A Very Seattle Christmas

Behold! My Seattle photos. I'm sharing these sans commentary so if you have questions about any particular shots, please do give me a holler. :)

I want to thank everyone so insanely much for the super sweet and supportive comments this last month or so. I know I don't respond individually, but I read each and every one and give you a little (and sometimes not to little) virtual hug. Much love to you all. Your support means a lot. For realsies.

Enjoy!

Raw Photos People WINNER!

Wellllll, after mucho mucho deliberation, Sun and I have selected a winner. It wasn't easy. And we loved each photo for very, very different reasons. It was a tough decision, but somebody had to make it. It is a contest after all.

But before we announce the winner...the runner up!

By psychmamma
 
This photo is so unbelievably excellent. I honestly want it printed in a huge size and hung on my wall. I lurve it HARD. It's so unique and creative, well framed too. Plus I love how it fits the theme while breaking the mold. Well done, psychmamma!

 And now. Without further ado. Well, maybe just a little ado. We all love a smidge of ado, admit it.

I am so excited to announce.....


The winner is....

By nonspleen
This is so well captured. Not only is this such a hard shot to get (think of the patience!), but it's well composed, so sharp and clean. Plus look at the backrgound! So awesome.

Congratulations, nonspleen! You're a Raw Photos maven!

 

Email awesomecrazylady at gmail dot com to collect your badge.

~~~~~~~~~~

Don't put away your cameras just yet!

The next contest opens in September. 

Theme:Light

Get creative. 

Maybe it's light painting or fireworks or a carnival. Maybe it's the sunset or sunrise.
Maybe it's the way the sun lights up your living room or a certain light at dusk.
Maybe it's artificial light.
Use your imagination and keep it raw!

Good luck!

Raw Photos People Finalists

Holy hell was this round difficult!

Not only did you all bring such amazing shots, but this was a true testament to why we have two judges. Sun had her faves and I had mine and they didn't necessarily match up all the time. Art is SO subjective! Don't you love it?

So we deliberated and deliberated and settled on these four finalists. Remember that we mostly paid attention to the quality of the shot and how it fits the theme, but we also liked other things like creativity, etc.

In no particular order, here are the finalists:

By braceball5

I just love the perspective and how crisp the foreground is with the main subject slightly blurred.

By nonspleen

Oh man what a capture! So sharp. And look at the action in the background!

By jensch1288

So well done. Love the light, the vibrant colors, the perspective, and the rule of thirds.

By psychmamma

SO COOL! It's like modern art. So trippy. So creative.

Good luck to all the wonderful finalists! Winner announced tomorrow!

Which one is your fave?

Raw Photos Contest: People

The Raw Photos Contest is opening Sunday! What? Oh yes. I know you all have been shivering in anticipation.

Theme: PEOPLE

Be your most creative. This could be portraits, street photography, silhouettes, etc. Remember this is how YOU interpret the theme! We want to see you shoot some people (hehehe).

A review of the rules:


1. You have to have taken the photo [duh, don't be a jerk and enter someone else's photo. NOT COOL.]
2. The photo has to be a raw photo. What does that mean? That means NO PHOTOSHOPPING. You can screw around all you want with exposure and white balance on your camera, and we'll even let you crop the photo, but that's it. No changing hues. No intensifying colors. No adding aliens or unicorns. RAW PHOTOS, baby. That's what we're looking for. (Both digital and digital scans of film are okay)
3. You have one week to enter a photo. You can enter up to two [2] photos per contest.

Once all the photos have been entered, we'll take a few days to look them over. When we decide who the winner is, that winner's photo will be posted on our blogs Crazy with a side of Awesome Sauce or The Suniverse, our Twitter feeds @andygirl or @TheSuniverse, and on Flickr. Plus, the winner gets an AWESOME BADGE to post on their blog, showing the world that they have mad photography skills.

And if you have any questions, just ask:
awesomecrazylady@gmail.com
thesueniverse@gmail.com

Submit here.

Now go shoot some people!

GOOD LUCK!

Raw Photos: Springtime WINNER!

We hemmed. We hawed. We deliberated. In the end, there were a few standout shots that made us go
 WOW!

And we chose our winner.

But first! The runners up. These shots were incredible and you really brought your game. You truly made us work. I'd proudly hang either of these photos on my wall.

By daredevil229

A photo like this is really about having a great eye and knowing how to capture it.
So well done!

By nonspleen

The composition is just perfect. Crips butterfly and soft, leafy bokeh. Yum! 

Awesome job!

But there can only be one winner. This photo really wowed us and the photographer should be truly proud.

So without further ado...

Drum roll please....

......

The winner of the Raw Photos: Springtime Contest is....

By Shnerfle

It's exquisite. The light is ethereal and the composition just lovely. 

The dof is perfect and the bokeh yummy. Plus I just love that little bee.

Congratulations, Shnerfle! You're a Raw Photo Maven!

 

Contact awesomecrazylady at gmail dot com to collect your badge.

~~~~~~~~~~

Don't put away your cameras just yet!

The next contest opens in late June. 

Theme: People

Get creative. 

Maybe it's your family or people on the street or shadows of people or even toys. 

You decide and bring your best work!

Good luck!

Raw Photos: Springtime Finalists

Once again, y'all really brought it. Spring was busting out all over the place and I, for one, didn't hate it.

Sun and I really loved all your shots and hard the hardest of hard times picking finalists. 

BUT, at the end of the day, these five photos wowed us with their beauty and technique. In no particular order, here are the finalists:

By Shnerfle

Exquisite. The soft bokeh is ethereal and the little bee is so sharp.

By nonspleen

That butterfly is perfection. And the focus is gorgeous.

By measagoddess

Oh man. The focus is awesome. the flowers in the foreground just POP!

By Dawn Williams-Summitt

I love love love all the green bokeh. So lovely.

By daredevil229

 

Those clouds! So lovely and unqiue. And the light is utterly perfect.

We are gonna have SUCH a hard time picking a winner! Stay tuned for the runners up and winner!

Raw Photos Contest: Springtime

PST!

Guess what?

The Raw Photos Contest opens tomorrow! Monday! I KNOW! It's exciting.

The theme for this contest is SPRINGTIME.

So get creative and submit whatever that means to you and where you live. But make sure to submit your best work because the competition can get fierce up in here. HOWEVER, don't be intimidated. We're all our own worst critics, and you never know what the judges (that's us!) are going to love. So have fun and get those photos submitted!

Here's a review of the rules:

1. You have to have taken the photo [duh, don't be a jerk and enter someone else's photo. NOT COOL.]
2. The photo has to be a raw photo. What does that mean? That means NO PHOTOSHOPPING. You can screw around all you want with exposure and white balance on your camera, and we'll even let you crop the photo, but that's it. No changing hues. No intensifying colors. No adding aliens or unicorns. RAW PHOTOS, baby. That's what we're looking for. (Both digital and digital scans of film are okay)
3. You have one week to enter a photo. You can enter up to two [2] photos per contest.

Once all the photos have been entered, we'll take a few days to look them over. When we decide who the winner is, that winner's photo will be posted on our blogs Crazy with a side of Awesome Sauce or The Suniverse, our Twitter feeds @andygirl or @TheSuniverse, and on Flickr. Plus, the winner gets an AWESOME BADGE to post on their blog, showing the world that they have mad photography skills.

Submit here. 

Good luck!

Raw Photos: Laugh Winner!

Well it was a tough decision. It really was. All of your photos made us laugh and giggle and chortle and snort.

Let's picture that for a second. Hee!

I love that with each contest, you help us prove that great photos don't need to be PhotoShopped. They can be raw, straight out of the camera. And more than that, it's better that way. Way to go, all of you!

But there can only be one winner.

But FIRST! The runners up:

By LateEnough

By nonspleen

And now. The moment you've been waiting for. The winner of this month's Raw Photos Contest.

The winner is.....

Drum roll please.....

                                 ........

                                            ........

By She Suggests

At the end of the day, the winner was a clear pick for us. This photo fits everything we asked for. It's excellent quality. The light and composition are fantastic. And it makes us laugh and laugh and then laugh some more. That face is utterly irresistible and THAT HAIR! My goodness this photo is fantastic!

Great job, SheSuggests! You are a Raw Photo Maven!

Email awesomecrazylady at gmail dot come to collect your badge.

~~~~~~~~~~

Now don't pack up your cameras just yet. We have a new contest coming up in May. This one should be easy peasy but leave lots of room for creativity:

Theme: Springtime

So maybe spring is still cold and grey where you live. Or maybe spring means you start planting bulbs in the cold ground or shave your dogs or clean out your house or start buying short sleeves and flip flops or plucking flowers for yourself. Whatever spring is for you, photograph it! Get creative. You've got over a month to shoot. But remember! Raw photos only.

Good luck! See you in May!

Raw Photos: Laugh Finalists!

Well you guys really brought your best game. Yes you did! Every photo made us laugh heartily. Well done!

Remember, we judged your photos based on adherence to the theme and photo quality. And here are the finalists:

By Late Enough
This bear makes me happy in my heart. Why does a bear need a snuggie? WHY?

By nonspleen

Oh my. This is such a wonderful action shot and I really want to know the back story. So funny!

By amydpp

Oh creepy squirrel, how I love you. I can't look at this without laughing.

By shesuggests

How can you not love this shot? Her hair! The look on her face! Perfect.

by lovelyleyphotography

I am giggling with childlike glee. So much happiness in this shot.

Winner announced soon! 

Raw Photos Contest: What Makes You Laugh

 

The beloved Raw Photos Contest is here again! Can you believe it?

Theme: What Makes You Laugh

This is completely open to interpretation, 

but remember that the judges will also be looking at photo quality. 

Bring your best work and make sure it's something that truly makes you laugh.

Once again, THE RULES (dun dun duuuuuuuuuuuuun):

1. You have to have taken the photo [duh, don't be a jerk and enter someone else's photo. NOT COOL.]
2. The photo has to be a raw photo. What does that mean? That means NO PHOTOSHOPPING. You can screw around all you want with exposure and white balance on your camera, and we'll even let you crop the photo, but that's it. No changing hues. No intensifying colors. No adding aliens or unicorns. RAW PHOTOS, baby. That's what we're looking for. (Both digital and digital scans of film are okay)
3. You have one week to enter a photo. You can enter up to two [2] photos per contest.

Submission are now open! Submit here.

You have one week. Then we'll announce finalists and a winner. 

Raw Photos: We have a winner! (Reader's Choice)

You guys voted and we tallied the votes. But I must say, while I could definitely have voted for more than a few of these shots, you all did good. You chose well, as they say.

And we have a winner!

First, our runner up, who lost by only one point:

by psychmamma

Now the photo you've all been waiting for, a feat of photography sans photoshop, the winner of the Your Best Raw Photos Contest.....

Wait for it....

 .........

The winner is:

by spenc_parker_2009

Congratulations, Spencer Parker! You are a Raw Photo Maven!

 

Contact awesomecrazylady at gmail dot com to collect your badge!

~~~~~~~~~~

Don't put your cameras away yet because the next contest begins in early March!

Theme: What Makes You Laugh

Watch for details!

Raw Photos: Your Best Finalists! (Reader's Choice)

Well, this month was a bit of a breeze for me and Sun. And let me tell you, I was glad it wasn't up to me because there were so many amazing shots to choose from! You guys had your work cut out for you.

BUT, we had some clear leaders. Without further ado, I give you your finalists (in no particular order):

by spenc_parker_2009

Wow. This is spectacular. Love the negative space and framing. 

by psychmamma

Man oh man. Love the awesome depth of field and the crystally detail. 

by Bitchin' Amy

So much going on here! Love the bright sunset, the dynamic sky, the lightning, and the negative space!

by steffsux

I want to kill the printer. The perspective of this is gorgeous and haunting. Plus? I love Holgas.

by Hssheldon
So vibrant! Love the dynamic clouds and the palm tree silhouettes. Reminds me of home.

Check back tomorrow to find out the winner!

Raw Photos: Let the Voting BEGIN!

Submissions are now closed for this month. If you didn't get your photo in, don't cry, you can still participate!

Because it's reader's choice!! AWWWYEAH! It's all up to you guys! You're gonna vote on your faves and choose the winner. (There will likely be different categories, but don't you worry about that. You just send us your votes.)

Easy peasy instructions:

• Find the pool of photos here. 
• Pick your top three faves in the ENTIRE pool (please try to pick at least one from the last week).
• In the comments on THIS POST or on The Suniverse, list your top three picks (doesn't need to be in any order). We don't care if you vote on your own photo or not.
• Your picks must include the title of the photo and the photographer. (If it's not titled, you can describe it.)
• You have one week to vote. 

Woot! Have fun!

*Voting is now closed. Winner announced soon!

on raw photography

I'm traveling today! Go read my post over at Studio 30 + on raw photography. It's pretty heated and temperamental. But when am I ever not heated and temperamental?

What are you still doing here? GO!

Raw Photos Contest: Your Best

The Raw Photos Contest is here again! Are you excited? I know you aaaaare!

This month's theme: Your Best!

 Give us your best shots. Whatever you are the most proud of.

Now this next part is important: Photographers, PLEASE title your submissions. When voting begins, that will make this process SO much easier! At the end of the week, we'll explain how voting will work.

A review of the rules:

1. You have to have taken the photo [duh, don't be a jerk and enter someone else's photo. NOT COOL.]
2. The photo has to be a raw photo. What does that mean? That means NO PHOTOSHOPPING. You can screw around all you want with exposure and white balance on your camera, and we'll even let you crop the photo, but that's it. No changing hues. No intensifying colors. No adding aliens or unicorns. RAW PHOTOS, baby. That's what we're looking for. (Both digital and digital scans of film are okay)
3. You have one week to enter a photo. You can enter up to two [2] photos per contest.

Submit here.

Questions? Email the Suniverse (thesueniverse at gmail dot com) or Andygirl (awesomecrazylady at gmail dot com)

GOOD LUCK!

Raw Photos Contest: LOVE Winner!

This has maybe been the toughest contest yet. You people really brought the love.

Sun and I debated and deliberated. It was very hard. I wanted to everyone to win, but well, that's not the point of a contest now is it? But you guys should all be proud of your shots. They were lovely. Ultimately, the runners up and winner not only had excellently composed shots, but they tugged at our heart strings too.

Soooo after much deliberation, we have come to a decision.

Drum roll please......

The runners up are:

By Don Davidson Photo

and

By Yankee T

Now without further ado....

We are proud to announce the winner of the Raw Photos Contest, LOVE:


By SweetSalz21

Congratulations! You're a Raw Photo Maven!




Great job! Your shot is excellent!

Email awesomecrazylady dot com to collect your badge.

~~~~~~~~~~

Now, get your cameras ready. Pull out your best shots. Because after the holidays, it. is. ON!

The next theme is:  
Your Best

That's right. We want your best shots.
Whatever you do best. Whatever you're most proud of. Bring it!

But that's not all!

We're not judging. Oh no! Nope. You are.
Yup. It's reader's choice.  That's right. You guys will decide who wins.

We'll explain how you'll vote next month.

Raw Photos Contest: LOVE Finalists

Here it is! The post you've been waiting for! The Raw Photos Contest Finalists!!

Now, we usually pick our faves and the finalists are the picks we both chose. We did that again, but are introducing one new feature: judges picks! One photo each of us loves to be included as finalists. Make sense?

On to the finalists!!

Finalists:

By PiecesofmeJen

Oh my. The light here is yummy as is the cookie. Love that someone went with a heart.
Love that the sprinkles sparkle, begging me to eat it. Love the level of detail.

By Yankee T

How can you not just completely love this? Not only is this photo excellently shot, it's super sweet!
I assume it's mother and daughter and love their faces smooshed together.

By SweetSalz21

This is scrumptious. Can't you feel their love radiating out of the photo? So well done!
It's like the end of a chick flick and I just want them to kiss. And I want to know the story here.

By Shnerfle

Excuse me while I AWWWW! Father-son love gets me every time and these two make my heart melt.
Plus don't you just love the golden light warming the photo? So sweet.

Judges picks:

The Suniverse's pick:

By Keeping_1t_Real

Love the old-fashioned feel to this. I want to know who these people are.

Andygirl's pick:

By Don Davidson Photo

GAH! I want to be them one day. 'Nough Said.


 Winner announced Friday!!

Las Vegas, Raw Photos, a Birdman, and more!

Today I leave for Las Vegas, baby! But don't picture me getting trashed or gambling. I'm going to see my lovely friend. Still fun, yo! I'm super, duper excited beyond excited!

So I'm taking a mini-blogcation. Won't be posting Friday or Monday (unless I find time or want to post a photo I took on the trip) but I've got an awesome Sexy Saturdays post ready to post and make sure to stop by Song Sunday! It's a good one, je promet.

ALSO! Raw Photos closes Saturday so make sure to get your submissions in!! See the rules and submit photos here. I expect you all to participate (and comment on the submissions)!!!!

Aaaaaand many of you have been asking how you can own my photos. Hang them on your walls. WELL, many of my photos are available on redbubble. You can get different kinds of prints from postcards to matted. I've uploaded many there but if you've seen something of mine that you like and don't see it on redbubble? Just ask me and I'll make it available. Photographs make excellent gifts!!

Don't forget as you start making holiday purchases about my Etsy shop! I've got bunches of new pendants and rings and earrings up! AND maybe even hair clips and hats coming soon!! As always, all proceeds go to fund Jeté's cancer treatment.

Now check this dude out. So. Much. Happiness!

Some Bidness

Firstly of the mostly, I'm guest posting today over at Cat Chat. If you've been a regular reader, you know the story, but please go visit and tell Caren thank you for hosting me and Jeté.

Secondly, but not less importantly, Raw Photos submissions are OPEN!!

Theme: LOVE
This theme is completely open to personal interpretation. Make it personal to you and submit your best shots. 

Rules:

1. You have to have taken the photo [duh, don't be a jerk and enter someone else's photo. NOT COOL.]
2. The photo has to be a raw photo. What does that mean? That means NO PHOTOSHOPPING. You can screw around all you want with exposure and white balance on your camera, and we'll even let you crop the photo, but that's it. No changing hues. No intensifying colors. No adding aliens or unicorns. RAW PHOTOS, baby. That's what we're looking for. (Both digital and digital scans of film are okay)
3. You have until December 4th to enter a photo. You can enter up to two [2] photos per contest.

Submit here.

Now GO GO GO!