JPG Blog

Submit to Holgapalooza 2009!

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:49:09 -0800

Do you heart your Holga!? Holgapolooza is an annual photo contest and celebration of the Holga camera.

Each year from July to September, photographers from around the world are encouraged to participate in an international contest featuring Holga photography hosted by Light Leaks Magazine and Toycamera.com.

Holgapalooza 2009 has over $10, 0000 U.S. in cash and more than a few pretty awesome prizes available to be won. Check 'em out!

Also, enter by July 31st and you will be automatically entered for our early bird prizes!

Main Categories

Inspiration -- What inspires you?

Holgaroids -- Celebrate instant film by submitting your best shots taken with a Holgaroid camera on instant film.

Altered REALITY -- Submit your best shots from a modified Holga that represents your view of an Altered Reality.

Holgascapes -- Submit your best photos of the great outdoors through the eye of Holga camera. From the great wide open spaces to the urban cityscapes.

Portrait/Self-portrait -- A representation of a person or yourself through a Holga camera taken by you.

You JPGers have been training for this your entire lives! Submit today!

Tell Us About Your Gear!

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:26:08 -0800

I have 17 cameras sprinkled around my room. Some people may think that’s a lot, while others may think that number seems low. There’s one thing that I know all photographers would agree with: photography has an endless array of gear to choose from, and each piece has some effect on the final image.

With so much out there, and the cost of it all it adding up quick, having the ability to share our favorite equipment through something like our current Story Challenge: My Precious is a great opportunity to learn about what other photographers love most and what’s available in today’s market.

Today we have everything at our disposal. Digital cameras have advanced to a critical point, and just about every camera that’s ever been invented can be bought online. Personally, I love my precious, my Canon 5D Mark II, for more than the simple fact that it’s one of the biggest baddest cameras on today’s market; I love it because I think it symbolizes a new era in digital photography.

When digital photography was still in its toddler phase it mattered much more what camera you owned. Now digital photography has evolved to a point where you can take great images with a cell phone! They’ve really got the technology figured out when it comes to high end digital photography equipment these days, which means that with time it will become more affordable to purchase really high quality digital cameras. This will open the market to more people, and more great photography.

Great equipment alone doesn’t make great photographs. But, what equipment you chose does affect what the image will look like. Knowing what’s available and having a medium like JPG’s Story Challenge to share this knowledge with photographers from around the globe helps to give us all better control over what we communicate with our images. For me, having this knowledge is priceless- it’s like the difference between grabbing my Holga or my Canon 5D when stepping out into the world.

Photo Challenge Quick Poll

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:24:33 -0800

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Photo Challenge Selections: Nature Conquers Man

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:49:06 -0800

We asked you to show us images of Nature getting the last laugh. Together, we created a beautiful collection of man's creations that have been weathered, decayed, flooded, and overgrown.

See some impressive examples of Nature's power below:
Abandoned Cement Factory, Cherepovets, Russia by Dermot Fitzsimons
Jungle by Elultimodeseo
Untitled by Eric Sayah
Washed Up by Susan Newbold
Reclamation by Jeff Revell
Outline Of Limits by David Piszczek
Comin Ta Get'cha by Kreddible Trout
Rustic Scape by Adniloj
Dogs of Circumstance by Steven Ward
Rain by Krissi Carson

Photo Challenge: Summer

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:17:08 -0800

Ahhh summer! It's summertime here at JPG headquarters in San Francisco! Free concerts in Golden Gate park on Sundays, vendors are selling Mexican coco ice cream in the Mission District, and colorful spinnaker sails dot the the bay. This week's photo challenge calls for you to capture the essence of summer where you live! We were reminded by a few JPGers that July is NOT summer in the Southern hemisphere! Sorry guys! Feel free to submit a photo of the July chill down under!
Palms by T O K T A M Tayefeh
Canada 142 by Kyle McIntosh
Summer by Shannon Corr

Last Call to Submit -- 3 Themes Closing Soon!

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:19:58 -0800

We are doing some housekeeping to make room for new themes!

These themes will be open through Thursday, July 9th.

		Lemon Heads While JPG was in restart mode, a group of enterprising JPGers started its own theme on Lemon Heads. Got a good Lemon Head photo? Go ahead and submit it here! (Photo: Katelin Smith)

		Danger The world sometimes seems like a dangerous place. Post a photo that captures life in these dangerous times. (Photo: Blitzkind)

		Family Portraits For this theme, let's share the family portraits we love. However you define your family, show us a photo that captures what makes your family yours. (Photo: Courtney Cheatham)

Photo Challenge Selections: Matrimony

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:36:32 -0800

Breathtaking, heartwarming, romantic. For Photo Challenge: Matrimony we asked our members to take pictures of a wedding day. Professionals and amateurs alike submitted breathtaking work, photos and stories. Our favorite story: My Big Fat Bangledeshi Wedding Enjoy a few of our favorite photos from this challenge:
Same Sex Marriage by J. Harris Blacklist
Wedding: First Night by Jefferi Chang
Emily Getting Married by FlÃ¡vio Scorsato
The Flower Girls by Laura Bisson
Ties That Bind by Ngele Ali
Blown Away by Shira O
For the Rest of Your Life... by Tony Mortadella
A Smaller Perspective of the Big Day by Allie
A's Viel by Tammara Terry
Jumping for Joy by Brad Arender

NEW: Introducing JPG+

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:33:23 -0800

Aloha everybody!

If you check out the top right corner of your screen on JPG... you will see a shiny new button that says "Plus=Awesome". A quick click and you can learn all about the awesome new JPG+ which offers a supercharged site experience!

We've been listening to your call for a premium site membership for a while through email and our dedicated fans on SaveJPG.com. This week we launched our first version of JPG+, which offers some of the most highly requested ad-ons to your JPG site experience. More are on the way!

Benefits for all JPG+ members...

No ads: JPG minus the ads is definitely a plus! All third-party ads will be gone, making JPG quicker, less intrusive, and decidedly more awesome. (Spotlights will still be displayed.)
Spotlights: Promote your work by using Spotlights to place your favorite photos in highly visible promotional spaces throughout jpgmag.com.
Get your originals: Download your full-size photos from JPG â€” It's not a biggie, but we've received requests for this, so here it is! (Your originals are safe from theft: Only you can download them.)
???????: Yep, you read that right â€” We want to give you more, so we're asking for your suggestions: What would make JPG+ double-plus-good? Benefits we add will be available to ALL JPG+ members â€” you won't pay more to get more!

Note: JPG + is an improved website experience and does not include a subscription to the print version of JPG Magazine. All past subscriptions to JPG Magazine will be honored.

Photo Challenge Selections: Candid Portraits

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:51:52 -0800

Wow. ok... Photo Challenge: Candid Portraits received over 2,400 AMAZING submissions. If you have a few (several) hours free this summer and need a bit of inspiration, we recommend browsing through this theme. Strong photographs, beautiful moments, wonderful subjects... it's all there. You will fall in love with photography all over again!

We could only pick 10, but we could have picked 100. Here they are:

Haiti by Lew Harford
Subway Ghost by Julien Lanthier
Untitled by Nema' Etebar
Giggles by Wendy Perry
Eye Rolls and More Than Pursed Lips by Mariah Green
Ryan by Tim Landry
Retail Girl by Tanna Barker
Got Chocolate Milk! by Laurent Chantegros
Blue Angel by Danny Santos II
Pearl, Pineville, Kentucky by John E. May

Join JPG on Facebook!

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:53:42 -0800

Are you a member of both JPG and Facebook!? Then show us your love and join our JPG Magazine Fan Page. Our new Fan Page is an awesome way to stay current on JPG's new themes and photo challenges, share in the discussion forums and connect with other members in your Facebook network.

See you FacePGers JBookers there!

Photo Challenge: Nature Conquers Man

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:36:30 -0800

This photo challenge theme, Nature Conquers Man, was suggested to us by JPG member Benny R@mirez. Benny articulated the idea beautifully. "From a sidewalk slab split in two by the slow growth of tree roots to a crumbling building covered in vines, slowly being eaten alive from within. [Lets take] shots depicting Nature triumphing over mankindâ€™s mess." We loved this idea. There is immense beauty in the natural processes of decomposition, sun damage, weathering, and the breaking through of vegetation into man's creations. We decided to expand this concept even further. Nature Conquers Man everyday, in so many ways. The surfer falling, the city flooding, pale skin burning in the summer heat. We love giving you guys freedom to think and interpret. Show us your best photograph that shows nature interfering with man and his creations. (Note: photos should show both elements of man and nature) Here are some great examples that have already been submitted:
Follow the Road by Alessio Michelini
Jungle by Elultimodeseo
The Old Church by Tommy Wilson
State Park by Michael Barletta

Photo Challenge Selections: Create-A-Filter

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:01:24 -0800

Way to go JPG! You guys wowed us with your innovative homemade filters and interesting effects!

When we launched Photo Challenge Create-A-Filter we weren't sure what to expect. It takes thought and planning to build a filter from scratch. We received over 400 submissions! As well as some amazing 'how-to' guides, such as the two below:

Film Filters
Yolanda Stapleton

Soft Focus v2
Mario-Cezar Popescu

Below are some of our faves, listed with the materials used:
Untitled (Filter: Cheese Cloth & Vaseline) by Kate Fowler
Bunny (Filter: Dirty Shower Curtain) by Elisa Lazo de Valdez
Untitled (Filter: Glass Piece) by Catherine G
Engrained (Filter: Plastic & Nail Varnish) by Keri Jens
Plant Some Fireworks (Filter: Paper with Cut-outs) by Sherstin Schwartz
Lisa Left (Filter: Fabrics) by Maja-Yvette Saphir
Branding (Filter: Vick's Vapor Rub on a Skylight Filter) by Dennis H
Zelda (Filter: Glass Brick) by Jon Boyd
Seran Wrap & Soap Filter by Joseph Gharzai
Blast (Filter: Floppy Disk) by Shean Duebel

Photo Challenge: Matrimony

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:33:39 -0800

This week's Photo Challenge: Matrimony calls for your best photograph from a wedding day: any scene, any moment.

Weddings are big business for photographers, especially in the summer months. Shooting a wedding professionally is almost always a 'photo challenge', as it requires extensive preparation, and the right gear to capture a variety of shots. You need to be ready to shoot in daylight, twilight, or (the unforeseen) afternoon drizzle. There are the traditional wedding party portraits to be taken, the shots at the alter, the first dance, as well as all the unanticipated moments and emotions that may be captured candidly.

Thinking about going pro? Check out these resources: 21 Tips for Amateur Wedding Photographers and the (essential) Wedding Photography Agreement Contract Tips from the Digital Photography School's website.

Have your own set of tips? Share them with us in a How-to article.
A's Viel by Tammara Terry
Welcome to the Family! by Alvin Ting
Alex by Leslie Granda-Hill
All the Little Helpers by Kim Bogardus

Photo Challenge: Candid Portraits

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:06:26 -0800

In exploring the concept of Candid Portraits for this photo challenge I came across a blog with a fantastic description of what makes a good candid photograph. They cite the book, The Decisive Moment, by photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, who proposes that

...there is a (decisive) moment which occurs in every situation in which everything that needs to be said about that scene is visually evident and ready to be photographed. Capturing this moment can be difficult; this is the key to candid photography.

Candid photography is a dance between the subject and photographer. People often restrict their natural expression when there is a camera in the room, and it is a skill to make people feel comfortable while you are shooting them. If you are a new photographer gearing up for this photo challenge, ask one of the pros on the site how they capture the decisive moment, and how they relax their subject. If you are a pro, perhaps you could write a how to to help others improve.

Below are some stunning candid portraits that have already been submitted:

Swim to the Stars by Rebecca Kinzie Bastian
M by Oriana Pizzingrilli
Dear God by Putri Siswanto
Erna by Peter

Psst... gotta 'light?

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:40:35 -0800

As many of you have noticed, there are some new and exciting things emerging here at JPG! A new feature, the Spotlight, is but one of many slated for introduction over the coming days and weeks. Our ultimate goal is to make JPG an even better place for our over 200,000 members (and growing!) to share enthusiasm and passion for photography with one another. Toward this goal, we'll be exploring, developing and releasing new features and content. Weâ€™ll also be fine-tuning our photo guidelines to provide more opportunities for you to share work and comment on the work you appreciate. And not least, we'll be evaluating opportunities to help you promote your work and improve networking among the community. Overall, we want to encourage quality work, collaboration, experimentation and artistic freedom. Many of you have asked us if we'll continue producing our print magazine. The answer, most certainly is YES! JPG Magazine is, and always will be a part of our DNA. It is the tangible culminationâ€”the apex, if you willâ€”of community achievement. Going forward, JPG Magazine (in print) will continue to reflect the high standards that have made it a first class publication. As we look forward to a most exciting future, we'd like to extend our thanks to the prior members of the JPG family that have so diligently worked to make JPG what it is today. From Derek, Heather and Paul who started us on this amazing journey, to the team that has grown JPG over the past few years. We'd also like to give our thanks to Seth Familian, who has recently departed his role after working tirelessly to secure JPG's future during this transition. We wish him the best in his future pursuits and appreciate all he's done to help reignite JPG. Thank you, Seth! And most of all, we'd again like to extend our heart-felt thanks to YOU: our remarkable community of enthusiastic, creative and prolific photographers for continuing to support us. We wouldnâ€™t have made it this far without you, and we look forward to working together with you to make JPG even better!