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11 Portrait Photography Ideas to Inspire You

22 Apr

The post 11 Portrait Photography Ideas to Inspire You appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.

Coming up with fresh portrait photography ideas is challenging for many photographers. Whether you take a lot of portraits or are a beginner, it’s always best to have a few good ideas up your sleeve.

So here are 11 portrait photography ideas to create great images of whoever is in front of your camera, starting with…

1. Communicate well

Let your portrait subjects know what you want from them. Talk to them about what you are doing with the lighting, props, and background. This will build their confidence in you and show them you are serious about taking some great portraits.

Don’t be shy. Be interested in who they are and how they are feeling. Ask them questions. Show an interest in what they want.

Woman in a field — Nikon D800 | 105mm | f/3.2 | 1/2000s | ISO 200
© Kevin Landwer-Johan

2. Light based on the mood

Style your lighting to suit the mood of the portrait you are creating. If you want a soft, gentle portrait, use soft lighting and add lights or reflectors to reduce strong shadows.

Alternatively, embrace the darkness and generate a sullen atmosphere by creating a shadowy, dark effect. Purposely underexpose so you create a sense of mystery.

portrait of a woman in the market — Nikon D800 | 50mm | f/2.2 | 1/250s | ISO 200
© Kevin Landwer-Johan

3. Make use of the environment or isolate your subject

Wherever you are, look around and think about how you can incorporate elements of the environment into your portrait photos. Think about whether showing some of the location will add to the portraits you are making.

If there’s nothing suitable to include in the photo, then isolate your subject. Blur the background by using a shallow depth of field, or find a plain, blank background to position your subject in front of.

a monk sweeping leaves portrait photography idea — Nikon D800 | 105mm | f/4 | 1/400s | ISO 200
© Kevin Landwer-Johan

4. Ask your subject what they want

Even if you have some good portrait photography ideas of your own, ask your subject what they want. You may be surprised at what they have to offer.

The young lady in the photo below told me to include ice cream in our planned portrait session. So I bought ice cream. We were challenged by the weather. Even indoors with the air conditioning on full, the ice cream melted too quickly. So we made the most of it!

a young woman with an ice cream — Nikon D800 | 105mm | f/6.3 | 1/200s | ISO 100
© Kevin Landwer-Johan

5. Use many lighting and background setups

Think outside the box and use different lighting setups and backgrounds during the portrait session. By controlling the lighting and backgrounds, you can create a strikingly diverse set of portraits.

portrait photography idea a young woman with an ice cream — Nikon D800 | 105mm | f/9 | 1/200s | ISO 100
© Kevin Landwer-Johan

6. Take a series of portraits

Take a series of portraits with the aim of displaying them together. Keep the lighting and background the same for each shot and capture a range of expressions and poses from your model.

If you isolate your model on a plain background, you can print the entire series as a single image. Or you can frame each shot on its own but hang the series together.

Three portraits of a girl in a green scarf — Nikon D800 | 105mm | f/8 | 1/160s | ISO 400
© Kevin Landwer-Johan

7. Photograph your subject’s hands

Hands bring a fresh dynamic and can help add more story to your pictures. You can have the hands holding something, or you can just arrange them nicely.

Giving your subject something to do with their hands will often help them relax. People can feel uneasy when they don’t know how to place their hands. So guiding the hands with some directions or suggestions will help your subject feel more comfortable.

portrait photography idea of a woman with a snake — Nikon D800 | 105mm | f/11 | 1/200s | ISO 400
© Kevin Landwer-Johan

8. Go with the flow

Sometimes, your subject may have some great ideas that are quite different from yours. Go with the flow and include these. Take the photos they want because they will always be enthusiastic and more expressive when trying out their own ideas.

Even if the ideas your subject suggests are not so stellar, take the photos anyway. This will help your subject build confidence and strengthen the relationship between the two of you.

Then, once you’ve spent some time capturing the photos they want, move on to your own portrait photography ideas.

two kids acting out a scene — Nikon D800 | 55mm | f/5.6 | 1/200s | ISO 200
© Kevin Landwer-Johan

9. Capture the moment

Be prepared to capture special moments as they happen. Don’t be peering down at your camera and fiddling with the settings. Instead, engage with your subject. Be constantly aware of what they are doing and how they are looking. You want to be ready when they smile (and even when they grimace).

When your subject is engaged in an activity, getting your timing right can be more challenging. For the street portrait below, I had to move to keep up with my subject. He was demonstrating the quality of the wallets he had for sale. He poured lighter fluid on one and set it alight to show that it was not made of plastic. It all happened very quickly!

Man with a wallet on fire — Nikon D800 | 20mm | f/4 | 1/125s | ISO 400
© Kevin Landwer-Johan

10. Incorporate some movement

Portraits do not need to be still. Movement can help add liveliness to a photo.

Have your subject walk or jump. You can also get them to turn their head quickly, like I did for this photo:

portrait photography idea a woman spinning around — Nikon D800 | 105mm | f/2.8 | 1/160s | ISO 200
© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Head movement works best when a person has long hair, but it can be a good idea even for shorter-haired subjects.

Any movement can make way for spontaneity, so don’t forget about the importance of capturing the moment (as I discussed in the previous section). Be ready for anything that might happen.

11. Expose for good skin tones

I’ll add one technical idea:

Set your exposure so your subject’s skin tone is well exposed. This is especially important when there’s a lot of contrast in your composition.

For instance, wedding portraits of a bride and groom can be challenging. A stunning bride in a white dress and a groom looking handsome in his dark suit can make it difficult for you to find a balanced exposure setting. So spot meter off their faces; this will ensure you end up with a good exposure.

Two Akha woman having a laugh portrait photography idea — Nikon D800 | 105mm | f/5.6 | 1/200s | ISO 400
© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Bonus tip: Show your subject the portrait

Here’s a bonus portrait photography tip:

As soon as you have a few good photos, show your subject. Until you do this, they may not have a clear idea of what you are doing or how you are framing them. But once you show them how good you are making them look in the portraits, they will feel better about themselves. This boosted confidence will only lead to more great portraits.

portrait photography idea a woman with an elephant — Nikon D800 | 105mm | f/11 | 1/100s | ISO 400
© Kevin Landwer-Johan

Portrait photography ideas: final words

It can be challenging to come up with good portrait photography ideas, so I hope this list was helpful.

The next time you have a person in front of your camera, remember these ideas – and use them!

Do you have any portrait photography ideas? Share them (and your portrait photos) in the comments below!

The post 11 Portrait Photography Ideas to Inspire You appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.

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7 of the Best Photography Podcasts to Inspire!

31 Jan

The post 7 of the Best Photography Podcasts to Inspire! appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Carl Spring.

While this is an article that I want to be educational for us all, it is a bit of a selfish one – I love seeking out new recommendations for podcasts! Rather than position this as the definitive list, I wanted to give you the best photography podcasts that I love to listen to in the hope that some of you may find a new podcast to love in 2020.

However, I also want to hear your recommendations for the best photography podcasts I can check out in 2020!

Podcasts are currently seeing serious investment, with streaming giant Spotify investing over $ 400 million.

This has paid off for Spotify, with their podcast audience doubling in the first half of 2019 alone. With that investment, means more podcasts produced, and the quality is getting higher all the time. This is a serious win for us as Podcast listeners.

For me, at least, Podcasts have made their way into part of my daily routine. Like waiting for the next episode of a TV show, I look forward to hearing the latest episodes of my favorite podcasts each week. I tend to listen to them whilst working, commuting, or just to chill out.

The podcasts I listen to tend to be less gear-based and more based on the story of photographers or how to improve in business. This type of content makes me excited to check out the work of photographers I haven’t before. It also inspires, either for strategies to try, or just visual inspiration from the discovery of new photographers.

Not only are big companies investing, but the quality of podcasts on all levels is better than ever. People are spending serious time in making their podcasts sound great. Gone are the days of what felt like listening to a phone conversation between people. Many modern podcasts are well-produced, great-sounding shows that allow me to imagine my perfect radio station, curated just for me.

The 7 Best Photography Podcasts

Why 7? Well, to be honest, I like to try and listen to one podcast per day. I could give you the top 15, or top 20. If you’re not careful, though, your podcast feed (like my own) will be jammed with episodes or entire podcasts you never get round to listening to.

So, in no particular order, here are my 7 best photography podcasts.

Best photography podcast for business Photobiz X

1. Photobiz X

Seen by many as the number one photography business podcast, Photobiz X is also the only podcast on this list with a premium version alongside the free version.

The podcast will give you great tips, whichever you listen to. Premium listeners get more of a deep dive into business techniques and access to the excellent PBX group on Facebook. As a member myself, I find the amount of help and support you get from the premium version worth the price. If you do find yourself enjoying the podcast, you can try it free for 30 days to see if it is a worthwhile investment for you.

This podcast interviews a huge variety of photographers and related business experts that can help you improve your photography business. Previous topics have included selling more wall art, website design, copywriting for your business, and a whole host of other topics.

Andrew, as a host, intuitively asks the questions that you find yourself asking as you listen along. He picks away the guest’s layers to get to the heart of the strategies that make their businesses successful.

Also, every episode has actionable takeaways that you can take and apply to your business. The only issue may be that you have too many ideas to try!

Best enjoyed: Monday morning, setting you up with business inspiration for the week.

2. FujiCast

This is a podcast with two UK-based wedding photographers, whom both shoot with Fuji.

You would think that this would be a pretty niche podcast. However, if you can get beyond the name, what you will find is a funny, beautifully-produced podcast that has a great mix between answering readers’ questions and interviews with photographers.

FujiCast is the perfect listen on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee.

The tone of the podcast is that of two mates chatting about photography, except these mates are very knowledgeable and regarded as some of the best UK wedding photographers.

Yes, the gear talk that features usually has a Fuji slant, but gear talk isn’t where this podcast sings – it is the interviews and stories of the guests that are inspiring.

Again, one of the best things about this podcast is the community that Neale and Kevin have built. They host regular meet-ups for recordings, etc.

The FujiCast is a great listen that will introduce you to some amazing photographers.

Best enjoyed: Sunday morning after a leisurely breakfast, whilst enjoying a coffee.

3. The Candid Frame

The voice! The Candid Frame begins with smooth Jazz, which leads into possibly the smoothest podcast voice ever in Ibarionex Perello. One of the longest-running podcasts, The Candid Frame, has been running since 2006.

You can tell Ibarionex puts loads of work into researching every guest he interviews. His interview technique, honed over nearly 500 episodes, gives the interviewee the chance to tell their story beautifully. He asks questions that help him (and you as the listener) delve into their photographic journey.

Best enjoyed: Late at night, with a glass of your favorite tipple.

He shoots he draws podcast logo

4. He Shoots He Draws

This podcast consists of a photographer and designer who describe their podcast as a chat over a cuppa. Episodes range from twenty minutes to well over an hour.

He Shoots, He Draws, is as laid back as the title suggests. However, that would not do justice to the huge amount of knowledge that both Glynn and Dave bring to each episode.

While bringing the angles of photography and design, this podcast covers a variety of topics with a wide-ranging variety of guests.

Best enjoyed: Tuesday morning, to help you make it through the week ahead.

7 of the Best Photography Podcasts to Inspire!

5. This Week in Photo

This podcast really doesn’t need an introduction, and I am sure it is already on many of your weekly listens. One of the longest-running podcasts (it’s been around since 2008), This Week in Photo has a great mix of roundtable discussions and interviews, so this podcast still feels fresh.

Not every topic will appeal to everyone, but with each episode usually in the 30-45 minute range, I find myself listening along and getting something of interest that stops me from skipping.

I did think about not including this podcast due to it being so popular, but a podcast is like an old pair of jeans. It’s the one you always go back to because it feels so comfortable.

Best enjoyed: On a lazy Saturday, slouching in your favorite pair of jeans.

One of the best photography podcast. So You Want to Be a Photographer

6. So You Want to Be a Photographer

Gina Milicia is a renowned Australian photographer who has photographed many celebs in her time. (She has also written e-books for dPS including Portraits: Making the Shot, Portraits Lighting The Shot, Portraits: Striking The Pose, 14 Amazing Portrait Recipes, Portraits: After The Shot, and Fast FLASH For Portrait Perfection.)

Her podcast, which she hosts with her friend and photography enthusiast, Valerie Khoo, is exactly the opposite of the type of podcast you would expect from such a high-end photographer. Gina is down to earth, and this podcast is full of advice for those on all levels.

The two hosts bounce off each other, and the enthusiast and expert balance between them really helps keep the podcast accessible to everyone. Episodes are full of great advice for people at differing stages of photography from the beginner looking for inspiration through to those taking a step into making money from photography.

Best enjoyed: On a bad Wednesday in the office. When you have decided that you want out of the 9-5 and want to start getting paid for your photography.

Photobomb Podcast logo

7. Photobomb

This podcast is like listening to two radio personalities with the humor of the naughty kids in class.

Booray Perry and Gary Hughes are a duo who will tend to let their episodes wander off-topic, but in a good way. A perfect example of this is starting a recent episode discussing the new Star Wars movie and which Star Wars films get a raw deal.

Booray and Gary are both experienced photographers with personalities that you will either love or hate. Quick-fire banter between them brings all the news and opinions you need for the week. Booray spent twenty years in radio before becoming a photographer, and that definitely comes through in this podcast.

A great listen in the car or at the gym too.

Best enjoyed: On the daily commute, as long as you are happy with occasionally laughing out loud on public transport.

Scenario podcast logo

Bonus podcast: Scenario

I’ve left the most fragile until last. The Scenario podcast by Jessica Mcdermott is made up of only six episodes recorded between November 2017 and March 2018. The only updates since then come in two, 2-minute notes about an update and #PodStrike.

You may be wondering, why would you tell us that this is one of the best photography podcasts and one that we need to listen to in 2020? Simply put, each episode is a beautiful little documentary on a fascinating photography story. There is the photographer who shoots landscapes to send to her pen pals on death row and the story of a photographer who is documenting his brother’s gender transition.

Each episode is beautifully put together and reminds me of a documentary that you would hear on Radio 4 (or NPR for you US-based listeners). Every story is fascinating, and I can see them appealing to many people outside of the world of photography.

Jessica allows each photographer to open up and tell their story, so each episode feels very intimate.

My only wish is that this podcast returns with more episodes. Although maybe it is destined to be these six perfect episodes that should be appreciated just as they are.

Best enjoyed: All in one. Find a weekend and listen to these wonderful stories in one sitting.

Conclusion

So there you go – a podcast for every day.

As I said, these are some of the best photography podcasts and are not meant to be an exhaustive list.

There are so many more I could add here, including more of the usual suspects. I am sure there are many more that you could add as well.

So, as I said at the start, I wanted to throw this out to you as the readers. Let’s hear in the comments below one of the best photography podcasts that everyone needs to listen to in 2020. I look forward to adding a load more podcasts to my list from your recommendations.

The post 7 of the Best Photography Podcasts to Inspire! appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Carl Spring.

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How to Use an Art Gallery Visit to Inspire Your Photography

17 Nov

The post How to Use an Art Gallery Visit to Inspire Your Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Charlie Moss.

We’ve almost all done it. We’ve gone to an art gallery to look for inspiration for our photographic work and ended up just snapping some pictures of paintings we like on our phones for later reference.

How to Use an Art Gallery Visit to Inspire Your Photography

While that is one way to approach the task of finding inspiration for photography in art galleries, there are other ways that you might find more success.

In this article, I’m going to explore some different ways that you can use an art gallery to find inspiration for your photography. And they’ll all result in a more original result than if you just photograph the actual work of art itself.

Visiting a gallery

When you visit an art gallery, make sure you allow yourself enough time. Ideally, set aside a whole morning or afternoon for a larger gallery.

When going to a new gallery that I’ve never been to before, I love to take a trip around the whole thing. Then I go back and visit rooms or artworks that I loved to see them in more detail. At very large galleries or museums, you might want to look on the floor plan ahead of time and identify a smaller section to see on that visit.

How to Use an Art Gallery Visit to Inspire Your Photography

After you’ve viewed works of art for an hour or so, take time to visit the cafe and relax a bit. This will give you time to think about what you’ve enjoyed so far. Use this time to make some notes if you want to.

Of course, it’s not possible for everyone to visit a gallery, or to do so regularly. Instead, perhaps ‘visit’ the online archive of a museum or gallery on their website. Some museums and galleries offer themed collections that you can browse. Others have lists of the artwork in each room so that you can ‘tour’ it virtually!

Take a sketchbook

So many photographers don’t use a sketchbook, but I think they’re vital to inspiration-gathering. You don’t have to be good at drawing to use a sketchbook. My sketching abilities extend to a fraction more than stick figures. But it isn’t your drawing ability that counts; your sketchbook will just be a place to record ideas for your own reference.

art-gallery-visit-inspire-photography

As you make your way around the different rooms of the art gallery, stop in front of any work that catches your eye. Ask yourself why that piece of art caught your attention. Perhaps it was the:

pose
colors
concept
composition

This approach for finding inspiration is applicable to all types of photography. You could be interested in still life, landscapes, architecture, or any other kinds of photography!

Record what you see

Take out your sketchbook and record those thoughts. Draw a sketch of the pose or the composition. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate or detailed sketch. Just a thumbnail to serve as an aide-memoire in the future when you’re planning shoots.

If it was the concept or the colors that caught your eye then make a note of them. Write down the things that you particularly liked about it. Perhaps pink roses against a blue background seemed particular striking for you. Or maybe a bright blue gown gave you ideas for something in the future.

Image: These six thumbnail sketches were done at the Tate Modern in London to record down quick idea...

These six thumbnail sketches were done at the Tate Modern in London to record down quick ideas of pose and composition.

It might not even be important to you to record the name of the artwork or the artist. If it’s just a pose you like, then who cares who originally painted the picture?

This approach is nothing new in the art world. The eighteenth-century British painter, Sir Joshua Reynolds, allegedly had a book where he would sketch down poses that other painters had used. When you commissioned him to paint your portrait, you could pick your pose from the book!

When you come to create new photographs, go back and look at your sketchbook. Pull together your ideas from these notes, and you’ll soon find yourself with some interesting inspiration for your photography that doesn’t rely heavily on a single source.

Taking inspiration from single works of art

If there’s a particular artwork that you love then start to analyze that piece and see what it really is that you love about it. You might surprise yourself.

Researching Van Gogh’s paintings of sunflowers revealed themes of hope and gratitude as well as life and death. I created my own interpretation which I wrote about here.

I always start with a blank page in my notebook, where I sketch out the pose or composition of the work of art. Then I identify different elements. Perhaps the colors that seem particularly strong, the mood of the image, or the concept. There might be a key prop or costume piece that I like, and I’ll note that down too.

Try doing the same and then use that information, rather than the original artwork, to shape the photoshoot you have planned. You’ll almost certainly find that your ideas take on a life of their own that is quite different from the original piece of inspiration.

Taking inspiration from a whole exhibition

It can be an interesting creative exercise to take inspiration from a whole exhibition rather than a single artwork. And it often results in the creation of some very different photographs that don’t resemble the exhibition at all!

See the exhibition and, again, take out your notebook or sketchbook. Write down the themes of the exhibition that you can identify. Look around and see if you can find any compositions, styles, or techniques that reoccur in the work of the artist and make sketches or notes about those.

Image: This image was created on a visit to Monet’s home in Giverny in France where he painted...

This image was created on a visit to Monet’s home in Giverny in France where he painted. The day before I had seen the incredible display of his impressionist water lilies paintings at the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris.

Don’t be afraid to put your notes to one side for a while. I often wait for weeks or even months before creating an image inspired by the art I have seen.

Sometimes it can be good to wait a while – you’ll be using the concepts and ideas as a starting point for your own work rather than just copying what you have seen. A break can help you to interpret the themes of the exhibition in your own way.

Venture outside your comfort zone

Be bold and try something new! Experiment with taking inspiration from different genres of art. Use the process of creating new photographs to motivate you to visit the kinds of galleries and exhibitions that you might not have visited before.

But most of all, try and interpret the artworks and exhibitions that you see into something original. Focus on bringing a part of yourself to the work that you create, no matter where your inspiration comes from, and you’ll be well on the path to originality.

How to Use an Art Gallery Visit to Inspire Your Photography

And while you’re there, don’t forget to take some photographs of the gallery itself and the people around you! There’s no reason why you can’t be finding inspiration for future image-making while also practicing your street photography.

The post How to Use an Art Gallery Visit to Inspire Your Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Charlie Moss.

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Walmart mistakenly prices DJI Inspire 2 and Spark drones starting at $17.99

18 Aug

Daniel John posted this tip in the Chicago Drone Pilots Facebook Group early Friday morning.

Early Friday morning, retail behemoth Walmart offered up deals that were so unbelievable, they seemed too good to be true.

Eagle-eyed shoppers took advantage of the lowest prices they’ve ever seen assigned to the DJI Spark Fly More bundle, priced at $ 17.99, a DJI Mavic Pro Bundle for $ 24.99, a DJI Inspire 2 Premium Combo with Zenmuse x5 for $ 42.99, plus Sony and Leica cameras, which typically start between $ 1,000 – $ 5,000, for $ 24.99 – $ 42.99. Those who purchased these items from retailer Ecom Electronics, in the narrow window of time they were available through Walmart.com, will have ultimately scored an unbeatable deal if Walmart chooses to honor these prices.

Savvy shoppers like Wayne Douglas discovered deals beyond the DJI Spark Fly More bundle.

I first stumbled across this error in pricing on the Chicago Drone Pilots Facebook Group. Curious to see if it was legitimate, I purchased on DJI Spark Fly More Bundle for $ 17.99 through my PayPal account. As of this writing, Walmart has processed my payment and has not issued a refund. Ecom Electronics has confirmed my order will arrive between Wednesday, August 21st and Tuesday, August 27th.

Talk about a hustle. Some people maxed out their orders with a quantity of 12 units.

Other people got creative, typed ‘eCom Electronics’ into Walmart.com’s search bar, and came up with a Leica SL (Typ 601) Mirrorless Digital Camera for $ 22.99, a Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 Mirrorless Micro Four Thirds Digital Camera Body for $ 22.99, and a Sony Alpha a7R Mirrorless Digital Camera for $ 42.99. Savvy shoppers pushed purchasing limits to the max and ordered up to 12 units of a deeply-discounted item. All of these low-priced offerings sold out quickly, returned to full price, and then were subsequently pulled from Walmart’s site altogether.

As soon as the word got out, items sold out in a matter of minutes and returned to full price before disappearing from Walmart.com completely.

For those concerned about a possible scam, Walmart has a favorable reputation for honoring their mistakes, if sentiments in the numerous posts I’ve seen across online forums are accurate. Ecom Electronics, on the other hand, has a Better Business Bureau Rating of ‘C.’ No matter how painful the mistake, the Walton family, owners of Walmart, likely won’t flinch as they are currently the wealthiest family in America with an amassed fortune surpassing $ 160 billion dollars.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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How Using Movies Can Inspire Your Photography

25 Apr

The post How Using Movies Can Inspire Your Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Glenn Harper.

One of the best ways to “improve” at photography is to look at a lot of pictures. Ask yourself why some photos work and others don’t. This is easy to do with the endless photo books and magazines available. You can also learn a lot from the world of cinema. Use movies to inspire your photography!

The bleach bypass effect originated from movies.

Many of the tricks and techniques used in movies are transferable to stills photography. It might be the lighting, the color contrast, the depth of field or the camera angle that gets your attention. Watch your favorite movies and see what you can learn, but also consider watching films you wouldn’t normally watch. Note the names of directors and observe their style.

Lighting

Lighting is obviously an important part of cinematography, but it’s not always discussed in the same terms that photographers are used to. For instance, there is “motivated” and “unmotivated” lighting. The former uses a light source within the frame, whereas the source of unmotivated lighting is unknown to the viewer.

Photographers often leave artificial light sources out of frame. So not doing so and improvising with various lights (e.g., headlamps) makes your pictures instantly more movie-like.

A classic movie lighting technique is three-point lighting. By lighting the subject from the front, back, and side, cinematographers create modeling and separate their subjects from the background. The strongest light is the key light, while the other light sources are fill lights.

Stills photographers are familiar with the hardness and softness of light. Soft light generally comes from a large light source and hard light from a small one. Soft light is often more desirable, but the harsh shadows caused by hard lighting are useful in horror or film noir-style movies.

A small light source (e.g. table lamp) placed near the subject creates big, bold shadows – film noir-style.

Film Noir

Popular during the 1940s and 50s, and still a reference for today’s movie-makers, film noir uses low-key lighting and often a small light source to create long or bold shadows. You’ll see other tricks, too, like low camera angles to emphasize power in lead actors and instill fear in the viewer. Modern interpretations of film noir are “neo-noir” movies.

Almost film noir with the banister shadow cast onto the wall via an artificial light.

Color

Cinematographers, like photographers, use various tricks to separate elements in the frame. One way to do this is by using complementary colors to create color contrast. A common example is the orange and teal grading seen in many movie and TV scenes.

orange and teal grading, movie effects, toning

Orange and teal grading, which can be achieved in numerous ways with varying degrees of subtlety. This is still very common in movies and on TV.

Orange and teal are opposite each other on a color wheel, like all complementary colors. These hues are useful for emphasizing skin tones against a dark background, but they also work well in beach scenes, sunsets and sometimes street views.

Color Contrast in Photoshop CC

The latest version of Photoshop CC includes the Adobe Color Themes extension, which can be used to find perfect complementary colors and paint them into photos. This technique works best in unfussy pictures, where you may want to create eye-catching color contrast between two main elements. You might paint a wall green, for instance, to complement a red subject in the foreground.

Inspiring your photography with movies - Adobe Color Themes extension

The Adobe Color Themes extension showing the complementary color for this Harley Davidson paintwork.

You can also create these color contrast effects at the raw stage using split toning or calibration sliders in Lightroom or ACR. The channels sliders in Photoshop are another possibility, as are gradient maps. Try creating a gradient map by dialing in your own choice of complementary colors!

Camera Angles

Even as beginners, photographers soon realize that camera angles are important. In tall buildings, a sloping camera angle emphasizes height and has a disorienting effect on the viewer. Look at stills from Spiderman movies to see this! Buildings are very often diagonal in the frame. Or there’ll be several converging buildings to create a dizzying effect.

The Dutch angle (or Dutch tilt)

In movie terms, slanting the camera to create a diagonal perspective is called a “Dutch tilt”. You’d use it for the reasons described above, although not only with buildings. It wrong-foots the viewer and creates a feeling of tension, uneasiness or instability. Sometimes it conveys a psychological malaise in the subject. The Dutch tilt is a feature of film noir movies, too, as another means of unsettling viewers.

The Dutch tilt.

Soft focus effect

In old movies, and not-so-old TV series, leading ladies were often shrouded with a soft-focus effect. Then we’d cut to the rugged leading man in sharp relief. Aside from its romantic quality, this effect has a smoothing effect that conceals skin blemishes and flatters the subject. The idea of routinely beautifying women for “the silver screen” is a little controversial today, but use of soft focus isn’t limited to portraits.

Marcel Proust can be my soft-focus model. Note how his bronze skin is smoother in the upper part of the photo. This is a simple Gaussian blur edit.

A subtle soft-focus effect can work quite well with scenery and it’s a useful way of remedying over-sharpening in web photos. Ideally, that shouldn’t happen, but sometimes resizing introduces a slight crunchiness in pictures (as does sharpening without your glasses on).

One easy Photoshop method for a soft-focus effect is to create a duplicate layer, apply Gaussian blur to that layer with a value of about 10 and then reduce opacity. For a dreamy look, you can use an opacity of about 30-50%, but a much lower value will take the edge off sharpening in a web image.

Evoke a film genre

Even if you’re not directly copying a movie technique, you can still try to capture the feel of a movie genre. For instance, a war movie might have somber colors and a grainy look, while you could use a strong vignette and cool or dark tones to suggest a horror movie. Vignettes force the viewer’s eye along a specific path, so they can evoke a nightmarish loss of control if the subject matter lends itself to that treatment.

Heavy vignetting and a somber tone get somewhere near a horror movie feel.

Choosing lenses

Cinematographers choose lenses for similar reasons to stills photographers: image quality, lens speed, practicality. They might use a fast telephoto zoom in less controllable situations (e.g. documentary shooting), but often they use prime lenses.

You can buy into the cinematic look with what used to be called a standard lens – the 50mm prime. These are relatively cheap, though the faster, more expensive models (e.g. f/1.4) sometimes have more pleasing bokeh. And you can close them down a stop or two for sharper results than cheaper lenses at the same aperture. Still, the affordable 50mm f/1.8 is always a great buy. It’s also less prone to focusing problems than ultra-fast lenses.

Shame the modern cars ruin the vintage feel of this photo. I took it with a Sigma 50mm f/1.4 lens, which was well known for its creamy background “bokeh”. Any 50mm lens is useful.

Other prime lenses to consider include a wide-angle 28 or 35mm (or equivalent) and a fast “portrait” lens of between 80 and 105mm. The ability to use a wide aperture gives you more creative choice and helps isolate subjects, though clearly this is not always a cinematic aim.

Studying movies

You can learn a lot about photography just by closely studying movies. If you watch DVDs or Blu-ray discs, you might have the director’s commentary as an extra feature. This gives fascinating insight into the reasons scenes are shot the way they are. A director has the last say in framing and how a movie looks, although the cinematographer also has creative input (e.g. in lighting a scene).

10 Well-Shot Movies

Here are 10 movies from many that I admire for their photography:

Casablanca (1942)
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Chinatown (1974)
Apocalypse Now (1979)
The Shining (1980)
Amélie (2001)
Children of Men (2006)
No Country for Old Men (2007)
The Tree of Life (2011)
Mr. Turner (2014)

A more extensive list is here. It helps if the subject matter appeals to you, but dedication can overcome this.

Inspiring your photography with movies - DVDs

An unforgettable movie still and a brilliantly shot horror film: The Shining. I don’t tend to watch horror films, but I’ve seen this many times.

Closing shot

The aim of this article is just to get you thinking about movies and how you can use them to inspire your own photography. Look at the style of different directors, the way they frame pictures and the colors they use. Look for their patterns across several movies. Check out the lighting.

I was taking photos for years before I made a connection between stills photography and movies. I spent my formative years gazing at photo magazines without often reading the accompanying text. Since then, movies and their media have evolved. They’re more accessible.

Everything in life may influence our photography on some tangential level, but if you make a conscious effort to understand and repeat cinematic techniques, those that you admire will ingrain themselves in your pictures.

Has your photography been influenced by movies? Feel free to share some of your shots in the comments below.

The post How Using Movies Can Inspire Your Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Glenn Harper.

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How Mark Rothko’s Paintings Can Inspire Your Photography

18 Mar

The post How Mark Rothko’s Paintings Can Inspire Your Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.

I first encountered a painting by Mark Rothko when I was a uni student, perusing the National Gallery of Australia. Seeking the wisdom of abstract expressionists like Lee Krasner, Clyfford Still and Hans Hofmann, I was somehow completely unaware of Rothko’s renowned canvases. So when I came across #20,1957 I was instantly mesmerized. In the reverent light of the gallery, the cells of the painting seemed to shift under my gaze, bleeding and retracting at once. And when I looked away, the after-image formed a striking hollow into the gallery surrounds.

I felt meditation and calm, but I also felt something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. The ineffable. #20,1957 was like nothing I’d ever come across before.

My reaction to the Rothko painting wasn’t unique. Audiences around the world have reported a deep emotional experience when viewing Rothko’s work. Rothko hoped that in viewing his paintings, others would be drawn into a deep meditative state, a state of vulnerability and receptivity that he himself entered into while creating his artworks.

Today, Rothko’s motivations and techniques continue to inform not only painting but visual arts as a whole.

Mark Rothko

Born in Dvinsk, Russia (now Daugavpils, Latvia) on September 25, 1903, Mark Rothko (born Marcus Rothkowitz) immigrated to the USA with his family in his youth. Inspired to take up art in the autumn of 1923, he began his artistic career painting urban life, portraits, nudes and landscapes. His portrayal of architectural space leaned on abstract compositional techniques, exploring the relationship between the painting and the viewer, an aspect that would play a critical role in his future works.

In the early 1940’s, Rothko shifted from painting the figurative to the symbolic, exploring themes such as prophecy, ancient myths, archaic ritual and the unconscious. Inspired by the surrealist method of automatic drawing, Rothko began to delve into more abstracted imagery, graduating almost entirely to abstraction by the late 1940’s. Unimpeded by the figurative or symbolic, Rothko stained the canvas with diluted oil paint, rendering shapes and forms with soft, indistinct edges, some outlined by luminous white halos.

Mark Rothko, No. 3 No. 13 1949, MOMA
No. 3 No.13, 1949 photo credit: Sharon Mollerus on Flickr

Rothko’s arrived at his signature style in the 1950’s. His expanses of graduated tones and ethereal light seemed to suspend vibratious squares and rectangles upon active planes of color. Toward the end of the 1950’s, Rothko began to paint in an increasingly darker, more restricted pallet.

Mark Rothko (1903-1970)
No. 9 (Dark over Light Earth/Violet and Yellow in Rose), 1954 photo credit: G. Starke on Flickr

In 1964, Rothko received a commission for a series of paintings for a non-denominational chapel in Huston, Texas – a space that was ideal for immersion in his stark, contemplative canvases. Unveiled in 1971, the paintings took 6 years to complete. However, sadly, Rothko never saw the culmination of the space. He committed suicide in his studio on February 25, 1970. He was 66.

Mark Rothko (1903-1970)
Black on Dark Sienna on Purple, 1960 photo credit: G. Starke on Flickr

Making photos inspired by the art of Mark Rothko

Painting and photography are two different mediums, I know. There is a significant separation between the paintbrush and the camera (although there are some commonalities too). Creating photographic work inspired by Rothko’s paintings isn’t about mimicry, it’s about trying out different styles and techniques. While this article discusses ways to approach photography that reflects Rothko’s paintings, you don’t have to end up with an exact copy of Black on Dark Sienna on Purple, 1960 (I sure didn’t!).

Through the elements and principals of art and design, Rothko created work that communicates beyond seeing. Using the same principals, photographers can create work inspired by Rothko that challenges the viewer and plays with the concept of photography and visual arts.

Using color

When described solely as a colorist Rothko said, “if you are only moved by color relationships, you are missing the point.” Rothko used color as a path to realizing the unseen. Looking beyond the event of color as an optical phenomenon, Rothko constructed oscillating visions driven by our innate conceptions of color.

Like Rothko, photographers use color as a tool to convey an image beyond seeing. Our associations with color stem from experience and instinct. Emphasizing color over literal subject matter doesn’t just convey color relationships; it communicates emotion and ineffability.

Capturing photography imbued with color is simple enough, but may require a little exploration. Look for flat planes of solid or graduated color. Seemingly dull urban surfaces like doors, walls or panels come to life within the camera frame. Try to include as little objective evidence as possible, articulating the emotional charge of color without the disturbance of other visual detritus.

The color in this image breaks up space, conveying meaning through our inherent associations

Unfocused photography

Another way to exemplify color is through unfocused photography. Rothko created a visual vibration within his paintings by blurring the edges of his colors and forms. This effect can be re-imagined by unfocusing your camera lens (turn off Auto Focus first) before taking a photograph. Unfocused photography creates a painterly quality that emphasizes color over subject matter. Rather than taking pin-sharp photos, unfocused photography frees the edges of the components that make up a scene, creating a unique movement throughout the image.

Unfocused photography emphasizes color, creating a unique movement throughout the image

Rothko’s abstract expressionism

Although Rothko himself shrugged off classifications, his work is generally categorized as abstract expressionist. Developed in New York in the 1940’s, abstract expressionism refers to a movement of predominantly non-representative painters. Neither completely abstract nor completely expressionist, abstract expressionism encompassed a wide variety of styles and techniques. Overall however, the practitioners of abstract expressionism stood united in their desire to reinvent the nature of painting.

Abstract expressionism is understood today to be divided into two camps – the action painters and the color field painters. Considered a member of the latter, Rothko prioritized austere beds of color over the wild, diacritic mark. Rothko’s serene blocks generate an emotional aura predominately through shape, form, color and line. It’s these basic precepts that have translated into abstract photography.

Like abstract painting, abstract photography operates independently from depicting the objective. As a result, abstract photographers emphasize the non-objective, peeling back the literal to expose the bare bones of an image. Beyond language, abstraction investigates the visual, discards the literal and charges an image with potentiality.

Aerial photography cultivates abstraction through distance. Abstract macro photography closes in on a subject to reveal often unseen planes. Like Rothko’s paintings, what you exclude from a photograph is just as important as what you include. Turning your lens to strong shapes, forms, colors, textures and lines cultivates imagery that cuts through to the essence of visual language.

Abstract photography operates independently from depicting the objective

Movement

Through extensive layering, blending and blurring, Rothko manipulated hard-edged structures of color into stark, yet softly transcendent forms.

Intentional camera movement (ICM) uses the same principals of movement within a photograph. Through motion, ICM reduces a subject to shape, form, color, and line, creating an abstracted study of movement and light. Similar to painting, ICM involves the physical movement of the camera during an exposure. Also, like Rothko’s actions documented in the strokes of a brush, ICM creates an artwork that is visibly, inextricably linked to the experience of the photographer.

To take an ICM photograph, first, turn off autofocus and, if you have it, image stabilization. Set your camera to Shutter Priority, adjust your exposure time to around 1/2 of a second and turn your ISO down to the lowest setting on your camera. The longer your shutter speed, the more a subject will blur.

Point your camera at a subject, depress the shutter and physically move the camera. Once the shutter closes, review the result on your LCD screen. Your movement will register as blurred lines within the image.

The nature of ICM is that it is both simple and experimental – it takes some adjustment to perfect. Explore different combinations of subject matter, time of day, focus, shutter speed, aperture, and movement to create an image you’re happy with. Moreover, don’t forget to wear your camera strap!

Conclusion

Saying once that “the most interesting painting is one that expresses more of what one thinks than of what one sees,” Rothko shifted the way art is made and observed. Now, with the advent of digital photography, we have new ways to communicate visually.

However, Rothko’s reflections on the human spirit continue to resonate as a vital pause amongst visual loudness. Through his use of color, abstract expressionism and movement, Rothko’s work transcend artistic mediums, informing and inspiring contemporary practice today.

The post How Mark Rothko’s Paintings Can Inspire Your Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Megan Kennedy.

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DJI announces pricing, availability of Multilink accessory for DJI Inspire 2, Cendence controllers

23 Jan

After first teasing it back in September 2018, DJI has officially announced the pricing and availability of Multilink for its Inspire 2 and Cendence controllers.

The new Multilink accessory connects a single master remote with up to three additional controllers. This setup ‘allows slave networks to form a star network with the master controller as the hub, offering aerial filmmakers more options in camera control and in-flight monitoring,’ according to the press release.

It features dual-band functionality for operating at 2.4GHz or 5.8GHz with the ability for the slave controllers to be up to 150m / 500ft away from the master controller. DJI claims the latency between the master and slave controllers is as low as 2.5ms and 3.7ms for the 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz bands, respectively.

The Multilink accessory for Inspire 2 Cendence controllers is being sold on DJI’s online store for $ 99 a piece with the option to purchase a pack of three for $ 282, a savings of $ 15.

DJI Announces Pricing And Availability of Multilink For Inspire 2 Controllers

New Multilink accessory connects master remote with up to 3 additional controllers

DJI, the world’s leader in creative camera technology, today revealed the pricing and availability of the Multilink, DJI’s new wireless connector that supports a master controller and up to 3 additional slave controllers. The new Multilink allows slave networks to form a star network with the master controller as the hub, offering aerial filmmakers more options in camera control and in-flight monitoring.

Designed to for use with the Inspire 2 and Cendence remote controllers, DJI Multilink will retail for $ 99 USD and $ 282 USD for a combo that includes 3 Multilinks. The new product will be available starting today on store.dji.com, DJI flagship stores and authorized dealers in the US, Europe, and mainland China.

About the Multilink

The new DJI Multilink connects with the Inspire 2 and Cendence remote controllers to create a master-slave network with up to three additional slave controllers. The slave controllers connected to Multilink form a star network with the master controller as the main device. The slave controllers can wirelessly send commands to the aircraft through the master controller and receive images and video signals from the aircraft directly.

With a dual-band operating frequency of 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz, the slave controllers can maintain a steady connection to the master controller at distances of up to 150m from each other, which allows for efficient filming even in the least ideal environments. The latency between the master controller and the slave controllers is as low as 2.5ms (5.8G) / 3.7ms (2.4G), allowing for a reliable live-feed of the aircraft’s camera to additional monitors.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Tiffen launches line of filter kits for DJI Mavic, Inspire drones

23 Oct

Tiffen Filters has announced a new collection of drone-specific filter kits for DJI’s latest offerings.

The filters kits are available for the the DJI Mavic 2 Zoom, DJI Mavic 2 Pro, DJI Mavic Air, and DJI Inspire 2 drones, adding to the filters Tiffen already offers for the Phantom series. Tiffen says the filters have “a multilayer and hydrophobic coating” that’s waterproof, resistant to scratches, and “guarantee[s]” ultra-low reflection rates.

“Drone operators will have the opportunity to capture in flight content like never before,” says Tiffen in its press release. “When used in conjunction with the award winning filter technology engineered by Tiffen, the high quality performance of the DJI 4K camera system is taken to the next level, broadening the horizons for content creation.”

The pricing of the filter kits is a bit confusing, so below is a collection of charts detailing the kits available for each drone:

Mavic Air
3 Filter Kit — $ 49.95	6 Filter Kit — $ 99.95
ND4	ND4 — ND4/PL
ND8	ND8 — ND8/PL
ND16	ND16 — ND16/PL

Mavic 2 Zoom
3 Filter Kit — $ 79.95	6 Filter Kit — $ 149.95
ND4	ND4 — ND4/PL
ND8	ND8 — ND8/PL
ND16	ND16 — ND16/PL

Mavic Pro
3 Filter Kit — $ 99.95	6 Filter Kit — $ 179.95
ND4	ND4 — ND4/PL
ND8	ND8 — ND8/PL
ND16	ND16 — ND16/PL

Inspire 2
3 Filter Kit — $ 99.95	6 Filter Kit — $ 199.95
ND4	ND4 — ND4/PL
ND8	ND8 — ND8/PL
ND16	ND16 — ND16/PL

The filters are listed on Tiffen’s website as “coming soon.” Each filter kit will come with a ten-year warranty, meaning these will likely outlast the life of your drone. To find out more, head on over to Tiffen’s Aerial Collection page.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Save 88% on 200 Photography Assignments that Inspire, Motivate and Teach

06 Jul

If you learn more efficiently (and have more fun with your photography) when you’re out shooting versus sitting somewhere reading about it, then this photography learning aid was designed for YOU.

One of the most popular photography training aids we’ve ever promoted were the Snap Cards from Photzy during our Christmas Sale last year. So when Brett from Photzy showed us their latest photography learning tool, we knew it was something we should tell you about.

The NEW Photzy Action Cards are 65 beautifully designed & printable project sheets that will give you over 200 photography assignments, covering everything you can imagine!

Brett’s idea for the Action Cards was sparked by a woman’s comment to him at a camera club meeting.

“I wish that I could have a workshop in a box. So that I could just open the box and participate when I felt like I had the time and the energy.”

So Photzy set out to create something that will educate and motivate you, provide you with direction, and help you to learn through actionable photography assignments.

The full set of Action Cards include:

34 composition Action Cards aimed toward assisting you in fully understanding the various rules, tools, and concepts of composition. Some example assignments:

S and Z Curves
Dynamic Angles
Juxtaposition
Spirals
Visual Weight and Direction

Just as we all ‘see’ differently – we also all work differently. This is your chance to discover which composition tools fit your style.

31 genre Action Cards which allow you to test the waters for 31 different genres of photographic imaging – by completing specific tasks and photo assignments in each genre – and help you uncover your ‘place’ in the photographic world. Some example assignments:

Creating jaw-dropping landscape photography
Creating beautifully executed high key photography
Creating true minimalist photography
How to create portraits of newborns
Creating meaningful travel photographs

Perhaps you’ll discover your natural tendencies reveal themselves better through outstanding flower photography versus newborn portrait photography.

We believe this new training tool will be exactly what many of you need to motivate and guide you on an experience of personal photographic discovery all on your own. Armed with these cards you’re guaranteed to be on a fast path to ‘expanding’ your shooting skills and mastering photography in 2018.

Learn more and buy your Action Cards here

FAQs

We’ve already had a great deal of interest in Photzy’s Action Cards and naturally lots of questions. Photzy have helped us answer them for you.

Q: Are the Action Cards different to the SNAP Cards?

Yes! They are completely different.

The SNAP! Card line was developed to present small easily digestible photographic lessons that you could consume virtually anywhere. Like Cheat Sheets…

The ACTION! Card line is geared towards the individual that prefers to learn by engaging in self-assigned photographic activities. A learning element is included, but the primary purpose of the product is to motivate you to learn through an actionable assignment and review process.

Q: Is there any bonus included?

Yes! Two actually.

You will get a lesson plan – Designed to help you work through the content at a pace that suits you, and to help you choose what order you’ll tackle the projects and assignments.
And a video tutorial – Reflectors & Other Self-Made Lighting Gear: Kent DuFault will demonstrate how you can make a very easy to use home reflector along with a few other ideas for DIY lighting tools.
These have a combined value of $ 25 value, and you get it absolutely free.

Q: Is this a downloadable file, or will I receive the printed cards in the mail?

You will be receiving a downloadable PDF file of the cards, for you to print out at home. This means you can access them anytime anywhere, and you don’t have to worry about losing them.

In just MINUTES from right now… You could be well on your way to taking your photography to the next level. No need to wait for shipping!

Go here now to grab your copy of the cards

Q: Why should I print these out?

Be honest – How many times have you downloaded a guide and never actually read it?

We’ve found that printing materials ensures you actually go on to read the content. Simply put– if you print it out, you are far more likely to take ACTION, and get RESULTS. That’s important to us.

Q: Are these Action Cards for beginners?

These cards are designed to cater for photographers of all levels. If you’re a beginner, these cards are going to work wonders for you with a whole range of material to sink your teeth into. If you’re a professional looking to extend your range of skills – we’ve got you covered too.

Get your copy here now

Q: Will this work for my camera?

While some of the settings information on the genre cards will of course not be useful depending on your chosen camera. 95% of the information on the Action Cards are not camera specific. So whether you are shooting on a DSLR, Mirrorless, or even an iPhone, you will find these incredibly to improve your photography skills.

Q: Is there a guarantee?

Absolutely!

In fact, when you claim your copy of The Action Cards, you have a full 365 days to decide whether or not you want to keep it. Meaning – you get an entire year to try them out…

And if for ANY reason, you decide the cards don’t work for you, simply contact us for a full, prompt refund… No questions asked and no hassles.

Q. How do I buy the Action Cards?

For one week only we can offer dPS readers early access to this brand-new training tool for just $ 39USD. At $ 5 per card the full set is valued at $ 325USD, so that’s 88% off.

Here’s where you can take advantage of this risk-free trial of the cards:

Click Here to Try The Action Cards TODAY

The post Save 88% on 200 Photography Assignments that Inspire, Motivate and Teach appeared first on Digital Photography School.

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How to Overcome Intimidation and Learn from the Experts – Adorama Inspire Conference

14 Jun

Disclaimer: Adorama is a paid partner of dPS.

As a photographer have you ever suffered from Imposter Syndrome?

Do you look at your social media feed and scroll through fabulous snaps that make your heart sink? Instead of being inspired by ethereal lighting and fantastic depth of emotion, do you find yourself intimidated and second-guessing your work?

We have all been there.

The Adorama INSPIRE Conference seeks to challenge that response. The event (more details below) places emphasis on collaboration and creativity that will allow you to learn from respected experts without feeling intimidated. Instead, you will feel invigorated. Which is why I wanted to share some of my own tips for getting the most out of attending events like Adorama INSPIRE.

Art of Visuals - Adorama Inspire Event

Get rid of the pedestal

So how can you learn if you find looking at other photographers’ great images intimidating? If the instructors at workshops or conferences are top experts, how can you relate to them and get over your own fears?

Speaking from my own experience, the best thing I can recommend is to try and think of the teachers and instructors as equals and take them off the pedestals on which you’ve placed them. Consider the fact that once upon a time they were sitting exactly where you are now, with the same insecurities and fears. They are only human too, and the only difference is they have more experience than you do.

Ask questions and don’t be afraid to make mistakes

Don’t be afraid of asking questions. I tell my students all the time that the only stupid questions are the ones you don’t ask because then you’ll never learn. So ask away.

Image by Gavin Hoey

Try things and make mistakes as you learn – that too is normal. Take the newfound knowledge you get from any photography educator, whether it be live in-person or an online class, and apply it. Don’t expect it to all work out perfectly the first time. You need to do things a few times to “get” it. Rome wasn’t built in a day, be patient with yourself.

There are many ways to learn photography nowadays.

Read: Should you Study Photography at College or are There Better Options Now?

Image by Jose “@tutes” TUTIVEN – Storm King Art Center

Get inspired and learn

That’s why if you only attend one photography conference and festival this year, you should make it Adorama INSPIRE. Adorama INSPIRE combines guidance from top photographers and influencers from around the world with hands-on learning in a supportive community so you are able to expand and enhance your skills in a no-pressure, friendly space that is accessible to all.

NOTE: There are many workshops which are free to attend, you just have to register.

Image by Tracie Maglosky – Maternity Photography

Adorama INSPIRE runs from June 25th to July 1st, 2018 in New York City where you can attend the in-person workshops and classes, many of which are free or really low cost. Either way, you will benefit tremendously from the advice of some of the photography world’s most esteemed professionals in an environment that allows your own skills to blossom.

What you get

Inspire Met preview - Adorama Inspire Event

Use Adorama INSPIRE as a springboard for your next creative breakthrough and soak in inspiration from cinematography, music, social influence and photography in all its many shapes and forms. Fine-tune your technical skills and enjoy fresh inspiration and motivation to create your next masterwork.

Digital photographers who live in or can travel to New York City will benefit from Adorama INSPIRE’s free events, including visits to local art galleries and photo walks.

Statue of Liberty - Adorama Inspire Event

Since Adorama INSPIRE is unique in the photography conference sphere, it is well worth making a special trip to attend their conference and festival. Consider it an investment in your future career, and a way to get your creative juices newly flowing. Additionally, you will be able to check out New York City, which is vibrant and inspirational all on its own!

Image by Tamara Lackey – Children’s Portraits

You can register for any number of workshops, hands-on experimental events, and panel discussions at Adorama INSPIRE. Please note that this event is expected to be very popular, so advanced registration is strongly suggested, even for workshops or discussions that are free. We do not want you to miss out! For a full calendar of events click here.

Highlights not to miss

SLR Lounge Wedding Photog Workshop - Adorama Inspire Event

Image by Vanessa Joy – Wedding Workshop

Highlights that you absolutely do not want to miss include a State of the Industry panel moderated by Barry Litwin, CEO of Adorama, and the Adorama INSPIRE Expo. The Expo is particularly intriguing because you will get a glimpse into what is fresh and on the horizon in the photography community. With technology evolving at light-speed it’s important to keep apprised of all the new tools you have at your fingertips.

Adorama is a trusted source for new and exciting products. Since its inception it has evolved from a New York City camera store to one of the biggest authorities in the photography world, exploring new techniques, technologies and expanding its bandwidth to include popular YouTube channels and tutorials. As such, Adorama is in a unique position to have their finger firmly on the pulse of what is next for the industry, so their expo is well worth checking out.

Learn from industry leaders and instructors

Stan Honda Night Shooting - Adorama Inspire Event

Image by Stan Honda – Night Shooting.

Attendees will get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join Lumix Global Ambassador Kevin Gilbert on a nighttime shoot of the epic New York City skyline. Participants will learn from the best while honing their skills in real-time and creating some memorable images.

Or join fashion photography icon Emily Soto live or through video-stream as she walks you through tips and tricks of creating the most fabulous fashion editorial; from conceptual design to how to polish your final images. Soto has been featured in several high-end magazines and is considered an unparalleled authority on the subject.

Eric Pare Light Painting - Adorama Inspire Event

Image by Eric Pare – Light Painting

Participants can also learn how to find their unique voices as street photographers with guidance from Street Dreams Magazine’s key photographers. They will explain how they found their creative groove and mentor you on how to discover your unique perspective and visual story.

Learn from other attendees

Something else to keep in mind is the opportunity to interact and learn from other conference attendees. Even during online classes, there is often a chance to communicate with others, share images, and get feedback on your photos.

At most workshops, there are many people of various skill levels. So help those with less experience than yourself, and ask advice of those with more.

Read more tips on attending a conference here: 5 Tips to Getting the Most out of a Photography Conference

Image by Dave Black – Belmont

Sign up now

Adorama INSPIRE strives to accomplish a mission that has yet to be realized by any other photography conference or festival; intertwining valuable technical workshops, artistic inspiration and a supportive community of photographers and mentors. This week-long event will jumpstart your motivation and give you fresh tools to take your photographs to the next level.

Click here to register now.

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