Kristen Duke’s, “Say No to Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings Review & Give-Away!!! {Give-Away Ended}

I have a huge passion for photography.  I have not studied photography in any formal sense and I am mostly self-taught.  I have had the opportunity to learn a lot from great photographers and from books, tutorials, and online resources.  I was recently given the opportunity to review Kristen Duke’s, “Say No to Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings.  I know through other photography related give-aways here on Mommy Ramblings, that many of you are just getting into photography.  I know using manual setting on your camera can be intimidating for a novice, but if you really want to take your passion to the next level, you need to understand and master manual settings.

Kristen’s book is a very concise spiral bound 17 page guide to understanding why and how to use the manual settings on your camera.  She takes you through the three basic steps to understanding manual settings: determine your ISO, identify your aperture, and adjust your shutter speed.  Through the next few pages of the book, she guides you through the things you need to identify to adjust these settings for the perfect shot.  While you are learning this book is a great resource that you can carry in your camera bag for a refresher any time you need it.  For instance page 6 lists 13 different situations and the ISO that would be best for that shot.  Then she will help you learn to adjust your aperture based on how many people are in the shot.  This is an easy way to understand this setting that can seem confusing when most of the explanations you will find on determining aperture, highlight the size of the lens opening.  Kristen guides you through the aperture settings in an easy to comprehend way and also has a quick guide that you can use while learning.  Last, she tackles how to adjust your shutter speed.  Then there are photo examples of different settings in multiple lighting situations you will encounter.  The visual examples clearly illustrate how the manual settings used produced the photo shown.

I really feel this short book provides the essential keys to determining how to adjust your manual setting in an easy to understand format.  Even the person who has never shot in manual will feel ready to tackle the challenge.  This book makes an excellent stocking stuffer for the aspiring photographer or goes great with a gift of a new DSLR Camera.  Mommy Ramblings is adding this helpful book to our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

Kristen Duke is sponsoring a give-away on Mommy Ramblings.  One lucky blog reader will win their own copy of, “Say No To Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings.  Thank you Kristen Duke for the review book and for sponsoring this awesome give-away on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US and Canadian residents.

“Say No To Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings Book by Kristen Duke Give-Away on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Mandatory Entry– Let me know your greatest challenge when shooting in manual.  Leave your answer as a comment on this blog post.  (If this entry is not done, all others will be deleted.)

Extra Entries: (make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry or they will not count)

1. Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook, and leave me a comment here that you did.

2.Like Kristen Duke Photography on Facebook, leave a comment on their wall about this give-away and leave me a comment here that you did

3. Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name.

4. Follow Mommy Ramblings by email, and leave me a comment here that you did.

5. Vote for Mommy Ramblings on Picket Fence Blogs (Button is on the side of our blog, “We’re on the Fence) and leave me a comment here you did.  You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

6. Rate Mommy Ramblings on Top Mommy Blogs (button is on the side of our blog) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

7. Write a review for Mommy Ramblings on Alexa.com (button is on our blog right under the We’re on the Fence button) and leave me a comment here that you did.  Can only be done once per give-away.

8. Tweet this give-away on Twitter and leave me a comment here that you did with your Twitter name. You can do this once a day, just make sure and leave a comment each time you do.

9. Like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook and leave me a comment here that you did.

Good Luck Everyone!!!  Give Away Ends December 14th at 12am EST.   Winner will be selected by Random.org.


211 Comments

Filed under Uncategorized

211 Responses to Kristen Duke’s, “Say No to Auto” 3 Basic Steps To Understanding Manual Camera Settings Review & Give-Away!!! {Give-Away Ended}

  1. jennifer c.

    my biggest challange shooting in manual is figuring out the perfect balance for a crisp shot and no blurr when shooting multiple kids….and using a low f/stop

  2. jennifer c.

    liked mommy rambling on facebook

  3. jennifer c.

    liked Kristen Duke on facebook

  4. jennifer c.

    follow MR by email

  5. jennifer c.

    liked blueberry hill photography on facebook

  6. Jessica C.

    I’d say everything is a challenge, but the greatest challenge I have is knowing how to properly set it to take clear pictures for differing scenes. It takes me way to long to find the right balance, that I get frustrated and back to auto I go.

  7. Jessica C.

    I like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook

  8. Jessica C.

    I follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter Eat_Cake_

  9. Jessica C.

    I follow Mommy Ramblings by e-mail

  10. Jessica C.

    Voted picket fence 11/27

  11. Jessica C.

    Rated you on Top Mommy blog

  12. Jessica C.

    I like Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook

  13. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 11/27 Eat_Cake_

  14. Ashley

    Wow, right now setting the correct ISO is my biggest challenge. I either don’t set it high enough or I set it to low. Hopefully this book will help! Thanks for the chance!
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  15. Ashley

    Like Mommy Ramblings on Facebook(AshleyHatten)
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  16. Ashley

    Like Kristen Duke Photography on Facebook, (AshleyHatten)
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  17. Ashley

    Follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter @shuggysmommy and I also wrote on Kristin Duke’s wall here: https://www.facebook.com/kristendukephotography/posts/10150478275885907
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  18. Ashley

    picket fence vote!
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  19. Ashley

    I voted (gave your blog a boost) on top mommy blogs
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  20. M&M

    My biggest challenge is getting the pictures to not be so dark

  21. M&M

    I like mommy ramblings on fb.

  22. M&M

    I like kristen duke photography on fb.

  23. M&M

    I follow mommy ramblings on twitter @smrlovingrl.

  24. M&M

    I follow mommy ramblings emails.

  25. M&M

    Voted Picket Fence Blog 11/28/2011

  26. M&M

    Tweeted @SmrLovinGrl 11/28/2011

  27. M&M

    Reviewed alexa.com

  28. M&M

    I like blueberry hill photography on fb.

  29. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 11/28

  30. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 11/28 Eat_Cake_

  31. ammaka

    My biggest problem with shooting in manual mode is figuring out which ISO I can use without getting a lot of noise in the pictures.

  32. ammaka

    Voted on Picket Fence 11/28

  33. Jessica C.

    Voted picket fence 11/29

  34. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 11/29 Eat_Cake_

  35. Ashley

    voted for you on picket fence today!
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  36. Ashley

    voted on top mommy blogs today!
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  37. Ashley

    https://twitter.com/#!/shuggysmommy/status/141663540565131265
    I tweeted @shuggysmommy
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com
    THANKS!!

  38. M&M

    Voted Picket Fence Blog 11/29/2011

  39. M&M

    Tweeted @SmrLovinGrl 11/29/2011

  40. ammaka

    Voted on Picket Fence 11/29

  41. Ashley

    voted on picket fence today!
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  42. Ashley

    voted on top mommy blogs today 🙂
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  43. Ashley

    I just Liked Blueberry Hill Photography on Facebook (AshleyHatten)
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  44. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 11/30

  45. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 11/30 Eat_Cake_

  46. M&M

    Tweeted @SmrLovinGrl 11/30/2011

  47. M&M

    Voted Picket Fence Blog 11/30/2011

  48. Ashley

    picket fence vote today!
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  49. M&M

    Voted Picket Fence Blog 12/1/2011

  50. M&M

    Tweeted @SmrLovinGrl 12/1/2011

  51. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 12/1

  52. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/1 Eat_Cake_

  53. Jessica C.

    Wrote a review on Alexa

  54. Ashley

    picket fence vote 12/2
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  55. Angie M

    mandatory- not getting a blur

  56. Angie M

    Tweeted 12/2
    AngieMoeller

  57. Angie M

    12/2 PF vote

  58. Angie M

    I rated you on Top mommy blogs

  59. Angie M

    I am amommy ramblings email subscriber

  60. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 12/2

  61. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/2 Eat_Cake_

  62. Ammaka

    Voted on Picket Fence 11/2

  63. ammaka

    Voted on Picket Fence 12/3

  64. Jayne Fleming

    Getting a good focused shot when taking a group picture

  65. Jayne Fleming

    Fan of Mommy Ramblings on FB

  66. Jayne Fleming

    Fan of BLueberry Hill Photography on FB

  67. Jayne Fleming

    Subscribe to MR by e-mail @jaynedough127@aol.com

  68. Jayne Fleming

    Voted on PF 12-3-11

  69. Jayne Fleming

    Rated on TM Blog

  70. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 12/3

  71. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/3 Eat_Cake_

  72. Rochelle Sindelar

    To tell you the honest truth, I always shoot in auto. I need to take a class to learn how to take good pictures manually. This book would be a great start.

  73. Rochelle Sindelar

    Fan of Mommy Ramblings on FB

  74. Rochelle Sindelar

    Fan of Blueberry Hill Photography on FB

  75. Rochelle Sindelar

    Subscriber by e-mail @bearlvr15@roadrunner.com

  76. Rochelle Sindelar

    Follower on Twitter @Craftymommy75

  77. Rochelle Sindelar

    Tweeted 12/4/11 @Craftymommy75

  78. Rochelle Sindelar

    Voted on Picket Fences 12/4/11

  79. Rochelle Sindelar

    Rated on Top Mommy

  80. Ashley

    picket fence vote
    12/4
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  81. Casey

    Getting the ISO right is the most difficult problem

  82. Casey

    I like mommy ramblings on fb

  83. Casey

    I like Kristen Duke’s Photography on fb

  84. Casey

    I like blueberry hill photography on fb

  85. Casey

    I follow you on twitter c_clay2

  86. Casey

    I subscribe to your email

  87. Jessica C.

    Voted picket fence 12/4

  88. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/4 Eat_Cake_

  89. Ashley

    picket fence vote
    12/5
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  90. Jessica C.

    Voted picket fence 12/5

  91. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/5 Eat_Cake_

  92. M&M

    Voted Picket Fence Blog 12/5/2011

  93. M&M

    Tweeted @SmrLovinGrl 12/5/2011

  94. Rochelle Sindelar

    Voted on Picket Fences 12-6-11

  95. Rochelle Sindelar

    Tweeted on 12-6-11 @Craftymommy75

  96. Ashley

    picket fence vote 12/6
    ashleygatewood1(at)gmail.com

  97. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily

    Mandatory Entry: My greatest challenge when shooting manual is making sure the shutter speed and light are correct

  98. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily

    I like Mommy Ramblings on facebook, Marsa McCool-Solis

  99. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily

    I like Kristen Duke Photography on facebook

  100. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily

    I follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter, Ourazfamily

  101. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily

    I subscribe to Mommy Ramblings by email

  102. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily

    I like Blueberry Hill Photography on facebook, marsa mccool-solis

  103. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily

    I have written a review for Alexa.com

  104. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily

    I have rated Mommy Ramblings on TMB

  105. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily

    I voted for Mommy Ramblings today on PFB 12/6

  106. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily
  107. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 12/6

  108. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/6 Eat_Cake_

  109. M&M

    Voted Picket Fence Blog 12/6/2011

  110. M&M

    Tweeted @SmrLovinGrl 12/6/2011

  111. Ashley

    picket fence vote
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  112. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 12/7

  113. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/7 Eat_Cake_

  114. Angie M

    12/7 Tweeted
    AngieMoeller

  115. Angie M

    12/7 PF vote

  116. Angie M

    I am a blueberry hill photo FB friend

  117. Angie M

    I am a mommy ramblings FB friend

  118. Rochelle Sindelar

    Voted on PF 12/7/11

  119. Rochelle Sindelar

    Tweeted 12/7/11 @Craftymommy75

  120. M&M

    Tweeted @SmrLovinGrl 12/7/2011

  121. M&M

    Voted Picket Fence Blog 12/7/2011

  122. Ammaka

    Voted on Picket Fence 12/7

  123. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily

    Picket Fence Vote 12/7

  124. Ashley

    picket fence vote 12/8
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  125. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 12/8

  126. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/8 Eat_Cake_

  127. Angie M

    I follow mommy ramblings on Twitter
    AngieMoeller

  128. Angie M

    Tweeted 12/8
    AngieMoeller

  129. Angie M

    12/8 PF vote

  130. Rochelle Sindelar

    Voted on PF 12-8-11

  131. Rochelle Sindelar

    Tweeted 12-8-11 @Craftymommy75

  132. M&M

    Voted Picket Fence Blog 12/8/2011

  133. M&M

    Tweeted @SmrLovinGrl 12/8/2011

  134. Jayne Fleming

    Voted on Picket Fences 12-8-11

  135. Ammaka

    Voted on Picket Fence 12/8

  136. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 12/9

  137. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/9 Eat_Cake_

  138. Ammaka

    Voted on Picket Fence 12/9

  139. Angie M

    I reviewed you on Alexa

  140. Angie M

    Tweeted 12/9
    AngieMoeller

  141. Angie M

    12/9 PF vote

  142. Ashley

    picket fence vote 12/9
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  143. M&M

    Tweeted @SmrLovinGrl 12/9/2011

  144. M&M

    Voted Picket Fence Blog 12/9/2011

  145. Rochelle Sindelar

    Voted on Picket Fences 12-10-11

  146. Rochelle Sindelar

    Tweeted 12-10-11 @Craftymommy75

  147. M&M

    Tweeted @SmrLovinGrl 12/10/2011

  148. M&M

    Voted Picket Fence Blog 12/10/2011

  149. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 12/10

  150. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/10 Eat_Cake_

  151. Ashley

    12/10 vote
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  152. Jayne Fleming

    Voted on Picket Fences 12-10-11

  153. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 12/11

  154. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/11 Eat_Cake_

  155. Ashley

    picket fence vote 12.11
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  156. Jayne Fleming

    Voted on PF 12-11-11

  157. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily

    picket fence vote 12/11

  158. Rochelle Sindelar

    Voted on Picket Fences 12-11-11

  159. Rochelle Sindelar

    Tweeted 12-11-11 @Craftymommy75

  160. Ashley

    picket fence 12/12
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  161. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 12/12

  162. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/12 Eat_Cake_

  163. Ammaka

    Voted on Picket Fence 12/12

  164. Angie M

    Tweeted 12/12
    AngieMoeller

  165. Angie M

    12/12
    pf VOTE

  166. M&M

    Voted Picket Fence Blog 12/12/2011

  167. M&M

    Tweeted @SmrLovinGrl 12/12/2011

  168. Jayne Fleming

    Voted on PF 12-12-11

  169. Rochelle Sindelar

    Voted on Picket Fences 12-12-11

  170. Rochelle Sindelar

    Tweeted 12-12-11 @Craftymommy75

  171. Marsa McCool-Solis of Ourazfamily

    Voted on picket fence blogs 12/12

  172. Ashley

    picket fence vote 12/13
    ashleygatewood1(AT)gmail.com

  173. Angie M

    Tweeted 12/13
    AngieMoeller

  174. Angie M

    12/13 P vote

  175. Jessica C.

    voted picket fence 12/13

  176. Jessica C.

    Daily tweet 12/13 Eat_Cake_

  177. Cristen C.

    My biggest challenge is EVERYTHING. I’m new to photography and haven’t even attempted MANUAL mode yet. This book sounds great!

  178. Cristen C.

    Liked Mommy Ramblings on facebook 12/13/2011

  179. Cristen C.

    Like Kristen Duke on facebook and left a comment 12/13/2011

  180. Cristen C.

    I now follow Mommy Ramblings on Twitter. Username: lilmisscris10
    12/13

  181. Cristen C.

    Liked Blueberry Hill PHotography on facebook 12/13

  182. Rochelle Sindelar

    Voted on Picket Fences 12-13-11

  183. Rochelle Sindelar

    Tweeted on Twitter 12-13-11 @Craftymommy75

  184. Melissa

    Tweeted @SmrLovinGrl 12/13/2011

  185. Melissa

    Voted Picket Fence Blog 12/13/2011

  186. Cristen C.

    Rated you on TMB

  187. Cristen C.

    I’m an email subscriber.

  188. Winner is 125 Jessica C!!! Congratulations!!!

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