1st Class Creativity

The Best Way to Photograph Fireworks

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The Best Way to Photograph Fireworks

Here's what you need to know to capture the excitement of a summer fireworks display.

Dave Johnson, PC World

Sunday, June 28, 2009 05:00 PM PDT



How to Photograph Fireworks




For the photographer, winter certainly has its share of iconic subjects, such as Christmas trees, snowmen, and icicles hanging from a roof. But there's nothing quite like the excitement of shooting summertime fireworks. Done right, fireworks photos are dynamic and colorful, and they convey a sense of action better than almost any other kind of still image. Read on to learn how to capture some exciting fireworks photos of your own this summer.

(Photo by foxypar4.)

(Almost) Any Camera Will Do...

Though photos of fireworks look impressive, you don't need specialized gear to get good results. You can use almost any digital camera to capture fireworks, as long as it offers either some degree of manual exposure control (so that you can dial in the right ISO, aperture, and shutter speed settings) or a fireworks scene mode designed to do the work for you.

Even compact digital cameras can meet the challenge. The Fujifilm Finepix F200 EXR

shown here, for example, hits the sweet spot for portability and simplicity--it's a superb compact point-and-shoot that, when set to fireworks mode and stabilized to minimize image shake, can take some excellent fireworks shots.

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Birthday Card with Pop Up Cake Die

Here is a card I did for my Hubby's Birthday!  

 

Here is the inside!  Surprise!

 

I use the new POP UP CAKE Die, Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip card stock, Chocolate Chip Ink, Sage Shadow Ink, Aqua Painter, To the Nines Specialty Designer Series Paper.  This was a fun card to design for my hubby and he really liked it!    He thought it was Cool! I always like to see a smile on his face! 

Have you tried the new Pop Up Cake Die Yet? 

Do's and Don'ts for great pictures.

 I'm always looking for better ways to take pictures and I love candid photos.  So, when a fellow demonstrator, Debbie McNeil turned me onto this awesome video I just had to share it all with you!   Thanks Debbie!   

Tell me what you think!   

Dazzling Diamond Dust Technique

I just love the Dazzling Diamond Dust Technique, and so will you!   This is what it will look like when you are done

 

To see how I did this click here     http://www.1stclasscreativity.com/dazzling-diamond-dust-technique.html

Follow me on Twitter!  1st 20 get a FREE ticket to be entered into the 50 Ticket Customer Rewards program (you could win $50 in FREE Stampin' Up! Merchandise from me, Kari Mason) AND you get two FREE cards $5.00 value mailed to your home!   You can hit the Follow me on Twitter button in the side bar.

Working with Stampin' Pastels

Stampin' Pastels, (chalk) is very fun crafting experience.  Bring out the artist in yourself with our Stampin’ Pastels.  You’ll be amazed at how easy you can achieve a beautiful, soft look with our pastels.

Here are some Features & Benefits of our Stampin' Pastels

• Exclusive Stampin’ Up! colors 
• Artist quality chalks 
• Includes 6 applicators and an eraser

• Oil Free

Are your pastels cracked?  It's not a defect!  Due to the manufacturing process, a film may sometimes appear on the top of the pastels. Simply rub this film off with an applicator.

High-quality chalks are very soft to enable easy blending. However, due to this softness, breakage or cracking may occur in shipping. This is not considered a defect and does not affect the chalks’ quality or ease of use. Our unique pastel tray keeps colors from mixing together if breakage does occur.

Here I used the popular Poppin’ Pastels technique.   There are two ways to achieve this look.  1) apply image with VersaMark ink, OR Stamp image with Stazon Ink and color with a VersaMark marker the areas you want to color.  I find this is the best option for smaller areas.

Apply Stampin’ Pastels to the stamped image with a stamping sponge or sponge dauber. Blend and mix pastels for beautiful effects.

 

Here I applied the pastels with a blender pen

  

DON'T PRESS TOO HARD or the chalk will crack.  You only need to use a light touch. :)

 

You can pick up as much or as little color as you need.

 

 

Clean your blender pen to remove the ink on the pen.  Very much like an Aqua Painter you want to remove the ink (chalk) that you are working with.  Then proceed to the next color.

   You can shade the image to look the way you want.  Quick Trick for using the Stampin' Pastels, apply pastels with a stamping sponge, sponge dauber or stipple brush.  Blend as desired with the applicators or a Stampin' Up! blender pen.

Watercolor Wednesday

Here are some cards that were "watercolored" using blender pens and Stampin' Pastels.  Although this is not traditionally "watercoloring"  if often has the same effect as you can shade with the pastels and it is most often a softer look.

I just love being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator because I get to use so many great high quality products that can give each of my cards a unique look.  I never get bored!

All the cards made were created from Wagon Full of Fun Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog.   Did you know that if you purchase $40 from the Occasions Mini you anything on page 208 of the Stampin' Up! Spring/Summer Idea Book and Catalog FREE?   It's true!   Place your order today to take advantage of this great promotion! 

If you have any questions on these cards, feel free to contact me.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Technique

The Technique today is Fine Cosmo Glitter on Sticky Cuts Sweet cut outs.

Here is a picture of the card.   Click here http://www.1stclasscreativity.com/techniques-for-fine-cosmo-glitter-card.html to view the tutorial.   This is an ADVANCED technique.

 

Happy St. Patricks Day!

Top o' the morning to ya!   Hope this St. Patty's day finds you jolly!

This month every Tuesday will be Tuesday Tools!  Today I'm featuring the Crafters Tool Kit!  Let me tell you there are alot of things you can do with this great kit!   I love the versatility! 

This kit is a crafter's dream!  It includes everything you need to set eyelets and stitch cards with our paper piercer and linen thread.  The handy mats, all included, will protect your workspace.  Once you have your kit, you have the tools you need on hand.  It comes in a sturdy canvas case with zipper and a velcro pocket on the outside for additonal storage.  It's super portable and compact! 

Important information: Be careful to punch holes and set eyelets on a cutting mat to protect tabletops.  When using the setter, tap with the hammer to flare the edge of the eyelet, then remove the setter and tap it with the hammer. 

Here is a QUICK TRICK!  Create a quick stitched effect using the paper-piercing tool, templates, needle, and linen thread or hemp twine.  Simply follow the pattern on the template, and then thread your string through the holes  You can also use the template to creat faux stitching with a white gel pen. 

Another great tip is the clips as I call them are great for holding paper while your embossing!  No more burnt fingers!  YEA!!!!

Here is a sample  I created using the crafters tool kit!   Happy St. Patricks Day!

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