Buy someone a photography experience this year.

At £30, these photography workshop gift vouchers are an ideal present for someone keen on learning how to become snap happy!

You can treat your loved one to a composition workshop, camera settings, people photography or switch to manual. Each costs £30 or buy two workshops for £50.

If you’re getting a camera for Christmas, the workshops are ideal for giving you the basics and confidence to really know how to go out and create that shot.

If you have time to read your camera manual over the holidays, then the composition workshop would be ideal. In this we will teach you ‘how to look and how to see’ to help you snap something unique; this you won’t find in the manual!

If like most of us, you won’t be getting round to reading your manual, then join others for some fun and learn all about your settings in a lively and practical group workshop.

Contact Natalie to buy your photography voucher today!

Photos from Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew

Back in August, the Photo School spent a sunny summer’s day at Kew for our Garden Photography Masterclass. So it was nice to have a reminder yesterday of the fun we had by seeing some more stunning photography shot at Kew.

This time is was by professional photographer Heather Angel.

Heather spent a year capturing the plants and animals that inhabit west London. I love the commentary that she gives in her slideshow. See her pics from Kew on the BBC website and our beginner shots from August on the Photo School’s events page.

Looking forward to seeing more wildlife photos at the National History Museum later this month.

Join us if you can!

Happy photographing! Natalie

Mum Says, Have Fun With Your Food

This year I came across Carl Warner’s fotographics: a set of photos where the scenescapes have all been made by vegetables or other food stuff!

The pictures are a real innovative take on the normal photo.

Photography Game: Spot The Vegetable

They are just amazing to look at! The more you study them, the more vegetables you find have been used to make up the picture. I’m not sure how long they take Carl to put together but I’m guessing a few days. I can spend a few days just looking at them!

You can view more of his foodscapes on Carl’s website. Just click ‘website’ and then ‘fotoscapes’.

Alternatively if you are looking for a photo gift for a food lover or something to keep you inspired in your kitchen, then you can buy prints over at Lens Wall.

Garlicshire is my favourite photo. What’s yours?

Please leave a comment.

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An Ideal Secret Santa Present

At £8, this mini digital photo frame could make an ideal secret santa present or stocking filler for someone that loves their photos. It can hold up to 107 photos for quick and fun viewing.

Read more about the TeckNet 1.5 Inch USB Mini Digital Photo Frame Keychain over at Amazon.

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Find Photo Ideas To Keep Inspired

I love photography and taking photos, but there’s some days where I just can’t be bothered to lug all my equipment around or indeed find the energy to seek out an interesting composition.

On such days I used to get out my old photography magazines.

However, now that I spend so much time at my computer and have grown increasingly lazy on my low energy days, I like to use the internet to be inspired by photos that others have taken.

Flickr Interestingness

Using the comments of users and the photos mostly added to favourites, Flickr’s Interestingness is an ideal place to seek inspiration.

Where do you get your inspiration from to go out and take photos?

Please leave a comment.

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Personalised Photo Cards - I Love ‘Em!

Last month my two nieces were being christened so I decided to invest in some nice greeting cards. Having seen the ads on the TV I decided to give Moonpig a go.

It wasn’t until I logged on that I realised you can upload photos to personalise your cards. I ended up choosing two cute ‘Me To You’ cards and uploaded a photo of each niece and their parents.

After finding a definition of each of my niece’s names through Google I was set. The cards arrived the day after and I couldn’t help but think what a neat service.

My sister later told me that my photo card was the only christening card that she has kept out!

Prepare Your Images First

If you are going to upload photos to make personalised photo cards, I’d recommend you:

• Upload the highest resolution possible (although I did experience an error uploading a 3mb photo and had to try again)
• Remember to remove any red eye from the photo first (it really spoils any photo, nevermind a posh card)
• Crop the photo so that the face is close up (you don’t want to print unnecessary detail)
• Make sure your photo is bright enough (again you don’t want a poor photo spoiling a nice card and more often than not they print darker than what they appear on screen)

Is anyone using Moonpig for their Xmas cards?

Please leave a comment.

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Make High Quality Christmas Presents With Your Own Photos

If you’re similar to me and like to give personalised presents for Christmas, then a photo book or calendar of memories is the ideal solution.

I’ve been producing Christmas photo calendars for the last 6 years. There are easy and fun to make; all you need is 12 photos, easy software and a quality photo calendar printer. And the presents are loved to bits by all family members!

With two weddings in the last few years and two young babies now in the family, I’ve been looking for that extra special print quality and feel.

Bob Books has come to my rescue with their Swiss made products.

I like Bob Books because what they say on their website is true:

• Their products are to a VERY high standard, ideal for presents
• The finish of the products is the best I’ve seen
• The books that go completely flat have a definite WOW factor

Bob Books Are Currently Offering a 10% Discount*.

Create your own photo book or calendar using your digital photos by downloading the free software:

1. Go to www.bobbooks.co.uk
2. Select ‘Your gift certificate’ on the software
3. Enter the code PHOTOLATE

*Please note offer is for photo books and calendars only and is not valid in conjunction with any other offer, gift vouchers and flickbooks

Bob Books have some very clever, free, personal publishing software that lets you design and create your own bespoke premium photo book with your digital photos, designs/illustrations and text.

Bob Books is also the one of the only photo book companies that allows you to create your very own high quality cover design and do fantastic finish double page spreads with your best photos.

If you give them a go, we’d love to hear what you think.

Please leave a comment.

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