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Summer is in full swing, and most of you by now are snapping away on your mobile devices. At Canvas Press, we like to think it’s one’s duty to document life with photography. Most of us now have mobile phones. In many ways, it’s become far more convenient to take a picture with your phone instead of your point and shoot camera. Plus with social media like Facebook and Twitter, many of us are spreading our summer-loving photos all over the internet, sharing them with family and friends instantly. But with all the mobile apps out there, which one should you choose?

Enter Instagram. A fun-loving, easy way to snap photos, apply cool effects, and see images of other people you follow. Plus, you can geotag your images as well as post them to Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. All from within one cool photo app. 

For those of you who are social media savvy, Instagram offers an entire online community of photo enthusiasts who can view your photo stream, as well as “Like” and comment on your images.

If you’re familiar with Twitter, then you’ll feel right at home using mentions and hashtags from right inside the app, allowing you to tag people in your images or categorize them. There’s even a stream for popular photos, allowing you to browse some of the most interesting and inspiring images created by other Instagram users.

And the best part about Instagram is that it’s free! Yup, you heard right. It doesn’t cost a dime. The only shortcoming is that currently it’s only available for the iPhone. But there are rumors that an Android version might be in the works.

Customers of ours are already sending in their Instagram photos to create square Gallery Wraps of their favorite candid moments. Everything from snapshots of friends to cool vacation photos.

What better way to document your summer than by snapping away and sharing your retro candid photos than with Instagram?

Do you have any Instagram photos you would like to share? Post the link to it in the comments section below along with the title of your image. Happy Summer!

You can follow us on Instagram by searching for username “canvaspress”. Here are some of our favorite Instagram photos:

It’s not an easy topic to discuss. In fact, it makes my heart hurt a little. One of our customers, Larissa and her husband Allen, recently came back from an amazing photo trek at Tent Rocks and Bandolier National Monument in New Mexico. They had recently purchased a new camera, the Canon Powershot SX120. This is a very nice camera with attractive features that anyone can take advantage of to make great photos. After their trip and having taken many images, our couple came home to download all of their images. After selecting their favorites to print on canvas with Canvas Press, we noticed something very wrong with their order.The photos were too small. And by small, we mean thumbnail sized. Teeny-tiny. How could this have happened? Why would a camera manufacturer like Canon even enable a camera to take such a small picture? After talking and consoling the saddened Larissa and Allen, it became clear what had happened. You see, before they purchased the Canon Powershot SX120, they used to own the Canon Powershot A90, a very popular Canon digital camera for a long time. Back then, when you selected the image quality in the menu, “S” meant Super Fine High Quality. Which meant you were going to get a large photo with very little compression. Basically, the best image quality you could get from that camera. For some reason, Canon changed what “S” meant. Now, the “S” setting on the new Canon Powershot SX120 that Larissa and Allen used all over their incredible photo excursion means something different. “S” means “small”. Small. Too small. Just large enough for viewing on your computer screen or via email. But definitely not large enough to print from. Truly sad. So, as a warning to all photo enthusiasts, PLEASE read the instructions and get familiar with your camera settings before you use your new digital camera! No one should go through the disappointment that Larissa and Allen had to go through. Fortunately, they decided to go back and get new images when the opportunity arises. So there’s a happy ending after all. -The Canvas Press Team

Traveling is an amazing opportunity for taking some of the best photographs; however, being in a strange place with flashy camera equipment can sometimes be asking for trouble. Transportation of everything in general can be a challenge as well. These few simple tips will help you keep your treasured memories secure so you can bring home your best travel photography.

1. When traveling through airports keep your most vital and sensitive equipment with you. We’ve all seen the disarray our checked bags can appear in and trusting that your lenses or other equipment will arrive undamaged is not a good idea. With bags being searched everywhere, it isn’t out of the question that thefts occur in the process, with expensive items being “misplaced” unfortunately. Accessories like extra batteries or filters that are non-essential items can be checked just to save weight and space in your carry-on.

Because you’ll be carrying a lot of electronic equipment allow extra time to go through security. After an x-ray they’ll likely want to examine the pieces. Just be patient and watch while they do so. After all, it’s to keep us all safe.

2. Treat your memory cards like gold. Bring extra cards with you so you can keep snapping and not have to delete or worry about needing to download images to free up space. Once a card is full keep it in a secure place, tucked away in your money belt isn’t a bad idea. If you do have to check your camera on the way home take the card out and keep it on you, that way if something happens at least you have the images.

3. Make sure you are insured. If you buy travel insurance for your trip check the coverage for belongings and make sure camera equipment is covered for full replacement costs (check your that your total $ claim limit will be enough) for damage, theft and loss. If the travel insurance company doesn’t offer the coverage you need call your renters or homeowners insurance company to discuss their coverage or options to purchase a temporary policy.

4. Don’t flaunt your gear. Find a bag or backpack that will safely hold your equipment but that doesn’t scream “expensive photo gear” with fancy logos and obvious camera bag style. Minimize your accessories as much as possible, but don’t skimp so much that you have regrets, thinking “This shot would be so much better with my wide angle!”

If you want a group shot and ask someone to take it for you, it’s not a bad idea to look for another tourist or someone with a nice camera as well. That way they won’t be tempted to run for it (no European Vacation moments) and they’ll probably know what buttons to push to get the shot.

Once you get home safely with all your amazing photos don’t forget to share them! If you travel a lot, think about starting your own blog or post them on Facebook. Once you’ve had a chance to sort through and pull out your favorites, make a few tweaks and edits so they are perfect and start creating your own personal art.

Printing travel photos on canvas or aluminum can make unique and meaningful artwork to decorate your home or office. Let Canvas Press help you do so. Once people start to see how amazing it looks you’ll have requests for more and more copies! Before you know it you’ll be starting your own business selling fine art prints of your travel photos.

We just received our order and they all look great!  We could not be more pleased with how well our photos turned out and the quick shipping.

Dustin from Washington

Starting Monday August 3, we will begin accepting entries to our Summer Photo Contest. You can submit images of your best summer photos all week long until Friday, no entries will be considered if sent before August 3 or after August 7. Then, all the entries will be posted in a gallery on our Facebook Fan Page for voting from Monday, August 10 – Sunday, August 16. The winner will be the image with the most “likes” and that lucky photographer will win a 16×20 canvas gallery wrap of the photo!

• Images must be in .JPG format
• Each entrant may submit up to three (3) images
• Images should be of good resolution, but no more than 5MB in size
• Only images received between 12:00 am CST August 3, 2009 and 11:59 pm CST August 7, 2009 will be considered.

Instructions

Email images to info@canvaspress.com with the subject line”Photo Contest.” Include your name, location (city, state), phone number and a title or caption for the image.

You will receive a confirmation email within 12-16 hours of receipt that your photo has been entered. If you do not receive an email your attachment may not have been received, please try again or contact us for help.

If the winning canvas does not fit as a 16×20 gallery wrap, a canvas of equal or lesser value may be substituted.

The winner will be contacted immediately upon the contest closing time. If the prize is not claimed within 14 days, it will be given to the image with the next highest number of votes.

Canvas Press is hosting it’s first ever Photo Contest on our Facebook fan page. If you are on Facebook and are not a fan of Canvas Press, join today!

 We’re looking for your best summertime photo, whether it be a vacation shot, portraits, or just sweating in the summer sun! Entries will be posted on our fan page and voted on by our Facebook Fans. We will be accepting entries August 3rd through August 7th, so be thinking about what you want to submit!! One lucky winner will receive a fabulous prize.

 Once all entries are submitted, we will host your images on our Fan Page for voting. Whichever entry receives the most votes wins! (Only one entry per person, please!)

 So, let’s get out there and show us your best summertime image!