How I Did It

Artist: Morgan Kendall, of mkendall
Photograph Location: Atlanta, GA
How I took the shot: This piece is part of my cardboard series. I took regular cardboard and cut objects out of it, in this case a moon and stars. I then tacked the pieces onto a blank wall in my studio and made a little lasso out of some string. Once I got a shot I was happy with using the self timer, I worked on it in photoshop. I overlayed a photo I shot of clouds and a few textures from my library. I really liked doing this series because you, the artist, are actually creating the entire scene. You're only limited by your imagination.

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How I Did It is compiled by Susannah Tucker. Susannah is a self-taught photographer based in Melbourne, Australia. She has been fascinated with photography since she was a young girl, and enjoys experimenting with techniques, layers and textures. View the collection in her shop here.

Please contact Susannah if you would like to participate in a future How I Did It feature.

Call for Submissions: The Etsy Challenge

We've all heard of the Pepsi Challenge, but have you heard of the Etsy Challenge? It's a contest sponsored by the creative minds behind the blog on Etsy blogs.

Active Etsy sellers can enter the link to a handmade item they've made along with four other competitors into one of 12 different categories. Readers of the site vote on their favorite in each category, and after one week, the winners are announced. The winners will receive a sweet badge they can put in their shops for all the world to see.

Winners of the category challenge are then entered into a weekly Grand Champion contest, and those winners are then entered into the annual Grand Champion contest. The prize for each of these contests? An even bigger and badder badge to display with pride. Think about it: if you enter and win, you might end up collecting more badges than you had when you were a Girl Scout! Or a Cub Scout! Yeehaw!

Read more about the rules and how to enter right here. They're still accepting entries for next week's challenge, so hop on over if you're interested.

Photographer's Favourite

Photographer’s Favourite features two specially selected images from a Photographers of Etsy team member, and their personal thoughts about them. The first photo is from their own collection, and the other is from a fellow teammate.

Our first contribution is from Phoenix-based Tandie, the force behind NestaUsa.

Tandie's choice is Nothing Less Than Paradise.

Of her own image, Tandie says:

"I took this photo at night with a really long exposure on one of the beautiful islands in French Polynesia. Capturing the beauty of the island was easy but I especially wanted to capture the feeling you have of being in a dreamlike state, of being in paradise. The gentle sound of ocean waves crashing into your bungalow, the amazing color variety of the never ending coral reefs, the stairs’ relaxing transition into the water, the lounge chairs begging you to relax… this place was nothing less than paradise."

Tandie's pick from a team member’s work is Sunday Afternoon, from Atlanta-based Morgan Kendall (mkendall).

Of Morgan's image, Tandie says:

"Sometimes you find those artists that you instantly love... you can look at the piece and simply think 'I get it'. Her work is so creative and always provokes imagination of fairytale-like journeys. "

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Photographer's Favourite is compiled by Rhiannon Connelly. She’s a professional portrait and fine art photographer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Most of the photographs she currently shows on Etsy are what she calls “Polaroid Paintings” – using the nearly extinct SX70 Polaroid film to create dreamy images halfway between photograph and painting. One of the best things about this technique is that after taking the photograph most of the work is done in a cafe! See more in her Etsy shop and her website.

Please contact Rhiannon if you would like to participate in a future Photographer's Favourite.

New Works!

This morning I woke up with summer on my mind. I love summer - the sweet scents and textures in the flowers, the squeals of the crowd on carnival rides and the soothing feel and colors of the beach. I can't believe we are so near the end of the season, and I'm not quite ready for it to be over! No worries though - by browsing through some of the new works from my Etsy photographer teammates I'm able to keep the dream alive. I've picked out a few to show you, so you can hang onto the edge of the season with me. These shots are so gorgeous that they make me miss my camera like crazy (out for repair), but maybe they'll inspire you to pick a camera up this weekend and capture the last hurrah of summer like I wish I could.

The Great Barrier - ashleydnichols

1. Oma - SusannahTucker
2. Tiptoe - flandersfield

Pololu Valley Both Ways - tbenedict

1. Giddy Up - uncommondepth
2. Faint Memory - ellemoss
3. Crazy - HannaPhotos

The Dharma Of The Dragonfly - karencaseysmith

I think these photographs would look beautiful in anyone's home in any season.

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New Works is compiled by Pam Hardy. Pam lives in beautiful Alberta, Canada. She has always been fascinated with cameras and has been taking pictures most of her life. Her favorite things to photograph are flowers and animals, and she enjoys experimenting with new subjects and techniques. See Pam's website here and her shop right here.

Wanderings: The Outer Banks

The Outer Banks of North Carolina has a bit of an ominous sound to its name. It is well-deserved -- jutting out nearly 40 miles into the Atlantic Ocean as a narrow strip of sand that the ocean wants to take back, it’s a place of Nor’easters, nearly constant winds and pounding surf, and a population of hardy people who fish for their livelihood. The Outer Banks are also one of America’s best-kept vacation secrets with some of the country’s best-rated beaches. Need a summer getaway, a real getaway? This is the place for you. The beaches are clean, the water clear blue or bottle green, and you can take a beach walk for more miles than you probably care to in one day.

I’ve been coming to Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks for many years. It’s grown up a lot in recent times. There are all the modern conveniences now – grocery stores, surfboard rental places, seafood restaurants, high-speed internet – and there are also quirky things to be found everywhere.

“Spaceship” has resided in several different locations on Hatteras Island. According to local legend, it was designed to be able to float – a plus when living on a sandbar that can flood from either the soundside or the ocean. I have been told it has had several lives as a house, part of a motel, and a retail shop. Now it sits along Highway 12 in Frisco, NC, on Hatteras Island with resident alien heads. The subject of many photographs, I spent some time a couple of Saturdays ago wandering around it and took these images.

I used a wide-angle lens to capture a “scenery” shot of the spaceship. It gives an idea of the location of the dwelling.

The “New Location” sign gives this spaceship some more humor.

Moving in for a closer look at who is inside.

Finally, I tried to capture what it must feel like for those aliens in the window to look out and see who is staring at them.

I love this series of images. It brings to mind the famous Lucy the Elephant on the New Jersey shore and the outrageous architecture on the Southern California coast of fast-food stands, and it helps to define the Outer Banks and continue its rather strange reputation.

A world traveler and self-taught photographer, look for Ann wandering around city streets and tromping through woods and hiking trails with her camera. After owning an international transportation business for many years, Ann has found her creative spirit again through the lens. See more at Ann's shop and her website.

Caption contest

Most of us enjoy naming our photographs but have you ever thought about putting a caption to them? Kris from stonecafecreations (aka Etsy seller his4ever247) is having a Name the Caption contest for these two photos:

Best caption will win a fabulous prize. Head on over to kris' blog and check it all out, but hurry! The deadline for entries is August 30th, 2008.

Welcome new team members!

Wow! The POE team sure is popular. Each week, we get many inquiries from people who want to be a part of our dynamic community. Let's give a warm welcome to a few of our newest friends and shine a light on their landscape, still and macro work...

1. Treelight - DarrylGlade
2. Lakeview New Orleans - briannolan
3. Day Break on Jeckyll - fotojo
4. The Floor of Heaven - ConstellationPhoto
5. Morning Mist - JulieMagersSoulen
6. Cape St. George Lighthouse - danieldempster

1. The Cupcakes - lesophie
2. Taste of Summer no. 4 - ZenZprint
3. A Pea in a Pod - saranorris

1. SoSewMe - Costellos
2. Apple Time - Pix4Kix
3. Conversational - flashframe

What soulful and vivid additions to our pool of talent!

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The New Members feature is compiled by Gigi Leonard. Gigi is a Chicago-based bon vivant and self-taught photographer whose camera lens automatically turns toward the poetry of the everyday. She is currently working on a black and white landscape series, debating about having another cup of coffee and experimenting with paint. You can see her work here and view her latest finds from the world of art and decor on her blog, the roadside scholar.

Good Taste

It’s the launch of the Photographers of Etsy Team’s new blog, and that means it’s time to celebrate! What better than to open a bottle of something special? Let's pop the cork, clink our glasses together and take a look at some amazing images and creative interpretations of festive beverages from some of our fellow teammates. Here are a few that may entice and surprise you...

The place from where it all starts...

Green by flandersfield

to the place where it is collected, in the sensuous curve of a wine bottle.

Portrait Series I, Wine by uniqueangles

A few sips could make anyone think everyday is a holiday...

Drink Up by jackiespotlight

but proceed with caution!

And after the dancing the world will sleep by jacqleenbleu

Good taste? And tastes good. More to come...

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A world traveler and self-taught photographer, look for Ann wandering around city streets, tromping through woods and hiking trails with her camera. After owning an international transportation business for many years, Ann has found her creative spirit again through the lens. See more at Ann's shop and on her website.

Call for Submissions: Original Artbook

image by bueller

Attention love fanatics!

Gail and Brad Bez aka Etsy sellers fatalattraction are currently having an open call for submissions. They are compiling a collection of short stories, poems, digital montage, photographs and illustrations to be included in an original art book for their own personal collection. The theme is love: passionate, love gone wrong, love letters, myths... and whatever other version or ideas with a love motif you might dream up.

If you are selected, you will win a piece of jewelry from Gail and Brad's shop and have an artist credited within the book! You will also be able to purchase a digital copy of the book for a fee. The original book will remain in the possession of the artists, who may present it in galleries from time to time, and no other monetary renumeration will be offered.

Read more about it on their blog, where you can contact Gail and Brad and get more details about the submission process. The deadline for entries is December 31st, 2008.

Mosaic Monday

It's pretty clear that many of us Etsy Photographers enjoy savoring the looks of beautiful seasonal edibles and ornamentals as much as their flavors. Here's an exuberant tribute to a berry good spring, which in turn marched on to a berry good summer.

1. Red White & Blue Skies – chicalookate.etsy.com
2. Pick Me First – lisajulia.etsy.com
3. Sea of Blue – racergirl1313.etsy.com
4. Berry Berry – MelissaLund.etsy.com
5. Leaves & Berries – kwinkelerphotos.etsy.com
6. White Berries – photofinds.etsy.com
7. Fresh Strawberries – ELBfoto.etsy.com
8. Antenna – flandersfield.etsy.com
9. Berry Close – JudiFitzPatrick.etsy.com
10. Berry Burst – MadrinPhotography.etsy.com
11. Winters Red – SusannahTucker.etsy.com
12. Red Berries Green Leaves – ExquisiteImage.etsy.com

Now, let's all hope for a berry mild winter. Happy clicking!

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Mosaic Mondays are compiled by POE member Patti Meyer. Patti is an award winning graphic artist who resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. See her collection at her shop right here.

Open for Business...

image by Simplyliving

Greetings Friends,

Gigi here. I would like to welcome you to the official grand opening of the Photographers of Etsy Street Team blog! The idea for this project came from a member at recent team meeting. Ever since then, we've had a whirlwind of activity behind the scenes, diligently researching and brainstorming to create an inviting place that features engaging content, skillful writers and the most beautiful, intriguing and memorable images from our 400+ strong membership each week. We hope that you will visit frequently, join our community by adding your comments, and support the vibrant community of Etsy photographers by browsing in our shops and creating your own collection.

Photography evokes many different things in people. It's historical, capturing and recording a multitude of fleeting moments. It's allegorical, frequently transporting us to otherworldly places. It's intimate, showing us not only lines and shadows on a portrait subject's face, but also a portion beyond the surface. And above all, let's not forget that it's emotional, illuminating strong memory and sentiment. It's our goal to show you all these sides of our collections, as well as to inspire you to delve more deeply into them. By doing so you may lose yourself in the poetry of a simple plate or glass, the lushness of flower petals or the fantasy of a faraway place. Photography can take you anywhere.

We encourage you to fly with us on that journey, and we welcome you to our richly diverse world of visual delights.

Front Page Treasury: Dream

Welcome to the new Photographers of Etsy Team Blog.

Today we had a treasury of mostly POE members on the front page of Etsy, at 2:30 pm Etsy time. What a great way to start posting to our blog. Congratulations to all of the team members who made it into this wonderful treasury.

This treasury was created by POE Team Member starrybluesky.