We just wrapped up two awesome giveaways here at Totally Rad!  Here are the lucky recipients:

Laura Elle wins a seat to the sold-out Voice workshop taught by Sarah and Chris Rhoads!  She won the run-off in our video contest with 61% of the vote.  Way to go Laura!  Have fun in Oz!

Tabitha Anderson won a free 32GB iPad for taking our survey.  Sweet!  I don't even have one of those yet, so I'm a bit jealous of Tabitha :)  THANK YOU to everyone who took the time to complete our survey.  I know that some of the questions probably made your brain melt, but we learned many important things that will help make our future products better.

On that note, Kristen is out of the office for the next couple weeks, so I, Doug Boutwell, will be rocking out the blog, Facebook, Twitter, and our support, in addition to all the other super-secret things we're doing.  Please be patient with me while I try to juggle about 8 balls in the air at once.

Finally, Cracked just posted a hilariously demented series of wedding photography tips, and I highly recommend you spend 5 minutes of your Monday reading it.  Because you know you were looking for another reason to keep ignoring your pile of email.

Hugs and kisses,

-Doug
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anon. says:

Seriously? How old are you all? Congratulations, Laura! You really do deserve it. Do not let these immature, bitter human beings get to you. So what if this "Tessa" is an excellent person and really wanted to win and is loved by all? YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN MORE VOTES THEN. Sore losers don't get anything out of life.

(07.29.10 @ 10:28 PM)
Sarah Rhoads says:

Chris and I just want to thank EVERYONE who submitted videos! Thank you for making us laugh, for your sincere words, time and effort putting these together! You guys are all amazing!

(07.28.10 @ 09:23 AM)
Doug says:

To the commenters that have a little bit of venom laced into your words (you know who you are):

We're glad you're passionate about our little contest, and sorry you're disappointed in the results! "Aw, shucks" is a perfectly appropriate response. Ripping on the winner is not. All the entries had merit (that's why we couldn't decide!) and I simply won't stand for letting anything within my control degenerate into a DPReview-style internet snipe-fest. Play nice, kids.

(07.28.10 @ 08:07 AM)
Agi Magyar says:

Tessa, I think you are talented and has some beautiful images on your website. However, your last comment here seems bitter... You are a winner either way and please don't ruin it with such sarcastic comments...

(07.27.10 @ 04:24 PM)
Tessa Harvey says:

Congratulations Laura! You truly deserve this and I hope many wonderful things for you! I'm very blessed to have had the privilege to get to see your work and I have been inspired by your unique style and gifted eye for beauty. I wish you the best and am excited for you and your future.

Sincerely,

Tessa Harvey

(07.26.10 @ 09:28 PM)
Agi Magyar says:

Guys! It was a contest and the lucky winner is Laura. Get over it and be happy for her! If someone is talented and working hard on pursuing their dreams then they will be successful even without winning a competition!
Congrats Laura! You'll sure enjoy Australia! It's an awesome place! :)

(07.26.10 @ 07:27 PM)
Danielle Snelson says:

I am so THRILLED for you Laura Ella! I am confident you have been blessed richly with a wonderful opportunity, but more confident you have been blessed with a true talent. I am sure you are a beautiful person inside and out and that you are one of the MANY gifted women in the world. ENJOY YOUR WIN! Let no one take away this victory:)

(07.26.10 @ 07:09 PM)
Amy Y says:

I agree with you Sandy...very sad for Tessa. She is incredibly talented. I hate to see people win competitions based on popularity and not talent. Oh well, their loss. She's an incredible person to know and to work with.

(07.26.10 @ 06:26 PM)
Annie says:

Congratulations Laura! Your video made me laugh :) And those tips were hilarious!

(07.26.10 @ 04:35 PM)
Sandy says:

I am highly disappointed in the selection of the contest. If you were looking for someone who is creative, unique; someone who is remarkable with others, possesses the richness in life, inspiration, creativity-which are the characteristics you passionately propose as important as a photographer- then Tessa's video representation was the best.

(07.26.10 @ 02:46 PM)
Doug says:

LOL that's true! Sorry to get your hopes up!

(07.26.10 @ 02:24 PM)
Tabitha McCausland says:

Dang it!!! I saw the name Tabitha and thought it was me :) You don't see many Tabitha's :)

(07.26.10 @ 01:50 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: Winner Winner Chicken Dinner! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.gettotallyrad.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/166
June 30th is the day crazy-awesome shiz goes down in the land of TRA house parties, and it's fast approaching.

Fabulous hosts and hostesses are holding shindigs in:

New Jersey
Kansas City, MO
Rio Grande Valley, TX
West Chester, PA (just outside Philadelphia)
San Diego, CA

If you'd like to attend a shindig, click here, find your party, and RSVP!
 
If there's not a party in your area, attend virtually at Ruffly Speaking, where there are treats and contests happening all day long on the 30th!


100429_0018.jpg

 

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Chrissie says:

I just went on an Oriental Trading Shopping Spree for my West Chester, PA TRA House Party! WOOO The theme is "Carnival", and should be lots of fun :-)

(06.24.10 @ 07:15 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: TOTALLY RAD HOUSE PARTY COUNTDOWN! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.gettotallyrad.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/150
A few weeks ago, we called for entries to see what you all could do with our Totally Rad Lightroom Presets.  We're excited to feature the top five recipes on both the blog and the recipe site! 

Congrats to the first place winner of a $100 B&H Photo Gift Card, David Ruiz!

briana-01.jpgDavid Ruiz Photography
San Antonio, TX

RECIPE:

Black Levels Adjustments
Bitchin Camaro | Medium
Friendly Confines | Medium
Vignette Donatello
Purple Nurple | Strong

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Jennifer King says:

this is so beautiful!!

(07.25.10 @ 12:52 AM)
Jennifer King says:

this is so beautiful!!

(07.25.10 @ 12:35 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: PRESET RECIPES WINNER . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.gettotallyrad.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/144
First, Christine Pinalto wins the Milkpress blog theme, courtesy of the fab Jessica Claire!  Christine chose Blueberry Pie, and it's on its way!

100429_0001.jpgAnd now, major news!  Doug Boutwell, creator of the Totally Rad line of products, was sitting around thinking about how to get TRA users to connect with other TRA users and have fun at the same time. He took it up with the TRA team and we came up with house parties. Boom.

A TRA House Party is an excuse for peeps who use and love Totally Rad products to get together. We suggest a silly theme, a bit of food and drink, and a little bit of learning to round out your party. 

TRA House Parties takes place across the globe on the same day to maximize a sense of community...you can find the details for the next party on our Facebook fan page by clicking the Events tab.

The absolutely amazing Laurel McConnell hosted the very first TRA house party, just to see if it was a good idea.  Turns out it was a fabulous one, and the party was FABULOUS.  Easy cheese.  Zombies.  Photobooth.  Ring flash.  Bowties.   

Password tra lets you see the house party goodness.  There's lots more crazy silly awesome photos waiting there...

100429_0004.jpg

In other words, we're planning a worldwide network of house parties on June 30, 2010.  We need YOU to help us by hosting or attending a house party on that day. Sign up here.  Then gather your photographer friends and get crazy.  

You can download our guide to planning your house party here.
  It contains lots more details and ideas for making June 30 incredibly rad.  Feel free to be excited and/or ask questions in the comments, lovelies!   

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mindy @ STUDIO 6.23 says:

OF COURSE laurel mc connell was a party host goddess!!!!!! that's how she rolls! :) wish we could've been there, but now we'll just have to throw our very own TRA in GR, MI!!! yep..... it's gonna happen. what a fabulous idea!!! CHEERS to you all!!!

(06.06.10 @ 07:46 PM)
Teresa Conahan Decking says:

I'm in SD. Sounds fun!

(05.27.10 @ 09:40 PM)
Jen says:

This is such a great idea!

(05.26.10 @ 04:42 PM)
Christine Pinalto says:

NIIIIIICE! Thanks for the win! I'm feelin it!

(05.26.10 @ 03:17 PM)
Maureen Cassidy Photography says:

i gotta see if i can make it happen. LOVE TRA, i just moved to madison WI. I have not many any other photographers yet, but this could be a good start.

(05.26.10 @ 11:25 AM)
Laurel McConnell says:

Kristin & Doug, thanks loads for offering me this incredibly fun opportunity, to kickoff the TRA House Party in silly ol' Seattle. SO glad I did it, and would love to do it again (still have lotsa paper bowties). You can always count on me for a silly wackadoodle party :) And Jason, DANGIT I wish I woulda thought of having you over. You're my favorite :)

(05.26.10 @ 10:43 AM)
Jessica Hannon says:

Sweeeeet! I'll see if I can set one up for photographers in San Diego, email me if your interested! captured@jessicahannon.com

(05.26.10 @ 10:05 AM)
Jason Parker says:

And to make your house party ever radder (is that a word???), add some live music! If you're in Seattle, hit me up!

(05.26.10 @ 09:47 AM)
dustin steller says:

Looks sweet, dude!

(05.26.10 @ 09:08 AM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: TRA HOUSE PARTIES! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.gettotallyrad.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/135
So, our Totally Rad Recipes site is sorely lacking Lightroom Presets goodies!  We know you're rocking the presets, we just need proof of it.

You have one week to wow us with your preset recipes -- the winner gets a $100 B&H giftcard and eternal bragging rights.  The top five recipes will be featured on the recipes site and the regular blog AND Facebook for triple the exposure and happy comments. 

To enter, you must include:

--   2 images 850 px wide at 72 dpi showing your before and after
--   Your name, location, and website (Just one!)
--  The TRA Lightroom Presets recipe you used

Then e-mail the whole shebang to kristen@gettotallyrad.com by Noon EST on May 25th.

Just four clicks of a button produce dramatically different results! Original shown next to each version for comparison.

pittsburgh.jpgPhil's Shadows | Medium
Tone | Purple Nurple | Lite

pitt-3.jpgPhil's Shadows | Medium
Tone | Purple Nurple | Lite
Skid Row | Lite
Golden Age | Lite

If you still don't have the best Lightroom presets on the planet, go ahead and buy 'em right now.

Oh, and Facebook TRA Suite winner?  You're going to have to go over to our Facebook page to find out who's lucky today.  Like us and then click on 'coupon' for a sweet promo code, too!    


 
 




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erin miller says:

Pick me, Pick me, Pick me! I love Tamara Lackey! I love taking photographs of children and I can ALWAYS use some inspiration! Plus I don't live far from Napa so I would defiantly be there!!!!! Please pick me :)

(06.02.10 @ 09:41 PM)
Christina Chico says:

Amazing results! I'll be purchasing some today!

(06.02.10 @ 06:29 PM)
Sharon says:

I've just started using the TR for LR. And I LOVE it! So, from the few images I have used it on, I'm sending in my choice!

(05.19.10 @ 03:36 PM)
Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry: CALL FOR PRESET RECIPES! . TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.gettotallyrad.com/darkroom/mt/mt-tb.cgi/131