12 Days of Christmas - Giveaway!
At this time of year, everyone starts looking back at what they've achieved over the last twelve months. I have been doing the same recently and I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with how it has gone. I will do an 'end of year' post soon, but the one thing that always amazes me is how much support I get. I mentioned this to a friend recently and they laughed and said 'yeah I know, you 'really appreciate it...' The problem is, I do and I don't really know how to say it...
I have done 'giveaways' before but I always end up feeling really bad at the end of it as I can only give one thing away. So after a little think, I decided to do a '12 days of Christmas' giveaway (and yes, I know it's not the proper '12 days' of Christmas but I always have to be different!). Now this isn't as simple as it sounds, as the first big challenge was to find 12 things to actually give away! Fortunately, I have a stockpile of framed and unframed prints!
Next was how to do it. I generally post to Facebook every few days, so I am a bit concerned that posting every day might get a bit annoying. So after some (not very deep) thinking, I thought I would split it between various social media, so one day FB, the next Instagram and so on. Finally, I thought, what about people who aren't on social media? Well that was the easy one, to enter, simply sign up to my Newsletter to enter - to subscribe, check the right-hand side of this page. They will be scheduled as follows:
Day 1) Tuesday 20th December - Facebook (/rossjukesphotography) - PRIZE - 2 x A3 Festive Print - WINNER - Chloe B.
Day 2) Wednesday 21st December - Instagram (@rossjukes) - PRIZE - 2 x A4 Mounted Prints - WINNER - Lena M.
Day 3) Thursday 22nd December - Twitter (@ross_jukes) - PRIZE - 2 x A3 Prints - WINNER - Mark C.
Day 4) Friday 23rd December - Newsletter (Subscribe on the right) - PRIZE - 2 x A3 Prints - WINNER - Chris G.
Day 5) Saturday 24th December - All Platforms (& email newsletter) - PRIZE - A1 Signed Print - WINNER - Antony C.
Day 6) Sunday 25th December - Newsletter (Subscribe on the right) - PRIZE - 2 x A4 Framed Prints - WINNER - Elizabeth M.
Day 7) Monday 26th December - Instagram (@rossjukes) - PRIZE - 2 x A4 Framed Prints - WINNER - Maria E.
Day 8) Tuesday 27th December - Twitter (@ross_jukes) - PRIZE - 1 x A4 Framed Print - WINNER - Kelly J.
Day 9) Wednesday 28th December - YouTube Subscribers (/rossjukesphotography) - PRIZE - 3 x A4 Prints - WINNER - Dan D.
Day 10) Thursday 29th December - Facebook (/rossjukesphotography) - PRIZE - 2 x A3 Prints
Day 11) Friday 30th December - Twitter (@ross_jukes) - PRIZE - 2 x A3 Prints
Day 12) Saturday 31st December - All Platforms (& email newsletter) - PRIZE - Signed A3 Print
I will post around 6.30 each evening on the scheduled platforms so please keep an eye out for them.
HOW TO ENTER:
Now for the fun bit, entering is really simple! On Facebook, Instagram or Twitter - simply 'Like, share or comment' on the set posts. For YouTube and the Newsletter, simply subscribe and a winner will be picked at random! It really is that simple...
PICKING WINNERS & COLLECTING PRIZES:
Winners will be picked at random using WooBox or a similar app. For the Newsletter and YouTube subscription, winners will be chosen at random by a third party app. Winners will be contacted within 48 hours and arrangements made for the winner to collect the prizes (they will be in Birmingham City Centre so pleased make sure you will be able to collect - though I will, where possible, help with delivery if it is easier, though there may be a cost).
TERMS & CONDITIONS:
- The competition is open to anyone via my social media channels & newsletter. Entry will be via likes/comments/shares on Social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and 'subscriptions' to my Youtube Channel and Newsletter.
- Each individual may enter once per day, a 'like, comment or share' will be classed as one entry. Multiples, i.e. a 'like, comment and a share' by one individual will still only be classed as one entry.
- Details of the prizes will be posted on the day and are not open for exchange or exchange for monetary value.
- The competition will close at exactly 5.00pm the day after the original post. Winners will be chosen at random and will be notified within 48 hours of the competition closing.
- Delivery - Where possible, I will try to assist with getting the print to the winner. However, I accept no responsibility for the cost or condition of the framed prints being delivered. Where possible, I can arrange to meet individuals in Birmingham City Centre to hand deliver the prints. For national & international shippings, delivery will be arranged by the recipient at their own cost. I am happy to provided reasonable packaging for the item but any further costs will be accepted by the winner.
- The competition is in no way endorsed or run in conjunction with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Youtube. the competition may be suspended or terminated without notice at the discretion of Ross Jukes Photography and no alternatives offered.
- The competition is for the prizes documented and no alternative or cash alternative will be offered.
- By entering the competition, you are automatically deemed to accept these terms & conditions.
FINALLY...
Thank you once again for all of your support, I hope you have an amazing Christmas and good luck!
Autumn in Birmingham - Video
I have been playing with video again and what better subject matter than Autumn in Birmingham. I will be back to the photography very soon but for now, I have several videos planned for next year so watch this space (literally). Don't forget to 'Subscribe' to my YouTube channel so you can see my latest videos. Thanks.
Street Photography in New York
Street Photography in New YAs you may be aware, last week I was very fortunate to go to New York. It was my first time in the city and to say that I was excited was an understatement. New York had long been one of my ‘must go to’ places and I was pretty Certain THAT I might take a picture or two (thousand) while I was there.
Laura and I arrived late on the Friday night. On leaving Penn Station and making our way to our hotel, I caught tantalising glimpses of New York and as I turned the first corner, was confronted by the Empire State Building. It felt a little surreal seeing it. At that point, it started to sink in, I was finally in New York!
The next morning, I woke up early, grabbed all three of the cameras that I had with me and hit the streets. It was eerily quite considering this city never sleeps. However, it felt amazing to have the city streets pretty much to myself. I was approached a couple of times by people looking for a small handout, a dollar here and there, so I thought it best to be a bit more discreet whilst walking the city streets alone.
I only used my ‘small’ camera, a little Ricoh GR, which became my best friend over the course of the week. Perfect for covert little shots here and there. I had to be ninja like to walk into a scene, grab the shot and leave without detection. That first morning alone was two incredible hours as I familiarised myself with the block layouts, the subway and later in the morning, the hustle and bustle of the city streets.
Throughout the course of the week, I found myself more inclined to shoot ‘street photography’ capturing the everyday scenes as I walked around completely smitten with the busy city streets. I rarely used the ‘big camera’, only for the larger landscape images. There was something to be said about being discreet as I feared that getting caught taking a picture of someone may result in a typical New York style abusive tirade.
With a mix of good light, heavy showers, day and night shots, I was pretty pleased with some of the images I captured. Overall, it was an amazing experience and one that I will hopefully get the opportunity to replicate sometime soon.