Friday, March 6

Q&A + a GIVEAWAY + some tiny announcements...

First things first... This month marks my one year photoversary! Sure, I'd done plenty with photography in the past. But a year ago this month I got serious and started doing photos for my friends (and anyone else who'd let me take their picture!). And now here I am, a year later, doing it "full time" and STILL learning! Learning never stops, and one of my favorite things is sharing what I've learned with YOU. It's pretty gratifying to be able to answer questions that I was asking not too long ago! :)

So... Q&A... for a WHOLE week, I'll be taking questions you ask (and have asked in the past) and I'll answer the best ones on my blog! They can be about PHOTOGRAPHY, PHOTOSHOP, RUNNING A BUSINESS, or about me (since I know you are all dying to hear what my favorite food is and other exciting tidbits). Don't be shy! Email questions to info@carlycarlson.com or comment with them on this post. ***I'll be taking questions until MIDNIGHT, FRIDAY the 13th (ooh, spooky!)

This brings me to my next item of business!
A GIVEAWAY


I'm starting to teach some one-on-one photography and photoshop classes online. Because I've never done this before, I'll be selecting one of you question askers AT RANDOM to be my first ever online student. You'll get a 1-2 hour online session. If you've used Skype or iChat, it'll be a similar format, we can see each other and we can see one anothers screens-- how groovy is that? It's a great opportunity to get some hands on learning, and to pick my brain about anything you want to learn (that I know!!)! I'll be making a more official announcement about my classes sometime next month!
***When asking a question in the Q&A please specify that you'd like to be entered in the GUINEA PIG GIVEAWAY if you'd like to win. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. Again, either email me or comment here.
***Winner will be announced on FRIDAY the 13th (still spooky!) at MIDNIGHT.

And a couple tiny announcements...
*This here photography blog was featured on ILovePhotoBlogs.com this week... Thanks guys!
*Wedding season is picking up already, and since I only take 2 weddings a month, the summer is filling up!! Book your summer wedding this month and get a FREE engagement session! Ask for details.

***quick clarification***
I will post answers to questions through out the week, rather than posting them in a big post or answering them one-by-one...
so check back over the next week for updates on the Q&A!

16 comments:

Rebecca and Chad Hansen. March 6, 2009 at 1:30 PM  

Carly, looking great! As usual. I have a question for you, actually, two. How do you get such vivid crip colors in your photos AND what is your favorite lens to use? I can't believe you only started a year ago! Congrats on your one year photo-versary.

Rebecca and Chad Hansen. March 6, 2009 at 1:30 PM  

and by crip. i mean crisp. not the gang.

The Dansies March 6, 2009 at 1:35 PM  

I love you work (you took my aunt Brenda's family pics)and would love to be entered into your contest for online lessons! Here's my Q: I currently have an old 35mm Nikon, but I'm saving my pennies for a digital. Do you have any recommendations as far as the best camera/lens for someone just starting out?

Arly March 6, 2009 at 2:39 PM  

Besides Stella, what is your favorite subject to shoot? And what subject do you think you are the best at? Are they one in the same?

Vanessa March 6, 2009 at 5:34 PM  

Happy one year mark!! Congrats! I can't wait to see what you create in your 2nd year!! Love ya!

Rachel Holloway March 6, 2009 at 7:42 PM  

Carly, CONGRATS and I am so happy for you! I WOULD LOVE to be entered in your contest...because heaven knows I need your help!

I would love to know how you quickly figure out what settings to use. I find that so much of my photography is trial and error still. How did you really get comfortable using all manual settings?

Wii are the Nelsons March 6, 2009 at 8:11 PM  

what suggestions do you have for taking photos of babies 0-12 months?

{Amanda G} March 7, 2009 at 7:19 PM  

I would love to be your student and learn from you. What an inspiration you are!
My question is: How do I make my photos crisp? I shoot in manual mode, but I just can't seem to get the crispness that I want. I am probably doing everything wrong, which is why I deserve to chance to learn from you. Please, please!!!

Unknown March 9, 2009 at 4:15 AM  

My question is on lighting! How in the world do you get good pictures in a cultural hall? I have been asked several times to come take reception pictures and the lighting is so incredibly awful that my shutter delay is unworkable! I've tried messing with the ISO... to no avail, I need your lessons Carly!

Mindy March 9, 2009 at 12:51 PM  

Oh, so many things to ask!

What exactly does "oh snap" do, so I could sort of mimic it until I can buy TRA?

Where do you get ideas for poses when you are doing a family shoot?

What do you do if you're doing a shoot and the conditions are horrible at the time you scheduled (i.e. HARSH sunlight in the middle of the winter)?

What is the KELVIN mode for white balance? And how do you use it?


Okay, I know I asked wayyy too many questions. Feel free to pick and choose which ones to answer! Thank you!

Rebecca and Chad Hansen. March 9, 2009 at 2:57 PM  

p.s. I would love to be entered into the giveaway!
thanks for the response to my question. I have that 50mm and it IS a dream.

janine March 9, 2009 at 8:12 PM  

congrats! i would love some tutoring! so please enter me in that one!!! love your style.

Anonymous March 10, 2009 at 8:26 AM  

Hi Carly! I do have a question. My husband bought be the d40 for Christmas. And I have some really good ideas, I just don't have the skills/ knowledge to start taking some really good pictures. What's your best advice for somebody just starting out? Like WHERE do I start?
Thanks! And I'd love to be considered for the class...I need it! :)

Toni March 10, 2009 at 8:32 PM  

I dido the crisp question at the beginning, wondering what sharpening method you use. Also what lenses do you use?
You seem like the nicest person ever, BTW. I usually don't show my face anywhere, but for you, I dare :)

AMy March 13, 2009 at 11:15 AM  

Do you ever stage photo shoots differently for black and white or Sephia shots (clothes, backrounds, props) or just take the pics and see how they best turn out when you develope them?

Lindsay March 13, 2009 at 5:20 PM  

Sorry, I know I just asked this on your other blog cuz i'm an idiot, but here it is again. How do you get your pictures bw pictures to look so good? Is it a setting on your camera or photoshop, and how do you do it if it is photoshop? And one more if you don't mind...I don't understand aperture is or does or whatever. I really love all your photos, not just black and white, by the way.

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