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Dear Nikon: Please let us keep the 20mm F1.8G, Love, Dan

20 Jan

An open letter to Nikon 

Dear Nikon, 

Dan Bracaglia here from DPReview.com. It’s been brought to my attention (mostly due to the nagging of coworkers) that the Nikkor 20mm F1.8G lens you’ve loaned us needs to be returned to Nikon ASAP. I guess this makes sense, seeing as we’ve had it for about 20 months now. But perhaps I can convince you, beyond a reason of a doubt to allow us just a little more time with it. I ask because I truly love this lens. And here’s why:

There’s no such thing as a perfect lens, but a lens can certainly be the right tool for a specific job, and to that extent, it’s perfect. Your 20mm F1.8G is just that for me.

I first moved to Seattle about five months before you shipped DPReview the lens. I’d previously been living in New York City and photographing live music. Back then I largely shot with a 17-35mm F2.8 (the lens motor has since died) and an on-camera flash. It was the perfect setup for the rowdy punk rock shows I frequented.

ISO 12,800, 1/160 sec at F2. Edited to taste in Lightroom.

But, after moving I realized I was going to have to switch up my music rig. I became aware that shows in small and mid-size venues in Seattle were well-documented, but shows happening in less traditional spaces, like friends’ basements, living rooms or art/community centers were often not photographed (despite being well-attended). So I launched a photoblog with the goal of documenting my local music community.

Out of respect for these intimate environments, I vowed to leave my flash at home and shoot available light only. And what could be better for documenting in the dark than fast primes? 

When shooting shows with available light, three things matter most to me in a lens: its size/weight (too large = too intrusive), it’s brightest aperture and its focus speed. Your 20mm, Nikon, is a perfect balance of all these things. A look at the Sigma 20mm F1.4 to gives an idea of how big and cumbersome a brighter 20mm lens could be.

And when paired with my D750, the combination is fast-to-focus (using the center area) even in conditions that are often too dark for me to physically see. This is incredibly impressive and useful. Even if I can’t tell whether or not my subject is in focus, I need to be able trust that my camera and lens can. Simply put, when used together the D750 and 20mm F1.8G sing.

ISO 12,800, 1/160 sec at F1.8. Edited to taste in Lightroom.

I’ve been mostly shooting it alongside your marvelously cheap 50mm F1.8D, which was actually my favorite Nikon lens (shocking!) before I got my paws on the 20mm 1.8G. I use the 50mm for detail shots and the 20mm to capture the tone of the room. Both are coat-pocketable and don’t add much bulk to the D750. Moreover both are sharp enough for me by F2.2 and fast-to-focus. The only thing I don’t like about the 20mm against the 50mm is the price, which is much more than the quintessential fast 50. 

That’s where the loan comes in. I know, I know, I’m lucky to be able to have access to loaner gear (we do ALSO use the lens for camera testing and sample image shooting), it’s just hard to justify spending $ 800 on a lens that will likely be soaked in beer within two weeks of my purchase (not that it’s ever happened to your 20mm…). I suppose I should be grateful for having had the chance to use a piece of gear and fall in love with it before buying it. After all, the inherent danger of using loaner gear from any brand, is getting attached.

At the the end of the day, maybe I should look at the $ 800 price tag as less about the cost of the lens and more about the price of being able to continue to document something I love, without drawing much attention. And to that regard, I owe it to myself, my community and you, to pony up and buy one. 

I’ll do that, but maybe after just one more loan extension?

Sincerely,

Dan Bracaglia

P.S. Anyone at Nikon want to purchase a slightly busted 17-35mm F2.8 for $ 800?

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Keep calm and carry on: tips for safely transporting spare camera batteries

21 Oct

If you read too much news you might believe that Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones are exploding all around the globe like miniature incendiary devices. You might even think that lithium-ion batteries are the work of an evil empire intent on spreading terror throughout the civilized world. Indeed, these combusting batteries have caused a good deal of concern, if not terror, and many consumers are questioning how safe the lithium-ion cells we use in our cameras are.

It is worth pointing out at this stage that of the over 2.5 million Galaxy Note 7s that were shipped before they were withdrawn only around 90 had over-heated, and fewer again had actually caught fire. A 90 in 2.5 million hit rate wouldn’t be reported if we were talking about the phone’s microphone not working, but as the potential is a pocket, handbag, house or hand actually catching fire the frequency of occurrence is obviously way too high. 

The good news is that the lower capacity batteries you pack in your camera bag are much less likely to cause a newsworthy scene than that in the Note 7, and by following some simple precautions you’ll be just fine.

What makes lithium batteries catch fire?

Smartphones need an astonishing amount of power to run the processors that control their multitasking activities, and the battery in the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is rated at 13.48Wh. That’s a lot more powerful than most camera batteries – the EN-EL15 used to power the Nikon D810 for example is 11.8Wh.

Seen here: a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 that did not burst into flames.

The Note 7 battery is designed to be used in a device that Samsung wants to be as thin and as light as possible, so the battery has to be as thin and light as it can be made. That means we have a lot of charge in a very tight space. Lithium-ion cells are ideal for this sort of task as they are able to hold twice the charge of traditional metal cells such as nickel-cadmium and they are much lighter – lithium is the lightest metal element.

Problems arise in batteries for a number of reasons, but most center around some sort of short circuit between the positive and negative electrodes. Such short circuits allow energy to flow through the cell un-resisted which causes a build-up of heat that can lead to a fire.

In a lithium-ion cell the cathode (positive) and anode (negative) electrodes are immersed in an electrolyte conductive fluid and are kept apart by a porous barrier called a separator. During charging, and while the battery is being used, lithium-ions use the electrolyte fluid to travel between the anode and the cathode, passing through the porous separator on their way. At the same time, electrons pass between the anode and cathode via the device the cell is powering or the charger. If the separator is flawed it might allow electrons to travel between the two electrodes – a short circuit. If this happens the cell will begin to overheat.

This spiraling build-up is called ‘thermal runaway’ and the immense heat generated can make the cell and battery expand or explode

Problems can occur if the electrolyte fluid in the cell is contaminated with metal particles or if the separator is just too weak to do its job. The separator can also begin to break down when external temperatures are very high. The breakdown of the separator and the consequent unimpeded contact between negative and positive electrodes within the cell lead to a build-up of heat that can’t be dissipated, which subsequently leads to further break down within the structure of the cell. This spiraling build-up is called ‘thermal runaway’ and the immense heat generated can make the cell and battery expand or explode.

As most battery packs contain multiple cells to build voltage the breakdown in one will often overheat its neighbors and the reaction will be permeated through the entire unit.
The cell doesn’t need to have a manufacturer’s flaw to catch fire either, as any physical damage to the battery can rupture the separator or the individual chambers, allowing electrons to flow freely within the cells creating a short circuit. It only takes a tiny breach of the separator for thermal runaway to occur, as any breach will create heat that will further damage the separator and make a tiny hole bigger as the temperature rise accelerates.

How does this effect camera batteries?

Camera batteries tend not to pose such a high risk as they don’t contain as much energy as phone batteries do, but they can still be the cause of a fire if they aren’t treated correctly. Airlines allow lithium-ion batteries to be carried in carry-on luggage as if there is a fire it can be dealt with more easily in the cabin than it can in the hold. There are however restrictions on how many batteries can be carried in one place.

Some airlines recommend that the contacts are covered with electrical insulating tape to prevent them coming into contact with anything that might create a short circuit. 

Mail services tend to be most concerned about batteries rated above 100Wh. This doesn’t affect still camera batteries, which tend to be around 14Wh, but some larger video camera batteries can come into this bracket. These need special markings on the outside of the package. You might be required to pack each battery in its own plastic pouch, though taping contacts should be enough. Check with the company you are mailing or flying with for exact requirements. For an example, here are Delta airlines requirements:

Lithium Batteries
As you probably know, traveling with consumer electronic and medical devices containing lithium cells or batteries (e.g. watches, calculators, cameras, cell phones, laptops, camcorders, hearing aids, etc.) is allowed onboard as carry-on. Spare lithium batteries are allowed as carry-on only, and must be individually protected to prevent short circuits.
Tips to properly transport spare lithium batteries:
* Pack spare batteries in carry-on baggage.
* Keep spare batteries in the original retail packaging to prevent unintentional activation or short-circuiting.
* If original packaging is not available, effectively insulate battery terminals by isolating spare batteries from contact with other batteries and/or metal.
* Specifically, place each battery in its own protective case, plastic bag or package, or place tape across the battery’s contacts to isolate terminals.
* Take steps to prevent crushing, puncturing, or putting a high degree of pressure on the battery, as this can cause an internal short circuit, resulting in overheating.
Size Limits for Lithium Batteries:

Passengers are permitted to travel with lithium-ion batteries that contain a maximum of 160 watt hours per battery. Any lithium-ion battery containing more than 160 watt hours is prohibited from carriage on all passenger aircraft. lithium-ion batteries installed in a personal electronic device can be transported as checked or carry on baggage. lithium-ion batteries not installed in a device (spares) must be in carry-on baggage and no more than two (2) spares between 100 and 160 watt hours are allowed.

Keep calm and carry on (your spare batteries)

Fortunately there is no cause for alarm on the part of most photographers. We need to remember that lithium-ion batteries pose a risk if not taken care of and if we are careless about where we buy them. Chances are that if you use the battery that came with your camera and spares from the manufacturer or a well-known third party, you will never have an issue. Just be careful not to puncture the cell and to handle damaged batteries with extreme caution.

Another point worth noting is that the battery in the Galaxy Note 7 was installed in the phone and not designed to be removed, so it had a softer, less protective exterior shell. Most camera batteries are packed in hard plastic casing and are unlikely to split or rupture, or become critically damaged internally as a result of impact.

Camera batteries can catch fire like those used in the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, but you’ll have to go out of your way to make them do so. They won’t explode on their own accord and they are pretty unlikely to even overheat unless you forget to treat them with the respect they are due. 

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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How to Clean Your Photography Gear and Keep it in Good Shape

23 May

A long time ago when I started my first steps into the photography world, a good friend of mine that worked many years as a photojournalist, told me:

“Treat your camera like a soldier treats his gun, keep it clean and ready to fire!”

I never forgot that advice from him, and I kept a Pentax K1000, my very first camera, in pristine condition to this day. Nowadays things are a bit different, and electronic digital equipment is not really built to last like in the good old days of mechanical equipment.

Modern cameras and lenses are built with a lot of sensitive electronic components, and are much more difficult to maintain. Most of the equipment I use is exposed to the elements, and to a lot of abuse during my shooting sessions, and to me it is fundamental to sometimes take a little bit of time off and make sure everything is clean, working properly, and ready to fire.

01

In this article I will guide you through the steps I usually take cleaning my photo equipment.

Like everything in life, everyone has their own method of doing things. The way I do this process might not be perfect, but it is the best method I have used so far, with all the tips and tricks I have been collecting along the years.

To start, I always try to be in a dust free environment, and have an anti-static microfiber cloth under the equipment I am cleaning. This is really important because your equipment is going to grab all the dust that is in the air like a magnet every time you try to clean it.

The way I do it is always to go from the outside to the inside, meaning I always clean the outer part of the lenses before I clean the glass, and I always clean the outside of the camera body before I clean the sensor. This way I gradually eliminate the dust that is stuck to the equipment.

Starting with the lenses, I used to just clean the outside of the lens with a microfiber cloth, and use a blower to keep the dust away. But a few years ago I was introduced to a new product from Japan that was the answer to all the germophobes that were really concerned with all the germs computer keyboards collect.

02

This cleaning compound is like a sticky jelly, with anti-bacterial properties that can be used on everything you want to keep clean and germ free.

I use it on the outside of my lenses and camera body, always with the caps on, because it is not supposed to be used on glass.

03

This product was expensive, and really hard to find when I first bought it, but nowadays it seems to be much cheaper and available in most stores online.

I find it really useful to clean the camera body in the buttons areas, where it collects a lot of dust that is difficult to clean.

04

Next it’s time to concentrate on the glass

Dust specs are really difficult to keep away from your lenses, and you should never try to wipe the glass off with a cloth like most people do. Wiping off dust might result in scratching your lens. The correct process should always be to blow it off first. You can use a blower or a compressed air can, and this way you remove the dust but don’t touch the glass.

05

Now the dust is gone it is time to clean eventual smudges or fingerprints you might have on the glass. My favorite tool for this process is the Lens Pen. It has a tip with a soft compound that is made to safely wipe the glass, without damaging it.

After cleaning with the soft tip, you may use the anti-static brush on the other side of the pen to get rid of any dust that is still around.

I usually don’t use any lens cleaning fluid unless it’s really needed. Those kinds of chemicals are never good for your lens coating, but if your lens has grease smudges, then cleaning fluid and a soft cloth might be the only solution.

06

Repeat that process on the glass on the other side of your lens, and while you’re at it it’s also a good idea to check the electrical contacts of your lens (metal parts on the back). Dirty or oxidized contacts are most often responsible for camera malfunctions or errors, so I always clean them off with a soft cloth.

In extreme situations I have heard of people cleaning these contacts with a rubber or really fine sand paper, but I’ve never had to do anything like that.

07

Dirty lens caps are also something to keep in mind to clean, as they always end up in your pocket or at the bottom of your camera bag while you’re photographing, so they collect a lot of dust. It doesn’t make sense to have your lens all cleaned up, then cover it with a dirty cap, the same applies to the body caps.

Replacing your caps with new ones from time to time might be a good idea, as they are not that expensive and give your equipment a newer look.

08

Now it is time to clean the camera body

After cleaning the outside with the anti-bacterial jelly compound, I usually clean the viewfinder. That is a difficult operation as it is a small, deep, and difficult to reach area. My trick for it is Q-Tips, but not the regular ones. I use some special ones made for babies that have a smaller pointy tip, and are made from a softer cotton, which allows a deeper and more efficient cleaning.

09

Next I clean the LCD screen glass with a little drop of glass cleaner and a paper tissue. This removes all the grease that the LCD screen gets from being stuck to my face all the time.

10

Cleaning the inside of the camera

As tempting as it might be I never try to clean the mirror of the camera. It usually seems to do more harm than good, and it usually sends more dust to the inside of the camera chamber, making it land on the sensor sooner or later.

We finish with the most complicated part of the whole process that is the sensor cleaning.

Camera makers always advise that this process should only be done in the brand’s technical assistance, by a trained technician, so if you are not comfortable with doing this yourself, please don’t try it.

I remember I was a bit scared the first time I tried to clean the sensor myself. But, the fact is that I have done it lots of times, with different cameras over the years, and it always worked out fine. You just have to be careful and do things slowly and steadily.

This is a totally optional step, but I usually use a sensor loupe to check the sensor before I clean it. It is a really nice device that illuminates and magnifies the inside of your camera, making it possible to see with good precision any dust that is on your sensor.

11

Now for the cleaning part itself, there are many different systems and brands out there for sensor cleaning. I have tried a few and my favorite is the Vswab by Visible Dust which consists of one time use soft-edge swabs, and a sensor cleaning fluid that you use to clean the sensor from any smudges or dust specs. There are specific swabs for different size sensors, so be sure to buy the correct one for your camera.

12

Just get the swab a little wet with the cleaning fluid (a drop or two is all you need) then activate the mirror lockup on your camera (or use the sensor clean setting – check your camera’s user manual if you aren’t sure how to lock it up for cleaning). Wipe your sensor from left to right, just one time, touching it but trying not to apply too much pressure.
Most of the times it works at first, but I always check it again with the sensor loupe after cleaning, and if needed I swab a second time.

Note: Keep it mind that these swabs can only be used one time, so if you go for a second clean use a new swab.

This allows the sensor to be clean all the time, avoiding spots on your images, caused by dust specs the get inside your camera every time you change your lenses.

13

These simple maintenance steps gives me confidence that my equipment is in top shape, and that I can be sure that it is going to work fine next time I pick it up.

Remember, keep it clean and ready to fire!

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Can a Sony RX10 II keep up with a Nikon D5500 on the soccer field?

17 Sep

The RX10 II is an extremely versatile camera and so far, it has impressed us with its ability to perform well in most scenarios. But what about sports photography? We decided to bring it to the soccer field and pit it against a DSLR to see if it could keep up. The results? Find out here

 

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Kayaking with Cameras: Keep your Gear Dry in Watery Situations

03 Aug

These hot summer days make us want to jump in a lake (or pool – or river – or ice chest) to keep cool. But let’s face it, wet cameras make for sad photographers.

We’ve been packing our gear in our favorite waterproof cases to document our summer adventures. Our pals Margo and Sara just took a few out for a test drive float down the river.

Check out their camera-filled kayak adventure and pick up some near/in/on/under water photography tips along the way …

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10 competitions to keep your photography inspired

17 May

Entering photography competitions is a great way to maintain a level of drive and inspiration in your photography, as well as winning cash and photo-related equipment. We can all collect cameras and lenses, but when it comes to using them we sometimes run out of things to take pictures of. Using the themes and category titles from photo competitions can provide a little bit of the oomph we often need to get shooting. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Keep Your Night Light Looking Natural

20 Feb

Just ’cause the sun disappears after a certain time of day doesn’t mean your camera has to!

If you prefer using natural light in your photos, then shooting after dark (both indoors and out) can feel a little intimidating.

That’s why we’re here with four solutions for tricky nighttime lighting! You’ll make friends with flash, tripods, and everything else you need so your photo-taking can continue late into the night.

Say goodbye to camera curfews. Night owls, rejoice!

4 Tips For Taking Photos After Dark

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7 Things That Keep You From Charging What You’re Worth (and how to get over them)

02 Nov

lynseymattingly6

Charging people money is scary. Having people I’ve never met ask me to produce something I have metaphorically promised the world I can do at a professional level, that may or may not meet their expectations, is terrifying. There is so much I can’t control – the weather, the mood of everyone involved, my camera suddenly deciding to jam without warning, that nerve condition I Googled last night where something snaps in your eyeball without warning and you go blind in mere seconds. Never mind that every single time I leave my house, I’m pretty sure that I am completely out of any possible creativity, creativity that will never renew itself, and it’s only a matter of time before everyone realizes I’m just a fraud that got lucky for a while.

lynseymattingly5And that’s on a good day.

I get hired repeatedly by my clients, seem to be able to pull off a shoot in most elements, and as of yet, that nerve hasn’t snapped in my eyeball. However if you look at my pricing comparatively for my area, my pricing history, or ask my mom, I am not charging enough. It’s not that I don’t want to make money of course, it’s that I feel bad taking it from people. I’m not sure I deserve what I am currently charging for what I do, never mind even more. There is no true way to measure the market rate for a photographer, but there are plenty of reasons that setting my rates – determining my true market value – is enough to make me want to go pick-up an application at McDonalds.

#1 It seems like everyone is a photographer – and even the one’s that aren’t have a fancy camera

At some point I am hoping that all of us can get together and agree that owning a fancy camera does not make someone a photographer by trade. I happen to own a really nice guitar after a gifting incident that took a wrong turn. Sometimes just for fun, I sit at my desk with it and strum like I’m a fledgling musician in a coffeehouse working for tips and free lattes. But all of the strumming in the world isn’t going to change the fact that I completely lack the coordination to have my left hand do about anything and I can’t play a single note.

Get over it

Consider every job that relies on nice equipment – a baker needs a fancy oven, an auto-mechanic requires a collection of expensive tools, a fast car alone doesn’t make anyone a race car driver (though with the right stretch of highway and a good song on the radio, we all have the potential to be a rockstar). Ownership, or even a working knowledge, of a tool does not make someone a professional anything.

lynseymattingly8

#2 You’re stuck in portfolio building mode

Chances are if you are a professional photographer, you’ve done portfolio building of some sort; maybe you did portraits for friends for free, did corporate work for cost, or photographed thousands of landscapes until you felt comfortable putting your work out there for sale. Making the step from being a budding photographer to a full-fledged “real” photographer who charges money for their work is a huge but necessary one. Once you have established that you are a photographer with a body of work to show for yourself, you are no longer building from scratch. If you’ve built the house structurally sound, you’re not going to build another house to put on top of the original that’s better. Build your business to be sturdy, flexible, and confident and instead of tearing down and starting over, you will just remodel from time to time and rearrange the furniture when you need to freshen the place up.

Get over it

Spend a day going through your entire portfolio and honestly reflect on your work. Do you have a nice representation of the type of photography you want to charge for? Can you see noticeable differences in the images you created when you first started to now? Do you have images that you are quite proud of and show what you are all about as an artist? If you answered yes, the truth is you already have a portfolio. You will continue to build on this portfolio as you have more (paying) clients, as your skills improve, and as your style becomes more defined and evolves but charging your honest market rate is what is going to help you to get there.

lynseymattingly3

#3 You’re forgetting about your overhead costs

Admittedly I spend my editing days in pyjamas at my desk. Most days I don’t commute anywhere, I eat lunch in my own kitchen, and I never have to contribute to a coworker’s birthday party fund. On the surface it appears I spend next to nothing to bring in a lot, but what I lack in dry cleaning bills, I make up for in expensive equipment, monthly subscriptions, website maintenance, business collateral, and more. Once a chunk of change has already been spent on that fancy camera, building it into your actual cost of doing business can be quickly forgotten.

Get over it

Come up with a list of every single expense you have from your electric bill to run your computer, to how much you spend in cat treats to keep your cats nearby, giving you someone to talk to all day so you don’t go crazy. Don’t forget to allow for things like wear and tear on your cameras and lenses, new software you may need, and the traveling involved with getting to a shoot. You should also include extra funds for unforeseeable repairs and expenses, increases in printing costs or other regular fees, and any classes or workshops you will attend to support your photography. Divide this total by the amount of days you can reasonably work in a year and what you have is the bare minimum day rate you need just to keep doing it. Know this budget as actual numbers, not just a vague amount and it will become very clear, very quickly, if you are not charging enough to make it worth your while no matter how much you love it.

lynseymattingly7

#4 You don’t yet have a solid work and edit flow

I don’t have a good rebuttal for this one. All I know is that if photographers couldn’t charge money for their work until they had a proven workflow in place, there would be no photographers.

Get over it

Even if you don’t subscribe to the flakey artist bit, your process is going to change often, having to constantly accommodate for seasonal fluctuation, client needs, and your own style. So long as you have a true desire to be a professional photographer and a method to getting pictures out of your head and into your camera, and then into the hands of clients, you have a workflow sufficient enough to charge a reasonable rate and work from there.

lynseymattingly1

#5 You assume you’re not good enough

Do not feed this monster! This monster will come to your door often in your career and just like my kid’s friends, the more candy you give him, the more frequently he will come around and the longer he will stay. Be realistic and competitive, but do not base your entire pricing system on a lack of confidence. Photography, like most creative occupations, is often personal and will never fit firmly in the category of just business.

Get over it

Ask an objective friend to take a thorough look at your portfolio and prices. Show them your competitors and walk them through exactly what it takes you to go from nothing to a finished image, ready for delivery.

lynseymattingly2

#6 Because you couldn’t afford yourself

Rather than being a large business that strives to be the cheapest choice for customers, you are one single person. It’s easy to get hung-up on the idea that if professional photography isn’t in your budget, then it’s not in other people’s either. I haven’t paid for photography in six years – I take pictures of my own children often and when I want family photos or any other picture that actually includes me, I trade with a photographer friend. I am not a good judge of what people are willing to, or can spend on a family photographer.

Get over it

Do you buy art? Do you support artists? This includes musicians, actors, and that guy on the corner that can fold himself into a two foot plexiglass cube and eat fire. I give that guy a dollar every time I see him and I bet you would too. People budget for what they truly want and what is important to them. If they want to invest in your time and talent, who are you to tell them no?

lynseymattingly4

#7 You’re allowing yourself to be paid in kind words and compliments

Ouch, this one stings. Everyone wants to be liked and let’s face it, kind words are better than a sharp stick in the eye. Especially a compliment that is given based on skills you have worked hard to perfect. Confidence is something every photographer needs at least a bit of, but accolades don’t pay the rent.

Get over it

If you aren’t charging them, someone else will be happy to and collect the compliments too.

Besides – I would be a terrible fry cook.

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Essential Photography Business Kit: 5 Things to Keep Handy at All Times

27 Oct

Even if you don’t have a business plan, or much of a business to speak of, if you’re going to be or already are a professional photographer, there are certain things you will need and often will be asked for over and over again. Luckily, you don’t have to do extra work every time to meet these needs — instead, Continue Reading

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3 Tips to Help Keep Your Photography Passion Alive

19 Sep

Fountain rainbow

Photography is like any other pursuit in life, in that it requires a great deal of time and practice. Unless you make a living as a professional photographer, you might find that you simply don’t have enough hours in the day to devote to taking pictures. With work, family, school, and plenty of other obligations in our lives, it’s easy to let photography take a back seat to everything else. So, unfortunately we often find our expensive cameras gathering dust on the shelf, and our vibrant photo libraries growing ever more stagnant as the months and years pass. How in the world is it possible for hobbyist or enthusiast photographers, much less beginners who are just entering this brave new world for the first time, to find chances to learn, stretch, and grow, or just do what they enjoy doing? Thankfully there is hope, and I’d like to share a few tips that have worked for me.

1. Hold yourself accountable

When most people get their first camera, or upgrade to a better one, they go through a similar process. Initially it seems like anything and everything is worthy of a photograph – kids, pets, food, cars, flowers, clouds, friends, skylines – nothing is off limits. There’s a newness and excitement to the whole endeavour that seems almost childlike. People in this early phase never seem to have an issue with finding time to indulge their new infatuation, and often they find it hard to stop taking pictures! But soon the veneer wears off, the pressures of life start to add up, and cameras often end up spending more time on shelves and dresser drawers.

Leaves rain

There is beauty all around, but sometimes you have to stop and look for it.

If this sounds like you, one of the best things you can do is find a way to hold yourself accountable for keeping your photography passion alive. Some people decide to take a picture every day or each week. Others join an online photo community and start posting on a regular basis. Most cities have photography clubs where members gather to discuss techniques, photo opportunities, and gear. dPS, and plenty of other sites, have weekly assignments or challenges that are a great way to try something new, while also keeping your photography hobby alive.

When I was in this rut a while ago I started my own blog, Weekly Fifty, where I post one photo each week taken with a 50mm lens. Doing this has forced me not only stay active with my hobby, but to seek out new opportunities that I otherwise might have missed. Having some type of assignment or challenge that forces you to use your camera will often help rekindle the flame that was once burning so bright, and help you fall in love with photography all over again, even if you do have other things going on in your life.

Coneflower

I had to find a photograph for my blog, so I walked around a flower garden for a few minutes and got this shot of a coneflower. Without something to hold me accountable, I probably would never have gotten this shot.

If you do go this route it’s important to find a method that is fun and enjoyable, rather than a burden. Photography should not be a chore, and I have known some individuals who have grown to resent their accountability methods because they took on more than they could handle. If you already find yourself stretched too thin, signing up for a daily challenge will probably not help. But a weekly challenge, monthly assignment, or local club meeting might be just what you need to fit photography into your already busy life.

2. Bring your camera and keep your eyes open

Whether you decide to participate in a photo assignment or not, one thing you can do to fit photography into your packed schedule is simply bring your camera with you. Most of us have similar daily routines involving home, work, school, or other obligations and you might think that the photogenic moments in your daily life are few and far between. But if you keep your camera close at hand, and keep your eyes peeled, you might learn to turn the mundane into the magnificent. That might sound like hollow grandiosity, but it’s true: if you start looking for the beauty in your everyday life, you will likely find a whole new world of picture-taking possibilities that you never noticed before. It’s a great way to keep your love for photography alive without adding another burden to your already crowded lifestyle.

Case in point: the other day I walked up to the office building at work and saw a patch of mushrooms by the door. At first I thought it was nothing special at all:

Mushrooms iphone

Shot with my iPhone

But because I almost always have my DSLR with me I was able to take this picture of what might otherwise have been an entirely forgettable scene.

Mushrooms d200

Circumstances like this are all around you, and finding them is not a matter of time but of observation. If you find your expensive camera spending more time gathering dust than taking photos, it wouldn’t hurt to simply start bringing it with you more often and keeping your eyes opened.

3. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new

It’s human nature to grow complacent and comfortable. We are creatures of habit, and change can be difficult, especially when it threatens to upset a careful balance we have achieved in our lives. But stepping away from your comfortable surroundings and trying something new is a fantastic way to inspire you to find photographic opportunities in your life. Whether it’s a new lens, a new filter, a new technique, a new piece of software, or even a new camera, trying something new is a great way to spice up your photography and help you get your camera off the shelf and into your hands again.

Here at dPS there are hundreds of articles with a myriad of tips, tricks, and techniques to try – and that’s just the start. There is no shortage of articles on the internet filled with new ideas, and doing so won’t add any more hours to your day. But it might help you find ways to squeeze more time in for photography than you might otherwise think. For example, when I found myself stuck in a rut several months ago I read some articles on a technique known as panning. Then my friend, (and photography mentor) Ryan, rode around on a bike while I practiced with my camera, and we ended up with this shot. While it’s not perfect, it gave me an idea of a whole new aspect of photography to explore.

Biking

One of the main selling points of DSLRs and mirrorless models is that they have interchangeable lenses. While the kit lens that comes standard with most cameras is fine for many situations, shooting with a different lens can radically alter your perception of what the camera can do. In the process, you will likely experience the same spark of inspiration and creativity that you had when you first got your camera.

Think of your camera body as a mobile device, and the lenses like applications. Every app on your phone or tablet has a different purpose and allows your device to do different things; in the same way every lens gives you different photographic possibilities for your camera. Using a camera with only one lens, especially the kit lens, would be like buying an expensive new smartphone or tablet but never downloading a single app. You might enjoy it, but you would be severely limiting the capabilities of what your device can actually do. If you want to inject a renewed sense of vitality into your photography, buying, renting, or just borrowing a new lens can do exactly that.

General index

This simple shot of some books in a dimly-lit library would not have been possible with a kit lens, but switching to a 50mm prime lens with wider f/1.8 aperture opened up a whole new set of possibilities like this.

You are busy with plenty of demands on your time; it might seem impossible to fit photography in with everything else going on. But hopefully these tips give you a starting point, and if you have any others that have worked for you feel free to leave them in the comment section below.

The post 3 Tips to Help Keep Your Photography Passion Alive by Simon Ringsmuth appeared first on Digital Photography School.


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