Digital Photography for Busy Women

Introduction to Aquatic Photography Part I: Getting Scuba Certified

2010-06-23T10:26:00.000-07:00

This summer we’re providing a three part series that will cover a number of aspects of underwater photography. Whether you just want to get better underwater shots of your kids in the pool, expand your abilities when snorkeling or become scuba certified in order to shoot fantastic tropical fish and reefs, we’ll explain how to make the most of every situation. In Part I, we’ll cover how to choose the right scuba instructor and dive shop in order to get certification, allowing you the opportunity to begin your underwater photography safari.

Scuba-diving is a sport that conjures up ideas of adventure and treasure-hunting. What many people don’t realize is that it’s also a sport that can be done regardless of being 21 or 61, and for those who’ve always wondered what it would be like to shoot underwater, getting scuba certified is an important required step in reaching that goal.

Scuba-diving can be a bit perplexing because, unlike other sports, there really isn’t a way to dabble in it to see if you like it. But there are ways to decide if this is something you’d like to pursue. If you’re intrigued or interested, here are a few tidbits to help you get started:

Find a Reputable Dive Shop: Get started by doing an online search to find a few dive shops or instructors in your area. Ask about the possible options for courses and the time and equipment commitment needed to get started. Also ask about their certification—the best-known associations are PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors). Inquire about the qualifications of their instructors and about their safety record. And ask what kind of money-back guarantee they have in case an emergency comes up and you’re unable to go through with the entire course.

Don’t Be Shy: If you have any questions, please ask them. Many people who worry they may not be able to learn to scuba-dive are pleased to find once they begin that they’ve discovered a passion for a new sport. There are a few considerations to ponder. For example, if you’re age 40 or over, you’ll need to have a physical first to ensure good health, and those with specific respiratory issues such as asthma will need to first check with their primary physician before continuing.

Get a Buddy: Scuba-diving is considered a social sport and having a friend with you in the class can help in a number of ways. You’ll learn various skills that require two people and you’ll also need a dive buddy whenever you go out after certification, so why not find a friend to join you? If you’re unable to find someone to take the course with you, the instructor will pair you up with someone, giving you an opportunity to make a new friend or two!

Find the Right Fit: Your relationship with your scuba instructor is very important so make sure you find someone with whom you feel comfortable learning. If you find that you’re having trouble relating to an instructor, politely inquire about other classes or options. Professional instructors shouldn’t be offended as they understand that there are some situations where a different instructor is a better fit for a particular client.

It’s important to note that the quality of the photographs you shoot will depend largely upon your skills underwater and how well you handle issues of mastering neutral buoyancy and related diving skills. Once you’ve received your scuba certification, you’ll then be in a position to begin your underwater photography adventures and can even enroll in an underwater photography course.

An Interview with Tamron

2009-12-03T09:52:00.000-08:00

Tamron asked me to answer a few questions regarding how I use their 18-270mm lens. We discuss the common struggles many moms face juggling kids while shooting sports, how the VC technology helped me while shooting horse shows and the importance of keeping a sense of humor anytime you combine kids, deadlines and photography. You can read it here: http://www.tamron.com/enews/archives/nov09_oles.asp

Tips for Terrific Halloween Shots

2009-10-28T08:53:00.000-07:00

Just combine the promise of free candy with a group of small children and you have a recipe for a challenging photo opportunity. With a bit of planning, however, you can bet on snapping some super shots of your favorite little goblins this October 31st!

Start Early: Get a jump start on your evening by planning a few extra minutes for your photography before the festivities begin. Let the little ones know in advance that cooperation now means they’ll get to the candy faster! This technique will often buy you a few extra wiggle-free moments to start shooting.

Try Twilight: The hour or so before the sun sets is the perfect time for photography. The lighting conditions will be favorable and may provide a nice, warm cast to your images.

Through the Looking Glass: If you have a glass pane on your front door, try having the kids look through while you shoot from the other side. Just remember to turn your flash off so light doesn’t bounce off the glass.
Now Let Them Run: Try taking a few pictures of your kids running down the sidewalk with their treat bags in tow. Make sure your ISO is set to a higher setting to catch the movement and pick your perfect spot to shoot before you let them run free.

Nighttime Shots: The right flash distance can make all the difference when it comes to creating that perfect image. Most cameras have a flash that is effective somewhere between five and ten feet from the subject; just don’t stand too close or else you may find your picture looks too bright or overexposed.

If you shoot using a DSLR, a high-quality add-on flash unit can greatly improve your images and allow you to capture fantastic nighttime pictures. Stop by your favorite photo store (mine is Precision Camera & Video in Austin) to find the perfect fit for your needs.

Organizing Your Summer Shots

2009-09-12T13:56:00.000-07:00

So, you’ve been taking pictures with reckless abandon this summer. Good for you!

This strategy is sometimes necessary, such as in sports photography, to get that perfect picture. Once you’ve got the images you want, it’s time to spend a few minutes ruthlessly deleting pictures you don’t love. Yes, you heard right…be ruthless! You don’t need six family shots all posed the same way (unless you plan on combining the images in Photoshop later). Find the best one in each scenario and delete the rest. Think of this strategy as cutting the clutter for your computer. It will be easier to find your favorite photos if they aren’t surrounded by mediocre shots, and your hard drive will have more room to store those pictures that really do take your breath away.

Your Living Library

2009-04-06T09:39:00.000-07:00

There are few thing s that can touch the soul more deeply than gazing at a picture of a loved one. And sometimes, those old photos—the ones crammed into a tattered cardboard box that had been sitting in the closet for years untouched—can reveal a path from your past that widens your world in ways you never anticipated.

My dad and I had often talked about “Grandma Mary’s box” and how we really needed to go through its contents and get things organized. We even looked through a few things but never really got serious about it.

Then my dad’s cancer returned.

I flew to Washington to spend some time with him –he is almost finished with chemo and doing very well—and we had an opportunity to finally tackle that box. There’s nothing like a health scare to put your priorities in place, and for us, those priorities included making sure that our future generations could find old family photos and learn the stories behind them.

I thought I knew my grandmother and her origins, but going through those photograph gave me a much better understanding of her.

I learned my great grandmother was an orphan.

I learned what my dad was like as a teenager and about his early years as an Air Force Officer.

I learned what a savvy marketer and businesswoman my grandmother was in her day.

My dad, brother and I spent several hours around that box. My dad shared stories and answered questions I’d never before thought to ask. I’m committed to making sure my own children (and one day FAR AWAY) my grandchildren know these stories and see these photographs. They are a living pictorial of those who came before us; it is up to us to continue the tradition.

Here are a few tips to help you convert that box of scattered pictures and memorabilia into a living library that loved ones will return to often:

Make it Fun: We tend to look at organizing projects as dreaded tasks, but this one can be an entertaining family event. Invite family over, order pizza and gather round the table or living room floor to get started. As you start sorting through photos, conversations will start and memories will be shared. Consider this a celebration of your ancestors and a way to honor their lives. It’s also a great way to spend a Friday night.

Create Your Own Method: So many people think they need to organize photographs chronologically, but this can be a taxing and tedious process. Instead, look at the items and create groups that make sense. With our family photos, for example, we divided the piles into my grandfather’s and grandmother’s sides of the family and worked from there. We also created a “Cousins” pile and separate piles for newspaper clippings, passports/documents and other items.

Label Photos: I joked with my dad about this because he kept writing “me” on the back of his old photos (The man has a Ph.D.!). I reminded him that the idea was for other family members to know who he was and that required using his full name. It doesn’t have to be fancy but try to be as descriptive as possible about the people shown in each photo.

Choose Quality Storage Boxes: Don’t think that you have to put everything into photo albums. If you’d prefer to go that route, that’s wonderful, but acid-free archival boxes (each labeled accordingly) work very well for this purpose. Consider using upright plastic file folders (often used for in-process scrapbook pages) to preserve larger documents and newspaper clippings.

So, please let me remind you that your photography is more than just a hobby.

It’s more than just shooting pictures at a birthday party.

You are creating your own living library, one that will touch countless people in numerous ways.

And it will continue long after you’re gone.

What story will you leave behind?

On the Hunt for Great Easter Photos

2009-04-06T09:34:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday comes early this year, so now’s the time to get ready to record exuberant little egg-hunters as they search nearby land for treasures nestled in the grass and hidden from view.

Here are a few ideas to help ensure you’re ready to hop on that perfect shot:

·Visualize in Advance: Are there certain traditions held each year that you’d like to capture? Plan a few shots and consider which locations would give you the best results. For example, before the kids run in an Easter egg hunt, where should you stand to make sure you capture their faces in the photograph

·Check Your Gear: Is your digital camera’s battery fully charged? Have you downloaded pictures from previous events onto your computer and re-formatted your camera card so it’s ready to go? Do you remember how to use the timer function? It only takes a few minutes to make sure your camera gear is ready, and it’s worth the time if it saves you from having your camera battery shut down in the middle of all the fun.

·Prepare Your Props and Place: If you want to shoot posed images, consider setting up one mini shooting area and include props such as an Easter basket, stuffed animal rabbits or other items you feel would properly adorn your photos in a kid-friendly way. Check how the image is framed in advance to determine if your props are properly spaced and leave enough room for your subjects.

·Capture Color: Easter is filled with colorful eggs, dresses and decorations. Consider taking a few close-up shots that center on a single colorful object or arrangement. Try to keep the image composition simple so the color is stunning.

·Get Low: Crouch down low during the egg hunt to give your photos a unique and personal perspective. Let the child’s reach be at the forefront of the image and shoot upward; the result is candid and yet very personal.

Grand Vision and Strong Community Ties Part of the Austin Center for Photography Plan

2009-04-06T09:27:00.000-07:00

David Keenan, Founder and President of the Austin Center for Photography, has always had a knack for bringing talented groups of people together. Growing up, his networking skills and strategic thinking flourished on the basketball court. “I always loved to get teams together, and they could be three-on-three teams or city league teams-- it didn’t matter. Our win/loss record was pretty good because it was all about finding the right group of talent and bringing them together.”

Keenan, who has built a successful career in the software industry, is now turning his attention to his passion for photography. Keenan has long carried a vision for creating a grand, top-tier photographic center in Austin that features national as well as local talent—one that provides a welcoming community for those with a love of photography. Keenan turned to the Houston Center for Photography to expand his knowledge into how successful photography-centered non-profit entities operate. “Madeline Yale (Executive Director and Curator of HCP) and many other members were extremely helpful in sharing information about how they’d made HCP successful.”

The Board members of ACP envision a uniquely-Austin center designed to celebrate the breadth of talent across the country as well as in our own backyard. Keenan states that the ACP board is filled with “a great group of people, each with unique talents, and each is committed to the success of this vision. Jerry Sullivan, owner of Precision Camera & Video, is a member of the board. There are no egos involved. They just want to see ACP grow and connect with the community.”

Keenan also states that Austin is home to many highly-regarded and talented photographers and bringing them together as a resource to celebrate the craft and connect with the community is a driving force in expanding ACP. “There are so many celebrated photographers in Austin and most people don’t even realize they live here. For example, Marianne Fulton, an ex-curator of the George Eastman house and the author of Mary Ellen Mark: 25 Years, calls Austin home. She is just one example of the rich resources we have here in our city.”

The ACP’s first Icons in Photography event, An Evening with Mary Ellen Mark, was a huge sold-out success. Ms. Mark was then interviewed by Texas Monthly Talks’ Evan Smith (this interview will air in early May). There are three more events planned this year, the next one being An Evening with Alec Soth on June 4, 2009. Future plans for ACP within the next three years include expansion into offering a national competition with possible grants and awards, two galleries that feature national and local artists, a variety of workshops and an integrated coffee shop with walls to be graced with quality photographic art. There is also some discussion about a possible youth outreach initiative to encourage young photographers to pursue their passion for the craft.

The Austin Center for Photography is still in its infancy but many see its potential as nothing less than stunning. The ACP welcomes volunteers to assist with its Icons in Photography Events and also offers memberships that start at as little as just $30per year. For more information, visit

Using Photography to Support Your Kids’ School

2009-03-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

Like many parents, you invest time supporting your children’s school through volunteer work, fundraising, chaperoning field trips and other labors of love. Parental volunteers are a powerful and important part of helping educators give our kids the best possible experience in and out of the classroom. If you love taking pictures, you might consider using your hobby to contribute to your school’s efforts.

As the unofficial photographer for my kids’ classes, I enjoy the opportunity of shooting these events and sharing them with parents who were unable to attend due to work or schedule conflicts. Let’s face it—as involved as we are, we have many other work and personal roles and simply can’t be at every single event for every single child. Having someone take photographs of the class during a field trip can be a wonderful gift for those parents who were unable to attend. The images can also be used to help the school promote itself, its fundraising efforts or for other related purposes. In addition, the images can be used to create personalized teacher gifts at the end of the year.

Here are a few tips to turn your photography into both a gift for parents and a marketing tool for your school:

Personalize the Shot: Group shots are wonderful and necessary but make sure to take individual shots of each child if at all possible. Zoom in close to fill the frame with the child’s face and wait for that candid smile or impromptu interaction. These magical moments just require a bit of planning and patience. Ignore the bustle around you for a few seconds to see if you can portray the essence of what that child is experiencing.

Capture Interaction: Some of the best photos are those of children engaged in particular projects or working together. Even something as seemingly simple as sharing a lunch outdoors on a picnic table can translate into an extraordinary photograph. Look for kids who are enjoying a moment together and start snapping away. Just don’t get too close—your goal is to capture the moment, not interrupt it.

Share & Upload: Once your event is over, make sure to upload your photos to your local photo store’s online website. It’s one of the easiest ways to share images and you can simply email a link to the album to all the parents and teachers involved. They can then order prints and other items from the photo store directly.

Get Permission: It is very important to get permission and to have a parent sign a standard model release anytime the child’s picture might be used for posters, flyers or other promotional item. There are standard model release forms that can be found online for your school to use. Some parents may prefer not to have their child included, and that’s okay. Your school’s office should already have these provisions in place, but if not, find the form and have copies made for each child in the class.

The next time you gear up for a field trip, make sure to take your camera (and accessories) and assign yourself the role of event photographer. It’s a chance to practice your hobby and an opportunity to give a gift to the kids and families all while supporting the school.

A New Year’s Resolution that Still Lets You Enjoy Dessert

2009-01-13T07:52:00.000-08:00

I just can't seem to give up chocolate.

While I love the fresh start that each New Year offers, I shun any resolution that involves giving up sweets, watching Deadliest Catch or finding matches for all the stray socks, Army men and Barbie shoes that populate my casa.

Those things are here to stay.

So, for all you weary change-agents, here’s my suggestion:

On your list where it says “go to gym 8 days a week” and “give up dessert until my 85th birthday”--go ahead and just scratch one of those off and replace it with “organize my digital pictures.”

This resolution is one that is very attainable, although it may seem like a daunting task at first. For those who still remain unconvinced, here is my cheat sheet for how to make sure you can find your favorite photos without losing your cool.

And it only requires 30 minutes per week.

Week One:
Start Searching: Get online and do a search for ‘image management software’ or ‘photo organization’ programs. Write down a few that look good. Maybe they had solid reviews from a computer magazine or other resource that you trust. Print out a few pages from your search and put them in your folder. All done.

Week Two:
Pick and Play: Spend 30 minutes reading about the top choices. Which ones have features you like (and are explained in a language that resembles English)? Do you want to mark your favorite photos, learn how to edit and enhance them, or find that picture of Uncle Lou on a moment’s notice? Take a few notes on the sheets you printed last week that will help you remember which products you liked and why.
Don’t forget to call your favorite photo retailer to ask their recommendation. These folks are the professionals and can guide you to the best product for your needs.

Week Three:
Bite the Bullet and Buy (or Not!) Many image management programs offer free trials or even free copies. Choose the program you think will best suit your needs and download a trial version. Don’t play with it yet if you don’t have time. Make sure to completely back-up your images on an external drive or to DVD before installing any new programs (as an extra precaution). Then install the software (making sure it comes from a reputable source) and make sure it opens properly.

Week Four:
Wander and Explore: Your goal here is not to become an expert. It’s simply to play with a few tools and see what each one does. Don’t save any of your changes if you’re editing a photograph. Just consider yourself an imaging explorer and get a lay of the land, so to speak.

Week Five:
Choose One Thing: Pick a technique or feature you’d like to learn. Only one. Experiment, search the online help files or Google the topic to pick up some tips. You can even find photo software tutorials on YouTube.
If you’d like to learn more, great. If not, go back to your chore list.
One warning here: once you get started, you might discover that you’d rather do this than the laundry, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s encouraged.

Week Six and Beyond:
Repeat Week Five.

Hey, maybe this photo organizing resolution is one that will stick.
If not, well, do an extra 30 minutes in the weight room for me, ok?

Captivating Candids

2008-12-11T09:25:00.000-08:00

Few things spark the imagination like the holiday season. Families coming together from across the country—or even across the ocean—to connect and celebrate is an event that needs to be remembered in photos for years to come. Taking great candid shots is a bit like being a sports referee—you’re doing your job well when people don’t even realize you’re there. Learning to be invisible is a powerful photographic tool to keep at the ready.

This is the perfect time to take a break from shooting all posed photos, and instead, use your camera to capture the true spirit and experiences of the holiday. Here are a few tips to help you create truly captivating candids:

Be an Observer…: Keep your camera under wraps for a bit and just watch the interaction between your loved ones. This will allow you to recognize meaningful moments and important stories to share through photography. For example, do you have a great-grandparent or two in your presence? If so, consider taking pictures of her telling your children a story or of a little one sitting in her lap. Resist the urge to come close with your camera and ask for a posed shot. Instead, stay off to the side and zoom in closely to capture the interaction. The goal is to show the moment as it happened.

…But Have Your Camera Ready: Make sure your camera is close by and ready to shoot when the opportunity arises. You’ll know when that perfect moment is at hand, and by having your camera set properly, you’ll be far more successful in getting the moment exactly as you intended.

Take the Long Road: You can keep your distance and still capture intimate shots with the help of a long zoom or telephoto lens. This lens will help you respect your subjects’ boundaries and keep you from interfering with the moment while still allowing you to get close enough to keep your images intimate.

Go Flash-Free: Nothing can break up a moment faster than a flash lighting up a room. If you have enough natural light in the room or outdoors, nix the flash to keep the moment protected. If you’re shooting in a dark area, try using your low-light setting on your camera or increase your ISO setting to help adapt to the environment.

Anticipate Traditions: If your family has standing traditions during the holiday season, make it a tradition to photograph the event. Make sure you’re ready before the activity starts by having your camera set properly, a tripod ready if needed or any other considerations. This will help keep the focus on the event itself rather than the photography of the event.

Your end result will be a photo library that chronicles your entire holiday happenings in a way that will bring a smile to your face every time you look at them.

Momagenda.com Offers Free Checklists to Organize Holiday Shopping

2008-12-01T12:41:00.000-08:00

Name one mom you know right now that isn't feeling stressed about holiday shopping...

Didn't think so.

Don't worry--help is on the way!

If your visions of sugarplums have been replaced with visions of shopping lists, Christmas decorations and endless errands, join the sisterhood! Some days I feel as though I’m more speed than direction.

If you’re looking for a way to tame those tasks, I’ve got a great resource. Momagenda.com has posted some wonderful free downloadable checklists to help you keep your holiday shopping in order. They’ve also just announced their holiday discounts so if you’re looking for a great gift to give to a mom this season, consider a planner designed to manage time based upon the way a family is structured.

I can’t think of a nicer gift to give to a mom—except maybe ten pounds of chocolate truffles and a twelve-hour massage. Or a year of free car detailing. I’m pretty sure I’ve still got french fries under my seat dating back to the Clinton administration!

Get your downloadable holiday checklists here. http://www.momagenda.com/

Taking Your Show on the Road This Thanksgiving

2008-11-25T06:30:00.000-08:00

My husband and I just completed an eight-hour car ride with three small kids in tow, all so we could attend my sister's wedding and celebrate an early Thanksgiving with loved ones. I won't bore you with all details, but suffice it to say that I believe a royal coronation would have taken less planning.

I know it's no small shakes to take your crew 'on tour' this Thansgiving. There are clothes, stuffed animals and pajamas to remember--but don't forget about your camera!

Here a few tips so you won’t have to spend a moment worrying about whether your camera is ready when you are to capture those smiles.

Preparation Pays: Those Scouts know what they’re talking about when they advise us to ‘be prepared.’ This is certainly true when it comes to digital camera batteries. Make sure to pack an extra set of AA batteries or an extra rechargeable battery. It is a very small investment and can mean the difference between getting the shots you want and hoping a relative will send copies of her pictures to you after the event is over.

Lens Cloths Save Time Later: Keep a lens cloth in your camera bag and spend a few seconds cleaning your camera lens before you start shooting. If you carry a small 'point-and-shoot' camera, keep a lens cloth in your handbag (I do!). Finding a recurrent smudge on your favorite Thanksgiving photos can make you feel a little less joyous, and cleaning your lens before the picture event is far less time consuming than trying to correct the images later using a photo editing program later.

Bring the Right Bag: Not all camera bags are created equal, and cramming your camera and accessories into a backpack or briefcase isn’t always the best idea. For special family visits and vacations, it pays to pack your camera and accessories in a properly-padded camera bag. There are designs for every budget and style preference, and when it comes to getting ready for a trip, a camera bag is the one accessory that can keep all your gear properly organized and protected.

How I Became a Member of a Club I Never Wanted to Join...

2008-11-02T07:49:00.000-08:00

Well, I just became a statistic.

I am now one of the 43% of people who have lost valuable data and photographs due to a computer issue, although in my case, I didn’t suffer a hard drive crash. My laptop was stolen, and with it, were all the most important files and photos I cherished.

After the anger and shock wore off, I got right to work. I had been using an online back-up service, and I can tell you it was the one thing (along with an extremely patient husband) that helped me get back up and running within a week’s time. I shudder to think what would have happened had I chosen not to back up that data.

I ask you to make sure that you’re backing up your files and photos either on DVDs, an external hard drive, or an online service. I use a combination of methods and chose Carbonite.com for the online backup service. It was worth every penny of the $50 I spent on the subscription.

It’s true that ‘you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.’ Let my experience serve as a reminder. Ignore some other chores long enough to back up your favorite photos and files. It will give you peace of mind and be time well spent.

Getting Great Halloween Shots

2008-10-22T08:38:00.000-07:00

Photographing excited (and constantly moving)costume-clad children at night can pose a few challenges, but getting great Halloween pictures can be a snap if you use a few simple techniques.

Use that Jack-o’-lantern! Jack-o’-lanterns can serve as great props as well as a creative light source for super-spooky shots. You can pose your children close to the jack-o’-lantern—either with the pumpkin below their faces or in a silhouette pose, and the light coming from inside will cast a soft and scary light on their faces.

Go for the Action: Go beyond the traditional ‘say cheese’ shot and snap pictures of your trick-or-treaters on the go! Consider photographing them from behind as the run down the sidewalk, fully costumed with treat bags in tow, or walking up the steps to a neighbor’s house. Have them act the part of their costumes and keep snapping!

To Flash or Not to Flash: Most trick-or-treaters try to hit the trail before dark, and using natural light as the sun goes down can yield some wonderfully warm Halloween images. Turn off your flash and use natural light to capture the rich colors of the costumes and painted faces. If possible, snap a few shots before the sun goes down; your Halloween photos will have contain a nice range of moods between the dusk and nighttime hours.

Nighttime Shots: The right flash can make all the difference when it comes to creating that perfect image. Most cameras have a flash that is effective somewhere between five and ten feet from the subject; just don’t stand too close or else you may find your picture looks too bright or overexposed. You’ll also want to set your camera to a ‘nighttime’ mode, and this will give you a slightly longer exposure time, which will help you when shooting in a low-light environment.

Stress-Free Scrapbooks

2008-10-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

I marvel at how much straightening and organizing I need to do at the precise moment I sit down to tackle a tough task. I’ve been on a mission to teach my grade school daughter the importance of tackling the most pressing issue of the day first. So, if she’s dreading cleaning her room or finishing a particular homework project, I tell her to do it now so she’ll spend less time worrying and more time enjoying the fact that the task is now complete.

Let’s just say that Mom’s still a work in progress where this lesson is concerned.

One such project that people tend to avoid is organizing their digital pictures for a scrapbook. It seems like such an overwhelming task that few have the intestinal fortitude to start at all. I’m here to tell you that you CAN do this, and not only can you do it, you might even like it! And the best part? Once you’ve completed the task (in far less time than you thought possible), you can order several copies for loved ones and check off multiple shopping ‘to-do’ items off your holiday list.

Decide on a Theme: Some people fret that creating a scrapbook requires ‘going back to the very beginning’ and organizing all your pictures on a chronological level. While this works for some, others find the process far too constraining (and exhausting). You don’t have to cover an entire year if that’s too much of a challenge. Maybe you just want to highlight your favorite pictures from the last few years and note the stories behind why those pictures are so special. Take ten minutes to skim through the pictures you have on the computer. Which ones would you like to include and why? Once you’ve made a few notes, a general theme or format will present itself. Now that you know where you’re going, you’re on the fast-track to having that beautiful book in your hands.

Software Shortcuts: There are so many great software programs available today that will help you ‘tag’ your favorite images so you can quickly find the images you care about the most. If you don’t want to use a software program or fret it may take too much time to find the right one, consider asking your trusted photo retailer which ones would be worth considering. Another alternative would be to create a separate folder on your computer hard drive, name it ‘Favorite Photos,’ and then copy your top picks to that folder.

Get it on Your Calendar: Wouldn’t it be great to have this project completed by December 1st? Yes, it’s possible! Put this order date on your calendar. You can then work backward and pick two time slots to dedicate to picking and organizing your favorite photos.

Let Your Photo Shop Do the Hard Work for You: Your local photo retailer can give you great advice regarding which scrapbook options are available and how long they take—which isn’t long at all these days! Treat yourself to a visit to the shop to discuss your scrapbook ideas. Their knowledgeable staff can guide you through the process and show you just how easy it is to create this amazingly personal and cherished present.

Celebrate Summer While Welcoming Fall

2008-08-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

I go through the same thing every year.

Part of me is sad to see summer end while another part of me craves having my family back on a regular schedule. It’s the yin/yang dance of organized and carefree natures trying to occupy the same space. Thankfully, there’s room for both, and we can help our kids recall all those fantastic summer memories while still building expectation for the wonder and fun that the back-to-school season brings.

Bulletin-Board Memory Lane: Buy a bulletin board and hang it in your kitchen or other common area of your home. Print some of your favorite summer photographs and tack them to the wall along with hand-written notes about what makes that picture so special.

To add even more journaling, consider buying a bulletin board that also has a dry-erase side; you can keep the conversations going by writing messages to one another about your summer trips and the photos displayed on the board. It can become an ongoing conversation and a great way to stay connected once the bustle of school starts.

After school starts, take pictures of the first day of school and add a few of those images to the board as well as a few pictures of your children’s friends. Now your kids can enjoy the end of one season and the beginning of another.

Mini-Scrapbook: If your children are a bit anxious about going back to school, print some photos and purchase up a mini scrapbook kit. Let them create their own ‘my favorite summer memories’ book to keep in their backpacks once the season starts. If you’d like to add the element of surprise, take a CD of your favorite images to your local photo store and have them print a mini photo book for you. Place the book inside your child’s backpack so she’ll find a nice surprise once she’s at school and getting settled.

“Why I Love This Picture…” Here’s a simple project that takes only a few minutes but is guaranteed to put a smile on your child’s face. Print your favorite summer pictures and keep them in the kitchen drawer with a pen. Each Monday, pick a photo and write a special message on the back of the picture to your child. You can create a new tradition, and you can be certain she’ll keep each one. Collect all these pictures at the end of the season and put them on a bulletin board or in a photo book for your child to treasure.

Trust me.

She will.

Back-To-School Back-Up Tip

2008-08-15T09:43:00.000-07:00

I’m guessing you’ve got at least a hundred pictures from your summer adventures stored on your hard drive, right?

If that’s the case, it’s time to schedule a few minutes to back up those memories so they’ll be around to enjoy long after the weather cools and the leaves turn on the trees. If you haven’t downloaded those pictures off your camera, don’t sweat it. Take the camera to your favorite photo shop and have them copy all the images to a CD and order a set of prints.

After all, a printed photograph is the best back-up method, and you’re more likely to enjoy those images if they’re printed and hanging on your refrigerator than if they were stuck in a folder on your hard drive.

Up Close Gets Personal

2008-07-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

The wonderful thing about a great zoom lens is that you can capture that sweet face without being directly ‘in his face,’ which risks losing the moment entirely. I took this photo of one of my twin boys while attending the Southwest Professional Photographer’s Conference.

This brings me to another point. The summer months are perfect for spending some time in a photography workshop. There are many family-friendly photo conferences, so if you’re looking to pick up some new picture-taking skills, chances are you can tote your tots as well!

All You Ever Wanted To Know About Lighting

2008-04-24T04:01:00.000-07:00

I love this lighting blog.

It all started when David Hobby wanted to pass along lighting advice to a friend. He wrote down some tips and created a little blog called The Strobist. Now that little blog commands more than 1.6 million page views a month, according to an article in USA Today, and Hobby’s lighting tips have turned into a resource for over 200,000 photographers.

"David has demystified flash photography," says noted photographer Joe McNally, who has shot for National Geographic and Sports Illustrated. "David's made it accessible and given solutions to people that aren't beyond the reach of your average Joe."

Or your average Jane.

Professional photographers know that being able to effectively use light is one of the most important skills in the photo toolbox. Hobby’s site, which is designed to help people using DSLR cameras, makes the skill of lighting something most of us can grasp and properly apply.

As for this average Jane, she’s hooked.

To read the USA Today article, click http://www.usatoday.com/tech/webguide/2008-04-22-strobist-blog_N.htm?csp=34

To visit the Strobist, click http://strobist.blogspot.com/

Sometimes You Just Get Lucky...

2008-04-23T04:51:00.000-07:00

This picture..one of my twin boys..was a total surprise.

We were shooting on the beach in bright sunlight, so the LCD screen wasn't much help, but when we returned from our trip, I downloaded the series of pictures and came across this shot.

I haven't stopped laughing since.

It's such a fantastic representation of their relationship..easy, funny and always entertaining. Yes, they bicker--even boys with the same DNA will both desire the same Hotwheels car--but they are truly best friends and are always ready with a goofy inside joke, a sideturned smile or a sidewalk chalk covered embrace.

So, when your kids are playing or showing some tenderness to one another, grab your camera.

Sometimes you just get lucky.

Why You Should Ignore the Laundry...

2008-02-18T19:45:00.000-08:00

“Do you want to push F11 or should I?” my husband asked.

It was THE BUTTON.

The one that would completely reformat my hard drive and erase all my files. This is the second serious hard drive malfunction I’ve had in less than a year, and with two different brands of laptop computers. My latest offender is a six month old HP Pavilion that I love with an affection usually reserved for fuzzy puppies. It has served me quite well.

Until it didn’t.

Now, I’m blessed to be married to a man who has a successful career in computers and technology, so he quickly volunteered to spend way too much of his time trying to diagnose the issue through a variety of methods before coming to the informed conclusion that we simply needed to start over.

I had just signed up for an online back-up service, and we have a litany of DVDs and external hard drives in our office, so we had two back-ups of my data before erasing my drive. Even with all that insurance, pushing THE BUTTON was still an unnerving experience.

The concept of ‘Long Term Photo Care’ is something I covered in my book, Digital Photography for Busy Women, so I’ve spent the last couple of years fairly immersed in topics related to keeping digital photographs organized, protected and preserved. This is a good thing since I’ve had to call upon that research several times already. I wrote the book specifically because I knew the impact losing many years of precious photographs could have on a person. It was one of the most common issues raised by my peers, and yet there weren’t many books that covered photography from a ‘post capture’ perspective. It is a topic that will touch many of us at one time or another.

I’m happy to say that I’m back up and running after just one day; the fact that my delay in productivity has been extended to having yet another sick child at home is a topic we’ll reserve for a (trying to balance) work/life blog post.

If you can’t remember the last time you backed up your favorite photos, I implore you to ignore all other items on your to-do list until you can at least copy some files on a couple of DVDs as a first step.

Not having my laptop for just 24 hours reminded me how reliant I am upon the data housed inside its shiny silver casing. Imagine what it would be like not to have access to your most precious digital pictures.

‘Bummer’ just doesn’t cover it.

A New Year's Resolution That Still Lets You Eat Brownies

2008-01-28T08:48:00.000-08:00

How are you doing with those New Year’s resolutions now that a few weeks have passed?

While I love the fresh start that each New Year offers, I shun any resolution that involves giving up chocolate, watching Psych or finding matches for all the stray socks, Army men and Barbie shoes that populate my casa.

Those things are here to stay.

So, for all you weary resolution list-makers—here’s my suggestion:

On your resolution list where it says “go to gym 8 days a week” and “give up dessert until my 85th birthday”--go ahead and just scratch one of those off and replace it with “organize my digital pictures.” Yes, there is room for a healthy lifestyle, sweet indulgences and being able to stroll down memory lane.

This resolution is one that is very attainable, although it may seem like a daunting task at first. For those who still remain unconvinced, here is my cheat sheet for how to make sure you can find your favorite photos without losing your cool.

And it only requires 30 minutes per week.

Week One:
Start Searching: Get online and do a search for ‘image management software’ or ‘photo organization’ programs. Write down a few that look good. Maybe they had solid reviews from a computer magazine or other resource that you trust. Print out a few pages from your search and put them in your folder. All done.

Week Two:
Pick and Play: Spend 30 minutes reading about the top choices. Which ones have features you like (and are explained in a language that resembles English)? Do you want to mark your favorite photos, learn how to edit and enhance them, or find that picture of Uncle Lou on a moment’s notice? Take a few notes on the sheets you printed last week that will help you remember which products you liked and why.

Week Three:
Bite the Bullet and Buy (or Not!) Many image management programs offer free trials or even free copies. Choose the program you think will best suit your needs and download a trial version. Don’t play with it yet if you don’t have time. Just get it installed (making sure it comes from a reputable source) and make sure it opens properly.

Week Four:
Wander and Explore: Your goal here is not to become an expert. It’s simply to play with a few tools and see what each one does. Don’t save any of your changes if you’re editing a photograph. Just consider yourself an imaging explorer and get a lay of the land, so to speak.

Week Five:
Choose One Thing: Pick a technique or feature you’d like to learn. Only one. Monkey around, search the online help files or Google the topic to pick up some tips. You can even find photo software tutorials on YouTube.
If you’d like to learn more, great. If not, go back to your chore list.
One warning here: once you get started, you might discover that you’d rather do this than the laundry, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s encouraged.

Week Six and Beyond:
Repeat Week Five.
If you’re like me, maybe this photo organizing resolution is one that will stick.

If not, well, do an extra 30 on the treadmill for me, ok?

Capturing Great Holiday Moments

2007-12-14T08:18:00.000-08:00

When it comes to the holidays, a little preparation can make ye more merry; after all, who can feel festive when you’re bouncing like a basketball from one task to the next?

December can send even the calmest person straight for the spiked punch.

This anxiety often extends to holiday photography. Most of us don’t think about pictures until we’ve got everyone gathered at the table. This year, make sure you’re ready to capture great shots by doing a few things ahead of time:

• Learn How To Use the Timer on Your Camera: Don’t be left out of the holiday shots again this year. Pick up the manual (and if you can’t find it, go online and download instructions) and get familiar with how to set the delay timer on your camera. Practice on yourself a few times until you get a shot you like.

• Invest in a Tripod: This is a great time to ask Santa for a tripod—and feel free to get it well before December 25th! It doesn’t need to be large or fancy; in fact, there are even mini tripods for compact cameras today that are designed to work in almost any situation. It’s a great excuse to spend some time in your local camera store, and you might even get a few Christmas gifts crossed off your list.

• Get Close: To capture those family interactions, your child’s excitement and your Uncle Albert’s infectious laugh, zoom in to create a more personal shot. Eliminate the background clutter and frame the shot a bit tighter than normal. You’ll create some beautiful pictures that are more personal than the traditional head-on photographs.

• Hand it Over: Yes, I’m telling you to let a youngster borrow your digital camera to take a few photos. Establish clear rules (must use wrist strap, no arguing over the camera, etc) and let her take a few photos. In our family, we’ve gotten some of our favorite photos this way.

• Print This: If at all possible, run to a nearby photo retailer or drug store and print some copies for loved ones before they travel back home. You can also burn a copy onto CD for them, but there’s something more fun about having printed pictures in your hands this time of year. You can also order pictures online and pick them up from you local store—just call for details.

Now you’ve crossed another to-do off your list—no sending holiday photos in January when you’re trying to get your post-Christmas groove back.

May this holiday season be filled with family, laughter, and love, and may your photographs reflect these times just as you remember them.

A Good Laugh For Moms Everywhere....

2007-10-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

This is for all the moms out there who feel a bit like they're all living their own 'groundhog day.' When a friend sent this to me, I laughed so hard that I was just shy of pulling a muscle.

I salute all you amazing ladies. Enjoy!

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Francis Ford Coppola Loses Computers/Back-Up Hard Drive to Theft

2007-10-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

Francis Ford Coppola is a man at a loss.

In more ways than one.

When it comes to valuable data, few people would argue that 15 years of Francis Ford Coppola’s work, scripts and personal photographs would qualify as having substantial financial and sentimental value.

Coppola recently told an Argentine newscaster that he had lost 15 years of valuable data, including precious family photos, scripts and other works. He pleaded for the return of his computers and back-up hard drive, all of which were stolen when his home in Argentina was burglarized last week.

This is yet another reason why, when it comes to backing up our favorite photos, we need to have two methods IN TWO LOCATIONS for the best possible protection.

We hope his valuable scripts and cherished photographs are recovered and retuned to him soon.
: http://www.blogger.com/:%20%20http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7019644.stm

Secrets of Stellar Shots

2007-08-10T12:42:00.000-07:00

Digital cameras have become so common that we often think of them as simply another electronic device. We snap, shoot, delete and download. Much of the time this works just fine, but a basic understanding of a few key photography subjects can transform your digital scrapbook from mediocre to mesmerizing.

One of the most powerful ways we can improve our photography is through composition. Composition refers to how the subjects are placed in the field of view. In the photo world, there are a number of specific ideas and opinions regarding what constitute quality composition; our goal here is to help you improve your everyday photography.

Understanding the ‘Rule of Thirds’ is a good way to begin playing with your composition technique. While some may think this rule applies to a balanced diet on a toddler’s plate (meat, veggies, starch?), the Rule of Thirds can actually serve as a guideline in creating interesting and pleasing photographs. A technique that has long been used by artists, the Rule of Thirds can provide similar benefits in your photography.

Picture a tic-tac-toe grid (or better yet, draw one on a piece of paper). You will notice that you have nine box areas. Now circle the four center crossing lines in the center (they are the four points on the center box). By placing your subject in any of the points where the lines cross, you will be able to create a heightened dramatic effect and draw the eye to that area.

You’ll see that your subject will be off center but will better command attention than had you simply shot a standard centered picture.

Before you apply the rule of thirds, consider:

· What do I want to highlight?
· Is there anything in the background of interest?
· What story do I wish to tell?

I’ve used this picture of my daughter, taken in Belgium this summer, as a way to demonstrate the concept.

Spending a few moments to ‘think from the end’ will help you decide how to position your subject and whether or not to use any secondary subjects.

Cutting the Clutter: While I could be talking about my home cleaning projects, I’m referring to the background ‘noise’ often found invading our pictures. Remember that pole that seemed to grow out of Grandma’s head at the fair? Or the trash can that kept popping up in the family reunion shots? We often only focus on the primary subject, but our camera will capture everything in the field of view, so make sure to pay close attention to the entire area.

Keeping Your Perspective: In photography terms, perspective refers to the relationship between the various subjects in the field of view. For example, if you wanted to highlight the incredible size of a castle, you might shoot the image with your family in the corner to demonstrate the difference. You can also begin to play with some techniques such as vanishing perspective (think of a long hallway where the opposite end seems to vanish). Think of using perspective as a way to nonverbally communicate the relationship between the subjects.

A little perspective also helps when trying to get your four cranky kids to smile just ‘one more time!’

Taking Summer To School

2007-08-10T12:26:00.000-07:00

I have to admit that I have mixed feeling about school starting again. The Type A part of my personality would love the scheduled blocks of time I need to meet deadlines and work obligations; the kid in me wants to do cannonballs in the pool and take each day as it comes without consulting my email first.

If you have kids, you’re probably gearing up for the ‘Back to School’ transition. Going from flexible summer schedules to the daily school grind can be daunting for most kids. We can help them get back into the school groove by letting them take a little bit of summer with them.

Consider choosing a couple of photos of your kids doing something they loved this summer. Print one picture as a wallet sized image and have it laminated as a luggage tag. Many copy shops offer this service. You can secure one to each child’s backpack as a surprise for the first day of school.

You can then print another picture and write a few sentences about how much you loved spending time with them this summer. Tuck it in their lunch kits as a midday surprise.

This picture of my daughter running towards what is known as Stonehenge II in Hunt, Texas, reminds me of the excitement and exploration that these months bring.

Summer may be fleeting, but the memories can carry us through until next June arrives.

It’ll be sooner than we think.

Photo Concepts for Time Starved People

2007-07-17T07:35:00.000-07:00

Each industry has its own terminology—its jargon and acronym language that drives those of us outside of that world stark raving mad. The technology industry is particularly fond of its geek speak; as an Air Force brat, I learned to speak in all capital letters but sometimes the brief sheets and media releases I receive put those early days to shame.

These documents seem to make more sense if I read them backwards.

Fortunately, the basis of digital photography is still photography, and the terms used in the composition and crafting of your favorite images ca be explained in a straightforward style (read: not Klingon). My goal here is to overview the most common photography terms so that you can play with a new technique the next time you’ve got your digital camera in hand.

Aperture: A camera lens’ opening, called its aperture, can be adjusted to let in less light or more light depending on the circumstances.

The size of a camera’s lens opening at any particular time is called the f/stop. As the numbers get larger, the opening gets smaller (confusing, but still true). So, smaller number= more light coming in, larger number = less light coming in through the lens.

Bonus Tip: If you’d like to learn how to calculate an f/stop mathematically, take the focal length of the lens and divide it by diameter.

Depth of Field: Depth of field is the area of your scene that will be in clear focus. How close your subject is to you will affect your depth of field but so will your use of focal length and aperture. By playing with these three components, you can increase or reduce your depth of field and include more (or less) of additional subjects in the background.

Learning to use these three aspects to manipulate your depth of field can open up entire new areas of composing your photographs. You can play with blurring the background or simultaneously shooting two subjects in different areas in sharp focus (such as staggering your children to create depth but keep their faces sharp). With a bit of practice, your photography will grow from quick candids to artistic craft.

ISO: When you purchase film (and many of us still do), it will show the ISO number (International Standards Organization), which tells you how sensitive the film is to light. Low numbers mean less sensitivity, meaning it is used for very bright environments or needing a long exposure. Even though you’re using a digital camera, understanding how ISO works will still prove useful.

Light conditions still affect the quality of your images, so learning to adjust the ISO settings on your digital camera (to help you modify the sensitivity to light) may help you capture a higher quality image. For example, if you’re in a dark area, increasing your ISO setting will increase light sensitivity. You can also get better shots at further distances if your flash can’t reach the subject.

With all the focus on the ‘digital’ in digital photography and having our cameras in auto mode, we can easily forget there is a magnificent craft for us to learn in how to be better visual storytellers. By learning and practicing a few photographic concepts, you’ll not only create more beautiful pictures, you’ll tell a more compelling story—one that your loved ones will want to revisit.

The Laundry Can Wait This Time....

2007-05-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

Mother’s Day is now behind us and chances are you’ve jumped right back into your busy schedules. In fact, for many of us, Mother’s Day was still filled with chores, cooking and childcare duties but we approached it with an elevated sense of appreciation.

There’s one thing I’d like you to add to your to-do list so feel free to delete something else.

Take a moment and write down what you loved about Mother’s Day and address it to your children. Did they bring home hand-painted treasures from school to celebrate your special day? Did your kids make an effort to be a bit nicer to one another? What was the day like and what did you enjoy?

You’ll have to put some expectations behind for now. At first, I felt I had to hand-write a separate letter to each child, but it was now close to 11:00pm and I still had chores to do. I quickly typed a letter to all three kids on my laptop and got down the essence of the day. I told them how much each handmade gift meant and the fun I had watching them swim at Grandma and Granddad’s house. I reminded them of how they had showed off their cannonball dives to their Nana and Papa. I detailed the joy I felt watching them catch fireflies with their dad and granddad at sunset and what a great gift it was for me to learn how to play backgammon. Most of all, I enjoyed just being their mom and was filled with gratitude that I had the job.

Leave your perfectionist tendencies behind for this one. Yes, you can journal it beautifully later. Yes, it’s a great theme for a scrapbook page, but right now, just get it down before the beauty of the day fades into your schedule-stuffed calendar.

It will mean more to them than you can possibly imagine.

Catching Kindess: The One Thing Parents Don't Mind Being Contagious

2007-04-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

Parents of young children find themselves saying the word ‘no’ so often that they are as sick of hearing it as the little ones! Take a break from ‘redirecting energy’ (which is code for distracting the child to stop a temper tantrum) and change the focus.

Catch your kids doing something nice.

Some of my favorite photographs are those when one of my children is comforting another, and having these pictures is proof to all family members that siblings don’t ALWAYS argue! Having these pictures can also affect siblings positively in that they remember the loving connections as well as the bickering.

Here are a few tips to catch kindness:

Don’t let them know you want to take a picture of them. If they see the camera too early, it’ll interrupt the moment and it may be gone for good.

Shoot from behind. You don’t need to see their faces; in fact, it’s often more dramatic if you can catch just two heads touching or arms entwined.

Take the photograph and add a journal entry about what was happening at the time. Catching kindness can be a recurring theme in scrapbook projects.

When you catch kindness, you may find it continues to spread. Some days, most parents wish for nothing more than witnessing a few tender moments between siblings.

Just keep your camera handy!

Want to Take a Picture? Grab Your Phone!

2007-04-11T08:46:00.000-07:00

Doesn’t anyone use a phone to call people anymore?

It seems that today’s models have more features than many cars. Your phone doesn’t just connect you with another through conversation; it now helps you manage your calendar, entertains you through games, helps you surf the web, send email and take photographs. In reality, our today’s multi-tasking lifestyle requires these job-juggling tools to keep us current with our career and family issues. I’ve also found several occasions where I’ve forgotten my digital camera but had my camera phone handy, and I’ve taken many photos that I otherwise would have missed—including my daughter’s first trip with her grandparents.

If you’re in the market for a new cell phone, consider one that includes a camera lens, but make sure to check out a few things before putting down your hard-earned cash.

Resolution: Nope, we’re not talking about the New Year’s flavor. If you’ve ever shopped for a digital camera (or even set foot in a consumer electronics store), you’ve likely heard the term ‘resolution’ thrown out as the ultimate method of measuring the quality of a digital camera. While more pixels does translate into a higher quality printed photograph, the returns begin to be less noticeable when you go beyond the three megapixel mark (for printing 4x6 digital photographs—enlargements and commercial printing require higher resolution images).

When it comes to camera phones, however, more resolution can make a significant difference in image quality so it pays to consider a camera phone with a megapixel or higher resolution. This is particularly important if you think you’ll want to print the pictures at some point.

Flash: More of today’s digital camera models now include a flash. While you need to be pretty close to your subject for the flash to be of use, this feature can really help in low-light conditions. The flash on your camera phone may not hold a candle to the one on your digital camera, but, in this case, every bit (often) helps.

How’s Your Memory? Most of the early model camera phones didn’t include removable media cards as part of the handset but this trend is changing, and that translates into benefits for you. If your camera phone doesn’t have a removable media slot, it means that you’ll likely need to email any favorite photos to yourself in order to use them for other purposes, and carriers will charge you for each MMS (multimedia message). Having the ability to write your digital pictures onto your removable media card means it will be much easier to share, protect and print that picture later.

Bluetooth or IR: If you want to be able to send pictures wirelessly to other devices such as your computer, another cell phone (short range), a PDA, a home printer or one of the digital printing kiosks you find in your local drug store or retail shop, you’ll need to have Bluetooth and/or IR (infrared) capability.

Take Time To Play: When shopping for a camera phone, feel free to play with it. Hold it in your hand. How does the weight feel? Push a few buttons—do the menus make sense, or does it take 36 commands to get to the camera feature? You’ll find that once you have a camera phone, you’ll start depending on it more during those times when your digital camera is still at home. One added benefit: as soon as you get that great shot, you can send it to loved ones right away!

Quick Photo Tips for Busy Parents

2007-02-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

Maria’s days seemed to run together. She had a pile of laundry taller than Pike’s Peak and a department filled with employees anxious after hearing news of a merger. And her home life? She preferred to call the layers of chaos ranging from scattered toys to piles of unfiled paperwork: “evidence of past and current adventures.”

Her children were growing out of their clothes almost as soon as she purchased them, and the worry she carried in the back of her mind about all the things she still hadn’t gotten done nagged her worse than Aunt Francine. Dry cleaning? Needs to be picked up. Groceries? Always out of something. Oil change for the car? Definitely overdue.

Printing photos from digital camera?

Don’t even go there.

Once Maria decided to trade in her film camera for a digital model, she took more pictures than ever, excited about seeing them on the screen and enjoying the fact that she could view them immediately. She just didn’t expect to feel so lost when it came to what happened next. She had tons of great memories stored on her hard drive, tucked in various folders marked by a couple of random attempts at organization. She’d remember certain shots she wanted to print to send to her father or to frame for her home, but she could never get those tasks completed.

She loved all the benefits her digital camera provided, but she longed for simpler days when she could just drop off her film and get her pictures. At least with film, she could open up the shoebox and rummage through the pictures until she located the one she wanted.

Why couldn’t digital be this way?

--Excerpted From Digital Photography for Busy Women

Let’s face it. When it comes to juggling the countless tasks required of parents these days, it’s a miracle that our shoes match when we leave the house. As the mother of a first grader and young twin boys, I’m constantly looking for anything that promises to save a bit of time, or more important, my sanity. At first, digital cameras seemed to be one of those time savers—no more waiting for film to be processed to see the results and no more duplicate trips to the photo shop.

Alas, many find that’s where Easy Street ends.

Digital cameras allow us to take more pictures than ever, which means our hard drives are filling up faster than a kindergarten class at a candy factory. These silver gadgets also don’t seem to come with clear recommendations about what to do AFTER the pictures have been taken.

We’ve got digital pictures. Now what?

Here are a few tips designed to help you quickly find your favorites and protect them for the future:

Filter First: Whenever possible, make sure to delete the less-than-stellar shots before downloading the files to your computer. There are usually a number of other things going on when we’re in the midst of taking photographs, but whenever possible, scroll through the images as soon as possible and delete the blurry or off-center pictures. By doing this now, you’ll save yourself hard drive space and lots of time later when you start searching through your digital pictures. Save the best and delete the rest.

Create Folders Before You Need Them: Consider creating folders for your digital pictures in the same way you create folders for your documents. For example, you may wish to create a ‘2007’ folder, and then create folders for each month or each season. Having these folders created ahead of time takes just a minute or two and will help you stay organized every time you download pictures since they’ll have a specific place to go.

Find Your Favorites: When it comes to organizing your digital pictures, you’ll find that an image management program can be one of your best time-saving tools. While these programs range from extremely simple to complex and powerful, a little searching will give you several options from which to choose. Many programs will scour your hard drive and automatically organize your digital pictures by date (if your camera date and time settings are correct). This step alone will save you a tremendous amount of time.

You can find these programs by typing in ‘photo organizing software’ or ‘image management software’ in your favorite search engine. Many have free trial programs, which is a wonderful opportunity to try before you buy. Don’t forget to check the ‘About Us’ section to make sure the company has been around for awhile and has been reviewed by reputable PC or photo magazines. After all, we’re not going to trust your favorite memories to just anyone who can bang out a bit of code!

Basic Back-Up: This topic could fill several articles, so let’s just hit the basics. If you haven’t backed up your digital pictures recently (or at all), pick up some blank DVDs at the store. If you’d like to use the best media available, there are ‘gold archive’ grade media designed to better withstand the elements than traditional DVDs. The important thing, however, is that you start somewhere and make sure that you have your favorite pictures stored someplace other than just your computer’s hard drive. One-touch external hard drives are another easy alternative; they are quick to set up and are more affordable than ever.

Taking a couple of simple steps will mean less time searching for that memory and more time enjoying it!

For Ladies Who Like Football….

2007-02-03T10:12:00.000-08:00

In this stage in my life, I have to say I spend more time following my three little ones around our property than I do following football teams, but I’ve always enjoyed watching (parts) of a good game. What I like even more than the Sunday afternoon events is getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the dynamics of the teams. Football has long been a ripe arena for storytelling; Sports Illustrated is just one example of how people can turn a sports event into a grandly-woven yarn.

We’ve come to love watching a new series titled ‘America’s Game’ on NFL Network. America’s Game is a 41-part series that profiles each Super Bowl winning team.

Steve Sabol, NFL Films President and a man with a reputation for stellar sports storytelling, said, “Fans should not be expecting to see a Super Bowl highlight film for each champion. Rather, each episode of America’s Game will be a personal portrait told by the men who lived it and felt it, not by the analysts or journalists who watched and reported it.”

Each episode is narrated by celebrities including Alec Baldwin, Bruce Willis and Kevin Bacon.

So, set your Tivo to record an episode or two. It usually takes me a few tries to finish an entire episode (you moms know what I mean), but it's worth the effort.

http://ag.nfl.com

Tech Toys Everywhere at CES

2007-01-11T12:26:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is going on right now, and we’ve seen so many press releases about so many products that it’s tough to know where to start. We’ll soon be offering a CES wrap-up for Busy Women that will focus (no pun intended) on new products designed to make your photo experience better. We’re looking specifically at products that aren’t just shiny and gee-whiz cool but ones that actually solve real dilemmas and make the digital picture process less frustrating and more fun.

Many of us have been waiting for Steve’s announcement of the iPhone, which created a frenzy at Macworld and spawned a slew of articles about the product and its impact on the industry. To see some great pictures and Jobs’ keynote address, check out

http://www.engadget.com

Here’s another announcement that hit our radar: Canon’s new 5MP DC50 DVD Camcorder. It offers the ability to produce 5MP still images, which offers plenty of resolution for the photo hobbyist and offers direct-to-DVD recording. It has a slew of other features including Super Range Optical Image Stabilization, which is a really long way of saying that the camera helps eliminate camera shake. This is a great option for those of you who love shooting video and would like to create quality still images from the footage.

To learn more about the Canon DC50 DVD, visit http://www.usa.canon.com/templatedata/pressrelease/20070105_dc50_a.html

Study Shows Tech Confidence, Not Ability, is Key Difference Between Men & Women

2006-11-28T07:59:00.000-08:00

A recent study completed by Northwestern and Princeton Universities uncovered that men and women are comparably skilled when it comes to the Internet. The main difference is how women describe their abilities versus how men rate their own skills.

The study asked participants to perform a number of online tasks ranging from locating tax forms to location a particular candidate’s views on abortion, and the results showed that men and women handled the tasks with equal aplomb. When women described their abilities, however, they were far more likely to minimize their abilities.

Men had no such problem.

“Not a single woman among all our female study subjects called herself and “expert” user, while not a single male ranked himself as a complete novice or ‘not at all skilled’” noted Eszter Hargaitti, a co-author of the study.

I suspect this issue has similar results in digital photography. Confidence is key when it comes to hunting down the best camera, playing with it to better understand a camera’s features and experimenting with a new software program.

Women must embrace the uncertainty, feel free to experiment, and practice their poker face when it comes to digital camera shopping.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most from your favorite photo retailer:

Don’t be afraid to express what you want and what you don’t want. If a suggestion doesn’t meet your needs, politely tell the salesperson, and tell him why. If he knows specifics, he can better help guide you.

Just because you don’t know doesn’t mean you can’t learn. Women often don’t give themselves enough credit for their abilities. Not sure how to use the camera settings or if you even need to know what ‘manual mode’ is? Let your curiosity be your guide and be content with the fact that this is a learning process. Men experience it, too—they just cover their uncertainty better.

Don’t be afraid to keep asking, “So, how does (insert topic here) work? If you’d like to learn via the Web, visit sites like http://www.howstuffworks.com/.

Consider signing up for a workshop. Many retailers now offer a wide variety of digital photography workshops covering a wide range of topics. Take the opportunity to get some hands-on experience; you may even make a new friend or two.

If you aren’t getting the service you expect, speak up! If you’re worried about confrontation, simply contact the business owner or manager after you’ve returned home. Management needs to be aware of any issue, and he/she can only improve the experience if you tell them specifically what you disliked. Vote with your wallet and voice your opinion.

Above all, have fun. You’ll soon find you’re on your way to mastering the digital photography experience.

Fast Tips for Fun Kid Pics

2006-10-31T09:06:00.000-08:00

If most of your pictures are similar in posing and orientation (horizontal, head on, faces all looking directly at the camera), consider turning your ideas upside down. This photo, taken of my daughter and her cousins at a photography convention this past summer, is a reminder of the wonderful days we spent together.

To spark your creativity, try the following:

Have your children wear bright colored shirts and have them lie down in green grass (which may be difficult to come by this time of year, I know). You can also shoot these pictures in the snow with your kids bundled up in bright jackets.

Stand over them until you have the shot framed as you’d like.

Ask them to keep their eyes closed and then open them wide when you count to three. This technique is great in eliminating squinty eyes and half-closed lids, and it works especially well when you’re shooting in bright sunlight.

While those lazy days of summer may be gone for awhile, you can use the same techniques to create wonderful winter shots!

Keeping Your Digital Pictures on a Laptop?

2006-09-29T07:43:00.000-07:00

Many of you are likely aware of the growing story surrounding the recall of laptop batteries manufactured by SONY Corp. Several computer makers including Dell, IBM, Apple and now Lenovo have been affected by these recalls.

The reports of laptop computers overheating and, in a few instances, sparking and catching fire, need to be acted upon by those of us who use rely on laptops for business and personal use. If you keep personal pictures or client information on a laptop, it is even more critical that you add this to the top of your to-do list.

If you’d like to learn more about what actions to take and if your laptop is one being affected, please check the following sites for more information:

To read the Wall Street Journal Story, visit www.wsj.com

To read the CPSC Tips on notebook computer use, click www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml06/06271.html

The Proper Care and Feeding Of CDs

2006-09-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

If you’re actively backing up your digital pictures on CD or DVD, congratulations! You’re in the minority, and you won’t get too much nagging from me about the importance of spending a few minutes protecting something most people claim they would rescue from a fire or other catastrophe.

That said, let’s take a few moments to make sure that those discs are being properly handled and stored. We want to make sure they’re viable for years to come.

I can tell you from personal experience that if a two-year old bites a DVD, you can kiss it goodbye. It’s going to be as accessible as today’s top politicians.

Here are some quick tips to help you protect your favorite CDs:

• Handle your CDs by the center hole or the outer edge, and take care not to scratch the bottom.

• If writing on the CD surface (e.g., Vacation 2006), make sure to use a non-permanent marker, as permanent markers have powerful solvents that can eat through a label over time and damage the disc.

• Store your CDs upright (in a book style) and in jewel cases or specialty albums to protect them. Keep them in a cool, dry place.

• Make a duplicate set and keep them in another location in case of a catastrophe (yes, this does happen!).

• Check your CDs on an annual basis to make sure the files open and that the pictures can be accessed.

After all, there’s not much point in backing up your digital photos on CD if those discs end up being used as coasters in your home office!

Getting Your Kids Behind the Camera

2006-08-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

I know what you’re thinking.

“You want me to give my child—the one who loses her shoes so often I’ve had to attach a GPS unit to them—my shiny, expensive digital camera? My kids can’t keep missing puzzle pieces in the box, and the dog would starve if I didn’t feed him.

Woman, have you lost your mind?”

Hear me out on this one. I understand how funny (and reckless) this idea might be at first, but I have to tell you that our daughter now takes pictures on a regular basis, and one photo was so good that I mistakenly gave my husband credit for it.

Not only does giving your kids an opportunity to take photographs build excitement and foster creativity, it also demonstrates that they are being trusted with something very special: your digital camera.

For those of you who’d like to explore this further, here are a few tips I’ve learned along this journey of turning over my favorite toy to someone who still can’t reach the sink without a stepstool:

· It is a Privilege to Be Earned: Using your digital camera is a BIG deal, and it requires certain behavior. It also means that the camera will be put away if the rules aren’t followed. By explaining how important the camera is to you, your child might be better inclined to heed the warning.

· Show Her What to Do: Our first rule is “make sure the loop is around your wrist.” If the camera slips out of a little one’s hands, at least it won’t hit the ground. This is a good tip for grown-ups, too. Also, show her how to point the camera and look at the LCD screen. Let her try shooting a couple of pictures to get the feel of it. Many kids are also quick at understanding how to push the button half-way to get the lens to focus on the subject.

· Start Slowly But Stand Back: For first lessons, let her take a set amount of photos and tell her the number in advance. You can then look at the pictures and discuss what she liked about each one. But let her take pictures of whatever she wants—no coaching.

· Give Her the Opportunity to Learn: We get many blurry photos, but we also get some beautiful shots, and her style is different than mine. Each child sees things her own way, and letting her use a digital camera can give you an inside look into her perspective. You might even find you can learn a thing or two!

Forget Diamonds. Digital Cameras Are a Girl’s Best Friend.

2006-08-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

Study results recently released by market research entity TRU indicate that almost 80% of women surveyed would choose a plasma screen TV over a diamond solitaire necklace. A similar proportion of women polled indicated they’d choose a high-end cell phone over designer shoes.

I can’t say I’m surprised.

I listened to one of my favorite local talk show hosts this afternoon, and he just didn’t seem to believe the results. He really thought more women would prefer a Prada bag to an iPod. He’s a marketing-savvy guy and often knows what he’s talking about.

But I think he’s wrong on this one.

Maybe he isn’t around this crowd enough to know. It certainly seems that a great deal of marketing technology is still geared the male consumer—a very important piece of the puzzle, to be sure—but women are becoming increasingly influential in consumer electronics purchases. Just check reports from CEA, PMA, Infotrends and other reputable research associations. Women like tech, too. Even if we don’t always display the same confidence about our skills (that’s our hang-up and we need to confront it—just push some buttons and grab a USB cable, woman!).

A personal story.

My husband surprised me with the most wonderful gift for my birthday last year. A Nokia camera cell phone. I couldn’t have been happier. He knows me.

And I believe many of my friends are in a similar boat. Look, we’re too busy managing family schedules and keeping our climbing toddlers out of the ER to worry about breaking our $500 designer shoes because we can’t do a quick sprint in them to save our kids from running out in front of a car. That doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy a great Coach purse (outlet prices, please!) or a nicely tailored suit.

It just means that more and more, we women rely on technology to provide solutions and help us complete tasks more efficiently. Technology is increasingly practical for today’s busy women.

So friends, grab a gadget and go about your business. And if you want to put your smart phone and digital camera in a cute little designer purse, well, that’s just fine, too.

Read more about the survey here:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/studywomenliketechtoysmorethanshoes

Dell Laptop Explodes into Flames

2006-07-12T08:25:00.000-07:00

Conference attendees at an event in Osaka, Japan, were taken off guard with a little hardware malfunction.

A laptop being used suddenly burst into flames.

Dell spokeswoman Ann Camden verified it was a Dell model and that they were investigating the incident.

Just one more good reason to make sure you’ve got all your digital pictures backed up. Granted, an incident like this is extremely rare (which is why it continues to be news), but computer hardware doesn’t age like a fine wine. It becomes just as cranky and unreliable as your grumpy Uncle Albert.

For more information on the Flaming Dell Laptop, click here:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/29/dell-looking-into-flaming-laptop-incident/

To get information on how to protect your digital pictures, click here:
www.gotdigitalpictures.com

Using Online Sites Without Annoying Your Relatives

2006-07-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

Can you believe we used to wait an ENTIRE HOUR to view our photographs? We’d drop off our 35mm film and wait with anticipation to see if we had any keepers, all the while trying to fill that sixty minute time slot with errands or other activities so we could rush back to the photo lab to open the envelope and flip through the results of our efforts.

And what we went through to share those photographs with loved ones! We had to make extra copies, put them in an envelope big enough to hold them, get the right amount of postage and then mail them? It’s a wonder that grandma ever got any pictures with all the effort this method commanded.

All kidding aside, it was the anticipation that made viewing and sharing those pictures such an eagerly awaited event. There was a bit of magic in the process still, a period between when the photos were taken and viewed that extended the excitement to wanting to share the photographs with loved ones.

Today, the process is so immediate that we often give little thought as to our actions after we’ve checked the LCD to make sure the picture meets our expectations. We snap a hundred pictures, upload the pictures to an online site and email the invitation to view them to just about anyone who has ever crossed our path.

It is precisely because sharing photographs is so simple these days that we must take a bit of care in making sure that the magic of those pictures still comes across to those we love. Here are a few things to consider the next time you get online to upload your pictures for the viewing pleasure of others:

Ask First: Simply asking your friends and loved ones if they’d like to receive pictures from time to time means a great deal to the recipients. They will appreciate your consideration and may be more receptive to photos in the future. Plus, you can identify those who truly relish those regular emails, and you can make sure to indulge them accordingly!

Be Selective: Receiving a link to view a digital photography album with 225 photographs can be a bit overwhelming for those on the receiving end. Don’t upload your entire camera card directly to your online site; delete all the poorly-lit or off center pictures from the card, and then transfer the remaining pictures to your computer’s hard drive in a named folder (Jennie’s Birthday 2006). From that filtered list, pick a handful of your favorite pictures and then upload them for viewing.

Being selective before uploading will not only help your loved ones enjoy photos of your special event; it will also help you better manage your favorite pictures and allow you to easily find that special shot when you need it.
More isn’t always better. Being selective now. Your sister will thank you, and will more likely actually go to the site to view the pictures you sent.

Don’t Send Pictures Every Time You Upload: No one is more excited about our pictures than we are, and we often believe that others will share the same excitement about our latest park shots. Our email boxes are so inundated with messages these days that even photos from loved ones can be overwhelming if they are received too often. Save the sharing for really important events or to share a particularly beautiful image. That is, unless your grandmother told you she wants to see all 67 pictures of your daughter’s first attempt at eating oatmeal. In that case, feel free to share with reckless abandon!

Women as Master Storytellers

2006-06-07T09:10:00.000-07:00

Women are notoriously good at multi-tasking; their plates are piled so high it would make any waitress nervous. They are mothers, daughters, sisters, employers, employees, problem solvers, community members, missing teddy-bear locaters and sibling-rivalry negotiatiors.

It's a shame that none of these jobs warrants hazard pay.

You’re juggling more balls than a circus performer, and the idea of occupying yet another role seems just shy of masochistic.

However, you do have another role and maybe you’re already aware of it.

This role is incredibly important and has power, beauty and joy in it. The actions you take today in this role will be felt for years to follow, and you will touch more people than you can possibly know.

For those in your family and those you consider friends, you are also a master storyteller. The photo industry refers to you as ‘the photo ambassador’—the person responsible for taking, sharing and printing the family’s photographs.

You may not feel like a master storyteller, especially if the love you feel for your digital camera dissolves the moment you try to print the photos or get them sized the right way to send through email. But it’s true. With that camera in your hands, you aren’t just taking a picture. You’re preserving a moment in time. That photograph, and the story behind it, is of extreme importance to others around you, even if they don’t know it yet.

You might think that those candid shots you took at the end-of-year school picnic or at your son’s last baseball game are fun reminders of a particular event. They are much more than that—they serve as a map, a chronology of their life experiences—a way for them to relive those wonderful times and friendships whenever the mood strikes. They are a way for them reconnect with good times gone by

And you are the chief architect in this legacy. You don’t have to be a professional photographer; in fact, you don’t have to consider yourself to be a good amateur photographer. The critical thing is to make sure that you’re taking pictures of special events and those every day moments that cause you to take pause. The fact that you’re taking pictures at all makes you the master storyteller, and I ask you to consider expanding this role a bit because the gift you’ll give your children through these tangible, visual reminders will follow them through their lives and give comfort when they’re looking for a way to connect with the safety of childhood memories.

You are a master visual storyteller. What you do today will resonate countless times and give you new opportunities to reach out and bond with your children as they grow. You’ll relive those stories about that fabulous kite festival, the time your son caught his first fly ball, when your daughter caught her first butterfly. You will hold those moments in your hands and offer those photographs as stepping stones to revisit past joys. Those stepping stones will always lead them home.

Keeping All Your Pictures on Your Computer? Think Again.

2006-05-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

Would you run into a burning house to rescue you favorite photos? If so, you aren’t alone, but it turns out your digital pictures are at a far greater risk of being lost in a hard drive crash or other error than in a natural disaster.

MTBF means “Mean Time Before Failure,” and it refers to how long all the components in your computer will run under optimum conditions (and this does NOT include your toddler using your laptop as a stepstool!) before your hard drive crashes and grinds all your precious photos as if they were your morning coffee beans. The MTBF number is a warning. Too often we trust our computers exclusively in storing our digital pictures, and the MTBF estimate is letting us know that this equipment doesn’t deserve our trust. It’s okay to keep your pictures on your home computer, but if you want to leave a family history of photographs, you need to take additional action.

THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY TO PROTECT YOUR DIGITAL PICTURES

Photo Organizing Software: Often called ‘image management programs,’ these programs can greatly assist you in quickly organizing your digital pictures so you can find your favorites. If the date and time are set properly on your camera, many will even automatically organize them by date, putting them in chronological order. Watching this happen on your computer monitor is almost as satisfying as watching your kids play for an entire afternoon without bickering.
Back Up Your Pictures: If you aren’t sure which back-up solution is best for you, start with a blank DVD and copy all your digital pictures to it. Make two copies, check them to ensure the copy process was successful, and then store them somewhere safe. Better yet—give one copy to a loved one for safe-keeping.
Print Your Favorites: Now that your pictures are organized on your computer, go through and have copies of your favorite pictures printed at a trusted retail store. Having a partner in this process will save you time and money while also ensuring that your pictures are being printed on archival paper so your photographs will stand the test of time.

The Oles Clan

2006-03-07T08:11:00.000-08:00

We're fun, fast and loud! This is a rare image--everyone is sitting still. This picture reminds me of the immense joy my kids experience every time they visit the beach; it also reminds me that our digital pictures are one of our most precious assets, and if we expect them to stand the test of time, we must take care of them.

If you'd like to learn more about Long Term Photo Care, please email me. There are many resources available to you, and I'd be happy to help you get started!

Welcome to Digital Photography for Busy Women!

2006-03-07T07:03:00.000-08:00

Do you have a computer full of digital pictures and aren't sure what to do next?

If you're like most of us, you've got more technology than time. Our goal here is to provide simple solutions and information to help you with Long Term Photo Care, which simply means helping ensure your digital photos stand the test of time. We'll be covering a number of topics including why your hard drive is one of the least safe places to keep you photos as well as some of the best ways to better manage your digital pictures so you can easily find your favorites.

Check in with us from time to time; your digital pictures are one of your most treasured possessions, and we want to make sure they'll be around for you to enjoy in the future!