I feel like my photographic skills have slipped through my fingers the past few months.  I don't know how much longer I can get away with blaming it on my camera.  I'm about to make a HUGE camera purchase and I'm seriously beginning to doubt myself.  I mean...I've had this camera for a while...and I have taken some stellar shots...but lately?  I've spent so much time in post processing on the handful of shots that I kind of like. 

I've read things that say stuff about finding your "style" and even after a few years I don't think I have a style.  I've been really enjoying high contrast in editing lately but I almost feel like I'm faking a "style" by doing that.  And of course I'm a huge fan of portraits...but that might be because I'm also a huge fan of my 50mm. 

So...should I go ahead with the huge purchase?  M & E and some other random readers are all familiar enough with my ability...but M & E are very biased (you know, being my BFFs and all) ...Am I having these doubts because I'm a very cheap person and the price of this camera makes me hyperventilate? 

See?  I whined.  I promised you I would.

2 days until Christmas! 

Even though my mind is completely full of holiday related thoughts and plans I have had the chance to run across non-holiday related web sites.  Today I found this great site:  http://www.momshots.com/
From her About page:

"I have spent a lot of time looking up information online and realized that I couldn’t find any one place that met all of my needs.  Momshots was born out of inspiration one morning at the gym.  I started thinking about how there should be a one stop place that discussed all the in’s and out’s of learning how to better photograph of my kids.  I want to learn this art of photography and I want to share what I learn with anyone else who might be looking for similar knowledge.  "

How perfect is that?  You all know how much I love when people share their knowledge of their craft (Especially when that craft happens to be photography)

She also has this awesome list of Quick Tips on her side bar....  All of which I live by when photographing children (#5 and #6 especially!  If you're trying too hard you're not going to be all that happy with results)....This hint here, for example "3.) Be aware of the background."  Makes me smile...the first photography tip I ever received...from my mother!   It's so true.  The cutest picture can be mucked up by trash or messy beds or some very strange off-color graffiti.

 


 

http://stopshootingauto.com/

I tell everyone who listens that owning a DSLR and shooting in auto is just flushing money down the toilet.  I've tried to give my own little quick email tutorials to new DSLR users but I don't know if my terms ("CHange the doohickey") was beneficial or not.  But this site breaks things down to a beginner level...and I looooove that. 

And let me segue a bit....I absolutely adore photographers who share their knowledge.  Photography is an art form and art should be shared.  When I come across a site where the photographer spends half of the time dissing amateur photographer

It's Halloween!  What does Halloween mean to me?  For the next week or two I will be making myself sick off of candy and grumbling to myself that I never learn.  Oh, and cute costumes. 

On another note...I love photography.  A lot.  I spend a lot of free (hahahhahahaha) time reading about photography and absorbing as much information as I can.  There are some wonderful web resourses out there for amateur photographers...and below are a few of my favorites:

Tutorial9 (Tutorial Bliss) link:  http://www.tutorial9.net/
They have Photoshop, Illustrator as well as basic web tutorials, but they also have a whole page devoted to photography.

Digital Photography School link:  http://digital-photography-school.com/blog Their layout is very simple and easy to follow.  And their tutorials range from the very basic to the more advanced...and they don't make you feel like a big dummy for even wanting to know.

Christopher Maxwell is a wedding photographer...Not only is he a really good wedding photographer, he's also an extremely generous one.  I really enjoyed his article linked here:  http://www.christophermaxwell.com/wedding-photography-tips.htm


Another awesome and generous photographer's site is Roman R Zolin, Friendly Artworks with a Smile linked here: http://tips.romanzolin.com/

And as far as inspiration goes...I have to go back to my good ole Nikon Guru, Jessika Creedon.  Her photography is awesome and her patience with my years of endless questions is forever something I will be extremely grateful for.  Link:  http://www.jessikacreedon.com/index.html