Winner of a Little Giveaway

Mike and I at the Cardinals game
this past weekend.

Just a quick note to announce the winner of a little giveaway I had last week. The winner selected by random.org is Suzanne Bigham Bundy. Congrats!

Suzanne, please claim your prize before 12 noon on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. To claim, just email me your address so I can mail you your prize package of goodies from me.

Thank you to everyone for playing and checking out my A to Z Workshop that is next weekend. I do have a couple spots still open, so it's not too late to sign up here!

Tyann Marcink
documenting life
tyann@marcinkdesigns.com

Best Camera to Use and Resolutions 2013

A question many people will ask a photographer is: "Which camera is the best one?"

Well...there is a vast array of cameras available to the consumer, whether you are snapping family shots, a hobbyist photographer, an amateur, or a professional. In addition, there is a myriad of different lenses available for the cameras, each lens having either specific super powers or general super powers in what conditions and situations in how they perform the best.

So after you have culled through all the different options of cameras until you are bleary eyed and are just plain ready for someone to hand you a camera that is magically the one you need and desire..here is the answer to that deep question of which camera is the best...

Are you ready?

The answer will not only be eye-opening, but life-changing...

Here it is:

The best camera is...the one you have with you.

Yes, you read that right.

The best camera is not a particular brand, not a specific size, doesn't cost a minimum dollar amount to be the best one...it's the camera you have with you. A fancy DSLR with a sweet lens and nifty neck strap sitting snugly in your camera bag hanging on the coat rack inside is worthless (as far as capturing family memories) when you are watching your children build a snowman and the Kodak moment is about to slip away. The best camera just might be your smartphone in your hand.

Last snowman of 2012. Shot with HTC OneX smartphone, processed with Instagram filter Willow.

Surprised?

While going through my family photos for 2012 (as a part of my New Year's resolution), I realized that not a single photo in November was taken with my DSLR...every single family memory was captured with my phone. The snapshots may not be technically correct, but if I hadn't snapped with my phone, I wouldn't even have the bit of tangible preservation of the memory.

You may question "Why didn't I just grab my DSLR at those moments?" I asked myself the same question during those moments. And these were my answers:

• My good camera wasn't within reach before the moment would be over. (Shooting targets at Thanksgiving.)
• I just didn't feel like making people wait while I am grabbing the good camera. (Birthday cake being lit and song about to be sung.)
• I was already carrying too many items and had to prioritize. (Leading a classroom party for 4th graders, including games and snack.)
• The event or activity wasn't of such importance that my good camera was a must. (Playing with friends and making cookies.)

So on to my resolutions for 2013:

1. Take more everyday photos of my family.
2. Hand my camera off so that I can be in more family photos.
3. Cull through photos each time I download them from the memory card and delete any unacceptable ones immediately.
4. Back up family photos each month.
5. Create a photobook for the previous year, or more.
6. Print more photos, and print them big.

Would you like to learn more about taking better photos of your family? Join me this year at my Sweet & Simple Workshops as I help you learn more about creating photographs, simply and easily.

How it Went: {Workshop} Simple and Sweet Photography Basics

Before our photowalk.

 <---There is my first workshop class! I was thrilled that 20 photographers packed the presentation room at St. Peter's UCC last Thursday!

The skill range was from beginners up to serious amateurs, so I was a little nervous, hoping that I would be able to share at least one new thing for each person.

After my presentation, I answered a few questions, and then we headed outside. The sun was beginning its descent and was lighting up the clouds just beautifully. Our route took us to downtown Washington, pausing to snap photos of gardens and historic brick buildings. The sky was a gorgeous and dramatic background, making it easy for my class to find beautiful compositions.

Dramatic clouds to the east during the sunset.

The sunset was stunning as it lit the sky on fire.

I really enjoyed walking with the class, stopping every little bit to help them find the compositions and settings they had in mind. My favorite was watching as they put to use the knowledge I had just shown them in class.

Understanding and comprehending the relation between aperture and depth of field, as well as how the exposure triangle works, can be intimidating. But I think it "clicked" with some of the attendees.

With the overwhelming response immediately after the workshop from people who had not been able to attend, I am looking at holding the photography basics workshop again. And, I hope to develop a series of workshops that focus on specific subjects, like the moon, fireworks, bokeh, aperture and depth of field, composition, and post processing.

Are you interested in attending a workshop? Please join my mailing list! There is a link to the right ---> at the top of the blog to enter your email address.

Would you like to have one of my fine art prints for yourself? Visit my website www.marcinkdesigns.com to purchase one. Note that even if you don't see it on my website, you can still purchase it - just send me a message at tyann@marcinkdesigns.com. And don't forget to follow me on Facebook!

Self portrait after the workshop. :)

{Workshop} Simple and Sweet Photography Basics

A little {FREE} workshop covering the basics of photography, presented by me! Focusing on composition and the importance of light, with a little bit on aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

Excellent opportunity for all ages of people who are interested in taking better photographs. Whether your favorite subjects are your family, vacation vistas, or the bears at the zoo, you will walk away with knowledge to improve your snapshots.

Bring your camera to play with during the workshop. Also a good idea to read your manual before and then bring it with you (I know, pretty dry reading, but totally worth it).

After the workshop, we will head out for a sunset photowalk so you can put your new knowledge to use.

Thursday, July 19th
7:00pm - 8:45pm

Tentative schedule:
7:00pm - 7:45pm {presentation with Q&A}
7:45pm - 8:45pm {sunset photowalk}

Location:
St. Peter's UCC of Washington
20 East Fifth St.
Washington, Missouri

If you would like to RSVP, see the Facebook event.