wanna take better pictures?

* as seen in Scrapbook Play with Photos (from Simple Scrapbooks, 2009)

.......

How many photos to you take in an average month? I'll bet you take more now than you did 10 years ago. Or is it just me who's gone from taking about 50 a month in 2000 to anywhere between 100-1000 (or more!) each month in 2009? (I don't have a number for this year, but it's definitely lower since I'm no longer doing Project365.)

A bit of background information:

We switched from film photography to digital about ten years ago and went through two little Canon point-and-shoot models before upgrading to a digital SLR. I really, really want to upgrade my camera body again, but there's still so much unharnessed potential in my current camera that I can't justify the cost. I'd love to learn to get out of auto–I currently shoot in program mode, which is just one step up from fully automatic, and I don't need a new camera to do that.

So if I'm not going to upgrade my equipment (at a cost of hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars), how can I improve the photos I'm taking? Good question, right?

After reading various articles and blogs about photography, I realize I'm half-way there... I'm taking pictures. Lots of them. Practice, practice, practice. But that's only half of the equation. I know from experience in other areas of my life (yes, tennis!) that practicing something the wrong way will only lead to frustration.

Enter the latest eBook from Ella Publishing... Picture Perfect. Over 100 tips to help you take better pictures of the people (and even pets!) you love. 

 

It's written by three professional photographers who also happen to be super-talented scrapbookers: Becky Novacek, Elisha Snow and Kelly Noel. All three of them specialize in family photography, but each of them has her own distinct style, all of which I love. Even though I've read a lot of magazine articles, books and blogs on this topic before, I learned a lot as I read this eBook. And I mean a lot!

What I liked most about this eBook: the information was presented in a clear, easy-to-understand manner along with beautiful examples for each lesson. The organization of the eBook into sections (children, non-children and groups) that are then further sub-divided into chapters (babies, toddlers, children; teens, pets, adults; and duos, trios, crowds) really helped break the information down into learnable chunks. Normally, I get overwhelmed by this volume of information, but not this time!

What I didn't like about this eBook: it didn't come with a time machine, so I'm not able to go back to put those fabulous tips about photographing babies and toddlers to good use on my kids. Dang! 

.......

So tell me... do you wanna take better pictures with the camera you already own? Do you want a chance to win a free copy of the Picture Perfect eBook? Leave me a comment here and tell me who your most often photographed subjects are. I'll close the comments on Tuesday, May 11th, after my kids go to bed, and I'll choose two random commenters who'll receive a code to download their free eBook.

Comments

[Kristyn G]

Our 2 yr old son is the subject of all of my pictures these days! We have a little girl due in August so she will soon be sharing the spotlight. My hubby gave me a Nikon D5000 for Mother's Day (to upgrade my D40) so I REALLY want to get better at leaving Auto Mode behind! thanks for the chance to win!

[Louise Dubord]

I am thinking of upgrading my camera because I haven't been happy with the results of my little digital. I really need to learn more! I mostly take pictures of family and trips. Thanks for the chance!

[sonia]

I'll be expected to take tons of pictures of my two nieces - a toddler and infant next weekend... any tips would be great!

absolutely love the title of your layout :)

[java]

I bought a digital SLR last year and I am like you, always shooting on auto mode!! Any tips to move me beyond that would be great :)

[Liz]

I just bought a DSLR and I don't know how to do a thing on it other than auto....so any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Kelli]

My four kids - ages 5-12 - are my main and constant subjects! I too feel like I don't fully appreciate the potential of my digital SLR. Thanks for the chance to win!

[Betty]

Great read...

My most photographed subject is my son, hands down. My husband and the dogs aren't even close ;)

[Betty]

Oops that last post got away from me.

I need to get more comfortable with hubby's D300. I use it as a point and shoot when it is capable of SO much more... I would love to win this book.

Good luck everyone :)

[JJ]

My most often photographed subjects are my two critters...er... kids...

[Karen G]

I love photographing my boys. They are reluctant subjects, but love their faces.

[Diane Herman]

yep...me too...my amazing daughters :)

[Helene]

I just upgraded to a DSLR this January and I have hardly had time to use it! This book would be a great motivator! Actually, following your blog has really whetted my appetite to try and become more creative both in my picture taking and in my scrapping!

[Vicki]

My most often photographed subjects are my two youngest children, ages 4 & 13. (I photograph them both separately and together.) My oldest is 17 and doesn't like to have his picture taken :-( Thanks for the chance to win!

[Joanne C]

I'm not good at pictures of people, maybe because my son never wanted his picture taken. :) I keep trying, though. I take much better pictures of scenery. I use a point and shoot. I wonder if I'd improve with a DSLR?

[donna c]

hello all,

interestingly enough, i scrap photos that my dear brother and his wife take of their adorable kids, the photos i take most myself are on photowalks in and around london, ontario. we go out once a month and take huge volumes of awesome interesting odd and wierd photos...i do love my canon sure shot point and shoot..thanks for the inspiring post! i do love the page about babies growing up to be jpegs! too funny.

[Maureen]

love taking portraits of my three little ones, would like to be better at more situational photos, thanks for the chance to win.

[Clare]

great review Barb. I'm with you on the time machine thing, sigh! New parents today are so lucky-all those pictures of fingers and toes, jammy faces and first everything!
Would love to win a copy of this book - perhaps with it I could take pics of my teen, lol!

[Lee Currie]

My most photographed thing are my kids - in action :) There is always more to learn about better picture taking!

[Minimimi]

My favorites subjects are my 3 boys and now a baby girl. I do not want to miss any milestone but I recently bought a DSL and I wish I could take better pictures. This class would be so perfect, I know I would benefit from it for sure. Great giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.

[Rhonda]

my favorite subjects are the kids and my quilts lol!

[Nicole S]

Yeah yeah yeah ME - i wanna know how to take better pictures - hey i wanna learn how to use my camera in general!!! Subjects are kids, of course!

[katie squires]

lets see who do I take the most pictures of....my little turdettes :) hee hee hee

I would love to learn how to take pictures of them, that still look good when they moves so fast!

[Monica]

My children are my most often photographed subjects. Like most Moms out there! I'd love to know more and am so excited to have the opportunity to win this book! :)

[Nathalie]

The girls are usually my most often photographed subject even if I've been having trouble getting them to pose for me together these days. :)

[Suzanne]

Definitely my little girl who's almost 7 months old :o)