Photography Contest – what does summer mean to you?
Now available – private online photography lessons
I’ve been doing private photography tutoring lessons for a while now but unless you live in the Edmonton area that isn’t very helpful for you. So now available is private photography lessons online. We can do it via Skype, a program called AnyMeeting, or my favourite a Google Plus Hangout. Don’t worry if you don’t have any of these things or know how to use them, they are all free and simple to install and run.
Photography Contest – show me “summer”
So to launch this new service I’m having a photography contest. Everyone loves a contest right? Everyone wants to try and win and show their best image, right? I hope so! When I think of summer I think festivals, parades, sunshine and smiles. What does summer mean to you?
This is one of my favourite summer events here in Edmonton, the Cariwest parade (Caribbean, akin to Rio’s Carnival but much smaller of course).
Here are the details of the contest:
How to Enter
- Submit your favourite image that shows what summer means to you. Create a photograph that represents summer how you think of it. What are the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and sensations of summer? How do you show that in one image?
- ONE entry per person only please
- Must be a subscriber to my email newsletter to win so if you have not subscribed yet please fill in the form below (then click on “confirm” in the email you will receive shortly)
- Submit your image by adding a link to it in the comment section below. Your image can be hosted on any photo sharing site such as Facebook, Google Plus, 500px, Flickr, etc. It just needs to be viewable by anyone, without registering on that site. If we can’t see your image, you can’t win.Like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/herviewphotography/3808630430/in/set-72157622000777662/lightbox/ (link to same image as above)
- Make sure that you include your name, and that your profile includes a way for me to get in touch with you by email. It should be in your log in profile when you make your comment. If I can’t reach you,you can’t win!
- Tell us about your image. Where did you take it and how does it represent summer for you.
- Lastly – tell me why you want to win this contest? Why do you feel you need photography lessons, what is it you most want to learn?
- Deadline to enter: August 31st, midnight MST
Prizes and how they will be awarded
- This contest will be a little different in that it will not necessarily be the best photo that wins the contest.
- ALL entries will have an equal chance to win, prizes will be awarded by a DRAW made from all entries received
- There is NO fee to enter, the only requirement is that you subscribe to my newsletters and updates
- First prize is a two hour, online private photography lesson – value $140
- Second and third prizes will each receive a $50 gift certificate which you can choose to either apply to your own private lessons, to my upcoming Online Lightroom classes (to be announced soon), or to buy a print from my fine art photography store (something for inspiration perhaps)
- Winners will be contacted via the information in your profile used to comment so please ensure your information is correct
- Winners will also have their images featured on this site in a follow up article
Prices for Photography Lessons
- Private lessons in person $85/hour
- Semi-private (2 students) in person $100/hr
- NEW: private lessons remotely (online) $70/hour
If you want more information about this service please visit the Private Photography Lessons page. If you have further questions about private photography lessons, please contact us so we can address your specific needs.
What are you waiting for? Let’s see those “summer” images!
Cheers, Darlene
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaldoche/7725835580/
This is for me the perfect summer… Sun, Water and Smile
Author: Thierry DRAUS
Website: http://www.kaldoche.net
My name is Jorge Cubero, I am from the precious country Costa Rica, the happiest country in the world.
I love your work and looking forward to learn from you.
Summer gives me the opportunity to share beautiful scenes from my country Costa Rica to the rest of the world.
I want to win because I am a begginer, I have a plain Canon SX30is with no accesories other than a tripod, so I have a lot to learn, I want to be able to capture the Beautiful Planet Earth and share it to the rest of you.
The link to my picture https://plus.google.com/photos/101495589362440279219/albums/5771454226604567569
Here is my summer image:
http://500px.com/photo/11194333
which combines my love of dusty hot trails and the idea of minimalism in photography:
http://500px.com/bulitko/stories/38544/saturate-the-inner-eye
Vadim
Thanks for entering Thierry, Jorge and Vadim! Okay, where’s everyone else?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kurtzba98/7423025854/in/photostream
my niece enjoying a summer day
Can you tell us your name please?
When you see fireworks ..you think freedom and of course the warmth of the season…and that’s what summer means to me.
Having an opportunity to move further with my photography means a great deal to me.. I have allot to learn, and I have the drive and passion in my work to do so.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=435524286486776&set=a.408276352544903.87326.339139312791941&type=1&theater
Summer….sun, fun, bright colours, and the Edmonton FolkFest. Can’t think of anything that symbolizes summer to me more than that. Here’s a photo that brings all of that together:
http://www.sureshot.ca/files/BevsPic.jpg
As far as why I’d like to win, well, at this point in my learning, I need all the help I can get and what I’ve got from you so far has been invaluable so taking it further would be amazing.
http://goo.gl/M46Js
My Summer Bliss
Wilderness, smell of pine, soul stirring call of the Loon, the drip of water off the paddle, quiet, solitude, campfires, star filled night skies, the whisper of the boat rippling the glassy surface. I enter into this world and unplug from technology, people and everyday life. It rejuvenates my mind and spirit.
These days I see the world differently and all I want to do is take pictures and create in a photo what I see in my mind and beyond. I love your work and want to study more with you Darlene.
Nice image Karen! Sure you’re not a writer? Those are pretty nice words too. Thanks for entering!
Thanks Darlene. Thus the name of my Facebook page and tumbr blog, PicXpressions. Images evoke thoughts and thoughts evoke images. I try and post one everyday (except when I unplug of course). It keeps me stretching creatively.
That’s awesome!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melhallphotography/7828520486/
Summer means heading to the beach and kicking off my flip flops. I can hear the waves; feel the heat of the sun overhead; and smell the Pacific Ocean air.
I have so much to learn – Winning would mean dedicated and sanctioned time to develop an artist’s eye with a fabulous teacher.
Thanks Melissa! Good luck!
I was so excited to see this contest, not only to submit some work, but earn the chance to connect with you Darlene!
This is my submission of my oldest daughter, Acadia (she is 3, but I also have a 2 and a 1 year old). We were at my Aunt’s house having dinner, and Cady was playing in the hammock… I thought immediately that I should grab my camera and try to get a cool & interesting shot utilizing this quintessential symbol of summer – a hammock!! I am happy with how it turned out, and would love to hear your advice!!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=344889535598516&set=a.344889532265183.81046.307379186016218&type=1&theater
xx,
Michelle
Awesome Michelle, thanks for entering! How did you find the contest, my newsletter?
Hi Darlene,
Here is my “summer” entry. Although our summers here are relatively short, we are fortunate to have an abundance of festivals and events to take in. A couple of weeks ago, I enjoyed the Vegreville Country Fair for the first time. I was struck by the sense that wherever one goes, many of the sights, sounds, and smells of a summer fair seem universal… like the irresistible cinnamon-y smell of fresh, hot mini donuts! With this photo, I wanted to capture vibrant colours and bustling activity of the small-town fair under the Alberta sky.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shlyle/7869478960/in/set-72157631038961302/lightbox/
As this is my first summer with my DSLR, I am only just beginning and have so much to learn. Two hours of tutoring with you would be priceless!
Cheers,
Shawna
Summer is airshow season, it’s also thunderstorm season…polar opposites I know but I love to watch them both.
To see 9 aircraft execute maneuvers in less space than one commercial jet can bring chills.
I also love to watch the absolute randomness of a thunderstorm, and be amazed at the absolute power. To be close enough to hear the snap of lightning is intense.
This photo was the last pass the Snowbirds made before scrubbing their performance at Whitecourt because of the thunderstorm closing from the north.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=148019548670123&set=a.148016382003773.29309.100003862376300&type=1&relevant_count=5&ref=nf
Flowers of summer. I enjoy seeing all the beautiful perennial flowers in the summer. I am so surprised and impressed by what I find growing in my yard out in the country. I tried to capture them as they bloomed.
I would love to win this contest and get assistance in figuring out what I need to do in order to improve my photography. From the many pictures I take, there seems to be something missing to really make them stand out. I have had little formal training and learn from what I read and hear about. I have always had an interest in photography, and wish I would have realized 35 years ago during a high school graphics class that there was a lot to learn about this fascinating hobby and that I would enjoy it for years.
The idea of online tutoring is awesome as I don’t live near a big center that offers courses.
Thanks Darlene for the opportunity to enter your contest.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3702454399186&set=a.3702449039052.2134078.1210236908&type=1&theater
There is nothing better than your first summer love!
This photo has lots to be desired technically but I am just a beginner!
I happened to be relaxing on the deck and was so thankful that my camera still had the really long lens on it so I could capture this sweet moment in secret! Our 7 year old daughter and the 7 year old boy vacationing in the cabin next to us were inseparable! These two spent hours talking and pedaling back and forth in the paddle boat. Does anyone ever really forget their first summer romance?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4140812071178&set=a.4140811751170.168438.1009963544&type=1&theater
I love watching the kids enjoy their freedom and playtime in the summer. I am challenged to capture the best of it in my photos. The moments are so fleeting! This is my grandson showing me his style in climbing at the park in Yorba Linda, CA.
It was a bright sunny day with cool breezes. Great for playing but hard for me in getting good photos in the hard light and shadows. I’d love to learn better techniques for my outdoor photography.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79706964@N03/7901376296/
Thanks for offering a contest Darlene!!!
I LOVE summer!! Although this is not my best picture of the summer, it is my favorite. It is heart warming to me for sooo many reasons! This photo was taken at Canim Lake, BC which is in the cariboo region in the interior. My grandparents have property there and I have been spent my summers there since I was about 5. This picture is of my son, jumping off the dock into the water. To me it depicts, summer sunsets, FREEDOM, unbridled fun, no fear, no scheudles and above all kids enjoying the great outdoors. This is my first summer there after both my grandparents have passed away. I feel so blessed that my kids were able to experience this in the same way that my cousins and I did!
I would LOVE to win some tutoring from you! I admire the photography knowledge that you have at the top of your mind. I appreciate your teaching style and appreciate how you can take some pretty complex subjects and make it understandable to everyone! I am at that stage that I have a tiny little taste of photography, and it is so clear to me that I don’t know what I don’t know! there are soooo many topics that I would love to learn from you! Lightroom, print profiles, HDR, better understanding of lighting, using speedlights, night photography! Do you think you could fit that all in two hours??? LOL!
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.301593416573816.78640.169156336484192&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=405689336164223&set=a.337337036332787.86703.169156336484192&type=1&theater
My image represents family, fun & friendships that is what summer means to me. Spending time with the people you enjoy to have near you.
It is always a pleasure to be able to learn new things from you.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/suzyq2000/
Yes, Darlene, I came across the contest through your emailed newsletter 🙂
I believe I first found you in the world of cyberspace through DPS? You rock!!
Thanks everyone for entering! I’m going to put all your names on a slip of paper and draw them from a hat, or let me cat pick which one she likes. She’s totally impartial! 😉 I will put the winner’s name here probably tomorrow and I’ll get in touch to set up your free tutoring session!