Well, not sure if they’re wooden. Took photos today in San Pedro, CA for my Painting for Photographers book.
Don’t know how many of these will actually get made into paintings in the book, but I’m having fun collecting the possibilities.
Thanks to everyone for pre-ordering my book, Painting for Photographers.
Cover painting and design by Karen Sperling from a photo by Felicia Tausig.
I can’t help using an Olympics metaphor–I feel like I’m writing and illustrating the book for the “team”–all of you who have put your faith in me to create this book by preordering.
If you’re reading this, and you haven’t pre-ordered, please go do it by clicking the above link so that I can get the book printed and so that you can get the book for the pre-publication discount of $25 vs. the retail price of $39.95.
Thanks, also, to everyone who has offered photos to me for use in my book.
I’ve been taking photos for over 30 years, but I don’t sell photos to clients, and therefore don’t consider myself a professional photographer.
And just like it takes time and training to learn how to create art; to learn how to write and design books; and to learn to use and explain Painter and Photoshop; it takes time and training to be a professional photographer. I choose to concentrate on creating art, writing books and using Painter and Photoshop. I love to take photos, but I have to draw the line somewhere, there are only so many hours in a day.
So rather than put the time into studying photography and learning to take better photos, I’ve decided to show some of my own photos in my book and others from professional photographers.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed your beautiful photos so far.
I’m enjoying turning them into paintings, and appreciate your support.
If you’re reading this and haven’t submitted photos for me to consider turning into paintings in my Painting for Photographers book, would you like to?
I’m mainly interested in photos with 1 person, head to toe, and with good areas of contrast with highlights and shadows.
In exchange for the use of your photo, you will see a tutorial in Painting for Photographers about how to turn your specific work into a painting in Painter or in Photoshop.
You will also receive credit in the book and on my web site for the photo.
Photos are accepted based on tutorial considerations, not on the merit of the photo, so if your photo isn’t accepted, please don’t take it as a criticism, it just means it didn’t fit into what I’m showing in the book.
To submit photos for consideration, please email a small file, 5 x 7 at 72 dpi in .jpg format to me at ksperling@aol.com. If you have several photos for me to consider, please send them together in a zip file. If it’s easier for you to send a CD, please make the photos 8″ x 10″ at 300 dpi in .tif format so that I can use them right away and mail the CD to me at the following address. Please be sure to include all of the following information: name, address, email address, web site and telephone number. If you want the CD returned, include an SASE (stamped self-addressed envelope).
Please don’t email large files.
Karen Sperling
PO Box 57516
Sherman Oaks, CA 91413
Thanks! I look forward to seeing what you send!
I took some photos for my Painting for Photographers book tonight at a concert by Rossi Music, a band whose sound blends classic jazz, Latin, Smooth Jazz and R&B, and is led by Grammy-winning saxophonist Rick Rossi.
Rick has been nominated for a Grammy three times, winning in 1998 as a featured soloist on Brian Setzer’s The Dirty Boogie. He is a performer, composer and arranger who plays all of the saxophones, flutes and clarinets. He has composed and arranged music for film and television soundtracks including Monster-In-Law, and The Wedding Crashers as well as for various artists, bands and CD projects.
Thanks, guys–great concert!
I decided to photograph some gardens to turn into paintings in my Painting for Photographers book.
So yesterday and today I visited some local gardens and had a great time taking photos.
The first garden I visited was the Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA.
I was looking for nice scenes with flowers, and got a couple, but I think there are probably more flowers to see there in the spring.
Then today I visited the Butterfly House in Topanga, CA.
The location is available for weddings and is a great backdrop for keepsake photos–or paintings!
I’m looking forward to painting the photos I took!
Photos by Karen Sperling using a Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro digital SLR camera.
