Thursday, November 8, 2012

Improve Your Photography Skills (Basic Photography eBook Giveaway!)

The holidays are coming, friends. If you want to figure out the basics to taking good pictures, and take your camera off of the Auto setting, then today's Photography Basics ebook Giveaway from Kristen Duke Photography is for you. Just imagine the photos of your family and the Christmas tree this year! You don't need to be a Canon or Nikon expert to test this book out...just someone who has the desire to take better pictures. Keep reading to learn more about the book and to enter to win your own copy of "Say NO to Auto".
Say NO to Auto" (Photography Basics) Giveaway, from Serenity Now

I was in elementary school when I received my first camera. I used it to take pictures of my Barbies all dressed up for a Barbie-Ken wedding. I used it to snap shots on field trips and family vacations. As I grew older, my little camera was replaced by newer models. As digital photography and DSLR cameras became more popular, I was thrilled when T gave me a Nikon and some awesome accessories

Confession time. The manual settings on my camera scare me a little bit. There are a lot of numbers and letters. Numbers and letters together remind me of Algebra. And Algebra reminds me of math. I hate math. I've looked at tutorials, camera manuals, and online tips before and they make me nervous. 

When Kristen asked if I'd like to take a peek at "Say NO to Auto", I readily agreed. Kristen is a lifestyle blogger and photographer based in Austin, Texas. I've featured several of her amazing projects here at Serenity Now. Her site, Capturing Joy is filled with creative ideas. I just knew she'd be able to explain things to me!

Kristen explains basic photography terms in a way that I could understand. Reading through the ebook made me feel like two friends were sitting down for a chat. This book is definitely geared towards readers who want to understand the basics. 

The format is easy to read, well organized, and she includes photo examples. I love that she shares pictures of both Canon and Nikon DSLR models and their features. This was a huge bonus for me. I've seen lots of tutorials geared for one model or another, and when you are new to using your DSLR it's helpful to see something similar to your brand. Kristen's book is not at all intimidating!

Here's an example of 3 UNEDITED photos in my dining room taken in Auto mode with the flash on (eeew! dark and harsh), Auto mode with no flash (eh, better, but still dark), and in Manual mode. Clearly the one taken in Manual mode wins here:
Taking Better Photos, from Serenity Now

You can purchase a hard copy or the ebook (and if you win the Giveaway, Kristen will refund you the purchase price!). The ebook comes in jpeg form, 17 pages. I was able to print them out on photo paper and create a small booklet to keep in my camera bag. I had the pages laminated to keep them from getting beat up in my camera bag. You can even upload them to your iPhone as images. How handy is that?!
Say NO to Auto" (Photography Basics) Giveaway, from Serenity Now

I highly recommend "Say NO to Auto"; it would also make a fantastic Christmas gift for a loved one who wants to learn more about taking great photos!

Kristen is giving away a copy of "Say NO to Auto" to one Serenity Now reader!

--UPDATE: Giveaway now closed--

Please use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter, and note that I do verify entries:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, and may all of us enjoy better photos this holiday season!

34 comments:

  1. I've been learning how to shoot in aperture mode or shutter speed mode, but I'd love to take it one step further and set BOTH of those settings manually!

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  2. I've been experimenting a bit with my camera but I have so far to go...hate the thought of buying a new one, but this one is so outdated. I need an e-book for it badly!

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  3. I would love to learn a bit more about my camera!

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  4. I so need to learn more about photography! Would love to win :))

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  5. I would LOVE to win this :) I love taking pictures of family, friends, landscapes, etc, etc.
    Nikki C from SC

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  6. I fall back on auto mode more than I want to admit. I can use this book!

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  7. I'm also scared of the manual settings. I've tried to read my manual but it just confuses me. I'd love to win this to improve my holiday pictures.

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  8. I need a LOT of help with my DSLR. Mostly all those options you have that can be changed when you're in manual mode. I would love to learn!

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  9. I would love to gain the confidence to know how to photograph in manual quickly and easily...not taking 15 minutes to get it right and know what I am doing.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

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  10. Lighting! I really want to learn how to use the light available to my advantage!

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  11. Somedays I think I get it and other days it's still all Greek to me. Would love this book!!

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  12. i'm hoping a new camera will be under my christmas tree and i'd love to know how to take better pictures-i just wing it now with the camera i have

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  13. Love this, i need this, lol. I have been blogging for nearly a year and my photos are getting better. I have a cannon now and need to learn to use it instead of my point and shoot

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  14. I would like to get better at getting the lighting & focus right.

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  15. I would love to use my Nikon D40 another way besides Auto. Thanks.

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  16. This would be so helpful! I really want to get away from using auto!

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  17. i would love to learn more about photography.

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  18. Oh my! What a coincidence! I just posted on my blog today about how we just bought a DSLR and I am trying to learn the basics. This would help me so much. I would really like to learn to shoot in Manual!

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  19. I have been wanting this ebook for a while now....I'm hoping I win but if not, I think I'll buy a present for me!

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  20. I really need to improve my photography for my blog as well as upgrading my camera. Will keep my fingers crossed I win! Thanks girl!

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  21. I've worked hard to learn to use my camera but I'm still not confident with the manual mode. I'd love to win this.

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  22. Just received a brand new camera and would love to learn how to take great pictures of my very first grandchild!

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  23. I am such a novice, I have no idea where to even start.

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  24. I'd love to know how to take better food pictures. Always tricky for me! :)

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  25. I sort of understand how my camera works, but I honestly never use Manual mode. I keep my camera in P mode most of the time and I rarely shoot with a flash...but I would love to learn more about Manual for sure!

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  26. I'd like to learn to take better pictures indoors and in low lighting. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  27. I'd love to win this. I've tried so hard to get out of Auto, but it's such a struggle for me. Maybe this booklet would be the one to help me get past my mental block when it comes to photography.

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  28. Oh I would love this! Manual scares me so much!!

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  29. Oh how I need to take better pics..for my family's sake and my readers sake! LOL
    Thanks for the great giveaway!
    Blessings!

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  30. I have a camera and taken a class, I still am afraid of the manual settings. I now try to just play around with one setting so I am not completely on manual but still do not know what I am doing. Thanks and have a great weekend.

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  31. I've been experimenting a lot with my camera but I'd really love to learn some more indepth things. I kind of need to get to the next step.

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  32. I'd lov tips about using white balance.

    Also, such. GreT idea to laminate and put in your comer bag.

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  33. I'd like to learn how to take spontaneous pictures of my little one (without her realizing and stopping what she's doing)

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  34. I want to learn how to take photos in any kind of lighting.

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