Stacie’s Photography Blog

Guest blogger Terry White discussed digital photography and the iPhone on Scott Kelby’s blog. Which makes me wonder - how do you show off your pictures and/or professional portfolio? After reading this, are you tempted to get an iPhone?

I use my web sites to display my work.  I also use Flickr as a personal portfolio.

Each month, I receive a marketing newsletter from Aplus.net, my hosting site.  I was very impressed with an article they posted this month.

While the internet is full of great photographs, please keep in mind before you use them that those pictures belong to the person who took them, and they have an implied copyright (also known as intellectual property).

Thanks Aplus for gentle reminding people about copyright, educating them about alternatives, and recommending stock photography.

I’m a fan of NIK software.  Any way to make my images look better and is easy to use is a winner in my book.  I’d be more of a fan if it was offered for Lightroom.

Josh Bradley of DLWS is publishing a book on NIK Software The Official NIK Software Image Enhancement Guide.  I met Josh at the DLWS in Cape Cod.  If he writes like he trains, this book will be amazing.  Josh is very detailed, patient, and great at not only explaining the how, but the why.

Good luck to Josh and let me know if you check out the book!

Sit…Stay… Cloning, originally uploaded by staciecm.

I wasn’t looking for perfection on this shot. It was hot, I’ve never tried this before, and I was a bit tired. But I am happy with the way it turned out. It was good to work with photoshop and get a refresher about layer masking. And I love using the tripod and flash.

David Motorcycle, originally uploaded by staciecm.

Check out my Flickr set for the strobist meet.

All pictures are up. My favorites are of David and Danielle on the motorcycle. Thanks to John for the lighting help! I’m looking forward to lots of comments and critiques, especially on exposure, composition and sharpness.

For other posts:

• Check out Scaparra.com for a detailed description of the day.
• JMPhotography for more great shots (although he didn’t get many due to helping others, including me).
• DC/Baltimore/NOVA Strobist for more shots, and upcoming events.

Shrimp, originally uploaded by staciecm.

One of the best things about the meet up? The shrimp, boiled in beer, on the grill. Yummy!!!!! I really like this picture - taken without any lights. I wish that all of my pictures without flashes turned out so good.

Which brings up a burning question of mine - should all of my model pictures have a flash?

Model from Strobist Meet Up, originally uploaded by staciecm.

Sunday, I had a blast!!!! I met up with the DC/Baltimore/VA area Stobist group. I learned how to custom function set my camera, how to use and position different flashes, and how to work with and pose models. I haven’t done much post processing, expect to the esposure to make it lighter, so I can get constructive C&C on the photography.

Many more pictures to come.

Calla Lily, originally uploaded by staciecm.

I joined a Flickr assignment group and this is my first time participating. Here is the assignment:

Classes with Dave - Audit Group cwd772 - B&W Flowers - If there’s one subject that just begs to be photographed in color, it’s flowers. But since that’s been done over 6,000,000 times, I thought we’d try something different. Give us your most interesting black & white flower shot!

I got lucky that a perfect calla lily outside my house had just bloomed - check out my Flickr stream for more shots and color shots.

Strawberry Shortcake, originally uploaded by staciecm.

I’m a bit late with the “still life per day” but I did it.

I again used the lights, but I’m getting frustrated - I always get shadows. I have the lights on either side, equal length and I’ve moved them around. I still get shawdows.

Also having exposure issues. I used manual to control both the shutter and dof. I wasn’t having luck with the dof too much. I was also using the histogram, but I think that the black back threw it off a bit.

Thoughts?

I did not see fireworks this 4th.  It looked like rain, so my family and Bob and I stayed in to play Texas Hold’em.  I did not win, but I had a great time!

I did not get a tan this weekend due to the clouds.  I did sleep alot.

I did not even touch my camera this weekend. I did get powerwashing done, cleaned the house (again), and cooked alot. I will take pictures tonight.

I did not hear from Scott yet.  I do have a long week of work, so I’m looking forward to that e-mail (it’s keeping me going this week).

I still don’t have AC in the master bedroom.  It’s coming on Wednesday.