August 2011
1 post
January 2011
3 posts
Q: Love your blog! You are the number one reason I am confident enough to not shoot in Auto! Now, I want to take some close up shots of my sons face and really focus on his eyes, but I keep getting a horrible glare and reflections in his eyes. I can practically see the entire house in them. How can I avoid this?
A: Thank you!! And how fun - congratulations!!! Venturing off auto is...
2 tags
WatchVideo of Isla • “Lazy Saturday”
I’ve started playing around with what I’ve half-heartedly dubbed “hybrid video”… Basically, video clips weaved into a photo slideshow. Amateur stuff to a videographer, I know, but a very new way of thinking and execution for me.
I love this, I do. I’m not trying to be down on it; I just have so many ideas my head...
3 tags
365? 52? What are you doing to capture your year?!
Happy new year, mamarazzis!
We hope this will be a year full of beautiful photographs, memories and learning/mastering your toys!
New year, new start, new projects… Always fun :) Are you participating in any 365 (photo a day) or 52 (photo a week) projects? We are!
Kimberly’s tackling a 365 project over at Monkey Doodle with hopes of turning it into a book at the year’s end.
...
December 2010
3 posts
6 tags
Question of the Day | Is it worth the switch from...
Q: We just recently bought a Nikon D3000. We like it because it offers a “Guide” mode which is basically the idiots guide to taking a great photo. Good for a novice like myself…
But, we would like to get a few new lenses and I’m finding that not all of the lenses autofocus on this camera. We are thinking of bagging it altogether and getting a different entry level...
A warm welcome indeed | Kimberly Dunbar has joined...
I’m extremely excited to post this news today; my extremely talented and all-around- amazing friend Kimberly Dunbar has joined on to Mamarazzi + CO for keeps!
As a Nikon-wielding professional photog — not to mention mama to that ridiculously adorable bundle of love up there, Nate — she’ll be on direct hand to field Nikon-related questions as well as provide her own spin on the...
Tutorial & DIY | Holiday Set Ups (Part I)
Specific holiday photo set ups don’t have to be overly complex… Swearsies! In fact, the more complicated they are, the more “on” the kiddos will feel and you might not nail as natural of a shot as you might have hoped for. Over the next little bit, watch here for some ideas — both obvious and not so much — for some placed holiday photos with your little ones!
This...
November 2010
5 posts
Some mad, bad luck right now!
This little gem showing my lil’ babe with all those random chompers is a prime example of my bad luck streak when it comes to photographing Isla lately.
Isn’t that what you want to hear?! That it’s the blind leading the blind right now?!
I’m just keeping things real in an effort to encourage everyone that:
we all take bad photos sometimes
a better camera doesn’t...
4 tags
Question A Day: Image Importing as Corrupt
This week I had a question.
Well, actually it was a five alarm, full on panic attack that I had to calmly, coolly collect into a question.
See, when I uploaded this photo (left), it imported into Photoshop and Lightroom as this colourful ditty (right).
Gasp. Scream. Queue the nausea. Hide under the table. Rock back and forth slowly. I just didn’t want this to be happening!
Was I...
6 tags
Tutorial & DIY: DIY Soft Box Example Pic
There are several reasons I love this photo. Why, I think I’ll count the ways…
It’s of Isla, and I’m biased when it comes to her cuteness.
It’s the first photo in a long time where I instantly thought, “that’s being blown up.” Normally, I have such a hard time narrowing them down and then I get stuck and then another day strikes and, before I...
8 tags
Question A Day: Baseline DSLR
Q: countryfair asked:
I have always loved photography but haven’t really gotten into it since high school. Now that I have a little girl, I’ve been taking pictures like crazy. I want to upgrade my camera to a dslr. I am familiar with Canon’s so will go with them, but do think their baseline Rebel XS is a good camera, or should I splurge on the Rebel T1i? I am planning on...
Tutorial & DIY: DIY Soft Box
Professional photographers often use a soft box when they can’t harness enough natural light or they want to control the light more efficiently. I tend to stick to natural light but gosh-darnit sometimes you just need an extra bit of oomph.
What’s a soft box? Well, it’s a diffuser on the end of a light source that spreads the distribution of light more evenly. It’s more...
October 2010
4 posts
Tutorial & DIY: Have you switched it up lately?
Have you switched up your routine lately?
Have you changed your perspective?
Av/Shutter Priority Mode | 1/125 @ f/2.8, ISO 400. Edited using this technique.
Have you stopped to focus on the details?
Settings same as above.
Have you gotten comfortably close?
Settings same as before. Edited using this technique.
Make a point of switching up your point of view this week/end and...
On rules: I broke one.
Yesterday was Isla’s first birthday and I broke one of my many rules: I didn’t get in any of the pictures with her. How silly. Completely inadvertent and total oversight but scrolling through this morning, my heart was heavy. I promise, Isla! I was there!
My point is this: get in the photos. Even the person you pass the camera to isn’t as good at composure as you’d like....
5 tags
Question A Day: Canon's 55-250mm
Q: Hello, I was wondering if you could offer any insight into this lens: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom Lens. I am looking for a ‘zoom’ lens for landscapes and events and my price point is pretty pathetic ($300-$400). I would like something of decent quality and no fuss but I realize my bank account may make me work a little harder. Thank you. ~Liz
A: While...
7 tags
Question A Day: Sigma Lenses
Q: nosmokewithoutpryor asked:
Hi Tamara! Question. Do you know anything about the Sigma HSM lenses? I have a Nikon D60 with the kit lens, and I also bought a “prime” lens (because I heard those are great at giving me that fuzzy, bokeh effect). I do like the prime, but it’s a manual focus lens, which I’m finding to be a big pain in the toosh. I was reading about...
September 2010
16 posts
Spam apology
I was just palm-to-face flipping through Google Reader and saw about 25 Mamarazzi posts all at once that were apparently republished about four hours ago. (Er, yes, I subscribe to my own blog via an aggregator. It’s to watch for glitches such as, oh, *this* one!)
At any rate, I apologize for the inundation!
xo, Tamara
2 tags
FAQ: Sometimes it just doesn't work. And that's...
I’ve received a few questions relating to whether or not you can fix a photo later with editing. The answer is abstractly and overall ‘yes’ but my recommendation is to try and avoid it.
It takes a lot of work to process a photo, let alone a “bad” one. Take for example these… I’m still not done, and don’t know if I will ever be. But like I said...
8 tags
Tutorial & DIY: Fall's First Portrait @ Home
There is something about the approach of Fall that makes me think of portraits on the front stoop. Maybe it’s the whole “back to school” notion or the fact that the cooler weather makes backyard play less appealing and front yard bike-riding and exploring the absolute thing to do.
This week, we should all nab a picture of our little jam-faces at the front door, no matter...
6 tags
Tutorial & DIY: High Contrast Colour Pop...
Today’s tutorial is yet another one about photo editing. It seems that’s all I’ve been thinking about this month, so next week we’ll be back on cameras, swearsies!
In the meantime, this is for Photoshop users to apply with layers. Again, I’ll reiterate in Photoshop there are a million different ways to arrive at the same result. I received a few emails...
2 tags
So you love tu-tu’s huh? Take a look at this shot of mine that I took of my friend’s daughter (the insert image button wouldn’t work so here is the link!)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelceleste/4781069923/sizes/l/in/set-72157624390178275/
actually - i have better shots of her (and her tutu at home that I should dig out and then I will send a couple to you :) )
2 tags
1 tag
Frame Worthy Friday!
It’s Frame Worthy Friday! But alas, I am sporting a puzzled frown as I try to figure out what happened to my drafts folder with all the lovely darlings and darlettes I spied this week?! I will go and re-find them, but in the meantime watch for the remaining five left in my queue before it starts fresh again for next week!
Hope everyone has a great weekend! Sometimes they get so busy, I...
4 tags
Question A Day: Early Evening Hours
This mama takes absolutely lovely photos on her blog As The Forest[e] Grows. But I did see this Q on her site yesterday, so here’s my take on things. But first, isn’t her little girl an absolute darling?! Let’s gush, shall we?!
Mrs. F wrote: “Photography question: Anyone have any advice on taking photos outdoors in the evening? Not when it’s completely dark...
5 tags
Question A Day: Capturing Bright Eyes
Q: Love, love, LOVE your blog! Thanks for all the tips. I’m hoping you can help me… I bought a Canon Rebel T1i and the 24-105 LS lens (big splurge!) so that I could take photos of my new baby. It’s amazing… but I’m just having a hard time consistently capturing the vivid blue of his eyes. How do professional photographers get those crystal clear, bright eye...
2 tags
Frame Worthy Fridays: "Bath Face"
Ha! Adorbs! Love it too! And yes, why not?! Especially if it’ll make the time fly by at work faster!
“I am SO in love with this photo of my daughter, taken on her 8 month birthday at bath time. It’s one of very few that captures her personality perfectly, and I plan to frame it and place it front-and-center on my desk at work. Is it acceptable to put a bath time photo...
2 tags
August 2010
11 posts
5 tags
Tutorial & DIY: High Contrast Black & White...
Howdy! Let’s keep playing with our pictures! One of my favourite ways to finish a photo is in a strong black and white with a lot of contrast, depth and a dash of sepia toning. And I get a lot of questions on how to do it, too. So, here we go!
This tutorial is for Photoshop users at this time.
Some colleagues and I were joking recently that, if there’s something you want to do in...
5 tags
Question a Day: Canon 450D?
Q: natashababyyy asked:
Reply 250 max250 cancel
I’m about to get a Canon EOS 450D just in time for the impending arrival of my Little Man. Is this a worthwhile choice and should I be able to pick up the basic techniques with this particular model?
A: HI!
He’s on his way so soon now! Every day, closer than the one before!
A few things about...
3 tags
Photo Tutorial + DIY: Quick Picnik 101
We’re all still having a blast playing around with our cameras, but the resulting bounty is no fun if stuck on a hard drive all day.
One of the top inquiries I receive is how to quickly and easily edit photos in a post production manner to give them that extra pop and zing. We’re going to start taking a look at various programs and what to do. You may know it, you may not. You may...
2 tags
Frame Worthy! The Eyes Have It
I am so very excited Berta was able to capture the beauty that is Florian’s eye colour, and was gracious enough to share it with us!
She was bang on in her adaptation to the light - it really is the key to capturing the intricacies of children’s ever adapting eye colour.
Just lovely, Berta! Both the photo and the subject! You can see more of this lovely family here.
xo, Tamara
...
Frame Worthy! Tu-Tu Lovin'
Today’s submission is from Carol over at Knee Deep in Mommahood
Love the rich bokeh and the sweet saturation of the colours! And, of course, Carol’s little cutie just makes it complete! And you caught me. I’m a sucker for tu-tus.
Thanks for sharing, Carol!
xo, Tamara
Question a Day: Photos for a 5 Week Old?
Q: Hi! I have a five week old! Any advice on how to get good pictures at this age?
Thanks,
Debbie
A: Debbie. I’m so sorry this was stuck at the bottom of a long-lost queue! Your five week old is undoubtedly *not* anymore, but here’s the dish:
Up until they’re rolling over constantly or sitting up on their own, my favourite shots are two fold: aerial and detail.
An...
2 tags
Frame Worthy! "Unconditional Love"
‘Love’ would be an understatement regarding these pics submitted by the lovely babykellog. What beauties, all of them. Both photos have such a classic, timeless appeal - definitely worth framing. And putting in an album. And sending to loved ones. And… you get the idea! Thanks for sharing, Kelly.
I had to bring this to the front of the queue because, unfortunately, Kelly and...
Mamarazzi DIY: Room Pics
One of the questions that seems to fall in to the inbox more often than others are how to get good indoor shots in a nursery or bedroom. The resounding solution is light, more light and then even more light. This week, I hope everyone will try and nap a few pics of their jam faces hanging out in their rooms during the day, just to see.
Aperture Priority Mode | f/2.8 @ 1/160 Shutter Speed w/...
Fair question, indeed
What’s up with you and your internet abandonment?
— Anonymous
Ha! I wish it hadn’t been so long! Or for more exciting reasons…
I’ve been away dealing with the implosion of not one, but three computers, loss of software and programming and general life randomness that seems to pick when you just don’t think it can get any busier. And, as I hope you can...
July 2010
20 posts
3 tags
Question a Day | Lens hood? Or not?
Q: I just bought a Nikon D3000 and opted for a few extra accessories: mostly filters from Polaroid (UV, Polarizer, Fluorescent as well as a set of Macro Filters), a larger & higher speed memory card as well as a remote. I’m looking at buying a lens hood and am wondering what the best option is and what are the noticeable differences between Bayonet, Tulip, Hard & Soft, etc. OR are...
4 tags
Question a Day | Raw to JPEG to Shooting Double
Q: I have been reading your blog some, and found the question about the RAW vs. JPEG images. Would you suggest double shooting? Ny Nikon has the option of RAW or JPEG or both. What would be the advantage of shooting both over one or the other? I have shot countless pictures in my life, but just recently decided to take it to the next level, and open a business. I still have SO much to learn...
3 tags
Question a Day | What about backdrops?
Q: Hi! I love your blog, and I can’t wait to see your updates! My question is: what color makes the best backdrop? Should it be textured? I would like to take a series of my son from ages one through five, and I’d like the photos to be consistent.
Thanks in advance,
Shelley
A: Hi Shelley! Thanks and thanks! Those updates are well in the works; I think you’ll like them.
...
4 tags
Question a Day | How to Shoot Fireworks!
Q: thethimehascome asked:
My husband and I are headed to the Montreal fireworks competition at the end of the month and I was hoping to take some decent pictures. I was wondering if you had any suggestions on settings etc? I have a Nikon D60 and am relatively new at playing with the settings. P.S. Sorry this isn’t about taking pictures of children! :)
A: Ha! That’s perfectly...
6 tags
Question a Day | Raw to JPEG to Photoshop
Q: Anonymous asked:
ok, i take my pictures in RAW, then upload them to iphoto in order to sort through and delete, and then when i open in photoshop they’re all jpeg…what am i doing wrong, how do i maintain RAW, can you walk me through your process?
A: I’m going to enter this is the caveat that I only really know what I do, and somewhat was others do. I realize that is...
2 tags
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Weekly DIY | 7 Tips for Quick Pics with Elders
For those of us blessed to have a network of grandparents, great grandparents, aunts, uncles and close family friends, we can never forget how important it is to include them in photos with our children. True, we could snap pics of our little jam faces defining every facet of cuteness all day, every day, but these memories… they’re not going to make themselves! Legacy photos will...