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The Design Inspirationalist

~ Inspiring Ideas | Spectacular Creations

The Design Inspirationalist

Tag Archives: photos

Make a Statement Minted Challenge

09 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by melissaoconnor in Minted

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Tags

art, art prints, high above the clouds, minted challenge, photography, photos, province house, waiting for a ride, Waves of Summer

I haven’t been entering a lot of Minted challenges lately, mostly because I have been too busy, but I did get a few submissions into the latest art challenge. Below you can see all my photos and voting is now open! You can share your rating till January 24th. Click on each to visit the voting page. Thank you!

Scrapbooking 101

26 Thursday Apr 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design

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Tags

art, books, crafts, designs, layout, paper, photobooks, photos, scrapbooking, space

Maintaining, organizing and keeping memories close to your heart is an everyday task. There are plenty of ways to protect and preserve the things that really matter in your life and scrapbooking is one of them. Not only is it a great way to tell your personal story but it is a unique way to tell someone else you care. A handmade or printed scrapbook makes an excellent gift.

There are a few elements to this craft one must know in order to successfully create a collection of keepsakes. Once you are aware of them, the process is much easier. Think of these tips as a guide to inspire, motivate and help carry you down the yellow brick road of scrapbooking.

Imagine
First, you must know why you are creating it. What is this book going to say? What is it about and who does it reflect? Knowing the meaning of the book is the best way to create something honest, personal and meaningful. This will definitely reflect through your work.

Scrapbooking 101
{Create interesting pages by combining the use of text, color and imagery}

Scrapbooking 101
{Allow the pages to also have enough negative space}

The Main Attraction
Now think of what type of book you want to use. If you are going the handmade route, you have lots of options to choose from from. Deciding on the style and size will send you along to the next step smoothly. If getting the book professionally printed is your preferred method than research companies and pick the one that fits your price range and offers a great product. Some I recommend are MyPublisher, Inkubook and Blurb.

Scrapbooking 101
{Experiment with different layouts before you decide on the final design}

Scrapbooking 101
{Arrange items so they are readable}

Collect
Gather up all your materials you want to use.  Whether it’s a collection of photographs, various items from a vacation or mixed media, having it all in front of you can allow you to see the bigger picture. This will help you tell the true story and layout the pages much easier.

Scrapbooking 101
{Collect all your materials together and get ready to create something beautiful}

Get Crafty
Now think of any extra materials you want to include. Decorative paper, special borders, stickers – there are tons of creative ways to add that touch of flair to any project. Think out of the box and come up with items that are not so traditional. Whatever you choose, remember to carry a theme throughout the book and reflect the materials used. Having it  all make sense and show a cohesive look will help it become a piece of art.

Scrapbooking 101
{Add some color or texture to the title page for interest but make sure it matches the theme of the book}

Tell the Story
Layout each page in the order you prefer and play around with some ideas. Think of this as sketching out a drawing. It’s good to design a temporary version before you carve it into stone. Doing this will allow you to make changes as you go and not have to redo something that is permanent.

Scrapbooking 101
{Use color to highlight spreads by adding unexpected borders}

Scrapbooking 101
{Don’t forget to include a title page}

Scrapbooking 101
{Combine imagery and text in fun ways}

If you follow these few essential tips you will be on your way to scrapbooking bliss. I also recommend you do some research to see examples of what other people have done. You can do this on the internet or check out some books on the subject. I always say it’s a vital step to any art form.

Gaining inspiration from the stories of others will help you not only distinguish your own but present it in a way you might have never thought of. Happy Scrapbooking!

{For more inspiration check out my previous projects: custom photobooks}

Photography 101: Basic Elements

28 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by melissaoconnor in Art & Design

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

art, composition, definition, meaning, observation, observe, photography, photos, storytelling, tell a story

People have always told me I have an eye for the unseen. Photography has played an important role in my life and I can’t imagine it any other way. The camera has introduced me to another world. One where reality pauses and moments are captured. My vision for beauty has led me in many directions.

I do agree people are born with certain talents, however, skills are learned throughout life. If you love something enough, you can gain certain elements that will help you achieve success. If you don’t have it, you just don’t have it, but you should always try!

Being able to take great photographs is really not that hard. All you need is a unique vision, a camera and a little guidance. Here are some key elements when taking photos. They are simple but very important. If you have confidence and follow these tips, you will be taking brilliant shots in no time.

Observe
The main thing about photography is knowing your environment. Observing what’s around you is a great way to do this. Don’t just look, observe. Take it all in and ask questions. How does it make you feel? What does it make you think about? These answers will guide you to look deeper.

When you can truly see the soul of something, your photo will mirror that to the world. The research that’s done to understand your subject can really make all the difference. Capturing a certain emotion or look can be mesmerizing. Stealing the moment when the breeze sails through the trees just at the right time will forever take you back. This is the magic of photography.

Photography 101: Basic Elements - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor
{A night at Fuerzabruta, filled with energy, excitement and creativity, all captured in this mystical shot of the girls in the water}

Photography 101: Basic Elements - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor
{Practicing before a show, a performer gets into character. The mirror image allows the viewer to see what she sees. A reflection of one’s soul}

Photography 101: Basic Elements - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor
{A calm moment in a goats life. Inviting me in just
for a minute
}

Composition
Seeing the world in sections will help you choose a successful composition. Add frames to your subjects to contain certain elements. Looking through a lens is a great way to train your eye to do this. Soon you will be seeing everything as a snapshot and it will be much easier.

Photography 101: Basic Elements - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor
{The bushes on the left and right frame the photo and guide
the viewer to the main subject, a historic home surrounded by
vibrant greens and a light blue sky}

Photography 101: Basic Elements - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor
{A reflection through a city window makes an interesting composition and leaves some room for imagination}

Photography 101: Basic Elements - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor
{The viewpoint sets the tone here. An old building tucked away, just shown enough to gain interest}

Also, when deciding on a final shot, experiment a little. Play with angles and viewpoints. Try to see the subject in different ways. Variety can’t hurt so take a few shots to see which one is the most interesting.

Photography 101: Basic Elements - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor
{A gleam of calm. The diagonal composition leads the eye from
left to right, guiding the viewer to see the subject’s expression
}

Definition & Meaning
As you study your subject, explain to yourself why it attracts you. Does it make you happy or maybe a little sentimental? Is it visually stunning? Your style and taste come into play here. Some people love vibrant colors and others find pleasure in black and white or more subdued hues. If you enjoy taking portraits, then what is it about people or animals that pulls you in?

Figuring out what the subject means to you is important. What is the message you are trying to share? What emotion are you hoping to evoke? What part of you are letting people see? Define your vision so your work is clear and conveys a sense of life. Just pointing and shooting will result in empty images most of the time. You want others to take something away from it.

Photography 101: Basic Elements - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor
{Raw energy and passion, shown by a musician who
lets it all go on stage}

Photography 101: Basic Elements - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor
{A hot summer’s day in New York City. The light hitting the
building sheds some life on the bricks, giving them a soft look.
Shadows add visual interest and the claylike color scheme gives
the photo a painterly feel}

Photography 101: Basic Elements - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor
{One click and pure happiness is captured. Oh, the life of a dog!}

Tell a Story
Sometimes it’s good to tell a story with your photo so others can imagine how you felt while taking it. It’s also nice to allow some room for viewers to use their imagination. Think of it like your setting the stage for wonderful things to happen. Creating a space where a unique world can exist is what art is all about.

Photography 101: Basic Elements - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor
{A moment of pure bliss on a woman’s wedding day. I
can imagine there is nothing like it
}

Photography 101: Basic Elements - Copyright 2012 Melissa O'Connor
{Young girls snicker with delight while a boy listens.
Happy days!}

Think of these tips the next time you’re at a party, on vacation or even at home with your family. Capture those brief moments and share them with the world. Showing others your perspective on life is a gift and we should all take advantage of it when we can.

Vintage Inspiration

07 Monday Nov 2011

Posted by melissaoconnor in Shop Gray Star Design

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Tags

antique, colors, etsy, flowers, graystardesign, Inspiration, nature, pastels, photographs, photos, teddy bears, vintage

I have just recently put up a ton of new vintage style photographs in my Etsy shop and I feel they are great inspiration for design ideas. Even if the theme has nothing to do with yours, you can use the color palettes and whimsy feel most of them have. I wanted to share a few here that I think are a great foundation for unique decor for your special events and home. Enjoy!

color in films sound in color art inpsired palettes
art and design the home events and parties weddings real weddings color inspiration film-reviews historic places news and updatesminted







minted.com

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