Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008

“As I have practiced it, photography produces pleasure by simplicity. I see something special and show it to the camera. A picture is produced. The moment is held until someone sees it.  Then it is theirs.”  ~Sam Abell

• Holiday Photo Contest – Only 2 Weeks 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, Hannukah, 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: Organize & Edit Photos

Compose, meter, focus, shoot.  That seems somewhat simple (until you really look into the process), but what happens after the shot is taken?  The photography community has a tendency to talk about Photoshop a lot… but there are some fantastic ways to edit your photos without spending $400+ on software.

Beginner:
Picasa by Google (Free!) You can’t complain about free software.  Organize, make minor edits (including red-eye, scratches, cropping), make collages and slideshows, and upload to web-albums. Extremely simple and user friendly.

Intermediate:
Photoshop Elements by Adobe ($79.99)  The basic version of Photoshop.  Very similar to Picasa.
Phoenix by Aviary ($9.99/month) A web-based service that is a lot like Photoshop.

Advanced:
Photoshop Lightroom by Adobe ($299.00) The professional choice for organizing & quick-editing photos.  1000 files from a day of shooting?  This is the best way to quickly find the good ones & make mass edits.
Photoshop by Adobe ($699.00) The pinacle of photo editing.  Be prepared to take a class to understand it.

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)

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

TBA: Digital Photography 101

TBA: Beginning Wedding Photography

TBA: Minimalist Lighting Class (Spring ’09)

TBA: Lightroom / Editing & Workflow

New classes are being planned… keep posted!

Photo by westernbuddha
Taken during the Experience Builder class.

Photo Highlights From Flickr!

This week from the IPC Flickr Group:

Photo by westernbuddha

Taken during the Experience Builder Class.

Classes: What classes would you like to see offered?

Holiday List: If your spouse/kids/dog asked Indy Photo Coach for a suggestion for what you’d like as a gift, what should we tell them?

Shoot The Night: Excursion focused on light painting, slow shutter

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

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

NEW: 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 Miya Evans

Assignment: Silhouette: Welcome to the world of backlighting  

Photo by Gillian Spring

Photo by Robert Gee

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.

Photo by agnisflugen

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!

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

Photo by Miya Evans

Photo by Bob Cross