My Printing Options

Yesterday, I mentioned a contest that I wanted to enter. I wasn't sure which pictures to use (and I'm still not, so please look at yesterday's post and give me your thoughts), but the bigger issue was what size was required. I found out that the entry only needed to be big enough to display in a slide deck. That takes care of that.

What about printing? I have a few options:

1) My friend Lele had a great idea about making a canvas picture of my work. That is best suited for abstract photography, I think - something "watercolory" and pretty. The following types of pictures would fit the bill (though I wouldn't enter either of these):



2) Standard mat and frame: An option for my more "precise work", I think. A few examples (none of which I'd enter in the contest, I don't think) are:



3) Metallic prints: I'd never heard of this concept before, but apparently it provides great saturation and depth of color. A few pictures I'd consider would be:



Now I feel like I have a lot to play with! I haven't decided which format to use, but I know I need to soon - the deadline is April 1. Tomorrow, I'll narrow my choices down to 15 pictures, and take it from there.

Contests - Please Lend me your Ears/Eyes

February is a short month, and I realized I forgot to do one thing I'd done consistently over the last few months - enter a contest. I'll forgive myself, because if this is all I've forgotten in my hectic life, then I'm in decent shape.

With that said, I considered entering two contests in February, but with later deadlines:

FotoDC's National Cherry Blossom Photo Contest: This brings me to one of my plans - I may brave the crowds and attend the kite festival. I love colors, and it would be a good experiment for me. I have cherry blossom pictures, but I think something original and fun would be better. We'll see if I actually do this.

This one isn't so much a contest as it is an auction: NCCF's 9th Annual Art and Soul Charity Auction: This would involve submitting a picture (or three) for consideration. If selected, then I would mat, frame, and donate the work. I love NCCF, and I think this would be great, but I'm a little afraid to enter, honestly. Some considerations:

1) What size photograph? I've honestly never seen my pictures blown up and magnified. I don't know what they would look like. I've emailed the organization to find out if there is a minimum size. If I can get away with an 8x10, I'll consider it.

2) What do I even want to enter? Something abstract like this?



Or something more precise/detailed?



Something ... unusual?



I don't know! Anyway, one step at a time. When I'll find out what the size requirements are, I'll make a decision. I'll also try not to let March run away from me. I will find a way to enter four contests - I hope.

A corollary to all of this is how I would print my work if it were accepted. I've researched some options, and will cover them tomorrow.

Education

Yesterday, I mentioned the need to consider using a tripod. Here's why:

I've taken some nice interior pictures over the last two months or so:









However, I need help with technique. With the first picture, I need to do a better job of balancing interior and exterior light. I could also use some help with composition. Finally, I haven't taken anything resembling a class in a while, and I could use some added perspective.

I've therefore signed up for a class that focuses on real estate and architectural photography. The class requires a tripod. And that was my thought process. Sometimes learning can be uncomfortable!

On another note, I can't believe it's already March. I've totally dropped the ball. Find out how tomorrow.