Shrimp Salad Circus

the paper fox project . be inspired

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:29:00 +0000

originally found via My Modern Met

Jeremy Kool, an Australian artist and graphic designer, has created The Paper Fox project, and I'm positively smitten. He intends to ultimately create an interactive storybook for iPad and Android tablets and is selling the images seen here as fine art prints to fund the endeavor.

I love his use of digital media to create a paper-inspired project - pixels that come together in just such a way as to resemble intricate origami with instantly endearing little features.

You can buy his prints here - I think they'd be lovely with a few in a set for a children's room or a studio!

Click below for the jump to see some more of the lovely animals, including one in its natural habitat!

Which creature is your new favorite? As you might've guessed by its placement, I'm rather attached to the little fox. He's just so sweet looking!

advertise in february

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:44:00 +0000

Shrimp Salad Circus has:

over 2,500 blog subscribers
over 3,000 Twitter followers
over 500 Facebook fans
more than 95,000 pageviews/month
a really cute little bird on the logo ;D

Don't you want to put your name in the hat for that kind of traffic?! Don't worry, I keep ad prices low to cater to small, independent businesses, so this is definitely something affordable for even the smallest operation!

All ads rotate within their category every time the page is refreshed, guaranteeing each sponsor maximum exposure for ever single reader that visits leShrimp.

Featured sponsor placement (125x175 pixels) runs you $30/month, with a discount for booking at least three months at a time. This is great exposure, since I only have two of these spots available each month. Each comes with a sponsor feature like this one ~~and the priority option to do a giveaway.~~ (booked for February)

As always, there are medium ads available (125x125 pixels), and they're only $15 (discount for booking three months at a time)!!! They are located beneath the featured sponsor ads. These ads come with a sponsor feature like this one.

I'm now offering small ads (125x75 pixels) for just $7 a month. These will fall below the medium ads.

Check out my advertising page for details on other options, like giveaways, and get in touch (shrimpsaladcircus [!at] gmail dot com) if you have questions or want to get started as a new sponsor!

craft supplies . metal stamping basics

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:08:00 +0000

Today you can find me over at Lemon Jitters. I put together a must-have supply list for stamping on metal. Pop on over to say 'hello' to Katie, and go see all my essentials for stamping!

food photography help . crucial aspects your camera phone is missing

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:56:00 +0000

With the growth in popularity of camera phones and photo-sharing apps like Instagram (I'm shrimpsaladcircus, if you Instagram, by the way!), people have started taking more pictures. Of their food. Really though, is a quick snapshot of your half-eaten grilled-cheese what you want to share with the world? If you're more into presentation, then Tina Crespo is here to show you the ropes. Her gorgeous food photography and tips should inspire you to go from phone-tographer to styled recipe-buff in no time flat!

Food. We need it, we eat it, we play with it, and it seems to play a very important role of connecting people. What else can we possibly do with our food? Take some photos!

The greatest thing about photographing food is that it can be a very personal experience. When combined with a blog - it becomes more than just something you eat. Whether you're a lifestyle blogger, beginner photographer, or want to try your hand at something new adding food photographs can help your blog become more well rounded. It shows your readers you are indeed, not a robot, and let's be honest we all have that foodie bug in us.

Thanks to Lindsay, I'm here to share a few food blogging tips!

1. Organize your shizz. You'll need a few things before you start shooting that glorious tart you just baked (or one you picked up from a store...which by the way is totally OK!). Here are my recommendations for shooting food in your home.

tripod - to steady your camera (I for one do not shoot freehand, being a naturally shaky person.)
white foamcore - to bounce light back in to your food from your light source (window)
reflective poster board - to help add strong spots of light from your light source (window)
black foamcore - to subtract light (This is very useful if you want clean light, but deep beautiful shadows.)
paper towels & q-tips - to clean up spills

2. Find the light. This one is key to getting nice, clean photographs. Find a spot in your home that gets the most indirect light (as in no harsh shadows) at any given time. It may take you a day or two to watch how the light moves through your home to figure out where you'll need to set up your shots. Once you find the sweet spot, going back to it on another day will be easy. You can also "chase the light" through your house if you are shooting all day. I'm sure it burns lots of calories...

3. Props & Styling. To help tell your story, the styling and props used in your photograph are almost as important as the food itself. You'll want to choose colors that will compliment the food, or help it stand out. I find that this can be the trickiest part, and does take some practice, lots of patience, and the ability to find the color trends that best suit your style of photography.

*quick note about buying props: the truly fun part is finding them! Look in thrift stores, antique malls, or garage sales for those unique pieces that will add dimension to your photographs. Homegoods is another great place to start building your inventory. Remember, you don't have to spend a fortune either! Start out small, and go from there.

4. Composition or ya know, whatever. I may be breaking the rules by saying this (please don't take my photographer card away!) but once you learn the rule of thirds, or any other photography tip, forget it! Embedding these rules in your mind (and not constantly forcing yourself to stay within a standard) will help you naturally work through composition, but mostly with food you've got to feel it. Obviously you want your food to be represented at it's best so look for attractive angles (does your pie have intricate lacing on top? a straight down shot may be fitting).

5. Be Passionate! If you're here because you feel it's time to turn your passion of food into more than just stuffing it in your face, it's obvious you love it! It gives you joy to create dishes, and by photographing the end result (not to mention sharing it with your readers) is the perfect next step in your foodie adventures.

Along with great photos, remember to add recipes (if you created the dish yourself) and please god don't forget to mention how it tastes! I've tried a lot of recipes from blogs simply because I couldn't stop drooling over the descriptions.

If the recipe comes out just ok don't be afraid to share that, too! I think it's important (for any type of blogging) to be well-rounded & not shiny happy all the time. Sometimes recipes fail, and by sharing that you may connect with a reader who can relate.

A fantastically written resource is Plate to Pixel: Digital Photography & Styling by Helene Dujardin who also blogs at Tartlette. Her photographs are to die for, and you will find so much inspiration on her posts!

I hope I've help a few of you get some ideas for your next (or first) food post, and maybe just maybe made you a little hungry in the process.

Tina & Town Above Water elsewhere

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how to-sday . lace boot socks

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:32:00 +0000

Months ago, I kept seeing these boot socks all over Pinterest. They're completely perfect - crocheted, soft-looking, tall, and lined with just a hint of lace. I thought they'd be perfect peeking out of a pair of boots, but alas, I can't justify £48 for a pair of socks - no matter how cute! Naturally, I decided to make my own, and I'm quite pleased with how they turned out (though I still wouldn't mind having that schmancy pair, either...)!

P.S. I beg you not to judge my knobby knees. Enjoy making yo' self some loverly new socks!

what you need:

knee socks
lace - about 36" so that you have enough to account for stretching
coordinating thread
scissors
medium needle

1. Put on a pair of yoga pants or heavy-duty leggings. Roll them up a few times so that you've got a bulky cuff over your upper calf.

2. Turn your socks inside out, and pull them up so that the cuff of the sock is over the rolled up cuff of the leggings. You want the cuff of the socks to be as stretched as possible while you're sewing on the lace. If you sew it on unstretched, then you won't be able to get the sock back over your calf without ripping the threads. Be sure to put the sock on so that the back is actually in the front. You want the back to be where the lace edges come together, not the front.

3. Double-up a length of thread on your needle, and sew into the cuff line and then back out the same side. The cuff should be a double-layer of material. Make sure that you only sew into the first layer of the two. That way, the outside of the sock (when you turn it back right side out) will not have any stitches visible.

4. Tie a knot to keep the thread from pulling through the wide-knit of the sock fabric.

5. Sew up through the lace and then back into the sock. Loop back through the same spot in the sock and lace to give it a solid anchor before you move on.

6. Continue sewing the lace on along the cuff line using a really basic slip stitch. Make your stitches about 1/8" long.

7. When you get to the point where you're trying to sew at an awkward angle, just carefully twist the sock so that the part you already sewed is toward the back. Continue sewing until you get all the way around to the edge.

8. When you sew it all the way around, just sew a couple loops through the sock and lace, and tie off a knot. Trim the thread and lace. Take the sock off; turn it inside out; and put it on with a cute pair of boots. Scrunch the sock down as necessary so that just the lace peeks out the top of the boots. Adorable!

sell more now . 5 brilliant product photography tips

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I've noticed a bummer of a trend on Etsy. There are tons of shops with wonderful products but no sales. The overwhelming reason behind the zeroes? Really bad photos - plain and simple. That may sound harsh, but think about this: Your customers can't hold your goods. They can't try them on or enjoy the vibrancy of their colors in person. To sell online, you have to make your photos speak for your product. Beth of Lackluster Co. (my fave online vintage shop!) is here to help you do just that.

The importance of good product photography. Practicing good product photography is key to helping you successfully sell your products. You want to be able to stand out from the crowd and present your items in a way that really makes the item look polished.

1. Choose a simple background. Your background shouldn't be distracting to your customers. Try to keep all items in the photo related to the product you're selling. Whether it's being shot in its natural environment, or you're styling the photo with props, make sure everything in the photo works with each other, not against. When in doubt, stick with a neutral background to help draw attention to your product and its details/features, or if you're feeling colorful, just make sure to avoid a background that clashes with your items.

2. Get creative. While your background should remain simple, don't be afraid to add some props into the mix to spice up the overall product imagery. For instance, adding a few books or paper items to a storage piece you're selling will help show scale as well as helping to illustrate how a potential buyer might house their own belongings.

3. Use natural lighting. Stay away from using your camera flash and artificial lighting. Using the flash on your camera will make your item appear flat and dull, and artificial lighting can throw off the colors drastically, while highlighting the items in all the wrong places. Find a nice, evenly lit spot in the house (or outside in the shade). Try to avoid direct sunlight, as the shadows and lighting will be too dramatic. You also want to make sure your light source is coming from the sides. If your item is backlit, the exposure will be too dark on the front of the item. Another great tip is to use a big piece of white foam board across from your light source, which will also help to light your product evenly!

4. Take too many pictures. Shoot from all sorts of angles and positions. Take closeups of details, and make sure to capture all of the items features. You want the buyer to know exactly what they're getting!

5. Photography is only as good as the editing. Lastly, and perhaps one of the most important points -- no photo is perfect right off of the camera. It's bound to need some editing, whether it's color balance, brightness/contrast, or the exposure. Bring the photo into your favorite editing program, and tweak it until it looks just right. Finally, have fun with it and be creative. And don't forget to apply all of the other great tips you've learned throughout the month on Shrimp Salad Circus!

Beth & Lackluster Co. elsewhere

shop . Facebook . Twitter

freebies . home is wherever I'm with you

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:35:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is coming up pretty quickly here, right? I put together this poster because I think it's just a sweet little sentiment, but I think it'd also be a perfect Valentine for your somebody special! Click the download button below to get the high-res print version. It's sized for a standard 8.5"x11" page. Enjoy!

credit: bird - vintagecove, sky - yuucoxklow, font - freebooter, cage - ro-stock

links a la mode . the woman in the mirror gonna change her ways

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:50:00 +0000

It's January. It's a time for fresh beginnings, unknown adventures, and change. The new year is all about making personal progress. Most peeps vow to go to the gym, stick to their diet, keep a tight budget or to quit biting their nails. Why not change your personal style instead? You can be bold, be tough and take risks! Maybe you need to tone it down, dress your age or stop when more is really way too much! Whether your fashion goals for the year are to be a better blogger, feature top notch photos or be a fashion savvy dresser, surely there is a link or three here to spur on your metamorphosis.

Are You Endearing: Life Lessons Learned From a Little Black Dress
Brunette Blogging: A fun approach to the widely discussed tale of the fashion blogger
Coming Unstitched: Found that perfect dress? Here's how to work it with every style.
Denimology: Skinny, Slouchy or Drop Crotch? This Is The Question!
Dressful: Bill Cunningham: The original street style photographer
Fashionopolis: This winter bring out the brights!
Fierce|Fabulous|Fit: Ways to make your blog mobile friendly in Blogger, Wordpress, etc.
Grit and Glamour: 12 Ways to a Better Blog—and a Better You—in 2012
Life of a Recessionista: DIY: Makeup Brush Cleanser
Little Spindrift: Experimenting with rainbow nails...inspired by Miss Caggie Dunlop
Oranges And Apples: Untangling ethical fashion
Shrimp Salad Circus: Guide to Self-Portrait Photography - Lose the awkward, look amazing!
Small Town, Big Wardrobe: "Fabulous" photos that didn't make it....
Style Delights: What Kate Middleton, SJP & Mrs Obama taught us about statement necklaces.
Sugar and Spice: How to... Survive your first season at Fashion Week
The Chic Sheet: Sequin Leggings + A Sweatshirt...Why I Love A Good Contradiction
The Closet Intervention: Why "accessible style" is anything but for the average American.
The Fashion Edition: Spring's controversial trend, Pastels, and how to wear them edgy.
The Fashionable Workout: Sweating Stylishly
The Frugalista Diaries: DIY Dress For A Cause

By Jessie Thorpe of Denimology

everything you ever wanted to know about photography

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

via guggenheim, edited

Okay, it might not be quite everything, but give me a little longer, and I'll come up with all the rest! In the meantime, here are lots of timely, useful photography tips, guides, resources, and tutorials.

The Essentials of Self-Portrait Photography by Elycia of ♥ Elycia
4 Must-See Photography Tips for Beginners by Stacie of Stars for Streetlights
Sell More Now . 5 Brilliant Product Photography Tips
How to Take Better Pictures of Kids in 5 Easy Steps by Lindsay of Scenic Glory
8 Free Photoshop Action Sets
5 Tips for Film Photography by Azzari of The Sweet Light
Photoshop Actions Handbook by Kristy of KristyBee Photography
Toy Cameras and Toy Photography by Rhianne of For the easily distracted...
Ten-Dollar Ten-Minute Fold-up Photo Studio Tutorial
How Your Photos Can Make (or Break) Your Shop
TTV Photography Basics
The Power a Photo Can Have
Playing on Trains . My First Photo Shoot

Check back, as I'll be updating this list often!

Do you have a photography question that isn't answered here? Leave it in the comments, and I'll see if I can help you out!

film photography tips . photography month

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Azzari has been one of my favorite photographers since I found her way back when and featured her Etsy shop, Gabrielle Kai. Her work has evolved dramatically since then, and she's shooting with film now. She was my immediate choice when I was thinking of somebody to talk to you guys about shooting with film, and she's done a wonderful job of it, too!

I knew that my passion for photography would shift after the birth of my second daughter. I had no idea that it would lead me to film. With my DSLR, I felt that my images had to be polished, precisely focused, perfect. On the other hand, with film - I can experiment and embrace all the imperfections I capture. All the imperfections I noticed and corrected with Photoshop in my digital shots, I embrace in my film shots.

Here are my top five tips for film photography:

1. Experiment with different types of film.

Film photography encompasses a number of different kinds of film and media – instant, 35mm, medium format, color, black and white. Don’t limit yourself to just one kind. I have a Polaroid 660, Fuji Instax, and a Pentax K1000. My mood greatly determines which camera I will pick up.

2. If at first you don’t succeed, try again.

Imagine my surprise when my first roll of 35mm was blank! There is a learning curve – be diligent and keep shooting. This truly motivated to learn my craft.

3. Look for the light.

Photography is about light – plain and simple. I tend to avoid shooting in the middle of day – I prefer early morning, overcast skies, or evening light. I try to embrace this quote fro George Eastman in my photography:

“Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.”

4. Have patience.

Film photography requires patience. Everything in life does not have to be rushed, hurried, or immediate. Every step in the process - selecting film, loading the film, composing the image in the viewfinder, pressing the shutter, and developing film – requires your time and attention. This is a welcome change for me in my sometimes fast-paced life.

5. You never know what you are going to get – embrace it.

Some of my most favorite images are, technically speaking, all wrong. They may be overexposed, or underexposed – but they speak to me. With film photography, you never know what you are going to get. Sometimes the lab scratches negatives, or you forget to set the correct shutter speed, or light leaks into the camera... Embrace these imperfections!

You can find more of my work on my blog, The Sweet Light, or my Flickr.

how to photograph children . photography month

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Lindsay is amazing for several reasons. She shares my name, spelled properly, of course. She writes Scenic Glory. She and her husband are currently putting together Scarlet & Cream, a vintage trailer-turned boutique snack and soda shoppe. Love it!

Hello Shrimp Salad Circus readers! I am so excited to be part of Lindsay's Photography Month and even more excited to be able to share a recent photo shoot I did. Photography is only a fun hobby, but every day I learn more and continue to get better. this is especially true when i did my first family photo shoot which included a VERY lively 2 year old.

When my husband's cousin Meg contacted me about taking their family photos, one, I was flattered, and two, I was a bit worried... I had never taken family photos, let alone family photos with a little guy. Regardless, I was up for the challenge, and in the end am so happy that I accepted. :D Here's a little sneak peak with a few tips I learned along the way.

1. Consider taking photos of just the little ones first. When we got to our photo location, I decided it might be a good idea to take photos of Brody by himself first... In the beginning is when they have the most energy and the surroundings are new - you get the most fresh expressions this way. By the time they are getting tired of being the center of attention, it's time for the group family photos, and they have something new to look forward to!

2. Don't be afraid to get in close. I find that some of the most interesting pictures I take are those that are "up close and personal." While the adults may not be the biggest fans, the little ones could really care less. Embrace the opportunity to capture the cute smiles and big eyes.

3. Don't forget the props! Mmy goodness...i couldn't even imagine what this photo shoot would have been like without a few props... Not only did they help Brody stay entertained, but they also provided for some great picture taking and some unique shots! For this particular shoot we brought along balloons, bubbles, soda pop, pinwheels, and books. You really can never have enough - anything to keep their attention span going is key!

** Please note: i am not responsible for toddlers that get upset when their balloons are taken away... :D

4. Just keep clicking. Everyone knows that toddlers are completely and totally unpredictable. Therefore getting them to look at the camera for that great photo opportunity is probably not going to happen - at least not when you want it to. Brody had a mind of his own and instead of trying to force the "staged" look, I worked with what we had and just kept clicking away. The pictures ended up being absolutely beautiful this way... They looked natural; told a story; and captured everyone's personality the way that they are - not the way I tried to make them.

5. Bring snacks and refreshments. There is nothing worse than a hungry and or thirsty 2 year old on a regular day, let alone one on a day that you want to get those priceless photos :D Who knows - you may get the perfect shot while they are enjoying that soda or cracker... :D

I hope my little tips and tidbits will help you when you get ready to take photos of little ones. Like I said, Itaking photos is only a hobby... i am by no means a professional, but these few things definitely worked for me, and I think they will for you as well! So glad i could be here to share :D, and thanks again for having me, Linds!

Lindsay and Scenic Glory elsewhere

blog . Facebook . Twitter . Pinterest

free weekly blog planner . blog better

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I think that most of us can agree that we'd get a lot more done (and done better, at that) if we were more organized. But you'd have to get organized for that to happen...

If you're even remotely like me, then you're kind of a mess. I'm the loser who makes a detailed grocery list and then leaves it stuck to the fridge when I head out to the grocery. I also forget my shopping bags in the trunk, but that's a story for another day. My point is that I struggle with organization and often forget or lose great ideas because I've not written them down. Or I've written them on the back of a gas station receipt and then tossed it in a wallet overhaul later that same day.

Think about the blogs you read daily - or even weekly. I'll bet they post often and with quality, well though-out content. If they didn't, you wouldn't keep going back.

To become one of those blogs, you need to think about what you're giving your readers. The best way to do that is to plan it out in advance. Write it down. Maybe even come up with a recurring weekly feature, like Wardrobe Wednesday or Photo Fridays (or Photo Phridays, if you want to take the alliteration to a whole new level...).

I've made you a weekly blog planner to make things really easy (and pretty!). Just download the file, print it out on standard 8.5"x11" paper, and get planning. Sit down each Saturday, and write out your plan for the entire week following. Throughout the week, you can jot down ideas for the next one, too, so you never forget.

What's your biggest obstacle in being a better blogger? Let me know if you use this printable, and tell me how it's working for you!

credit: Ryan Warner - camera, Mellowmint - Polaroid, Sunshine in My Soul - font, Channel - font

4 photography tips for dslr beginners . photography month

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

via dipity, edited

Stacie, the creative mind and awesome hair behind Stars for Streetlights, is here to help alleviate some of your biggest photography concerns. What's aperture? What does shutter speed do? Read on for all the details!
The first time I touched my little Nikon D40 DSLR camera, I was so excited that I could barely hold the camera steady. I had saved up for months to buy that little camera, and while I knew I would use it all the time, I never realized how influential that camera would become on my life.

Since the day I got that brown Amazon box in the mail, I've made it my mission to learn as much as I possibly can about my camera - I read books, blog articles, and ask for advice wherever I can find it. Photography has become my favorite hobby... tied with crafting, of course. ;D

Over the years I've picked up a few tips and tricks along the way and I love sharing them with others because I love it when people share their advice with me. These four tips are some of the skills I find most useful in my camera bag of knowledge.

this photo: ISO-200 f/1.8 Shutter: 1/400

1. Composition: Composition, to me, is one of the most important lessons of photography. If you don't have a well-composed photograph, then lighting and exposure don't matter much. I love composing photos in a square format, but for a rectangular photo, I still love a good rule-of-thirds image.

2. Aperture: I love playing around with the depth-of-field when it comes to aperture. I recently bought a prime lens, (50mm with f/1.8 aperture), and I can't express how impressed I am with it. The colors, the control - it is incredible. If you are looking for a cheaper upgrade to your kit lens, (the lens that comes with your camera) you can't get a better option than the one I just mentioned.

this photo: ISO: 200, f/14, Shutter: 8 seconds

3. Shutter Speed: Shutter speed is another really fun trick to play with on DSLR cameras. Whenever you have shutter speeds slower than 1/100 of a second, though, you probably need a tripod or something to rest your camera on. I took the photo above in the High Line Park in NYC-- I didn't have a tripod, but I did use a bench. ;D Whenever you have a shutter speed over 1/125, you can freeze the motion.

This photo was taken on my film camera, my Pentax K1000. (I love collecting and using vintage cameras. :D If you have a chance to take a film class, take it. I only took one during my time at college, and I wish I had taken more. There is nothing like working in a class with a film camera, it teaches you so much about equivalents between aperture and shutter speed, how to get a feel for lighting, and photography confidence.

some of the photos from my collection of Polaroid cameras

4. Shoot, Shoot, Shoot: Photography is one of those art media where you have to do it over and over again before you get better. Shoot, shoot, and shoot some more until your camera becomes second nature to you. Shoot until you don't even need to calculate what shutter speed, ISO, and aperture you need-- your fingers just automatically adjust it. And by all means, stay away from the "Auto" setting! Don't cheat. ;D

For more resources, check out my photography guide for beginners, or join my Project 365 and pledge to take a photo every day for a year!

Stacie and Stars for Streetlights elsewhere

blog . Facebook . Pinterest . scarf store

ttv photography . photography month

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:45:00 +0000

$25 . The Jonathan Galleries

Have you heard of TTV photography and had no idea what it is? Well, all the photos in this post should cue you to the fact that it's a beautiful form of photography, but let's talk specifics.

What does TTV stand for? It's through the viewfinder. The photographer takes a picture of something with a digital camera through the viewfinder of a vintage camera. The vintage camera involved is usually a twin-lens reflex (TLR) camera - one that you hold at waist-level and look down on to see through the viewfinder.

$15 . Gayle Ketzel

TLR cameras are one of the first types people think of when they talk of vintage cameras. Common TLRs include the Kodak Brownie, Kodak Duaflex, and the Argus. You can find them all on Etsy or Amazon starting at just $17

If you pick up a TLR camera and want to give this a try yourself, you'll need to block out all light coming into your digital camera except what's coming in through the viewfinder of the vintage camera. For this, most people put together some sort of tube to join the two cameras. Russ Morris has a great set of instructions to create a sturdy, portable tube. Adam Allen Photography also has an interesting video tutorial using a Pringles can.

$24 . urban dreams photography

$30 . CAPow!

$20 . Malinda Ballesteros

$30 . Carl Christensen

$17 . bomobob

four years with the mister

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:56:00 +0000

Today is Friday the 13th.

It also marks four years with my partner in crime.

Together we've backpacked Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, and Peru and driven all the way across America. We've run a half marathon, a Warrior Dash, and skied together (though that mostly consisted of him scooping me out of the snow repeatedly...). He's gone out in the middle of the night for hours in search of a fugitive Mish because he knew I'd worry (and maybe because Mish loves him a little bit more than me - little traitor...). I've put up with endless "Want some bacon?" jokes, and he's been my guinea pig for lots of "experimental" vegetarian recipes. He's my toughest Boggle competitor and biggest supporter in anything I do - even when I ask him to take endless pictures for the blog or hang on just a little bit longer while I get the frosting on the cupcakes just right before a party.

The past four years have been wonderful, and I'm looking forward to all the rest!

self portrait outfit photography guide . photography month

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:29:00 +0000

Welcome to my new readers from Pinterest, Shop Ruche, and the internets far and wide! If you like this post, you might consider subscribing by RSS or email to get updates and exclusive content!

You guys, I'm so excited to have Elycia of ♥elycia on the blog today! First off, let's just talk about how much fun her hair and her adorable self are! Secondly, she's posting about something that I think is really awkward and scary for many people - taking pictures of yourself. Read on, and be sure to share any pictures you take after reading her advice! - Lindsay

Hello there!

I'm elycia from the blog ♥elycia. I am a crafty, vintage-loving, cat lady living in a cute house on a quiet street with my husband and our two kitties. I was so excited when Lindsay asked me to participate in this little photography project. Today I'm here to talk to you about something that is so fun for me... taking my own outfit photos! Every so often I grab my husband and have him snap a few outfit shots for me but more often than not I take them all by myself! Here are 5 things that help me out when taking my own outfit photos.

1. Get yourself a tripod. Not only does a tripod make taking outfit photos of yourself easier, it makes it safer! Having a tripod prevents you from trying to balance your camera on something that it could tumble off of. You definitely do not want to break your lovely camera while trying to get a photo of your lovely outfit. My tripod has a little detachable screw on piece that I actually leave on my camera at all times so it is just a matter of quickly clicking it in when I want to snap some outfit shots.

2. Get a remote! In the beginning I experimented with taking outfit photos without a remote and it was very hard. While most cameras have a self timer so that you can set the camera and then run in front of it, it is very difficult to set the focus correctly when you don't have anything to focus on! It can be done but it takes a ton of trial and error and you will not have fun, trust me! Get yourself a cheap little remote, stand in front of the camera and shoot away! You can usually even set a few second delay on your camera so that you have time to hide the fact that you are holding a remote.

See! There's my remote! It's that thin little black thing in my hand.

3. Take tons of photos. When I take my own outfit photos I take literally 10x more than when I have someone else take them for me. I like to shoot lots so that I am sure to get a good shot. While I am snapping away with my remote I periodically run back to the camera to check and make sure I got some good ones.

2. Move yourself and the camera around. I try to take a variety of shots when I am doing my own outfit photos. I take some full body shots, some closer ones and usually a bunch of detail shots as well. This involves moving yourself towards and away from the camera and sometimes raising and lowering the tripod. Try to take all of your far away full body shots before you start moving the tripod around, this will save you time. Also, change the orientation of the camera. Take some landscape shots as well as some portraits. It makes it more interesting when you have a mixture of the two! In case you don't know...the first shot below it portrait style (taller than wide), the second is landscape (wider than tall).

These 3 shots were from the same photo shoot. Sometimes I move around a lot!

4. Be silly! Don't be afraid to take a "bad" photo. The best part about taking your own outfit photos is that if you end up looking like a total goof, no one has to see it but you! Although, sometimes I like sharing my "total goof" photos! I am getting better at being comfortable in front of the camera when someone else is holding it but I tend to take fewer what-is-up-with-my-face-in-this-photo shots when I am controlling the remote. I am just more relaxed when it is just me and my remote in charge of the photos.

This is my "can someone outside see me?" face.

I hope these simple tips help encourage you to take your own outfit photos! It really is fun! Let me know if you take some outfit photos of yourself. You can leave me a comment on my blog, or message me on Twitter!

Don't forget to check out the other Photography Month topics for more help and advice! Guide to Photoshop Actions, Guide to Toy Cameras, Free Photoshop Actions

first photo shoot . photography month

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:48:00 +0000

I was already a little obsessed with my new camera, but now it's just out of control. The pictures are so much nicer than on my last little point and shoot fellow (sorry, buddy...), even on the fully-automatic setting! The Mister and I went out on the railroad tracks near our house to try it out, and I'm just blown away by how nice and sharp and vibrant everything looks.

JoTotes sent me a camera bag to try out, and I can't sing its praises enough. I picked out kind of an all-business bag, rather than one of their bright, vintage-inspired pieces, and I'm pretty happy with that choice. This one goes with pretty much anything, and it's a great basic bag. It hold my camera with a lens on, two additional lenses, my wallet, and all the little odds and ends you simply have to have in a purse, like lip balm and sunglasses. The compartments can be resized to fit different cameras and lenses, so there's no commitment to one layout.

I think my favorite thing about my JoTotes bag, though, is that it doesn't look like a camera bag. If I'm traveling, I don't have to worry about looking like I've got an expensive piece of equipment on my shoulder.

I have some exciting news... Later this month, one of you will get to pick out your very own JoTotes camera bag - stay tuned for details!

These are my favorite boots. I've been seeing really expensive versions popping up all over Pinterest, but I got these guys with their fun little red zippers at Target for less than $30 a couple winters ago. They never leave my shoe rotation, and I'll be heartbroken when they finally bite the dust.

pants . Daisy Fuentes . Kohl's

boots . Merona . Target

shirt . no brand . thrifted

camera bag . courtesy of JoTotes

necklace . vintage

coat . Merona . Target

If you won the JoTotes giveaway later this month, which of these bags would you choose? Would you go simple and classic, like I did, or would you choose something a little more vintage or colorful?

Fine Print: JoTotes sent me a camera bag to try out. I was not compensated financially or in any other way, and all opinions are entirely my own.

free photoshop actions . photography month

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 16:49:00 +0000

If you've read yesterday's post, Kristy's Guide to Photoshop Actions, then you know what actions can do. Now you're probably excited to get started editing your files and files of old photos. We gave you two free actions in the post yesterday, but what if you want something bolder, retro, black and white, or more abstract?

I've got your back, amigos. I've compiled some of the prettiest Photoshop actions from across the web, and best of all, everything in this post list is FREE!

You can download two wonderful and completely free action sets (above image) from The Pioneer Woman. Be sure to check out Ree's post for more examples from her second set of freebies. Visit The Pioneer Woman for the download now.

Forrest Carmine Cavale's HDR Tools actions set comes in levels, which is nice for those of you who are looking for a subtle enhancement but also want the option to go for broke with a bold, impactful change to certain images. The sample photo is just absolutely stunning, too, isn't it?!

Kristy of Kristy Bee Photography has a set of free actions to lighten, brighten, and enhance photos while still preserving a natural look. If you want to make your photos pop without looking abstract, this set is the way to go!

Funky Photoshop Actions is sharing a set of 12 Colours of Summer actions - perfect for adjusting your photo to reflect the sort of day you wish it had been, even if it was rainy or cloudy or otherwise un-summery!

Enjoy the free Catilin's Actions set from Caitling Worthington, who I instantly love for her appreciation of The Shins and food. Yes, food. Kindred spirits, us.

Othman Fahad of Saudi Arabia has put together tons of incredible actions for free over at Deviant Art, including this lovely sky action set. You could make some really fun, whimsical art with this set!

!itsreality on Deviant Art has put together a set to make eyes pop, making the colors more vivid and creating incredible contrast.

Don't forget to check out the other Photography Month topics for more help and advice! Guide to Photoshop Actions, Guide to Toy Cameras, Self Portrait Photography Guide

guide to photoshop actions . photography month

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

via Yellow Sky Actions, edited

Have you heard of Photoshop actions and wondered what they were? Do you know what they are but just don't really understand how they work? Kristy of Kristy Bee Photography is here to explain everything, and best of all, she has a couple free actions just for you guys! If you end up loving them, you can purchase Kristy's full action sets here!

Sometimes it is fun to spend hours playing around with your photos. However, the more you use Photoshop, the more you realize that you probably repeat a lot of the same steps to edit your work.

This is how Photoshop actions come in handy. An action is just another name for a macro for Photoshop that performs tasks that would be time consuming under ordinary circumstances. They basically automate the function of editing an image to achieve a desired effect. I like to use actions not only to enhance my photos, but also because it's a time-saver.

via The Pioneer Woman

I usually begin with the lighting of the photo, using the curves tool and/or adjusting levels until I am happy with the overall look. Sometimes these adjustments are all that is needed, but most of the time I will play around with color and tone. It all depends on what my desired result for that particular image is; what works for one photo may not work for another.

Playing with actions is also a great way to experiment with different styles. Maybe you want a vintage look, maybe just a slight brightening or color boost. An action in its basic form is all your work saved into one button. In this way, the next time you open Photoshop, you do not have to remember all of the steps you used in order; you can simply click to edit. Another benefit of this is that if you do not like how the image looks, you can easily remove all the edits applied and return the photo to its original state.

via Speckyboy

Actions can also be mixed and matched; one can be placed on top of another, which can produce amazing results. You can turn down the opacity (make it more transparent) to give a more subtle look, or you can click individual steps within the action and turn some off completely. Playing around like this is quite often the best way to stumble upon the tone and feel that you really like in your own photographs. It's all about having fun!

I've shown a couple of examples below of before (an unedited photo) and afters (after adding only my action). Please feel free to download these two FREE actions that I've made. One is part of my Nodding Violet Action Set 1, which is available at my blog, and one is a new one I created exclusively for Shrimp Salad Circus readers. Enjoy! :D

This is the original unedited photo, followed by the same photo after I applied my Hugo action, available for free exclusively for Shrimp readers here.

Here is another original, unedited photo, then the same photo with my Ginny action applied, also available for free here.

Kristy & Kristy Bee Photography elsewhere

Facebook . blog . Etsy . Society6 . buy more actions

Don't forget to check out the other Photography Month topics for more help and advice! Self Portrait Photography Guide, Guide to Toy Cameras, Free Photoshop Actions

new sponsors . ♥

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:31:00 +0000

Have you noticed all the lovely new sponsors over there on the right sidebar? They're all wonderful, and I'd love it if you paid them a quick visit. You just might find something you can't live without or a blog you'll never stop reading!

Just click each ad in this post or on the sidebar to visit.

Interested in sponsoring leShrimp yourself? Click here to get all the details, and I'm always available to answer questions!

guide to toy cameras . photography month

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:08:00 +0000

via Smashing Magazine, edited

Have you heard about "toy cameras" and thought they were the Fisher Price version of your point-and-shoot? Well, they're actually really fun, easy-to-use film cameras for grownups. I'm excited to have Rhianne of For the easily distracted... guest posting a toy camera guide today! -Lindsay

Hey all, my name is Rhianne and I am a (mainly) analogue photographer. My heart and soul goes into photography and my cameras of choice are toy cameras, so I am delighted to be here as part of Lindsay's Photography Week sharing some helpful tips for using 35mm toy cameras.

via For the easily distracted...

First, before you even start to take photos...

1. Do a bit of research. Like all cameras, each toy camera is different with different functions and different results, consider your options, have a look at the style of photos that you like and then pick a camera that suits you and what you want from it.

2. Learn about and get to know your camera. Some cameras like the Superheadz Wide and Slim are relatively simple, with just a shutter button but Lomography cameras have more attributes like a focus and bulb setting, if these are on the wrong setting it can ruin your photos.

Superheadz via Japan Trend Shop

3. Consider your film choices. Your choice in film will contribute further to the results from your camera - to start with I usually suggest an ISO 200 colour negative film which will work well with most cameras and give you an idea of how the camera works with film. From there you can experiment further with films and develop your knowledge.

Now that you are ready to take photos...

1. Keep it simple. One of the first mistakes that people make with toy cameras is trying every function and technique in one go and normally that results in a messy film where you're not sure how you created each image or how you can recreate them again. Take your time and enjoy trying out your possibilies.

via H and B Digital

2. Expect your first roll to be bad. Then you won’t be disappointed and you might even be pleasantly surprised if it isn’t.

Even after taking 12 rolls with my holga I made stupid mistakes with my diana mini’s first roll and it was awful. It’s ok though, you need to get to know your camera and now you know what definitely doesn’t work with it… learn from your mistakes.

3. Remember F.A.S.T. A simple checklist for checking your settings before you take your photo.

Focus - Aperture - Shutter - Take Photo

This mainly applies to Lomography cameras, which have manual focuses, varying aperture for sunny or cloudy days, and a bulb shutter setting.

via Flickriver

4. Always double check the shutter button. This button is your worst enemy (and sometimes your best friend) and the one button that should always be checked! I’ll admit, I forget to do this and I always regret it afterward especially as my Diana mini shutter button seems to have a mind of its own recently. N not B. N not B.

5. Expect the unexpected. Of course the joy of film cameras is that even the best laid plans get unexpected results and the fact that you can take so much care when setting up a photo makes these surprises even more exciting. I think that this is what captivates most film photographers as well… Sometimes things just don’t work out how you expect them to, no matter how well you prepare.

Rhianne & For the easily distracted... elsewhere

blog . Twitter . Flickr

Don't forget to check out the other Photography Month topics for more help and advice! Guide to Photoshop Actions, Self Portrait Photography Guide, Free Photoshop Actions

photography month . the power of pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:40:00 +0000

A seven-month-old Kenyan boy, Mihag Gedi Farah later made a full recovery.

photographer: Schalk Van Zuydam

Here's one of the best aspects of photography - an image that can move you beyond words. BuzzFeed's 45 Most Powerful Images of 2011 captures some of the most heartwrenching, triumphant, or just plain moving photos from the year. I defy you to scroll through all 45, reading the captions as you go, and not shed a tear.

Much of this is composition - framing the shot, finding the perfect angle, and getting the light right where you want it. However, much of it is just simply being there in that moment and showing people what you saw and felt through a camera.

Robert Peraza mourns his son at the 9/11 Memorial.

photographer: Justin Lane

Facebook played a pivotal role in the Middle East uprisings.

source: The Atlantic Wire

United States servicemen and women marched in a gay pride parade for the first time.

photographer: Sandy Huffaker

A man sits for a moment in the aftermath of the Joplin, Missouri tornado.

source: Reuters

An Apple store in Hong Kong holds a memorial to Steve Jobs.

photographer: Kin Cheung

Phyllis Siegel, 76, left, and Connie Kopelov, 84, became the first gay couple to wed at Manhattan City Clerk's Office.

photographer: Stan Honda

Billy Stinson comforts his daughter Erin on the steps of their family cottage in Nags Head, North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Irene.

photographer: Scott Olson

What makes a photograph powerful for you?

photography month . be a better photog

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:08:00 +0000

Exciting news, guys - I got a Canon Rebel T3i for Christmas!!! Since I tend to go pretty far overboard in everything I do, I'm sure you can imagine that I've gotten mildly obsessed in the week since Christmas...

I've been doing tons of research trying to figure out how to use the camera and how to become a better photographer in general. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's intimidated by photography, so I decided to turn January into photography month to give everybody a leg up for the new year. I'm not giving away too many surprises, but there will be lots of great guest posts and an amazing giveaway, just to give a quick hint...

Now, help me get Photography Month kicked off right. Tell me what you want to know. What is the most intimidating thing about photography for you? What would you like to learn more about? I want to make this month a great learning experience for everyone, whether you need help taking pictures of your handmade products, capturing your squirmy kids and pets without making them look blurry, or putting the finishing touches on a great shot in Photoshop.

How can I help you become a better photographer?

freebies . january desktop wallpaper

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 14:07:00 +0000

Happy 2012, everyone! I think this calendar accurately represents how I rang in the new year. Calm and peaceful with lots of sleeping (I'm a wee bit sick). :) Leave a comment and tell us how you spent your New Year's Eve. I hope someone got to wear a gold sequined dress and a party hat!

1280x1024

1024x768

credit: fonts: Ostrich Sans, Matchbook, Print Dashed

be inspired . share your favorite quote

noreply@blogger.com (Lindsay {Shrimp}) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 19:35:00 +0000

$20 via handz

My favorite quote was given voice by Jonathan Swift: "May you live every day of your life." I find it incredibly inspiring - a reminder to truly make the most of every single moment. Life is an activity, not a filler. We should spend our handful of moments creating, thriving, flourishing - not waiting. Not for anything.

Everybody is creative. Everybody has potential to make something from nothing, just in different ways. Everybody, however, needs motivation - something to plant the ideas that turn into something wonderful.

What quote inspires you the most? What stirs you to create something new, beautiful, and uniquely yours? Leave your inspiration in the comments!