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‘Oh Sugar!’ I just can’t get enough …

Posted on November 8, 2010

A couple of months ago I was bragging about the new double EP, White/Gold, from Myla Smith and it’s still at the top of my list!

In August I shot Myla and her husband Richard’s pre-wedding reception in midtown Memphis and the week of their wedding one of my co-workers reviewed White/Gold (which was released on her wedding day). And I stole it off of his desk because I was curious. As I’ve said, sometimes when people ask you to review their music you’re hesitant because you’re not sure how good it will be and then you have this awkwardness about the whole thing, but I listened to it and loved it!

Myla wrote the entire album, sings lead and acoustic vocals and plays the acoustic guitar; Richard plays bass guitar and cello. It was co-produced by the couple during their engagement and features six songs each of two genres (folk/indie pop and country). Here’s what my co-worker Tyler had to say about it:

“The album teems with soaring, atmospheric music which couples nicely with Smith’s decadent vocal layering. In addition, the babbling, percussive backbone of songs like “Closer” lead the songs on a fun ramble through Smith’s lyrical imagery. Myla Smith’s personal signature on the country aspects of WHITE/GOLD stay true to the genre’s trademarks.”

(Note: Tyler is a much better reviewer than I am! I can’t read music and don’t know all of my instruments.)

I like to listen this while I write (by day I’m a reporter/acting editor at a small community paper) because it’s mostly upbeat and because I love the way it’s part happy love and part woman scorned. (Honestly, I purchased the new Taylor Swift album last week and I love Myla’s more.) I can’t decide which song I love the most; there’s a four-way tie between “You Are Turning Me Into Myself”, “You Can’t Keep Me Down”, “Closer” and “Radio”.

What song is YOUR favorite? You can preview songs from the album here (trust me, do it!) and leave a comment below for your chance to win a free download of White/Gold!

How to win it: FIVE lucky readers will win a copy of White/Gold (lucky you – who doesn’t love free?)! To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below telling me the name of your favorite song on the double EP.

For additional chances to win:
1. Tweet the following, “Oh, sugar, I just can’t get enough! I want to win the @mylasmith “White/Gold” giveaway from @edayphotography!” and leave a comment linking to your public Twitter profile.
2. Link to the giveaway on your own site or public Facebook page or profile, then leave a link to your site in the comments.
3. Share your favorite lyric – and what makes it special to you!

You have until 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11 to enter. Winners will be chosen at random and announced on Friday, Nov. 12. Good luck!

It’s all about giving.

Posted on November 5, 2010

There is an amazing movement in the global photography industry called Help-Portrait, a movement where photographers come together to give their time, talents and expertise to those in need.

It’s not about building a portfolio.

It’s not about sharing photos.

It’s not about money.

It’s all about giving.

The premise is simple: as photographers, you take photos of a family (or subjects) who wouldn’t necessarily be able to afford a session, you have those photos printed and you give them away.

I follow the movement’s founder, Jeremy Cowart of Nashville, on Twitter and had heard of it, and have heard of the project but never took the time to read about it until today. It’s a wonderful movement with which I’m proud to be involved.

The global event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4 and I’m working with other local photographers to organize an event locally. Tipton County was hit hard by the recession, leaving more than 1100 people jobless after factory lay-offs and closures. There are broken families, families struggling with overcoming addiction, family struggling with overcoming tragedy. And these families are just that, families.

And every family needs a portrait.

That’s what this project is about: giving families the portrait they can’t afford to have taken.

One day next month a group of photographers will gather together, we’ll set up our equipment and we’ll spend the day capturing portraits of families in need. We’ll print these photos for them and give them away, no strings attached.

Giving. That’s what it’s all about.

(If you’re a local photographer, I invite you to join us.)

Quick Tips: Sunny 16

Posted on April 6, 2010

Spring is finally here and, though it provides an obstacle you have to learn to shoot around, the sun is back and better than ever! Exposure in full sunlight can be tricky and overwhelming, but someone very smart came up with the mnemonic Sunny 16 to help remember recommended aperture settings and shutter speeds.

The Sunny 16 rule is a method of estimating correct daylight exposures without a light meter. Simply put, when it’s sunny, change your aperture to f/16.

Great, now what about the clouds? Glad you asked:

When it’s slightly overcast, f/11.

Overcast? Go with f/8.

And heavy overcast, f/5.6 is your best bet.

A gorgeous sunset that you absolutely must preserve? Your best bet is likely f/4.

Of course, like most of photography, it’s a little more complicated than that.

Choosing a shutter speed

If you are using manual mode, which is usually denoted with an M on the dial of your dSLR, you can also choose your shutter speed. (If you’re working in aperture priority mode, your shutter speed will be chosen by the camera.)

Your shutter speed should be set to the (nearest) reciprocal of your ISO setting.

What this means is if your ISO is set to 100, your shutter speed should be 1/125 (since it’s closest to 100). On a sunny day with your ISO set to 200, your aperture should be set at f/16 and your shutter speed at 1/200 or 1/250.

Your shutter speed can be changed as long as you change your f-stop to compensate for it. For example, f/16 at 1/125 is the same as f/11 at 1/250.

Practice makes perfect

“Sunny 16″ sounds easy, right? Like anything, it takes practice. And you to help you practice, I’m now offering free Quick Tips reference cards! The cards are 2×3.5 inches in size, perfect for on-the-go. The first in the series is the Sunny 16 card, which can be downloaded on the Freebies page.

Did I mention they’re free? Because they are (and free is awesome!). Send yours friends!

Make sure you snag yours and keep coming back for more. I have a neat plan for keeping the cards together and attached to your camera, so make sure you check back for that in the coming weeks.

Beautiful Blooms + Friday Freebie

Posted on March 26, 2010

I am exceptionally thrilled to see Friday this week!

At my day job, the last few weeks have been ridiculously busy between special publications and breaking news. This week I’ve had the chance to stop and smell (okay, photograph!) the flowers. The 50mm f/1.4 lens I recently purchased seems to love them and this is the first spring since my six-year-old son was an infant that I haven’t had problems with allergies (yet?).

This? Is exciting.

Though we have a busy weekend planned, I am excited for the so-called downtime. I love my co-workers dearly, but I need a break from the news for a couple of days. And this is why I’m glad today’s Friday! (And who doesn’t love a good Friday, anyway?)

To celebrate, I’m sharing!

This weekend I am offering some of my favorite floral photos for download to use on your computer as a desktop wallpaper or screensaver. This is only good until Monday morning, (just like the weekend, it doesn’t last forever!) so make sure to grab them while you can! (I’m using Delicate, the one pictured above, as my own screensaver. It’s such a pick-me-up at work.)

If you have allergies, this is an extra special gift because you get to enjoy all of the gorgeous-ness with no consequences (score!).

Have a good weekend – and happy Friday!