Friday's focus and a flip

Focusing is something that most of us take for granted. Our vision is vital to our daily lives and yet we rarely think about it. Until that is, it becomes compromised. I can't believe I'm even going to say this but, getting older can do that do a gal. My eyes are not what they used to be.

20 years ago when I first began my love affair with photography I used an all manual camera which of course included manual focusing. And I got really quick with that thing and I loved it, never thinking twice about the manual part and about how much I depended on not only my knowledge of the camera, of light, of my settings but of my sharp (manual) focus. Fast forward to now and I know there is no way I could get away with a manual focus. No way.

I got thinking about my eyes (and how much I need an eye exam) when I caught wind of this video contest You Gotta See This. The simple premise behind it is life is better with clearer vision. Amen.

So...if you're inspired by the importance of our focus and how we see the world (my guess is being photographers, most of you are) read all the details to the contest on the press release media sheet and if you're so inclined to enter for a chance to win $5000, go for it! And if you do enter, be sure to tag your entry with Shutter Sisters*. Why?? Because we're giving away a Flip Ultra HD video camera to someone from our community who enters the contest! Yes! Our own personal giveaway right here! Those Flips are the bees knees, let me tell ya!

We're giving you plenty of time to enter (over a month!) but the sooner you enter, the less likely you'll forget. Need I remind you that vision isn't the only thing that goes with age?

And since we're on the subject I'd love to hear your thoughts on your vision, perspective, focus and what it means to you. My guess is...everything.

* Enter theYou Gotta See This video contest between now and Nov 20, 2009 and tag your entry like this YOUR NAME_SHUTTER SISTERS for your chance to win an HD Flip from us at Shutter Sisters and your chance to win $5000 from Ilasik. The winner of our Flip will be announced before Thanksgiving.

home sweet home

Just like the butterfly of Charlane G's lovely haiku and diptych, summer has quickly disappeared. But what joy it's been, while it lasted, as we've gotten so many glimpses into your home with the August One Word Project sponsored by Aaron Brothers and the Show Us Your America Contest. The images were intimate and heartfelt, sweet and stirring. Thank you all for yet another stellar month of images!

We will be announcing our new word for September tomorrow so come on back then. We are going to have some kind of fun! I promise.

In the meantime, pop over the contest site for Show Us Your America and submit something. The contest deadline isn't until Sept 15 so you still have time to enter. If you've already entered, let us know so we can vote for you! I for one would love a shopping spree at Aaron Brothers. I seriously love that store! And speaking of contests and creativity, there is a kid's art contesthappening over there too. We know a lot of you know some pretty talented little shutterbugs!

Thanks again everyone for all the shots of home you shared with us this past month. If you'd like to share your favorite with us today, you can leave a link in the comments. There's no place like home.

Home is Where the Heart is

There's no place like home. - Dorothy

Home is where we hang our hats. It’s where we gather around the dinner with family and friends. Home is a warm cozy blanket in the winter and the breeze blowing through and open window in the summer. It’s is sun-ripened fruit in the fruit bowl and hot soup in the kettle. Home is popcorn and ice cream sundaes. Home is children, pets, and partners. Home is a good book and a vase of fresh flowers. And on a great day, home is nice natural light flooding in for the perfect portraits of the people we love and place we love to be.

Home is where we feel as ease; where we let down our guards, where we love without reservation, and hope without limits. Home is where we choose to live and perhaps even more, home is where we come from, where we’re rooted, where we grow.

Us Shutter Sisters as well as the fine folks of Aaron Brothers are eager to see your interpretations of this month’s One Word Project’s theme home. They are holding a photography and art contest that begs the question Show Us Your America which for many of us is home so it just seemed like a perfect fit. Although the contest is specifically about Your America*, we hope the word home will open your hearts and minds to infinite possibilities. The theme is up for interpretation. Enlighten us.

They say home is where the heart is. And I know it’s where my heart is. I’m sure the same goes for many of you too. It’s reflected in the many sincere and sacred images you have been willing to share with us in our Flickr Pool. Offering us a glimpse into your life says a lot about this community and I for one feel at home here, with all of you.

We’re looking so forward to celebrating August with a word as rich and meaningful as home. I can only imagine what kind of delights will await us over in the One Word Project Flickr Pool. And like months past, we have a special place here to feature some of the photos that are shared so be sure to visit to OWP blog daily to see some of them showcased.

*For US sisters, please read the rule of eligibility carefully to be sure you’re in one of the eligible states for the contest. For those of you international sisters, don’t fret, join us in the OWP and show us your home in our Flickr pool too, no matter the continent or the miles between us, home is home and we want you to share it.

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A special thanks to Aaron Bros and the Show Us Your America contest for sponsoring this months OWP. For more about what fantastic products and services Aaron Brothers’ stores provide, check out their website or better yet, pop into one of their many stores. You will LOVE it, I promise.

And for Show Us Your America Photography and Art Contest information, go visit the website and pick a shot from your arsenal that creatively shows them your America...your home.

karen

Behind the lens, I noticed how much her son looked like mine. I couldn't help but wonder what it felt like to hug your child while you have cancer. I thought about my own son's eyes, his neck, how it gracefully slopes up to his little ears. I didn't want her to know I felt like crying. Because I didn't want her to feel like I thought cancer defined her. More accurately, she would be defined as strong and warm, with a certain kindness that develops only when you realize how much it matters. At the end of the shoot she hugged me. And I felt grateful, like my work had a purpose. I also felt like I would give anything for her to get better.  

If you'd like to help, Karen Hansel is fighting Stage 4 breast cancer, which has spread throughout her body and bones, most recently discovered in her liver and one lung. She's a single mother to Dominick, age 12. And we're reaching out to help offset the cost of her cancer treatments. Please consider purchasing a raffle ticket for $20 and/or sending a donation of unwanted, broken or mismatched gold. If you email me at admin@relishportraitstudio.com, I will get you in touch with the correct people. 

Raffle prizes: 

Grand Prize: 5 Day Caribbean Cruise for 2, Carnival Fun Ship, Windowed Cabin, Departs Galveston TX, Aug 17-22, 2009, Ports of Call Progresso & Cozumel, Mexico

First Prize: Jonas Brothers Concert - 2 tickets courtesy of Cardell Cabinetry - August 13, 2009, At& T Center, San Antonio

Second Prize: $200 Gift Card to Hyatt Hotels, 2 Sea World passes, $50 Gift Card from Rudy's BBQ

Third Prize: $200 Gift Card to Neiman Marcus

Thank you, thank you, thank you! xo

Update on Thursday, July 16, 2009 by Maile Wilson

I can't believe the response we've gotten already, you guys are amazing! I just wanted to post a follow up with more detailed info for anyone else who wants to help.

PURCHASE A RAFFLE TICKET by sending a check to 59 Inwood Heights Dr. N, San Antonio, TX 78248. Please make checks payable to "Karen Hansel Benefit Fund". Be sure to include your name, address, phone #, so they can contact you if you won. 

MAKE A DIRECT DONATION at any Frost Bank by asking for the "Karen Hansel Benefit Fund". Please include your name, so we know who to thank!

You can also find info on Facebook at "A Chance for Chance", or contact Tracy Kubinski at tracykubinski@sbcglobal.net. 

A million thank yous to everyone! xxoo

Put Yourself Out There

When it comes to prestige and esteem in the world of photography I’m pretty sure that National Geographic is on the top of that list. To have images featured in a publication like that would be such an honor, it’s almost unfathomable. When I read about The Ultimate Photo Contest that they are hosting, along with Energizer and saw what the Grand Prize was, I was weak in the knees. A trip to the Galapagos Islands (for 2) with a National Geographic guide while the winning photo is featured in the magazine. Swooning on both accounts.

We all know what can happen when we put ourselves out there by sharing our passion and taking a chance on winning the jackpot. If anyone knows that trying can actually result in winning, it’s all of us here.

We often add contest links in our side notes here at Shutter Sisters to inform you of the photo contests we catch wind of. Like the Photography Book Now or the Images of the Year competitions. Consider our listings as gentle nudges to put yourself and your work out there! Many of you have enlightened us in our Flickr Pool discussionas well about contests, etc. Thank you for that. If there is ever anything that’s happening in the photo community that you want to bring to our attention you can email us too. We’re all ears.

And since I’ve still got National Geographic stars in my eyes I am thrilled to tell you that in light of The Ultimate Photo Contest they are giving away an adorable and cool USB Port Photo Print Scanner a subscription to National Geographic magazine and some Energizer Lithium Batteries to one lucky reader!

And don’t miss what the judge of the contest Jim Richards has to share. He’s got tips on photography and is even answering questions from the community. Something tells me, he knows what he’s talking about!

Leave your comment here for a chance to win today's cool prize package (you have until midnight on Monday to do so) and if you want to share a contest or something else that’s going on, we’d love to hear about it!