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SOUVENIR FOTO SCHOOL::ASSIGNMENT NO. 09::VACATION/STAYCATION + SUN FLARE

{join souvenir foto school here}

Everyone seemed to enjoy our very first assignment the most which was to interpret the word 'sunshine'.  Since I am longing for a vacation I thought it might be apropo to have it as assignment no. 09. For those that can't wrap their heads around vacation, I have doled out the option of 'staycation' which is urban vernacular for a "vacation" where you don't leave your zipcode. For my students that are chomping at the bit to try some 'technical' skills, I have added sunflare as a third option.  The sunflare assignment will need one to adjust their aperture and shutter speed (uh-oh), which I know can be daunting but Miz Booshay over at Pioneer Woman has such a pleasant tutorial-Sun Flare for beginners that it won't hurt a bit.  Yes, I wrote 'pleasant' Miz Booshay has such a pleasant demeanor, really and truly. I can attest to the fact that her tute works (and is simple enough, even for this here simpleton) because I tried it to make sure it wasn't too hard (unlike my last assignment that I failed miserably at but was able to get sunflare!).

I think this image by one of my new favorite photographers Krysta Manthe (she is as physically beautiful as she is talented which says a lot because she is REALLY talented) sums up all of the assignment 09's components perfectly--Vacation, Staycation (I live not so far from where this was shot) and Sunflare.  This is a gorgeous inspiration shot which means not to copy but get inspired by the feeling of this image and make a capture that is your own (I totally know you can do it!).

We are still accepting students into our Souvenir Foto School and the price is still right--FREE! No need for a fancy schmancy camera as your excuse for not joining a lot of the students have point and shoot cameras and create such magic with them that you will surely be inspired to do the same. I hope to see you in class soon!


P.S. Don't forget to check out Alex Asher Sears post on watermarking your images here.

MAKE YOUR MARK: WATERMARKING 101 BY ALEX ASHER SEARS

GUEST POST:: BY ALEX ASHER SEARS

FACT: Every photograph you take remains yours under federal copyright law. Any photo. Even if you are paid, share copies or give someone a CD. Unless you release your rights in writing, it’s yours to say to say where it may be used publicly and receive credit.

ANOTHER FACT: Many people think that photos found online are public property. Most of these people are simply naïve and when they lift your shot and use it for their site (or Facebook page or whatever) it’s out of love for your work. I truly believe most people have no idea that they’re doing anything wrong. But it’s your work. That’s why I require all clients, commercial or private, to sign a copyright acknowledgment contract before a shoot and watermark anything that goes online.

A watermarked image kindly reminds people that you own it. Depending on your needs, you can watermark for security or identity purposes. This doesn’t guarantee your photos won’t show up on a billboard in the Czech Republic, but it does do two things. One, it puts a name to the image. Two, it’s a detractor for those looking to misuse your work. There are many programs out there that can attempt to secure your images from theft. In the end, people are going to find ways to get a photo if they really want it. But you can do simple things to make lifting your image less appealing.

SECURITY

When trying to protect your image, the more visible the watermark in the image, the more time someone would have to spend in Photoshop trying to remove it. That is why I choose to use a sheer band with my name that goes across the image. I place it on top, bottom or center depending on what will take away the least from the shot but deter theft.

If you’re looking for simple, effective protection, placing your WM in the center of your image adds the most security. Choosing to ghost the text can make it far less distracting but still do the trick. Painters, sculptors and filmmakers put their mark on their work, and so should you. You don’t have to use your name. If you have a website, consider incorporating it into your signature.

       
IDENTITY

When creating a watermark as a signature an image alongside text can create something more personal and easily identified as yours . Free clip art and brushes can easily be found online (the bee below came from The Graphic Addict but it’s important that if you want to sell your work you only incorporate images that are permitted for commercial use. The Graphics Addict told me that at her site “most of the images I use are copyright expired so they can be used for art, etc., just not resold in an image collection.” A simple google of “free photoshop brushes for commercial use” is an easy way to begin. be safe, always double check with the site/artist and their Terms of Use if you’re using them in any for profit work.

Since people use different types of graphic software, I’m including a great link to the About.com’s Graphic Software Watermarking site that has various step by step how-to’s for Photoshop, Photoshop Elements, Paint Shop Pro and more to get you started (Miss B. has links to other tutorials but if you trouble, let me know and I’ll see how I can help). Remember whatever you design, be sure that your font is legible so people can recognize the name behind the lens. Stay away from using your actual signature for identity theft reasons. But have fun and create a watermark that is as unique as your work. You do deserve the credit, after all.

Miss B here, please give a round of applause to my friend and fine photographer Alex!  Thank you Alex, always happy to have conned you into coming back and divulging more of your pro secrets.  As always Alex is willing to answer any burning questions you may have on her guest post.  Please feel free to ask away in the comments (if you feel comfortable) because others may have that same question and are too afraid to ask. If you don't care about your fellow readers (I jest), if you don't feel comfortable asking in a public forum, just click on Alex's link above and she may be able to help you out.  I'm not making any promises but maybe (she is real nice and all).

MARRIAGE MOTIF PHOTOSHOP BRUSHES

Oh hello!  I noticed I had a bajillion new visitors sent here from Rhonna Farrer's blog (thank you Rhonna!) and that must mean you are looking for some goodies!  I whipped these up from a treasure I found on The Vintage Moth.  They aren't the best quality because I was working with a scanned antique page but I think you can use them for anything you don't need printed too large or for something you want to look more on the grunge-ish side. These could be used for so many things it's mind boggling.  FAVORS!  Totally favor worthy and most favors are smaller so these brushes would work like a charm.  The 'Mr. and Mrs' (I LOVE that 'and') could be used on the cover of your thank you card that you made from photo's of you and your new spouse or if you are a crafty friend you could make this for your bride-to be bestie.

For those that stumbled on the Blahg and don't know from Rhonna and need to know what the heck I am talking about brushes? Wha?  Well, I am no expert but Miss Rhonna is and she has graciously created a super simple tutorial that will get you addicted in no time...P.S. I created .png files for those that have older versions of Photoshop and Rhonna's tutorial covers how to create your brushes from the pngs.

{MISC 06 PHOTOSHOP BRUSH DOWNLOAD}

And for those coming from Project Wedding and Vintage Glam Weddings (gasp!), I promise to create some more goodies that are 'ready-to-write', no design needed soon. Pinky promise, you totally have my word on it...

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I HEART MELISSA HEAD...

A while back I suggested a book called The Creative License by Danny Gregory.  Danny creates illustrated journals of his life and tries to see the extraordinary in the ordinary, which he really does. I was very impressed and wished that I could be a better artist.  Danny is convinced that if you just draw you will become better (no wishing required). He hasn't viewed my drawings, so what would he know?  The other day I stumbled across my lil' blog buddy Melissa Morris Ivone's latest project, you know the brainchild behind Operation Nice? I've always considered Melissa creative but she knocked me out with her latest endeavor (and made me totally envious), behold this awesomeness:

Melissa not content to make us mere mortals feel like slackers (in the nicest way of course) has started a THIRD blog called 160 PAGES  (this must of been conceived in between interviews with the NY Times and some other fab publication).  I promise you that you won't be disappointed, maybe even duly inspired to start your own journey at the very minimum you will totally be jealous of her seemingly unlimited talent (and did I mention how pretty she is and how she has a hyperactive metabolism to boot?). I would totally hate her if she wasn't so NICE...

MARTHA STEWART CRAFT ENCYCLOPEDIA REVIEW + WARNING

I had been lamenting the fact that when we moved into our shoe box sized abode that there would be no place for my stacks and stacks of back issues of Martha Stewart Living or my beloved Blueprint.  I love me some Martha, so this was on par with having to choose which fur baby we were going to have to keep.  Fortunately for my dogs I opted to get rid of my MS magazine collection so I would have room for them and their sundries. I was crushed as only a hardcore fan could be. If you too are a fanatic I am sure you can empathize with my plight.  About a month ago I ordered the Craft Encyclopedia because I would be remiss if I couldn't keep Martha in one of her many homes by throwing my dollars into her empire.  She makes me happy, what can I say? The book arrived yesterday and was as heavy as a phone book, this is when I started salivating uncontrollably.  I hadn't seen a live copy of the book so I wasn't sure what to expect (except greatness of course) but in between the marbled book end papers was a tome filled with all of my favorite projects from past issues and some of the great Blueprint magazine projects thrown in for good measure!  I was in heaven.  I wanted to scan some of my favorite projects so you could get a glimpse and maybe get inspired but I don't think lugging an encyclopedia to the office and pretending that I am scanning work related items was going to go over so well so I will wait for the weekend. I can tell you my favorites were the rubber stamp projects, screen printing, marbled paper, the photo crafts, calligraphy (although I doubt I will become proficient from the book but a girl can dream). I could have done without the paper quilling but what do I know?

The only thing that I think I need to address is the candle section and this should have been in bold, red letters. They should have had a contract that the readers are asked to sign (in blood) that they acknowledge the dangers of working with paraffin.  I IMPLORE you that if you decide to work with paraffin wax not to leave it unattended.  Most commercial candles are paraffin and I do think there is a project to melt down some of your old candles to re-use in projects.  Paraffin is HIGHLY flammable and if you try to throw water on a paraffin fire it spreads.  I know this because I nearly burnt down the house I was living in once and it scared the *S* out of me.  I have never worked with paraffin again.  The flames coming out of the pot where the wax was on fire shot to the ceiling and as I ran outside with an inferno in my paws I considered throwing it in the swimming pool but only reconsidered when I was worried that the chemicals in the pool would ignite and I would blow up the neighborhood.  I ended up throwing rocks into the pot which turned out to be a good call as I smothered the fire.  I was lucky and trust me I felt lucky but I am serious about this do not leave it unattended or use soy wax instead (my preference).  I will one day before the holidays post an easy peasy (technical term) tutorial on making soy candles because they will impress the heck out of your friends and family...