Have you ever wondered why some photographers just seem to have a knack for what they’re doing? It’s almost as if they have some sixth sense for photography, an uncanny ability to pick anything of interest from a scene and make it stand out. I believe we all have the ability to see what they see. I don’t think it’s rocket science. You just need to try out this simple fifteen minute exercise.
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Ah, the elusive photographic eye. Is it something you’re born with, or is it something you develop over the years? I’m inclined to believe the latter. I know that with enough practice and understanding of what makes a good photo “good,” you will soon start hearing that coveted compliment from your friends too. It’s not hard to get an eye for photography. You just have to start paying attention to the photographic opportunities around you.
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We like to think we’re safe. I know I take all of the right precautions to make sure my camera equipment never gets stolen. Even so, we’re still human. We’ve got busy lives, and that means we’re prone to leaving ourselves vulnerable every now and again. How many times have you left your camera equipment in your hotel room while going out for a quick meal? Did you really think you were safe? Here are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for the unthinkable.
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It’s funny. For years and years we’ve thrown around terms like “mental energy,” and for the most part, none of us really questions what we’re getting at. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately in my own photography, and it’s looking like some of the new research on creativity is confirming what I originally thought. There is such a thing as mental energy, and if you can learn how to harness it, you’ll get the most out of the time you spend taking pictures. Here’s what I mean.
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It seems like there are only so many photos you can get of your kids, and if you’re like most parents, you always want more. I know this when babysitting my nephews or bringing them to the local park. You get the classic pictures of them playing on the swing set, and then what? Well here’s a quick and easy thing you can do to make your photos of your children more interesting. Use props.
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Flashes, the age old staple of the modern photographer. They’ve been around as long as photographers have needed some kind of portable light source. But all of that might change very soon. The newest L.E.D. lights are not only inexpensive, they draw much less power than their fluorescent and incandescent counterparts. Plus, when compared to flash (which you can only see for a fraction of a second), they provide the kind of real-time feedback photographers love. Is it the end of flash photography as we know it?
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This year is looking to be a rather magnetically active year for this little planet. All kinds of solar storms are headed are way, but don’t you worry. They won’t do any damage to civilization or life as we know it. They will, however, make for some rather amazing photo ops. When a really big solar storm comes in, it moves the aurora borealis ‘northern lights’ further south (or north if you’re from down under) than usual. So if you’re anywhere near it, get out your camera. Here’s how you can capture some of the action!
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Recently I sat down with pro photographer Amy Renfrey of the Focus ezine. She’s just returned from a vacation and shared some of the photos she took with me. And I tell you what, she took some really stunning shots! What’s even better is I was able to ask her a whole lot of questions about HOW she took her shots. I recorded it all. So you can gain the benefits of her wisdom too.
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Is you camera collecting dust on the shelf because it’s too cold out to shoot? Winter presents numerous hazards to any would-be photographer. For one, you risk freezing your fingers just to get the shot, and before you know it, your batteries are dead. If you haven’t taken that many great images this winter, I don’t blame you. But with the techniques you’re about to learn, you’ll want to grab your camera and get out there every time it snows. I’ll show you why.
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This time of year you’re probably looking out the window and wondering when the sun is finally going to come out. It’s the dead of winter, the holidays are gone, and guess what? You’ve gotta return to your job. The first week in January is consistently voted the most depressing in the northern hemisphere, but you should have no reason to feel blue. Now is the time to create the most gorgeous landscape photos you’ve ever made. Here’s how.
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If you’ve ever gotten your portrait taken professionally, you know what it’s typically like. You go into the studio, the photographer sets up a few props, and you pose accordingly. While these kinds of shoots always create a nice clean cut look, our lives are anything but. That’s why I think it’s crucial for every photographer to learn the fine art of taking environmental portraits. It’s a much more authentic way to capture your subjects.
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Your camera does a lot more to your images than you think. Just as you take a picture, your camera adjusts the white balance and the sharpness for you. How much it does this depends on the settings you give it. With that, many readers have wondered if they should even bother setting the sharpness level on their cameras. Is it worth it, or does it just end up giving you a lot less freedom later on?
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Have you ever been walking down the street and seen the sun coming just over the horizon of a building or a landmark in a really interesting way? Ever wish you were smart enough to bring your camera with you on that day so you wouldn’t miss it. I know the frustration. Over the years, I’ve learned that a moment like that happens maybe once or twice a year (if you’re lucky!). Here’s a little something I do to make sure I never miss it again.
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One of the best ways to become a better photographer is to commit yourself to exploring a certain theme for awhile. And what better time to do that than at the start of a new year! Some people go so far as to start a 365 day project where they take a photo every single day. It’s too bad that’s not entirely workable for most people who have jobs, kids and other activities they’re engaged in. A 52 week project is a lot more reasonable. I encourage you to make the next year your ’52 week project’. Here are some ideas to get you started.
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I can’t believe it’s already the end of the year. There are a lot of things I’ve wanted to do this year, but I never got around to them. Now I’ve got a whole list of resolutions for next year. It’s not some guilt trip, just a reminder that we can all strive to do a little more and make ourselves better at what we love. Here are some new year’s resolutions to help you improve your photography.
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