Archive for the ‘contest’ Category

"Smoke Break"

Trombone

Last  Saturday you could have found me curled up in the corner of Barnes and Noble pouring over all my favorite photography magazines.   On occasion, I could be seen just shaking my head as I was thinking , dammit I need to be in this magazine..;)  I was looking for inspiration, ideas and a tad bit of motivation.   I even broke down and bought 2010 Photographer’s Market, something that I had been  avoiding for years because it seemed so cliché.  Well, I’m here to tell you the book’s not half bad.  I mean it’s nothing more than a giant telephone directory designed for photographers looking to get their work recognized.  The book ended up giving me a few ideas and motivated me to get off my butt and make some contacts.   The point is, I only have myself to blame if I’m not doing the work to get myself noticed, and every once in a while I need a little bit of a reminder to get myself going again.  Which leads me to the second part of today’s blog.  I was really shocked at the warm response I received by many of you yesterday when I asked you to vote for one of my two images that I submitted to PDN’s Faces contest.  I entered both of my images in the “ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITURE “ category.   As you can imagine this category is dedicated to portraits of people in their usual environment. “Smoke Break” was taken in rural area of Negril, Jamaica and “Trombone” was shot in Jackson Square, New Orleans.   I’m huge fan of PDN and winning the “People’s Choice” portion of the contest sure wouldn’t hurt my feelings, so if you haven’t voted please do so by clicking  HERE.   They do validate your vote by email, so that jokers like me don’t vote for our own images 1000 times over, but don’t fret… it only takes a few seconds to vote.  Thanks again for the support…it was a nice surprise.

Stay tuned…because tomorrow  I plan on doing my second installment  of “Making of the image” with a focus on few images I took of the teardown of the very historic and infamous Cabrini Green housing projects in Chicago.

First Place: Tiffany Burke’s “True Love Can Weather Through Anything.”

Second Place: Jana Davilla, “She holds my heart in her hands”

We had fun judging February’s photo contest and I’m pleased to announce the winners.  First place goes to Tiffany Burke’s “True Love Can Weather  Through  Anything.”  Valentines are all about couples and we love the composition and texture of this image.  Second place goes to Jana Davilla, “She holds my heart in her hands”….I mean what says Valentines more than a heart shaped lollipop in a baby’s hand?  Contest winners: please contact me via the blog so I can send you your prizes. Thanks again to everyone that participated!

Palm Leaf (1/50sec at f4.5, 34mm at ISO 250)

I had a wonderful birthday weekend and I want to give a big shout out to everyone that dropped me a note wishing me a Happy Birthday.  I want to especially thank  Staci (my squeeze)  for throwing me a killer birthday party at Yak-Zie’s.  My 40’s are already looking up with such great friends, family and a killer group of readers.  I have a lot planned this year and I can’t wait to share it with all of you–  In March, I’ll be heading to New York-DC, April I’ll be traveling to India to photograph the Kumbha Mela festival,  June-July I’ll be heading out to Montana (look for a Yellowstone photography seminar announcement) and in August I’m scheduled to climb Mt. Rainier with a very close friend.    That’s if my daughter Anna’s prediction doesn’t come true…  “you’ll be using a cane any day now.”    But enough personal stuff, here’s what I have planned for all of you…

This week I plan on doing several blogs that breakdown the steps in how I go about making an image, so look for the first in the series tomorrow.  Also, in an effort to get to know my readers better next week I’ll be doing a column called “in the spotlight” where I’ll be featuring readers and their work.

The contest:  I’m going to extend February’s photo contest until the 18th and announce the winner on the 19th so keep uploading those photos to my Facebook Fan page found HERE.

I found a few cool iPhone apps so if you’re looking for a free HDR program for you iPhone then click HERE.  Or, a free crop program then click HERE.

Lastly, it’s been brought to my attention that some people have tried to comment on my site with some trouble.  I’m trying to work out the problems and hope to have it resolved in the next few days.

Until tomorrow…take care, John

Love in Friendship, photo by Kajsa Stolberg

Kajsa here and wishing John a happy birthday!  February 14th is traditionally celebrated as “Valentine’s Day,” but a little known (and more important) fact is that it’s John’s birthday too.  So while others are giving cards and flowers and chocolates, we really know that HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN!’s are in order.
Speaking of Valentine’s Day though, this is a reminder to submit your photos for February’s contest. The theme is inspired by Valentine’s Day, but let’s emphasize that we want photos of things that you love or photos that represent love to you, we don’t want to limit you to hearts and the color pink!  Be creative, and enter for a chance to win one of two great prizes. Find the details HERE, have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and wish John a happy birthday when you get the chance!

Tunnel (1/60th at f/6.3 at 16mm at ISO 800)

It’s been a busy week and I’m glad to see there’s light at the end of the tunnel.  I have couple of quick reminders going into the weekend.  We have the February photo contest going on, so please make sure to upload your favorite Valentines photo.  Now, if you’re having a hard time with the word “Valentines” then simply upload your favorite photos of something you “love.”   This contest is all about having a good time, so step back and show us whatcha got!   In other reminders we still have room in the June Chicago workshop, so if you’re interested in participating make sure to drop me a line at john@batdorffphotography.com.  More details about the workshop are available HERE.   Starting next week I’m going to start doing a series on “making of the image,” so stay tuned!

As a side note, yours truly is turning the big 4-0 this Sunday.  Yep, that’s right… I share my birthday with Valentine’s day.  No, that doesn’t mean I get a box of chocolates and a cake. It usually means I get a wonderful night out with my girls, and if I’m on good behavior, they treat me to  flourless cupcake at Sweet Mandy B’s in Chicago.   But I guess if I have to be good one day a year, it’s well worth it…;)

Have a great V-day John

Valentine's Boy celebrating his 4th B-day at friend's house (1974)

February means cold weather, chocolates, cards and Valentine’s Day, which happens to be your favorite blogger/photographer’s birthday.  So I thought to celebrate my birthday we would do another photo contest. Batdorff Photography wants your best image that emanates the spirit of Valentine’s Day with people, objects, locations, signs, or colors. So be creative, put your heart into it, and enter for a chance to win! All you need to do is submit your photo to Batdorff Photography Facebook Fan site.

The steps are simple.

1. If you aren’t already, become a fan of Batdorff Photography on Facebook.  Click on this link HERE.
2. Go to the Wall tab.  Type in your name in the box that reads “Write something” and directly under that box click on attach photo and upload your favorite contest photo.
3. Giving your image a title is always nice touch.
4. Make sure to comment on other people’s photos…but remember, this is for fun!

First place will take home a $50 gift card (treat yourself and someone special to a nice dinner, perhaps?), second place will get a $25 gift card to B&H Photo. February 14th is the cut-off date and winners will be announced on February 16th. Winners must contact Batdorff Photography with their address in order to receive prizes. First and second place winners from contests held within the last 6 months can submit, but they will not be chosen for this contest. Have fun and good luck!

Hostel in Playa del Carmen

I’ve been in Mexico for a couple of days now, and it’s taken  me a bit to get in the groove of things, but I’m starting to relax and enjoy myself.    One of the things I love about Mexico, besides the people (awesome) and the food (spectacular), is the colorful architecture.  Today’s photo is of a hostel in Playa del Carmen.   The colors literally looked like someone painted them on with jumbo crayons.   Speaking of painting with jumbo crayons, I’ve been doing a bit of driving around the Yucatan and I have one word of advice to the Mexican department of transportation; “More yellow paint on the TOPES please!!”  For my Mexican fans, and those who have traveled here, you’ll know what I mean.  For the rest of you, a TOPE is a giant speed bump of one form or another (possibly a ship rope lying across the road), and they are meant to either slow you down (when you see them, which you don’t, hence the yellow paint issue), or annihilate your rental car’s shocks.  But that’s my only gripe!  I swear… the guacamole totally makes up for it!

I forgot to mention last week’s winners to  the travel post.   The winners of the super cool lens cloths are Laurie Ferri and the workinprogress101.  Thank you to everyone for your useful tips! Winners, please don’t forget to send your addresses to john@batdorffphotography.com so I can send you your prize.

Bench (1/250 sec at f/6.3 at 16mm, ISO 100)

Today’s blog is going to be quick and dirty since I’ve been running around the last few days in preparation for my trip to Tulum, Mexico.   I want to remind everyone to check out Kajsa’s blog about travel preparation HERE (we’re giving away a few free gifts too).  I’ve chatted a bit on this blog about changing your perspective.   Point of view (P.O.V.) can make or break images.  I think today’s image is case in point.  This type of shot, if taken straight on, just doesn’t work.  I shot this image last week in Chicago after we received six inches of new snow.   Now, everyone shoots park benches, so nothing new here, but I really like the way the trees embraced this particular bench.  I sat there looking at the setting and an image popped into my head.   I immediately realized in order to make this work, or even come close to working, it was going to require me to lay flat on my back to frame it right.  I proceeded to get down in the deep, freshly fallen snow, and laid on my back with my 16-35mm on the camera.  I had the focal length set at 16mm and slowly slid toward the bench stopping every six inches or so to shoot.  The 16mm provided a nice optical effect by slowly bending the trees inward toward the bench. I tried to balance the shot so that the bench was the center point and the frame was as symmetrical as possible. I took some final shots, and later that day worked on the image in Lightroom.  Once in Lightroom I cropped in on the image keeping the bench as the center element; then I added a small vignette to help keep our focus on this lonely bench.  The last thing I did to the image was add a slight selenium tone to add to the feeling of the cold winter morning.  So there you have it.  Now, the next time you shoot an old familiar object consider a new P.O.V…….you might suprise yourself.

From previous travel in Thailand, Kajsa Stolberg

John mentioned a few weeks back that he’s planning on taking a trip to India this spring and I have the great pleasure of putting my travel experience to use (not to mention an excuse to study a new culture and organize my findings!)  Here’s the preliminary list of things to do, in no particular order…

The basics: Visas, required/suggested shots and basic safety tips.  If you plan on going to India, check out these sites: VISA, HEALTH.
The interesting stuff: stumbling upon unexpected cultural differences is half the fun, but it’s especially important for me to respect the customs of the the country that I’m visiting.  A perfect example of this is the appropriate dress expected.  Even with the heat, I would not wear short shorts or mini skirts as a female traveling in India.  John, on the other hand, won’t draw extra attention to himself unless he’s dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow.
For the time being, I’m reading books on Indian customs and culture, and the history and present day conditions that one can expect.  I also have a few friends that have traveled, lived, and studied in India so I can have first-hand personal experiences and advice to draw from – like bring your own roll of TP and drink only bottled water.
There’s an endless list of preparation that can be done for this trip, but this is a start.

And now here’s where you come in!  Visit the blog and comment with any recommendations for travel or travel-related ideas and have a chance to win one of three Spudz Micro Fiber Cleaning Cloths packs.

The rules:
Comments must be made on the blog… Facebook doesn’t count!
The drawing will take place on January 15th.
A random number will be picked  based on the number of comments.
3 packs will be given away (one per household).
Winners must contact Batdorff photography with your mailing address if chosen.

As for the giveaway, John uses these handy little lens cloths himself.  We’re excited to hear your travel preparation tidbits!

Bus Stop (1/4 sec, f/6.3, 16mm at ISO 1600)

We’re loading up the Jeep with four dogs and heading back to Michigan to visit family and friends. But, before I go I wanted to follow up on yesterday’s post , “how I enter a photo contest” with some links to my favorite photography contests. Keep in mind, some of these contests have already ended for the year, but if you bookmark these suckers you’ll at least be able to check on upcoming contests. Some things to consider: not all contests are free, some contests reserve the rights to your photographs for promotional purposes, some contests bar professionals from entering and some contests restrict who enters by citizenship. Bottom line: make sure you read all the fine print before you enter. One link I’ve found particularly useful is www.photocontestinformation.com, this site aggregates many of the contests going on worldwide and then breaks them down by entry fees. Like I said, entering contests can be fun. It’s always nice to receive an award acknowledging your efforts, but at the end of the day they’re just contests and what really counts is how you feel about your work. So enjoy your weekend. I know I plan on being knee deep in gingerbread cookies and eggnog by noon tomorrow…;)

Side note:

If anyone wishes to add to this list just drop me a note on my blog and if it’s reputable…I’ll add it.

1. http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/contests/index.jsp

2. http://www.popphoto.com/Contests-Events

3. http://www.dpchallenge.com/

4. http://www.popphotocontest.com/index.shtml

5. http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/contests.html

6. http://www.digitalphotopro.com/contests.html

7. http://www.bandwmag.com/contest/index.html

8. http://www.worldpressphoto.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1699&Itemid=250&bandwidth=high

9. http://www.photolife.com/contests.php

10. http://www.dphoto.co.nz/competitions/canon2010

11. http://www.sevenfund.org/entrepreneur-image/#4

12. http://exhibitacomp.com/

13. http://www.photocontestinformation.com/