Webshots Blog

It’s your choice to go traditional to capture a waterfall or a breaking wave in nature or set up your own controlled scene with a hose or a single drop. There are lots of opportunities to be very creative and don’t forget to be mindful to control your shutter speed (relative to the water flow) to achieve the effect you desire.

Here’s a few more images to inspire you.

http://www.webshots.com/pro/photo/3280551

http://www.webshots.com/pro/photo/3163981

http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/royalty-free/42-21781186/splashing-water?popup=1

http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/royalty-free/42-30893983/studio-shot-of-water-splash-on-white?popup=1

http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/royalty-free/42-28240594/single-steely-grey-droplet-of-water?popup=1

http://www.corbisimages.com/stock-photo/rights-managed/CSM004050/streaming-water?popup=1

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2746280560017353410bPTHVW

OFFICIAL ENTRY RULES
To officially enter the Creative Challenge, you must tag your three submissions with creative-challenge-falling-water.You can then view them and everyone else’s submissions on the DISPLAY PAGE (it updates about every hour). To find out more about this, read the Using Tags on Creative Challenges post.

Submission Guidelines
1. Our editors look for sharp, clear horizontal images that are at a minimum resolution of 800×600 (submissions can have larger resolutions than this). Currently, vertical images cannot fit in the homepage template. Therefore, we cannot publish vertical or narrow panoramic images.

2. Images with added text or images, including watermarks, logos, copyright symbols, graphic borders, frames and time stamps, will not be considered for first place or being featured on the homepage big photo of the day at a later date. Collages, however, are acceptable. Images submitted should be your own.

3. Please do not submit pictures that have already been featured on the homepage.

4. The Creative Challenge runs from 12:01 a.m. on May 16th,  through 12:00 p.m on Tuesday May 29th (all times EST). (Webshots will be closed for Memorial Day)

5. Submit up to 3 pictures per person (regardless of how many member accounts you have) tagged exactly (including hyphens) with: creative-challenge-falling-water. *Note: Images that don’t meet the exact guidelines can be submitted and viewed for everyone to enjoy, but please understand that we cannot publish images that don’t meet minimum guidelines on the homepage.

Next Challenge: Kitchen – Using your favorite everyday objects found in your kitchen (appliances, pans, cookware, utensils…etc). Capture a photo of the object in an artful manner so the subject isn’t obvious what it is to the viewer. Also, you might enjoy the use of vintage items, creative lighting and/or mirrors. Be mindful of the background and depth of field. Also, for this challenge, please limit the items to inedible objects – no food please. (we’ll have a separate food challenge in the future)

Our Webshots members are outspoken and passionate, and we’d like to give you an opportunity to give us more feedback! Please take a few minutes to let us know a little bit more about you and your opinions of our site (what you love, what you hate, what you would change about Webshots if you could). Click here to start the survey.

Comments will be turned off for this post as we want your feedback captured within the survey.

Thank you, as always, for your support and passion!

Please vote for your favorite photo (no more than one vote per image, per IP address) through 9:00 am (EST) May 21st, 2012. The winning photo will be featured on the Webshots homepage as a future POTD in May. (Note: if you don’t see the vote button under each photo, please try FireFox as a browser) After voting, you may need to refresh your browser.

(Read on …)

For this challenge, we asked our members to visit their local zoo (or local game farm) to capture images of creatures great and small. It can be very challenging to photograph in zoos because of lighting conditions, barriers or the behavior of the animals themselves, but our members submitted some fantastic entries.

To view all of the submitted entries, please visit the DISPLAY PAGE .

Congratulations to all those who made the winners list! Don’t forget to cast your vote for the People’s Choice P.O.T.D. Voting will end on Monday the 21st at 9:00 a.m. (EST)

#1. “Flamingo” by member lehen1 – Our judges really admired this graphic perspective of the flamingo – it looks almost 3-D. Well done and congratulations!  Your photo will be featured on the Webshots homepage tomorrow!

(Read on …)

Photo walks, a popular activity among photo-sharing communities, let us all be a part of something no matter where we are in the world. By taking a walk this weekend and sharing the pictures with us, you’re contributing to a global mural of life.

So put on your walking shoes, grab your camera and go for a walk. You’ll be surprised at the photographic opportunities that present themselves. We’d love to see all of your photos as you can submit as many as you like!

Please tag your photos with Weekend Photo Walk 233 and then post your links in the comment section. Your entries won’t be judged—this is just for the fun of it!

As we mentioned in our first Mother’s Day post, over 85% of American’s state that mom would prefer a personalized gift for Mother’s Day this year. Here are some tips on how to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind (free) Picture Show video that is personal and will show her how much you care.

Mother’s Day Picture Show Video

1. Select the theme for your video

There are a lot of video styles to choose from. Each Picture Show style provides a design template and image transitions that set the perfect mood for your video. In this case, we recommend Through the Blossoms, Land of the Rising Hearts, or Coming Up Roses. They’re sweet, feminine, and perfect for Mother’s Day!

2. Pick your pictures, videos, and music

Make sure to include meaningful shots of you and your mom together. Use images that include the memories that are special to you both, such as day trips, lunch dates or family get-togethers. Then, add a song that reminds you of one of these memories (or, our favorite, the song she used to sing to you when you were a kid!).

3. Add words to narrate your story

This is where everything comes together. Once you’ve determined what storyline you’re going with (here are some ideas), pull your video together with a thoughtful narrative. Words are such a special way to reach someone’s heart and adding them to the video does just that.

Mother’s Day might be just around the corner, but you still have time to create a personal gift that she will appreciate forever. Make a free Picture Show video.

Congratulations to member bfryxell who won the People’s Choice POTD for Wish You Were Here!

It’s true. An overwhelming 85 percent of Americans report that Mom would prefer a personalized gift made by a loved one over an expensive gift for Mother’s Day, according to a new survey our Picture Show partner, Animoto conducted with Wakefield Research.

In fact, more than half (53%) of those aged 18-34 have felt guilty that their Mother’s Day gift wasn’t more personal, according to the survey. We want to help you give her something personal. Here are five ideas to help you get started (and you can make a Picture Show free!).

1. Mom and Me

This video is about nothing else than you and your mom. Include photos and video clips of the two of you together – laughing, hugging, and making silly faces. Create a video of the special moments of you two together. Forever.

2. Super Mom

Being a mom is hard work! From waking up early to cook breakfast, to getting everyone everywhere on time, to helping with homework at the end of the day – it’s a busy life! Create a video that shows your mom how much you appreciate everything she does for you by acknowledging all the things she does that make a difference in your family.

3. My Inspiration

This one’s a real tearjerker. Grab some images of your mom’s proudest moments…like pulling off a big event, going back to college, or getting through a rough part of her life. Then create a video with those images, your words and music to remind your mom how strong she is and how much you look up to her.

4. My Cheerleader

Think back to all the times Mom supported you. It could be your high school basketball game, or your entire high school career! But wherever it was, now’s the time to thank her for always being by your side. (If wouldn’t hurt to let her know that you’ll do the same!) Our ABC Video Style works well for making a list of the things that count.

5. The Many Faces of Mom

This is a fun one. See if you can find some pictures of your mom through the years (and videos if you can!). Bonus points if you can find her bad hairstyles, dated clothing, and fabulous dance moves. Then, throw in your most recent images (family vacations, holidays, more funny faces…) to tie everything together. This video will be a favorite for years to come (and you can always easily update it with new life events).

Which is your favorite storyline? Create a video now.
Need more ideas? Visit the Animoto boards on Pinterest.

Photo walks, a popular activity among photo-sharing communities, let us all be a part of something no matter where we are in the world. By taking a walk this weekend and sharing the pictures with us, you’re contributing to a global mural of life.

So put on your walking shoes, grab your camera and go for a walk. You’ll be surprised at the photographic opportunities that present themselves. We’d love to see all of your photos as you can submit as many as you like!

Please tag your photos with Weekend Photo Walk 232 and then post your links in the comment section. Your entries won’t be judged—this is just for the fun of it!

For this challenge, go out to visit your local zoo (or local game farm) in order to capture images of magnificent creatures (great & small). This should be an interesting challenge since it might be more difficult than some of the past topics (but we think you’re ready for it!). You’ll have to be mindful of the framing and depth of field in order to avoid fences and barriers in the foreground or background of your shots, while still capturing the spirit of the animal. For some helpful tips on shooting wildlife, check out this article from professional wildlife photographer Christian Sperka:

Nine Basic Rules of Wildlife Photography

OFFICIAL ENTRY RULES
To officially enter the Creative Challenge, you must tag your three submissions with creative-challenge-zoo.You can then view them and everyone else’s submissions on the DISPLAY PAGE (it updates about every hour). To find out more about this, read the Using Tags on Creative Challenges post.

Submission Guidelines
1. Our editors look for sharp, clear horizontal images that are at a minimum resolution of 800×600 (submissions can have larger resolutions than this). Currently, vertical images cannot fit in the homepage template. Therefore, we cannot publish vertical or narrow panoramic images.

2. Images with added text or images, including watermarks, logos, copyright symbols, graphic borders, frames and time stamps, will not be considered for first place or being featured on the homepage big photo of the day at a later date. Collages, however, are acceptable. Images submitted should be your own.

3. Please do not submit pictures that have already been featured on the homepage.

4. The Creative Challenge runs from 12:01 a.m. on May 2nd,  through 12:00 p.m on May 14th (all times EST).

5. Submit up to 3 pictures per person (regardless of how many member accounts you have) tagged exactly (including hyphens) with: creative-challenge-zoo. *Note: Images that don’t meet the exact guidelines can be submitted and viewed for everyone to enjoy, but please understand that we cannot publish images that don’t meet minimum guidelines on the homepage.

Next Challenge: Falling Water - It’s your choice to capture a waterfall in nature or set up your own controlled scene with a hose or a single drop. Get creative and don’t forget to be mindful to control your shutter speed (relative to the water flow) to achieve the effect you desire.