We are excited to announce the launch of our online workshop site, Red Leaf Cinema.  The Red Leaf Cinema tutorial site is based on our workshops, and offers a variety of information to get you thinking differently and improve your skill set.  You can check it out here:   www.redleafcinema.com

We asked Michelle what inspires her:

"I am inspired by so many things that I struggle to list just a few. Sometimes its not so much the person or the item or the photograph that inspires me, but the story behind it. The beautiful vintage quilt fraying at the edges that I found today at a tiny little eclectic store. Who made that quilt, what stories were told while it was hand stitched piece by piece. Who was it made for and then passed onto with love and then how did it end up in a store. I am so inspired to continue with the story of that quilt and carry it forward. I feel this way as I cook too, as I move through a recipe that has been passed down generations, pick out ingredients at a local market and them make them into wonderful after school treats and meals for my children and family. For me I am so inspired by the process of it all. I am obsessed with printing loose prints of my family and children. I have them in boxes and on my desk where I work, I find myself flipping through them at times, during breaks from proofing and just smile. I have my own memories of finding old photographs at both my grandparents home, sitting at their kitchen table flipping through them one after anther giggling and asking questions and laughing at funny expressions and silly moments in my parents lives, watching them grow up through the very existence of these photos.  I think I want this for my children and their children, so I print images. I hope to be really old and see them sifting through photos of me and my husband when we were younger,  with the same sweet smiles they both have now.

I am completely happiest and always have renewed inspiration when I am photographing families and children. I adore watching the natural loving interactions that happen with parents are out with their  children and giving them so much love and attention. When we are out taking photos, there are no distractions, just family to talk to one another, play with one another and be. it is a great thing to witness.

Other sources of inspiration for me, photographically speaking are just far to many to list. our world is full of phenomenally talented artistic individuals. But what I find more inspirational are those that have a story and who have touched me personally. My friend Anastasia Chomlack, opened the door for me to this business and was the first to share all she knew with no reservations. She has an open heart and she shoots that way too. And Richard and Amy, they continue to inspire me daily, they inspire me to learn more and  push myself to study other mediums, they have changed my computer workflow to such a away that I am barely at the computer and more often found baking and taking photos of those things that I love, like tea cups and chickens.

My favorite actions.

I couldn't live without bwflow and colourflow. I use them on about 90 percent of images. grape soda, stellar and foxy are some favorites from the past action set. I also use the film grain on all of my images, I find it the best grain I have found and sweet umber with a reduced opacity is a beautiful action for my photos."

Our one day sale is over, and we are happy to announce that we raised $1000.00 for the Tiny Sparrow Foundation!  Thank you to everyone who supported this wonderful cause!

The Tiny Sparrow Foundation is a new non-profit built from the heart of photographer Lidia Boicu. A cancer survivor herself, she was touched by the story of 5 year old Kate McCrae's battle and took it upon herself to fly from Dallas to Arizona and create a beautiful album of pictures for Kate and her family. From that original shoot, Tiny Sparrow was born. A non-profit organization dedicated to providing lasting memories through the beautiful art of photography.  By enlisting the help of volunteer photographers, Tiny Sparrow gives each family a beautiful album that will carry the love, joy and everlasting memory of their unique relationships. The goal of Tiny Sparrow is to eventually be able to serve families across the globe with this beautiful gift.  For more information please visit: www.tinysparrowfoundation.org/blog

We want you to see light and subject in a new way.  To inspire you to shoot for yourself, to watch shadows and sun-flare as they interact with the objects around you.  We want you to slowdown and really think about every shot that you take.  Value each capture.  The only limit to this challenge is your imagination. 

Rules:

- You have to use an object in you image. {pear, shopping cart, rock, etc.} No animals or people.

- Your image must have interesting available (natural) light, used in a creative way.

- Change your perspective, shoot from interesting angles.  Try shooting with negative space, think outside the "box".

- You can submit a maximum of 2 photos. They can be completly unique from one another.

Please send images to info@redleafstudios.ca {please size your image to 854pixels on the longest side}.  no logos on your images please.

This contest will run until February 6th, 2010.  At which time Richard & I will select the top 10 images.  We will then display these pictures for you to vote for your favorite.

THE PRIZE:  Our friends at GTA Imaging have generously donated a $400.00 {Canadian Funds} print credit to the winner!



Here are two examples to get your creative thinking started. 

Jody Ake's work is truly stunning, and it reminds us of the true craftsmanship of photography.

Here are a few images from his website:

All of these images were edited with our new Actions