on doing something different

Until now I've been fits-and-spurts with my camera. A hundred (or two, or three) at once. Every couple of weeks if even that, fifteen or twenty shared on flickr at the same time. A daily photo practice? Distant. Deluded. I figured I'd try just the same, starting with a photoblog that might, maybe, lend a little more accountability than flickr.

Daily practice on the mind and days later, we notice bright blue eggs in a robin's nest tucked into a nearby cedar. And so we started with regular peeking. Three days ago they hatched. Three days ago I put my camera by the front door. Two days ago I saw this. Today I saw this.

In the spirit of today's most excellent giveaway, I'd like to know: what have you done differently lately in your photography? Are you playing with ISO or white balance? Do you have some new actions, a coveted lens? Did you take a course, discover some new inspiration? Or are you just trying out a new practice?

Comment here between now and midnight Thursday 5/ 20 for a chance to win a 16x24" fine art print of one of YOUR images on the famed watercolour cotton rag paper by Hahnemuhle, courtesy the wonderful (and internationally-shipping) Atlantic Photo Supply, one of the oldest and most reputable labs in Canada. This is the paper I use. It's beyond gorgeous. You'll see your photography in a whole new way, with one of these prints.

The only question: will you keep it for bragging rights, or will you gift it to some lucky loved one? Go!

Congratulations to Erika, our 93rd commenter! You've won the fine art print. Atlantic Photo Supply will be in touch to make it happen -- can't wait to hear how it goes. Anyone who is interested in the cotton rag paper of Hahnemuhle -- the favourite of the printing artists at Atlantic Photo Supply -- can go here to order any print you like and have it internationally shipped. Thanks everyone for playing along!

Comments

[Malin]

Right now I'm trying to get better at changing the aperture from wide open to smaller ones a little bit more often and with a little more thought behind. But it's hard. I love the bokeh I get when wide open so much ;).

[Marcie]

As I am now on my 4th consecutive year of 'Daily Practice' - I'm always on the lookout for something new and extraordinary.
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=1175
And - I just love the Hahnemuhle paper. Would consider myself so lucky to win today's giveaway prize!!!

[marina]

I am trying to see more the beauty in what I see everyday, something in my home, for example, as the leaves of this plant:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/36167691@N03/4612449516/in/set-72157623660350251/

Thank you for the chance to participate in this beautiful giveaway!!! If I were so fortunate to be the winner, I think I would be very tempted to keep the print!!!

[DorkyMum]

I am trying out two new things just now...

The first is putting together diptyches: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dorkymum/4604474459/

The second is street photography, and trying to capture some of the interesting people around my city: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dorkymum/4603295659/

[elflyn]

I am working on understanding white balance, and remembering I do need to adjust the WB setting on my camera. Slowly things are looking up.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25976646@N07/4621281332/

[Jan]

I am taking a photography course and playing in manual to hone my skills.

[Jen]

I am coveting a fish-eye lens... :)
Such amazing, amazing pics I've seen lately w/ a fish-eye.
Anyway, beyond that...I am signed up for 503 photography's online workshop to start shortly so I can continue to learn about lighting, flash, everything!

[Darlene]

Beautiful image, Kate! I have a bird nest in the barn - Pheobes.
My new thing that I'm experimenting with are some of the actions from Florabella. I've been playing around with them over the past couple of months - some work with some images, but not all. However, yesterday I tried the milk & honey action, which has a couple hazes added in, and I really love the effect. The first 3 images have that action, the last 2 is a sweet vintage.
http://www.whimsicalyearsphotography.com/blog/1907/babysitting-at-stones-edge-farm/

[Puna]

What an incredible opportunity. Thank you Kate.

[Jen at Cabin Fever]

Lately I bought a macro lens so I have been testing the waters with that a lot. Its very interesting to look at normal things I would never take a photo of and think of them as subjects. Trying to turn those little subjects into an interesting shot and making sure the focus is perfect on the correct part is something else entirely. Its so much fun and is such a contrast to my normal landscapes and HDR photography.

http://www.nekphotography.blogspot.com

[Katy]

My experiments have been in long exposures at night with my tripod. Exploring my city in a whole new way. I haven't been able to get out in a while because of my crazy schedule, but it is definitely something to keep trying different things with.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/katyharmer/4516196185/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katyharmer/4533667462/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katyharmer/4533014623/

[pam]

I love the ability to shoot film with still cameras these days. The thought that I can really complete a story with this combination is joyfully inspiring

[Becky Sue]

I'm trying all kinds of new things... Picture Spring, reading the manual (gasp!), plus two books on how to use my Canon 7D. It's all consuming!

[Tracy Sutherland]

I bought a (wired) flash trigger system that lets me get my flash off camera. It arrived late last week and I have been sick ever since it came through the door. I'm doing a photo a day project for the year and I've managed to take a photo every day while I've been ill but I have NOT managed to play with the flash. I'm looking forward to it livening up my project again - I've been stagnating a bit recently.

[Leslie]

I'm a little bit in the doldrums right now with my photography...I went back to work and that's gotten me off course. I need to find my creative mojo again! I'm hopeful lthe summer sun (when it does arrive!) will lure me outside again with camera in hand.

[Cheri Andrews]

I took Picture Spring, which really got me looking at my world differently. Now I'm taking "Get Out of Auto Mode" which will hopefully get me looking at my camera differently!

[liz]

i recently took a step up from my point-and-shoot, and got a canon G11 (still P&S but with lots of manual capabilities).
so my challenge is to start learning how to use the manual settings and do more with my photos.
i'm learning a lot here, by the way -- thanks!

[Sarah Malcom]

I have been doing Project 365 (one photo a day for a year) and have really been trying to focus on COLOR. Bright, saturated, beautiful color. I still love the vintage/desaturated look, but lately have really been drawn to subjects starring primary colors that really pop!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahsshot/4616327454
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahsshot/4609432971/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahsshot/4604990544/

Next on my list? Capturing glorious candid moments. I don't shoot portraits very much, but really want to work on capturing some artistic candids the next time I am with my friends and family.

I recently discovered this site. It is fabulous and I know I am going to learn a lot. Thanks!

[Wendi]

I want to to a lot of things with my photography - learn to shoot in Manual, become more skilled in capturing people (not just things), and finally figure out Photoshop.

[Jen L.]

I started a 365 photo blog project in November. It's sometimes is really hard to find something creative to shoot at 8:30 when the light is fading fast and I'm lost for ideas. This is when I usually end up with a photo of a flower from my garden or one of my dogs. I'm trying really hard to take the photo before the light fades and some of the results have been fabulous!

[melissa]

I have been experimenting with outdoor light at different times of day lately....trying to step outside my comfort zone.

[soupatraveler]

Last month I took Picture Spring, which had me shooting every day. I started shooting in raw for the first time with the class and learning more about processing my shots in ACR. I've learned about presets (oh joy) which can save me an extra million minutes if I can commit to only one up front...but its so hard to decide sometimes. I'm starting to remember to change my ISO for the first time, and sometimes I'm adjusting my aperture. Next stop (excuse the pun) getting out of auto mode for good! I've signed up for Picture Summer, so the goal is to be no longer using the "P" and moving on to an AV, Tv or M. I might even introduce myself again to A-DEP, nearly 20 years after our first encounter in Photography 101 with my (then) brand new Canon EOS Rebel! In the meantime, here's a self-portrait (another new practice) I took last month using a tripod for the very first time, processed with a preset, using the timer: http://www.flickr.com/photos/46922592@N00/4585079329/in/set-72157623919364776/

[Victoria]

Oh, those sweet baby birds. How wonderful to get such a close view of the action.

Every week I participate in a weekly photo challenge on Flickr. This week's theme is "black."
This has helped me in so many ways to learn about my camera and the functions but most importantly I'm learning a lot about myself as well.
Here's a link to the photo challenge set if you would like to take a peek:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/6riddles/sets/72157622865224518/

P.S. My 5 year old daughter loved the pictures of the birds. "Wow ... that is sooo cool!" I agree.

[AnnGeeDee]

My 365 project has kept me inspired to try new things. Some have turned out better than others, but it's fun to experiment. Just the idea of keeping my camera around and using it EVERY day has been new and so rewarding.

[karen]

What an amazing giveaway. I've never experimented with different papers; I'll have to give it a whirl. Lately, I've been playing around with my iphone because it's convenient and it's always with me and the photo quality is not bad. Thanks for the chance!

P.S. Marcie--I love, love, love your daily inspirations!

[Teresa]

Learning as much as I can about photography, shooting in manual mode, and taking a photo a day for my blog. My 8 year old son helps remind me every day to take a picture so it is fun to share photography with him.

[Ashley Gillett]

I recently purchased a 50mm f 1.4 and it hasn't left my camera. Also, I trying to avoid using actions as much as possible and, instead, I'm just doing basic adjustments in RAW and then a curve bump in PS. Loving my images so far.

[claudia]

I'm experimenting with apertures more lately, love the buttery softness of 1.8 on my 50mm, but want to lock in what aperture I need to have faces in focus while still getting a decent bokeh in the background for portraits.

[Courtney]

OOH, yes please! Love those sweet little birds.

[shutterboo]

I've been working with my accessory flash. I enjoy shooting in natural light but since I've been asked to photograph a couple of events, the accessory flash has been dusted off. And I hate it - dubbed it The Black Widow.

[Amy P.]

It's amazing all the little things we miss that we see every single day.. The simple things that are beautiful.... So I'm shutting my eyes and just clicking... :0)

[Alanna]

I've been playing with my shutter speed. I am still drawn to use the automatic settings on my Nikon but I know it's best to spread my wings and learn. I am also entering a local photography contest. I am a bit nervous but I am up for it. It's theme is our local lakes (we've got a hundred at least) so I've got a wide spread of opportunity. Love your image. My life mantra has become "roots and wings" so it particularly appeals to that part of me.

[Kristen]

I've just been trying to get out and practice, but I also have a couple new Photoshop actions. School has been really busy for me, so just getting a few shots in can be tricky.

[kristin]

that is a super great giveaway! and wow i love your baby birds.
something i am doing new? hmmmmm... i guess just really using my 50mm which is purely manual focus. no longer relying on autofocus controlling my dof.

happy spring kate!

[Karyn]

I started a 365 last year, but wasn't able to maintain it past about 180 days. This year, a photo friend and I decided to do some weekly practice, and post it together. It helps us stay accountable so that we actually do it every week. www.twobirdsproject.com and we have a different theme every month. Some of them are harder than I expected and really push me to think about what I'm shooting and why.

That paper is GORGEOUS!

[AppleTree]

I am trying and trying to get back into taking more photos. I went through a huge dry spell and have a had a hard time coming back to my camera.

[Kizz]

I just rented a Nikon 18-200mm lens. The first time I've gotten to play with a telephoto of any sort. I'm renting it for a week so I can take some candids at a wedding and hopefully produce a photo book as a gift for the couple. I've only taken about 20 pictures but I'm already pretty much in love.

[Angella]

I plan on cracking out my wide-angle this weekend when we're in Vegas, baby!

[Becky Jenson]

My new camera (Canon 1DsMIII) allows for much higher ISO so I get to leave my flash off :)

http://blog.beckyjenson.com/?p=230

[Lisa]

I just got a macro lens, and am absolutely loving spending my time looking at the world in this whole new way. It's like a new world is opened up to me, and I am able to see the detail in everything! I definitely want to try my hand at a daily photo practice. I too am the type to pick up my camera in spurts, but I don't like it. I want to do so, so much more! Maybe a daily challenge is exactly what I need?? <3

[Sherralee]

I am learning to pan motion and it's fun!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44927762@N08/4612668154/sizes/m/

[Vanessa]

I have my first external flash coming in the mail tomorrow from BH. I've been so terrified and intimidated by flash photography up until now but I had some extra money and figured now's the time to jump.

[suzy]

right now, i'm playing with a new 70-200 2.8 lens. i also like to play with a slow shutter speed...doesn't always turn out they way i hope it will...but i keep playing!

[michelle]

I am trying to take landscape shots with something in the foreground to show scale.....nothing earthshattering, I need to learn sooo much, but for now I see a difference in the visual composition as a way to increase my skills with my point and shoot that may spill over to my dslr.

[TaraMcK]

Of late I am playing more with ISO and my aperture.

I love love love their paper I am going to order some of my fine art prints for the house in it for sure!

[Joelle]

I have always avoided my on-camera flash like the plague. But, lately, I've been experimenting with using it as fill flash - adjusting the flash exposure and other settings to see what happens. Very interesting!

[Christine]

what a wonderful giveaway - perfect! Just recently signed up for an ecourse on actions.

[Michel]

I shoot in manual mode, but just recently I have been using my in camera's light meter to set my shutter speed. I know it sounds silly to only being doing this new now after all these years, but for some reason I didn't know or just did trust it. These shots are SOOC
http://www.wishfulthinkingblog.com/wishful-thinking/2010/5/13/patience-bumble-bee.html

I have also been trying to understand light better and really pushing myself away from auto WB too. that one is tricky!
I played in photoshop a bit with textures with this one, but the color is what I wanted from the camera
http://www.wishfulthinkingblog.com/wishful-thinking/2010/5/15/saturday-morning.html

[Annette Whelan]

I am constantly amazed at how much there is to learn about photography. I am always reading and trying new things. Most recently I have made some homemade bokeh filters in custom shapes. I have used them on candles and stringed lights. It is such fun and I am anxious for a gorgeous day to capture the ocean's sparkle with the filter to see how it turns out!! Thanks for such a great contest!!

[Jennifer]

I've been trying to trust my camera and it's abilities by putting it on P....and usually with great success!