Photography Gift Ideas

Once again it is time to think about what to give your favorite photographer for the holidays.  It is always nice to give them something they can use.  But if you are not a photographer -- how do you know what is good stuff?  Hopefully I can help.

Favorite Lenses

• 50mm Lens  If someone you know is just getting into photography -- say they bought the body & kit lens but want something else to add to it; you can't go wrong giving them a 50mm lens.  I use the Canon 50mm f1.4 and love it -- love it so much I bought two and gave one to my son.
• Lensbaby Composer Pro with the Sweet 35 drop in optic.  I have been shooting with a Lensbaby lens for a few years.  I love them.  I started with the old 3G model and have used the Control Freak, Composer and now the Composer Pro.  
• Tamron 17-50mm F2.8 VC  This is a great little walk around lens if you are looking for a wide angle and perhaps some closer shots.  The f2.8 part gives you the option to get creative with your depth of field.  I have been very pleased with this lens.

Camera Bags

• My main camera bag is a Jill-E bag.  It looks nice -- like a handbag -- but it is a great camera bag that holds all I need.
• When I don't want to carry the big bag -- I like to use a Shootsac camera bag.  These look good and are lightweight.  
• The standby for us at my house for a good go-to bag is from Lowepro.  I have had my old Lowepro bag for years -- and now my son uses it and really likes it.  

Fun Things

• Pretty camera straps are available at many locations and online.  I have ordered some from Etsy that are colorful and fun.  There are some available made from seat belts.
• Knee pads -- if your photographer shoots a lot of nature or car shows -- or anything where she may be kneeling on hard surfaces -- a nice garden knee pad set or gardener pad will be nice to have.
• Now that it is cold weather -- I love my winter golf gloves for shooting on a cold winter morning there is not much to keep your fingers from freezing -- but these help.  You can also find reusable heat pack that will last about 30 minutes -- they are 'recharged' by boiling in water to have ready for your next outing.  
• Speaking of cold weather -- Cuddl Duds are awesome to help keep you warm too -- and they are great to relax in when you come home to edit your photos.
• Camera lens mugs make for something fun.  
• I love my iPad and really have some fun with the Snapseed app from Nik Software.  The iPad allows me to tote my portfolios with me wherever I go.  My preferred method to get photos onto my iPad from my computer is using the Dropbox app.
• Give the dog a camera.  I am thinking of getting one of these for Sadie and Iris this year.  
• Scottevest jackets and vests are very useful for the photographer, hiker, or traveler.  These garments are loaded with pockets.
• And lastly -- if your photographer does not have one by now -- get her a GPS.  These are the best when you are out driving around looking at the scenery -- lose track of was that last turn a right or a left.  Just punch in "Go Home" and the GPS will get you back to where you started.

Be Promiscuous

I have found that it is best to let the idea of a photo find me.  When I set out with a certain idea in mind the photos never come out the way I had imagined them to be. The preconceived notion stifles the free flow of the 'what if' during the shooting time.

My favorite photos are of the scenes I happen to see and then shoot right away. There was no way to foresee or prepare for the above photo.  I have a new lens -- the Lensbaby Composer Pro with the Sweet 35 optic.  So far I love it more than my old Composer.  When the lens arrived, I put it on my old Rebel and left it there -- so if I see something around the house -- like Sadie napping -- I can grab it and play around.

Last Saturday I went along on a workshop at the McIntosh Preserve in Whitesburg, GA -- on the Chattahoochee River.  Beautiful day -- and yep -- I took along the newest Lensbaby.  My subject matter changes almost daily.  Whatever I see that I like -- I shoot it.  I am a promiscuous photographer.  I am not held tightly to any one type of subject.  I love the dogs, nature, still life, or city scenes.  

I believe this promiscuity comes from being in a photography club or group.  When you have a monthly theme to shoot for -- you look outside of your normal routines. Seeing the photos that other people bring in will also open your eyes to things you may not have thought about before.  Recently I began leading a new group connected to the Serenbe Photography Center.  If you are in the area, and looking for a group -- come check us out.

Nature Undisturbed 2012

Yesterday morning I walked along Line Creek in Peachtree City. Line Creek is one of the natural areas owned and/or managed by Southern Conservation Trust. It is also one of the areas included in the site specific category for Nature Undisturbed. The call for entries for the 2012 show and sale is on right now.  Deadline to enter is December 17, 2011. The show is scheduled for a March 17 opening at Dogwood Gallery and Framer in Tyrone.  

It is hard to believe this is the 4th show. It seems like only yesterday I was approached by the Trust to have a show -- and that idea morphed into Nature Undisturbed. We worked hard pulling together the show that first year. The call for entry period was short. But, we did have a great response. The past couple shows -- the interest has grown. We increase entries each time. Also, the past two years -- we have sold 20% of the work in the show.

Since the beginning we have had great jurors.  Greg Newington was our first juror. He is very nice and has a beautiful gallery in Serenbe. Our second juror was Lucinda Bunnen. How I loved having lunch with her and talking about photography. And it was great for the Nature Undisturbed crowd that we had a preview of her Hatcher's Pond talk! This past spring Susan Todd-Raque was our juror. She is such a delight, a wealth of information, and has been a friend of Nature Undisturbed since our first year. The first year of the show, she presented a talk on collecting photography. The second year she did a part two of that talk. This past spring in addition to jurying the show, she moderated a panel discussion on collecting photography. We are pleased to say that she will be back in 2012 moderating another panel discussion.

This is building to our choice for juror for 2012 -- Brett Abbott.  Last April, he was a newbie to Atlanta when we met him. It was a pleasure to have him on our panel. This time around he is jurying the event for us. Brett Abbott came to the High Museum from the J. Paul Getty Museum and has received  the Lucie Award for Curator/Exhibition of the Year twice -- 2007 and 2010.

So get out there, take some awesome nature photographs, come be a part of a wonderful event. All information needed to enter, along with previous winning photos and information on the jurors, is on the website www.natureundisturbed.com.  Remember the postmark deadline is 12.17.2011.

Art Takes Miami

This is one of my favorite photos of Sadie.  I have more similar to this of Sadie and some of Iris.  Iris is starting to be more at ease with me and the camera.  Sadie and Iris are both just too darn cute -- they were county shelter rescues -- if you read this blog you probably already know that.  Did you know that October is adopt a shelter dog month?  If you or someone you know is thinking about adding a dog to their household -- encourage them to look in their shelters first, then with local rescue groups.  There are so many good dogs out there in need of a home.

Something else happening now -- I have submitted to Art Takes Miami and I have no (repeat zero) online votes yet.  If you are so inclined and like my photographs, please take a minute to vote here for them Art Takes Miami/Donna Rosser

Thanks!