archived posts
Saturday, October 4, 2008 by Andrea Scher 
Nothing like a good smooch to make a great photo! No one's eyes have to be open, they don't have to know what to do with their hands or whether to smile or not. Not to mention the irresistible love that shines through.
This week's challenge is capture a kiss... it can be romantic or not, a puppy kiss or a baby kiss. Get creative and pucker up!
Saturday, September 20, 2008 by Andrea Scher 
Teaching last week at Squam Art Workshops, I was reminded of one of the easiest and best ways to loosen someone up while photographing them: wigs! or hats! or any other prop that gets people feeling playful, sassy and out of their shell.
I was amazed to see the transformation from one exercise to the next in my class. Students who were previously awkward and afraid to have their photo taken were suddenly throwing out the America's Next Top Model poses. It was so much fun to see! (the above hottie is my friend Jonatha Brooke)
This week's challenge is about using your props. Maybe it is a boa, a cowboy hat, a wig or a big twirly skirt. Whatever it is, notice how your subject comes alive...
Saturday, September 6, 2008 by Andrea Scher 
This was one of my favorite photos from the Shutter Sisters walk during Blogher. (This photo is by Damaris) We had walked for over an hour through Chinatown, meticulously shooting paper lanterns, colorful umbrellas all in a row, a bride and groom rushing down Stockton Street...But in the end, this is the shot I love best.
We're at the end of our walk. We finally found the chickens hanging in the window that one of the food bloggers wanted to capture, and we all decided to devour some potstickers. This photo is of course a full documentation of said potstickers.
In my constant search for beauty, in my quest to be artistic, I often forget to capture the silly, the messy, the moment.This week's challenge is to do just that. Up with siily! Up with the snapshot! Let go of technique and show us something that just makes you grin.
Friday, August 15, 2008 by Andrea Scher 
Sometimes you don't need to see their faces to take an evocative portrait. This photo is from a wedding I shot recently. The grooms are there, standing strong on the top of a bluff.... I love seeing the wind flap their jackets around and how they seem to match each other crease for crease. Somehow you can see the love passing between them in the simple embrace of their hands.
This is the superhero photo challenge this week. Let's see what portraits can communicate without faces. Here are a few shots for inspiration.
Saturday, August 2, 2008 by Andrea Scher 
If you haven't already discovered them, I can't recommend the Photojojo newsletter enough! It offers up tips, photo ideas and resources in a fun, unintimidating way. Their article on sharpening images totally changed my life. They did a piece recently on vacation photos with a twist, that included one of my personal faves: pics of your feet!
As I searched around for images to inspire you, I learned a thing or two about good feet photos!
1. Feet up against the sky is my all time favorite method. You can grab or friend or go solo.
2. Cool backgrounds for your feet always help.
3. Feet on the counter totally works too (who would've thunk?)
4. Putting your feet at the bottom of the frame, or leaving a lot of space has a cool effect.
5. Simple is always beautiful.
I look forward to hearing what you discover and what creative ways you take this challenge on. Up with feet! or down with feet! Your choice.
