A lil art, a lil nature and lots of time with lil B.

Reflecting – 2011 started off rough, got worse, scared the shit out of me, pissed me off, made me reevaluate my life, my priorities, my patterns and my people. I responded by changing everything that needed to be changed and holding on tight to everything that needed to be held.

I learned that control is an illusion, holding on to things that no longer work is useless and success requires focus AND action.

What did you learn from 2011?

Basic Photo Tips – Creating Comfort – Guest post (and photo credit) by the marvelous Lana Reed

Creating comfort doesn´t always come naturally; while some folks have what many would call a natural charisma that seems to make social situation of all kinds run smoothly; most of us are not this lucky. Thankfully, there are specific skills and techniques that one can practice to help make us all look like naturals.

Firstly, confidence, fake it, until you make it. Body language is the number one way to express confidence.  No matter the stage, smile, walk tall and act fully confident in your equipment and in your experience. Don´t let your professional desire to have the best shots uncompromised show in any way. Even if you are way out of your comfort zone and you’re scared every shot has been a disaster, act confident in your knowledge and in your skills. Your clients will have no choice but to pick up on this confidence. Also, if you are a younger photographer and are worried about not being taken seriously, I have found that in the field of photography youth does not act as a disadvantage, to the contrary, it can work to your advantage because the average person automatically assumes that the younger generation is good with technology. Know this, act the part, and people will never consider not taking you seriously.  Every photographer, regardless of their experience, will encounter equipment or environmental struggles.  Things never go as planned, aspects will always change, rain may fall, or makeup might run in the heat. Respond to the small things as they come along, don´t worry about the big things. Influence the things you can, and let go of the things you can’t. Keep your cool and your professionalism, and all the while broadcast your confidence through your body language.

Be Known. Introduce yourself, we have all seen or experienced that silent photographer who thinks he is going about unnoticed but that everyone notices as he makes all feel uncomfortable.  We don’t know whether to stop and smile or continue as if we don’t see them. Directly approach your subject, introduce yourself and ask permission to take their picture. Let them know that you are the photographer for the evening and you will be wandering around taking candid or group shots — whichever applies. You can always reveal your intention using an unassuming simple line like “please continue your discussion, I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know I’ll be floating around taking candid shots this evening.” This simple introduction and statement of intention will instantly put a person at ease.  Using simple ways to help make people more comfortable can go a long way, and using the spoken word is an invaluable means of doing so.

While the above advice applies to group and solo shoots, there are some specific areas to focus on in studio portraits. One-on-one portrait shoots are of a slightly different nature than event photography. While the above still applies, my trick for portrait shoots is to speak to my clients throughout the shoots. Any topic works: current events, funny news stories, or asking about them: their family and pets. Express interest in the individual! Everyone wants to be known, so showing a genuine interest in them will help them open up. In addition, chatting has the added benefit of making the time go faster, especially with camera shy clients, talking will alleviate their anxiety and help them to focus on something other than their self consciousness; soon they will forget they are in front of a lens. All the while, you are photographing and gently guiding them toward angles and poses that will be more flattering. When a pose becomes right, simply ask them to hold there for a moment and smile or not smile. When an angle has been explored fully, I continue the conversation. In the case of a camera shy subject specifically, start with your smallest lens perhaps a 50mm.  Not having an intimidating lens looming in their face can make a big difference in comfort level. Keep in mind that talking to your clients during a photo shoot, is priceless to help them relax but also you are starting the foundations of a relationship that combined with great shots will lead to referrals and repeat sessions.

Photo shoots can be very empowering. Allowing yourself to be photographed requires a great deal of vulnerability especially in a culture where looks and beauty are considered to be such valuable assets, the average bride or pregnant mother to be can feel a great deal of apprehension, doubt, fear and pressure to appear beautiful. Images have the power to capture the spirit of beauty that shines uniquely in every individual and photography can actually transcend limitations of actual physical appearance since it can capture a one split second expression. We should take great care to act in a conscientious manner with our photography subjects—not only to take great shots but to create a memory of the experience of the photography session itself. Compliments can be great tool to cultivate comfort. Honestly and simply remarking on hairstyle, eye color, etc. can make clients feel great and in turn give more personality and energy to the photoshoot!

In the realm of photojournalism, the goal is to find a balance between the natural and the posed, We want to maintain the integrity of the photography by photographing in a way that requires the least amount of post editing. If you are interested in exploring this strategy, my technique when shooting portraits is to observe what pose and mannerisms the subject gravitates towards naturally and then tweaking it gently as needed for it to be more flattering. In this way, I can capture a pose that is more authentic to the person they truly are.

On my first ever professional shoot, a Saturday wedding where the terribly lighting was putting me into panic mode, in my inexperience, I made the mistake of verbalizing that panic. Thankfully, the established, experienced photographer I was learning from took me aside and gave me advice that I still consider to be the most valuable I have ever received when it comes to keeping your client’s confidence. When behind the lens, a professional only ever says that the subject looks perfect, the scene is beautiful and the light is just right. Always keep your doubts and frustrations in your head, and only articulate that every picture is perfect. It’s such a simple rule, but we so often we forget lost in our art making. Next time you attend an event listen to what the photographer says, if you catch them making this mistake, take a moment to observe how the look on people’s faces change. Regardless of how the disastrously the shoot is progressing, I want my subjects to feel relaxed and to sense that the picture is perfect.

Photo shoots are a celebration of your subject, and making people feel comfortable can really be so much easier if you are conscience of your words and actions and their affect on clients. Just remember: always be confident, outgoing and positive; and your confidence will be contagious.

Lana is a photographer in San Antonio Texas. If you are looking for amazing and affordable photo work please visit her website.

When you start talking toddlers and children’s photography I can practically hear people groan. But really – it’s not that hard. If you make sure they are having fun you can have some fun as well.

I’m assuming everyone has heard the standard “get down on their level” advice about photographing kids. You haven’t? Some of you have? Okay I’ll be quick with that part. – Get down on their level. Pictures of children feel better and show more depth when taken at the child’s eye level. When you take a shot looking down on a child two things happen:

1. Perspective makes their heads look much larger than the rest of their bodies.
2. They look much smaller than they really are.

So your main goal when photographing children is get shots from their level.

Here is some other stuff you can do to get great shots of kids:

1. Get OUT of the studio – kids get bored. They don’t want to sit up straight and smile into the flash over and over until you get your perfect shot.
2. Find a location they can run around – kids that are running and jumping and playing are kids that are smiling. Let them run, take a million pics and you will have a few that show the authentic happiness of the moment.
3. Prepare to run – kids that are moving need a photographer that is moving with them. Run way in front of them and then turn around and snap 20 frames as they are running to catch up with you. Run up the steps and snap 20 frames as they are climb up. Climb a tree. Jump down and shot pic after pic as they follow in your footsteps.
4. Wear comfy clothes – you need to be able to bend and crawl and run and climb so dress for the occasion. If your shoes make your feet hurt then your not having fun and your probably not going to get fun shots.
5. Let go of the need to have perfectly planned poses – set your camera on continuous mode and just shoot.
6. Carry a tissue – stuff comes out of kids noses and mouths. Get used to it. Be quick, learn how to clean noses with one hand and shoot with the other.

Happy shooting! Please let me know in the comments if you found these tips helpful!

Thanks

e

We all have a certain type of photography that we gravitate toward. Maybe you only pick up the camera when you are clicking shots of your kids or your family. Maybe you LOVE to snap shots of your pet or animals in general. Maybe nature is your thing and you don’t feel creative unless you are taking shots of mountains and grass and lakes.

Get out of your comfort zone!

Whatever it is that you love to take pics of you can improve those shots by experimenting outside of your comfort zone. There is something cool happening in your town this weekend. Find it and go take pics. Play around with:

- The camera angle – from portrait to landscape and everything in between.

- The camera level – shoot from up high, down low, same level.

- Distance from the subject – Back way off, move in super close.

- Light – Get shots with the sun behind you, behind your subject, overhead, off to the side, hang out till the sun goes down and play with your flash.

Mix it up. Be playful. Have fun. Enjoy it.

When you get home dig through your images and find your 10 favorites. Examine them and figure out why you like them. Is there a way to incorporate what you like about these into your day to day pics?

The pics in this post were taken at our San Antonio 2011 ZombieWalk this past weekend. I had an ABSOLUTLE blast! It’s not every day that I get to take pics of zombies!

There is no real right or wrong way to hold your camera but here are a few things that I have found greatly reduce camera shake and blurry photos:

1. Hold the camera with both hands! You can use your right hand to grip the right side with your thumb around the back of the camera. Your forefinger can comfortably sit lightly above the shutter release and your other three fingers can curl around the front of the camera. Use a strong grip with your right hand but don’t hold it so tight that you end up shaking the camera. Use your left hand to support the weight of the camera, it can sit under the camera or you can wrap your fingers around the lens.
2. Pull the camera close into your body. This add’s extra stability. Tuck your elbows into your sides and lean the camera out a little from your face (around 30cm).
3. Use the props around you. You can add extra stability by leaning against a solid object like a wall or a tree or by sitting or kneeling down. If you have to stand and there isn’t anything to lean on for extra support place your feet shoulder width apart to give yourself a steady stance. If you are kneeling and want to place the camera on something use the meat of your leg as opposed to your knee. The knee allows for movement while the leg is more stable.
4. Take a breath. Just before you depress the shutter release button breathe in and hold the breath until you let go of the button. The stiller you can keep your body the stiller the camera will be.

Good luck and happy shooting!
e

Photographers: Be Present in the Moment – Guest post from Laura Reid

Whether you use your camera to just take snapshots, or you are trying to capture more artistic landscapes, photography is a great way to open up the way you look at your world. Most likely the inspiration to reach for your camera often comes at the moments that are really special in life…your child discovering something new, seeing the ocean for the first time, family together for a rare gathering. Why not allow yourself to be even more connected when you take time to be fully present in these moments? And why not find more of those special moments by appreciating the ignored beauty all around you? Slow down, savor the time you are capturing your world and experiences.

The more you know your camera, the easier it is to compose what will be cherished mementos. The steps you take to go from just grabbing a camera for quick snaps while on the Auto setting, to making photographs, can be endlessly rewarding.

Pick the right camera for you – There’s saying in photography: The best camera is the one you have with you. You don’t need a $1,000+ DSLR to take great photos, and luckily there are compact digital cameras that allow you to shoot on manual settings and have nice zoom features without the expense and heft of extra lenses. If you want every possible detail about every camera out there, you can visit dpreview.com. Another good resource is YouTube; once you’ve narrowed down your camera search you can almost always find a video review of the pros and cons of the models.

Learn and Share with a new community - Digital cameras are unbelievable with what they can do, and I bet you’re only using a fraction of the features. Use the manual, get feel for your camera, learn all the settings, and how to quickly navigate the menus. As with your search for the right camera, the internet contains an embarrassment of riches when it comes to learning about all aspects of photography. You can learn something every time you pick up your camera. Make a list of what you want to know more about and work your way through the techniques. Give yourself little lessons by reading portions of your manual, visiting photographer blogs and watching online videos. I have found that professional photographers are very generous with sharing their knowledge – take advantage of the virtually endless resources online. When you’re ready to share your work, sites like Flickr and Picasa let you post (and even edit) photos. This is a great way to get feedback and find inspiration from others who have posted their work.

Light will always be light – No matter how advanced cameras get, the basic concepts of photography are the same as they have ever been. As Elizabeth posted previously, the technical fundamentals will always be Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO; understanding light is crucial to a good shot. Set your camera to Manual and practice, practice, practice. Be aware of the f-stop, shutter and ISO settings and note what setting combinations work to capture the scene you are trying to achieve. Light and composition make or break a photo.

Find your style by ‘framing’ your world in the viewfinder – I am working on a photo-a-day project, where I have challenged myself to make one picture a day for a year. This has me looking at my world in a ‘frame’. Everything I look at gets reexamined to see if it is photogenic. We all go through the motions of our daily routines. If you’re feeling disconnected or bored with your environment, you don’t necessarily need to run off on an exotic vacation (although that would be great!) You can look at the details of your world to find what would make a lovely (or intriguing, or shocking, or strange) photo. Try taking one photo every day for a week and see how much more connected to feel to your surroundings and how much more aware of being in the moment you can be. It isn’t necessary to always pose a photo. Practice capturing candid moments or isolating a small part of a bigger scene.

Visualize your world – We have all heard of Ansel Adams and seen his breathtaking landscape photos. Adams believed that above all else the most important concept in photography is Visualization. Look at your subject and ‘see’ the picture you want to make in your mind’s eye, then you use what you’ve practiced to make the photograph you want.  And Ansel was hauling over 100 pounds of massive camera equipment to the top of mountains, with only a couple of chances to capture the perfect composition. Visualize what you want to show in your photos before pressing the trigger. That said…

Value your time – Shoot like you’re using film. Remember when you only had 24 or 36 chances to get a good shot and it costs actual cash to develop your pictures to see the results? Again: Be present in the moment, especially when taking photos of your children or a location you may never return to again; take a little extra time to set up a good shot and take pleasure in the process. It’s supposed to be enjoyable and not a chore. But don’t let rare moments be overshadowed by the stress of the perfect shot. Get comfortable with the fundamentals of photography so capturing the moment will be easier each time you reach for your camera.

If you just click the shutter in “spray and pray” style, you will most likely end up with too many photos to sort through; you could have possibly dozens upon dozens of images with mistakes that will need to be corrected in the boring editing process. A daunting editing session can discourage even the most enthusiastic photographer. This is time you could be using out enjoying your life by making great shots from the start.

The only mistake is leaving the lens cap on. So get out there with your camera and start shooting!

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Thanks for the fantastic post Laura! You can find more posts from Laura on her blog and on her facebook page.

If you are interested in writing a guest post please contact me.

Happy Shooting!

Elizabeth

Lighting has more impact on an image than any other aspect of photography. Every image has its appropriate light. If the light is not good, the photo won’t be either. The mounted flash on your camera can ruin your picture so try to turn it off and use the light that is available.

Basics for turning off that flash -

1 – Pay attention to where the main source of light is coming from.
2 – Avoid “top” light, which creates deep shadows under the eyes.
3 – When photographing outdoors, use your camera’s “fill flash” function to help reduce shadows and even out lighting across faces.
4 – When using “backlight”, make sure your camera is registering its exposure from the subject’s face and not from the light source.
5 – Early morning or late-day sunshine is your ideal light for great snapshots. Cloudy days are the ULTIMATE for great shooting days!

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Happy shooting!
e

The photos I sell in my store are BIG. People want the art they hang on the wall to be a focal point. When I am shooting I need to keep that in mind. When I first transitioned from taking pics for personal photo albums to shooting for enlargements this was a big struggle for me. I wanted a quick and easy reference that I could use to know on the fly if a photo has enough pixels to make a quality enlargement.

Here is my super secret handy chart that I use to determine how big I can go with my enlargements:

Happy shooting! Let me know in the comments how it goes!

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Thanks
e

Basic Photo Tips – The Trinity

Controlling your camera and capturing a great exposure – a correct exposure – is simply the right combination of three basic settings: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

You can always leave your camera on the auto setting and the camera will decide the correct settings for you but it is so much more fun to control “The Trinity” yourself. Once you learn and experiment a bit with exposure you can get consistently great shots, even better than the ones your camera provides on the auto setting.

Aperture – the opening in the lens of the camera.

Aperture is measured on a scale of f–numbers or f-stops. (same thing, just different terms) So you will see f/16 or f/5.6. Each time you descend from one aperture opening to the next, or stop down, such as from f/4 to f/5.6, the amount of light passing through the lens is cut in half. The smaller the number, the more light that hits the sensor. Aperture is usually referred to by it’s size. So a small aperture means a smaller hole and less light, like f/22. A larger aperture means a bigger opening and more light, like f/2.8.

Changing your aperture not only controls the amount of light entering your camera, but it also controls the depth of field of the image. Larger apertures,  like f/1.4 or f/2.8 will give shallow DOF. Smaller apertures, like f/16 and f/22 will give deep DOF. Apertures in the middle, like f/8, give medium DOF.

Shutter Speed – the amount of time that the shutter is open.

Shutter speed controls how much of the light that the aperture let in – get to the film or the sensor. Shutter speeds are commonly shown in fractions of a second, like 1/15 sec. As the number gets larger, the shutter speed is faster. For example 1/250 is faster than 1/30. Shutter speed controls whether a subject is frozen (faster speed) or blurred (slower speed). Using it creatively can lead to so many interesting effects.

ISO – is the sensitivity of the camera’s sensor or film

Your choice of ISO has a direct impact on the combination of apertures and shutter speeds you can use. In a digital camera using a higher ISO, higher number, like 800, will keep the sensor turned on longer. So the higher the ISO number, the more sensitive the sensor and the less light you need to make an exposure. The drawback to using a high ISO, like 800 and above, is that it generates more noise so your final image will be less sharp.

So there you have it; aperture, shutter speed, and ISO will give you your exposure. There are many combinations of the three that will lead to the same exposure – but the way that you set each one has an impact on the look and feel of your final image.

Happy experimenting! Let me know in the comments how it goes!

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Thanks

e