3 Things : playing with printing + a giveaway

That grafix rubon stuff looks like it could be really cool to play with!
Photo tips... for me, always carry plenty of batteries. Since mine is re-chargeable, I never go anywhere without 6 charged batteries plus the charger just in case. Also, a tripod, monopod, or gorilla pod or whatever for taking pictures without a flash inside makes all the difference for me.

Hi Ali!
Thanks for giving us the opportuntiy to win such great product.
My photo tip is to go with the flow. I have 2 children ages 3 and 4. I was always trying for the "perfect shot". Always posing and organizing them. This both frustrated them and me as I would never get them smiling and when I did it seemed unnatrual. So I always try to snap as many pics as possible, and try to capture them doing what they do best. Just being them. I've gotten some of the best photos by just allowing them to be. And now they are more willing to smile for the camera cause it is fun to them again.

My photo tip is change your perspective. Get down on the ground, climb up on a chair, shoot your subject from behind, focus on just their ear, anything but the plain head on shot. 9 times out of 10 you may well get something laughable, but that 10th shot is sure to be awesome :)

Bummer about the issues! I was actually thinking about using that fabric paper to print on. Maybe after my family and I move I will try it, and then let you know how it goes.
Would love to win - there are always so many comments!! How do you pick? LOL!

Hmmm, I have heard that the fabric sheets are hard to work with - I've not even ventured there yet. Too wimpy I guess.
My favorite photo tip is to make a list of photos you'd like to have for an event. Such as a kid's birthday party. Make a list that might include seeing the birthday girl/boy greeting guests at the door, the spread of food before the little fingers make short work of it, the hanging of the balloons, the gift opening, the look on mom/dad's face during the party at a certain time, the candle blow out, etc. I find even if you don't refer to teh list during the event, just writing it down beforehand may help with remembering. And turn to someone else at the party for help with the photos if you think you'll be too busy. Don't be afraid of missing the right shot if you dont' do it yourself - better to miss the shot than the moment. :)

There are definitely lots of things i need to work on with my photos. Need to remember to bring and use my camera on day to day comings and goings. Need to remember to print off photos on a regular basis to share with family and friends, not just when I'm ready to scrapbook. I'm dying to try and learn some different basic techniques in photoshop, like writing on photos and eliminating color on everything but one element. Also need to work on photographing my projects well, as I don't have a printer.
Leigh anne

Favorite photo tips- I think it has to be shooting from above my subject, getting down on the ground to shoot up, and from your post today- shoot a lot of photos but be ruthless in the editing.

Tip: get closer to your objects. Take lots of shots on auto & then put the camera down. Don't forget to make the memory you are trying to capture!
I am LOVING this series and really like the vellum photo idea with the KI lace paper... I think I would really like to try that! :)
Thanks Ali!
Lauren H in Colorado :)

I would like to be able to print on fabric to make a fabric album.

ha ha! I guess I missed the photo tip part! "Open your eyes, Shealynn!!" That was a note to myself. ;) LOL.
I am a professional photographer... my photo tip? Take pictures in the early morning or about 1-2 hours before the sun sets. You will get the best lighting. It's not as harsh, yet leaves a fresh golden hue in photos sometimes, which makes pictures look their best. Also, get to know your settings. I only shoot in Manual mode. You will have more control over what you can do.
:)

hi there Ali ! i've tried that peel and stick paper, and got completely crazy with it ! never managed to do anything; I need to experiment more with my camera, and the way I print out the pics. waiting for tomorrow's post; SMILES !

I would love a SLR and learn how to use it...maybe one day...
I print most of my photos at home and love to change my photos to black and white. I also use the diffuse glow function ,in my software, to give certain photos just a bit of a different look or whimsical feeling. It works well especially with wedding photos and photos of girls with angel wings etc.

I have to say my tip for great photos are the photos you don't think will work out (point and click photos no planning) turn out to be the ones you cherish later in life as they are not set up and show the true meaning/way of life.
Love the new theme/photo section you are doing. Keep up the great work

How about my favorite photo EDITING tip? (still trying to master the taking photos thing).
I had a beautiful photo of husband holding my neice, my neice's eyes were the deepest shade of blue I'd ever seen! Only problem was that the photo was slightly blurry and there was some distracting elements in the background.
Well, I resolved to use the photo anyway. In order to get rid of the distracting elements in the background, I drew a path around my husband and neice, selected the background, and performed a gaussian blur. This is a well known solution for getting rid of distracting background elements.
BUT WHAT A SURPRISE, by blurring the background enough, it made the subjects look in focus. The finished photo doesn't look blurry at at, it just looks like I took it in portrait mode (to blur the background)!
Thanks for the oppurtunity to win those cool products! I've been wanting to try both the printable fabric and rubons for a while now.
Amanda

My favorite little tip is to simply use a sheet as my backdrop for great portrait photos....LOVE IT!!! What do I want to try??? printing on fabric...it jammed in my printer too....so that will be for another day as well.....Thanks for your many inspirations ;o)

This is a wonderful series!
I love using Picasa (by Google) to organize and "tweak" my digital photos. It's very user friendly, and I can see all of my photos at one time!
xoxo

This is a wonderful series!
I love using Picasa (by Google) to organize and "tweak" my digital photos. It's very user friendly, and I can see all of my photos at one time!
xoxo

Turn your camera upside down and snap some shots from that vantage point! It loosens up the usual boundaries of camera play! I usually do this outside, on a sunny day, in the yard, with the trees and bushes and flowers all in bloom! I catch some in full and some in partial shadow. However, I took some upside down shots this past winter with just the bare branches showing on the deciduous trees and the dark green of the evergreens. When developed, everything was geometric and patterned. I cut up the photos and moved them around my layouts until I felt satisfied and I still have pieces left. Try it!

Thanks Ali for always being such a great source of inspiration - I want to try creating my own rub ons! what a very cool idea!
Karen

Thanks for all the great info today! My fav photo tip is to take shots from multiple angles. You can end up with a shot you like from an unexpected angle. Thanks for the heads up on the Rub-on stuff. I have it and haven't had the time to tackle it. I'm really hoping to upgrade to an SLR camera soon! I want to learn how to use the manual mode and different lenses.