-- Bonnie

Bonnie Caton
AWAI Travel Division

P.S. If you like taking photos, why not sell them for a nice side-income? Tomorrow, I’ll tell you about a magazine that’s looking for photos of South America, France, and Italy.

In the meantime, you can find more places to sell your photos (and articles) by checking out the trio of resources included in the Freelancer’s Business Essentials Bundle – on sale now for over 20% off.

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November 18, 2009
The Right Way to Travel, Weekly Photo Tip
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Snow Photo Tips

By Shelly Perry in Portland, OR

The holiday season is officially upon us. Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and, before we know it, Christmas will be here, too.

With snowy winter weather approaching, I thought it would be a good time to send out snow photo tips reminding you of how to expose your photos properly in the snow.

The first thing to keep in mind when you’re using your camera’s automatic mode is that your camera tries to properly expose the shot by finding a happy medium -- otherwise known as middle gray.

Generally, a camera achieves that happy medium well -- resulting in fairly decent exposures. However, add bright, white, glistening snow to the scene and the camera tries to compensate by darkening the scene down. So what do you get? Gray snow.

Let’s take a look at this photo from this month’s Photo Challenge:

The camera saw all that bright snow and tried to compensate -- making the entire scene middle gray.

Here’s what you can do about it:

**1) USE AN AUTOMATIC FUNCTION: The quickest fix is to set your camera dial to the setting that looks like little snow flurries. Some cameras have it, while others don’t. This is the easiest way (without a lot of guesswork on your part) to make sure your camera properly exposes the bright scene on its own.

**2) MANUALLY CHANGE EXPOSURE: If your camera doesn’t have the snow flurry icon, or you want more control over your exposure, you can do it yourself using the exposure compensation dial. This works with most large cameras and some point-and-shoots.

Start by putting your camera into Program mode (usually a P on a dial). Then, use the button that looks like a square with a “+/-” in it to adjust up one or two “stops,” or levels of exposure, usually indicated by a +1 or +2.

The trick is that you want the snow to be white, but not so bright that you lose the subtle details and contours in it. Refer to your histogram and blinking highlights (check your manual if you’re not sure where they are) to see exactly how much of the image is solid white and what detail remains.

Keep these snow photo tips in mind when you bundle up to enjoy your next adventure in the great winter wonderland, so you can take your exposure from this:

 

To this:

 

November’s Photo Challenge theme is: What Are You Thankful For? Submissions are due by 8:00 a.m. EST on Monday, November 30. Submit your ONE best photo, and compete for the monthly prize.

[ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shelly Perry from Portland, Oregon, specializes in people photography. Her photos are spotted all over the globe -- on music CD covers, books, magazines, catalogues, web sites, ad campaigns, billboards, and even on TV. Her work has also appeared in several local exhibits and gallery shows.

These days, Shelly makes most of her income selling her photos as stock... and she’s having her best year for stock sales EVER. Find out how she and other industry giants do it... and how you can follow in their footsteps... with the Ultimate Stock Photo Workshop-At-Home package.

Further Resources:

Snow Photo Tips: More on taking better photos in the snow from Snapfish

Snow Photo Tips: More tricks for better winter and snow photos from HP

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(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://www.awaionline.com/contact

Sell Your Photos to Magazines: Get on Editors' Go-To Lists with These Five Steps

By Efrain Padro in Santa Fe, New Mexico

One of the most challenging tasks stock photographers face when trying to place their work in magazines is deciding which images to submit. If you submit, say, beautiful images from Mongolia to a magazine, it’s unlikely that the editor just happens to be looking for those very images.

On the other hand, when an editor contacts you directly and asks for certain images -- and if you have those images to provide -- you have a good chance of making a sale. Many magazine editors do, in fact, have a mailing list -- a “go-to” list -- of trusted photographers who supply most of their stock images. Here are five steps to get your name on editors' go-to lists.

** 1. Shoot the Eiffel Tower.
Make a list of iconic landscapes, buildings and events in your area -- the “Eiffel Towers” of your town -- and photograph those first. Although I encourage you to eventually capture subjects that go beyond the obvious, focus on the icons just to get started. However, since most photographers are probably doing the same thing, photograph the icons under unique conditions such as exceptional light (early or late in the day), at twilight, using blur to denote motion, after a rain when everything is wet and lush, as a reflection off a mirror, window, or puddle, and so on. In other words, photograph the obvious in not such an obvious way.

** 2. Select the Right Magazines.
Not all magazines are created equal, and all of them have a distinctive editorial flavor. For example, some travel magazines use only traditional imagery with perfectly exposed pictures and nary a slanted horizon, while others are more edgy and not afraid of overexposed highlights and dynamic (read “not straight”) photos. Review as many travel magazines as you can and determine which ones publish images in your particular flavor. Then add those magazines to your mailing list of potential clients.

** 3. Select the Right Person.
Every magazine has a person in charge of selecting and licensing stock images, and it is important to add this person to your mailing list. Typically this person’s title will be Art Director, Photo Editor, Photography Editor, and the like. Look at the magazine’s masthead to obtain this information. Some magazines are small and don’t have dedicated art or photography editors. In these cases I add the Editor to my mailing list.

** 4. Using the Mailing List.
Once you have a nice collection of iconic images and a working mailing list with magazines’ names and contact information, it’s time to put the mailing list to work (and you should begin using your list with as a few as a handful of entries, but keep adding to the list as needed). Write a one-page cover letter to each magazine offering your services as a stock photographer, and specifically asking to be placed in their mailing list. Include a set of your best images (up to 20 should be more than enough, but quality is more important than quantity) for their visual reference, and invite them to contact you or visit your website to view more images. Make sure the pictures are printed, since they are easier to look at than they are on a disc, where the editor will have to make an effort to view them. I typically prepare a letter-sized sheet with nine images that are representative of my work.

** 5. Follow-Up.
After my initial mailing, I follow-up with a promotional card featuring only one image, and in the cover letter I include a list of my most recent subjects. I usually send three to four mailings per year to those on my mailing list. This process takes a while, so be patient and persistent. It might take months or more for an editor to respond to your requests. Using this approach, I have not only made sales of stock, but also landed assignments. With any luck, you might even get an image request for those beautiful images from Mongolia.

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(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://awaionline.com/contact/

Whenever we talk about how to sell stock photos around here, we tend to mention iStock or other online agencies. (Here are three stock photo agencies where you can submit your photos for sale: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/3microstocks/)

What we don’t talk about is how to sell stock photos directly to magazines and publications -- without the help of an agency.

That’s the way professional photographer Efrain Padro does it. Efrain was with us last month at the Ultimate Stock Photo Workshop in Santa Fe. He’s a stock photographer... but not in the sense that we usually talk about.

Instead of sending his photos to an agency like iStock, where designers can search for the images they want, he gets magazines to send him their “want” lists. And then he gives them what they’re looking for (in exchange for a nice check, of course).

He’ll tell you more about how to get editors to send you their photo needs tomorrow.

Until then, I can’t help giving you one little spoiler...

What’s Efrain’s first secret to selling more travel photos? It’s the same thing our travel writing pros will tell you about selling more travel articles: Start locally.

See, Frommer’s paid Efrain to travel all over Puerto Rico on assignment, taking photos for their guides. But you don’t usually land a gig like that straight out of the gate. To get there, Efrain built up his portfolio with images of his town and state... then used those to pique the interest of editors in regional magazines... much like the one in the Featured Publication I sent you yesterday (here: http://tinyurl.com/yeu2nxe).

So, selling your travel photos doesn’t have to be complicated. And you don’t have to travel to get started.

Again, more details in tomorrow’s e-letter... including which hometown photos are the most saleable.

-- Bonnie

Bonnie Caton
AWAI Travel Division

P.S. One more thing... you don’t have to wait to get started, either. If you want to sell stock photos, get outside and start snapping shots of your hometown -- today. Throw your camera in the car. Take it with you on errands.... football games... family gatherings... wherever you go. You never know when you’ll see an opportunity. For more on how to sell all the photos you’ll take, listen in on the workshop recordings from the Ultimate Stock Photography Workshop, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/str/website.

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NOVEMBER’S PHOTO CHALLENGE THEME is: “What Are You Thankful For?” Find out more about the theme, how to enter, and what you can win, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/contest/

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(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://awaionline.com/contact/

Two Paying Magazines in the Great Northwest

By Janette Jones in Cambridge, MD

Northwest Regional Magazines is looking for new and established writers and photographers for its two bimonthly, full-color, family-oriented magazines, Northwest Travel and Oregon Coast.

Photographers take note: they’re also in need of photos for their two calendars and several travel guides.

Before submitting to either magazine, you can get a feel for the look and content by clicking on the magazine image on the main site (http://www.northwestmagazines.com). You can’t read entire issues online, but you can browse through the titles and read a few “web exclusives.” Or you can request a sample printed copy for $5.

Northwest Travel magazine covers Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. Readers will find articles with titles like “Crawfish Camping -- Catch your own crustaceans while camping” and “Steigerwald: A Migratory Crossroads -- History, hiking, and exceptional birding are all a part of this wildlife refuge.”

The editor gives a list of suggested topics for general interest travel as well as adventure travel in the General Guidelines for Writers and Photographers, here: http://www.northwestmagazines.com/guidlin.php

Don’t forget to consult the guidelines for explicit submission details for both articles and photos.

For story submissions:

All queries must be submitted in writing by mail (Northwest Regional Magazines, 4969 Highway 101 N, Suite 2, Florence, OR 97439) or e-mail (Rosemary Camozzi, editor, Rosemary@nwmags.com).

Keep your query brief. Include an outline of your story idea and exact details about locations. Don’t submit more than three story ideas per query letter. Include writing samples or links to your previously published clips.

Payment is based on the quality and length of your finished story. For example, a regular feature (up to three pages, with supporting photos/art, running 600 to 1,250 words long), pays $100 to $250. A special feature (more than three pages, with supporting photos/art, extensive research, and running 1,250 to 2,500 words long), pays $250 to $450. Stories published in the Worth A Stop Department (which are brief, colorful, informative, and generally 250 to 500 words long), pay $50 to $100.

For photo submissions:

Northwest Regional Magazines doesn’t send out want lists but will review your relevant work. Send a maximum of 40 sample images (preferably on a CD, although emailing them is acceptable). The editors are looking for scenic photos for their calendars, and scenic and human interest photos for their magazines and guides.

Photographs must be current and shot within the last five years. The annual deadline for calendars is May 15, so you’ve got time to plan for 2011.

Photo payment is for one-time rights, with the understanding that no photos will be published in any similar magazine within two months. For the magazines, cover photos pay $425; full, inside page stand-alone photos pay $100, photos smaller than a full page pay $25 to $55. For calendars, cover and inside pages pay $100. For guides, cover and inside pages pay $100 to $200, depending on circulation.

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(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://www.awaionline.com/contact/

What Are You Thankful For?

By Shelly Perry in Portland, OR

Sure, we joke about getting out the elastic waistband, unbuckling our belts and gorging ourselves on turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and pie.

But filling our bellies on Thanksgiving also helps us remember to be thankful for the things we have. Like plenty of good food to keep us alive. A roof over our heads. And family and friends to brighten our spirits.

This month, we’re turning the Photo Challenge into a virtual Thanksgiving table. You’re invited to join us... and share a photo of what you’re most thankful for this year.

Maybe it’s a new addition to the family:

Or your favorite place to rest at night:

Or your trusty car mechanic:

If you don’t want to share the thing you’re most thankful for, you could also bring a Thanksgiving dish to the table...

Like a slice of Pumpkin Pie:

 
Or even a full, golden turkey -- before it disappears:

 
Whatever photo you bring to the table this month, remember to make sure that it’s properly exposed, well-composed, and fits the theme.

And we can only accept ONE photo per person, per month.

This month’s first-place winner will get a $30 gift certificate to the AWAI E-Bookstore, and the first- second- and third-place winners will all be entered into the Hall of Fame, to compete for next year’s $2,000 Grand Prize.

Submissions for November’s Photo Challenge are due by 8:00 a.m. EST on Monday, November 30.  You can sign in and submit your photo here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/contest/ .
 
Details about contest guidelines are here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/photo_contest/guidelines

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Shelly Perry from Portland, Oregon specializes in people photography, what she calls documentary or lifestyle portraits.  She is known especially for her imaging of children. Her concern for people is reflected both in her sense of purpose and the images she produces.  Her images have been seen all over the globe on music CD covers, books, magazines, catalogues, websites, ad campaigns, and even on TV. Her work has also appeared in several local exhibits and gallery shows.

Shelly was with us last month at the Ultimate Stock Photo Workshop in Santa Fe, NM, where she and four other pro photographers revealed how to take and sell everyday images -- of family, friends, or your hometown -- as stock photos. If you missed the workshop, you can hear the recordings and flip through all of the PowerPoint presentations, hand-outs, bonus materials and more, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/str/website ]

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(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://www.awaionline.com/contact/

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You'll find a sample model release here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/downloads/santafeppt/general_model_release.pdf

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(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://www.awaionline.com/contact

Dear Reader,

Christmas gets earlier every year. Stores are already pulling out the red and green displays, the Santa Hats, the lights and... yes... playing Christmas music on loop.

A month ago it was still summery outside. Personally, I’m not yet ready to think about eggnog.

However, Halloween and Thanksgiving aren’t so far away. And right now -- during the calm before the holiday storm -- is the perfect time to start planning for holiday photos.

So for the next three days, I’ll send you a new Halloween, Thanksgiving, or general holiday photo tip, plucked from our popular Holiday Photo Guide.

Here’s today’s...

3 Quick Tips for Better Halloween Shots

Maybe you plan to sell your photos. Or perhaps you’d like to frame them and keep them in the family. Either way, here are three things to keep in mind before you start snapping shots of your little ghouls and goblins this Halloween:

** 1. Move in close.
Use your camera’s zoom or a telephoto lens to give your subject some breathing room, but make the child the dominant feature in the photo, filling 50% to 70% of the frame.

** 2. Catch them in action.
Let’s face it: kids are all about action. Sure, there’s something endearing about a snaggle-toothed youngster grinning from underneath her princess crown. But you tell an entirely different story when you photograph your princess racing across the room with the werewolf from next door.

** 3. Play with your angles.
Don’t always take eye-level photos. Think “bird’s eye view” and “worm’s eye view.” Lay on the ground if you have to... or use a ladder, but push yourself beyond the normal “snapshot” mentality.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s tip, with three ways to take better family and turkey photos amid the cooking, eating, and general merriment this Thanksgiving.

-- Bonnie

Bonnie Caton
Editorial Manager, AWAI Travel Division

P.S. As I mentioned above, this Halloween tip came from our Holiday Photo Guide, where you’ll find 82 tips for taking better photos at Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, indoors, in the snow, of holiday lights, fireworks... even how to take photos to make your own holiday cards, and much more. Plus, it includes a reference guide on exposure, photo planning checklists, and flash photography do’s and don’ts.

You can snag a copy, free, right now -- along with a whopping $700 discount -- when you reserve your seat at the Ultimate Money-Making Photography Workshop in Nashville before midnight on Saturday, October 31, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/phw/Nashville.  

And be sure to check out all the photography and travel writing resources on sale now during our Website Sale on our catalog page, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/get_started. You’ll save 20% off PLUS receive FREE shipping on everything listed.  

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(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://www.awaionline.com/contact

To LEARN MORE, visit:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com
http://www.thephotographerslife.com

2009 Photo Challenge $2,000 Grand Prize Winner

By Shelly Perry in Portland, OR

As I said a few weeks ago, I’m glad the final decision for the Photo Challenge $2,000 Grand Prize winner does not come down to me. There are too many photos in the Hall of Fame that are potential winners, and all of the photographers who made it in should be proud. So it all came down to you, the readers, who cast your votes...

This year’s winner is indeed a beauty... enter drum roll here...

CONGRATULATIONS go to Miley for the fantastic shot: “Johnstown Castle.”

I can only imagine what each person was thinking when they voted for “Johnstown Castle.” Was it the near perfect composition, the stunning colors, the beautiful lighting, or simply that the photo evokes a longing to be there in that nostalgic fantasy place?

I know this shot does that for me -- it makes me want to go there. This is the essence of an emotional response -- one key factor every image needs to be a winner.

Fantastic job Miley.

And in second place...

“The Captain,” contributed by Paul Hippauf

And coming in for a close third...

“Automotive Winter,” contributed by Emilrock

The Grand Prize winner will receive a check for $2,000. Our second-place winner will get a complimentary copy of our most popular stock photography guides, The Quick and Dirty guide to Stock Photography and The Lazy Man’s Guide to Stock Photography, along with a $50 gift certificate to AWAI’s online bookstore. And our third-place winner gets a $40 gift certificate to AWAI’s online bookstore.

Congratulations to all of our winners, and many thanks to everyone who participated and voted in this year’s Challenge.

Starting next week, you too can ENTER TO WIN in 2010!  Stay tuned for November’s Photo Challenge Theme next week.

[ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shelly Perry from Portland, Oregon, specializes in people photography, what she calls documentary or lifestyle portraits. She is known especially for her imaging of children. Shelly’s concern for people is reflected both in her sense of purpose and the images she produces.  Her images have been seen all over the globe on music CD covers, books, magazines, catalogues, web sites, ad campaigns and even on TV. Her work has also appeared in several local exhibits and gallery shows.]

[Ed. Note: Join Shelly and other savvy, experienced photographers in Nashville, April 16-18, for our ONLY Ultimate Money-Making Photography Workshop in 2010. Over three power-packed days you’ll learn all of the insider tips and tricks for turning an interest in photography into a fun, easy way to make an income... fast.

Reserve your seat today and you’ll get a full $700 off, plus a FREE Holiday Photo Guide. But hurry, this offer only lasts through midnight, October 31. Find all of the details here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/phw/nashville]

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(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://www.awaionline.com/contact/

To LEARN MORE, visit:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com
http://www.thephotographerslife.com

PROBLEM #2: It was really sunny (no conveniently overcast sky)... and so the buildings cast very harsh shadows.

** Solution: Practice thoughtful shooting. Slow down to look at your image. And take the time to set your camera right. When you move to a new spot -- check again. The light changes. You may need to change your settings, too.

** Lesson: As we photographed the things around us, Lise kept reminding us to stop and look at our images. Check the histogram. Check the blinking highlights. Ask yourself: Is this properly exposed? Slow down and make sure your images are coming out right. You don’t want to shoot all day only to find out later that everything is overexposed.

Take a look at the two photos here. The first is over-exposed. The right side of the model’s face is blown out. If this photographer hadn’t stopped to check the images, she could have ended up with a day’s worth of unusable shots. But with a little tweaking, the exposure improves. The second image here is beautifully lit.

Before I move on to Problem # 3, I should explain who the girl here is. About half an hour into our shoot, we took Problem # 1 (the lack of female models) into our own hands. The Travel Division Staff (Jackie, Alice, and I – that’s Alice in the shot) strapped on chaps, donned cowboy hats, and stepped in as models -- even though “Lady Stetson” isn’t exactly in our job titles...

PROBLEM #3: Our group was now shooting lots of people in that bright sun I mentioned. And while natural light can prove wonderful for portraits, it can be tricky to manipulate. You get raccoon shadows under the eyes if you’re not careful or the tip of a nose in bright sun and the rest too dark.

** Solution: Use the natural light wisely -- which means diffuse it and bounce it.

** Lesson: Pay attention to where you’ve placed your model and really watch the light on his or her face. One of the most important things we learned is to put your subject in the shade and use a reflector to light his or her face, as you see us doing here below. (More on that tomorrow.)

You can’t always expect to have the perfect photographic situation. Sometimes things just don’t go as you expect. Models don’t show up. The weather turns bad (or sometimes it’s too sunny). But as our pro instructors reminded us in Santa Fe, you’ll do a lot better as a photographer -- and certainly end up with more shots -- if you roll with what you’ve got.

-- Bonnie

Bonnie Caton
Staff Writer, AWAI Travel Division

P.S. Tomorrow, professional photographer Shelly Perry will share her techniques for taking portrait photos in natural light. Her tips can help you retain control over your images, no matter what the light is doing outside. Shelly -- and all our professional photographers on hand in Santa Fe -- shared hundreds of tips, secrets, and shortcuts with our attendees last weekend. But just because you weren’t there doesn’t mean you have to miss out. We recorded every word, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/str/website.

P.P.S. Having an expert by your side when you’re shooting is great -- our workshop attendees couldn’t get enough of it. But it’s pretty rare to have a resource like that at hand.

That’s why we developed our AWAI-exclusive Photo Tip Cards. It’s like having an expert in your back pocket. They’ll tell you what to do when you’re shooting in the studio, in the rain, or at night. Plus they include tips and advice for 21 more situations, too. Keep them in your camera bag wherever you go to ensure you get a great shot anywhere -- at the beach, at a soccer game, even under water. They’re on sale for 20% off right now, during our Website Sale. Grab a set today and save at this special sale link: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/tip/website

In fact, that’s not all you can save on during our Website Sale. See a full list of selected resources for up to 40% off, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/get_started

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 (c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://www.awaionline.com/contact

To LEARN MORE, visit:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com
http://www.thephotographerslife.com   

Wanted: Clean, Colorful Travel Photos That Create a Desire to Get Off the Couch and See the World

By Bonnie Caton in Portland, OR

The look of our website creates your first impression of us. So we want the photos up top to represent the excitement and fun that go with traveling and making a living doing something you love. Learning a new skill and using it to travel and make a living is an adventure. It’s life-changing. That’s what we want to capture.

We could always buy generic travel images on iStock and call it good. But what better way to represent who we are and what we do at The Photographer's Life than with amazing travel photos from our readers?

We could use five or six new images that we can rotate in and out of our banner. Here’s what we need:

** One good shot from this year’s Bonanza Creek Western-themed photo shoot in Santa Fe, to promote our workshop recordings...
** One photo that captures the look and feel of Cotacachi, Ecuador, to promote our upcoming Photo and Spanish Immersion Expedition there...
** A photo of Sydney or Melbourne, Australia, to promote our upcoming Photo Expedition...
** Three to four clean, colorful, magazine-quality travel images.

We will ONLY consider images that:

** Have model releases for any people in them.
** Have excellent composition -- meaning they’re free of clutter, have a straight horizon, possess one clear subject, and follow the Rule of Thirds where appropriate.
** Are properly exposed and in focus.
** Aren’t overly processed.
** Are at least 640 pixels wide by 370 pixels high, oriented horizontally (landscape) rather than vertically (portrait).

TIP: Copy space is a plus.

Take a look at our site to see where the main photo will go up top: http://www.thephotographerslife.com

Our favorite shots will get a $30 gift certificate to the AWAI E-Bookstore and a photo credit when published on our site. You keep all of the rights to your photo, so if you’d like to sell it as stock, you certainly can.

Only THREE photos per person will be considered. To submit, use the ITWPA photo submission form, here: http://tinyurl.com/tpmphotos. The deadline for submissions is next Monday, October 26.

[Ed. Note: If you have more than one photo that fits the above criteria, you might be able to sell your shots as stock and create a nice little side-income... or even a full-time living. Last weekend at the Ultimate Stock Photography Workshop, we heard from five professional photographers that earn a good living with their shots... and incredibly, NONE of them started out as professional photographers. In fact, they made the switch to photography after leaving their careers in retail, real-estate, law, social work, and design. If they can do it, so can you. Hear all of the inspiring stories and stock photo tips and strategies they shared in Santa Fe with the Ultimate Stock Photography Workshop-At-Home Package, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/str/website]

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(c) 2008 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://www.awaionline.com/contact/

To LEARN MORE, visit:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com
http://www.thephotographerslife.com

2009 Photo Challenge Hall of Fame Staff Picks

STAFF PICK #1: By Bonnie Caton

Having Fun - by heather.fuqua

“I love this one because it has excellent composition, lighting, and use of silhouettes to spice up a sunset. The soft pinks and oranges complement the theme well, and even though the people are just silhouettes, we can see that they're having fun and in love.”

STAFF PICK #2: By Alice Derry

Johnstown Castle - by Miley

“I love photos that allow me to use my imagination. The way the castle casts its reflection on the water, coupled with the different shades of blue and green makes me feel like I’m in a fairy tale.”

STAFF PICK #3: By Jackie Flynn

Catching a Ride - by hester56

“I like this photo because it exhibits one of the most essential basics in good photography: strong composition.”

STAFF PICK #4: By Jackie Gray

Bee Feeding - by profjjw

“I just love macro shots and the bright yellow colors in this photo really catch my eye.”

STAFF PICK #5: By Jen Stevens

Automotive Winter - by emilrock

“I like this photo for largely sentimental reasons – it reminds me of my brother-in-law’s farm. The image is so crisp, and the retro subject matter really appeals to me. I especially like the way the cars are peeking out from behind the bushes, as if to check if anybody else is around.”

[If you can take photos like these, you could probably make a nice side-income selling them to stock agencies. Find out how, with The Ultimate Stock Photography Workshop-At-Home package, on sale now for $150 off, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/str/website ]

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(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102 Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://www.awaionline.com/contact

To LEARN MORE, visit:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com
http://www.thephotographerslife.com

** 1. Copy Space. Designers need space on a photo to add their own text. So compose your shots with that in mind. Like this one:

** 2. Interaction. Shots that show individuals interacting with each other -– or with the viewer –- sell better than more static images. Here’s one that does both well:

** 3. Light. Arguably most critical is the quality of the light in your photos. Be sure your subject is lit well and avoid harsh shadows. (If you think you’ll be shooting people –- as we were today –- it’s worth investing in a light reflector. It was extraordinary to see how our models’ faces glowed when we bounced the sunlight onto them.) Like in this shot:

It really was an extraordinary day. I wish I could bring you right to the dusty, deserted streets –- lined with saloon, barber shop, bank, and more. But I can’t. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t still benefit from all the secrets our experts shared.

As I mentioned yesterday, we’ve been documenting this whole event with audio recordings, handouts, Power Point slides, and even one-on-one interviews with our experts.

And right now –- while our live event is underway –- we’ll save a copy of everything in your name, for a full $170 off the regular price. So instead of $349, you’ll pay just $179. But that offer is only good through Monday at midnight, here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/str/website .

More news tomorrow...

Jen

Jennifer Stevens
On-the-ground reporter for AWAI

P.S. You know, the folks who are here with us in Santa Fe paid up to $1,697 -– plus travel costs -– to be here in person. And while it’s true there’s no substitute for the one-on-one attention you get at an event like this, our Ultimate Stock Photo Workshop-At-Home Package really is the next best thing.

We’ve taken pains to record every classroom session and to catch up with our experts out “in the field” to ask them on video about the secrets that have most contributed to their success. Plus, as I mentioned, this package also comes with all the PowerPoint slides, handouts, and more. For details – and to save nearly 50% -- go here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/str/website






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The Right Way to Travel is a FREE newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Inc., available to AWAI members and friends.

(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://www.awaionline.com/contact

To LEARN MORE, visit:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com
http://www.thephotographerslife.com 

Photo Lessons from an iPhone   

By Shelly Perry in Portland, OR

I have never been one of those people who have to have a phone to their ear or strapped to their hip. In fact, I rather like being unfettered. But my iPhone is so much more than a phone... I fear it’s become my second brain. And one of the features I use a lot is the camera.

While the iPhone has some nice applications that can “process” an image, crop it, turn it into a cartoon or otherwise modify the photos it takes, it does not have any other camera controls.

Without all the bells and whistles of a full-size digital camera, you have no choice but to think about composition... because that’s all you have to work with.

But even with a complex SLR camera, you should still be thinking about composition first. Because proper exposure, focus, and other technical details can be learned and mastered. But without a strong composition, you’ll have a hard time selling your photo anywhere... whether as stock, editorial, or fine art.

Here are three tips for making sure you’ve always got composition on the brain, no matter how simple or sophisticated your camera is:  

** 1. Consider the entire frame. Every time you put the camera to your eye, look at the whole image from edge to edge -- top to bottom, and left to right. Make sure that what you see is what you want. Is there garbage in the way or some other distraction in the shot? If so, then change your angle or perspective until you see just what you want and only what you want. This takes some patience, but it more than pays off in the end.

** 2. Go beyond the Rule of Thirds (more on the Rule of Thirds here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/rule_of_thirds/) and think about the implied motion in the photo. Technically speaking, it’s best to place your subject on a Thirds Line, with the motion of the subject moving into the image -- toward the center or across.

Take these two shots, for example. In the first one, the subject is moving into the photo, while in the second one, she’s moving out of it. The first one is a much stronger composition:

Note: your subject doesn’t have to be moving for there to be implied motion. It can be the direction your subject’s face is pointing, where the eyes are looking, which direction she’s standing, etc. Also, when playing around with composition, feel free to try other approaches, as sometimes a person moving out of an image can add a tension or mystery to a photo.

** 3. Change perspective. Since I don’t hold my iPhone the way I would my big digital SLR camera, I find myself taking all kinds of strange angles and perspectives, coming up with photos I have never tried or thought about. The iPhone is small and light, with no focus to worry about, so it’s easy to try shooting from overhead, from foot level or around a corner -- the idea is to try a variety of angles and see what interesting things you can capture. Try this with your camera -- whether it’s a big SLR or a small point-and-shoot. Mixing up your angles, you may come up with image compositions you never would have expected.

Taking pictures with my iPhone is simply for the fun and joy of it -- I can’t sell the images as stock because the quality isn’t anywhere near good enough. But it allows me to try new and different things and grow in my craft. Plus, it’s been great practice in composition.

My point is: step away from the iPhone to a camera with bells and whistles and the most essential skill you have as a photographer is still... composition. Practice this one essential above all else if you want to make an income from your shots.

[Ed. Note: If you DO have a lot of settings on your camera, here’s another quick way to get past all of the bells and whistles and straight to composition: Pick up a set of Photo Tip Cards, and keep them in your camera bag at all times. Then you can play with composition all you like... the camera settings for proper exposure and artistic effect are spelled out right there on the card, so you don’t have to worry about that part. It takes all of the guesswork out of getting great shots. You just take care of the fun part -- the creativity. Grab a set here: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/tip/website ]

[ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Shelly Perry from Portland, Oregon, specializes in people photography. Her photos are spotted all over the globe -- on music CD covers, books, magazines, catalogues, websites, ad campaigns, billboards, and even on TV. Her work has also appeared in several local exhibits and gallery shows.]

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(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102 Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
http://www.awaionline.com/contact

To LEARN MORE, visit:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com
http://www.thephotographerslife.com