.  Who knew one finger could make such a difference!  I was happily chopping cilantro yesterday for guacamole, and whoops!  Chopped the top of my finger.  So I’m missing the nail and some of the skin under it, but I was reassured it will all grow back and be fine in time.  So I’m afraid it will be a little quiet around here for awhile.  At least until I can type with this finger again.

I really was looking forward to telling you about Plate to Pixel today, but it will have to wait.  I will say that it’s an awesome photography book that, while dealing with foods, has a lot of application for us crafty bloggers, too.  So if you’ve thought about purchasing it, I would encourage you to do so.  Excellent book. 

Also, Cara at Focal Press let me know that the app I reviewed yesterday, The Photographer’s Eye, will be on sale through Monday for just $4.99!  That is an incredible savings!  I’m off for now, but will be back briefly on Sunday with the names of our winners.  See you then!

The Photographer’s Eye App

Congratulations, Danielle of Petits Elefants! If you could please send me an email (as it was not visible to me), I will get all the info over to you A.S.A.P!

The Photographer’s Eye by Michael Freeman deals with the composition and design of photos. Right off the bat I have to say that Michael Freeman’s books tend to be for the more experienced photographer. Not because what he talks about is difficult to understand, quite the opposite, but because you need to have a more basic understanding of the fundamentals of photography when reading a lot of his books. I have several books by Michael Freeman, and can honestly recommend them all if it happens to be a book your considering.

When reading about composition in a lot of photography books, you are lucky if you get a whole chapter, usually it’s just a few paragraphs. I think for a lot of photographers, especially those of us with blogs for crafts, food, etc., we would like more information on composing our shots. This book is dedicated to only that. Imagine taking every detail of composing a shot and giving each it’s own section, by doing that you arrive at this book. No part of composing an image is left out.

With that said, this book is perhaps for the reader that likes to be more analytical in their photographing strategy, and is interested in photography more than just items, but also landscapes and people. There are some really great sections in the book that deal with things like horizontal and vertical lines and how to compose your images around them, as well as filling your frame, and placement of an image in a frame, balance, rhythm, textures, perspective… There is a whole chapter dealing with light and color and composing around it – there is a LOT of information in this book.

I have been reviewing the App version of this book on my iPad and really love the interactivity of it. There are sound clips of Michael, multiple photos illustrating examples and interactive diagrams. It’s been great hearing explanations in the authors voice as well as being able to click through a series of pictures that illustrate a point, as with the photos above. Each of the pointing finger icons indicates a different explanation of the photo crop as well as a visual example. Very handy.

I have a few more Michael Freeman books I’ll talk about in the next few days that I like, but for now let’s have another giveaway. Thanks once again to Focal Press, the publisher of The Photographer’s Eye, I am giving away a redemption code for The Photographer’s Eye app for iPad. If you have an iPad and would be interested in this app, please leave a comment and I’ll pick one name on Sunday.

And join me tomorrow, I’ll be talking about the book Plate to Pixel!

My Camera Bag + More Books

Something that never seems to fail to bother me is when a photographer is secretive about their “equipment”.  I see fantastic photographs by a photographer and think “I wonder what lens they used…”  No matter how much you know your camera, some lenses just yield certain results.  I find more and more that I like when photographers annotate their photos with the camera and lens used (or focal length), shutter speed, aperture and ISO.  When you first delve into photography these things probably don’t mean anything to you.  They didn’t to me.  But over time I’ve come to appreciate it as it tells me more about what the photographer was doing to capture that image in just that way.  Now, you may argue that knowing the shutter speed and aperture does not guarantee you will get the same image if in the same spot, and this is true, but what it does tell you is where to begin.  If you have an idea of the time of day an image is shot, these numbers can be very helpful.  Aperture for instance can tell you about why a background is nice and blurry (shallow depth of field –> large aperture –> small f-stop number, i.e.f/1.8), or why rushing water is so smooth (greater depth of field –> small aperture –> large f-stop number, i.e. f/22).  But that is something you become more familiar with over time.  It’s not something to necessarily concern yourself with at the beginning.  When starting out I think it’s most important to learn the basic functions of your camera and learn to feel comfortable taking photos with it.  And this holds true for DSLRs or point-and-shoots, because point-and-shoots these days can yield some wonderful results!

Alright, so the point of this was to share with you what I have in my “camera bag” (I say “camera bag” because I don’t actually own a camera bag…why?  I have no idea).  So here is a run down:

• Canon 60D body
• Canon XTi body (needs a new shutter, going to convert to infrared)
• Canon EFS 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 II (“kit” lens)
• Sigma DG 28-300mm 3.5-6.3 {I’m using this lens a lot right now}
• Canon EF 50mm 1.8 II
• Bower Super Wide 0.42x with macro filter attachment (fits kit lens)
• Neewer Super Wide 0.45x with macro filter attachment (fits 50mm lens)
  
• Quantaray QDC 900WA Speedlight
• QSX 66oITM tripod
• Infrared Remote
• Tethered Release
• Vivatar ND8 Filter
• Vivatar CPL (circular polarizing) filter
• Green.L Gradual Gray filter

And I think that’s about it.  I feel like I’ve forgotten something, but can’t figure out what.  I am hoping to add a 28mm 1.8 lens soon, but prices went up a few hundred after the earthquake in Japan, so might have to wait a little while on that one.  I’d also like to add a wide angle in the near future…but those are a little more as well.  OH!  Some L-series lenses would be awesome, too!  If only I had unlimited funds.  Thank goodness for BorrowLenses.com!

So I also wanted to talk about a few more photography books I have bought over time and recommend.  Have you ever heard of Scott Kelby?  He’s a photography/Photoshop guru!  He writes for the everyday person, staying away from technical jargon that might have you glazing over.  I think he is an author for every kind of photographer, but most especially for those of you just starting out.  His digital photography book series deals more with the “what equipment should I use” and “how do I get that shot” kind of stuff, and not really the basic functions of the camera.  You can usually find that in the beginning of most photography books.  I must admit, I usually gloss over those sections, but I’ll be talking about a book later this week that is great for this.  For now, let’s talk about these books by Scott Kelby.

The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby is a fantastic book about everything photography.  He tells you about all the equipment, what it’s for, how it’s used, etc…  Lenses, tripods, remote releases, filters, all of it.  All of the chapters are based around shooting like a pro.  Using backgrounds, where to focus, shooting waterfalls and sunsets, basically taking a situation and walking you through how to photograph it.  (It is also mentioned on the books cover “Great for point-and-shoot digital camera owners, too!”)

The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2 by Scott Kelby is written in his same great style, but expands on more of the topics important to wanting to shoot like a pro.  There is a lot more information on lighting, using flashes and studio lighting like hair lights and light meters.  Other chapters deal with shooting portraits, landscapes, macro and weddings.  Just all around good information.  Both of these books I read cover to cover.

He has a third book in this series, The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3, but I haven’t had a chance to read all of it yet, but so far it’s shaping up to be great as well.  I would recommend this set of three books to everyone.

I also recommend his books on Photoshop and Photoshop Lightroom (he has books for each of the versions I believe, as well as for Elements).  The instructions in these books are well laid out and easy to understand.  He walks you through every step with photos along the way.  When I was first teaching myself Photoshop, his was the first and only book I bought on the topic. 

Digital Landscape Photography | Review + Giveaway!

Congratulations to Jacey of Jacey Craft! Please watch your inbox for an email from me. Thanks to everyone that stopped by and left comments!

Recently I have been back on a photography kick. I’ve put my crafting aside to better develop my photography skills once again. While in theory it’s nice to think it’s just a push of a button, it can really be so much more than that. When I started working with my digital SLR, it was a bit of a change from the standard SLRs. For me it was a positive change, because I like instant results. I also like to have an auto setting at my disposal. But with that comes a lot of limitations. At first you don’t notice it, but as time goes on you become less happy with your photos an want to find a way to make them better. I always seem to turn to books, and I have found some wonderful photography books over time. For some time now I’ve wanted to have a better understanding of how to use my histogram to take better photos, and for landscape photography this is a wonderful tool. Little by little I’ve been learning more about the histograms over the last year, but just recently I bought a book that really tied in how to use it to better you photos.

Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and The Great Masters by Michael Frye was that book. I love this book so much, that I would read it every spare minute I had and finished it in less than a week. I talk about it to anyone who will listen and get so excited over the techniques he shares.

I have always admired Ansel Adams photography, but have come to appreciate the man himself and his views on photography because of this book. Michael Frye shares many quotes and thoughts on photography from some of the great photography masters, and takes Adam’s concept of the Zone Method and applies it to the digital SLR.

I find it hard to believe that after so many photography classes I never had the Zone Method explained to me. It made perfect sense and I now find myself using this technique when taking photos. I have since found some other photographers “poo-pooing” the idea of the Zone Method, but I am at a loss as to why that is. It works perfectly for me and translates effortlessly to the digital camera.

So aside from the fact that this fantastic method is explained, Michael Frye’s book is clear to understand, has beautiful photography to explain each concept, and is in an organized, easy to follow format. So often these days I find that photography books can be kind of disjointed in their topics of discussion. Some authors will touch on a concept, but not go into any depth (or too in-depth). Or, when discussing a concept and showing a photo example, the photo often times has little to do with the idea, or is not a very good illustration of it. Not so with this book. Every photo is beautiful and perfectly illustrates the point.

I love when I have an instruction book that so clearly tells me what I want to know. Michael Frey definitely knows landscape photography, as it is clear to see when reading this book. The book starts with a technical section, but not the usual “here is how to use your camera” kind of technical, it goes a little deeper than that talking about sharpness, contrast, filters, white balance, histograms, etc… The second section deals with light and composition, and the final section deals with editing, processing and printing. The entire book is well laid out and easy to read.

If you are interested in landscape photography and ready to take the next step, I highly recommend this book. It will be one that I will refer back to time and again. Even if you are not a landscape enthusiast, I think a lot of the techniques in this book would be useful to you for still life photography.

Now the best part…I contacted the publisher, Focal Press, and asked if they would be willing to donate a copy of this book for me to give away, and they agreed! So one of you will win a copy of this book come Sunday. Just leave a comment on this post letting me know about a part of photography that you would like to know more about (histograms, exposure, composition…anything!), or just say “pick me!” I’m okay with that, too. And be sure to check out this book the next time you’re at the bookstore…or just go buy a copy. You wont be sorry that you did!

A Photography Background

So I know this is a “craft” blog, but if you’ve read me for any amount of time, you’ve probably figured out that I love photography.  I love that there is always something new to learn and try.  Now that photography has gone digital, it seems like the possibilities are endless.  There are all sorts of techniques and gadgets to try, how could one ever get bored? 

I don’t remember how the photography bug hit, but I remember my mom taking college photography classes when I was very little.  I have some memories of really liking that she would pose us for a photo and a few days later bring home a print.  When I was about ten, I got my first film camera as a Christmas gift from my grandpa.  This wasn’t a kid camera, it was a “real” grown-up camera.  I took photos like there was no tomorrow.  That camera served me well for years.  In high school I took a few photography classes, and got a feel for an SLR and developing my own film and prints.  (And who can forget making a pinhole camera!)  Once in college I took a few more photography classes and things really started to click.  I got to take developing one step further, learning tricks like burning and dodging. 

From that point on I learned how much I loved landscape photography.  There is just something magical about a beautifully composed landscape photo.  I like the challenge of framing a scene in the viewfinder and later having it be a window to the world outside.  When I look back at my photographs, I not only want to remember the emotions I felt while in that scene, but try and invoke those same feelings in someone who hasn’t been there.

When I first started this blog I had had my digital SLR for a little over a year.  We traveled a lot during that time and I took lots of landscape photos, both here and abroad.  But once home again from all our travels, married and settling down, I found myself pregnant and needing something to fill my time, and that’s how the blog came about.  When I started this blog, it was a whole new realm of photography for me.  It was like starting all over again.  Indoor and macro photography is not landscape photography.  My photos were terrible those first few months.  (I mean, really terrible.)  It’s a whole new realm of photography.  New tricks to learn, new settings, different editing…  But I pushed on and learned.  My photos are far from perfect (nor will the ever be), but I like the challenge of making the next set I snap “better”. 

Something I always try and impart on anyone learning something new, or feeling self doubt about their skills (whatever the craft) is that we all start at the beginning.  The “Masters” were not born with this instant ability to create great pieces of art, but developed it over many years, through trial and error.  You can’t beat yourself up if you feel someone else photos are great and yours aren’t.  Chances are they have been developing their skills over time and learning along the way, just as you will.  There is lots of great, free information on the internet, and believe it or not, in your camera’s user manual.  But perhaps my favorite spots of learning is from books.  I love a good photography book.  Because of that, this week I will be sharing some of my favorite photography books (and not just landscape photography).  I will be writing these posts as the week goes on (I don’t pre-write my posts) so we will just see how the week develops.  Tomorrow I’m going to talk about my new favorite landscape book, and give away a copy.  I hope you will join me this week and find something that appeals to you!

52 Weeks of Lists

Last week I was invited to join a Flickr group titled: 52 Lists, 52 Weeks.  Nothing more need be said, I’m joining in!  I LOVE making lists!  And to have an excuse to write a list every week that will be more like a journal of sorts was something I just had to do.

 

I went back and forth on what kind of notebook to use.  I had a few sitting around that were only partially filled, but I wanted it to be something all it’s own.  I went back and forth between this cashier’s Moleskine and a bigger sketch Moleskine I was saving to use for my next design ideas book.  The cashier’s book won out.  Part of the reason I like it so much is it’s size.  I like that it’s small and see it as a bit of a challenge to make each page full of life.  Being that it is so small, it shouldn’t be too hard to fill the page either.  And if need be, I can just have my list span two pages.

If you’d like more information on the challenge, visit Kellie’s blog to get all the info.  This is week one and a new post will be posted each Sunday, so you’ve made it just in time to start at the beginning!

On The Agenda

Time to choose the winner of Stash Happy Patchwork! I had a little chuckle when the random generator choose number 4 out of 145 comments – I love when it makes my life easy like that.  Congratulations to knottygnome!  Be watching for an email from me.

In other news I’ve been reading some great photography books lately and have been wanting to share them.  So I think next week I will do a photography book review series, complete with giveaways.  I love when I find great photography books, and all I can do is talk about them to everyone I know.  I can’t wait to share them with you and hope you’ll join me.  I’m even going to try and share some tidbits of new knowledge I’ve gained.  So if you like photography, next week is your week! 

Stash Happy Patchwork + Giveaway

When Lark asked if I’d be interested in receiving a review copy of Stash Happy Patchwork by Cynthia Shaffer, the cover alone convinced me to say yes. I say it all the time: I know we’re not suppose to judge a book by it’s cover, but I do. And once again I wasn’t let down. When it comes to craft books of any kind, the cover design is very important. Because crafts are visual, you have to appeal to a visual crowd. So in this case, you must expect that crafters will judge a book by it’s cover. Once again, this is a book you can judge by it’s cover.

If the cute little cactus pincushion isn’t enough to have you running out to buy the book, there are so many more projects that will have you saying “I need to make that!” It was one of those books where just about every project is something I want to make, and that’s saying a lot these days. This book was full of projects that I have never seen before in a sewing book, which is so refreshing!

At the start of the book is a small section on the basics. It is straight to the point, tells you exactly what you need to know, and then gets right to the projects. The instructions for all of the projects are laid out in easy to understand, short steps, with plenty of beautiful photography to help you through the more difficult parts.

The Wonky Cottage Lap Quilt is perhaps my favorite project. It’s bright, cheerful and so easy to make!

This little Sew on the Go kit is great, too! I like that it fits everything neatly inside a standing case. It would look great sitting on my sewing desk or the side table in the living room next to my chair. I wouldn’t have to hide it away or find somewhere to stash it, it just looks like a decoration to be seen!

And how about this panda pillow – is he not fantastic?! I could see this easily being made into lots of different animals with just a change of the ears and tail. In fact, she even offers a variation tip!

There are so many fun projects in here that most likely you’ve never seen before. They are all beautifully put together and explained. This is a book that will appeal to almost everyone and I hope you take the time to check it out – I don’t think you’ll be disappointed!

Now to the good part – Lark is offering a copy Stash Happy Patchwork to one lucky reader! Just leave a comment here and Sunday I will choose one lucky commenter. Good luck everyone! Also, be sure to check out Cynthia’s blog to learn more about her. She has some great projects and some more photos from inside her book!