Best Things in Life are Free . . .

I frequently get questions about my photography and how I get such vivid colors and large photos posted on the blog. It really is a passion of mine and is so much fun besides. It does help to have a wonderful camera that I love. But it's not really necessary. You can take such outstanding photos with almost every digital camera these days. And I have learned a lot over the years. The good news is almost all my favorite resources ARE FREE! I am truly amazed at what you can get for FREE these days.

Here are some of my favorite tutorial photography sites and insights. I try to participate in their weekly assignments and really try to understand the principles they are trying to encourage with the assignment.

Digital Photography School should probably be the first stop for anyone who is trying to improve their photography skills. Or even if you aren't, it's a great place to visit, has wonderful tutorials and articles all about taking better photos, how to use all those setting on your digital camera, and how to touch up the photos if necessary after you take the photos. Register for free and they will send you their newsletter which is ACTUALLY a very helpful newsletter. I look forward to it every week and go through all

their articles. DPS also has a really helpful forum where one can ask questions, share photos for critique and participate in fun assignments and see other photographers interpretations, which really spurs the creativity. Here's a great one for beginners, "11 Tips for Beginner Photographers". And many more here also for just about everyone!

The next stop on the photography

circuit is I ♥ Faces. You can't help but have a good time participating in their weekly photo challenge and visiting other participants blogs, leaving encouraging comments and seeing their frequently zany interpretations. The best part is they have a renowned guest photography judge each week who shares their best advice and frequently wonderfully helpful resources. This weeks judge is Lyndzee Ellsworth and you will want to read all about her.

If you're still with me, let's go visit Shutter Sisters, pretty much a "Women Only" club for photography. There is a certain comfort level sharing thoughts and photos with other women, and somehow we relate together in such similar ways. I think that is why I enjoy this sight so much. They have events where everyone can share and participate on their site, such as, One Word Project where everyone submits their visual interpretation of THE ONE WORD. Or perhaps you all would enjoy One Sweet Shot, a celebration of photography images all by women.

Wow! That is like the tip of the iceberg! Tomorrow I'll share another great and FREE discovery that I really have had so much fun with. And I didn't actually get to the point of how to post the large photos - soooooo, come back tomorrow!