Front Page - Treasury West

This Treasury West was on the Front Page this morning. It had 4 POE Team members in it (greenislandstudios, ara133photography, JaredKS, and Emmalynne). It was created by moxiedesigns. Congrats to everyone who made it into this beautiful Treasury West.

How I Did It

Artist: Lupe Grainne, of Honeytree
Photograph Location: Lopez Island, North of Seattle about 1 1/2 hours, in the San Juan Islands, in a garden I was working in.
How I took the shot: It was taken with the macro lens and I was trying to get the light coming through the flower so I had to almost lay down to get the right angle. The macro focus sort of focused more of the back of the flower than the front but it gives it a dreamy look. This is one of my favorites.

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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.

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 has been chosen by Florida-based Stacy Beck, from CitrusTree.

Of her own photograph, Stacy says:

"This one of mine is my favorite one today; my favorite changes from day to day, depending on my mood and what the day brings. It is an original photo of my daughter, manipulated in PhotoShop, and then digitally mixed with an abstract painting of my sister's (Studio236)... I have then added some graphic details and coloring to give it some depth and interest. As you can see, it includes my favorite blues and greens, which run through most of my work. I sometimes find it difficult to get away from these colors. I like this photo because of her expression -- one of both determination and intrigue."

Stacy's favourite image is by Daniel Sroka,who is based in New Jersey.

Of Daniel's image, Stacy says:

"This macro of a rose is so incredibly intriguing. And the colors -- to die for. Daniel's technique of capturing nature and displaying it in a way that is so abstractly wonderful fills me with awe. The beauty is in its simplicity."

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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.

New Works!

For some reason, my mind is jumping from one random thing to another right now. Ever feel that way? It's like a dream. In fact maybe I am still asleep right now, thinking I am awake and writing this. If you know what it's like to dream in color and black and white, to see music, to have sumptuous, surreal meals and travel to far off places in your head, then you'll understand why I chose these particular images from some of our Etsy teammates. There is something familiar about each of them, something harmonious, that I can't quite describe in words. Maybe it's the layers, or the details, or the sensuous appeal. Or maybe it's because they're just plain beautiful. Whatever the reasons, they just touch me. Perhaps they'll do the same for you today too.

Composition - ara133photography



My Guitar Gently Weeps - CitrusTree

The White Rabbit - matchstickgirl

(for a detailed look at how this image was created, visit frances' blog.)

It's Your Birthday - JMcGuinness



Sprouts - sixhours



Lake McDonald - UNCLELEE

Tracks - MelissaLund



Ode to Manhattan - weberphoto

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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.

Tips and Tricks: Shooting Mirrors

The following is a tip that Jon Sienkiewicz, a photographer and avid professional writer and photographer, contributed to the 100 in 100 feature on the Adorama website. We've peppered Jon's points with a few fine examples from some of our team members.

Reflective surfaces--like windows and water--can be very challenging to photograph. Especially in dim light, when you're tempted to use flash, shiny objects can present real problems. But there are times when you want a reflection to tell the central part of the story. That's why it's important to learn how to photograph mirrors.

serendipity by ellemoss

Rule number one: Make sure that you're not included in the scene. While Count Dracula never had this problem, for many of us the excitement of getting a fleeting shot makes it hard to confirm perfect composition. To be on the safe side, shoot, move and shoot again.

reflection by racergirl1313

Rule number two: Make sure you're focusing on the reflected image and not the mirror frame. If you use a DSLR you have a leg up.

Upon entering wonderland by jacqleenbleu

Rule number three: Keep the subject moving (or keep moving the subject around) until you achieve just the angle you want. Things move backwards in mirrors, so practice patiently.

Welcome New Team Members!

It's fun to see where our newest Photographers of Etsy teammates have been in the world... we sure get around, don't we?

El Porto, Manhattan Beach - zuppaartista

1. Fort Gratiot Lighthouse - getartnow
2. Reflection - studio19
3. coast - jcphoto

Marco Island Sunset - 12Step

1. Eiffel Tower Print 1 - thrivestyle
   
2. waiting for xmas - nagajna
3. Late Afternoon on a Gondola in Venice, Italy - photosbykpricola
   

Midnight Run- BrandyShay

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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, playing with digital paints and hoping the Cubs win. You can see her work here and view her latest finds from the world of art and decor on her blog, the roadside scholar.

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.

We kick off the first post today with Hannah VerBeuren's inspirations.

Title: blanchisserie
Shop Name: HannahVPhotography

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

"I was walking along the streets of this small village in France and immediately this space struck me. I was instantly charmed by the dainty nightgowns but with a closer look I saw the beauty of a photographic image. The gowns were so light and airy, carefully hanging on the cold metal fence beyond them. In the reflection of the glass I could see the clouds in the sky and the light post of street that guided me. I frequently seek interesting layers in an image and on this evening in France it was provided by a natural drycleaner."

Title: wall 2
Shop Name: komoriblue

On why this image inspires her, Hannah says:

"This piece calls my attention to the beauty of decay. The layers, subtlety, peeling and all the different textures clinging to one another have created this intriguing design on the elderly wall. The photography is stunning and the composition has subtle flow and movement. The shapes seem to repeat over and over and mimic each other. I hope to come across a wall like this one day -- and when I do, I will think of this image and hope I capture a moment in time."

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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.

Good Taste

What’s the one thing we are completely attracted to that we cannot possibly live without? Something in which we can indulge our fantasies, something we must fear and respect, and absolutely must have to survive? The answer is water (well, sex, too, but this is a family site). Our bodies are composed of nearly 98% water, and this forms the basis of our attraction. I know for a fact that we Etsians are drawn to water in a huge way, because I just looked at a plethora of images of water as I put together this week’s posting. See what I’m talking about below...

Here we have an incredible, perfectly composed wide-angle shot of water in its most peaceful and beautiful setting. It's called “Moving into Stillness” and it comes from the shop of Irene Suchocki.

Irene’s choice of keeping the shadow in the left foreground balances the composition and gives the shadows of the old pilings something to lean toward.

Here is one of the liveliest and most elemental images of water in the collection. Lori Mackay of LittleOddMe presents this in an ACEO (Artist Card Editions & Originals) called “Cornering.”

Lori’s candid capture of a splashy moment evokes the joy of summer heat in the city.

From BraidedLight studios comes this beautiful image in black and white. “Stern Line in Moonlight” was a nighttime, one-minute exposure of the moon reflecting in the water at a dock. It is at once intimate and lonely.

Evoking the spirit of Hawaii in this inventive shot of the ocean from the viewpoint of a windsurfer, KenMauiPhoto’s “Reflections Maui Hawaii Ocean Wave” makes me want to dive in.

Using water as a subject partner to form a strong image that’s a unique viewpoint on a very familiar subject, NestaUsa gives us “Pink Paradise.” Tandie uses the Polaroid transfer to her advantage here. This is a fantastic and simple method of this process that really works.

Here is the image I went to sleep with last night. inherdarkroom’s starkly beautiful "Two Poles" black and white image is haunting. It’s a photograph of something almost scary and dreamlike. What came first, the water or the poles?

Finally, here is one I took in Chicago recently. I took the fountain photo in the courtyard of a church on Michigan Avenue, right along the Magnificent Mile near the Sears Tower. It’s a beautiful old ivy-covered church and the green draws you in to take a rest and just breathe for a moment. I have a custom setting on my camera that allows me to highlight the greens and blues of a scene and it keeps me from having to do any post-editing. I printed this image and fell in love with it. I haven’t listed it in my Etsy shop, but I just might soon.

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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

Happy Labor Day!

A Labor Day tribute from the Photographers of Etsy to the buildings we work in. Some are high and are some low. Some are old but many are new. Some are curvy while others are straight. Most have windows but many have none… and the vast majority of them will be empty in the States today.

1. Curved Fronted Building – whittamore
2. Sheet Metal – curioush
3. Cracked Flat Iron – houseofsixcats
4. Black and White Art – ANiemanPhotography
5. Monterey Canning Co. – mystiqueisland
6. Elevation – artinmind
7. Garage – honeytree
8. Union Station Black and White – wildcatphotography
9. Southern Buildings – AriaImages
10. Savannah Barber Shop – poofny
11. Bldg. 6 Barn Door – brownrose
12. Portland Sign – pfeifferphotos

A safe and happy holiday to everyone!

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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.

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.