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

A to Z Beginner's Photography Workshop

overview

Hands on class that will begin with A, teaching all the basics of photography and post processing, all the way through to Z, saving and sharing your work.

"I knew enough to just get by, but now it was like opening a whole new world.

I think a lot of people who know very little about photography are hesitant to take a class in fear of being intimidated or not basic enough. However, I loved the approach you took. 

You presented complicated topics in a simple and easy to understand format, which accomplished two things at the same time: Built onto the knowledge some may have already had but at the same time educated others who are just learning."

- Kyle Quick, New Haven (Quick News Now)

Highlights of the class:

• aperture, shutter speeds, and ISO
• depth-of-field
• composition (i.e. family snapshots, kids sports, landscapes)
• camera settings
• post processing
• saving, storing, and sharing
• 2 photowalks
• constructive critiques
• lunch
• ONLY 12 SEATS AVAILABLE
• BONUS - Light and the Night {workshop}

PRIZES to be drawn just for my students!

• one copy of Photoshop Elements
• swag bags of lovely loot (details will be announced closer to the date, but I promise it will be good!)

"You are extremely knowledgeable, helpful, patient, and so easy to follow. You shared so many important tips/techniques that I hope I can remember all of them!!

You made all of us feel as if the photos we created were the absolute best you had ever seen. You gave us positive feedback as well as things to look for and try to do differently the next time - the best type of constructive criticism."

- Rekke Berges, Washington

What to bring:

• camera
• manual 
• notebook
• pen

Note: Don't forget to fully charge your battery and empty your memory card.

"If you want to learn about the basics of photography, it's a great class to take and well worth the time!"

- Susan Wilson, Washington

NEXT CLASS:

Saturday, September 21, 2013

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Downtown Washington Post Office

Washington, Missouri

Complete 8 hour class + BONUS Light and the Night {workshop}

$129 Early registration

$179 after September 6, 2013

24 Hour Difference

Really, it all comes down to patience.

Wait for the sun.
Wait for the clouds.
Wait for the wind.
Wait for the flags.
Wait for the cars.

And then climb onto the hood of my Tahoe.

Captured the sun kissing the front bricks of the main branch of the United Bank of Union as the wind whispered through our national and state flags.

This took all of 5 minutes. Really and truly so.

The main branch of United Bank of Union, located at Main and Jefferson, Union, Missouri.

But 24 hours earlier, the bank looked like this...

United Bank of Union approximately 24 hours before.

Photography is all about the light. Have patience, and you will be rewarded...eventually.

If you are interested in my commercial or marketing work, please call me at 636.584.3864 or email me at tyann@marcinkdesigns.com.

Tyann Marcink
documenting life

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.

{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.

Leap Into Spring Photo Challenge {Sunshine/Light}

The sun was getting low in the sky, approaching the golden hour, and I was on my first walk with my very new 50mm f1.4 lens. I knew this little garden tucked away in our town's downtown area would be beautiful at this time of day and made my way over to it. The flowering trees and the streaming rays of sunshine did not disappoint me!

For the Leap Into Spring Photo Challange {Sunshine/Light}

I Heart Faces April Photo Challenge {Happiness}

Score!

Joey just made a soccer goal and was sprinting over to us on the sideline to make sure we saw it. Can you tell he was just a little happy?

My submission for the I Heart Faces Photo Challenge of Happiness.

This photo was submitted to the I Heart Faces photo challenge – www.iheartfaces.com

Photographic Fine Art Name - SIMPSON

Have you seen your name spelled out around you? Maybe you noticed how the branches of a tree created a W or the way a bench arm curved, it looked like an S.

I see letters...everywhere...literally. And I have taken photographs of these letters in architecture and nature around us. Here is a name I created last week:

Where are all of the letters from? Here is where I found them:

S - the arm of my bench
I - the St. Louis Zoo, in Cat Country
M - the Eads Bridge, Downtown St. Louis
P - the Calvin Theatre, Washington, Missouri
S - the steps of a church near SLU
O - a windmill in a backyard, Union, Missouri
N - the side of a house, Washington, Missouri

The majority of my letters are from the St. Louis, Missouri area. A few are also from our vacation travels.

Would you like your name spelled out? Visit Marcink Designs today to see all my letters and to order one for yourself or for a gift!

Introduction

I know, it's about time, right? Finally, a blog for Marcink Designs! A place to share more of my beautiful photos and the stories that go with them.

I will also share some before and after shots of my photographs, as well as a tip here and there to help you grow and learn. [Disclaimer: Tips may or may not be about photography.]

So, here, on the left, is me! This photo was taken by the very talented and kind-hearted Slava Bowman when we were on a photowalk in Downtown Washington, Missouri. Just a quick snap in the doorway of Otis Campbell's of me and my Nikon D7000.

I am a serious hobbyist/amateur photographer. I mainly enjoy creating images of landscapes and architecture when I don't have the camera aimed at my three boys and dear husband.

The more I learn about photography, the more I love it. Last month I started a Facebook page for the photographers in my area to connect and share with each other (Franklin County Area Photographers), and I am having a blast getting to know others and being inspired by their photographic creations.

When I am not creating photos or processing them, I am:

• an amazing wife to my wonderful husband
• a marvelous mother of three boys, currently ages 4, 6, and 8 years old [that's what I am told]
• handpainting quilt clips and my line of children's room decor, the Little Elephant Company
• managing our vacation homes in Branson, Missouri
• creating photographic letter family names
• designing websites and graphics for local businesses and other vacation home rentals
• going on photowalks with FCAP
• and building friendships with my delightful friends.

Of course, there is more to me...every woman has some mystery about her. I am sure you will see glimpses of deep inside of me in my posts, photographs, and stories.

Me on my birthday this year with my hubby and boys. I took this shot with my handy wireless remote.

About the photograph below

This is the Waterworks building in Downtown Washington, Missouri. It now houses an antique shop and is nestled between the Missouri River and a set of train tracks. I took this photo after the sun set, as the blue in the sky was deepening. One of my favorite elements of a photograph, besides the blues of blue hour, is the starburst effect on lights. Here there are several - the light over the restroom building, the parking lot lights for the Riverfront Trail, and behind the trees on the right are the lights from the Washington bridge crossing the river.

I shot this while on a photowalk with two new FCAP friends a couple weeks ago. We walked around for nearly 4 hours on a Sunday evening, capturing several hundred photos. When I processed this photo, I first made it black and white then brought the color back into it just a little to give it more of a vintage feel.

Waterworks Antiques, Washington, Missouri