My Scrapbook Evolution-Blog: #believeinfilm

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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

A Focus on Photography

I have a big announcement coming soon. I know, kind of a vague way to tease you. I don't know when I can tell you about it. All I can say is that, I have set out to try yet another new endeavor. I have been bursting with the secret for weeks and I find I need to share something just so I don't go crazy. Ready for a hint? It has to do with photos. I know. That's vague too. Alas, that is all I can share for now. So I asked myself about what I could share with you. The answer is anything photo related.

Maybe you noticed I was posting a lot of photo stuff on MSE this week? Well, I love photos. I collect cameras(mostly analog). I don't have a lot of cameras but that doesn't negate the fact that I collect them. I also hoard scrapbook supplies featuring cameras. So I figured that since it's sort of an obession then perhaps I should make this week( and perhaps the next) have topics with a focus on photography.

Photos are a huge part of memory keeping. Without them, well, I suppose one could write a diary, but in some ways that just wouldn't be the same. A photo is a time machine and when you see it, it immediately transports you back into the moment. The desire to take good photos for my albums is part of what fueled my obsession with cameras and the art of photography. If you aren't already camera obsessed, then maybe I can fuel you with a little inspiration.

Here are some posts both old and new regarding photos and cameras from MSE:

A Game of Feathered Leap Frog recounts the tale of how I spent a little time trying to capture a Bahamas Kingfisher. Birds can be elusive creatures. Sometimes it takes a lot of patience and luck to capture just the right shot!

Don't believe me about hoarding camera themed scrapbook supplies? Check this article out. I made a few recommendations about using the camera themed motif for your projects. I also have a few supply suggestions. Well, I tried to keep it to just a few. I had a hard time limiting myself. Time for a confession, I do own most of the supplies I suggested. Almost all of them. I need to use them more. Maybe put a camera on every layout I make.

I would like to say that all of my endeavors are successful but that wouldn't be true. This particular article covers a DIY pinhole camera that my son and I made for a homeschool project. The camera may not have worked( builder error) but at least I ended up with some great pocket pages!

This article covers some of my current favorite photography resources. I collect information about cameras and taking photos with as much gusto as I collect scrapbook supplies. So yes. I have a lot of resources. I assure you that the article includes just a few. If you want to see tons more, then check out my Pinterest board.

I have been doing experiments and striving to learn better still life photography for awhile. This article highlights some of my first experiments as well as showing how I store my props.

These are just a few of the photography based articles on MSE. If you are interested in reading more, check out the archive for the In My Camera Bag series.

I promise to share the big news as soon as I can. I know some of you are busy and don't have the time to stop by every day. If you want an easy way to stay in touch, consider signing up for my newsletter.

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Sunday, April 12, 2015

In Celebration of Film Photography Day 2015!

My initial plans for celebrating Film Photography day were to play around a bit with some of my analog cameras. Instead, the memory keeper in me stepped forward and I decided to take a look back at some of the layouts I have created using analog prints. Though I have mentioned it before, I don't think it's always obvious that I am using prints shot with real film versus the prints I use from my digital camera.

I always bring a disposable waterproof camera with me to the beach.I can be on the clumsy side and I worry about damaging my good cameras. I also don't have the worry of having to secure expensive gear and can just be in the moment with my family. On this occasion, we visited Fort De Soto Park in Florida. I managed to catch a few photos of my husband carrying my son up and down the steps. You might reconize this layout from a budget scrapbooking tutorial. You can check it out here.

Another occasion in which I love to use a disposable waterproof camera. I aim in one spot in the pool, tell my son to jump in, and then I snap away. I have caught some great underwater shots of him over the years. This layout may also be familair. You can see it in yet another budget scrapbooking tutorial which you can see here.

I try to capture at least a few shots of my son underwater ever year. Disposable cameras are a great, inexpensive way to start off with underwater photography and a fun way to document summer.

I am still experimenting with my instant cameras, I have a Fuji Instax and a Lomo Instant. These are some of the very first photos I took with the Instax. I loved capturing the mirrored image of my cat in the window as he watched the birds.Sometimes taking a photo right then and there with the intent to scrapbook it is a great way to become inspired if you are in a rut.

These are just a few of the layouts in which I used analog shots. Looking back at them was, as always, quite an enjoyable experience. I love seeing how I have changed as a memory keeper over the years just as much as I enjoy the stories each of the pages tell. I did also notice something that is bothering me just a bit. It's been awhile since I have scrapbooked with any analog prints. That's an easy remedy though. I just need to choose a camera and a pack of film.

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Additional Resources

Want to learn more about Film Photography day? Check out this article which includes video links with tips about going analogue and journeying into the world of Lomography.

Friday, August 23, 2013

The Weekend Update: Time to be Challenged

It's been awhile since I posted a weekend update. Not that weekends change a whole lot around here. Island living is pretty quiet. I anticipated an early start to this weekend and took the opportunity to challenge myself a bit. Despite the hubbub of back to school, things are quieting down around here. This means time for creative play. I know many of you will be scrapbooking this weekend. If you are looking for something that's fun, easy, and gets you to the heart of your story then you will want to check out the challenge archive over at DocumentLife.com.

The first challenge I undertook involved making more use out of my kits. I get monthly scrapbook kits from JBS Mercantile and Studio Calico. Over the summer, I used little bits of those kits, but mostly, they just occupied space near my feet. Both of the layouts I will be sharing today use supplies from those kits. I have also set myself the goal of re-kitting some older supplies and reorganizing my desk space to make some unused embellishments more visible.

Why Did the Ducks Cross the Road by Christy Strickler Supplies| Patterned Paper: Echo Park, LilyBee Designs; Button, Jewel, Stencil, foil ducks: JBS Mercantile; Pen: Sakura; Ink: Ranger

This was the perfect opportunity to capture a recent conversation with my son. We were out walking in the rain when some ducks crossed the road to walk along the sidewalk ahead of my son. It prompted my son to crack a series of " why did the ducks cross the road" jokes.

I Love Our Morning Routine by Christy Strickler Supplies| Patterned Paper, Die Cut Card: Studio Calico, My Mind's Eye; Stencil: Heidi Swapp; Modeling Paste: Liquitex; Letters: Basic Grey, American Crafts; Other: Paint

I decided to take on the most current challenge at Document Life- " What I Like About You." The challenge is fairly pen to interpretation. I initially wanted to document what I like about each of our cats. Instead, I chose to document how our cats spend part of the morning with us. I know these are not the best photos. They are the first shots I ever took with my new Fuji Instax 8. I am learning a bit about the camera's capabilities. Never the less, they capture something I love.

The weekend is officially here for most of us. It's time to grab some unused supplies and some inspiration. I hope you enjoy some awesome time with friends and loved ones while still finding some time in your creative space.

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