Author: Alyssa Ryan

DSLRs are still some of the most impressive cameras you can buy, despite the emergence of powerful cameras on smartphones. Any committed photographer would eventually want to transition to using DLSRs. These cameras have impressive hardware and software that allow unparalleled freedom in making the most out of your shots.

However, expect to shell out at least $500 to get your hands on one of these cameras. Their relatively high costs mean that you need to choose the camera you want to buy carefully. Buying a camera with frills that you don’t need or one that you’ll quickly grow out of can easily dampen your photography spirits. Taking the time to assess what you want to get out of a DSLR camera can help you avoid wasting money and effort down the line.

Assess Your Needs

First, you should take some time to figure out how you’ll be using your camera. Do you want a DSLR for general-purpose photography? Do you want a model that excels in taking landscapes? How about low-light photography? Will you use the camera to shoot fast-moving objects or underwater subjects?

Keep in mind that you’ll be tempted to think that you’ll use the camera to take exotic shots. However, people tend to overestimate the times that they’ll use their camera for unusual scenarios. Think of the most common shot that you’d like to take, then consider it when you start assessing models.

Basic Specifications

DSLRs have two components: a body that contains the sensor and other electronics and a removable lens that can sometimes be adjusted. You’ll need to check out the body and see if it’s ergonomic. Can you easily twiddle with the controls? You should also be comfortable with the size and weight of the camera, especially if you’ll be using it a lot for outdoor photography.

Moving to more technical specifications, you’ll probably encounter first the megapixel count, abbreviated as MP, of the sensor. Higher MP gives you pictures with more resolution but doesn’t necessarily translate to better image quality. If you’re not planning on making large prints, skip the high MP counts.

What you need to focus more on is the sensor size. Larger sensors take in more light, resulting in better image quality. However, they also make the camera body bulkier. In many cases, investing in larger sensors is a good idea.

You should also check the available modes of the camera. DSLRs exist to give users manual control, but many models also offer automatic and semi-automatic modes that can be useful at times.

If you can, take some practice shots to see how the camera performs first-hand. Test the autofocus performance by pressing the shutter halfway while focusing on different objects.

Other features to note include battery life, ruggedness, and resistance to the elements.

Assessing The Lenses

Even the best DSLRs can’t compensate for bad lenses. Many cameras come packaged with kit lenses, but their performance is passable at best, and they offer limited options. While you can buy better lenses, it wouldn’t hurt to check the kit lenses, especially since they can be costly.

You generally want larger apertures, which means that the lens can admit more light. Your desired focal length will depend on whether you want to shoot near or far objects. If you regularly take photos at different distances, consider a zoom lens which allows you to vary the zoom.

You can choose from a variety of DSLR brands and models in the market. Your chosen camera should suit your experience level and preferences to make the best out of it.

You only need a few minutes on social media sites to find that images dominate the web. From selfies to photos of their nicely-prepared last meal, there’s no denying at this age; almost anyone can take their own photographs.

 

 

But that’s not to say that anyone can be considered a photographer, let alone do so professionally. If you’re thinking of seriously taking it up as a hobby or planning to go pro someday, here are a few tips you’ll want to know.

Continue reading “Useful Tips for Budding Photographers”

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Smartphones used to take crappy photos that can’t even compare to pictures from a professional camera. However, advances in light sensor hardware and image processing software have drastically improved the quality of smartphone photos. Nowadays, it can be challenging to identify the type of device that was used to take a particular photo.

Improved phone cameras give you the perfect opportunity to improve your photography skills. Ever wanted to take groupies that are the envy of the crowd? How about some beautiful landscape pictures for your next vacation? Learn more about the essential photography tips that will help you maximize the powerful cameras you have on your device.

Explore Your Existing Camera Hardware And Software

In modern smartphones, you already have a stock camera app that performs well out of the box. Almost all apps have an automatic mode that adjusts your camera settings to deliver optimum shots in most scenarios. Apps may also have specialized methods such as night mode for low-light photography or sports mode for capturing high-speed objects.

Burst mode makes the camera take quick shots in succession, allowing you to choose the best photos. Your chances of getting decent images increase with the number of shots you take and burst mode takes advantage of that.

Used correctly, flash can make it easier to take photos in dark settings. Just make sure to adjust distances to avoid glare and overexposure.

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Many apps also use software to add filters and other special effects to your shots. A typical example is the bokeh effect, which blurs the background and puts your face in focus.

Make sure to explore the options you have. There are dozens of decent alternatives out there. Don’t hesitate to use a third-party app if you want. 

Learn About Photography Settings

Three primary settings are used to tweak how photos appear. First, the shutter speed controls the duration that light reaches the sensor. There’s also the aperture speed, which adjusts the amount of light that passes through the lens. Finally, the ISO settings modify how sensitive the sensor is to light.

These three settings have different effects on your photos. For instance, low ISO settings are useful for getting clear images in brightly lit environments. On the other hand, high ISO settings allow for decent photos in more moderate light conditions at the expense of adding granularity to the pictures. Low shutter speeds improve night shots but make photos blurry. Small aperture openings prevent overexposure but are only practical for daytime photography.

Many smartphones offer a manual mode which allows you to edit these settings as you see fit. If you want to customize how your photos look, learn more about these settings and practice until you’re skilled at them.

Invest In Tools

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Having additional equipment can improve the quality of the shots that you take. For example, small tripods allow you to eliminate photo blur, which is critical for moving shots or night-time photography. A gimbal will keep your phone level as you move it around, allowing you to try out new shot perspectives. Even a selfie stick can do wonders for your photos.

You should also buy some items for maintaining your camera lens. Buying some microfiber cloth allows you to clean the lens without leaving scratches. However, be wary of other products that can leave lasting damage to them, such as liquid cleaners.

Do you know other tips and tricks on smartphone photography? Share them in the comments!

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Taking pictures of people, especially family or friends, is easy. You raise your camera, ask everyone to smile, and that’s it. However, it’s not always smooth sailing, especially when dealing with people who are either uncomfortable in front of the camera or clueless about their excellent angles. Sometimes, they need an extra nudge or two to help them look their best in photos.

Here are five tips on how to pose people who have zero modeling experience.

Build Rapport With Your Subject

When working with models, regardless of their experience, you should first create a comfortable working atmosphere for everyone involved in the project. As the photographer, you should establish trust between you and the model so that he or she could also bring out their A-game during the shoot. An uncomfortable model will only produce awkward-looking photos.

Direct Through Scenarios

When working with people inexperienced in modeling, you cannot expect them to carry out poses that professional models do. At one point, you will work with people who are unsure of how to move their bodies, but this is not necessarily a hindrance.

Instead of instructing them about angles and hand placements, direct them by creating scenarios that they can act out. Use the language of emotions and ask them to convey a message, and an expressive photo will surely follow.

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Natural Expressions Over Forced Expression

Forcing your model to show an expression that they do not understand will only produce awkward or half-baked results. At best, your photo will look dull; at worst, its message will appear confusing. To remedy this, take advantage of your model’s natural expressions to create unique and dynamic photos. With a little shift of perspective, your creativity as a photographer is more than enough to transform these candid looks into beautiful images.

Use Motion For A More Dynamic Look

Instead of asking your model to do poses that they’re untrained to pull off, use motion instead to create an illusion of a laid back and confident look in your model. You could direct them to do simple movements like stretching or walking forward, and you’ll notice at once the difference between a stationary and frozen pose compared to a moving pose. Your model’s limbs will appear loose and relaxed, instead of stiff and awkward, and the overall vibe of your photos will improve.

Communicate And Engage

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The last tip is to communicate consistently with your model. It’s natural for people to feel awkward or insecure, especially those who are not used to being in front of the camera. During a shoot, when working with an inexperienced model, they might feel uneasy during silent moments. Part of the job is to keep your model engaged to prevent awkwardness that might interfere with your flow as a team.

Directing models is an essential skill that every photographer must develop. Sometimes you do not have the luxury to choose your models; sometimes, you don’t get to work with professional ones. But this doesn’t have to cramp your style as a photographer. Using these tips, you can transform anyone and make them look like professional models and boost the quality of your work at the same time.

How many times have you taken a picture as a novice photographer and wanted to meet up with psychologists after seeing how horrible it appeared?

The reality that we all have to accept when it comes to this art form is that everyone has an idea of how to capture a subject. At the same time, however, not everyone can manage to connect their thoughts to the camera they are holding. Hence, it results in an image that either requires a lot of editing and may even be unavailable by the greatest Photoshop experts out there.
Now, if you genuinely believe that you can have a career in photography – a successful one, that is – then no one can make you think otherwise. All you can do, though, is find out the ten typical mistakes that every photographer might make when starting early in this field.

1. The Colors Are Out Of This World

According to Adrián José Velasquez Figueroa, a Venezuelan-born entrepreneur, some of the photos he had seen prior were either overly saturated or had unrealistic hues. These could have been fine if they were for a fantasy-filled theme. Even so, the problem can now be remedied by utilizing a picture-calibrated computer.

2. The Photos Are Blurred

Someone who moves a lot can only produce blurry images. A few people use this to make the audience’s gaze focus on the main subject alone, but it will not be good if they can barely see a thing. Thus, the photographers can utilize the auto-focus feature on cameras, or get a tripod to fix the device on.

3. They Have Incorrect Composition

Other pictures that Adrián had laid his eyes on were either askew or taken in a wrong position. Although the subject matter and the way it was taken were both fantastic, the poor editing dampens its beauty. This is why aspiring professionals need to align or rotate the images as they edit.

4. The Camera Angle Is Faulty

The entrepreneur also mentioned that a new photographer tends to take photos that are too close or too far from their subject. The result is that the viewers cannot see the message that the artist wants to convey through the image. Figueroa’s advice, there, is to use a wide angle lens that is great for everything.

5. The Color Balance Is Unstable

When folks overdo the black and white, exposure or contrasting colors of the pictures, the end-product can seem like an abstract master has made it. According to him, one needs to have the photos in the right equilibrium.

6. The Photographer Uses HDR Too Much

Whereas the pictures should always have high resolution, making use of the HDR feature, a lot cannot be good for the photographers. The output will be similar to what has already been said in the first error above – unrealistic.

7. A Story Cannot Be Found

Every picture needs to have a story. After all, it can paint a thousand words. If the audience cannot comprehend what it is supposed to mean, it is not a very good one.

8. The Photographs Are Inconsistent

In case he or she is creating a portfolio, the images that can be viewed from it should be connected. Otherwise, the people who will look at it will be lost.

9. People Only Take Pictures When Traveling

There is a beauty in every city or town, as per Adrián’s words, and it does not sit well with him that some are solely inspired to take pictures when they visit different places. He said that, with a professional camera or not, they have to capture everything they will see, as they can be interesting for others.

10. The Photographer Has A Lot Of Photos

One just needs several images of the same subject in the same pose. Do more than that, and it can get boring.

Final Thoughts

More than the possibility of becoming famous due to your awesome snaps, photography is a form of art that can relax your bones and tired muscles. It can also serve as a bridge when it comes to connecting you to new subjects and camera angles. If you have been planning to start taking pictures of people, animals, and inanimate objects, therefore, you should do so without forgetting the mistakes mentioned above.

Good luck!

The best thing about having a career in photography is that you can get to capture beautiful moments while earning great money all at the same time. You can take photos of people, places, and events for a fee. If you are still starting in the field of photography, there are many things that you need to remember. Allow me to share some of the strategies that I learned from the top photographers I met during the 2017 nature photography summit las vegas.

 

 

Before anything else, you have to understand that just because you own a good camera or equipment does not mean that you are already a pro. There are tons of things that you need to go through first. Make sure that you consider these tips:

 

Invest In A Good Camera

 

If you want to become an excellent photographer in the future, you may need to invest in a good camera. Take note that it is the tool that you will use to master your craft. Find for a camera that contains tons of great features at an affordable price.

 

Learn From Experts

 

Accept the fact that you are still in the process of acquiring knowledge and skills from different sources. As much as possible, find a way to connect with the best photographers in your area and learn from their stories. If you get lucky, you can also attend their seminars and workshops, regardless of whether or not it is free.

 

 

Keep On Practicing

 

No one got better without going through the rigorous process of regular practice and training. Recognize the fact that you are still in the early years of your career, which means that you still have several lessons to understand fully. Keep on practicing until people will start to notice your talent in photography.

 

Keep in mind that success does not happen overnight. You have to work hard in the field of photography if you want to build and establish your name in this industry.

 

Some people say that a pen and paper is the key to within. The 2014 Oklahoma City writing workshop made this evident. This workshop consisted of activities that not only sharpen your writing skills but also helped you understand yourself more. Here are some of the best takeaways to take note off.

We Write What We Know

When you think of a topic to write, it is usually about something you already know. We always start from an idea that we’ve experienced or heard off. Through writing, you dig deeper into discovering your interests, habits, fears, and worries. It opens up a door for you to find out who you are as a person. It serves as space for you to question your experiences and the knowledge you already know.

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Peace And Self-Reflection

Writing often leaves a person in peace. To show their feelings and thoughts freely allows them to reflect on themselves. This peace also becomes a powerful tool for concentration. Thus, it puts the individual into a state of meditation. It calms your mind and opens you to questions such as your purpose in life. With such concentration, you become capable of identifying and clarifying your core values in life. This is quite helpful in writing especially when you wish to write about values such as love, kindness, compassion, loyalty or others.

You Open Your Heart

Our emotions let loose when we write. Being in such a state gives life to our writings; this makes it easier for our audience to imagine. By channeling out your emotions through writing, you allow yourself to let go of such feelings whether good or bad. Once you have done your piece, you can figure out what you’ve been going through.

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When you write, it doesn’t have to be something completely formal. By writing informally, you open up the opportunity to discover yourself. Come to this workshop in the future if you wish to understand yourself more.

Expressive writing can ease the stress brought by anxiety according to a study conducted by Michigan State University. This was a brief topic in the 2014 Dallas Writers Summit. It is but normal that people worry a lot and this can cause stress and other related disorders. However, some people cannot help but overreact to these feelings thus making them stressful when in fact it can be easily managed.

Continue reading “2014 Dallas Writers Summit: New Study Says That Writing Can Help You Stop Worrying”

 

 

Continue reading “Family Photography: Tips And Tricks”

Being able to look at a subject matter in a way that others have never imagined before and showing what’s in your mind through creativity is a real talent. Anyone can hold a camera, after all, but not everyone can capture a specific emotion or a motion that well. The same goes for the fact that anyone can use a pen and paper, yet you cannot expect all to be great at writing or drawing.

However, the truth is that only the individuals who have embraced their artistic side and are making a living out of it know how to use creativity for their mental stability’s sake. Many pour their feelings into blogs; some express their thoughts with every stroke of the brush on a canvas. The others who chose a non-artistic path but quite have a creative instinct have qualms about doing the same, thus making themselves more prone to developing a psychological disorder that’s induced by stress, anger, grief, lack of confidence, etc.

Considering you got some artistic bones in you, and you don’t want to suffer from an illness that affects your brain function, you should utilize your creativity to boost mental wellness. Here’s how you can do that effortlessly.

Focus On Self-Expression

For any form of art that you decide to take on a more serious level, you ought to ensure that it will allow you to express yourself in the best way possible. Say, if you have exceptional verbal skills, you can try spoken poetry or single. If you are excellent with your hands, you may draw, sculpt, or paint. In case your movements are fluid, you can dance or do improvisation. Thus, your thoughts don’t get stuck in your mind for too long.

Make Arts And Crafts Your Hobby

Now, assuming you are too shy to put yourself out there and show everyone your artistic capabilities, you are free to start with making arts and crafts as your pastime. Many tutorials are available online now for every home project that you can do at home easily. Instead of buying pillowcases, for instance, you may learn how to sew or knit them. If there is a wall decoration that you’ve seen at the store, you can recreate that as well.

“The art *process* itself is where the magic happens! It is not about making “good” art — this art is from the inside and it is not always going to look “pretty.” –Elena Lamaak, MA, LMHC

The sense of fulfillment that you will experience after every successful crafting project allows you to feel awesome deep inside. Not to mention, your brain gets to concentrate on something else other than your worries.

Try An Activity That Will Test Your Problem-Solving Skills

It seems typical for people living with a mental disorder to feel like they cannot separate themselves from the disease at all. The truth, however, is that their ability to solve problems are merely lacking. What helps in this situation is to pick up a new creative activity that can push against your boundaries.

“Intellectual wellness is when you recognize your unique talents to be creative and you seek out ways to use your knowledge and skills. When you foster your intellectual wellness, you participate in activities that cultivate mental growth.” –Marjie L. Roddick, MA, NCC, LMHC

For example, in case you have always sketched stuff on paper, why don’t you start painting on a canvas for a change? If you love photographing still subjects, why don’t you try taking pictures of animate objects? Such activities won’t be annoying since they are within your scope of interest, but they can undoubtedly enable you to think and plan more. Once you come across a real-life issue, therefore, you may apply the same technique you used to resolve your artistic challenges.

“Negative thoughts are just a part of life, but they don’t have to consume you. Instead of trying to ignore those thoughts altogether, try countering them with positive statements.” –John Mayer, Ph.D.

There is no other perfect time to tap into the artist in you to boost your mental wellness than now. Don’t hesitate to show your creativity and utilize it for your well-being. Good luck!