Aug 14 2009

It's that time again, time for my weekly blog. I would have done this yesterday but was battling my worst enemy migraine headaches. Sometimes I wonder why one gets them and another doesn't I would trade for many ailments just to get rid of them. But I am back up and running today and have many to do's today. Scouting locations is one of them need some unique and interesting locations for photo sessions. I will be getting those up on my facebook page under locations as soon as I get them processed. I am very excited to be adding some new and fun locations to my list. Especially for seniors as they are the most dynamic shoots scenery wise and todays seniors are getting more shall I say demanding of fun and unique scenery. So a trip southward then maybe hit the oldtown district and if enough time head northward to cover all aspects of my range of travel. This may be a two day adventure to be continued early next week we will see what time permits me to do today. So on to todays photo these guys showed up in the backyard the night before last when I was coming in from bowling and I was lucky enough that they were still there yesterday morning so I fought the thumping head to get at least some shots of these weirdly unique critters. Hope you like the photo.

Todays photo tip:

Changing the Point of View

Another thing to consider when taking your picture is your point of view. A picture can be more interesting when taken from an unusual angle. Don't be afraid to lie down and look up at your subject, a particularly dynamic approach when photographing pets or children and also less threatening to your subject. Equally, you could try climbing up to a higher viewpoint and looking down on your subject. Better yet, try both and then delete the one you like less.

Aug 5 2009

Ok so I missed my one week goal by just a bit but I am trying. I have been really busy with work and family but i have managed to take a few new photos. The photo I have highlighted today is from my very own bushes I love hibiscus and they are so pretty when photographed. I am just glad I am able to share with others. I am proud to announce that my facebook page is now up to 80 fans and hopefully growing even more. My goal is to get at least 150 if not 200 but am so happy with my 80. I just hope that my work will increase with my fan numbers increasing. I head back to my day job on Thurs will hopefully get one more blog in before then if not will blog again next week. Til then Live like there is no tomorrow.

Todays Photo Tip: High Resolution All the Way-

One of the most important reasons for packing a massive memory card is to enable you to shoot at your camera's highest resolution. If you paid a premium price for a 6 megapixel digicam, then get your money's worth and shoot at 6 megapixels. And while you're at it, shoot at your camera's highest quality compression setting too.

Why not squeeze more images on your memory card by shooting a lower resolution and low quality compression settings? Because you never know when you're going to capture the next great image of the 21st century. And if you take a beautiful picture at the low 640 x 480 resolution, that means you can only make a print about the size of a credit card, not exactly the right dimensions for hanging in the museum.

On the other hand, if you recorded the image at 2272 x 1704 (4 megapixels) or larger, then you can make a lovely 8- x 10-inch photo-quality print suitable for framing or even for gracing the cover of Time magazine. And just in case you were able to get as close to the action as you had liked, having those extra pixels enables you to crop your image and still have enough resolution to make a decent sized print.

The point is, if you have enough memory (and you know you should), then there's no reason to shoot at lower resolution and risk missing the opportunity to show off your work in a big way.

Happy Shooting.

July 23 Life is like a box of chocolates, there's always nuts in every box.

Ok so today will be my last blog for 6 and I am dreading them. Back to my real job I go, if you want to call it that. I will be so glad when I can ditch the job and have my studio running full time. This is frustrating times but alas I do not give up. So I am re prioritizing my funds and will be hitting the advertising world to further my client base. I am also with great prompting from my husband going to be beating on the doors of some mags to get my landscapes and art prints published. This is new for me and am learning along the way. Wish me Luck...... I am at a point where I have worked so hard to get this business off the ground it is time to take some initiative and get things done. When life gives you lemons, Make Lemonade.

Todays Photo Tip: Take your camera everywhere with you. I don't know how many times I have seen something beautiful or just plain strange and wouldn't you know I don't have my camera. I have seen deer and sunsets and many more things of great interest and no way of documenting them. So when loading up to run your errands toss in your camera just for safe measure you never know when you might find that one in a million shot that will take your breathe away.

Til next time. Have a blessed weekend.

July 21 A good day.

So I got the studio cleaned out since everytime we go camping all the gear gets dumped in my studio. Nice huh? But just didn't have the drive to shoot any photos today and the kids only let me get away with so many a year. So I am faced with a dilema in these economical hard times. Do I take time off from my business or do I do some work for a great deal. I am seriously leaning toward the second option. So in light of my declined business largely to to economic hardship and also my lack there of advertising I will be doing a special. In the remainder of July and August I will be running 30% off my sitting fee and 25% of prints. That is a great deal personalized sitting with me for $28.00. If you are interested in booking give me a call at 316-734-3853 or email me at basicandbeyondphotography@wheatstate.com. Just a side note the photo I have posted was from our trip to San Antonio Seaworld. What a lovely park and truly a great experience for all I highly suggest if you get a chance check it out.

Todays Photo Tip: For those who only have on board flashes. If you are getting frustrated with there being a big bright spot right in the middle of your photo where the flash fired you are not alone. This is called a hot spot and they can be very frustrating. So when you have to use that on board flash and you want to minimize that harsh hot spot. Go to the kitchen pull you out a coffee filter, yes I said a coffee filter. Lightly take a piece of said filter over that flash and see how more diffuse that light is. It will minimize the hot spots and help spread the light just a bit more. You will not be sorry that you used this tip and hey it can't hurt that photo a bit. LOL

Til next time, God Bless.

July 20th Update

So I feel that I may have taken on a little too much trying to do a 365 project right now. I still am taking photos everyday pretty much. But, getting them on here and edited is the trouble. So for now I am scrapping the 365 project and my goal is to update my blog no less than once a week. I will also continue to give photo tips because I love to share what I have learned in the last 5 years since I commited to photography my time and energy. Todays photo is my nephew just sitting and contemplating the moment. This is one of my favorite photos I took over the weekend while camping. Hope you enjoy.

Photo tip: If you are wanting to stop action and you are having a hard time with your auto settings. Try switching to shutter priority (if your camera supports this) set your shutter speed to at least your focal length. Being if you are zoomed in to 200 mm then your shutter speed should be no less than 1/200th second. This will stop action so you can catch those jumps, and runs with out that pesky blur that motion will give you.

July 9 Day 4

Ok so back to the real world of my full time job in the old ER I did take a few snaps today but nothing worthy of posting so in light of my heavy weekend schedule. I will be sharing older photos that are special to me. So here is one of my first "art gallery" quality prints taken with my first high end camera by Kodak. Taken back in 2005 just the day after getting the camera. I was at that time in awe of the camera. Over the years I longed for something bigger and greater. So I purchased my DSLR and have not been upset with the camera one bit. So this weekend you will get to see a blast from my photographic past hope you enjoy the walk down my memory lane.

Today's photo tip: Great photos do not necessarily come from the most expensive or best cameras. They come from the eye of the photographer you don't need fancy equipment to take breath taking photos you need breath taking moments and an eye for that certain something. So just when you think you just have to have that fancier, costlier camera step back see things in a new light and snap away with what you have you might just be surprised at the result.

July 8 Day 3

Wow what a day started with storms and hail this morning and ending with storms tonight. What a wonderful display of natural electricity. Much to my delight I caught my long eluded lightning shot. I have caught others but never in focus just lit up I am overjoyed with this photo. Also very happy to share so others can see it, truly a day that I can say I have accomplished a goal. As I sit here writing I can hear the thunder outside and am itching to go out and try to capture more. Oh to live in the central plains where you can experience the raw fury of nature.

Today's photo tip: To create impactful photos, move in close and fill your picture with the subject. Move a few steps closer or use the zoom until the subject fills the viewfinder. You will eliminate background distractions and show off the details in your subject. For small objects, use the cameras macro or "flower" mode to get sharp close ups.