Google Webpage Screenshots

I love using Google Chrome.  I was rather indifferent to the browser, until I was alerted to the feature of syncing your Chrome browsers on any of your computers.  So what does that mean?  Well, all my bookmarks on my home computer, my laptop, and my work computer are all the same, and all update anytime I make changes to my bookmarks.  Long gone are the days of emailing myself home bookmarks from work, or not being on the right computer to access my link.  No more remembering what computer that certain link is bookmarked on.  I love when things are seamless!

Well, I also love the screenshot plug in.  Basically, the plug in allows you to take a screenshot of a webpage through a button on your browser, and then allows you to save the screen capture.  Sure, that's great and all, but what's even better is the ability to draw on that capture before you save it.  Immediately I think about the way that I save inspiration.  Often when I'm reading photography or design tutorials, I see something that I find inspirational, and I either save a capture of the page, or the bookmark.  This not only makes that easier, but it allows me to make my own notes. For instance, in one of my previous posts, I talked about what a model can wear for photos.  With this gadget, I could have taken a screenshot of my photo gallery and marked up the image using the plug in.  (Hint: click on the image to make view it larger)

Of course, there are may uses for this tool....try it out!

Just for Kicks

Thought I should post something before I go on maternity leave and disappear for awhile!

My friend Hillary turned me on to the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players a few years ago.  The family gets old slide trays from auctions and yard sales and writes goofball songs about the slides in the tray.  It's super ridiculous, but you'll find yourself humming the melody chuckling at a later date.....Not to mention...who the heck has these crazy photos anyway?!?


Here are two of my favorites:






Want more???

Give my kid my camera? Are you crazy??!!??

My last post talked about how novel it can be to give a child a camera.  Of course, digitial cameras are significantly more fragile than the film cameras of the past.  Some people understand this phenomenon though experience.  Some people still seem ultimately surprised when their digital camera breaks (You're carrying a computer in your pocket.  I'm watching you swing it around from the wrist strap.  You're suprised that its broken?)  Working behind a camera counter, I was never surprised by the stories behind the broken camera...dropped in the mud, spilled a glass of wine on it, ran over it with the car, left it out in the rain, dog chewed on it...The list goes on and on.  So now you're asking once again, you want my kid to use my WHAT?

Of course, most parents have good intentions and decide to buy their child their OWN camera.  Great.  However, they go out and buy a $50 camera with Superman decaled all over it.  They get it home, open it up.  It loses photos, the kid can't figure out how to use it, all the photos are dark (there's usually no flash), it won't sync with the computer.  Yup, its a $30 piece of garbage.  But my kid wants a camera....

The solution is a low end "adult" camera.


This Fuji is just one example.  A little smart shopping and some ad watching can result in a great camera that a kid can use with zero frustration.  Even better, when your kid does get that great shot, the quality will be there to make prints and really celebrate a job well done!

My Kid Took These

When I worked in photofinishing, I always loved when we'd get to develop a roll of film that a child took (I know, film, what's that, right?) Anyway, it was always such a great snapshot of the vantage point of a child. Not only their point of view, but the things they would photograph were always interesting. Photos of stuffed animals were always popular...odd angles of their parents...their family dog. I still hear about how when I was a kid that I took a perfect photo of my eye! Most importantly though, it always goes back to the amazing snapshot through the eyes of that child...captured forever in time. Sometimes, out of 24 out of focus and soul reflecdting photos, there was one that would really shine. This blog is set up to document the delight that can be found when a child steps behind the lens. I suggest you check it out (and look forward to these types of photo when my kid gets old enough to click the shutter).

My Kid Took These

Let's talk wardrobe....

Simply put- What to wear for photos.  As someone being photographed, its most likely something that you are wondering.  If you're the photographer, its a question that you've been asked on more than one occasion.  So what wardrobe choices are best??

Step 1- First and foremost the answer is something comfortable!  If you're not comfortable, you're photos are going to look just that way...uncomfortable.  Wardrobe choices should reflect your sense of style and your personality. 

Take David's senior photo for example.  His clothing is casual and appropriate, and he looks COMFORTABLE.

Remember---It should look like you in the photos!

Step 2- Pick colors appropriate for your location.  Think about your photo location.  What colors are there?  If you're photo is being taken in front of a red barn, wearing red is going to capture a "floating head."  If your plan is to reproduce the photos in black and white, bold patterns are often most effective.  

Alyssa's senior photo is a great example.  The red in her shirt complements the red of the fall colors.  It really contrasts well against the yellow leaves, and pulls out the highlights of the red leaves.

Step 3- Families and couples should coordinate, not match.  No longer are the day's where everyone wears the same polo shirt with khakis (unless of course you're in an advertising campain for a polo shirt company!)  Be cautious however, to avoid conflicting patterns!

The Knight Family is wearing all variations of browns and whites.  Their clothing represents their unity as a family, without looking like a catalog spread.  Modern, yet timeless.

Step 4- Think about where the photo is ultimately going to end up.  Maybe you are taking a family portrait to be hung in your Living Room, over the sofa or mantel.  In that case, consider dressing to match or coordinate the colors in your Living Room.  Now THAT is some beautiful family art.

On one last beer note...

Don't forget to check out my beer themed merchandise!

Check out Artesian Silver at Zazzle or CafePress for more beer merchandise (and much more!)

Infographics

In the last few days, I have been doing some research on info graphics and icons. It all started by watching a webinar, and has since really peaked my interest.

What I found most interesting was relating the importance of good info graphics and icons to the way that the brain indexes information.  The brain looks for visual imagery before reading text...no matter how large your headline is.  The brain can also index, interpret, and recall imagery much more quickly than written word. 

For example, if you're on a website looking for the contact link, your brain will find and translate the image of the envelope much quicker than it will find the word "contact." 

CONTACT

A few key points that really stood out to me?

1. Icons should always be designed in sets.  This includes using a standard color pallet and lighting effects.  Mismatched icons are jarring and look awkward.  If you're looking for a set of icons, there are many free sets at Iconfinder.

2. Keep in mind colorblindness.  If you're using red, yellow, and green dots to represent progress, your icons will leave many users uninformed.

3. A good info graphic is worth a thousand words.  Keeping in theme with the recent beer posts, this info graphic on The Best Beer in America is a good example.

A Summer of Brewing is Upon Us

Next weekend we go to Brewfest at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire.  We had a great time last year, and even though this year I'll be acting DD, I still look forward to all the eating. 

In honor of the kickoff for a summer of Brew, I am passing on a blog post from Colourlovers: Color Inspirations from Beer!

Designing an invitation for a summer picnic or creating a beer inspired design?  Possibly the Colorlovers pallets, including IPA, stouts, and ales will give you a start in the right direction!

A fresh start to blogging

I've tried blogging a whole bunch of times before, but I'm hoping that this time I finally have some direction!! The idea is to have one blog to keep up to date on my photography business, and also my online storefronts. I also hope to express some interest in the arts, sharing some helpful tips and resources!