My Kodak Photobook Experience: WTR: The Early Photos

If you haven't noticed my ads on this blog, I've partnered with Foodbuzz.  I've been reading blogs that have been supported by Foodbuzz for a long time.  They have a great community and its been great getting to be a part of it.  I've also joined the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program, and as part of that program, I received a free medium hardcover photo book from Kodak in exchange for a post on this product.

My inspiration for my book actually came from the blog.  See, for many years I was scared.  I would read blogs and think, there is no way I'd actually write a blog....how would I get readers?  would anyone read?  do I have anything interesting to say?  can I talk enough?

Okay, that last question was just a joke...I can talk the horns off a billy goat if I needed to.....

That is a story for another day.

But, I did it.  I started a blog.  I began writing.  I began taking photos.  I began to talk.  And that has been AWESOME! 

I must admit (though I'm sure you can tell), I'm a new photographer.  I use a point and shoot...and have been known to use a blackberry or ipod to take photos.  No ISOs, or shutter speed, or light boxes or props I use.  I just take pictures of what I cook...how I fix it.  I know those things make my pictures better.  And I am learning how to use them and what they mean.  So, I know that my pictures can only get better from here.....

But, I want to celebrate Waiting to Rise:  The Early Shots......

So, I just made a collection of some of my fave shots (and meals!) I've made. 

The whole process couldn't be simpler. 

Log on to kodakgallery.com and choose what you'd like (I had a medium hardcover print book).

Once its selected, you can then actually choose whether you want to quickstart or go step by step.  I chose quickstart because I wanted to upload my photos directly from my computer and let them help me create it! 

From there, I uploaded photos directly from my computer.  It was so easy.  You can upload from Facebook if you wanted to.  I don't have any food photos on my profile, so I just opted for using my photos on my trusty Mac. 

Here is the photos I selected being uploaded into the gallery:

Then, you get it loaded into the gallery view and you can get to work. 

Here, you can change the order, delete photos, crop, rotate, and have fun!  It was absolutely so easy to do.  It didn't take any time at all for me to do...maybe like 2 hours in 1 sitting.  It was fun in fact.  I was choosing pics and jammin out to my Itunes playlist (which has anything from country to pop to rock to rap to trance and latin). 

The formatting includes changing the borders and the backgrounds of the photos, font size....the possibilities are endless!  I didn't really touch much of my formatting....I wanted the photos to shine through.  You can toggle through either a multi-page view OR a single page view.  It was so cool to be able to see my pics come to life in a book!  Makes it even "real-er" to me in a book rather than on a screen.  I kinda feel like a published author (well, not really, but it is neat to have something to share with everyone and I can laugh at how "amateur" my photos were, but how beautiful I thought they were now ;)

My cover:

I went for the simple black, though there are sooo many color and background options.  This would make a fabulous gift to give someone....say a grandparent if you had tons of pictures of your kids (or in my case, the granddog), or your parents of you growing up, family vacations, holidays, or even your wedding/engagement/showers...you could document the whole process!  I might have to do that later on when I get married. 

Thanks Kodak for this awesome opportunity!  It ships in 3-6 business days after you submit your order!  It couldn't be quicker (so perfect for all you last minute gift givers!) 

And they are offering a special discount for YOU too WTR readers!

KODAK Gallery is also providing an exclusive offer to extend to my
readers; 40% off a medium hardcover or a large Photo Book. Simply send your
readers to www.kodakgallery.com/creativity to redeem.  The offer is only
available through this URL from 8/1/11 - 8/31/11.


I couldn't be prouder of the fact I made the decision to start the blog!  I moved through my fear and doubts and just did it!  So far, so good.  I have tons of ideas, and get more daily!  This book will help me celebrate that every time I see it....

What have you done that has scared you....but you did it anyway??????

Enjoy!
See ya'll soon~
Brooke