Beginners
Food Photography Tips
Few things look better than a well prepared dish crafted to perfection. And as a food photographer, you’re fortunate enough to be involved in the important step of showcasing this delight. However, considering there are countless blogs and magazines out there dedicated to the topic, and even the same dish, you’re not short on competition. As such, it takes perfect execution to really separate yourself and your dish from the crowd. Follow these tips to get the fundamentals right. Maintain the Focal Point It goes without saying that the dish is the star of the photo. Therefore, if you’re starting to incorporate other items like cutlery, porcelain or other, remain mindful that these have the potential to decrease the viewer’s engagement with the food. They can, and still should be used effectively, but balance and positioning are vital points when you create the composition of the shot. Presentation… | Read the full article
8 Things Photographers Hate
Photographers are generally considered a tolerant bunch. What with an endless number of amateurs devaluing the work of professionals, patience and persistence are defining traits of a successful photographer. Having said that, there are an assortment of things that make photographers want to tear their hair out. No doubt you’ve experienced some of these, or others, but let’s glance over the worst offenders. Hearing How ‘Easy’ it must be to Take Photos for a Living There’s nothing easy at all when it comes to being a photographer. Boundless competition, price pressure, difficulties securing long-term clients, a general underappreciation of the industry – the list goes on. But just because a photographer happens to follow their passion and enjoy what they do, it doesn’t mean it’s an easy job. Praise for Your Camera This one is all too common. Photographers should and do take great pride in their abilities… | Read the full article
Tips for Photographing Pets
There’s something about photographing pets that just warms the heart of many. Whether it’s their adorable appearance, or their loveable personality, pets have a special place in family homes around the country. Not to mention, they are often a source of joy, humour and delight for plenty. Similar to newborns, working with pets is an unpredictable task and they won’t always be so accommodating. Accordingly, if you can master pet photography, there’s a fair chance you’ll have no problems working with any other type of subject again. Aim for Natural Shots Instead of trying to force an animal into a certain place, or posing them in a certain manner, capture their natural movements. Sometimes the best shots eventuate when an animal is doing an activity, or engaging with another animal and perhaps even their owner. Increasing the shutter speed and using a continuous setting will help you capture… | Read the full article
How Improved Fitness Can Help You as a Photographer
As more and more people jump into the fitness scene in increasing numbers, there’s little doubt that the way we take ownership of our health has become a priority for many. Most however, photographers included, don’t necessarily associate or recognise the benefits that fitness can play in their profession. From the physical aspects, to the mental components, improved fitness can help you become a better photographer. Aside from the obvious physical health benefits that come with fitness – including the lower likelihood of a heart attack, stroke, or diabetes – it can also play an important role in boosting our memory and thinking skills. Now considering photography is by no means an easy profession – particularly since you are also managing a business at the same time – keeping your mental state finely attuned is imperative to cope well under the inevitable stress. Furthermore, with the role it may… | Read the full article
These Tasks Will Help You Become a Better Photographer
As we all know, overconfidence and complacency can be a photographer’s own worst enemy. Being able to recognise one’s technical deficiencies is one of the best ways to continually improve your photography skills. Ultimately, if you’re not learning, you’re not trying hard enough. Next time you have a chance, incorporate these tasks into your schedule to help you become a better photographer. Step in Their Shoes This is less about creativity than it is about execution. If you have a favourite photographer, or even some favourite shots that you’ve collected, go about trying to recreate the work. Perfection isn’t the be all and end all with this task, so long as you’re picking challenging photos that test and broaden your skills. Stay Away from that Magic Wand Given the processing capabilities of today’s editing software, it’s easy to become accustom to fixing everything on Photoshop. What this means… | Read the full article
Getting Your First Photography Job With No Experience
Starting out in the photography industry is an experience that places photographers straight into the deep end. Like many of today’s high demanding professions, it’s often expected that you’ll have a wealth of experience under your belt before applying for jobs or taking on new clients. But what are new photographers to make of this catch 22 situation? Build a Network One of the common themes of today in just about any line of work is your network. There are no shortage of options when it comes to networking events for professionals, and photographers are also afforded the benefit that their work is discussed online and in the community via forums and message boards. Of course, there’s always the tried and tested method of doing work for friends and family to begin with, which in turn has the potential to snowball to third parties. Furthermore, educational courses, workshops… | Read the full article
Budget Items Every New Photographer Needs
When entering the industry, new photographers are often constrained by a tight budget. Perhaps you’re yet to secure a reliable client base, or overheads are eating into your earnings. Naturally, lining up some quality gear is often at the top of the list for many newbie photographers, even if it isn’t as important as the person behind the camera. With that said, there’s nothing wrong with picking up a good camera and a versatile set of lenses. But there are also some budget items photographers should considering carrying. Not all of the items will necessarily influence the outcome of your work, but they will sure make your job easier. Portable Flash Using a flash isn’t just for night time work. In fact, there are many applications you could well find yourself benefitting from using a flash in an indoor setting. Portable flash units, often referred to as speedlights, provide… | Read the full article
Earning Extra Money as a Photographer
Even at the best of times, making a career through photography can be challenging. From an abundance of competition, to price sensitive clients, or even the growing trend where anyone who owns a mobile phone now considers themselves a photographer. You can see, it’s not easy. With that, photographers should consider diversifying their offer by extending into other services. Here are 5 ways you can earn extra money as a photographer. Run workshops There’s two different angles you can approach this from. If you’re a veteran photographer who has developed a skillset and portfolio that is the envy of your peers, you’re well positioned. This is because you have considerably greater flexibility in terms of your target audience and the prices you charge. On the other hand, if your career is still a work in progress, there may be opportunities to share your insights about the industry with beginners… | Read the full article
Tips for Macro Photography
There are times where you just want to incorporate that little bit extra detail into your photos. Macro photography is the perfect approach, while also a thoroughly challenging and enjoyable experience. Naturally, the process is all about a close up, but is macro photography really as straightforward as that? No, not really, but take heed of these points and you’ll deliver impressive results. Use a suitable support If you’re using a regular lens, one of the difficult aspects when shooting close ups at ground level is ensuring the camera remains steady. Rather than trying to find a support for your hands or body, instead consider one for your camera. For example, specialty tripods or even cushions and beanbags can be great as props to minimise any movement. Similarly, where appropriate, you can use one of your hands or a purpose made device to steady the object that you are… | Read the full article
Tips for Low Light Photography
As any photographer would know, it’s important to be versatile. Not only with one’s style of photography, but for the conditions with which they work. This includes low light conditions, which may be attributable to shooting: outdoors at night, indoors, or where there are varying sources of low–intensity light on offer. What’s more, low light photography skills are necessary for a variety of photographers, including those working with portraits, weddings and landscapes. Of course, a flash would appear a logical solution to deal with low light conditions. However, it’s not necessarily a fix that works in every situation. You see, a flash device, particularly when integrated into a camera, can sometimes result in a flat looking picture by compressing image depth. There are also the complications that come with a flash being distracting to the subject of a photo, as well as the potential need to set up and configure… | Read the full article
