Dear Kristen Duke,
You have given me the courage to finally pick up my big girl camera that I've had for four months!
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Ashley at Simply Designing
Yes, it is true, I have had a "big girl" camera for four months. Yikes, did I just admit that ALL of my photos on my blog are taken with a point and shoot?? Well, I've learned how to work it people (and I also have an amazing point and shoot)! And it has done me well. But I have outgrown in, and I knew it. So I bought a used big girl camera from a photography friend, and then I let it sit and collect dust for months.
Yes, I know, we had a lot going on the last four months. We lost our baby (read more here), and then there was Thanksgiving, and Christmas (did I mention I hosted both holiday meals, and I have never before cooked a holiday meal!), and then came New Years, and then an extra week of Christmas vacation because of Snowpocalypse. And by that point I was just behind on everything. I have a LOT of really great excuses why I have not pulled out my new camera.
But the real, honest to goodness reason was that I was scared.
I took photography classes in college, but that was SOOOOO long ago...like eons ago. So I hardly remembered anything. Plus cameras have changed so much between then and now, it's kind of a whole different ball game in many ways. (I mean the whole digital thing happened since then! Yes, I am old, I spent my photography classes in a dark room.)
So I was scared. I kept thinking that I would get a book, or read online and learn all about it. And I never did.
And then a small miracle happened. Kristen Duke came out with a Say NO to Auto VIDEO. And I knew that this is just what I needed.
I needed someone to hold my hand. I needed to hear and visually be reminded of the basics. I needed someone to put it in simple, easy to understand terms, but give enough depth and detail that I could succeed. However not too much detail that I became overwhelmed.
So the other day I sat down and watched this amazing video (thanks Kristen!) and it was EXACTLY what I needed! Perfect for the beginner, but also good for someone like me who at one point knew a lot, but forgot most of it! And the best part is that I get to watch this video over and over again as a refresher, whenever I need it!
This video is a game-changer people!
It finally gave me the courage to bring out the camera I had bought and use it.
Check out these photos I shot really quickly with both my point and shoot and my DSLR immediately after watching her video. I have not edited or retouched these photos at all!
I love the extra background blur I can get with the DSLR. It hides a LOT. Plus the overall quality of the photo it better and the second image is just a little bit brighter then the top image. Like I've said, I've learned how to work my point and shoot, but the DSLR on manual settings are amazing!
We always say that photographing our son is like photographing wildlife: they can't know you're doing it or they run away! I caught my son while he was sitting watching Jake and the Netherland Pirates on the iPad, so I was not contending with a boy who was moving much. But the DSLR photo clearly has less grain and more light! And you can barely see it, but the background is blurred more which I love.
Watching the Say NO to Auto video was a photo-changer for me! The information is basic enough for a beginner, but also perfect for an intermediate photographer looking to learn more or who needs a refresher!
And I am THRILLED that today, I can offer my readers a discount on her Say NO to Auto Video Workshop and GIVEAWAY her video workshop to one lucky reader too! (Don't worry, if you purchase the video, and then win it, Kristen will refund your money because she is awesome like that!)
So hurry over HERE to learn more about her video and see a sneak peak!
Then use code: SIMPLY10 to save $10!!
(The video workshop is normally $60, but you can get it for only $50 with my code. And it is totally worth it! In person workshops are normally $150, so you are getting an amazing deal on her video workshop especially since you can watch the video over and over again!)
And then come back and
ENTER TO WIN your own copy of
Say NO to Auto Video Workshop!!
*Winning entries will be verified. This giveaway is in no way affiliated, administered or endorsed by Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram. No information will be disclosed to Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram by entering this giveaway. No purchase necessary to win. Odds of winning are based on number of entrants. Winner for prize package will be chosen randomly through Rafflecopter. Giveaway will run from January 17, 2014 until January 26, 2014 at 12:00am EST. Winner will be announced on January 26, 2014 in this blog post and the winner will need to respond within 48 hours of announcement via email to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen. Winner must be 18 years of age or older and a US citizen with a US mailing address in order to win. Winner is responsible for paying any necessary taxes on winnings. All prizes will be mailed / emailed / fulfilled by the sponsor and the blog owner(s) involved are not held responsible if the prize is not fulfilled. A list of winners may be requested after the giveaway has ended. Please email me with any questions or to obtain additional information at: [email protected]*
Lori Whicker
Ah! I would LOVE to win this! It would help me out so much! Thanks for the great giveaway Ashley 🙂
ReDo It Yourself Inspirations
Fabulous giveaway! This would end the horrible photo situation I have.
Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke
Woohoo, so glad the tips were helpful!!! Thanks for sharing about Say NO to Auto!
Made From Pinterest
Oh I SOOOOOOO need this! Haven't quite said No to Auto.....sigh Debbie
Melanie @ bear rabbit bear
I really want to win!
Kathe
I want to win this sooo bad! I just got my very first DSLR for Christmas and have no clue how to use it! confession, most of the photos on my blog are NOT taken with a point & shoot...I use my iPhone!! (gasp)! I know!!
Japolina
I want to win this ! Thanks for telling us about this site.
Kristen
I want to win! It is on my bucket list to take a class to teach me how to use my camera!
Creative Raisins
I want to win it is something I really could use.
Karen
I would love to win, maybe I'll be able to figure my camera out.
annc999
I REALLY want to win. Being a better photographer (with a decent camera) is one of my goals for 2014.
Shannon
Everyone one could use photo tips from a pro
Colleen
I would love to be the winner.<br />I have always used my 35mm but good luck now days finding someone who develops film and if you do find someone it cost quite a bit to have a 24 exposure developed so haven't used my camera in a few years now so I really, really could use a nice camera.<br />Thank you for this opportunity<br />ColleenB.<br />Texas
SalBug
I gave my husband an awesome Nikon camera for Christmas and we're both a bit intimidated by it. I would love to win!
Tim Tim
I would love this camera!! Thank you for the giveaway!
annemarie
I really really really want to win!!!
Nicole Lyon
I would love love love this!
the cape on the corner
i bit the bullet and bought a dslr for my Alaska vacation this past summer-totally worth it! I would love some tips for it.
JustPam
This is a great giveaway-I would love to win!
bryansgyrl
I'd love to win! Thanks for the chance! BTW: Love the new DSLR shots too!
makin'myway
Ashamed to say I have had my DSLR for several years and have not learned to use it.<br /><br />[email protected]
Lauren
I would love to learn more about a dslr camera!
Linny
Learning about something that looks so complicated can be very daunting.. I know a few things in my life that I've been putting off learning more about. I'm glad that the video helped you learn more about your camera while making things easy to understand. If I ever manage to get my hands on a DSLR I will surely watch it as well. Thank you for sharing!
Sara
Oh, I so need this. I am ashamed to say that I've had my big girl camera for 6 years and I still use it on auto! ACK!
Lindsay Fekitoa
I got my DSLR in June and I still can't figure the thing out. HELP ME!
Charlene@APinchofJoy
I want to win! I've had my DSLR for -- ahem -- a while and a class in making better use of it's capabilities would be so helpful! Assuming the setting will actually move off AUTO after all this time 🙂
Erin Indahl-Fink
I would love to win this. I JUST got a new DSLR and like you am rather intimidated by it. I've begun taking some pics, but I would really love to unleash all the great photo potential. Thanks so much for this great giveaway! ~Erin
Melissa Licon
This would be awesome for my husband who has decided to develop (pun intended) his interest in photography and has gotten a hand me down camera to practice with.
Jennifer Reynolds
I am actually taking a photography class and thinking about doing photography on the side to help pay off bills, I would love to win
Laura Silva
I would love to win this. I actually do take my camera off auto, but only on one setting that I have figured out works well to take blog pictures by my window during the afternoon (naptime). I would love to have it be more automatic when figuring out how to adjust my settings. I can't always be looking at google searches when I am taking pictures. 🙂
Melanie von Bose
Not only do I want to win... I NEED to win! I need to finally figure out how to not be scared of my fancy camera I've had for... well, let's just say it's been awhile now.
Brooke
I've had my eye on this. Would love to win!
barbara crugnale
I have the say no to auto book and love it but the video would be a huge help!
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love.
Would love to be able to do more with my camera!