Congratulations to Jessica White Slorah!

CLICK HERE FOR GINNY'S COMMENTS
I am quoting Jessica White Slorah, with her permission, the response to my announcement that she won first prize: "Ginny, No way!!!!!!!!!!! It just proves that it doesn't matter what kind of camera you have. I have NEVER entered any photography contests, let alone won anything, and am completely tickled! Thank you for the fabulous prize. I can not wait! I have been dreaming of a great camera and great editing software for a few years now. And you have made half of that dream come true. Thanks again."

This email gave me such confidence about the essence of my book! It's not about your camera, never was! Don't you love it? It's not even about post-production, although that is fun and can undoubtedly make some incredible things happen (see second prize!).

It is all about seeing light and expression and composition!

Jessica will be receiving Adobe Lightroom as her first prize.

Coveted Second Prize Goes to Jessica Monson Drossin!

CLICK HERE FOR GINNY'S COMMENTS
Congratulations to Jessica for her exquisite image posted here. Jessica is well-known for her beautiful textures that she makes available on her blog.

Congratulations!

Facebook Group Photographing Children 2nd Place

Soon we will be announcing the first place winner of the contest on composition. In the meantime I wanted to introduce the second place winner of our last contest on Pictorial Photography of Children.

Lori Hannon-Ladouceur

"The photo was taken when we were out looking for foxes for me to shoot(with my camera of course)! We found some dens, and my daughter was staring into the woods trying to see if the foxes were coming home. "

I think you will agree that the style and composition and story here give it great strength as a contemporary pictorial photograph. It has a magical, ethereal look to it, which seems to convey just the story Lori tells.

Congratulations, Lori!

(Lori received a signed copy of Photographing Children Photoworkshop, by Ginny Felch) To see more about this book, click on the Amazon button on your right.

Photographing Children Contest Winner

Congratulations to Jane Adlem, of London, who won first prize in our Facebook Photographing Children Contest. The assignment was "Pictorial," and this image beautifully typifies my vision of the assignment. We are always busy om our group inspiring one another and improving our photographs of children. Jane is a new member and we welcome and honor her!

What I love about this image is the beautiful and somewhat dramatic background, with soft light that eliminates distracting hot spots. Even though there is a pictorial or painterly look, I consider it a timeless, contemporary photograph due to the clothing. I would not ordinarily recommend centering the subject as Jane chose to do in this photograph, but it is the perfect example of "breaking the rules" and going for boldness. The natural and unfettered expression of the child is timeless and spontaneous. Her body language is so fluid and carefree.

Jane describes her photograph:"This is a photograph of my niece I took for a project which was part of a photography course I recently started. I found this beautiful, quiet country lane not far from her house and just followed her around with my camera whilst she was having fun running and hiding from me. I was so pleased to have captured a sense of her movement and love the way her face looks so lost in thought!

Thank you so much for choosing my photograph, I feel very privileged!"

Today we are starting a new contest. The first prize is Nik Color-Effex Pro 3.0. I LOVE that software and use it almost every day. I will announce the subject of the contest on the Facebook Group Photographing Children page. Don't hesitate to join our group by clicking HERE

If you want to go to the contest page it is HERE

Ephotozine Interview Photographing Children by Ginny Felch

A few weeks ago, Nikita from ephotozine.com emailed and asked me if she could talk with me about photographing children. Wiley sent her the book and today they published a nice interview which follows. Thank you, Nikita! I love to share my enthusiasm about photographing children and then get involved with the photographers and parents who share it. The Facebook Group, Photographing Children (by invitation) has grown to over 400 members who ask for help, share their successes, and participate in discussions and contests. The subject of our contest ending June 6th is about depth of field (bokeh) or keeping the background out of focus while the subject remains in focus. Sometimes this really enhances a portrait and it is fun to experiment with. The winner will receive Photoshop Elements from Adobe!

One of our newest members just had a baby a week or so ago and is sharing her first portraits, complete with her own hand-knitted hats and outfits.

Enjoy the interview, read the book (!) and join in on the fun! Best, Ginny

Interview