Let’s learn to take peekchores!

Posted on | February 24, 2012 | 39 Comments

i mentioned last week that i’m a Clickin’ Moms Blog Ambassador and today i’m gonna share more about that with you guys. i’m super excited about it and am really enjoying my time checking out their forums, blog, etc. if you haven’t heard of CM, it’s an amazing site full of resources for people interested in photography. the best part is, you don’t have to be a pro or even want to be one (raises hand) to participate. if you have a camera of any kind and want to learn how to take better photos, CM is the place to be.

over the next few months i’m gonna be sharing my progress with you guys as i use CM to learn. i’ve already started poking around the forums and omg, there is so much info. the word forum really scared me when i first logged on. i’ve had bad luck in forums before, especially where you ask questions and get shot down. but the people in the CM community are SO NICE. seriously, they have kind of restored my faith in humanity and i’m not even kidding. you can legit ask a question you don’t know the answer to and they HELP YOU. don’t feel like asking? peruse past forum topics to find your answer and learn just as much. they are so encouraging and it’s really like a great big hug. throw in some french braiding and kumbayah and you’ve got a sleepover.

i love taking photos but literally have no clue what i’m doing. i want that to change. one step i’ve taken so far is selling my Olympus to upgrade to a Nikon. this is something i’ve been wanting to do for while, but ya know, funds and all that. after some scrimping and planning, i’ll be able to buy a new (to me) camera in the next few weeks. THEN you’ll see some learning. because i will pretty much be dumbfounded at that point. but optimism! it’s going to be awesome.

i thought i’d share some of my goals for the next few months. hopefully i can look back and see some progress.

>> new camera. obviously.

>> learn the basics of exposure, aperture, shutter speed, etc.

>> figure out what my shooting and editing style is (more about that below) and implement it.

>> learn more about photoshop so i can use it efficiently.

>> be shooting in full manual by May. (without wanting to throw my camera?)

my goal is not to become a pro. i simply want to take great photos that make me happy. i want to shoot real life pictures so that i have things to look back on and smile. i just want to understand and love a hobby. i think taking photos is fun and now i just want to learn how to do it properly!

my current process for photos is this: shoot in auto, get frustrated, pick the best of the worst, and put an action on it. but the thing is, i know that hazy tinted photos are not my “style”. i’m drawn to clean, bright, sharp images. and i want to learn how to take them. i’m not saying there is anything wrong with the photos i have taken until this point – i love and cherish them all. i just know i can do better, so i’m gonna give it a go.

if you want give it a go with me (please?), you can head over to Clickin’ Moms and use one of my codes to get either a free trial (THEHAPSTRIAL) or get 20% off a 6 or 12 month membership (THEHAPS). this is good for everyone, since the free trial will let you see if you like it or not, and those of you who have heard of CM and have been on the fence about joining can have a discount. win, win, win! (i typed wine there twice before fixing it. not surprising).

there is a CM button up there to the left so you can take advantage of these sweet deals anytime. if you have any questions about CM, leave them in the comments and i will holler at ya. peekchores, yay!

Category: Clickin' Moms, deals!, endorsed by moi, stoked, the haps

Comments

  • Missa Goehring-Plosky

    Oh to shoot in full manual. Good luck!!!!! I’ve slacked with photos lately, relying almost solely on my new iPhone with no editing. 

    http://staycationmama.blogspot.com/2012/02/rainy-days-and-mondays-never-get-me.html

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  • Fiona

    Ummmmmm….you will be shooting in manual from the minute that camera is in your hands. I promise it won’t be scary and I will help you. :)  

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    Mandy Reply:
    February 24th, 2012 at 1:48 pm

     i hope you’re planning on spending LOTS of time together then. :D

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    amy@agoodlife Reply:
    February 24th, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    ooooh, i wanna play!  camera play date soon??

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    Mandy Reply:
    February 24th, 2012 at 3:31 pm

     yes, please! you shoot with a nikon Amy?

    Fiona Reply:
    February 24th, 2012 at 5:18 pm

    Yes, let’s all have a camera date! That would be so fun! And of course we will be hanging out a lot, duh. 

    amy@agoodlife Reply:
    February 24th, 2012 at 7:35 pm

    no… Canon.  BUT, the results of our settings will be the same, just different places to change the settings. Fiona will be more help with the actual buttons & all that but I love talking exposure & technical stuff!  :)

    when are you getting it?  

    Mandy Reply:
    February 25th, 2012 at 5:13 pm

     dude, any excuse to hang out :) i should have it in the next week or so!

  • http://twitter.com/Nanette Nanette

    Nice! I bought a CM annual membership on Black Friday but have yet to start poking around. You and I have similar photo goals, so I’m excited to follow along on your journey!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/sarahewilkerson Sarah Klimczak Wilkerson

    Mandy! We’re so excited to have you on CM!!! Welcome!! xx

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    Mandy Reply:
    February 25th, 2012 at 5:12 pm

    thanks Sarah! i’m really excited to be there :D

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  • http://mr-and-mrs-w.blogspot.com/ Caitlin Weaver

    So excited for you!!! Once you get a hang of exposure and aperture (and ISO if you’re in low light) you will feel like your eyes have been opened for the first time :)  

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    Mandy Reply:
    February 24th, 2012 at 3:29 pm

     i’m excited for that ah-ha moment!

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  • http://www.whatbenwore.wordpress.com/ Lisa

    What Nikon are you getting? 

    I was taking a photography class at UCSD, then found out I was pregnant and was so sick/tired and couldn’t juggle the night class along with work, so I stopped going :( I had bought a Nikon D3000 at the time and still have SO much to learn! Learning to take better pictures and shoot in manual is definitely one of my goals.

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    Mandy Reply:
    February 24th, 2012 at 3:29 pm

     i’m getting a D90. ex-cite-ted.

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  • Anonymous

    I just got my very first DSLR and am having so much fun learning….the best resource for me has been this book: http://nicolesclasses.bigcartel.com/product/photo-101-textbook-preorder

    I can’t wait to see all that you learn from Clickin Moms!

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  • http://asortafairytaleblog.com/ mandy @ asortafairytale

    I have a clickin’ mom’s membership and oh my gosh i never use it. I’m so silly. I need to actually hop back on that site! Congrats on the new camera… it will be fun learning all about it! And yes, you will have that camera set on Manual from day one. It’s a lot less intimidating than it seems. I bet you’ll catch on like a champ!

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  • http://twitter.com/Jen_Schoeph We Are the Sheppards

    shoot in manual from the beginning and keep at it.  when your moment comes which will happen faster than you realize you will do a jig and never look back.  have fun with the new camera.  i got a canon back for my b-day in may and have been giddy since.  also?  thanks for the CM code, have been on the fence for a little while now but this puts me over the edge to jump in!  thanks friend!

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    Mandy Reply:
    February 25th, 2012 at 5:12 pm

     i hope you do lady! it’s fun. and thanks for the vote of confidence!

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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000437590491 Carolyn Kipper

    You already have a good eye for composition, so this should be no problem for you. And you will be amazed at how much better your photos will look right out of the gate. It’s definitely not ALL about the camera, but a good lens (is that your 50?) + a dslr can blow most point and shoots out of the water. You won’t be missing shots or taking 10 of the same pic (unless you want to ha!). Will you have your camera next week? Oh and woot for Nikon! :)

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    Carolyn Kipper Reply:
    February 24th, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    Oh but don’t feel bad if you have a bit of a learning curve right at the beginning, especially if you start in manual. Once it clicks, it will become second nature to you. Just try to think of it logically… it all comes down to light. How much light you want to let in,  how much light you have to work with, etc. Yay, I’m excited for you. You will be obsessed in no time!

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    Mandy Reply:
    February 24th, 2012 at 5:21 pm

     thanks Carolyn! i’m really excited to finally really jump into learning the ins and outs. i’m overwhelmed but like with anything, i’m sure once i get the hang of it it will all make sense and i’ll be laughing at my old self for freaking out.

    i probably won’t have a new camera by next week but if i do, i will def bring it! xo

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  • http://twitter.com/LilMissRysMama Katherine (Ry’s Mom)

    Ok between you and Jill I’m getting a serious “stop using auto on your DSLR” itch. I think I’ll have to check out the trial membership! Why do you always have to be so damn inspiring?! ;)

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  • Sarah-Anne Lyons

    i seriously cannot wait…i will hopefully be following along with your journey and learn things and stuff. because everyone knows you’re a cool kid if you shoot in Manual and produce pretty pictures.

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  • http://littleorangebigworld.blogspot.com/ Nani

    This is how i am I just love taking pictures and getting better any way I can is always a good thing. I cannot wait to see what you start posting 

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  • http://www.lookatthebirds.com/ t.bird

    i’m on CM- i approve.

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  • http://www.everydaymaven.com/ Alyssa @ EverydayMaven

    I need to do this! I am totally signing up for the free trial.  love this – thanks Mandy :)

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  • Liz

    hey if you ever need any help or have questions, i have some experience. I’m a Nikon USER myself!! I saw your commercial today and instantly saw myself in you. You rock! ANd my mom is a thrifter and has passed it on to me. I’m still new at it. Lol.

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  • http://sugarandbean.blogspot.com/ Marissa

    I’m totally going to sign up for the trial! I bought a $$$ Canon months ago because I was going to major in photography. Changed my mind at the last minute and now I have this hella expensive camera that I have NO IDEA how to use! >.<

    Also, I like the way you edit your pictures! What action do you use?

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    Mandy Reply:
    February 26th, 2012 at 5:20 pm

     i hope you do, i think you’ll like it! my favorite action to use is called wisteria by florabella.

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  • Yellowfinchdesigns

    ok, you sound exactly like me! i have a great camera and was stuck in auto mode forever. i am finally shooting all manual but still have TONS of questions (and still want to throw my camera sometimes). sounds like cm may be right up my alley.

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    Mandy Reply:
    February 26th, 2012 at 5:19 pm

     try it out! it sounds like it would be perfect for you lady. it’s really so helpful – sign up for the free trial and poke around, see if you like it!

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    Yellowfinchdesigns Reply:
    February 27th, 2012 at 9:43 am

    i will! thanks ;)

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  • Valeria

    Hello,
    sounds really interesting, but I dont understand where to get the free trial on the site? Can you please help?
    thanx,

    have a lovely day.
    Vale

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    Valeria Reply:
    February 26th, 2012 at 9:24 am

     Ok, I got it now.
    Thanx anyway :)

    Vale

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    Mandy Reply:
    February 26th, 2012 at 5:16 pm

     glad you found it, sorry it took me so long to respond!

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  • Anonymous

    I took photography in high school and I forgot way too much. I still love taking pics with my Nikon but I always feel like they could be better. And then there is the whole matter of editing, which I know nothing about. Do they teach you how to edit?

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    Mandy Reply:
    February 26th, 2012 at 5:16 pm

     there is entire forums dedicated to post processing! i’m excited to jump into that part of it, too. check out the free trial and poke around to see if you like it! (i think you will :) )

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  • http://CrowningVictoria.com/ CrowndVic

    It’s actually really easy to shoot in manual, once you get the hang of it! I’m excited to hear your tips and watch your growth! fun stuffs!

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