Scott Kelby Is My Hero, A Giveaway, and A Winner

Photo:  Scott Kelby Training

When I started my blog a few months ago I was a photography noob, someone who knew how to remove the lens cap and push the button to take a picture, but little else!  We had purchased a nice Canon Rebel XTI SLR camera a few years ago when I went to visit our daughter in Europe, and I even thought I took pretty good pictures until I started visiting some blogs and realized I didn't know my head from a hole in the ground when it came to taking great pictures.

Then in true "Kat" fashion I began messing around with Photoshop Elements, also not really knowing what I was doing and refusing to read any instructions or manuals, but I wanted to grow and learn.  Thankfully, I married a man who reads ALL of the instructions, even when I make fun of him, and he slowly began telling me how I could use different settings and actually using some of the millions of buttons on the camera to get even better photos.

This resulted in some better photos, and some that were worse, yup... again, with the not reading instructions thing!  Apparently the camera's white balance got set to something wacky and so some of my photos ended up looking like I was Picasso and going through my very own "blue" period!   Remember the shots from my seaside tablescape?  See the picture below...yikes!

 Taken before Scott Kelby came in to my life!

Taken using full zoom with 17 - 70 macro lens

So, after realizing that I wasn't going to become a better photographer by simply looking at other people's work, and also realizing that I couldn't keep calling Mr. Tide and saying things like "hey look at this picture on this blog, how did they get the pale pinks to pop out like that?!"  To which he would calmly try and walk me through it over the phone and I would end up saying oh forget it, and go right back to the automatic settings!

Taken using 17 - 70 Sigma lens

Finally, after a few months of asking other people whose photographic skills I admired and envied about what resources they used, I kept hearing one name over and over again.  They all said "Get Scott Kelby's digital photography book!"

So who was this Scott Kelby guy anyway, and why were his books any better than the rest of the plethora of books available on the market about how to take better pictures?!  Couldn't I just go online and find this info, did I really need a book?!  After my "cheap" side was done talking, my "need to take better pictures" side piped up and said order the dang book!  And I did!

Ok, I know that I'm a writer and all, but let's just say that I'm not much of a reader.  If a house in a magazine really strikes my fancy I might read the whole article, but I'm more of a captions kind of gal!  Shhh, don't tell anyone though!  So I wondered if I would even read this book once it arrived.

Taken using 17 - 70 Sigma lens

But when Scott Kelby's book, simply titled The Digital Photography Book, Volume 1, came in the mail, it was like an alien entered my body and I couldn't put the thing down!  I was reading it constantly, and if I could have figured out a way to read and drive, trust me I would have, it was that good!

Not only is Scott hilarious, but he presents the information in his book so that anyone can understand it.  He has taken all the technical jargon and put it into a format where even I could understand it!  And I spent the first few days after I got the book in the mail running around and trying everything he suggested and reciting passages to Mr. Tide like I had just joined some sort of photography cult where Scott Kelby was the guru!

Taken using full zoom with 17 -70  macro lens 

It turns out that Scott Kelby is to digital photography what Paula Deen is to cooking!  He doesn't fancy up his book with a bunch of terms that boggle the mind, and instead serves up good common sense advice that helps you create amazing photographs!  Even if you don't have a fancy schmancy $5,000 camera (which I don't!) with every piece of available equipment (and who does, besides the pros?!) you can benefit from his practical advice and be taking better pictures within hours of receiving his book.

Taken using full zoom with Canon image stabilized 70 -300 lens

Now you might think that Scott is secretly paying me to say such nice things about him, but I swear he isn't.  It's just that I have been so completely impressed by how his advice has helped me in such a short time, that I know it will help you too if you're interested in taking better pictures.

So I have a little something for you my bloggy friends!  Scott Kelby has given me a signed copy of his book, The Digital Photography Book, Volume 1, to give away to one lucky winner!!!  He has other volumes, but this one will help get you started and make you want to become a member of the Scott Kelby fan club...I'm the new president! ;-)

 Taken using full zoom 17 - 70 macro lens

I have a long way to go and lots to learn about taking photos, but all of the photos above (except the yucky "blue" one) are examples of how Scott's book has helped me to take better photos.  And the most amazing part is that I've only had his book for a little over 2 weeks!  Do I sound like the Sham Wow guy yet?!  You see, Scott Kelby is my new hero and he will be yours too if you get his book!

 Taken using full zoom 17 - 70 macro lens

So in order to be entered to win the autographed copy of Scott Kelby's amazing and informative book all you need to do is.

1.  Leave a comment telling me what you want to improve about your own photos.

2.  For a second chance to win Tweet, Facebook, or post about the giveaway on your blog and be sure to come back and let me know by leaving a second comment.

I would like to give a special thanks to Scott Kelby and Kathy, his assistant, for providing me with a signed copy of his wonderful book!

The contest will be open until Monday, April 19th at Midnight PST!   



And I also want to announce the winner of last week's giveaway, the beautiful earrings from Scarborough Seashells!

The winner is Linda from Itsy Bits and Pieces!  Congrats Linda!  Please email me your address!