Remembering Blackie

Today on the SA Photography Blog 

we are remembering our dog Blackie.

Blackie (Front center) Choo Choo (Behind) pose for a photo on our yard.

Mark Twain once said "Heaven goes by favor. If it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in". Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.

My dog Blackie brought many memories and hysterical moments to me and my family. I was 18 when Blackie roamed into our yard in Utica for the first time. He was guided to our home by our other dog Choo Choo who was in heat at the time. I was timid at first, seeing this large "stud" of a lab wondering around our property. His bark was ferocious, however his inside personality was like a puppy. He was also timid toward us at first but warmed up quickly. He stumbled upon our home a few more instances and not before long he made our home his. Choo Choo and him had one litter of puppies that I helped deliver. It was a very educational experience for me. If I can recall only 2 puppies did not survive but they were all so adorable!

Blackie and Choo Choo's Puppies!

As years went on Blackie remained close to me. He was my dog and my sister Gina always claimed Choo Choo. We spent the days throwing sticks at our cabin and he would  always retrieve them and bring them back. That dog would not stop swimming! He loved to swim! 

Kids weren't a problem either for Blackie. Talk about a very loyal dog who would let any child tug his ear, pull his legs, or sit on his back. He was all around the perfect dog anyone could ask for. I was extremely lucky to have a dog that was good natured to anyone not just children. One of my favorite memories of Blackie was at neighborhood parties we always would dress Blackie up and he would make for some silly costumes!

Blackie dressed up at a neighborhood Mexican party.

Yesterday I got a phone call from my sister saying he was not doing well and she told me that they had to put him down. I knew he was slowing down and not wanting do to a lot. He lived a great life providing joys to so many people. The laughs he provided will remain close to me in my heart. Everyone that met him has a funny Blackie story. 

Like I said, I was lucky, we all were. Not Everyone has a Blackie, nor will there be another dog like him. But the time with him and those experiences shared extend far beyond any estimable price, and the joys last a lifetime.

Will miss you Blackie God Bless!

How to get the best shots from your cell phone!!!

I hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying the Summer!

I came across this video that I thought I would share on how to get the best shots out of your I-Phone. Let's face it, I'm the first to admit that I'm no expert at taking pictures with my Phone. (I've got a bunch of murky, blurry photos that attest to that fact.) Luckily, Yahoo! News' Becky Worley's, weekly video series, "Upgrade Your Life," shows some essential tips and tricks for snapping camera phone pictures that won't look like they were taken at the bottom of the ocean.

You can watch her video at the link below! 

>How to squeeze the best shots out of your camera phone 

If you have any questions please comment or email me. Dont forget to keep adding your photos to the SA Photography Facebook Page to enter the "Photo of the Week Contest"!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!
Ill announce the next qualifier for the photo contest Monday morning!

Week 2 Photo Contest Winner!

Congratulations to Emily Brodzik!

She is the winner of SA Photography's

"Photo of the Week Contest" week 2!!!

Emily will qualify for a free Portrait/Engagement session from SA Photography!

Check out her photo below!

(Click to Enlarge)

Emily's Comment: "This was my first trip to AZ and I had to hit up the Grand Canyon! This picture was taken just after my cousin and I made friends with a deer. The deer followed us around for a good 10 minutes and then went her separate way."

Scott's Comment: " I love the low sunlight in this shot! It has a unique depth of field as the color of the mountains pull you in. The color of the background fades into the foreground while grabbing your attention as the mountains fade into the distance. I like it as a vertical because it brings dimension to the photograph. I chose this photo for it’s painting like landscape and the composition. The tree line in the foreground has a great separation from the mountains in the background. The colors in the photo remind you of a photograph that could very easily been painted. It would make a great photo to hang in your home, I could see it hanging in an art museum or being on a poster too!! 

Great job Emily! Your on your way to becoming the next Ansel Adams!

 Like the photo yourself? You can enter the contest too! Find out how below!!!

The Photo of the week Contest is a weekly contest open to everyone!  All you have to do is post a photo on Scott Anderson Photography’s Facebook Page to qualify. If your photo is chosen I will qualify you in a random drawing to win a FREE engagement/portrait session! See the link below for all the details!

Photo of The Week Contest  

Inspirational Video "Transform"

Happy Friday!!!

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer, staying cool and all the activities it brings! 

I wanted to share this inspirational video with all of you. Even if you are not a photographer this will inspire you! You can apply your own life scenario to this story.

When I first started at Harrington College of Design in Chicago my instructor played this video on my very first day in class. To this day, I watch it often & remind myself of my photography. It will take time, I've rushed so many things in my life. This short video will make you feel so much better as it always has for me!

 "I love my photography it means everything to me in my life." "This is what keeps me going."

 So please take 10 minutes out of this weekend and check it out. You will be very glad you did!

Have a wonderful weekend and keep posting your pics on my Facebook page to enter the “Photo Of The Week Contest!!!!”

-Scott

Week 1 Photo Contest Winner

Congratulations to Paula Guttilla!!!

Paula is the first qualifier in Scott Anderson Photography’s Photo of the Week Contest!!! 

  Here is the Photo

Scott’s Comment: “I chose Paula’s photo because of her exceptionally well planned location, and fantastic exposed piece of work! She managed to capture the fireworks over the Illinois & Michigan Canal in Utica, IL. If you look in the lower center of the photograph you can see some of the night stars leaving trails. (if the shutter speed is slow enough starts will look like little comets)  I like the shot as a vertical, because it is something you would see on a cover of a magazine/book meaning magazines and covers use vertical shots instead of horizontal. Great choice! I hope you brought along some bug spray! Paula did a great job by using a tripod while maintaining a shutter speed of about 1-4 second exposure. She nailed it!  Submit it to a magazine Paula!!!”

Congratulations again to Paula! Thanks so much for sharing!!!

Thanks to everyone who entered so far!

Check back next Monday for next weeks winner!

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The Photo of the week Contest is a weekly contest open to everyone!  All you have to do is post a photo on Scott Anderson Photography’s Facebook Page to qualify. If your photo is chosen I will qualify you in a random drawing to win a FREE engagement/portrait session! See the link below for details.

http://saphotographyblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/new-photo-of-week-contest_07.html

New Photo Of The Week Contest!!!

ATTN SA PHOTOGRPAHY FRIENDS: THIS IS JUST FOR YOU!!!

Each Monday, starting this coming Monday (July 11, 2011) Scott will feature a weekly “Photo of the Week” segment.

 Each week you can submit your photo to my online Facebook fan page. Please include your name in the photo and a little bit about how you took it. If your photo is chosen I will post it on my blog and you will be in a random drawing for a 1 FREE Portrait/Engagement session from SA Photography!!! This prize will be awarded twice yearly with the first one starting this December 31, 2011 and June 31, 2012.

So what are you waiting for! Start uploading your awesome photos today at the link below!!! 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Scott-Anderson-Photography/121509544594551 

See "Photo of the Week" contest Terms & Conditions Click >Here



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I hope you enjoyed your wonderful 4th of July weekend!

I had a great time enjoying fireworks, laying by the pool, and sipping on an amazing milkshake after a long hot summer day.

I’m glad you all are spreading the word about SA Photography! It is unbelievable how many of you support me and reach out my name to others. I can’t thank each and every one of you enough for everything! Keep up the great kind words and gestures and tell your friends to add me on Facebook today!!

Look for the Photo of the week segment starting this Monday!!! I cannot wait!!!

-Scott

How to Photograph Fireworks!!!

Hey everyone,

 If you haven't checked out the new site yet please do so at www.stlmemories.com

As we head into the long hot 4th of July week I receive questions and emails on whats the best way to photograph fireworks. With that said, I thought I would share with you some tips on photographing fireworks!!!

Ok first off, I cant stress enough that fireworks are very tricky to photograph. Like lighting, fireworks are one of the most challenging photos to capture. However, STL Memories is here to help! If you follow some of these tips you can photograph an unique fireworks display!!!

Tips on how to photograph better fireworks:

1. TRIPOD... The best way to stabilize your camera is with a tripod, where it can sit motionless through a long exposure. But what if I don't have a tripod Scott? No tripod no problem, you can always try to brace yourself against a tree or a building, or hold the camera atop a monopod or walking stick. Before the camera ever gets set up, you’ll need to arrive early and scout out a good location. Find a place that should give you a good view, with no large light sources nearby (i.e. street, parking lot, headlights etc.) Big lights tend to “muddy” the scene and bleed into the photo. Don't forget bug spray.

2.  ISO - This is your digital “film speed.  Although it seems like you would want the fastest you can get, the reverse is true. You’ll want to set this to the lowest setting you have – probably 100 or 200.

3.  Focus - This is a big issue for any camera shooting fireworks. If you try to rely on auto focus, you’ll be lucky to get the shot before the explosion fades away. You need to manual set your focus at infinity (all the way out).

4.  Aperture and Shutter Speed:  This is the hardest part, but I can give you some recommended settings. The longer your exposure, the more fireworks you'll capture at once, and the longer your light trails will be. So you might want to start with a shutter speed around 1 to 4 seconds and see if you like the results. For really long exposures, try covering the lens with your hand or the lens cap between bursts to avoid over-exposing the picture.

 With that said, if your camera has a manual mode (usually depicted with an “M” on the setting dial), choose that. Then set the aperture (lens opening) somewhere between f/8 and f/16. The aperture controls how much light comes through the lens. The higher the number, the less light. 

The next manual setting is the shutter speed. This controls how long the shutter is open. Start with 2 seconds and increase the time if you don’t like the results (i.e. the fireworks look too dark). Be careful not to “burn out” the fireworks – you still want to see color – but don’t let ‘em get too dark either.

5. Point & Shoot/ Digital SLR

Finally, Digital SLR users have an easier time, or at least more options, in picking the right settings for fireworks. Throw the camera on full manual mode. If you have a Point & Shoot camera that has a fireworks mode, go ahead and enable it--it will automatically adjust the camera's various settings for long-exposure night photography.

Feel free to print this article and take it along with you this week.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July!

Ill keep updating weekly, so you will want to stay tuned to the latest STL Memory news!!!!