Friday, May 8, 2015

Little kids

I personally know a lot of families who don't want too get professional pictures done of their families because they have little kids and they think that it would be too difficult to get the kids to keep still for pictures. But in my opinion, I think you should still be able to do it. I've heard that "it takes a certain type of photographer" to be able to take pictures/do a photo shoot for little kids. I think that anyone can do it. Yeah granted, you have to defiantly have patience. But you need patience for any type of photographing in general.
Want tips?
first, SMILE. If you give a real, smile, it usually relaxes someone.
Have little toys that can keep them distracted if needed.
REMIND THE PARENTS TO BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR THEIR YOUNGSTERS
Its always in your best interest to bring a change of clothes, because accidents DO happen.
Also, maybe have the parents bring one of their favorite toys. Something that they love, so it will keep them content.
But I believe the two most important things are two have patience and to smile.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Prom

As we all know, prom is coming up, and it'll be here fast.
A lot of people question whether they should get a picture taken at your prom, or if you want it taken professionally, at home.
There's pros and cons to both.
At the dance:
Pros

  • They will have a specific place set up, so it goes with the theme of your dance
  • It'll be a fast picture
  • Your partner and friends will be there too, so if you want a picture with them, they're right there
Cons

  • They may only be able to take one, because there will be a line
  • They'll probably be a really long line
  • You won't really have time to re-ready yourself
  • It may be over expensive (depending on your school)
At home
Pros

  • You'll be able to take how ever much pictures you would like to take
  • Any type of settings and backgrounds
  • You can change into however many outfits you want(most people stick to one dress)
  • You don't have to wait in crazy long lines
Cons

  • Depending on who/where you go to, it may be pretty costly
  • It takes a while
  • You can't have pictures with anyone unless you plan a certain day so you all can get ready
I see a lot of different types of prom pictures. I think the biggest theme that's in right now, is the cowboy theme.
I am going to give you some tips that I've found use full :

  • Choose a clean background
  • Stable your camera (tripod/monopod if possible. If not, use a flat surface) 
  • Only have one camera person at a time. So they focus on one camera. 
  • Throw in some creative and fun poses
  • Take multiple shots for multiple people 
(prom photography tips. John Huegel)

Friday, April 17, 2015

Selfie Sticks

The more you watch the news, look on Facebook, or other social media networks, you notice the "selfie stick". If you don't know what that is, its a long stick/rod, that you clip your phone into to take picture.
I've been hearing a lot about this, some people say it totally defeats the purpose of a "selfie", others say it could help a lot to get the perfect angle for you Facebook worthy picture.
In the most recent news article that I've read on Fox News, "Churchill Downs bans selfie sticks for Kentucky Derby", It states that not only did the runner of the Kentucky Derby ban the selfie stick, Coachella, Lollapalooza, the Yankee Stadium and Museums did too.
In this article, the Kentucky Derby banned the selfie sticks for the "safety of their horses". I imagine Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Yankee stadium banned them for the safety of the people, and Museums for the safety of their artifacts.
 Do you think they should ban them? do you think the "selfie stick" defeats the purpose of selfies?
In my opinion, I think it defeats the purpose. I think it does because, a selfie to me, is an up close just you, picture.
People claim that the whole point of the selfie stick is to get a better angle on your pictures, but why not just ask someone?
The editor of this article claims that he/she doesn't think the banning of the selfie stick will cause much controversy because its still "up and coming" not everyone knows a lot about them yet. Like myself, I didn't know anything about them until I was recommended to do a blog on it, so I researched it more. I honestly feel like their pointless, but everyone has their own opinion.
I'm sure we'll be seeing them more and more this summer and when more people become aware of them.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Pictures that go with the seasons.

Taking family picture's, or just normal "selfies" is always fun.
Outfits, picture types, almost everything will change with the season.
Here's tips on how to take pictures during each season,
Let's start with..
 Winter:
I never knew this, but If you're taking pictures where it's a very cold climate, with snow and such, bring extra battery's because "a cold battery is like a dead battery" - New York Institute Of Photography. 

  • Did you know, that the brightness will mess with your camera/picture quality? Your built in light meter will put a grey tint to the super white snow, so you don't want that. To change that, let in more light. Sounds weird right? because being outside would be enough light right? actually you can change settings on your camera, so you can let more light into the picture. 
  • You can always add colorful objects to your picture scene. Have the base background be white, but have something stand out. Such as, take your model, have her dress in toned colors, but then have her wear a bright red dress, she stands out compared to the snow. 

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Learn-And-Explore/Article/ghsbd99p/moose-peterson-how-to-photograph-winter-landscapes.html
Next,
 Fall

  • When it comes too taking pictures in autumn, you don't always want bright sun. 
  • Studies show from photographers, that the best scene's to take photo's of during the fall is streams/ponds. 
  • Going with what I said before, fog and mist too. They generate mystery, and unique colors. 

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Learn-And-Explore/Article/h7dfres5/10-tips-for-shooting-autumn-foliage.html

Spring

  • Take advantage of sunrise and sunset, they are at their best point during the spring times. 
  • FLOWERS BLOSSOMING. These pictures are the most taken by photographers. 
  • To go with what I just said, try to look for patterns and look for the abstract when taking pictures of flowers. 

http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/spring-photography-tips/
Summer

  • Campfires, night times, parks, wild life. Those are things that happen a lot during the summer season, and when taking pictures in the summer, those are perfect things to take photographs of.
  • Most people think that while taking pictures outside in the sun, you won't need your flash. But that's not always true. 
  • Also, take pictures at the same place, just at a different time. Experiment with the day.

http://digital-photography-school.com/5-hot-tips-improving-summer-photography/

Under each section, I pasted a link that you can go to, to get more of an idea on tips, and if you need help. Good luck (:



Friday, March 20, 2015

Stuck on what to take a picture of next? what your next photograph piece should be?

If you're stuck on what to photograph next, or if you need any ideas.I'm here to help.
If you honestly have no idea what you want to do, or what types of photographing you want to do next, my advice, is to take your camera everywhere you go ( if possible ) and just take pictures of things you see. For example, if you're going to the beach, take pictures of the water and the waves, or of the sand and the rocks. Be creative. Take pictures of the already built sandcastles. Maybe bring someone with you and have them pose just for fun. Or lets say you're going for a walk on a trail in the woods, there is so many things you could take pictures of. A leaf on the ground, barely on the ground. Untouched. Take pictures of the animals, Take pictures of other peoples animals, if its okay with their owner of course. Don't hesitate to take pictures, that's whats going to cause you to miss the shot. The picture you actually want.

Here's an example of what you could do, this person thought this was a wonderful sight so they captured a picture of it.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Stuck on what to bring to your photoshoot?

Is it your first time professional photo shoot? stuck on what to bring? I can help!
Some obvious things that you should bring are: Make-up, hair ties, hats, jewelry, glasses/sunglasses (here's a tip, don't wear your sunglasses right before the photo shoot, because you'll end up squinting in the photos from the brightness), or anything you'd like to use for a prop. More things that would be good to bring are, a small portable mirror, something to drink (the best things would probably be water or Gatorade) especially if you will be outside, and a little snack to keep your energy up throughout the photo shoot process.
Here's a list of things that a typical model packs for his/her photo shoot, not everything is necessary if your just starting out, but this could be used as a checklist.

  • make up kit
  • washcloth 
  • everything needed for the make up style you choose
  • eye drops 
  • hair brush
  • toothbrush
  • sunglasses
  • aspirin or anytime of medicine to help with out of the blue headaches
  • hair styling products
  • lotions
  • scissors
  • lent roller
  • tissue
  • bobby pins
  • sun screen
  • tweezers 
  • beverages
  • and finally, makeup remover. 
                                                                                                                                 (source: zero dean)

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Cameras

As a photographer, your camera is the most important thing to you aside from things outside of photography. You literally need it in order to even take part of photography. So there's the taking of the photographs itself, then there's editing, printing, selling, and giving. If you don't have a camera, it can even be your phone, then you don't have photography. Phone cameras, are okay. But if you want the real, in depth, pictures. Then a Canon ( like I said before if you're a beginner ), or some type of digital camera, is your answer. I'm not saying you have to go out and spend $300 on a camera for good quality pictures, because there are some cameras that aren't as pricey but take pretty amazing pictures, but just know that the more professional you want to go, the more costly it will be for you.