Nature Winner

There wasn't much participation in the Nature Challenge this week, only 2 entries. But hey, it's all good. The entries were still fab and I still enjoyed checking them out. You really should go give them some love because they are both such unique and fun entries. But, I did manage to pick a winner. Without further adieu:

I loved this entry from Wendy.  The colors are so vivid and the flare is awesome.  And, since I'm so not a winter person, it made me feel warm and cozy!  Go ahead and grab a winner badge!  Congrats.

Thanks for playing along and don't forget to enter this week's challenge: Quiet.

Weekly Challenge: Quiet {ISO: In Search Of}

This week's challenge is Quiet.  My little man is rarely quiet, like in EVER!  But when he is, it's beautiful.  What does quiet mean to you?  Is it a warm cup of coffee and a book in your favorite chair?  Is it a sleeping baby?  Could it be your morning run?  I'd love to see your picture, so here's how to enter:

1. Post your photo for the challenge on your blog/Flickr/Photobucket/Facebook. Unfortunately, if any of these are private, you will be unable to link up to us.  
2. Make sure you link up to the ISO {In Search Of} blog!  You can grab the html over there in the sidebar (or I also posted it below) and put that in your post and it will put our little bloggy badge in your post.
3. Come back here and "link up" to us using LinkyTools below.  

Winter Nature Inspiration {ISO: In Search Of}

Since it's officially winter in many states, I thought I would post some "winter" nature inspiration.  Despite my protests about living here in the frigid north, winter can be quite beautiful when seen with an optimist's eye :)  Check out this gorgeous winter nature inspiration (all found via Pinterest).

Ummm, how awesomely adorable is this?

I love this perspective.  It's stunning!

Neato!

This shot just makes me laugh.  It reminds me of our late kitty cat Frisco, yes, he was that fat!

We only have 2 entries, so get out there and snap some pics today!

Thankful Winner!

This week was hard, what somebody is thankful for is very personal and extremely subjective.  But in the end I chose this picture by Kasey:

I lovee the table filled with plentiful foods and that sweet little guy in the background.  Congrats Kasey and thanks for everyone who played along!  Grab a badge and go brag Kasey!

Weekly Challenge: Nature

Nature.  It's so subjective, that's the best part of this week's challenge, you can find beauty in virtually anything.  I look and find beauty in everyday things, but when I grab my camera I suddenly become a "bad" picture taker, LOL!  Oh well, I can take great pictures of people, so that's my thing! 

This was taken this morning with my iPhone.  We woke up to this crap and while some may think it's pretty I despise winter. 

Where do you find beauty in nature?

1. Post your photo for the challenge on your blog/Flickr/Photobucket/Facebook. Unfortunately, if any of these are private, you will be unable to link up to us.  
2. Make sure you link up to the ISO {In Search Of} blog!  You can grab the html over there in the sidebar (or I also posted it below) and put that in your post and it will put our little bloggy badge in your post.
3. Come back here and "link up" to us using LinkyTools below.  

It's a giveaway! {ISO: In Search Of}

Want this nifty and groovy camera strap cover (relic of a camera not included)?  I promise you, you do want it.  It's oh so much more fashionable than that ugly black one your camera is currently sporting.  

Well you can have it!  I am giving away 2 of these babies!  3 if there is a lot of participation!  

Here's how you can win it!  

1. Comment on this post for one entry.  Let me know you are here!

2. Enter this week's photo challenge for another entry.  Details can be found here.

3. Go "like" us on Facebook for another entry and say hi to us on the wall while you are there!  Be sure to comment here that you are a fan though for credit.

4. Tell your friends about us!  If they "like" us on FB, have them tell us on our wall who sent them.  Each time I see your name on the wall you get entered. 

I will be drawing 2 names first thing Monday morning after the challenge closes.  Of course I will draw a 3rd if we get a lot of participants!  These little pretties are handmade by me and will be shipped out next week.  So if you want to adorn you DSLR strap, start entering! 

Thursday Inspirations

Now go out, be brave and create! 

Love Winner!

Without further adieu, the winner of the Love Challenge!

Bree from over at Bree: His Honey and Her Mom

I adore this picture and the commentary that Bree wrote along with it.  Go check it out and give her some love, and while you are at it, go check out the other participants too, all awesome pictures!  Thanks for playing along this week and don't forget about this week's challenge: Thankful.

Weekly Challenge: Thankful {ISO: In Search Of}

This week's challenge stems from the recent Thanksgiving Holiday in the U.S.  I have a lot to the be thankful for in my life but I am most thankful for an amazing family that I can call my own.  Yeah yeah, that goes without saying but truly I am lucky to have this crazy and beautiful bunch:

What are you thankful for this year?  Check out this post for some awesome inspiration (via pinterest). 

So, how do you enter?

1. Post your photo for the challenge on your blog/Flickr/Photobucket/Facebook. Unfortunately, if any of these are private, you will be unable to link up to us.  
2. Make sure you link up to the ISO {In Search Of} blog!  You can grab the html over there in the sidebar (or I also posted it below) and put that in your post and it will put our little bloggy badge in your post.
3. Come back here and "link up" to us using LinkyTools below.  

Looking Ahead: {Thankful Inspiration}

Weekly Challenge: LOVE {ISO: In Search Of}

Love is all you need...

The beauty in the word love is that it can mean something different to anyone who speaks it.  What does love mean to you?

To me, love is my sweet girls and their beautiful friendship that they have at such a young age.

It means the bond between my husband and my son (even though they can drive each other crazy at times)


It means the newfound love I have for my sweet baby nephew.

Show me what it means to you and don't forget to check out this post from the other day for some amazing inspiration!

So, how do you enter?

1. Post your photo for the challenge on your blog/Flickr/Photobucket/Facebook. Unfortunately, if any of these are private, you will be unable to link up to us.  
2. Make sure you link up to the ISO {In Search Of} blog!  You can grab the html over there in the sidebar (or I also posted it below) and put that in your post and it will put our little bloggy badge in your post.
3. Come back here and "link up" to us using LinkyTools below.  

LOVE Inspiration {ISO: In Search Of}

I found some inspiration for our upcoming challenge (all found via Pinterest)

Low Light Photography Tips {ISO: In Search Of}

What was that?  Say what?  You haven't used your camera since daylight's savings?  It's dark at 4pm now and you don't know what to do?  Well have no fear, crazy camera lady is here! 

Yes, shooting in low light situations takes some thought and skill, but boy can those efforts pay off big time with dramatic and exciting results.

Some of my favorite shots were taken at night, or when the lighting wasn't "perfect" or "ideal".  You can't pause the amazing moments from happening and you definitely don't have control over the sunlight, so it's time to embrace those moments and take control over your camera.  

Tip #1, utilize whatever lighting you do have.  Turn on a lamp, an overhead light, a fireplace, a candle, basically anything that will illuminate your object.  

F/1.8

1/40

ISO 2000

Holiday lights illuminating my sweet boy's face.  Just look at how innocent he looks as he snuck behind the tree!  This is one of my all time favorite shots and while it's not technically perfect, this picture brings me back to that moment in time.

Tip #2, lower your aperture as low as you can.  This will enable you to keep your shutter at a decent speed so that you don't get that nasty camera shake.  My shutter went pretty low here but with a good steady hand, I was able to get the shot.

f/2.0

1/30

ISO 1000

Ideally I should have raised my ISO a bit so that I could shoot at 1/50 or higher, but of course fast shooting sometimes requires quick thinking!

Tip #3, crank up your ISO.  Experiment, keep it as low as you can, but you still may have to go up pretty high to get the right shot.  Hopefully that makes sense!  The only issue with higher ISO's is the noise (grain).  Most of the time it can't be helped and the better the camera you have the better job it does handling higher ISO's. 

F/2.0

1/40

ISO 1600

Tip #4, Use a custom white balance.  This will dramatically increase your chances of creating a picture with the proper color balance.  Artificial light creates a terrible color cast and can cause skin tones to look ishy.  You will have to consult your camera manual on how to do that on your particular camera.  

F/1.4

1/400

ISO 800

 And, if all else fails, convert to black and white!  Only half joking of course!

I hope this comes in handy just in time for all that holiday shooting!

Call for Submissions!

Go check out ISO's new design and let me know what you think!  As you can see, there is just an ugly ISO banner that I threw up there quickly today, but what I'd love to see right there is a slideshow of all your beautiful pictures!  It didn't feel right only putting my pictures up there since I want this blog to be a collaboration with all you wonderful artists.  If you want a chance to see your picture on our slideshow, please email me(Michelle) at iso_insearchof @yahoo.com by Saturday afternoon at 12pm CST.  Here is what I need from you:

Name
Blog Address (if you have one, I'd love to give credit where credit is due)
Photography Style
1-2 pictures that bring you to your happy place (please no watermarks/logos though)

I will choose 5-7 images to be featured up there.  I am thinking I would like to change the slideshow every month or two so even if you don't get chosen this time around you will always have a chance in the near future! 

I can't wait to see what you send me!

Changes {ISO: In Search Of}

Knock knock, anyone home?  I swear we are here! 

Michelle here.  I've been giving this blog a lot of thought.  I had big dreams for it, as I know Nicole did as well.  I'd like to use the excuse that life got in the way (which is definitely part of it) but I think I got bored.  I love the idea of a photo challenge, but I think this blog deserves more.  The name ISO: In Search Of, obviously blossomed out of mine and Nicole's love of photography but I think it can be broadened to mean so much more. 

I want this blog to be a place of inspiration, creativity, collaboration and of course all things beautiful.  Photography is more than just taking pictures, it is finding the beauty and inspiration anywhere you look. 

So here are my thoughts bullet point style:

-Weekly photo challenges as usual (I promise we will judge and post winners this time around)
-Tutorials on all things creative that is not limited to photography
-Photography tips (couldn't leave those out)
-Guest posts from fellow creative minds out there
-Hopefully some contests and giveaways (cause who doesn't love winning things?)
-Daily doses of inspiration from my all time favorite site: Pinterest (if you want an invite leave me a note here with your email addy)
-Oh so much more as I'm sure more will occur to us as we go on. 

Of course, I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.  What do you want to see on ISO?  Nicole and I have even thrown around the idea of offering an e-book on what it takes to be a Mamarazzi. 

So, gear up for next week's challenge: Love.  I will post the linky on Sunday.  I am hoping we can get some good participation to get me excited about ISO again.  I love seeing your creativity and enthusiasm.  Happy Hump Day all!

ISO Week 13: New

New, it could be new shoes, a new car, a new hair-do, whatever is new or new to you!  Since my sister is due any day now, I've got brand spankin' new babies on my mind, so here is my share!

Show us what's new!

Here's how:

Post your photo for the challenge on your blog/Flickr/Photobucket/Facebook. Unfortunately, if any of these are private, you will be unable to link up to us.

Make sure you link up to the ISO {In Search Of} blog! You can grab the html over there in the sidebar (or I also posted it below) and put that in your post and it will put our little bloggy badge in your post.

Come back here and "link up" to us using LinkyTools below.