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.

Today's selection is from Suvarna Mollerup, who is based in Vancouver.

Glow Pod

About her own choice Suvarna says :

"This is my current fave, I like it because for once I was able to break free from the rut of the portrait/landscape format. I also like it because it surprised me. I am a bit of a thinker and sometimes that just gets in the way. In this case I saw, I snapped, I was happy. I love a good back light situation and the translucent pod lent itself well to this occasion. "

Suvarna's choice from fellow POE team members is from Deirdre Butler-Derby from Minneapolis, whose Etsy shop is called Costellos.

Into the Sun

Suvarna's comments about Costellos' photograph :

"Choosing a favourite from the many many talented POE photographers was a difficult task but I finally settled on Costellos' Into the Sun. There is a dreamlike quality to this photo that calls to mind open fields, warm sunlight and peaceful solitude. I love the greenish tint that gives it a vintage or polaroid type feel and the shallow depth of field that created beautiful bokeh. Into the Sun couldn't be a better title as looking at this I can almost feel the warmth on my face."

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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 , her website and her blog.

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

Mosaic Monday: Cathedral Architecture

The Photographers of Etsy understand the beauty in the architecture of cathedrals. For me I can lose hours at the National Cathedral, every corner provides unbelievable beauty.

1. Architecture Cathedral – mesmanimages
2. Rose Window – chicalookate
3. National Cathedral – janmoralesphoto
4. Cathedral photography – benderphoto
5. Christ Church – mjrojasphoto
6. Abbey Walk – barbraziemerphoto
7. Cathedral Columns – AnnWilkinson
8. Red Door – downandirty
9. Saint Louis Cathedral – WonderfulWorld
10. National Cathedral – DeepCreekStudios
11. Chinon – fosterbk
12. Trinity – organicstills

What architecture style do you find beauty in?

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

New Works!

The colors in these new works from some of our fellow POE Team members are making me so happy right now...

Evening Glow - ConstellationPhoto

Winter Docks - ara133photography


NC Seasons Calendar - orangecatart


Seaside Memories Brooch - HouseofSixCats


Not Fat Just Fluffy - karencaseysmith

Deep Blue - gallogirlphotos

Purple Blossom - MirekPhoto

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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.

How I Did It - Save Coney Island

Name: Eve Simone
Title: Save Coney Island
Location: This photo was taken in Coney Island this past summer during the Mermaid Parade with a Holga.

How I did it: A Holga is a Russian camera and one of my favorites to shoot with. One of the many great things about a Holga is that you can advance the film however you like. Most of the film from this particular day is overlapping so when I processed the roll I had many pleasant surprises!

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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.

Welcome new team members!

Last week I was out of town and didn't bring my computer with me, so I'm making up for lost time with some beautiful works from some of our newest Photographers of Etsy teammates. Usually there is some kind of order when I approach doing this task, some restraint to keep it orderly, but this week I am compiling with abandon because there is so much wonderful work and so many new shops to explore. As a result these images are small, so click on the photos to see the bigger combinations. And welcome, comrades!

1. Alexandria - mkcphotography
2. The Long Descent - BrooklynBridge
3. Stillness - DistinctivePhotos
4. Love You, HCB - thisdesignstudio
5. Saguaro Valley - SteveMPhoto
6. Winter Stream - FluggaPhotography
   
7. Midnight Train - WideEyedPhotos

1. Black Smoke - kmsitko
2. Chinese Lantern - Shartreuse
3. Edison - studiocvh
4. It's the imperfections which give it character - sevgik
5. bowl of blueberries - felicitycrew
6. Bright Colored Buoys - coffeystudios
7. Arizona Sunset - SueBees

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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, thinking about having another cup of coffee and preparing herself mentally for Winter. You can see her work here and view her latest finds from the world of art and decor on her blog, the roadside scholar.

Focus On: eddyizm

writing on the wall

Everyone, please meet Eduardo Cervantes, aka eddyizm. He's been on Etsy since February, 2007, and he's quietly been doing very well. A man of few, but well-chosen words, Eddy took some time from unpacking after a very recent move from Los Angeles to New Mexico to talk with us about his photographic life.

zebra abstract

Ann Wilkinson: What has taken you from California to New Mexico?

Eddy Cervantes: I was born and raised in southern California. Life for me there was the beach, the snow, the mountains, the desert. I just moved to Santa Fe, NM, to try something different, to get away from traffic and intense heat.

bird of paradise

AW: So, what prompted the decision?

EC: Change and love.

untitled

AW: You've got a very diverse portfolio of images on Etsy. What is the camera's role in your life?

EC: I can never be stuck shooting one thing, one style, one way. I am so enamored by photography that in these past two years I've become addicted to trying new things, and the beautiful and sad images soothe my soul and keep my spirits up. To be able to capture a frame of life in such a powerful way, inspiring and pleasing myself and those I share my work with, it's very satisfying.

strung out

AW: How do you make the time to get out and shoot? Is it something you schedule and plan for, or are you the kind of person who carries a camera as an appendage?

EC: Every trip I plan and take is a photo excursion. Goal -- take pictures, except maybe the doctor's office. I also carry the camera everywhere I go usually. Almost always. Always. People look at me weird. With or without a camera.

the diner

AW: What would you do if you didn't have your camera with you? Besides sitting on an examining table in the doctor's office, I mean.

EC: Shoot myself in the face with a big a** gun, just kidding. I would be playing music and still looking at life with my own eyes.

water taxi, venezia, italia

AW: Now that you live in New Mexico, what are you drawn to in a photographic sense?

EC: I've only been here a couple of weeks; I still haven't unpacked all my boxes, so I'll have to answer that question in a couple of months.

huntington beach sun

AW: What has photography taught you?

EC: An appreciation of light and composition.

Rest Stop

You can view Eddy's work in his Etsy shop, and his complete portfolio can be seen on his website, where he encourages you to get on his mailing list. We're looking forward to seeing new works from Eduardo's new home in New Mexico.

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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.

Mosaic Monday: A Black and White Beach

The Photographers of Etsy celebrate the peace and quiet of a black and white beach.

1. Shoreline – gigileonard
2. Beach Baby Notecard – ANJacobsen
3. An Empty Beach – ExquisiteImage
4. First Beach Visit – ashleydnichols
5. Set of Three – attheendoftheday
6. Chorreanado 1 – evesimone
7. Pier (2) – JoannBristol
8. Boys on the Beach – MadrinPhotography
9. Arcadia Wind – pfeifferphotos
10. Sisters – AmomentAMemory28
11. Black and White Beach – Aztek721
12. Nassau1 – Lightleak

May your week be peaceful.

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

New Works!

Wow it is almost the middle of November, I can hardly believe it. Time to start your Christmas shopping, going to busy stores, listening to the Christmas music they are playing. Starting your Christmas baking. Buying those ornaments and keepsakes.

Don't forget to think of Etsy and the Photographers of Etsy Street Team when shopping for your loved ones this holiday season. Photography is one of the great gift ideas found in Etsy shops and our team has a lot to choose from, ~click here~ to search "POE Team".

Here are some of my favorites from this week...

Cherry Picker - acjphotography

Catching Out - poofny

Band of Brothers - littlesparrowsnest

Ocean Song - mjrojasphoto

Flutter Series Number 3 - TiffanyTeske

Sallow - ferventbutterfly

Nectar - flandersfield

Poppy - MirekPhoto

Fall Bokeh - Kristybee

Black and White Flower - ValeriaH

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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.

Mosaic Thursday: Detroit's Beauty

The Photographers of Etsy salute all of the beauty that has come from Detroit.

1. Auto Parts – HumanInterest
2. Yellow Escape – DarrylGlade
3. Red 57'Chevy – TwoDogGardens
4. Round – curioush
   
5. Classic Car – tjanes28
6. Barracuda – racergirl1313
7. Vintage Corvette – sunraven0
8. Going to Arizona – hlkparis
9. Studebaker – elephantdreams
10. Redrum – susansee
11. Fairlane – ljdesignphoto
12. Abstract Muscle – drockphotography

What was your first beauty? Mine was a 62' bug (from 72-74) that in the middle of winter you could not run the wipers, heater, radio and lights all at the same time. My brother and I still laugh about a drive home one evening after swim practice where he was hanging out of the window with a snow brush cleaning the windshield. The wipers did not do well with heavy snow either.

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Mosaic Mondays (well, today it's Thursday) are compiled by Patti Meyer. Patti is an award winning graphic artist who resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. See her photography collection at her shop right here.

How I Did It - WHOOSH!

Name: Michelle Campbell-Zurek of Urban Junkies Photography
Title: WHOOSH!
Location: Downtown Los Angeles
How I did it: My husband and I used to live in downtown Los Angeles and I wanted to try to capture the energy and activity of the streets. Downtown is one of my favorite places to shoot! There is so much going on and so much to document. Buses are everywhere and they boldly maneuver their way through the crazy streets. So for me, the sound and feel of the buses zipping by (WHOOSH!) will always be a vivid memory.

We were standing on a corner and I saw the bus coming. I changed my settings to include a slow shutter: 1/6 s, at f/20. I caught it right when it passed by and I was so excited to have caught the other bus through the image as well. At home, I tweaked the levels and curves in Photoshop and this is the final result! It is one of my favorite pictures I have taken and it will always remind me of downtown living.

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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.

Inspirations

Inspirations is a regular feature that includes two photographs selected by one member of the Photographers of Etsy. The first photo is from that team member's personal collection, with some insight into the specific motivation behind it. The second is from another teammate, with some thoughts on why that image is particularly exciting to them.


Title: Stillness
Artist and shop name: Sue of DistinctivePhotos

On describing what inspired her to take this photograph, Sue says:

I am always a bit sad when fall starts. Summer will always be my favorite (not sure why I stay in New England) I was walking around our field one day and saw this thistle plant all fluffy and ready to fly away. As I was shooting it I was noticing the great play of light going on behind along with the contrast of the fluffy silk and the sharp points. After I was doing getting the shots I wanted, I sat for quite awhile enjoying the stillness of the day and the beauty that was in front of me.




Title: Winter Moon Bluebirds
Shop name: MoonbirdHillArts

On why this image inspires her, Sue says:

The other photo that I choose was from MoonbirdHillArts it is a print called "Winter Moon Bluebirds". I am very drawn to this piece for a number of reasons. I love the colors, the textures and the shadows. For me, there is a feeling of calmness and peace that comes across when I look at this. I love photographs that evoke emotions and this one does that quite well.

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Inspirations is compiled by Hannah Verbeuren. Hannah is a trained photographer who resides in Cleveland, OH with her husband Dirk and their motley crüe of cats. Her passion for photography reared its head when documenting live bands, skateboarding and parties became more than just social gatherings but also the means to an image. Currently, she works in the music industry (writing, peddling and organizing) and takes photos wherever she may roam. See Hannah's photography collection at her shop and website, and say hello to her on her blog.

Please contact Hannah if you would like to participate in a future Inspirations feature.

Tips and Tricks: Getting Vertical

The following is one of the tips that photographer Bob Atkins contributed to the 100 in 100 feature on the Adorama website. We've peppered Bob's points with a few fine examples from some of our team members.

Candlelight notecard - ANJacobsen


Lovebirds - JMcGuinness

The natural tendency of most photographers is to shoot images in a horizontal (landscape) format rather than a vertical (portrait) format. There are probably at least two reasons for this. First, the most natural way of holding almost all cameras results in a horizontal format image. Second, we tend to see in a horizontal format mode (our field of view is wider than it is tall). Traditional art theory says that horizontal lines tend to suggest rest, calm and strength, while vertical lines tend to give an impression of height, grandeur and drama. By not turning the camera on its side and shooting a few verticals, you may be missing some great shots.

Peel Her Apart - lightleaks


At the Top - pfeifferphotos

Salt Girl - enaandtheswan

Of course you can always crop your images to a vertical or horizontal format, but for maximum quality it's good to shoot the images as close to the final composition as possible. Besides simple aesthetic considerations, remember too that if you have hopes of one day getting your shot on the cover of a magazine, they usually want verticals!

Fall Bokeh - Kristybee

My Favorite Place - barbraziemerphoto

Welcome New Team Members

It was very exciting to be an American yesterday on Election Day, but it also made me sleepy. I got up at 5 in the morning to make sure I was able to vote because I thought it was going to be very crowded. This was quite a feat for me because I am definitely not a morning person. I walked over to the polling place (about a block away from my house) with my husband in the dark, and by the time we were finished and walking back home the sun had come out, the temperature was warm, the bird were chirping and the sky was sunny and clear. It was such a serene experience, and really too infrequent, so I thought I would seek out some more serenity with these beautiful morning images from some of our newest Etsy team members.

Early Morning Mist - donnakbaker


Empty Nest - buckscountyframes


Peaceful Sky - toeNja


Sunrise, Albemarle Sound - attheendoftheday


i lost it in the desert - jamiewayne


Fire and Ice - KarrieWelbornPhotos


Washington Monument at Dawn - janmoralesphoto

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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, thinking about having another cup of coffee and enjoying the tones and temperatures of Autumn. You can see her work here and view her latest finds from the world of art and decor on her blog, the roadside scholar.