tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5556772677258363612024-02-08T06:40:01.470-05:00A Personal Photo ChallengeYOUR JOURNEY TO EXPAND AND PRACTICE DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY SKILLSDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-46666474255109577702015-12-29T15:59:00.000-05:002015-12-29T15:59:21.639-05:00Closed Permanently<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sorry, but I am closing this photo challenge blog for the long haul. I will keep the site "active" in case you want to revisit certain topics and visit web links. However, I will no longer maintain it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The past year has been a very busy one for me. There are simply not enough hours and energy in an average day to get done what I want to get done during this late season of my life. I am a senior with some disabilities, living alone. If I don't take care of myself and the household, nobody else will. I am also trying to travel as much as possible, while I can still physically do so.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">During 2015, I spent little time on my regular blog, <a href="http://cottagedays.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Cottage Days and Journey</b></span><b><span style="color: #990000;">s</span></b></a>, and even a weekly post proved to be a nuisance on many occasions. Maintaining two blogs and devoting the necessary time to them is simply out of the question.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">With the death of my husband, my life has changed dramatically. Thus, my priorities have changed. Photography will continue to be a personal source of inspiration and creativity. I hope that it will be for you too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you for your interest in participating in all of the past photo challenges. I hope you learned a few things along the way and had a bit of fun. May your skills continue to grow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Best wishes and blessings to all of you.</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-24408375650609851012015-01-17T15:04:00.001-05:002015-12-29T15:57:14.709-05:00Closed for 2015<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">After a battle of almost two years, my husband died on December 26, 2014, from pancreatic cancer. In fact, he received his diagnosis soon after I started this photo challenge blog. If I knew what the future had held for us, I would have never undertaken this venture. There were times when it was quite a burden to sustain it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I will be trying to rebuild my life during 2015 and expand my local support network. I will also be very busy settling personal matters and managing the household by myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The monthly photo challenges require me to invest a significant amount of time, and this is not how I want to spend my energies at the moment. So I have decided to close the photo challenge blog for the entire year, and I will revisit its possible continuance later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I greatly appreciate your support and enthusiasm, and I have enjoyed getting to know all of the participants. Thank you for being part of my life.</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-30482160365493855092014-12-16T11:28:00.001-05:002014-12-16T11:28:51.896-05:00Closing Down for the Season<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With much sorrow, I
am closing down this blog for the season. Future photo challenges are postponed. I don’t know when they will resume. My husband is dying from pancreatic cancer, and I am totally devoted to his care. At the moment, there is no time in my life for photographic or blogging pursuits.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I greatly appreciate your interest in the photo challenges. I hope you have learned a few tricks and had fun along the way. It has done my heart good to help all of you and bring some joy to your lives. </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please keep us in
your prayers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thank you, my dear
friends.</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-32016062739846583422014-11-11T15:22:00.000-05:002014-11-11T15:27:55.800-05:00Challenge: Christmas Scenes<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Christmas Scenes</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, December 13, 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.exposureguide.com/christmas-photography-tips.htm" target="_blank"><b>Christmas photography tips</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/christmas-light-photography-tips/" target="_blank"><b>Christmas light photography tips</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/12/09/5-christmas-picture-ideas-that-will-impress-your-friends-and-family/" target="_blank"><b>Christmas picture ideas</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/16-christmas-photography-tips/" target="_blank"><b>16 Christmas photography tips</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/2019708/smartphone-photo-tips-for-the-holidays.html" target="_blank"><b>Smartphone photo tips for the holidays</b></a></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Christmas season is rapidly advancing, and we will want to keep our cameras handy to record events, visits, and scenes. You have the freedom to explore different compositions for this challenge and can rely upon techniques that we have already practiced.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Indoor and outdoor scenes beg for our attention, especially those that feature lights. Please consult the online background information noted above on how to best capture a starburst effect or attractive bokeh. Use aperture priority mode on your camera to get the lighting look that you want. Backgrounds can also be softened using post-processing techniques.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a good time of year to practice portrait photography. Candid shots are fun, particularly with children. However, you may also want to take the time to orchestrate your subjects in a more formal or pre-planned setting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Still life photography techniques can showcase your Christmas decorations. Don’t forget the lessons you have learned about light, shadows, simplicity, layering textures, close-ups, and composition variations. And, everyone is spending extra time in the kitchen this time of year, so you may want practice holiday-related food photography.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The links listed above provide many tips, creative ideas, and examples. Please do some homework and take advantage of these learning resources!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that feature Christmas scenes. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (December 12) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-14495907690249660632014-10-14T14:47:00.001-04:002014-10-14T14:47:37.331-04:00Challenge - Trees<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Trees</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, November 8, 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/tree-photography-tips-and-techniques/" target="_blank"><b>Tree photography tips and tricks</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ephotozine.com/article/ten-top-ways-to-photograph-trees-4829" target="_blank"><b>Ten top ways to photograph trees</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/02/13/lone-trees-10-tips-for-more-creative-pictures-of-trees/" target="_blank"><b>Ten tips for creative lone tree pictures</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mattk.com/2014/10/02/mastering-fall-photography-7-tips-help-get-gorgeous-photos-season/" target="_blank"><b>Seven tips for fall photography</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/4-tips-for-taking-better-photographs-of-trees/" target="_blank"><b>Four tips for taking better photographs of trees</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.noupe.com/photography/50-beautiful-examples-of-tree-photography.html" target="_blank"><b>50 beautiful examples of tree photography</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/21-impressive-tree-images/" target="_blank">21 impressive tree images</a></b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are countless ways to photographically celebrate trees. This month’s theme will let you be creative! Trees have not only served as valuable sources of products that enrich our lives, but they also have provided us inspiration and beauty throughout the centuries. In approaching this theme, draw upon the lessons learned in previous challenge themes. Consider dramatic light and shadow play, colorful and black & white representations, and composition variations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Perhaps you want to feature a lone tree, striking in its simplicity on the landscape. You may want to feature a cozy forest scene instead. Trees can be featured in a starring role within your composition. Or, they can visually support and dramatically change the overall scene.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tree components, such as leaves, branches, roots, canopies, nuts, blossoms, and bark, can present striking textural studies. Early morning and late afternoon hours this time of year provide golden light. Shadows can be exploited to create stunning silhouettes, particularly trees that have already lost their leaves for the season. Change up the vantage point of your camera by shooting up high or shooting down low.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">For extra fun, consider an artistic approach. Change your image with digital software to make it painterly in style. Application of a textured layer can also artfully compliment a composition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The links listed above provide many examples and tips for capturing the beauty of trees. Please do some homework and take advantage of these learning resources!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that feature the subject of trees. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (November 7) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-27854709067429549652014-09-16T10:17:00.000-04:002014-10-14T13:38:45.406-04:00Challenge - Still Life<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Challenge Topi</u><u>c</u>: <b>Still Life</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, October 11, 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/still-life-photography/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Still life photography</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/10-tips-to-get-started-with-still-life-photography--photo-8278" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Ten tips to get started in still life photography</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/5-still-life-lighting-tips-for-beginners/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Five still life lighting tips for beginners</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/01/30/the-still-life-photographers-guide-to-lighting-4-techniques-4-different-effects/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Still life photographer's guide to lighting</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.ephotozine.com/article/still-life-photography-tips-15099" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Still life photograph tips</span></a></b></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After last month’s “movement” challenge, we’re going to completely change gears and now do some photographic studies of still life. We all know of many classical still life scenes recreated by paintings, usually with dramatic lighting. Lighting is really key is setting your scene because it can provide dimension and focal interest. Think of contrast, shapes, and angles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Information on lighting and scene setups was provided in an earlier challenge for <a href="http://apersonalphotochallenge.blogspot.com/2013/09/challenge-food-photography.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>food photography</b></span></a>. It is highly recommended that you go back and study the information resources provided with that post. Those techniques apply for this assignment too. Shop around the house for a collection of interesting items that can be used in your compositions. When in doubt, think back to the simplicity challenge. When it comes to composition, less can really be more. Tell a story. Feature an item in a creative and whimsical way. Pay attention to your background and don’t let it distract from your subject matter. If you need some creative inspirations, search “still life photography” on Pinterest and you will find a wide variety of examples.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Depth of field needs to be controlled for this type of subject matter, so an aperture priority setting on your camera is ideal. Not sure how to do that? Then please check your camera manual. If you use an indoor setting, then a tripod is essential to reduce camera shake, capture crisp details in low light conditions. If you don’t own a tripod, then steady your camera on a chair, table, or other hard surface. If light is needed to illuminate shadow areas, use a reflector.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The links listed above provide a wealth of information the secrets of still life photography. Please do some homework and take advantage of these learning resources!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that feature a still life scene. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (October 10) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-58012026253477930232014-08-14T14:12:00.000-04:002014-10-14T13:39:09.662-04:00Challenge - Movement<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Movement</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, September 13, 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
<ul><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/shutter-speed"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Introduction to shutter speed</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/05/29/common-mistakes-at-every-shutter-speed-and-the-best-settings-you-should-use/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Best settings for shutter speed and common mistakes</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-control-aperture-and-shutter-speed-on-an-entry-level-point-and-shoot-digital-camera/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">How to control shutter speed on a point and shoot camera</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/a-beginners-to-capturing-motion-in-your-photography/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Beginner's guide to capturing motion in photography</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/blur-movement"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Examples of using blur to portray motion</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-capture-motion-blur-in-photography"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>How to capture motion blur in photography</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lightstalking.com/successfully-focus-fast-moving-subjects"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>How to successfully focus on fast moving subjects</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/creative-reasons-to-use-intentional-camera-movement/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Creative reasons to use intentional camera movement</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lightstalking.com/master-the-art-of-panning-with-these-9-useful-tips"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Mastering the art of panning</b></span></a></li>
</span></ul>
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<a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/shutter-speed"></a></span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The exposure triangle is comprised of aperture, ISO, and shutter speed. The part of the photography trinity that often gets overlooked is shutter speed. It’s time to get out of your comfort zone this month and explore ways to capture movement. If your camera has a speed priority setting, test it out for this challenge. Are you not sure about whether your camera has a speed priority setting? Then dig out your camera manual and check!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you have a point-and-shoot camera and confirmed that you can’t adjust shutter speed, you can still do this challenge! Try panning techniques, freeze-frame a moving subject, or intentionally move your camera while taking the photo. If you are a more advanced photographer with a DSLR, you might want to explore the use of your camera’s continuous auto-focus feature and continuous drive mode. If you are comfortable with post-processing techniques, try adding motion blur to a photograph in the digital darkroom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The links listed above provide a wealth of information and many examples on techniques for capturing movement. Please do some homework and take advantage of these learning resources!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that feature the subject of movement. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). <i>If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (September 12) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span><br />
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-89277732810709047442014-07-17T17:01:00.001-04:002014-08-03T13:48:51.052-04:00Challenge - Animals<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Animals</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, August 9, 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://121clicks.com/tutorials/pets-photography-tips-examples" target="_blank">Pet photography tips and examples</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/03/08/professional-photographer-to-the-rescue-animal-photography-tips-for-any-species/" target="_blank">Animal photography tips</a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/perspectives-in-pet-photography/" target="_blank">Tips for unique perspectives in pet photography</a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://iso.500px.com/elke-vogelsang-interview/" target="_blank">Secrets to taking awesome dog portraits</a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lightstalking.com/easily-capture-animal-attitude-with-these-useful-tips" target="_blank">Tips for capturing animal attitudes</a></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestion</u>s:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now that we’ve had a bit of practice to sharpen our portrait photography skills, we’re going to specialize further this month and feature animals as subject matter. Domestic or wild, it’s your choice! The ultimate goal is showcase the personality of the animal with your photos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Patience during photo shoots will be essential to ensure that you can capture quality images. For pets, use food treats, noise squeakers, or toys to get their undivided attention. Try to anticipate poses and actions. Strive for creative frames by choosing various perspectives (e.g., on the same level, above, below, close-up, etc.). For best results, you will want to take control of your camera and avoid an automatic setting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Speed will be important because animal movements can result in image blur. Most digital cameras, even point-and-shoots, have a continuous or burst shooting mode. (Check your camera manual if you don’t know.) Creating a series of images, one right after the other, that shooting mode is helpful to catch expressions or poses that happen in an instant.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Focus on the eyes, but ensure that there is sufficient depth of field for other body parts (e.g., nose). Use exposure compensation to achieve proper exposure of animals that are white or black in color. Add a polarizing filter to your lens to reduce shiny glare from fur. Keep compositions simple and eliminate background distractions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. Photos of birds are permissible. They are classified as animals with feathers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that feature animals. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. You decide.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). <i>If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (August 8) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-68290622287366701412014-06-19T10:13:00.000-04:002014-06-19T10:13:43.651-04:00Challenge - Portraits<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Portraits</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, July 12, 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/2012/03/photography-posing-mistakes-tutorial/" target="_blank">12 common posing mistakes and how to fix them</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/understanding-natural-light-portrait-photography-a-guide-to-learning-to-see-light" target="_blank"> Understanding natural light portrait photography</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/6-portrait-lighting-patterns-every-photographer-should-know" target="_blank">Six portrait lighting patterns every photographer should know</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/4677/photograph-people-harsh-midday-light/" target="_blank">How to photograph people in harsh mid-day light</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2014/01/23/what-is-the-best-aperture-and-focal-length-for-portraits/" target="_blank">Best aperture and focal length for portraits</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/3-tips-for-taking-portraits-that-reflect-the-character-and-spirit-of-your-subject" target="_blank">Three tips for taking portraits that reflect character and spirit</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/10-tips-for-self-portrait-photography/" target="_blank">10 tips for self-portrait photography</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/because-you-were-there-too-thirteen-tips-for-family-self-portraits/" target="_blank">16 tips for family self-portraits</a></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Portrait photography is a specialty that is immediately adopted by many enthusiasts when they get their first digital camera. And why not, if you readily have family members who can serve as subject matter? But portrait photography is a specialty that takes some preparation, knowledge, and practice if you want to advance beyond a “snapshot” skill level. There is a wealth of technical aspects and techniques to consider, so please review the numerous reference links provided above for more details.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Complimentary posing is an art and a science for portrait photographers. Keep in mind that some of the most compelling portraits are the ones that communicate emotion. It is essential to understand how lighting, whether natural or artificial, can flatter your subject. Some focal lengths are pleasing, and some can provide unattractive distortions. Shallow depth of field will emphasize your subject and minimize background distractions. Different strategies are needed based on the quality of light (direct or indirect). A reflector is a very handy tool for bouncing light into shadow areas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Post-processing techniques also can make or break the overall success of your images. Skin color should be realistic and warm. Wrinkles and blemishes should be minimized but not completely eliminated. Eyes should be sharply focused, but not overly sharp. Whites of eyes and teeth can be lightened in a complimentary manner. If a color format is distracting, consider a black and white conversion to provide additional attention to the subject.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that feature portraits. For this assignment, the portraits may be informal or formal. Self-portraits are also permissible. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). <i>If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (July 11) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-33457440808360972872014-05-13T15:02:00.000-04:002014-05-17T21:25:19.391-04:00Challenge - Stormy Weather<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Stormy Weathe</b>r</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, June 14, 2014</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.apogeephoto.com/june2013/photographing-thunderstorms.shtml" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Photographing thunderstorm</b></span><b><span style="color: #990000;">s</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lightstalking.com/learning-love-rainy-day-photography" target="_blank"><b>Learning to love rainy day photography</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/taking-photos-in-rain-richardson/" target="_blank"><b>Taking photos in the rain</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lightstalking.com/storm-photography" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Storm photography</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/4279/taking-captivating-photos-rain/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Taking captivating photos in the rain</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-lightning" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>How to photograph lightning</b></span></a></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Photography shouldn’t be limited to only sunny days. Stormy weather conditions provide many opportunities to capture moody, dramatic, and creative images. Please follow the tips in the background information to protect yourself and your equipment. Just because the subject matter is wet doesn’t mean that you have to be as well. For example, you can take stormy weather photographs from the dry comfort of a porch or from a vehicle.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There is a lot of latitude with this theme, so be creative and use your imagination. Consider macro subjects, people, landscapes, reflections, and props such as umbrellas and rain boots. Tell a story! Perhaps a down-low or an up-high perspective can add a visual twist to the composition. A black-and-white conversion can also be a good choice, particularly if additional contrast is added in post-processing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that feature subjects related to stormy weather. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). <i>If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (June 13) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-17261158532677513072014-04-15T13:42:00.000-04:002014-04-15T13:51:27.927-04:00Challenge - Colorful<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Colorful</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, May 10, 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lightstalking.com/how-to-use-color-in-photographic-composition-with-9-gorgeous-examples" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Examples of how to use color in composition</b></span><b><span style="color: #990000;">s</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/using-color-to-create-strong-photo-compositions/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Using color to create strong composition</b></span><b><span style="color: #990000;">s</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/1128/make-your-photos-more-colorful-with-complimentary-colors/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Colorful photos with complimentary colors</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/vibrant-colour-photography-tips/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Vibrant color photography tips</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://seeinginmacro.com/colors-in-photography-learn-how-to-achieve-color-harmony/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Color harmony in photography</b></span></a></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For this assignment, you get to be creative and celebrate color! The subject matter can be anything that strikes your fancy. For example, you might want to continue with some macro studies, or you may want to employ a simplicity composition. Whatever approach you take, color needs to play a key role in the story of your image and grab a viewer’s attention.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whether you decide to feature primary, pastel, complimentary, or monochromatic colors, let the colors sing in the composition and set a mood. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Use a polarizer to deepen and clarify colors. In post-processing, boost saturation, vibrance, and contrast. Consider application of a texture layer to enhance colors. If you are using a sophisticated editing program, use levels and curves adjustments to properly set the white balance and banish muddy, grey tones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that feature color. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). <i>If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (May 9) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-77366470488468330592014-03-10T16:39:00.002-04:002014-03-14T18:38:56.106-04:00Challenge - Close-up/Macro<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Close-up/Macro</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, April 12, 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/macro-photography-tips-for-compact-digital-camera-users" target="_blank"><b>Macro photography tips for point and shoot cameras</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/1917/using-macro-mode-effectively-a-point-and-shoot-tutorial/" target="_blank"><b>Using macro mode effectively with a point and shoot camera</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/06/17/how-to-photograph-anything-best-camera-settings-for-macro-photography/" target="_blank"><b>Best camera settings for macro photograph</b>y</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.udemy.com/blog/macro-photography-tips/" target="_blank"><b>Top 10 macro photography tips</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.lightstalking.com/flower-macro-photography" target="_blank"><b>Macro photography for flower</b>s</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/09/28/garden-macro-photography-tips-for-shooting-stunning-pictures-at-home/" target="_blank"><b>Tips for garden macro photography at home</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/08/16/macro-nature-photography-tips-for-taking-pin-sharp-close-ups-of-flowers-lichen-and-butterflies/" target="_blank"><b>Macro nature photography tips for flower and insect close-ups</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2013/02/18/depth-of-field/" target="_blank"><b>A visual lesson in depth of field</b></a></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">In this challenge, you will get a deep appreciation for the beauty of our world on a small scale. Technically, macro photography refers to an image size is the same as the camera’s sensor size (i.e., 1:1 ratio). Close-up photography refers to a reproduction ratio from 1:10 to 1:1. Don’t worry about the specific ratio - just get in close! And it doesn’t matter if you have a point and shoot camera or a digital camera with interchangeable lenses. There are techniques that can be used based on your available equipment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The links listed above provide a wealth of information. Here are some key points that will help you meet this challenge head-on:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Use the macro setting on your camera, or else use aperture-preferred and adjust for the desired depth of field.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Manual focus will give you more control than automatic.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Use a tripod for your camera if at all possible, or else use some other means of camera support to avoid camera shake and blurry focus.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">If shooting outdoors, avoid a windy day.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Carefully manage the light, including use of a reflector to fill in shadows and diffuser to soften harsh light.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be mindful of the background so that it does not detract from the subject.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good composition is key, so work the shots!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that feature a close-up or macro composition. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). <i>If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (April 11) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-46618718957370393982014-02-10T19:49:00.001-05:002014-03-10T16:12:32.146-04:00Challenge - Words and Letters<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Words and Letters</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, March 8, 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thephotoargus.com/inspiration/40-outstanding-examples-of-sign-photography/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Examples of sign photography</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-signs-travel-photography-tip" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Travel photography tips for sign photography</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://mortalmuses.com/showcase/photographing-books/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Examples of photographing books</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=alphabet%20photography" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Alphabet photography examples on Pinterest</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.elementsbox.com/how-to-put-an-image-inside-text-in-photoshop-elements/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Use Photoshop Elements to put an image inside text</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://whileshenaps.typepad.com/whileshenaps/2013/04/picmonkey-tutorial-putting-an-image-inside-letters.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Use PicMonkey to put an image inside letters</span></b></a></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This challenge will be fun exercise that uses some of the skills we have already learned and practiced (e.g., shadows, light, composition variations, simplicity, black and white, street scenes). Your goal is to be creative with this challenge! Words and letters are everywhere and part of our daily lives. So you can undertake this task whether whether prefer your photo shoots settings inside or outside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Subject matter includes signs, advertising, books, and handwritten text. You may also try some alphabet photography and develop a personal inventory of photos with letter shapes to create custom collages.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please don't take the easy route and simply apply words to your image. Where is the challenge in that? However, if you want to get crafty with a photo editor, you can try your hand at filling type with photographic images.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that include words and letters, either as the subject matter or else in a supporting role. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). <i>If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (March 7) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-19185694513249432612014-01-14T17:05:00.001-05:002014-01-14T21:16:53.895-05:00Challenge - Street Scenes<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Street Scenes</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, February 8, 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Online Background Informatio</u>n:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://photographylife.com/street-photography-tips-for-beginners" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Street photography tips for beginners</span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.exposureguide.com/street-photography-tips.htm" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Street photography tips for travel photographers</span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2010/03/26/21-street-photography-tips-from-the-professionals/1/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">21 street photography tips from the professionals</span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/street-photography-and-the-law-7-things-you-need-to-know/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Street photography and the law: 7 things you need to know</span></a></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now that we’ve been honing some basic photography skills, it’s time to hit the streets! I’m talking about street photography, where you record candid moments of everyday life in an urban environment. The goal is to capture a story or define a mood in a street scene. Those photographers who have a photojournalistic bent enjoy this specialty. For those of us who are introverts (hand raised here!), this assignment will get us out of our comfort zone. But if you can’t bring yourself to take photos of strangers, then adopt another approach, such as photographing dogs, traffic, storefronts, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">What if you don’t live in an urban environment or can’t get to one before the challenge date? In that case, practice the art of street photography in a local setting that is convenient, such as your neighborhood, a local park, shopping complex, craft fair, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">If your goal is to photograph people, please be courteous and avoid conflicts. And if you want to be less obtrusive, use a small camera! It’s better to go out on this type of photo shoot with someone else, rather than alone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Your photographic response time can be taxed because scenes can change in an instant. So your camera settings need to be chosen well in advance. You may barely have time to focus on the subject matter. Observation skills are paramount. Light, shadows, and reflections can be used to your advantage. Consider presenting your images a black and white format, instead of color, to emphasize a photojournalistic style.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prepare one to four of your own photographic images that portray street scenes. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (February 7) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-26556272669305707192013-12-16T12:30:00.000-05:002014-01-11T08:38:15.469-05:00Challenge - Shadow Play<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Shadow Play</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>P</u></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>osting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, January 11, 2014</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://photodoto.com/5-quick-tips-for-awesome-shadow-photography-images/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Quick tips for awesome shadow photographs</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.diyphotography.net/eight-great-ways-to-include-shadows-in-your-pictures" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Eight great ways to include shadows in your pictures</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/03/01/showcase-of-beautiful-shadow-photography/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Showcase of beautiful shadow photography</b></span></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/20-shadow-images-to-inspire-you" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">20 shadow images to inspire you</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/add-impact-to-your-photos-by-including-shadows" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Add impact to your photos by adding shadows</b></span></a></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>In order for the light to shine so brightly,</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>the darkness must be present.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">~ Sir Francis Bacon ~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now that we have gone through an exercise that focused on light, we need to examine the importance of shadows in photography. It is time to embrace the shadows! The contrast between light and shadows can provide dramatic results in your images. Shadows can shape the light by showcasing texture, thereby giving a three-dimensional quality to a two-dimensional image.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Serious photographers know that <i>light reveals</i> and <i>shadows define</i>. If you study photographs that have that certain “wow” factor, the ones that really hit home with their visual impact, they will usually display a bold distinction between light and shadows.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once again, this challenge will be an important lesson in observation. Shadows may either take center stage and command your attention, or else they may complement the subject matter. You have the freedom to decide if you want shadows to have starring or supporting roles in your images. Be sure to check out the web links provided above for many inspirational examples.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For those of us who live in the northern hemisphere, the sun in low in the horizon this time of year, thus providing naturally longer shadows. Of course, early mornings and late afternoon offer good opportunities for striking shadows. A hard light source is preferable to diffused lighting for this challenge.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Using your camera's exposure compensation settings, you may want to slightly underexpose your image to deepen the shadow areas. Or you may decide to darken the shadow areas in the post-processing phase. Effective use of a digital editing program can banish hazy or muddy tones in your original image. Also, conversion to a black and white image can effectively showcase the contrast between light and dark tones without the distraction of color.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that prominently feature shadows. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned). If you have more than one blog, please present your challenge photos on only one of them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (January 10) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span><br />
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-77491969111431459442013-11-12T07:16:00.001-05:002013-12-14T07:12:56.590-05:00Challenge - Let There Be Light<div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Let There Be Light</b></span><br />
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<u style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Posting Date</u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">: </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Saturday, December 14, 2013</b><br />
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<u style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Online Background Information</u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">:</span><br />
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<li><a href="http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/light-creating-drama-at-home/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Light creating drama at home</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://121clicks.com/tutorials/window-lighting-in-photography-tips-examples" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Window lighting</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://121clicks.com/tutorials/capturing-the-light-ultimate-tips-and-examples" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Capturing light tips and examples</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/christmas-light-photography-tips/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Christmas light photography tips</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/christmas-tree-lights-tips-for-getting-your-images-to-sparkle/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Tips to get your Christmas lights to sparkle</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/gallery/top-10-photography-lighting-facts-you-should-know" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Top 10 lighting facts you should know</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/natural-light-photography.htm" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Natural light photography</b></span></a></li>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Light makes photography.</span></i><br />
<i><i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Embrace light. Admire it. Love it.</span></i></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>But above all, know light. </i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Know it for all you are worth,</i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>and you will know the key to photography.</i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>~ George Eastman ~</i></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We’re beginning to venture into the Christmas season, and it is traditionally a season of light. So what better time for this challenge topic? Immerse yourself in thinking about light and how you can showcase it in your photography.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In this exercise, light takes center stage and commands your attention. It can be dramatic or softly caressing. It can be natural light or it can be man-made: backlight, sidelight, spotlight, candlelight, light beams streaming from clouds, twinkling lights, lamp light, street light, reflected light. There are so many possibilities, and you have the freedom to decide. But light should play a key role to support your subject or actually </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">be</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> your subject.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Put on your thinking caps and look for inspiration. Seasonal displays with Christmas lights can spark creativity. Sunrises and sunsets always provide wonderful opportunities for photo shoots. Dramatic light in the sky can often appear right before or after a storm. Have you been noticing how light streams through your windows in the early morning or late afternoon? Subject matter could be as simple as a still life scene with a favorite lamp.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Think about the quality of your light. If the light source is intense, there will be distinct shadows that provide contrast. Be careful and don’t let the light source fool your camera meter. Use exposure compensation to get the image you want. Think about the direction of light in relationship to the camera and the subject. Change the locations of the light source, subject, and/or camera, and the image can be drastically altered. Think about the color of light. Is it warm, cool, or balanced? Control the light temperature in your final image by using your camera’s white balance settings to match the lighting conditions. Make further adjustments, as needed, in post-processing.</span></div>
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<u>Instructions</u>:</span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that prominently feature light. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (December 13) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-60663958041019871852013-10-14T22:33:00.000-04:002013-10-14T23:09:07.680-04:00Challenge - Layering Textures<div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Layering Texture</b>s</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, November 9, 2013</b></span></div>
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<u style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Online Background Information</u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">: </span><br />
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<ul><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<li><a href="http://www.kimklassencafe.com/free-video-tutorials/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Photoshop tutorials for applying textures</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://blog.picmonkey.com/2013/03/18/textures-bust-a-move/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">textures in Picmonkey</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://blog.befunky.com/texture/"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>textures in Befunky</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.thedphoto.com/inspiration-fix/textured-photography-inspiration-from-pamela-schmieder/"><b><span style="color: #990000;">textured photography inspiration</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/tips-for-texturing-photographs"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>tips for texturing photographs</b></span></a></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This challenge will expand and test your creativity skills. With digital editing, you will apply textured layers to photographic images to enhance them and provide a “painterly” effect.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You don’t need to have a digital editing program like Photoshop to participate in this challenge. You can layer textures on your photos using one of several free, online programs, such as Ipiccy, Befunky, Picmonkey, Lunapic, Ribbet, and Pixlr. (See sidebar for convenient links.) For example, Picmonkey has several built-in textures and also allows you to upload a texture of your choice.</span></div>
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You can do online searches (e.g., Google images, Pinterest) for free photographic textures. Or you may contact the blog hostess for some recommended sources.</div>
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After applying a textured layer, change the blend mode for different looks, such as multiply, overlay, soft light, or screen. Adjust the opacity of the texture layer according to your taste and subject matter. You can change the hue of the texture if you want a different color or lower the saturation. Erase or mask the texture where you don’t want it to show (e.g., skin). Some images lend themselves readily to texture layers. Photos with simple compositions and clearly defined subjects are good candidates. Dark or grungy textures provide dramatic effects. Light textures provide a dreamy and soft quality.</div>
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Have fun with this challenge and wake up your inner artist! </div>
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<u>Instructions</u>: <br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that has been modified with a textured layer. For each image, it would be helpful to present a before and after comparison, in addition to the texture layer that was used. You may use photos from your personal inventory or take new ones for this challenge. It’s your choice. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., digital program used, blend mode applied, what you learned).<br />
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The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (November 8) and a couple of days thereafter. Don't forget to set up a calendar reminder to yourself!</div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-91380088573549968182013-09-17T19:40:00.002-04:002013-09-17T19:40:33.905-04:00Challenge - Food Photography<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Food Photography</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, October 12, 2013</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/food-photography-an-introduction" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Introduction to food photography</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/camera-settings-for-food-photography-and-food-preparation-and-other-notes-from-andrew-scrivanis-workshop/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Camera settings and food preparation</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/10-simple-lighting-tips-for-stunning-food-photos/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Simple lighting tips for food photos</span></b></a></span></li>
<li><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-to-improve-your-food-photography-styling" target="_blank"><span style="color: #990000;">Ten tips to improve food photography styling</span></a></b></li>
<li><a href="http://nicolesyblog.com/2013/07/05/food-props-and-styling-resources-for-photographers/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Food props and styling resources</span></b></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://photographylife.com/tips-on-photographing-food-outdoors" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Tips on photographing food outdoors</span></b></a></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This challenge will help prepare you for the upcoming holiday season! Many bloggers feature posts that discuss food and recipes. And serious bloggers want the images of their culinary creations to reflect their efforts in a positive manner. If you struggle with this particular photography specialty, then the online background information links posted above will help get you on the right path for introducing and building necessary skills.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Proper lighting and setup is crucial. Use of inexpensive foam core panels helps to bounce light into tabletop scenes. Soften any harsh lighting with a diffuser. If you have a tripod tucked in the back of a closet, please bring it out of storage and put it to use for this challenge topic. It is helpful to establish a photo shoot plan and set up props in advance. Don’t settle for the first couple of shots. Restyle and rearrange to discover the most interesting composition. Pay attention to what part of the subject is in focus. Creatively use depth of field by adjusting the aperture setting. Think about color throughout the scene and readjust props or add garnishes to enhance the color composition. Use a digital editing program to achieve proper white balance in the final images.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you wish to learn more about this particular specialty, then check out the various articles at the <a href="http://www.learnfoodphotography.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Learn Food Photography and Food Styling</span></b></a> web site. Additionally, an excellent resource book is <a href="http://nicolesyblog.com/books/book-food/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #990000;">"Food Photograph: From Snapshots to Great Shots" by Nicole Young</span></b></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Prepare one to four of your own photographic images of food-related subjects. It is preferable to take new photos for this challenge, using the information gathered from the online background information (see above links). Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (October 11) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span><br />
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<br />Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-28558752607286953152013-08-15T13:18:00.000-04:002013-08-23T10:01:03.208-04:00Challenge - Windows and Doors<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Windows and Doors</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, September 14, 2013</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/window-and-door-photography-tips/" target="_blank">Window and door photography tips</a></b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://121clicks.com/inspirations/25-amazing-examples-of-doors-windows-in-photography" target="_blank">25 amazing examples of window and door photography</a></b></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Forms, lines, and texture in architecture captivate many photographers, particularly architectural features such as of windows and doors. These everyday objects possess both utilitarian and decorative functions. And their artistic capture in photographs can evoke powerful emotions and mood, thereby bringing the viewers into the scenes. A composition may include many elements or use a simplistic approach that excludes extraneous items that detract from the window or door subject. Ideas for subject matter include emphasis on shapes, textures, contrasting colors, isolated details, reflections, light and shadows, symmetry, patterns, and compositional framing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When photographing glass components, you should be pay attention to reflections. Make sure that reflections do not provide a distraction. In addition to outside vantage points, look for composition opportunities with an interior view. Use your camera’s exposure compensation settings or automatic exposure lock to manage highly backlit scenes or lighting with a lot of contrast. (Read your camera manual if you don't know how to do these adjustments!) Doors and windows also can provide instant frames within a composition, so they can be used to compliment people, animals, objects, and distant vistas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Be sure to check out the links provided above for background information and examples. Perform searches on Google Images and Pinterest for numerous composition and lighting ideas for windows and doors. Seek out different types of buildings in your area that provide architectural interest: churches, commercial buildings, residential buildings, historic structures, farms. Include scale or additional interest to your composition, such as a pet, person, decorative accent, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Think creatively in setting up and post-processing your shots. For a captivating composition, you want to compel the viewers to peek through that window, go through that door, or place themselves into the overall scene, as if they are seeing it with their own eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Prepare one to five of your own photographic images of windows and/or doors. You may take new photos or use ones in your archives. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date</i> (September 13) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span><br />
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>
Special Note from Your Hostess, Donna</u>:
During this particular challenge, my husband will be in the hospital and recovering from major surgery for pancreatic cancer. I will try to prepare my challenge post in advance so that I can participate. However, I will be unable to visit folks and comment on their work. It would be terrific if you can offer extra encouragement to the other participants since I will be absent. Thank you for your understanding!
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-15901347712523882682013-07-16T10:24:00.000-04:002013-08-02T19:58:09.141-04:00Challenge - Water<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Water</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, August 10, 2013</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Online Background Information</u>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ephotozine.com/article/ten-top-techniques-on-photographing-water-18904" target="_blank"><b>Top ten techniques for photographing water</b></a></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.mosaicarchive.com/2013/03/22/9-tips-for-photographing-water/" target="_blank">Nine tips for photographing water</a></b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-use-and-buy-polarizing-filters" target="_blank"><b>How to use and buy polarizing filters</b></a></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We’ve had several challenges that have tested and refined your photography skills. So now it’s time for a topic that is less demanding – water. This subject matter is very broad, allowing you to creatively decide how to address it. Examples of photo shoots include outdoor water sources, such as lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and fountains. If action shots are of interest, then investigate water sport activities in your area. With rainfall being plentiful in many parts of the globe right now, rainy and foggy scenes would be good candidates. The topic of water also lends itself to indoor photography. Don’t be afraid to experiment and capture some images that are outside of your comfort zone and normal shooting mode.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Of course, proper focus and exposure of the subject matter are paramount. Be aware that glare on water can fool your camera’s metering system. So don’t be content with shooting in a fully automatic mode. Make manual exposure compensation adjustments. Shoot a series of photos with different exposures settings and look at the results. Adjust accordingly. If you don’t know how to do exposure bracketing, it’s time to get out that camera manual!</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For outdoor shots, use a polarizing filter to reduce glare. If your camera does not allow the use of lens filters (e.g., point and shoot), try covering the lens with a pair of clean polarizing sunglasses. For optimum polarization, the sun should be at a 90-degree angle (i.e., at your side, not in front or behind you). Keep in mind that a polarizing filter will affect the camera’s exposure setting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u>Instructions</u>:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Prepare one to four of your own photographic images of water. You may take new photos or use ones in your archives, although it would be preferable to take at least one new image for this particular challenge. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (August 9) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=296038&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');</script>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-17892584299680577772013-06-10T16:23:00.000-04:002013-06-10T16:23:06.633-04:00Challenge - Birds<div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Birds</b></span><br />
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<u style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Posting Date</u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">: </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Saturday, July 13, 2013</b><br />
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<u style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Online Background Information</u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">:</span><br />
<div>
<ul><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<li><a href="http://121clicks.com/tutorials/bird-photography-tips-tutorials-and-videos" target="_blank">Bird photography tips and tricks roundup</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/backyard-bird-photography-tips" target="_blank">Backyard bird photography tips</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.exposureguide.com/bird-photography-tips.htm" target="_blank">Bird photography tips - taking your close-up photography to the next level</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/8-tips-for-photographing-birds" target="_blank">8 tips for photographing birds</a> </li>
</span></ul>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>: </span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Successful bird photography takes preparation, skill, and patience. Several strategies will help you capture images of these beautiful creatures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It may be easier to have to birds come to you rather than you go to the birds. If so, you will need to entice them with appropriate food and water. The construction of simple setups, including perches, will also make your task easier. A long lens is preferable because most birds are wary of people, but it is not necessary. If you don’t want to photograph birds in your back yard, then visit nearby parks where bird habitats are available.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On your camera settings, shutter speed is important to capture a sharp image, but a shallow depth of field is sometimes required to blur out background distractions. Adjustment of the ISO setting may be necessary to get the optimum balance of shutter speed and aperture. Exposure compensation may be needed so that the bird is properly exposed. The use of camera modes for continuous shooting and automatic focus of moving objects will help you capture any action and various poses. If you don’t know how to make necessary adjustments to your camera, it’s time to get out the manual!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The beauty about the digital medium is that you can take a lot of photos to test out your physical setups and camera settings, and then make adjustments based on your results. If you have never tried bird photography before, I hope you will do so now. Your skill level as a photographer will invariably go way up as a result of this challenge.</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Instructions</u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images of birds. You may take new photos or use ones in your archives, although it would be preferable to take at least one new image for this particular challenge. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date (July 12) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span><br />
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=283319&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-48811361143729762412013-05-14T10:16:00.000-04:002013-05-15T08:25:48.730-04:00Challenge - Composition Variations<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Composition Variations</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /> <u>Posting Date</u>: <b>Saturday, June 8, 2013 </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b> <u>Online Background Information</u>:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/composition-not-just-about-positioning-your-subject-but-about-positioning-yourself-too" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Positioning yourself for different compositions</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<li><a href="http://thedailydigi.com/how-to-work-the-shot/" target="_blank">How to work the shot</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/09/03/6-ways-to-change-your-perspective1/" target="_blank">Change your perspective - part 1</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/09/08/6-ways-to-change-your-perspective2/" target="_blank">Change your perspective - part 2</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/edfat-the-art-of-seeing" target="_blank">The art of seeing</a> </li>
</span></ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>: </span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Every photographer develops a particular style over time. But it is a good practice for photographers to vary compositions of their subject matter and challenge themselves to break out of a typical shooting mode. This is an essential skill for specialties such as portrait and landscape photography. Changing up the composition is sometimes called “doing the dance” or “working the shot.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Don’t settle for the first click after lining up your shot in the viewfinder. Move your feet. Get closer or get further back. Move to the side or behind the subject for a different perspective. Use a zoom lens or change lenses (if your camera allows you to do so). Change the depth of field. After taking a horizontal shot, try a vertical one. If you have control over the subject matter, adjust the layout by adding or subtracting elements. For a portrait, have people change their poses or put them in front of different backgrounds. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The goal is to think outside the box and portray the subject matter differently than your first “click.” When you compel yourself to look at a subject from different perspectives, don’t be surprise if your creativity goes up!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prepare three of your own photographic images of a subject, with each image showing a different composition than the other two. It is preferable to take new images for this particular challenge. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned).</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> (June 7) and a couple days thereafter. Don’t forget to set up a calendar reminder for yourself!</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-51622105240300349762013-04-15T18:53:00.000-04:002013-04-16T08:49:49.486-04:00Challenge - Flowers<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Flowers</b></span><br />
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<u style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Posting Date</u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">: <b>Saturday, May 11, 2013</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Online Background Information</u>: </span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/photographing-flowers" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">How to photograph flowers</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.exposureguide.com/photographing-flowers.htm" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">Flower photography tips</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/10-tips-for-improving-your-flower-photos" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>10 tips for improving your flower photos</b></span></a></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Additional Tips and Suggestions</u>: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you attempt a close-up or macro shot, be careful with your depth of field. This is a good time to try to get your camera off of the “automatic” mode and make adjustments to your f-stop for optimum depth of field. Be aware of how your camera is focusing, and ensure that it is focusing on the flowers or petals that you want sharp. Manual focus works better than automatic focus for close-ups. (Get out that camera manual if you need to do learn how to accomplish these tasks!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A tripod is always helpful for close-up shots, but switch off any automatic vibration reduction feature on your camera or lens when using a tripod. Watch out for and avoid blown-out highlights that can occur on bright, sunny days. Soft light can be found on overcast days or you can use a diffuser. Pay attention to details and competing elements in the background. Schedule your photo shoot on a day when the winds are calm or else block the wind so the flowers don’t move.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Consider staging your flower shoot. The flowers can be in displayed a vase, draped on a table surface, held in a hand, etc. Break out of your typical shooting style and try a different perspective. Edit the images to provide a nice saturation of colors. Consider the application of editing enhancements such as a glow filter, an orton effect, or vignette.</span></div>
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<u>Instructions</u>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images of flowers. You may take new photos or use ones in your archives, although it would be preferable to take at least one new image for this particular challenge. Please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><b>The linkup tool will be available the day before the challenge date</b></i> (May 10) and a couple days thereafter.</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-67996513069230195382013-03-11T10:29:00.000-04:002013-03-11T14:18:59.079-04:00Challenge - Simplicity<div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Challenge Topic</u>: <b>Simplicity</b></span><br />
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<u style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Posting Date</u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">: </span><b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Saturday, April 13, 2013</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Online Background Information</u>: </span><br />
<ul><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<li><a href="http://photo.tutsplus.com/articles/composition-articles/a-10-step-guide-to-superb-minimalist-photography/" target="_blank">10-step guide to superb minimalist photography</a></li>
<li><a href="http://photodoto.com/when-less-really-more-minimalism-photography-70-examples/" target="_blank">When less is really more</a></li>
<li><a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/remove-clutter" target="_blank">Remove clutter from your photography</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.clickinmoms.com/blog/taking-beautiful-photographs-in-cluttered-boring-spaces-tutorial/" target="_blank">Working around the clutter</a></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><u>Tips</u>: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This topic is so “simple,” it can be difficult! It will make you think carefully about your subject <i>and</i> your background. The subject needs to be clearly defined. Clutter needs to be removed or minimized in the background. Don’t be afraid to use negative space in the framing of your composition.</span><br />
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<u style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Instructions</u><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Prepare one to three of your own photographic images that illustrate the simplicity style of photography. You may take new photos or use ones in your archive, though it would be preferable to take at least one new image for this particular challenge. Also, please include any information or tips that may be of assistance to other participants (e.g., how you took the images, post-processing details, camera settings, what you learned).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Starting with this challenge, we’ll be switching over to a direct linkup of your challenge posts. As a result, <i>the linkup tool will not be available until the day before the challenge date</i> (April 12) and a couple thereafter.</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-555677267725836361.post-66464335030789987522013-03-10T16:53:00.000-04:002013-03-10T16:53:00.157-04:00A Huge Thank You!<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This is a shout-out to all of the participants in the very first challenge. Thank you so much for making the inaugural one so fun and memorable! We had a wide range of experience and the amount of creativity was inspiring. Any explanations/tips provided in your posts were greatly appreciated. Please give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know some of you may have gotten outside of your comfort zone, but that’s okay! In order to learn and grow, we all have to start somewhere, right? So we begin from where we are right now and take a few steps forward. And before we know it, we look back to where we began and marvel at the distance traveled. We also have company along the way - each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you haven’t had a chance to visit everyone yet, please take a few moments to do so. And stay tuned for details for the next challenge, coming up shortly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Again, thank you so much for making the first challenge a wonderful success!</span></div>
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Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05347598432040432610noreply@blogger.com7