TIS' THE SEASON... TO GET ENGAGED!!

While many lucky girls found themselves spending the Christmas season (also known in the wedding industry as engagement season), eyes glued to the new rock on their finger and celebrating their newly acclaimed title of bride-to-be, engagement season is not over yet.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day have both always been popular times for marriage proposals. Family and friends are usually gathered together providing the perfect opportunity to share the moment with them. New Years Eve of course is also a favourite. You're already in the celebratory mood and really, can you think of a better way to start off the New Year? But there's still one day left. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and completes the list of most popular days to get engaged!

Guys, are you ready to propose to that special little lady in your life but missed the boat over the holidays and are now hoping to redeem yourself on the 14th? Here are three reasons why Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to pop the question.

♥ Unlike Christmas and New Year’s, Valentine’s Day is an intimate holiday allowing couples the privacy to enjoy the moment alone together.
♥ It’s the most romantic day of the year.
♥ Most restaurants, hotels, spas, etc plan something special for Valentine’s Day so it’s guaranteed to be a great day/night.

Viva la wedding would like to send out an early Congratulations! to all the couples who will be celebrating their engagement this Valentine's Day.

Un-Freaking-Believable!...

It's a Kindle, iPhone, laptop, and more all wrapped up into one sweet little device that will cost under $500!

Nothing like cool technology to get me all a twitter.

I have to go wipe drool off my chin.

For a larger version of the video below follow this link.

10 Resolutions every photographer should make...

I came across a blog post by Lisa Bettany "10 New Years Resolutions Every Photographer should make" and thought she hit the nail right on the head.

Here are the first three:

1. I will learn how to use my camera.

This seems like an obvious point, but we are all guilty of skipping our camera manual and just fiddling with settings. Ah, this one works right? Spot-metering? Why not. Hey, what does
that button do? Seems to make things darker. Hmm.

I’m going to admit something to you that I ask you to keep hush-hush. I haven’t actually read my 5DMKII manual. I know. Horrible! I’m guilty of arbitrary button pushing and royally messing up shots because I don’t really know how to use my camera. Let’s all become technical experts of our cameras this year. Deal?

2. I will not use the Auto setting on my camera.

Instead of relying on your camera’s dubious Auto settings, force yourself to learn how to use manual settings. Upgrade to Aperture priorty mode (AV) first. Once you understand Depth of Field, jump into Manual mode. You will make mistakes and feel frustrated when you completely blow-out a shot, but this is the way we learn. Don’t get discouraged by your mistakes. Learn from them and push on!

3. I will not use on-camera flash

The only photos you should take with an on-camera flash are ones that end up on your Facebook wall of shame. Tape down that pop-up flash if you have to. Instead rely on your skills as a photographer to capture shots in low-light.

Shoot with a wide-open aperture, as low as your lens will go. Decrease your shutter speed & increase your ISO. Steady your camera on a tripod, gorilla pod or table top. Invest in a good lens. I suggest the 50mm f/1.4 or the f/1.8 if you are on a budget.

Now you have to head over to her blog and read the entire article.

You'll find other good posts at "Mostly Lisa" and I bet you'll bookmark her site before you leave.

And they just keep coming...

It was just a month ago that we celebrated reaching 1,400 subscribers and in the blink of an eye we have crossed the 1,500 subscriber threshold!

Add to that the comments you have been leaving:

"You have a simply awesome blog! I love coming here for inspiration and practical tips that both help me take better pictures but also help me to stay inspired."

"I follow your blog daily because in many ways you make me think about photography in different ways than what I had before. You help to ground me, and keep me focused."

"I LOVE YOUR BLOG !!!!"

"I enjoy your humor and your style, and you come across as a genuinely nice guy, which I'm sure you are. Your "off topic" posts are often very heartfelt and leave me with a good feeling."

And I realize that I have more friends than I deserve.

Thanks for coming and thanks for taking the time to leave such kind and thoughtful comments.

Here are the contest details...

It's going to be a drawing. A random drawing.

I thought of (and had suggested) a bunch of different (and good) scenarios but it was important to me that everyone who entered had the same chance of winning and I was also looking for a bit of the unexpectedness, with some unpredictability thrown in.

No matter what the task there will be some people who can do it better than others, and then there would be those who might not enter because they didn't feel it was one of their strong points.

So with a random drawing everyone who enters has the same chance of walking away with this outstanding prize package.

It could not be easier, all you have to do is send an email with your name, email, and snail mail address (and if you wanted to jot down a small paragraph about why you read this blog, or one of your favorite posts from Weekly Photo Tips all the better but it won't change your chances), all entries will go into a bowl and the winner will be drawn on February 15th (2010).

The drawing will be videoed, posted here and also posted on our YouTube channel.

This contest is open to everyone, regardless of where you live, but if you do live outside the US you will need to pay shipping (see here for details).

You might want to get your friend(s) to enter, then you can have a better chance of winning by the two (or more of you) splitting the prize.

One entry per person and good luck to you!

Going to the dogs...

Not sure why but my readership has been sky rocketing the last several months, so I want to let the new folks know that on weekends it's not uncommon for me to "wander off the reservation" and post something (way) off the topic from photography.

Today is just such a day.

Someone sent me a "Dogs Ten Commandments" and it made me think about my dogs and how essentially it's their world and they let me live in it.

;)

It was not that long ago that I thought "dogs are stupid", you couldn't go away without either taking them with you or finding a sitter, get up in the middle of the night to let them out, take them on walks, and don't get me started in picking up their "little gifts".

So needless to say, I was NEVER going to be a dog owner.

But seven years ago our daughters REALLY wanted a dog, mind you we had gotten them every pet you can imagine in an effort to avoid that very thing, but gerbils won't fetch, cats are too cool for people and goats, well they just smell way too bad and hate it when you put ribbons in their hair.

I finally caved and got a miniature schnauzer as it's small and doesn't shed.

Well 30 seconds into dog ownership I realized the error of my ways. I loved my dog.

Two years later we got another schnauzer and just last year we rescued a third.

We put in a pellet stove and our first dog, Bonnie, can be found daily warmer her buns in front of the fire and has no problem letting me know when the pellets are getting low.

I got my wife this canvas (of Bonnie ~ Cali ~ Gracie) for Christmas because the last things she sees every time she leaves the house are these three little faces peering out from between the fence posts begging her to stay.


People who don't have dogs will think the following is goofy (no pun intended, well, maybe a little), dog owners will appreciate it though (unless of course you are Michael Vick):

A Dogs Ten Commandments.........

1. Before you take me home know that my life is likely to last 10-15 years, so please be sure you are in it for the long haul.

2. Give me time to understand what you want from me

3. Place your trust in me. I will always trust you.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment.

5. You have your work, your entertainment, and your friends. I only have you and any separation from you is painful.

6. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.

7. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be wrong. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I’ve been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.

9. Please take care of me when I grow old.

10. When it is time for me to “go on ahead”, please stay with me. Don’t say “I can't bear to watch” because I won’t want to face it alone. Everything is easier for ME if you are there, because I love you so.

A good question about our contest...

Yesterday we announced that we would be giving away the "Studio in a Box" from the good folks at VGallery.

A question came in asking if the contest was open to folks outside of the US and the answer is yes!

I am happy to open the contest worldwide, but as international shipping can be a bit pricey the winner will need to pay postage.

The winner would pay only the exact cost of shipping, no processing, no handling, no hidden charges, only the exact cost of moving the box from me to you.

Come back on Monday and we will have all the details on how you can enter.