ever since i started working on this blog, i have had the idea to do a fun giveaway here that really means a lot to me. let me explain.
i have been taking photographs almost my entire life, with a much more focused study of it just in the last few years. i’ve been blessed with some really generous family members, which have given me the opportunity to own some great equipment, and i’m constantly trying to learn as much as i can about the various items i have.
but in all the effort that i had been putting into learning more about photography, there seemed to be something that i just wasn’t able to grasp. i felt comfortable using my camera, i knew where most of the buttons and things were, but i just couldn’t wrap my head around shooting in manual and getting the right exposure for each photo in order to make it turn out the way i wanted. don’t get me wrong, i did take some amazing shots — but i had no idea what to do to replicate them a second time.
then came my birthday this year — my photographer sister gave me a book that i had been gravitating towards for a few months, but just hadn’t had the opportunity to purchase yet. little did i know what this gift would do for me. the book is called ‘understanding exposure‘ by bryan peterson.
let me tell you, this book changed my photographic life. while reading through it, every piece of the puzzle that i had been chasing around and trying to force into this big picture finally fell effortlessly into place and it all made sense. i can’t tell you how grateful i am to mr. peterson for writing such an easy-to-understand guide that helped me immensely. not to mention my great sister for giving it to me. thanks em!
so, to celebrate this new adventure that i’m taking, and this new blog, i’m going to give away two copies of this book to two lucky readers of this little ol’ blog. and trust me, you have a very good chance if you’re reading this right now because it’s so new! 
here’s how to enter:
you can earn one entry for either commenting on this post, following me on twitter (@laurellakeypics), re-tweeting this giveaway, blogging about this giveaway, or posting about it on facebook. for each action, comment here and link to your post or facebook link, etc., and you will be entered once for the giveaway. please make sure that you enter your email address when you comment so that i can notify you that you have won.
all entries need to be received by midnight PST, august 24th. once the entries are all received, i will randomly select the 2 winners and promptly send you your prize.
so please, tell everyone you know who is interested in improving their photography skills, that this is the contest for them!
good luck, i can’t wait to see who wins! ttfn!
August 17th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Definitely sounds like a book I could use.
August 17th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Oh count me in! I have a Nikon D40, and all my pics always turn out orange or blurry. I need all the help I can get! Thanks Laurel!
August 17th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
could always use some good learning! Great giveaway, definatley hoping for a win!! Lisa
August 17th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Ooh …. I SO need help with exposure! Count me in too!
August 17th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Okay … so I linked to this blog entry on my facebook page. But I’m not sure how to like that link to here! LOL! You’re my friend though … you should see it! Right? Does that count?
August 17th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
We just bought our first SLR and so this would be so helpful. Congrats on your new site.
August 17th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
Looks like a great book. I love your website.
August 17th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
I think this would be the link to my facebook post.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=582939326&ref=profile#/profile.php?id=582939326&v=app_2309869772&ref=profile
August 17th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I have been doing much learning about photography lately too. Manual is still a little scary for me. This looks like a great resource!
August 17th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Oh, and I posted a link on facebook too, but wasn’t sure if doing two things was the right way to enter…so I shared the news anyway!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1227045345&ref=profile#/profile.php?id=1227045345&ref=profile
August 17th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
This is fabulous, Laurel! I’m so happy for you.
I’m married to a Bryan Petersen who is a photographer, but you’ll notice the spelling is different by one letter. This looks like a fantastic book that I would be happy to share with my Bryan, too. There is always so much to learn, isn’t there? 
August 17th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
i would LOVE to read anything that makes me a better photographer. i love it, but i stink at it LOL pick me! pick me!
August 17th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Here is my facebook entry.
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/#/profile.php?id=1196383764&ref=mf
August 17th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Looks like I will have to go to the book store. I would very much like to read this book
August 17th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Still trying to get use to a new camera.!! Would like to read this book.!
August 17th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Here is my FB entry too!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1196383764&ref=mf#/profile.php?id=713709070&ref=name
My daughter and her very best friend are photography fiends, If I win I would share with them… that’s just how I am
August 17th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Sounds like a great book and I really need to work on my photography skills!!
August 17th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Hi! This is awesome–it is a really good book from what I could tell.
August 18th, 2009 at 6:32 am
Wow…aren’t you being sweet to do this. I’ll have to check this book out. I like to hear which books other people love…to stand there in the bookstore with so many choices in front of you…well, it’s overwhelming.
August 18th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Well…see if this shows where I posted it on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1728856584&ref=profile
August 18th, 2009 at 7:11 am
Ok-I posted on FB…..this book looks great, thanks for sharing Laurel! It’s on my FB!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/profile.php?id=1375403541&ref=profile
August 18th, 2009 at 8:31 am
This looks like a wonderful book indeed! Love your website!!!
August 18th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Your website looks great! Thanks so much for the freebie contest! How fun!
August 19th, 2009 at 8:42 am
I absolutely LOVE your work and your site — you are amazing!!! That book sounds so great – I WANT IT!! I’m always trying to progress and learn more and improve my skills. Great givaway!
August 19th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I need to get in this game. I think photography is the answer to all my creative outlet needs. So pick me, if I win, I will ask Dad to buy me a camera like yours and some lenses for our anniversary this year.
August 19th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Ok, I made a note on my facebook, that makes 2!
August 19th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Hallo. Entered.
August 19th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I would love to have that book. i want to go back to college and photography to be my miner!!!
August 21st, 2009 at 10:07 am
Oh my heck girl! i didnt know you had a site up. Your banner photos are just awesome. I was just talking to dh about finally letting me get a camera and really developing my love of photography, i sure could use that book! lol
Im going to tweet and share on facebook…
HUGS
August 21st, 2009 at 10:23 am
I would LOVE to have this book for my wonderful hubby! He is surprising me with how much he wants to use our new Cannon EOS xsi.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Looks like a wonderful book Laurel and I love your blog header. Can’t wait to see more.
August 21st, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Mentioned your blog and giveaway on Facebook Laurel but I don’t know how to link to it. (Pat Watson Barnes)
August 23rd, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Laurel – This is such a great idea.
August 24th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Love the website! The book looks very interesting…I hope I win!!!