Thursday, January 19, 2012

We're Moving!

Not in real life, just on the internet.

We added a Blog site to our website store & You can keep up with our latest news and information here. But we won't delete this site, we've been here a long time. There are plenty of great stories and adventures here. Hope you will join us at our new blog.

Daphne Ellenburg is a budding photography business owner in Southern Alabama with a supportive family and a new fancy-pants in home studio. She loves college football, big handbags, lip gloss and all things Olympus. Daphne also enjoys writing about her Photo-Adventures and her entertaining family. Catch up with her at Ellenburg Photography {Website} {Facebook} {EP Blog}{Daphne's Blog}{Join EP Project 52}

Ellenburg Photography's award winning photographer, Daphne Ellenburg, specializes in Wedding Photography and Family Portraiture. We are located just north of Mobile Alabama. We proudly serve all of Alabama, and Gulfcoast Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. (251) 656-7601

Friday, January 13, 2012

3/52 In a Row

When I birthed this theme, I was completely focused on my January Organization. Every January I get in this "out with the old" mood...and I thought I'd photograph some of this spirit. But, as it turns out, I haven't gotten around to that. I often forget how busy January is. I never want to back into the swing of things after such a wonderful winter break. I've still got sugar plums dancing in my head, or something like that.
My family had some great ideas for this week's theme. The boys liked this one. {But of course my little super Star Wars nerds did.}

I threatened to use this one from the GoDaddy.com Bowl...

But after all was said and done...I drove down to the "Tracks" Thursday bright and early and shot this one.

I love the tone. It was shot at 6:30 am. Right out of the box, it was a little darker than I'd like it. So...I processed it with Nik Software's Define 2.0, then Nik Color Efex 4.0's Detail extractor at 25%, then I added an Ivory boost from Florabella's newest collection.

So, What is EP Project-52?

We're a group for Photography Enthusiast and Professionals all teaching and learning through each other by photographing to a theme each week. We post our photos to our Flickr group each week by Thursday Midnight and start a new theme each Friday. Each Friday we spotlight 10 photographers and tell why they are featured. Our focus is on education (the how tos) and encouragement (don't be afraid to try something new). I'll bet there is something you'd like to learn. And...I'll bet there is something you can teach us. Check out the group, we're 53 strong this week! It's free to join and the friendships you'll make are priceless. Join us today!

Have a GREAT week finding your things in a row!
XoXoXo,
Daphne

Week 2, Our Favorites!

This time of year, I usually spend a lot of time in my attic. I go back back and forth, up and down, toting the boxed holiday treasures that brought me so much joy just a few short weeks ago back into hiding. While I'm up there, I'm always distracted by some packed away treasure - like my ancient CD collection {I regularly drag down some odd mix for my iPod like Pearl Jam & Ace of Base. Yes, I have the Ace of Base CD.} My attic, like many of you, contain a wealth of things generations couldn't bare to part with, and things that make you wonder why that's up there at all. Whether yours is empty or full, boxed or shelved, climb up or walk in; the attic is a fun place to stroll down memory lane. Well, except in the summer; in Alabama.
Week 2's Ellenburg Photography Project 52 theme of "From the Attic" was really a great "Get to know you theme" - you guys have some really cool stuff up there! I loved the stories. I loved the hints on your processing. You guys are going to be great fun this year.
Now on to my favorite Attic Treasures...As always, our top ten is in no particular order. Below each photo is a link back to your flickr site and any other site you have listed with your photo. If you enjoy the photo, check out the artist & send them some love & encouragement! Here we go...

ONE {I really like the texture variety of your selection. It makes this photo so interesting!}

From the Attic By laurasheppardphotography www.facebook.com/laurasheppardphotography

TWO {Great Lighting. Love the Black and White. PS - this camera is AWESOME!}

012/366 A family treasure By PamK*

THREE {I love the POV, the strand of hair in the face, the perfect detail of linen...this is very well done.}

from the attic By jules1836

FOUR {Beautiful tone. Great lighting.}

EP 2/52 {In the Attic} / Florabella 21/24 {Vintage} By ib4luvnit

FIVE {Very nice texture processing. Love the detail on the lace and great job keeping your whites so crisp!} *EP Project-52 White processing tip - using selective color, take the saturation of the whites into the negatives :-) I use a software product called Viveza 2.0}

In the attic By pthurmond1

SIX {The exercise chart is such a great add on to this shot. Love the texture. I swear my Dad had one of these. This made me laugh b/c my brother and I would play with this thing all the time.}

Project 52 Week 2/52 - From the Attic By Fur Will Fly My Blog

SEVEN {I really like the blue tones & graininess to this shot & the spiderwebs are such a nice touch.}

2/52- From the Attic... By Moopiecow

EIGHT {I have oodles of toys in my attic. This is a fun photo. I like the texture & the collage style you used. But I especially liked your story. The attic does have a lot of hopes & dreams, happy & sad, packed away in boxes. At least mine does.}

Picture made for EllenburgPhotography-Project52. 2/52 {From the Attic} By Anastasia Fiske

NINE {I really like the texture & the lighting. The hairbrush is well placed with great selective focus.}

"Lovely Woman" From the Attic 2/52 By shabean

TEN {Perfect lighting. Great muted background to make your colors really stand out. The red really pops. Very nice job.} EP Project-52 tip: Rule of thirds...photos are more interesting when the subject is in the 1st or 3rd position. This shot is a great example.

My Phone By tumbleweed's shutter

Week 3's theme will be wide open for interpretation - (Drum roll please...) this week our theme is "In a Row"

This shot was taken Thursday Morning at 6:30 am in Mobile, Alabama. I'm at the super scary "tracks" - I loved the lines in this car. I processed this Photo with Nik Define 2.0, Nik Color Efex 4's define at 20% and I added an Ivory boost from Florabella's latest collection of fun.

Can't wait to see what you find in a row this week! Get out there and have some fun!
XoXoXo, Daphne

Friday, January 6, 2012

2/52 From the Attic

This time of year I spend a lot of time going back and forth to my Attic. Usually, I'm endlessly toting Holiday decorations up there...but they are still up. I've been up there hunting for odds and ends I've stashed there during the so close to being finished-Main Floor Remodel. I brought down all of my cookbooks. I found my missing curtain rods. I uncovered my dust covered college diploma. And in the corner, sticking out of a box...there it was....Mom's Camera Bag.

My Mom got this Canon SLR in 1979 for Christmas. I was Four years old. She didn't let me touch it until 1990. I was so cool.

This Original falling apart bag has seen some better days, but inside that beat down bag...I found all the lens cleaning stuff, the Owners manual and a zoom lens. Wow. My Mom was a 1979 camera rock star. It's easy to see who inspired my love for photography. Thanks Mom.

This week's Ellenburg Photography Project 52 Theme is "From the Attic"...Here's a pull out of my studio for this shot.

You're looking at a saddle stool with a leather storage ottoman {which is full of amazing hats} for my camera holder. I've got a great Black & White Damask backdrop & two soft boxes - one focused on the camera, the other on the backdrop to get a crispy white.
We're only on week two & we've increased our participants to 52 today. I'm really enjoying this group. Big Thanks to all of our participants. Your active participation really makes this project a joy to host. {Doing my Happy Dance}
Can't wait to see what's hiding in your attic!
XoXoXo, Daphne

Week 1, Our Favorites + Week 2 Launch!

Resolution -noun. 1. a formal expression of opinion or intention made. However you define it, it's always on your mind the first week of a new year. Call it habit or call it tradition. It's there looming whether you make them or not. I like them. It's a nice clean way to start the year with a fresh new set of eyes on what is not important. I usually make 5, but I don't always make it to the end of the year. Maybe 2012 is our year to over-achieve!
You guys had some really great resolutions! This week we saw a lot of fitness and eating healthy. But we also saw a lot of time themes, time for fun, and time for yourselves. No matter how you defined your resolution, it feels good to photograph it...kind of makes it stick right there close to home. Nice work.
Now...on to this week's very first top ten. As always our photographers are listed in no particular order with links to the photograph and the photographer below. If you like the work, check them out and send them some love. Photography is a struggle to get the perfect shot, your words can be very encouraging - use them in this group to inspire!
Ready. Set. Here we go...

ONE {I love the selective focus on the drop of water & that I can't see all of the apple. Really great idea.}

EllenburgPhotography-Project52 By Andrewfierro

TWO {Great reflections! In every glass & I love the Point of View. Black and white really make this an interesting shot - Trying your photos in both color and B&W are a great way to make a huge change in the same shot. Give it a try!}

project 52/1 {resolutions} By jsnnmom

THREE {Beautiful Detail & Great color. Green is perfect. Again, it's great not to see the entire object. Nice perspective!}

Resolution 1/52 By magova

FOUR {Wonderful processing. A nice tint to the Black and White effect, I like it. Self Portraits are a challenge. Great work!}

Think...Think...Think... By julieamankin

FIVE {I like the textured background & the great detail on the water droplets. If your software will let you increase the "structure" of a photograph, it's a great way to make water droplets POP - Viveza 2 has some wonderful structure features.}

Eat Healthier in 2012 By tumbleweed's shutter

SIX {I like that the background is blown out in this one & the reflection is a really nice touch!}

resolution/all natural By jules1836

SEVEN {Great background - so cleaver! And Great reflection - Love off to the left really makes this a well planned shot. Nice work. And ... this is the very first photo of our group. Big Thanks.}

1/52 ~ Resolution By My Photographic Eye by Irela www.myphotographiceyebyirela.blogspot.com
www.myphotographiceyebyirela.com

EIGHT {Wonderful Texture overlay. I love that you don't have the entire clock in the shot. Very well focused & it's a great resolution!}

When it's quittin' time, hit the ground runnin' By Karen Gibas

NINE {Black and White were a nice choice to make the Blue really POP - great selective focus. This is a very well planned out shot. I like it & Happy Healing to you!}

not like all the others 1/52 By dettaowens

TEN {I'm in LOVE with the "vintage" feel to this photograph. Really great processing!}

1/52 Resolution By Moopiecow

Ellenburg Photography's featured resolution photo is one of 5 - I photographed all five this year...in hopes that they stick a little closer to me this year... With this one, I really want to tone up my jiggly parts.

1/52 "Iron" By Ellenburg Photography

First up, Congrats to the top ten & big Welcome to our budding group! We are 49 strong as of this morning. It's pretty exciting to share a photography passion with such a great well rounded group. I loved reading about you guys in the "get to know you" discussion board. I'm really looking forward to a great year and thanks for making our Project52 part of your 2012!

Week two's theme is "From the Attic"

This is the first SLR I ever used. It's my Mom's and she got it for Christmas in 1979. I found it covered in dust in the original bag - she even had the instruction manual still in there too. It was a great attic find. I've cleaned it up & am letting live in the studio for a while. It's a nice memory of who helped me find my love for photography.
Best of luck with your Attic Adventures!
XoXoXo, Daphne

Thursday, January 5, 2012

A Visual Resolution...

I'm a visual person. I'm the one always sending text pictures instead of messages. So this year instead of making a list that I'll pile bunch of junk on top of...I took photographs of my goals. I think it will be harder to hide from these. {Especially when I print them}

Twenty Twelve, here's what I've got for you...

Eat Healthy ~ Making good choices about what I eat and try to be consistent with my fitness pal {my new year obsession on the ipad}

Shape up ~ Being Healthy or unhealthy is a choice. I'd like to live forever {with amazing triceps.}

Slow Down ~ My life is moving at warp speed. I refuse to buy one more movie until I watch all these purchased unwatched movies.

Make time for me. Whether it's mastering my new graphic pad {that thing kind of scares me} or getting to route of my OPI obsession {maybe its all those darn cool names or the new Muppet glitter line}. These are some of the mysteries I'm willing to dig into this year and solve.

Embrace an Art Challenge. I went to Photo-Nola last year & I've got this really great portfolio project trapped in my head...I've just got to find my follow-through. It's hiding again.

And on top of all of these great things...I've still got to maintain my title of Super Mom & Amazing Wife. It's going to be a great year. I'm taking it to the next level. Hope you've got your ducks in a row too.
XoXoXo, Daphne

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

A Great Woman was Born Today.

Today is my Mom's Birthday.

Sondra is more than a Mom. She is my live-in babysitter. She is my Laundry Czar. She is the homework Nazi. She invented 20 Questions with consistent effort. She can bring back to life any plant I accidentally try to kill. She's the best cook I know. She has the biggest heart. And she bought me my first camera. She sent me a letter with $5.00 in it every week while I was away at college - which turned out to be my Friday night cover-charge more often than not (Shhhh!). She still remembers more than she forgets and even though I have to repeat myself more than I like...I wouldn't trade one single day.

I love you Mom.

So what did Mom get for her 64th Birthday? Well, I did bake that fantastic German Chocolate cake. And since she's read 2 books since Christmas, we got her 3 more to work on...Happy Birthday Mom! You are the greatest Mom. Ever.

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