Wednesday, March 31, 2010

It's Graduation Day!



Alannah, 2009 Graduate



Okay, well, not yet. But it will be soon! Are you ready? These last few months until graduations begin (whether college or high school) will go quickly. Don't forget to make your appointment to capture your graduate's face before it is changed forever by the real world.

Thank you,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Photography 101: Product


Fused Glass Plate by Tacoma Artist Penny Duke



When taking product shots there are a few simple things to remember to create useful images.

1. Keep it simple: Don't clutter the image with lots of background or other items. A simple background is enough to showcase your item. If you need a prop, use one not twelve.

2. Focus: Make sure the focus of the camera is on your product, not on anything else, especially not the empty air in front of the product.

3. Lighting: Don't worry, you do not need special lights to create usable images. Sunlight (even on cloudy days) is bright enough. Well lit images showcase your product much better than low light, "dingy" looking pictures.

Think you still need help or you want a in house lesson? Send me an E-mail. I will help you create better product shops for online shops and portfolios.

Thank you,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Monday, March 29, 2010

Speakeasy Arts Cooperative


Are you looking for local talent in the Tacoma area? Do you want to immerse yourself in art? Check out the Speakeasy Arts Cooperative located at 746 Broadway Street in Tacoma. Run by Angela Jossy, this newish venue has events scheduled every week including the 100th Monkey on April 21st.

Speakeasy on Facebook

Phone: 253.426.5704

Open Thurs through Sun 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

See events schedule for additional information.

Thank you,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Rachael and Tracy

Last year I was surrounded by new and soon to be mothers. This is a friend of mine with her beautiful baby girl.









Thank you for looking,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Lights, Camera...Lights?


I began playing the violin when I was twelve. It was the first year of middle school and I was given the option of art, band, or orchestra. Since I had convinced myself that I was bad at art, and didn’t want to play any band instruments, I opted for orchestra and the violin. It was a perfect fit.

A few years ago, frustrated with the student violin that I was still using, I headed off to Ebay to look for a more sophisticated instrument. In my searching I came across many beautiful specimens. I finally settled on a fine 1920’s model that turned out to have a beautiful sound and this one, a “fiddle” painted in a camouflage pattern by a veteran of the Vietnam war: a friend to the man who was selling it.

I bought the violin for its photographic possibilities, filed the bridge myself so I could put the strings on properly and found that it too, had a beautiful sound. I played the instrument many times over the next few years, but never took out my camera to capture its unique beauty.

I do not believe I would have captured the same photograph had I taken its picture so many years ago. I didn’t yet own the lens I used and I was still struggling with the “proper” way to take a picture. Today, I am learning to love my own style, and not the rules of photography. I work with the light of a room and form the photograph around the light rather than forcing the light to do my biding. I would rather edit out distractions from a great photograph than opt for a different lighting just to have a clean background. This photograph is clean and uniquely lit by a table lamp while the subject is sitting on a green blanket.

Want to find out more about want Ardent had to say in March? Check out the newsletter The Keen Observer.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah McTernen
www.ardentphotography.com
smcternen.etsy.com
Ardent Photography Fan Page

Friday, March 26, 2010

March Etsy Favorites


I love copper. I always have, even if it sometimes turns my skin green. I love the bright orange color of a clean penny and the subtle petina of an aged statue. Here are some of my favorite Etsy listings having to do with copper.

1. Casper Copperbottom - eiderdown

2. Night Chi 3 piece dinnerware set - OneClayBead

3. Dodo in copper and granite - Rakupferamik

4. Copper Penny - Flowers - Original Watercolor 4x6 - printmakerjenn

5. Barrel Copper Red Mugs - cyrusthepotter

6. Bubble Wand Mini Flower Swirl Magic Wand - PurpleBusStudio

7. Copper-Blue Raku Vase - natureofclay

8. Hand Forged Iron and Copper Flower Life-Size - styler76

Welcome to spring.

Thanks for looking,

Sarah McTernen
smcternen.etsy.com

Thursday, March 18, 2010