Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008

"However much critics argue the value of specific works of art, the family portrait and family album quietly assume a significant place

as a witness to our eyes." – Bill Thompson

• Holiday Photo Contest – Only 4 Days Left!

Exclusively for IPC Flickr & Newsletter members.

Prizes: Awards for 1st, 2nd & 3rd Place, including a $75 Indy Photo Coach Gift Certificate for 1st place.

Join the IPC Flickr group & post a photo that somehow captures the essence of this time of year (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, trees, Circle of Lights, etc.)  Entry deadline: Dec 28th!

Click here for rules, guidelines & more info.
or
Forward this opportunity to a friend

• Looking For Gift Ideas?

Here are three suggestions:

1. Indy Photo Coach gift certificates: $10 bonus for every $50 purchased.
2. We have added an "Indy Photo Coach Endorsed Products" page of our website.
3. Flickr Discussion Thread: Most wanted gifts.

or send a hint to someone buying YOU a gift

and forward this email.

• Tip of the week: Christmas & Holiday Photos

  Merry Christmas Eve!  Many of you will probably be bustling with last-minute gifts, family coming into town and meals to cook.  Take a few minutes and prepare the photography side of your events, and it will pay off greatly.

• Normal Christmas lights are white balanced to "Tungsten."  That’s the little lightbulb shaped icon in your white balance menu.
• Turn off all other lights if shooting a Christmas tree indoors.  Use the ambient light from the tree lights to light your photo.
• If shooting portraits, try using the tree lights as your sole lightsource. 
• Use a tripod.
• Shoot outdoor Christmas lights in early evening, before it gets completely dark.  Include a lot of sky; the lights-to-sky contrast & balance will be a matter of timing.
• Pick a subject and stick to it.  Multiple activities happen simultaneously during a holiday get-together. If your eyes are drawn to several different points of focus, simplify and recompose.  In a room full of decorations, a tree, presents & table of food, compose so your eyes are drawn to one of them and eliminate the others. 

As a last note, Merry Christmas and happy holidays from all of us at Indy Photo Coach!  Enjoy your time with friends & family.

These tips and more can be learned in any Indy Photo Coach class or lesson.

Visit the website for more information

• Upcoming Events

Fundamentals of Photography Class (January) Register now!

Experience Builder Class (Spring ’09)

NEW: Adobe Lightroom Class  (February) Register now!

Next week: Indy Photo Coach "Before & After"

TBA: Fishers / Carmel Fundamentals Class (February ’09)

TBA: Digital Photography 101

TBA: Beginning Wedding Photography

TBA: Wedding Photography I, II, III

TBA: Minimalist Lighting Class (Spring ’09)

TBA: Lightroom / Editing & Workflow

New classes are being planned… keep posted!

• Flickr Pool

Upload your best shots and comment on other Indianapolis photographers’ work.  Be inspired.

Photo by Miya Evans

Photo by Paula R

Photo by Troy Spring

Join the Indy Photo Coach Flickr Group!

Photo Highlights From Flickr

This week from the IPC Flickr Group:

Photo by Venu Nair

Classes: What classes would you like to see offered?

Assignments: Designed to help you exercise your creativity and see everyday life differently.

NEW: Assignment: Ice: Reflections are great to experiment with… What’s yours look like?

Photo by instructor Jeff West

Photo by Miya Evans

NEW: Assignment: Mirrors: Reflections are great to experiment with… What’s yours look like?

Photo by Paula R

Photo by Serge Melki

Assignment: Water: With water as your subject, show us your best shots of H2O

Photo by Paula R

Assignment: Fire: ‘Tis the season for fireplaces, hot cocoa, & chimneys. Use those great creative skills for a shot of some sort of fire.  Fireplaces, candles, matches, campfires, etc.  Just don’t get hurt!

Photo by Gillian Spring

Photo by Serge Melki

Assignment: Silhouette: Welcome to the world of backlighting  

Photo by Daryl Hogeland

Assignment: Advertisement: Post a photo that looks like it could be used in an ad for a product or service.

Alphabet "S": Create a photo that shows an "S" shape without showing text.

"Full": Show your visual interpretation of the word "Full"

Simplicity: Compose a very simple shot.

Beloved Object: Show us something that means alot to you.

Self-Portrait: Practice and show us who you are!  Start those creative engines and introduce yourself photographically!

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