Feb 27 Another day in the Life

So here finds me in another day in the life of a photographer.  Last minute sessions and weddings prove to be most chaotic to the brain.  Did you have the light right is the photo in focus or will you get home and curse yourself for the out of focus photo.  Oh just another day of worry.  But, If just If you did all you have studied and the turn out is anywhere close to your standards of perfection Oh the feeling of joy you have in the pit of your stomach and the pride rises up to put a cheeky smile on your face.  I have done that a few times.  As of late in my days that I do not have work or any kind of event or session I have went back to shooting B&W worthy photos.  Something that I go through spurts in doing but enjoy to the fullest then every once in a while I take a photo most generally by accident that appears to my eyes that is best portrayed as an older more vintage representation and I bring back a sepia version.  Like the photo above for some reason it struck my eye as a perfect sepia photo.  I don't really ever know when I take a photo whether or not I will leave it color, make it B&W, selective color, or any other of the many filters and enhancements that I can do.  So you may ask why if I see a photo in B&W why do I shoot everything in color well I have found times where parts are best in B&W then you want a certain part of that photo in color well fabricating color just is not my style I want the original color and that can only be done if the photo was taken in color.  Then on the flip side of that maybe that photo just does not look any good in B&W and it is far better to be left as it was taken.  Either way even if you are the most novice of photographers you always want to shoot all your photos in color if you messed up that photo you can always convert to B&W later. Most all of your cameras have a photo software even most basic camera software has some kind of B&W conversion factor to it.  A lot of these cameras have even more than just a B&W conversion some have color correction, red eye removal, and cropping tools.  These can prove to be very helpful when you are a novice and not sure what every setting on your camera. These functions have come in handy in my own journey of photographic skill that and a lot of studying, and many countless hours of trial and error.  No I did not go to a brick and mortar school like people would like me to have.  No I have done everything to get to where I am at by my own determination and learning everything I have by my own accords.  I have talked to many photographers that have gone to school and about 90% of them have told me that if they had known what they know now before they spent the time and money of a formal education they would not have done it and put that time and money into their own business and they would be a lot further along in the process.  So to end my blog for today my advice is that if you have a love of photography and you forsee wanting to make it a serious hobby or even going on to the level of pro research what schools have to offer and compare expense and time to the expense and time it would take to learn on your own and make and educated decision.  You may just save some money and time.

Today's Photo Tip:  As if I didn't share a tip enough in my blog I will give you an actual tip on photography.

Give Your Subject Space to Look Into

by Darren Rowse

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In my last last post I wrote about the rule of thirds and placing your subject to one side of the image in an attempt to create balance.
The question that one reader sent me in response to this tip was:

‘When taking pictures of people which side is it best to put them on, the right or the left?’

I’ve got a long answer and a short answer.
The Short Answer: It doesn’t matter.
The Long Answer: Having said that it doesn’t matter let me make one qualification.
As a rule (and we all know that they are made to be broken) if the person (and it works with animals too) you are photographing is looking in one direction or even if their head is pointing in that direction it is best to place them on the opposite side of the frame.
You’ll see it best illustrated in the images on this page – in each case the person is not being photographed head on but have their head pointing either to the left or the right. As a result the photographer has given them some space on the side that they are pointing/looking.

The reason for this is that when a person views an image with a person looking in one direction or the other their eyes also are drawn in that direction. In a sense you’re giving the subject of your image some space to look into and in doing so create a natural way for the photos viewer to flow into the photo also.

Even just a slight turn of the head can be effectively framed using this technique.

Breaking the Rule

Of course breaking this rule produces interesting shots (in some cases more so). They might not be as aesthetically pleasing on some levels and could leave those viewing your images feeling a little on edge but this type of reaction to photos can be quite powerful also.

Feb 13 Reflections

 

 

So after a very busy Jan I have slowed back down to a crawl but have managed to get all the photos done from Jan and the 2 weddings I did.  Today I have showcased some art prints one landscape and one pop art.  I have so much fun just playing with the camera and seeing what the outcome may be this is something I suggest to every budding photographer.  Know what you can do with your camera be it forced blur or zoom macro.  I have found a new love for wedding photography yes it is stressful and you only get one chance to get the right shot but............... the looks of joy when a bride gets to see her photos and she looks beautiful there is just a moment where you can sit back and smile and know "I did that".  Very gratifying for a photographer and there is very few moments that give you the same feelings.  Another reflection that I have had maybe more a revelation that a reflection but I am seriously needing to advertise.  I am very happy with the amount of work I get from my word of mouth referrels but I am left wanting more.  More work, more variety, just more.  I crave the creativity that I am allowed when I photograph the range of dynamics that can be achieved.  From one single photo you can change the mood simply by changing the color balance more reds bring a feeling of warmth and love, more blue can be cold and moody.  Knowing which to do is the key in the true feeling of the photo.  I am looking to take on an intern so to say I have been taught so much by others I am in the giving spirit and ready to start teaching another what I have learned and how I have learned it.  I already have someone to go with me to my next wedding be she is already been to photography school but has never shot a wedding on her own and wants to get more experience in the field.  A fantastic photographer in what she has done and wants to expand her portfolio.  I am excited for the future and ready to expand my own business in the process.

Today's photo tip:  Forced Double Exposure
Have you ever seen a photo where there are 2 images that seem to be super imposed onto one another.  Well this can be done in photoshop but here is how to do it with no photo editing software.
1. Find the 2 items that you would like in the photo
2. You must set the camera on a tripod
3. Set the shutter speed to no less than 1 minute it may take more depending on the available light
4. Set up the first item in the viewfinder
5. Depress the shutter to start the exposure
6. After about 10-20 seconds carefully place the lens caps on the lens
7. Replace the first items with the second item.
8. Remove lens cap and allow the camera to finish the exposure
Now you will have a forced double exposure photo with no photo editing software.  Try different items to achieve different outcomes.  These may be items that have sentimental value or just fun items that look neat together remember it is all up to you these are considered art and you are the artist.

Where does the time go. Feb 3, 2010

Wow where did the time go I have done 3 weddings since my last blog and other settings in between.  I am saddened by this as I have come to find out there are actually people following my blog and learning things from my tips.  So back by popular or semi popular demand my blog will start being updated no less than once a week. Including the photos that I have taken in the last couple of months and new shots as they come in.  The weather has been weird and unpredictable so shooting outside has been slim but the weddings I have done have proven fruitful.  I am actually liking the challenge I get from them and happy with the outcomes even if getting them has been a labor of love.  I have now learned that when you take strobes and have them set to slave that you really should warm guests to wait to take their shots til after you have gotten yours.  I learned this on the 30th of January I shall just say it was trying to get in my shots half the time with my strobes not firing so having to take multiples to get the shot.  I have also learned that when working with my speedlite I would really like to know more about the settings on it so I can benefit myself as well as others.  But, for the life of me cannot follow the instruction manual I swear engineers write those things just to confuse us to where we just have to wing it so to say.  I have also learned that I may not be charging enough for what I do as I am figuring out the more photos you take the more hours post processing it takes and I am making less than what I would going to my mindless job. But alas I do it cause I love it not to get rich and will only alter my pricing slightly to make up for my labor.  For those of you who do not know me personally I am a country girl at heart and am in the process of breaking a 4 yr old horse.  Man has he proved to be a major project in my life as I have altered my sleeping and family schedule to make time for him.  But, again alas he is my baby and I have to put the work in now to enjoy the rewards later there will be photos of him to come as he makes his learning journey.  We have both graduated to the second grade of horse breaking and making progress everyday. Well now that I have updated you on life progress and business progress now on to the lesson of the day.  I have noticed that it is more and more common to see amatuer and just for fun photographers with higher end point and shoot cameras and DSLR's.  There are two sides to every opinion of this as there are a lot of ppl out there that get a fancy camera and all of the sudden start calling themselves a pro.  Now granted a nicer camera does help in taking better shots but there is a lot more than a fancy camera that goes into becoming a pro or even pro am photographer.  So today I will share a lesson and some words of wisdom especially when you are looking to hire someone and you want more than just someone with a fancy camera who has business cards.

Todays lesson:

20 Beginner Tips for Taking Digital Photography

New to digital photography? Looking for information to help you take better pictures? Here are 20 digital photography tips to help you along...

Digital cameras are one of the greatest inventions of modern times. We are so fortunate to have this modern convenience called Digital Photography. To be able to capture a precious moment or beautiful scene at the click of a button, is something we should not take for granted.

Many beginners find digital photography rather challenging and rightly so. Today, more and more digital cameras are being created and it seems like the more digital cameras they make, the more difficult they become to use.

I own a Canon Powershot S3 IS. I purchased this digital camera about a year ago and I still haven't utilized all of the awesome little features this camera has to offer. Now you may not want or even need a camera with tons of features. It really depends on the type of pictures you plan on taking.

Regardless of the camera you own or are planning to own, you should have a well rounded knowledge of digital photography. I hope the following 20 tips for taking digital photography will prove to be useful in your quest for taking better photographs.

1. Know your camera. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is not taking time to learn about the features of your camera. Don't be lazy. Read your instruction manual.

2. When shooting sunny outdoor shots, try adjusting your white balance setting from auto to cloudy. The auto setting will make your shots appear too cold. When you change it to cloudy, it will increase the warmth of your pictures.

3. If you are looking for superior image quality, the ability to use a variety of lenses and print large high quality photos, then considering a Digital SLR Camera.

4. Use your flash outdoors. Sometimes, even on a sunny day outdoors, there is still a need for a flash. If the sun is directly over head or behind your subject, this can cause dark shadows to appear on the face. The flash will help lighten the subjects face.

5. Sometimes simply turning your camera and taking vertical shots can make a world of difference. Experiment more with vertical picture taking.

6. Do not put your subjects directly in the center of your shot. Move your subject off center to inject more life into your photos.

7. Learn how to hold your digital camera. One of the most common problems beginners face is the shaking of the camera because they are not holding it properly. Of course, the best way to avoid shaking the camera is to use a tripod. If you don't have a tripod, then you should be holding your camera with two hands. Put one hand on the right hand side of your camera where you actually snap the photo and the other hand will support the weight of your camera. Depending on the camera, your left hand will either be positioned on the bottom or around your lens.

8. Learn about the "Rule of Thirds". This is a well known principle of photographic composition that every beginner should become familiar with. Do a search online and you will find many tutorials on this subject.

9. Look at other photographers work. Just spending time studying the work of other photographers can provide loads of inspiration.

10. Join online photography communities. Get active and ask questions.

11. Do not compare your photography to anyone else.

12. Do not copy the work of other photographers. Try and develop your own unique style.

13. Do not leave your batteries in your camera if you don't plan on using your camera for long periods of time. Some batteries run the risk of leaking and this can damage your camera.

14. Subscribe to a good photography magazine. Read books on photography.

15. Find experienced photographers to go out on shoots with.

16. Post your photographs in online forums. Learn to accept criticism.

17. Try taking your pictures in RAW format. RAW is a powerful option available in today's digital cameras where no in-camera processing takes place. This allows you to do all processing using your favorite image editing software.

18. Don't buy the most expensive photography equipment right away. Practice and learn about photography using cheaper equipment first. After you have been taking pictures for a while, you will then know what kind of equipment you will need.

19. Invest in a tripod. Some of us have very shaky hands. If you can't stop the shakes, then get a tripod. It will make a world of difference.

20. If you are not able to carry your equipment with you everywhere, make sure you have a note pad handy. This way if you find a nice shot, you can write it down and visit that location at a later date.

Ralph Serpe is Webmaster for Creatives Polite, a free arts and photography community for beginners. Find more free beginner digital photography tips and tutorials. Be sure to also check out Digital Photography here.

By Ralph Serpe Published: 7/24/2008

So now onto my opinions on what makes a pro photographer.  Please remember these are solely my opinions and have no bearing what so ever on what would so call make a pro photographer.
Breaking into the business as a photographer is hard work harder than you can ever imagine only through lots of time, energy, taking thousands of photos sometimes for free, and talking to almost everyone I come in contact with have I built my business.  For me it has been 2 and 1/2 long years of feast or famine income which is why I still hold a full time job with a large company steady income and benefits that I can't afford to loose at this time.  So what do I really think makes a pro photographer well first off it is not the equipment that you have, all the fancy bells and whistles are great and aid in creating a better quality but have no effect what so ever on the feel and emotion of the photo.  Your eye is the only thing that can capture this.  I also feel you have to have a technical knowledge of what made your photo stand apart from others.  Why does a photo come out too dark or too light what setting should you have used, how could I have moved  to make it better.  Another thing is connecting with the subject anyone can set up outside on a sunny day and take a photo that is good, lighted properly, and in focus. But, did you connect with the subject, is there emotion in the eyes, did you get your subject to produce a warm inviting smile.  These are key as well as the technical attributes.  This is probably what sets me apart from those so called pro photographers First I still do not consider myself a pro Second I am very humble when it comes to photos I never feel no matter how good the photo is, that it is perfect there is always something about it I would like to change Third I let my clients do the talking for me. My business thus far has been solely word of mouth and people seeing my work.  I do not advertise, I do not go to Bridal shows, I do not brag on how many people have been satisfied with my work I simply tell who the photos were of and show the photos my business runs solely on impression and customer satisfaction.  Even when I am not happy it most always seems that my clients are happy for the both of us.  Now I don't want these statements to stop any budding photographer from reaching for their goals and I am more than willing to help when I can.  God knows I have received an abundance of help from fellow photogs that simply shared with me what they had learned and I am more than happy to pass on and add what I have learned.  I am simply stating my feelings for those who stand back and say I could have done that but, in reality could not have these people and they do know who they are make pro's look like they are just overpriced versions of the common public and makes it to where they have to slave to gain the trust of others.

Ok now I will step down from my soap box and wish you all a happy week this will be the first and last time I rant on this subject.

Funny side note I have been drooling to get a new camera actually a second but primary camera for my business and at my last wedding had a grandfather tell me not to let my camera out of my sight as it might grow legs and jump into his camera bag.  It made me think truly do I need or just want a bigger and better camera.  I have come to the conclusion that I just want that camera.  I have never come across anyone that made me chuckle and think that they had camera envy over my equipment.  Made me feel like I belonged there taking photos at that wedding.  Who would have ever thought it could happen to me.