Picturetelling!

P + S: Is it Dishonest?

I read the story of the New York Nets game program with interest.  In case you don't follow pro basketball or celebrity travel to Russia, apparently the picture of the team was altered to erase players no longer with the team, and to include new guard Sasha Vujacic--by pasting his head on the body of former Net, Terrence Williams.

What do you think about that? 

It brought to my mind the current commercial where the mom of kids roughhousing during a family photo decides to paste smiling faces on each child before distributing the picture to friends and family.  That fabrication bothers me, even if it is just to advertise the availability of such a photo-fixing capability.  Yet I didn't mind the old commercial that showed how easy it was to transform a girl's head shot into an angel; that was sweet, and most important, not an attempt to deceive.

Of course there's been much written about altered beauty magazine covers; another practice I disdain.  Jamie Lee Curtis is my hero for exposing the reality behind the glamorous photo spreads, in More magazine.

But back to the basketball program.  What do you think about the photo?  Was it dishonest, or just practical, from a p.r. standpoint?  And would you alter family pictures to "perfect" the image of your family?

From my point of view, In the TV commercial about The Cloud, the original family picture has a story to go with it.  The description of sibling inattention, boredom, and rivalry is the more interesting and candid impression to share with others IF it's accompanied by a clever caption that doesn't embarrass.  I feel the same about the basketball program.  The original picture has a history.  The new alteration is just fake, so it's an empty depiction of a team that may as well be lifeless paper dolls.

As you know, I think P + S is best!  ~Donna

 

 P + S is best! ~Donna

 

Oregonian Photo Contest--Love

The Oregonian Newspaper has regular photo contests for amateurs--I can't believe I've never shared this before.

Here's today's article showcasing the winners of the LOVE theme. http://www.oregonlive.com/photo-contest/index.ssf/2010/03/love_photo_contest_readers_edi.html This link also outlines past and present contests, and features themed photo galleries. Check it out, and get involved!

Let me know about other photo contests and I'll post them here.

You'll notice the winning photos are also paired with short stories--

P + S is best! ~Donna

P + S: Yahoo! Fashion Report Card rates red-carpet celebs, and you can, too!

Yahoo's team of fashion graders adds "s" (story) to "p" (pictures) by critiquing red carpet style at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.  Go to  

http://movies.yahoo.com/photos/red-carpet/gallery/2354/fashion-report-card-2010-sag-awards#photo0

You can add your comments to each picture--The fashion graders are not always right! 

P + S is best!

~Donna

P + S: Taking Action for Peace, MLK Day

THE SETUP

Huge doves in the park, wings flapping!  A beautiful, crisp day in Forest Grove, Oregon, and my husband and I returned home from our morning exercise to see these huge doves in the neighborhood park!  We thought they probably had something to do with the MLK holiday.

THE PICTURES

There was a nice crowd in the park, made up of all ages.  I actually took my pictures so that the people were featured,too, but I cropped this one so I could focus the eye on the doves.  In a photo for the organization's newletter, or for parent pride, you would probably want the people involved to be more prominent, as in the photo below.     

THE STORY

When I asked one of the adults about the assembly, I learned that they were participating in a Peace March that would end at Pacific University, where a program was being held in remembrance of Martin Luther King.  

The crowd was enthusiastic, but small, so these adults and children need to be commended for taking a stand for peace, and making a visible presence in the heart of our little town.  They easily could have taken their day off from work and school to play and relax, but they chose to take action to promote peace, on this holiday that's set to remind us of Dr. Martin Luther King's principles of peaceful activism and due respect and opportunity for all people.

I ran into a mom whose daughter was manipulating one of the poles, and when she asked me if I was marching, I declined.  But when I got home, I realized, sadly, that I had been offered an opportunity to take some overt action for an important value, and I squandered it.  Shame on me, for my apathy. 

A NICE REMEMBRANCE/ REMINDER OF VALUES

Participation in this kind of event is something to be proud of.  A poster is an inexpensive way to commemorate the moment, or a postcard mailed to the grandparents lets the grandkids boast about being social activists for a positive cause.  Click here to look at a postcard of this event that even a child can make!  They actually have fun rounding photo corners, adding colored borders, and finding embellishments.  This project is a 2-sided postcard and the company will address the envelope and mail the postcard for you!  You can e-mail me to learn how to make one yourself.

Were you part of a Peace March today, or ever?  Click on the comment box, below, to share your experience!  I'll give a 2-sided postcard to the first 5 commenters.  That could be you!

P + S is best!  ~Donna

P + S: New Year's Resolutions + Picture(s)

THE SET UP

I asked my facebook friends if they made resolutions for this year and got 2 responses--"Absolutely NOT!" and "uh, no!"  That surprised me, even though at my age, I was feeling the same way--my efforts at change rarely last more than a month.  Unexpectedly and serendipitously, I decided to take a new approach to my goals for 2010, and this is what it looked like.

THE PICTURE

 

Not a flattering picture, and I would probably discard it, except what I'm doing turned out to be important.  What's the pictale?

 

 

 

 

 

THE STORY

My Bible passage January 1st was Psalm 84, and it was very pointed in its implications for me.  So loud and clear, in fact that I realized my goals for improvement in 2010 were laid out right there: 

1.  Obey God more.  vs 1-2: "...my heart and my soul cry out for the living God."  God lives in me and I need to be obedient.

2.  Praise God more.  v 4: "Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they are ever praising you."

3.  Recognize that my strength is in God.  v 5: "Blessed are those whose strength is in you..."

4.  Pray more.  v 8: "Hear my prayer, O Lord Almighty; listen to me O God of Jacob."

5.  Trust God more.   v 12: "O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you."

Why are these MY goals?  I'm God's child who he looks after, and He makes sure that all my needs are met.  Where is my responsibility in these goals?  Remembering to honor my Father by following them daily.  What do I think will result from adopting these actions daily?  I think my life will be focused on correct priorities.

REMEMBERING YOUR RESOLUTIONS.  

I have 5 goals, which is probably too many for traditional resolutions.  But since mine are all related to one another, my action on one actually can support them all.  But just in case, because I 'm so easily distracted, I made a poster at www.sharefamilystories.com to remind me.    You can look at the poster here.  The project viewer is not HD; it looks best at the full size view.  You can make one, too.  email me to start your own.

SHARE!  Whether you're a digital pictureteller, traditional scrapbooker, journaler, or you just listed your new goals for a better year in 2010 on a scrap of paper, I'll post them here, if you share.  Here's a doodle from Ro at Scrapgirls.com--reminds me of my facebook friends! 

P+S: Vegas is always NEW. Finding and photographing Aria.

(Sorry, this is a belated post that I just couldn't get up when I started it.  It's got no Christmas sentiment at all, but there is a contest at the end that only runs till Dec. 31.  So I've put it up anyway...)

THE SETUP

Our vacation last week to visit our daughter, her boyfriend, and the granddaughters coincided with the Grand Opening of the Aria Resort at Las Vegas CityCenter.  Although we couldn't make it to the fireworks on opening night, we went last Saturday to check out the designer shops and highly touted architecture and artwork.  I was mostly impressed by the exterior!

THE PICTURE

Aria: The newest addition to the Las Vegas Strip is more than a casino, more than a hotel, it's literally a multi-faceted lifestyle hub, in the most vibrant part of the entertainment center of LV.

That's one description of Aria; it uses the picture to give the caption a memorable image.  But what about the story behind THIS picture?  When you use your camera, the image you take has personal meaning, and people care about your connection to a photo.  I can link you to facts and articles about Aria, but how else will you get the story about THIS picture if I don't share it?

THE STORY (Let's call it a Pic-tale!)

My view of the skyscrapers was amazing, and I felt privileged to enjoy this exclusive treat!  I had the best vantage point, after I sought parking simplicity.

Understand, it was an ordeal for the kids in their car, and me in mine, to find the right gateway into the City Center--we repeatedly lined up  behind other drivers like lemmings, in the wrong turn lanes, on the wrong streets, and we followed taxis into closed-off areas.  We kept in contact by cell phone so we could at least get lost together!  Once we found self-parking, our phones went dead inside the garage, so we were on our own to park.  I was SO READY to find a good parking spot, without having to search for IT, too, so I shot straight to the top--7th Floor.  That's where I saw a mere handful of other smart visitors and just a few maintenance vehicles, so I lucked-out with my choice of parking spots right next to the elevators.  And I discovered this fantastic photo op!!  This structure sparkles!  Can you imagine it on a bright summer day?  It'll glisten like smooth-chested Edward Cullen on a rare day in Forks!

WHAT TO DO WITH ARCHITECTURAL P+S 

It doesn't seem to make much sense to take these wonderful photos of the NEWEST part of Las Vegas if I don't share them.  So let me share my postcard with you--made with Heritage Makers online digital tools.  Custom-designed (by YOU), 2-sided postcards can be mailed directly from the company, or just e-mailed to save time and money!  Ask me how to make your own before your next vacation!  See my LV postcard here.  (The pictures of Aria are on the back)

A really fascinating landscape or architectural shot might be just the right image to feature on a framed poster, perhaps with an inspiring or funny quote.  I can help you do that, too.  Here's one I made of a tree near my house that represents the rebel in me--it stands alone and proud, as tall as it will ever get, among a whole bunch of bigger trees that are established and the same.  This landscape poster inspires me every time I look at it!   

Any location that has special meaning for you could be an incredible focal point for your wall if it's broken up into 4-9 pieces and then reassembled on a wall.  8x8 or 12x12 scrapbook pages are an inexpensive way to get that effect; any of Heritage Makers' mounted canvas sizes would create an artistic and classy mosaic.  Imagine this image of Aria as a 9-panel installation with the power to motivate!  I can help you make this, too.

SHORT AND SWEET: WHY IS A PARTICULAR PLACE SPECIAL TO YOU?

Post a picture and share the place's significance to you in two paragraphs or less.  I'll do a random drawing December 31, and one contributor will have the opportunity to make a free 12x12 poster with the location's P + S!  Send your picture and story to donna@sharefamilystories.com and I'll enter you in the drawing.  I'll post as many pic-tales as I can on the blog before December 31 comes to a close--I'd love to post yours!

P + S is best!