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Photography expert Barb Gordon, Master Photographer publishes Barb Gordon Photo Coach's Shooting for Success ezine. If you're ready to take your photography career to the next level, get your FREE reports "Make Photography More than a Hobby" and "15 Ways to Make More Money with your Photography" now at http://www.barbgordonphotocoach.com

12 Elements of Composition for Remarkable Photographs #5 The Foreground
By Barb Gordon, M.Photog., CR, CPP


A strong and interesting image can be achieved by including a lot of foreground leading to the subject. For an environmental portrait use enough depth of field so your image is sharp front to back to tell the story.

This is not a riveting example but it is a good example of recomposing the image to include foreground interest.

I wanted to show my family the cedar posts that my husband used for our front porch. Photographing just the posts up close was kind of boring. So I backed up to include some more of the hard work my husband has done in our driveway. The rock has now created an interesting foreground that leads to the cedar posts.

Another and very beautiful foreground sample image is on the blog, click here. (I think I did this link right as last week I got confused with all the steps there are to do this linking stuff!)

This is a twelve part series with most articles continued on the blog due to their lengh. Next week- Textures


© 2010 Barb Gordon Photo Coach & Gordon Photography & Gallery, Inc.

Contest for All Photographers FREE BUSINESS CARDS.

Photographers February 24th, 2010Categorized Under: Business Tips, ContestsEven in the digital age, some traditional marketing materials are still needed. One such item is business cards. Business cards are often the “piece you leave behind” that represents your company, your work, and your brand. You need to make sure your cards make a statement and allows the recipient a way to connect with you later.



Today’s contest is sponsored by Color Inc Pro Lab, an advertiser on the MCP Blog. They print business cards and send samples using a few different finishes: gloss, pearl and watercolor. They are all really nice, but for my particular cards, I am in LOVE with the pearl finish. It gives the cards an almost metallic look and they are just beautiful in person.


Do you need new business cards? Color Inc. is giving 4 lucky winners 250 double sided business cards in the finish of their choice.

To enter (you may do entry 1 or 1, 2, and 3 for more chances to win) -winners will be picked at random on Sunday, February 28th.

1. Leave a comment on the blog for this post (not on Facebook) – and answer the following for your 1st entry:

•What information do you feel is important to have on a business card for a photographer?
•Do you think photographers should have photographs on their card? Why do you feel this way?
2. Post one of the following to Twitter and/or Facebook (and come back and comment to let us know you did for your 2nd entry):

•What information should be on a business card? Win 2-sided business cards by commenting here: http://bit.ly/mcpcicontest
•Do you think photographers should have pictures on business cards? Win 2-sided business cards by commenting here: http://bit.ly/mcpcicontest
3. Ask your blog readers what they think business cards should have on them, by doing a quick summary of this post and its questions; then link them here so they can comment. Come back here and leave a comment with a link to your blog post for your third entry.

And for those of you who want to order business cards now, Color Inc is doing a promo for 10% off through Sunday the 28th of February by using the code: biz10.

A Contest and a Great Site!

I am all about showcasing people that are teaching! The Savvy Photographer not only has a great site filled with information, but she is also having a giveaway! Click here to enter! The Savvy Photographer

I have been focusing on photographing birds in flight. I find a bird feeder where they are flying in for food, focusing my camera to the side of the feeder and catching them landing, taking off, grabbing food, etc. Some things I am learning. When using this technique be very aware of what is in the background.

My first attempts had a big sign in the background and while I got some great shots, I couldn't use them with the sign in the back.

Focus in on the space closest to the feeder, but not the feeder. If you focus on the feeder, the feeder will be clear but the bird blurry.

Be patient. You will have to take a lot of pictures to get just one good shot! Trust me. But so worth it.

For these shots I am using a digital Canon Rebel Camera, with a 300mm Zoom lens. I am still struggling with focus, blurry images, etc. But each time I think it gets a little better!

Have fun. I would love to see your pictures!

Wishing you Much Wonder in 2010.

This photo was taken with the Canon Rebel using my 100-300 zoom lens. I came out blurry so I used a few textures and overlays, and feathered the edges in Photoshop. Turn blurry photos into something new! In my research, its important to lower shutter speed to allow in less light and shoot faster. I now have my tripod and a wireless remote, so I am heading out to see if it makes a different. Wish me luck!

Capturing Kids

It's Christmas and I have 5 little nephews running around like crazy, giggling, wrestling, making funny faces and just being kids. There have been snow ball fights, bingo games, opening presents, a few tired tears, hugs, and a bunch of love. I brought the camera with the goal of trying to preserve some of those special moments. Before I started I equipped myself with a little knowledge to help make it a little smoother. One important lesson I learned was to capture the unexpected. Get away from "Posing" them the way you want, don't force the smiles and look for the special times when they are just being kids. So I waited and watched. At the park I took pictures of hands. Just hands making sand pizzas. At home my brother and my sister's two boys sat together in GrandDad's chair. One nephew on his own with hands behind is head and his feet crossed looked just like GrandDad.

As the day progressed I was able to see things about each child that I had never noticed before. The way one cocks his head to the side when he is trying to figure something out. The way one twirls his hair around and around with his little fingers while watching a movie. It was truly insightful.

Digital photography makes it possible to experiment. You can shoot and shoot and shoot and then sort through the photos to capture the ones that express what you want to express in your photo montages. Kids don't stay small for long so get busy captures those special moments.

Show me some or your favorites! Here are a few tips I found on Digital Photography School Its great to go prepared!

Something I Made!!

Well, Christmas is coming and it seems everyone is in the Christmas spirit, but much more cautious about spending. While many are hitting the stores, there are just as many finding ways to cut costs, and still enjoy the Spirit of Christmas. To me, its be a new, exciting challenge to see how I can create something new, spend less, and make it special. Photography allows for so many options and whether you print your photos at home, or send them out, there are special discounts for first time orders, free shipping, and more. There are three areas that I focused this year and here is what I did:

1) Holiday Office Party and Gift Exchange: I decided to make it homemade. I found a vintage style Candy pedestal for under $10. I was making holiday candies for family and friends so I made 2 doz to go along with the gift. All the candies were simple recipes using pretzels, oreos, peanut butter, rolos. For the recipes I used give me a call!

2) Christmas Cards. I made my own. The photo in this listing was a tree I found on my photography expeditions. A little photoshopping, a few snowflake brushes, a Word Art layer, and some other layers (all free, including the cardinal!!) and I am good to go! If you can't find any of the free things I am talking about, drop me an email or leave me a comment on this post and I will point you in the right directions.

3) Family gift exchange. This year, we are taking a cue from Just Something I Made and the gifts are coming from inside our house! Just go to her site and click on the Thrifty Gift Exchange Post on December 14th! We all have so much stuff in our house that we don't need, don't use, that someone else may enjoy. Why not give it a try. Our family is now on the phone, talking, trying to figure out what they are going to give up, or bring, and its really stirring up some humor, stories, and excitement.

I hope you will try to do the holidays and little different this year. You don't have to do it all, just pick a few things you can do and make it happen. You will be surprise how much fun it is!

So Many Free Photoshop Resources on the Web!

I am addicted to Photography and Photoshop and constantly amazed at the number of people willing to share information, techniques, expertise, and more. And the resources, tutorials and on-line education available all for free! I have met so many interesting and talented paper as I learned Photoshop, and I encourage everyone to search for anything you might need to learn a new task, develop a new talent.

Lately I have been interested in layers and textures. And now there are actions! All designed to help improve your photos. And so many people have created free ones that you never have to purchase them if your budget does not allow. Some of the sites ask for donations or have select products available for purchase, but the free items are available without commitment or obligation. So try your hand at something new.

What amazes me about layers and textures is that it can transform the ordinary photo. Give it the extra oomph! that it might need to soften, highlight, texturize.

Here are some new sites I have happened upon. Please drop on in on them and let me know what you are working on. That is what the internet is all about. People connecting with People. Its a virtual library, a social event that you need to participate in. Don't be a wallflower!

ShadowHouseCreations The author creates the most interesting photos, and offers all kinds of free brushes, textures, and layers. His brushes were used to add the birds, and an extra tree in the photo above!

CoffeeTeaPhotography This is an amazing site that offers tutorials, resources, free actions, and more. She accepts donations of any amount to help her keep her site running, but its not a requirement for using the information. For me, a donation is well worth it. Her items are fantastic!


TexasChicksBlogsandPics Another informative site that offers tutorials, layers and actions and walks you through how upload them in any version of Photoshop. They also have a newsletter! Great tips and techiniques. They also have products for sale, but again, a lot of freebies.

If you want to try your hand at layering, trust me its easy. Drop me a line if you need some help.

Another huge resource is Flickr groups. People share their photos and work, you can get free textures of all kins on this site, and the groups allow you to post challenges you are having and get advice and suggestions from people who may have had the same struggle.

There is no excuse for learning. The free information is out there, print, bring it home and learn a new skill. Its easy peasey!

This photo includes my photography of a tree off the Potomac River, 1 cloud layer, one cloud texture, and one color texture all from ShadowHouseCreations and/or downloaded from Flickr. It has an eagle that was added using a brush set that was free on ShadowHouseCreations.

Now on to actions! Don't know much about them yet, but I am doing the Research. Will keep you posted.