MomShots

There must be something in the air because I have been asked about photo collages and storyboards quite recently by a small handful of people, including my mother. So I thought I’d try to answer your questions all at once and show you how I have been doing it and some options.

First off, I use the two terms, storyboard and photo collage interchangeably. I may be incorrect in this and if I am, please let me know. I think they are the same thing. What do you think?

The way I have been doing it is what I wrote about in this post, using the triptych, diptych and various storyboard actions from the Coffeeshop. I use PhotoShop CS3 and her actions work great and are super easy. If you have PhotoShop or Elements and are not familiar with how to install actions, Rita has a great tutorial here. You can also do a Google search and find many resources for this.

I also have been known to build my own collages in PhotoShop. I often use a grid view and use ruler guides to help me place and size my photos similar to what you see below.

I also do scrapbook style page collages that you have seen in my 52 Week Project posts. Similar to this one:

For these, I just use my digital scrapbook papers and elements to put them all together; sometimes helter skelter, sometimes with a plan.

Another option for photo collages is one that can be done without the aid of PhotoShop. Did you read that right? Photo collages without PhotoShop!!! Free!!!

Have you seen Picnik yet? If you use Flickr you might be familiar with their site. They offer tons of free photo editing options. You can upload your images directly to Picnik or you can pull your images off of your Flickr photostream. You can edit photos, make basic collages, make fancy scrapbook style collages, make a slide show and even put your images on various novelty items like grandma’s new favorite coffee cup!

If you like what you see on Picnik you can sign up for their premium service for a pretty reasonable price of $24.95 a year. Then you have access to lots of even greater editing and collage options.

Here’s an example of a collage I just created using Picnik.

So there are a few options of making photo collages. Are you super confused or are you excited to get out your photos and start making collages and storyboards? They can be so much fun. I am sure you will agree.

Let me know if you have any questions. I’m here for you!

Last night, I was watching my Twitter feed when I saw a post about a mini-clinic at the Salt Lake Library in an hour and a half. Ben was home and I asked him if he would mind watching the kids while I went to it. He agreed and I quickly got my stuff together and ran out the door.

The clinic was hosted by the Flickr group Photowalking Utah and was presented by Rich Legg who is an incredible knowledgeable and extremely talented photographer. The theme was studio lighting for under $250.

The class was great! I learned so much. Especially since I haven’t really delved into the world of studio lighting yet. I am what you would call a “Natural Light Photographer”. For me, that’s a hoity-toity name for someone who still has so much to learn that I just haven’t gone in that direction yet. Optimal word here is “yet”. One day I will. And now after what I learned last night I feel much more prepared for that day.

Courtesy Disclaimer: This is my personal definition. Not all Natural Light Photographers are in this boat. Just me.

I really had a fun time and ended up sitting next to an amazing photographer named Anne Torrence. I follow her on Twitter and have always been super impressed with her. It was such a surprise to realize that it was she I was sitting next to. I had a little moment of star-struckness but that passed and I introduced myself and talked with her for a few minutes about her current project. I’m excited to get to know her and the whole Photowalking Utah group better. I really hope I can swing getting to events more frequently.

MomShots is really is not a location specific blog even thought it may seem like that lately. If you don’t live in Utah I am sure you are getting sick of me mentioning Utah things all the time. I would strongly suggest that you look into your local area and see what kind of photographer groups are out there. I bet there are some good ones around. If you don’t find any, maybe you should think about starting a group. A photowalking group is a great way to start.

Speaking of location specific, once again I am going to plug PhotoCamp Utah. I found out last night that there are only about 75 more places available. If you are thinking about going be sure to sign up right away or you won’t be able to. It will be held in south Provo on March 14th, 2009. More information can be found on the website.

As you know, I am speaking. My theme is tips & tricks for photographing kids. I know you’re all surprised by that title… LOL… Anyway originality aside, I was wondering if anyone had any specific topics or questions that you would like to see addressed? I am trying to put together the outline for my discussion and I thought your input would be much appreciated. Even if you are not attending, I would love your input.

Also, I need to put together some prints to show as props. Do you have any favorite pictures that I have posted here or on Flickr? I am very excited about the opportunity to speak about and share my love of photographing kids but honestly, I am a teensy bit nervous. Especially after meeting all those incredible photographers last night! I am feeling a bit like an imposter since I really am so new to the art.

Insecurities begone! No more thoughts or words about that. That’s the last you’ll hear about that. It’s all about having fun and learning some new things. I would love your input and opinions on anything related to this.

Obligatory MomShot:

I wish I could think of a REAL word for large that starts with a “U”.  I love alliteration.  I couldn’t think of anything so I just made one up.  It sounds pretty big doesn’t it? 

Now I’m also thinking this may be a bit redundant.  With the alliteration the words undertaking and underway seem to be the same thing.  Whatever!  I’m sticking with it.

So are you wondering what this very large project is?

To answer that question I will tell you a story…

Once upon a time there a mom who was obsessed with her oldest son turning 5 (sound familiar?).  She was puttering around in Photoshop one day trying to create a little medley of photos to add to her daily countdown to his birthday.  She took four photos of cute and silly faces, sharpened them and cropped them all to the same size of 5″x7″.  Then opened a new document to put them all on to make a little collage.  This new document was huge; 100″ x100″ because she didn’t know when she created the new document what she was going to do so she randomly chose a really large number so there would be lots of room to move things around.

She put all her photos on the new document and played with them a bit.  When it was all to her liking, she decided to crop it and then insert it into a frame that she found on Flickr.  

As the cropping was about to begin she got an error message that said her scratch disk was full.  Instead of panicing like she is oft apt to do, she decided to spend a few minutes doing a little Googling.  The results of said search indicated that she’s just got way too much stuff on her computer so she decided that she needs to go through her 2008 photos and delete all of the ones that she didn’t really want.  As she was going through them, she realized that what really needs to occur is a gigantic scrapbooking and/or photo album creation.

What I, ahem, I mean She needs to do is go through all the photos from last year and put them into a printable format and then actually print them out and put them in binders.  

I’m not fooling anyone.  She is actually me.  I have filled up my little MacBook to capacity and it is time for some major spring cleaning.  I’m not overly upset about this since it was one of my photographic new year resolutions anyway.  That day has just come a little sooner than I anticipated.  I am excited to put together some of these images and actually get them OUT of my computer.  I think I am gong to be working on this for the next few evening as there are quite a few photos.  I’m obsessed or haven’t you heard?

I was eventually able to get the result I was after by deleting a few not so great shots of grass and fences or something.  It’s a start and I’m excited to continue on the project.

Have you made any progress on your New Year resolutions?  Have you made any progress on actually getting your photos out of your computer?  Any suggestions or tips for me that might make the process a little easier?  You know I would really appreciate any tips.

Or help.

Anyone want to come over and help me?  I make a mean peanut butter and home made jelly sandwich!