Shutter Sisters

Sharing the Spark

By

We are beyond thrilled to announce our brand new regular column Point of Focus that will be featured in Digital Photo Magazine. We will be sharing our Shutter Sisterseque photographic passion on the pages of the widely respected publication, both in the hard copy of the magazine and also in the new digital version via Zinio. Yes, you can now get DP Mag for your computer and/or ipad. Enter balloons, streamers and crowd cheers here. 

We kick off our column in the current issue with a story, in true Shutter Sisters style, along with some tips and tricks on how to stoke your photographic spark. You’ll have to check it out!

In honor of our first column, share with us today how you keep your photographic spark fired up. Got any tricks of your own? Let’s get a list going of how you let your photographic heart wander.

And let’s toss in a giveaway too. We’ve got 3 copies of the current issues of both Digital Photo Magazine and their sister publication Digital Photo Pro. We’ll randomly choose 3 winners so leave your comment (you have until Thursday midnight EST to be entered in the giveaway) and share your spark.

And winners are Jessica, Suddenly Susan, Tonette B. Check your inboxes ladies. Yay you!

Comments

  1. My boyfriend keeps me excited about photography! When I'm tired of taking pictures, he'll encourage me to get out my camera, take me to a beautiful park, and get me excited again to take pictures.

  2. I fire up my photographic spark by visiting blogs and websites of photographers admire. It's inspiring to see their newest work. I don't try to be a copycat, but it pushes me to come up with my own new, creative ideas.

  3. Sometimes I wonder where my spark goes and then I will notice the light. It's always about the light and the way it falls on or across something. Light brings is all together for me and my spark gets fired up again. I hope I win a copy I would love to read your issue
    peace n abundance,
    CheyAnne

  4. Sometimes I really have trouble keeping my spark, and then I remember that I do photography more for me than for others, so I find new things to shoot that I haven't tried before. Most of the time I don't know what I'm doing, so I mess with my settings, try my best, and the spark comes back with the excitement of trying something new.

  5. The minute I see the light, the morning sun goves way to, or I hear the song of the geese coming back to spend their summer's again on the beloved prairie, I jus have to grab that camerao' mine!! I can't even begin to put it into words, the RUSH I get from it. Altho, I'm truly a novice, a recent emptynester, with a new found PASSION!! I so love this sight, that I stumbled across recently, all things being PROVIDENTIAL…I just bought your EP book, that I can't wait to devour. Thank you "sisters" for all your inspiration, wit & talents. Blessings to you all & keep it com'n. jdykrx

  6. My photographic spark comes from life. Every passing moment is opportunity to cherish forever and simply using a len allows me to capture it. So, I get my inspiration from life and understanding that a life is so delicate.

    Brandi.

  9. My spark can be low occasionally, but a sweet look or cute pose from my dogs sends it flaring again. They're my muses!

  10. it's just a rule: make a photo every day. It just adds to my happy life to do it every day. When I don't, well, you don't want to know.

  11. This year the National Geographic All Roads program has sent me into our public school system in Santa Fe as a photography mentor. My one class has 40, count em, 40 students and, of course, this is because buget cuts require larger classes. Regardless, my task is to inspire these young adults to look at things closer, with a spectrum of oberservation considerations. THIS keeps me inspired! When I am effective at conveying ideas and information, the response from the students is the ultimate of satisfaction. You can feel their minds growing with huge leaps. It is incredibly fulfilling work and I MUST stay inspired, for them.

  12. Sometimes I go to the American Orchid Society and use my macro lens or to the Morikami Japanese Museum and Garden for a stroll with my camera. Anything, anyplace to slow myself down and just shoot for joy, wonder and withoout purpose instead of shooting for the purpose of "making a living." Spmetimes, a go early to meet a client and look around and photograph a few things without feeling rushed. Also, I read Shutter Sisters to be inspired!

  13. I am new to the photography world and am loving it! However, , I recently took a class and found it hard to find things that i wanted to photograph to try the different techniques. I live in Indiana and it was overcast most days and brown…

  14. I get inspired by looking at other photographers' work, and by taking part in online communities (like Picture Inspiration) which challenge me to expand my horizons.

  16. I have a project 365 going (my third). That helps keep me motivated to learn & try new things. Reading the Shutter Sisters blog certainly helps. 🙂

  18. I keep the spark by having a photography buddy, we encourage each other to keep shooting, go on photography adventures & work together to better our craft.

  20. My spark is to often look at all the cool things on Photojojo.com and imagine how I could use them creatively – and to peruse the blogs of the shutter sisters of course!

  21. Reminding myself to really look, to really see. It is so easy to get washed away in the negativity of the world sometimes. Looking purposefully with eyes on love brings it to the surface.

  23. I try to carry my camera with me everywhere I go. I also shoot photos even when I don't feel like it. Sometimes after I've downloaded my pics, I'm so glad I didn't let my "emotions of the day" get in the way of shooting.

  24. it's a part of life for me – I have always carried a camera with me – I shoot at least one photo a day – life inspires me and to get the extra spark I check out other blogs and Shutter sisters…..

  25. Like all of us, I do lose the spark every once in a while. I have found my iPhone has been the key to revival. Somehow, because it's supposedly "not a REAL camera" (even though in my heart it is…..), there is the freedom to just, well, shoot. It always brings me back around.

  27. I've felt so 'busy' that I have not been bringing my camera out as much as usual. Just read a comment about not letting her mood get in the way of her photos. Hmmm…..I like that. 🙂

  28. Congrats on the column!!
    Sometimes when I feel that I'm loosing my spark, I just sit and look at our photos. Bringing back all the memories always puts a big smile on my face and gives me the extra energy and joy for taking the new ones.

  30. Photo blogs! That is the number one way for me to feed my spark – and Shutter Sisters is right at the top of that list.

  31. I just recently found a local photography club and attended my first meeting last week. I was inspired to find people from my own community with the same interest, men and women alike. Besides that, BIg Picture Classes have really given me the spark to take photos daily, which is something I absolutely love doing!

  32. That's great. Your column will really enhance that magazinge.
    I keep my spark going by always carrying my camera with me — absolutely everywhere I go.

  33. Wow, that sounds amazing, congratulations. My spark has definitely been ignited recently when I upgraded my Rebel XT to a Canon 60D. I'm seriously in love with it and have been experimenting whilst out on some nature walks.

  34. I look to others for inspiration. When I need a pick me up, I open flickr and explore. Or browse through blogs. It really does get me excited to get out with my camera again.

  35. With each seasonal change there is a new spark. As I get older, my eyes tire easily, yet everyday I still seem to find something that holds some sort of a beauty I must share. Being new to Shutter Sisters I enjoy the wonderful community filled with sooo much talent that only helps the spark to ignite. Oh, and yes I too carry my camera with me everywhere :^)

  36. Congratsulations! I love reading photography blogs and looking at magazines to help me find my spark. But it also gets the travel spark (flame) going.

  37. What keeps me 'sparked' is always imagining a photo from life's most ordinary things and having my camera on hand to capture it!

  38. Congratulations!!!

    This is one of my favorite magazines, and I regularly pull old issues out because there is always something that sparks my mind and curiosity. So happy that you will be featured regularly in there now!

    Loved the top image – Build Extra Time Into Your Day.

    I did that for the first time yesterday – and it felt great!! Only 10 minutes but here's what it looked like:

    http://humbirdhum.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/the-long-way-home-2/

  39. Wow congratulations how exciting!! To keep my spark fired up I like to take regular photo walks…I always find something to photograph! And it is especially fun to explore a new area. I also love to look at others for inspiration and ideas, and participating in challenges, photo scavenger hunts, trying out new techniques or editing styles, and my 365 all keep the creative juices flowing!

  40. You ladies rock! That is spectacular.
    I think what keeps me going being surprised. I know that it is important to have a vision and all that — but what most inspires me is when I capture something totally unexpected, or take a so-so image and make it sing with PP. That keeps me going back for more.

  41. Cool – congratulations! I wonder if I can find that magazine in Norway – I hope so 🙂 The only thing keeping my photographic spark alive right now is my Android camera phone. The many processing possibilities available in the apps and the fact that it's so small and easy to shoot with are just what I need now that my mind is almost completely taken up with getting used to a new job.

  43. This site helps a lot, as well as Tracey's online workshops and Flickr. I also have my 365 project to keep me motivated. I am not a quitter. 😉

  44. Congratulations!! That's so exciting!! I take a day trip to somewhere I've never been, or haven't been to in a long time. Luckily SoCal has lots of hidden spots! 🙂

  45. Congratulations, what a fantastic honor. Gives me hope for my humble blog. I'm so excited for you. I already subscribe to the magazine so please take me out of the running, but add my excitement to yours!

    What really keeps me going are the challenges. I love doing photography challenges. Coming up with a unique way to look at something is excellent. Probably appeals to the creative side (photography) and the analytical side (accounting) me my persona. Here are a few of challenges I completed recently…

    scavenger hunt sunday: http://www.kimberlygauthier.com/challenges/photography-challenge-scavenger-hunt-sunday-2/4297/

    food photography in a dark restaurant (my own challenge): http://www.kimberlygauthier.com/challenges/project-365-n-joy-sushi-mill-creek-wa-food-photography/4287/

    model eyes, self portrait challenge: http://www.kimberlygauthier.com/challenges/selfie-magic-how-do-you-get-model-eyes/4266/

  46. Since I am challenging myself to the photo a day project, I am constantly seeking out my spark. Almost always, I find it in nature!
    And congrats also!!

  48. I find my spark in online classes like Picture Inspiration at BPC and blogs like Shutter Sisters. I also love to explore on Flickr.

    Congrats on the new column. Love the magazine and look forward to future issues.

  50. ha, good timing. i was lacking any spark today but brought my camera with me anyway (as per usual in this 365) hoping i'd see something, anything as i drove the kiddos to a play date. it wasn't until our drive home when the fading light was hitting the fence at the horse park just so. i pulled out the camera and oh no! i had an inexlicable -E- flashing. with daylight now fading fast, i was getting desperate and pulled out the iphone for some shots of the power lines on the way home. i'm almost afraid to look at what i got.

  51. I started a 365 project this year, taking a picture every day. That commitment to myself keeps me inspired! Last week I had one really busy day and forgot about taking a picture. It was late at night and I ended up walking around my house taking pictures of the smallest most mundane things I see every day. The pictures turned out great and I had a ton of fun taking them. There is inspiration in noticing the beauty in what's around me every day.

    ~ Ursula

  52. Congrats on the column! Reading sites like this and looking at other photographer's work helps keep me inspired. I find myself wondering how someone did something.

  53. What keeps my spark fired up is my desire to live in the present moment. It's amazing how present and alive I feel when I pick up my camera and walk around outside or inside. Whether I'm shooting a beach sunset or taking a photo of my latest baking project, I'm not thinking about anything else. I am only appreciating all the little details that make up my life. I'm so grateful for my camera.

  55. Usually when I need that spark to liven up my creativity, I get down low. I always find something from that angle that makes for interesting shots.

  57. A good field trip does the trick for me, even if it's just walking around my neighborhood for 20 minutes if that's all I can fit in. I love heading to a little downtown somewhere or a farmers' market—that's my favorite way to energize. I always kid that my camera gets bored if it doesn't get to go on a field trip once in a while… it has a personality too, right? : )

  59. Congratulations!!!
    My spark comes from books and magainzes. Seeing all those amazing pictures makes me want to go and take amazing pictures.

  60. My spark can mainly be found in every day life, all I come accross during the day is worth capturing and then with processing I see what project can come out of it. It keeps the spark alive.

  61. Taking my daughter for a walk through our neighborhood usually opens my eyes up to some new ideas. Learning new "tricks' with my camera or getting a new accessory always helps too!

  62. Photo blogs! They are the best way I have found to give me ideas and keep me excited about photography on a regular basis. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

  63. I love looking at the Shutter Sisters and linking to others work and blogs. I also get inspired with trips to the bookstore and new locations. if all else fails, I am challenged by new techniques or self portraits.

  64. Themed photo shoots with friends are my spark! Having a fun idea to share using my friends to help create what I'm seeing in my mind rejuvinates my love to photograph.
    Additionally, blogging is helping to keep me taking "interesting" photos on the regular, adding to my spark.
    Of course, the extra daylight and promise of warm spring days have really got me itching to adventure outside and photograph anyone and anything in my path!

  65. Nine times out of ten it is about the light. IAnd it usually happens at the most inopportune times…I can be driving home from work and see the sunset illuminating the flag flying in front of an office building and literally be moved to pull over and take a picture right then and there. Some of my best shots are taken when I just happen upon a beautiful light situation…That truly is what sparks my fire.

  66. The long winter here in NH has made it a bit difficult, but I try to find color and beauty everywhere, even if it's just a favorite coffee mug, a vase of Dutch tulips I've brought home or the way the sun is hitting the walls of my studio and making them glow.

  67. I find just leaving town helps to change my perspective. I'd gotten a bit tired of all the snow here and the gray coloring that has permeated everything. I had a workshop about a half hour from home and decided to take my camera. I was amazed at all of the little details that I simply had to photograph. I couldn't stop clicking. Spring is coming though, I can feel it in the air.

  68. Mine come from other blogs/forums or being able to just sit and watch the light on a subject.

  71. Things that help me to keep the photography spark burning is the Shutter Sisters blog, the Shutter Sisters FLICKR group pools, the Shutterfly Friends group pool, checking out Shutterfly sharesites, Shutterfly's photobook gallery, joining fun FLICKR groups that give prompts and ideas, Pioneer Womans blog, contests, magazines, books, & checking out inspirational blogs! I also have been exploring my own area the past 2 years and trying to look at it like a tourist would. It gives you a new perspective and opens your eyes to the beauty you didn't see before! I also get inspired by quotes or music lyrics.

    Congratulations on your new column called Point of Focus in the Digital Photo Magazine! 🙂

  72. Like many, I don't always have the luxury of venturing some place new or exotic to experiment with photography. So I have to get real creative with angles and lighting in my own back yard.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/50099518@N05/5513855230/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/50099518@N05/5534106458/

    I also use my son's toys for practice & creativity.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/50099518@N05/4602681477/
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/50099518@N05/5492691867/

    Also, I always have my point and shoot with me just in case a moment reveals itself that is just too good to pass up.

    Congratulations on the DP Mag gig!

    Michelle

  73. My kids. They always know where I should be pointing my camera, and it helps me get in their heads too.

  74. My friend's children always make me smile and reach for my camera. A change of scenery, too, helps to mix things up… travel being the ultimate in getting the spark going, whenever fortunate enough!

  76. I keep the spark alive by trying to capture little things about my grand daughters as they change and grow and little things that I find in my little part of the world. I also participate in Tracey's Picture classes. There are so many good pictures in the galleries and they give me inspiration to continue taking pictures.

  77. I keep myself inspired by looking at everything I see as a photo, even when I don't have my camera on me. I live in the city, so I walk everywhere. When I'm not commuting to work, my camera Is around my neck. I snap everything that I find remotely interesting, and end up talking several detours on the way, but then rush home to see what I've got. I get most excited by those happy accidents I get of random people on the street. Shooting on the fly definitely keeps my creative juices flowing. Also reading books on photography, particularly the Shutter Sisters book. I flip through the pages planning on how to execute certain subjects and use new techniques.

  78. I call it my spring personal clean up. get rid of the old and in with the new. Thanks for the inspiration and congrats on the column!

  79. WOW!!!! I am thrilled I won! WOW!!! I am so excited I haven't checked my emails lately because of computer problems and we have been really busy with an upcoming move to Indianna that is 500 miles away from our hometown in West Seneca, NY. My husband had to relocate to Indianna 8.5 months ago and its been extremely difficult on our family. Thanks so much this really brightened my day since its another holiday our family has been split 500 miles apart. I just sent you my new address.
    Happy Easter! Have a great week! 🙂
    Thanks,
    Toni Bork