Sharing the Spark

We are beyond thrilled to announce our brand new regular column Point of Focus that will be featured in Digital Photo Magazine. We will be sharing our Shutter Sisterseque photographic passion on the pages of the widely respected publication, both in the hard copy of the magazine and also in the new digital version via Zinio. Yes, you can now get DP Mag for your computer and/or ipad. Enter balloons, streamers and crowd cheers here. 

We kick off our column in the current issue with a story, in true Shutter Sisters style, along with some tips and tricks on how to stoke your photographic spark. You'll have to check it out!

In honor of our first column, share with us today how you keep your photographic spark fired up. Got any tricks of your own? Let's get a list going of how you let your photographic heart wander.

And let's toss in a giveaway too. We've got 3 copies of the current issues of both Digital Photo Magazine and their sister publication Digital Photo Pro. We'll randomly choose 3 winners so leave your comment (you have until Thursday midnight EST to be entered in the giveaway) and share your spark.

And winners are Jessica, Suddenly Susan, Tonette B. Check your inboxes ladies. Yay you!

Comments

[Ursula]

I started a 365 project this year, taking a picture every day. That commitment to myself keeps me inspired! Last week I had one really busy day and forgot about taking a picture. It was late at night and I ended up walking around my house taking pictures of the smallest most mundane things I see every day. The pictures turned out great and I had a ton of fun taking them. There is inspiration in noticing the beauty in what's around me every day.

~ Ursula

[Brenda]

Congrats on the column! Reading sites like this and looking at other photographer's work helps keep me inspired. I find myself wondering how someone did something.

[Lynette]

What keeps my spark fired up is my desire to live in the present moment. It's amazing how present and alive I feel when I pick up my camera and walk around outside or inside. Whether I'm shooting a beach sunset or taking a photo of my latest baking project, I'm not thinking about anything else. I am only appreciating all the little details that make up my life. I'm so grateful for my camera.

[Meghan @ Life Refocused]

The weather changing and beckoning spring is re-igniting my spark. And Shutter Sisters always keeps me charged!

[anngeedee]

Usually when I need that spark to liven up my creativity, I get down low. I always find something from that angle that makes for interesting shots.

[kacky]

My Big Picture Classes are a huge spark to light my inspirational fire!

[elizabeth]

A good field trip does the trick for me, even if it's just walking around my neighborhood for 20 minutes if that's all I can fit in. I love heading to a little downtown somewhere or a farmers' market—that's my favorite way to energize. I always kid that my camera gets bored if it doesn't get to go on a field trip once in a while... it has a personality too, right? : )

[Janice]

My spark comes from life around me be it my dogs, students or family.

[Kathy Jo Camamcho]

Congratulations!!!
My spark comes from books and magainzes. Seeing all those amazing pictures makes me want to go and take amazing pictures.

[Chantal]

My spark can mainly be found in every day life, all I come accross during the day is worth capturing and then with processing I see what project can come out of it. It keeps the spark alive.

[Eileen]

Taking my daughter for a walk through our neighborhood usually opens my eyes up to some new ideas. Learning new "tricks' with my camera or getting a new accessory always helps too!

[Stacy]

Photo blogs! They are the best way I have found to give me ideas and keep me excited about photography on a regular basis. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

[tara]

I love looking at the Shutter Sisters and linking to others work and blogs. I also get inspired with trips to the bookstore and new locations. if all else fails, I am challenged by new techniques or self portraits.

[Kristin]

Themed photo shoots with friends are my spark! Having a fun idea to share using my friends to help create what I'm seeing in my mind rejuvinates my love to photograph.
Additionally, blogging is helping to keep me taking "interesting" photos on the regular, adding to my spark.
Of course, the extra daylight and promise of warm spring days have really got me itching to adventure outside and photograph anyone and anything in my path!

[Jill]

Nine times out of ten it is about the light. IAnd it usually happens at the most inopportune times...I can be driving home from work and see the sunset illuminating the flag flying in front of an office building and literally be moved to pull over and take a picture right then and there. Some of my best shots are taken when I just happen upon a beautiful light situation...That truly is what sparks my fire.

[annie]

The long winter here in NH has made it a bit difficult, but I try to find color and beauty everywhere, even if it's just a favorite coffee mug, a vase of Dutch tulips I've brought home or the way the sun is hitting the walls of my studio and making them glow.

[beth]

I find just leaving town helps to change my perspective. I'd gotten a bit tired of all the snow here and the gray coloring that has permeated everything. I had a workshop about a half hour from home and decided to take my camera. I was amazed at all of the little details that I simply had to photograph. I couldn't stop clicking. Spring is coming though, I can feel it in the air.

[Raquel]

Mine come from other blogs/forums or being able to just sit and watch the light on a subject.

[Shawna]

Congratulations! My children and my mother's garden provide my spark most often!

[hillarah]

congrats on the new column!
my spark stays stoked most of the time, tuning in to the little changes over days and seasons. the changes spark me. or taking my camera to a new location, or out in a new time of day.
then sometimes i go in phases, trying a new technique for awhile. right now, i'm crazy for textures and am having fun learning how to apply them!
http://www.eyechai.com/blog/2011/2/25/photoflow-texturemania.html

[Tonette Bork]

Things that help me to keep the photography spark burning is the Shutter Sisters blog, the Shutter Sisters FLICKR group pools, the Shutterfly Friends group pool, checking out Shutterfly sharesites, Shutterfly's photobook gallery, joining fun FLICKR groups that give prompts and ideas, Pioneer Womans blog, contests, magazines, books, & checking out inspirational blogs! I also have been exploring my own area the past 2 years and trying to look at it like a tourist would. It gives you a new perspective and opens your eyes to the beauty you didn't see before! I also get inspired by quotes or music lyrics.

Congratulations on your new column called Point of Focus in the Digital Photo Magazine! :)

[Michelle P]

Like many, I don't always have the luxury of venturing some place new or exotic to experiment with photography. So I have to get real creative with angles and lighting in my own back yard.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50099518@N05/5513855230/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50099518@N05/5534106458/

I also use my son's toys for practice & creativity.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/50099518@N05/4602681477/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50099518@N05/5492691867/

Also, I always have my point and shoot with me just in case a moment reveals itself that is just too good to pass up.

Congratulations on the DP Mag gig!

Michelle

[Lara]

My kids. They always know where I should be pointing my camera, and it helps me get in their heads too.

[Donna]

My friend's children always make me smile and reach for my camera. A change of scenery, too, helps to mix things up... travel being the ultimate in getting the spark going, whenever fortunate enough!

[Beth]

My 365 project keeps my spark going. I'm pretty stubborn so I know I cannot "fail" at this! :)

[Linda]

I keep the spark alive by trying to capture little things about my grand daughters as they change and grow and little things that I find in my little part of the world. I also participate in Tracey's Picture classes. There are so many good pictures in the galleries and they give me inspiration to continue taking pictures.

[Shanyn Nicole]

I keep myself inspired by looking at everything I see as a photo, even when I don't have my camera on me. I live in the city, so I walk everywhere. When I'm not commuting to work, my camera Is around my neck. I snap everything that I find remotely interesting, and end up talking several detours on the way, but then rush home to see what I've got. I get most excited by those happy accidents I get of random people on the street. Shooting on the fly definitely keeps my creative juices flowing. Also reading books on photography, particularly the Shutter Sisters book. I flip through the pages planning on how to execute certain subjects and use new techniques.

[Jenny Byrd]

I call it my spring personal clean up. get rid of the old and in with the new. Thanks for the inspiration and congrats on the column!

[Tonette Bork]

WOW!!!! I am thrilled I won! WOW!!! I am so excited I haven't checked my emails lately because of computer problems and we have been really busy with an upcoming move to Indianna that is 500 miles away from our hometown in West Seneca, NY. My husband had to relocate to Indianna 8.5 months ago and its been extremely difficult on our family. Thanks so much this really brightened my day since its another holiday our family has been split 500 miles apart. I just sent you my new address.
Happy Easter! Have a great week! :)
Thanks,
Toni Bork

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