Dayz of Summer Photography Checklist (will you take the challenge)?

Yesterday as I was riding in the car with my hubby we drove past a couple of farms.  I was practically kicking myself for not having my camera with me to catch the cows grazing and the horses galloping.   I don’t know what it is about the Summer months that makes me want to pick up my camera and take pictures of, well, almost everything.  With my country music playing in the background and the air from the window blowing through my hair, I thought what better time to start compiling a list of the things I’d like to capture on camera this Summer.  While some things I wanted to take pictures of came incredibly easy to me (like a hammock, horses, a canoe, the lake, etc.), I had to put in some effort to remember the small but wonderful things about Summer that are often taken for granted.  Stuff like iced coffee, fruit salad, a grilled hot dog, the ice cream truck, a tire swing, etc.  Once I started thinking smaller, it was hard to stop.  The ideas kept coming and I realized that my once modest checklist was quickly becoming endless.  Isn’t Summer the best?

If you are a photog like myself but haven’t been able to compile your own list of items you’d like to photograph, feel free to download my 8.5 x 11:

DAYZ of SUMMER PHOTOGRAPHY CHECKLIST

I’m using it to challenge myself.  I’m curious to see, by the end of Summer, how many things I would have crossed off my list.  I’d like to think, and I’m striving towards, crossing off 75% of it!  I think that’s realistic.  If I can cross off more, than kudos to me!  How about you?  Will you take the challenge?  I hope you will.  And have some fun with it!  Get creative, add to the list if you’re feeling inspired, and most importantly don’t forget to share your images with me!  I’d love to see them!

6 TIPS FOR GETTING SOME GREAT PICTURES

1. Go AU NATUREL!  Only clothing IS required.  I mean shoot in natural light when possible.  Nothing makes a photograph amazing like proper exposure and lighting. 
2. TILT your camera. Unique angles make an image interesting.  Be careful though.  Too much camera tilt can make the viewer a little nauseous and leave them with neck strain.  Not good.
3. Don’t be afraid to chop off some of your image with a CROP.  You can do this in camera or in post processing.  A good crop can make an okay image great!  Don’t know where to crop?  You can’t go wrong with the rule of thirds. 
4. ZOOM in and FILL THAT FRAME!  Some of the most engaging images are those that are close up and allow you to view all the wonderful details of the subject.
5. NEGATIVE SPACE is your friend.  It draws attention and focus to the subject!
6. GET DIRTY.  Your perspective is what makes a photo personal, unique, and unusually interesting.  Always be ready and willing to get down low (I’m talking stomach down on the ground if needed) or high up (fence, tree, or ladder climbing) whatever it takes to get that shot! 

If you missed my previous post, Happy Aloha Friday Blog Hop, please feel free to check it out!  There is still time to link up and we’d love to have you!

Also in case you missed my AD Space Available announcement and you’re interested in reserving a spot on my website, you’ll definitely want to check out the details especially now when I’m offering 30% off any ad spot size!  You can also visit my ADVERTISE page for additional information.

And before I leave you, have you checked out my featured sponsors? 

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