3 Things : playing with printing + a giveaway

Threethings_paperplay


Staying in the theme of words + photos this week I wanted to experiment with a couple different inkjet printing surfaces. I took that photo of Chris & Simon and the tie and printed it on each of the following using my HP Photosmart D7360:


[ Warning : any of my experiences below could very well be operator error. ]


WorldWin Inkjet Printable Translucent Vellum : Quick and easy. Great result. See sample below. It's been awhile since I last used vellum and it was fun to reintroduce it into my supplies. Definitely want to play with it more: thinking about layering with transparencies and text and photos.


EQ Printables Peel & Stick Fabric Sheets : love the idea of this. My first issue is that the paper got stuck in my printer (grumble). Round two, stuck again. What seems to be happening is that the fabric is peeling back and getting stuck inside the mechanisms of the pinter. I am thinking to myself as I go through this process: how long do I mess with this before I just quit? Round three, stuck again (and yep, I am trying different settings as I go). Ok, after a couple more tries (and the passage of half-an-hour) I am done trying - I am not enjoying the process and there is no simplification happening here. It's such a bummer - would love to see how this would work with my photo. I may try again on another day. Anyone else tried this and had success? Tips?


Grafix Rub Onz - Create your own rub ons. Super cool idea. I wanted to see if this would work with a photo + some words...and at least in my case it was a challenge. This is a multi-step process that includes printing, then placing adhesive paper on top, and then adhering your image to final paper. The real challenge is getting the adhesive paper onto your image without bubbles. The second challenge is in the choice of the paper you rub on to. I tried it on textured cardstock and it didn't seem to work - it just tore the paper. I will probably try this whole process again to see if I can make it work.


Threethings_samples


[1]
EQ Printables Peel & Stick Fabric Sheets (notice the pulled up edges). [2] Photo printed onto WorldWin Inkjet Printable Translucent Vellum - I wanted to see what it would look like with the KI lace cardstock in the background (right now it is just held on there with a paper clip). [3] My attempt at using the Grafix Rub Onz onto cardstock (this could have been part of the problem - maybe it needed a slicker surface for it to adhere) - all it did for me was rip the cardstock. [4] The original photo printed on photo paper.


Dottedline_2


And now, the giveaway:


3 readers will receive the following from The Papermill Store/Worldwin:


• 1 pack 27 lb WorldWin Inkjet Printable Translucent Vellum
• 1 pack 40 lb WorldWin Inkjet Printable Translucent Vellum
• 1 pack 12x12 WorldWin Doublemates Cardstock
• 1 pack 12x12 WorldWin Rouche Cardstock


For more information on The Papermill Store/WorldWin, check out their blog here.


For a chance to win this selection of papers leave a comment below with your favorite photo tip or what you want to work related to taking photos. Winners will be drawn tomorrow at 5pm Pacific.


Dottedline_2


Don't miss today's words + photos post below.

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780 thoughts

  1. Laura says…
    05/06/2008

    GREAT post! Such great information! I need to work on the deleting thing and also a more organized storage method. Great inspiration!!! Thanks Ali- love your blog!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Iara says…
    05/06/2008

    My photo tip: cut your digital photos digitally (I have PS 7.0 and it is enough, there is no need of a new or fancy photo edition program) and make portraits when the background isn't great, remove that things that should not be in the photo but are :) I love make mini albums pages with only a big portrait in it! Lot of people already told me that I am a great portrait photographer but I am not! I can only cut photos very well :lol:
    And take lot of photos, there will sure be a wonderful one between all of the shoots!
    Thanks for the give away, Ali! I am loving your posts this week, thanks for the inspiration too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Anat says…
    05/06/2008

    I guess my tip is to have 2 batteries available for your camera so one is always charged and ready to use.
    I need to work on taking MORE photos, setting aside more time to play with them digitally (I need to take a photoshop course) and then more time to scrap them!

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Becky says…
    05/06/2008

    Looks great and very fun. My tip is natural light!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Alice P. says…
    05/06/2008

    To keep little ones happy during a photo shoot, find a little fan to keep air blowing on them. Plus, it's cute to see their fine hair blowing in the wind.

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. Kathy says…
    05/06/2008

    Always check the background for distractions before snapping the photo. It's so easy to miss something so obvious like a person that looks as if a tree is growing out of his or her head ;-)and you don't realize it until after you've downloaded the photos on the computer. Most of these situations are easily resolved by moving slightly to the left or right of the subject, or having the subject move to another location. If that option isn't possible, use a small aperture setting such as F5 to blur the background (or the portrait/flower setting on automatic cameras).
    I have a digital SLR, and I also have a little Nikon CoolPix that is always in my purse so that I can snap photos anytime, and anywhere. Most of these little digital cameras have a rating of at least 6.1 megapixels picture quality (which is the same as some of the digital SLR models).
    Buy an extra battery for your camera so that you always have one charged -- and will never miss out on those once in a lifetime photo opportunities. It is definitely worth the investment.
    Most importantly, it is the photographer, NOT the camera that creates and designs the photos -- make the best of what you've got.

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. Shannon says…
    05/06/2008

    I'm trying to be more patient with my photography, I stress too much worrying about getting the "perfect" photo. I love how you take such candid photos. Thanks for sharing your tips and techniques.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Shari Anderson says…
    05/06/2008

    here are my tips:
    1. Get low....bend your knee's. If you find yourself standing up to take a picture, just bend your knee's and see what a difference it makes.
    2. Tilt your camera. Not too much, but change your orientation, you will probably like your photo's better. You can also do this by cropping in an editing program. Just crop, but turn it a little too! The best part of the editing process is that you can undo and do it over again until you like it!
    3. Take a class...just your basic photography 1 at a community college. It is priceless. You will learn SO MUCH. Much of it is traditional composition so take that with a grain of salt because most popular photographers today are anything but traditional..but the technical learning will be priceless!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Kimberly says…
    05/06/2008

    My photo tip is to move when you are taking photos. So many people remain static when they're taking a picture and everything can get stuck in that one spot. I'm not afraid to get down on the ground, stand on a chair, tilt the camera (or my head) and see things from a different perspective.
    Moving around not only improves your photos, but often times helps YOU see things from another perspective as well -- so it's a 2-for-1 benefit!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. Taylor says…
    05/06/2008

    thanks for posting the giveaway! My favorite photo tip is to use curves in photoshop. That and altering the images to black & white, and sometimes sepia.

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Sara-Jane says…
    05/06/2008

    Thanks for the continuing inspiration, Ali, it is much appreciated. My tip is, when printing photos onto transparencies, print on the less smooth side (the side the faces the backing), and change your settings to draft to use less ink. But I am guessing you already know that!. I would love to try printing on the vellum though, it looks very cool over the lace cardstock.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. Sarah says…
    05/06/2008

    I agree with a post from above, definately have two batteries.
    I also like to take photos from different angles, standing vs. kneeling. I was able to capture a picture with a lot of depth by just kneeling in the sand and taking a few photos of footsteps in the sand.
    Thanks for the inspiration Ali, where do you find all the energy?

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. rebecca harper says…
    05/06/2008

    love it ali, you are always coming up with something new and creative....

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Jenn says…
    05/06/2008

    Did you change the setting when you tried the fabric paper to more of a heavier paper and not just regular paper? That often allows thicker stuff to get through easier.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. fran heupel says…
    05/06/2008

    I love to take pictures but only have a point and shoot camera at this time. I make sure there are photos taken of everyday things not just special occasions. I also make sure not to have anything too distracting in the background.
    And yes as some others have posted always have backup batteries that are charged.

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Rebecca says…
    05/06/2008

    Hi,
    My photo tip is to learn your camera, no matter what kind you have...learn what it can do. Also, try different angles, you don't always have to get the whole person, object, scene, in the shot.
    Thanks so much for the opportunity to win. Blessings, Rebecca

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Allison says…
    05/06/2008

    I need to work on interesting backgrounds in some of my still life/portrait pictures - I need to try to take some pictures of my needlework and crafts don't look so hot when they're propped up on the carpet!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Gigi says…
    05/06/2008

    Personally I've never tried the EQ Printables, but I have tried the vellum. I love that you can use them on acrylic or transparency and it can keep the "see through" style on the minibook or layout.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. care says…
    05/06/2008

    I'm trying to figure out how to fit more pictures on my layouts. I usually compose it the way I want it, and don't crop very much. you can only fit so many 4x6's on a single page.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Amie says…
    05/06/2008

    That vellum looks really neat! I recently started doing the tape transfers for my pictures and am enjoying learning more about that!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. kristen says…
    05/06/2008

    love the look of the vellum photo...i'll have to try that! totally agree with previous posters...most any camera can take great photos with the right photographer...and taking lots of photos can turn you into a better photographer!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Dawn says…
    05/06/2008

    I feel like I have a lot I want to work on with taking photos, but your post earlier today really inspired me to edit down a lot of the images I have. Since I got a DSLR for Mother's Day last year (right after my son was born), I have SO many images, and have been afraid to delete any. But it makes total sense when you say that you only keep 5 or less of a series! So I'm going to start editing those tonight...
    Thanks, as always for the great inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Shannon says…
    05/06/2008

    I've used canvas to copy a photo onto but haven't done that technique in a while - I really liked the outcome - made it sorta look like a canvas painting instead of a photo.....
    Thanks Ali

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. carla callahan says…
    05/06/2008

    I had a tip for printing on the eq printables fabric sheets. For the problem you had, fabric peeling back in printer, what if you put a piece of tape across the top to hold it down in place when it goes through the printer? Not sure if you tried that or not but might be worth a shot.
    carla

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Jennifer says…
    05/06/2008

    What I want to work on...deleting photos. I like to take lots and lots of pictures, I just have trouble deleting them.
    Ali...you amaze me...your ideas are wonderful...your life is an inspiration...thanks for everything!

    Reply 0 Replies

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