You have your iPhone on you all the time; it’s like your best friend with whom you go everywhere. In fact, you can say that you’re in a long-term relationship with your iPhone, and that’s completely fine! If you’ve played around with your iPhone for any length of time, you know how you can do so many things with it. Continue Reading
The post All You Need to Know About iPhone Photography appeared first on Photodoto.
[ By Steph in Gadgets & Geekery & Technology. ]
If you long for the days when everyone in the neighborhood knew each other’s names – and business – you’ll either be delighted or horrified by Nextdoor, an app that lets you get to know your neighbors without ever actually talking to them. The app offers a private social network accessible only to those in a certain neighborhood so you can invite people to social events, find babysitters, organize a neighborhood watch or locate a lost pet.
Nextdoor can be accessed through the mobile app or on the web, with over 17,000 neighborhoods currently in its database. The idea is to connect with your neighbors to share important local information, goods and recommendations. Participants can discuss suspicious activity, share numbers for reliable plumbers, notify each other of special local events or report found items like wallets and keys. Every neighbor has to sign in with their real name and verify their address.
In an age when most people communicate through Facebook and Twitter, and nearly all of us have smart phones semi-permanently glued to our palms, apps like Nextdoor can re-forge the connection between neighbors that has degraded over time.
Some may mourn the loss of real, face-to-face interactions between neighbors, and fear that apps like Nextdoor will make it worse – but how else can you get to know the recluse on the hill who’s averse to barbecues but acutely interested in the identity of a local mail thief? Online neighborhood communities could be particularly helpful in emergency situations, as well. Check it out at Nextdoor.com.
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These days it is pretty easy to lose myself in the stars with so many great images coming from NASA, the International Space Agency and others. It’s tough to resist day dreaming about what’s in the heavens and as a result become jaded with what is before us every day. While amazed by the constant flow of space photos it’s grounding to take a walk and appreciate what makes our oasis in the stars so special. This photo of springtime blossoms is a perfect example of the beauty and colorful universe right under our nose.
“We’re made of star-stuff.” – Carl Sagan
Photo Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 50mm f/1.0, f/1.0, 1/5000 sec, ISO 50
Copyright Jim M. Goldstein, All Rights Reserved
Life As We Know It
The post Life As We Know It appeared first on JMG-Galleries – Landscape, Nature & Travel Photography.
These days it is pretty easy to lose myself in the stars with so many great images coming from NASA, the International Space Agency and others. It’s tough to resist day dreaming about what’s in the heavens and as a result become jaded with what is before us every day. While amazed by the constant flow of space photos it’s grounding to take a walk and appreciate what makes our oasis in the stars so special. This photo of springtime blossoms is a perfect example of the beauty and colorful universe right under our nose.
“We’re made of star-stuff.” – Carl Sagan
Photo Details:
Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 50mm f/1.0, f/1.0, 1/5000 sec, ISO 50
Copyright Jim M. Goldstein, All Rights Reserved
Life As We Know It
The post Life As We Know It appeared first on JMG-Galleries – Landscape, Nature & Travel Photography.
JMG-Galleries – Landscape, Nature & Travel Photography
When it comes to exchanging gifts with friends or family members, we really are spoiled for choice. Ironically, this abundance of novel ideas makes it near impossible to hone in on that one perfect gift for a loved one. Whatever you chose, it is always the thoughtful and personal gift ideas that are the most touching and well received. And Continue Reading
The post Photo Gift Ideas That Every Photographer Should Know About appeared first on Photodoto.
But that doesn't necessarily mean it's a great idea. A DIY cautionary tale, inside.
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Strobist
Got a new DSLR? Still trying to work out where to start? Check out this free video by Jeff Cable that runs you through 15 features of that DSLR that you should know about and be able to use.
Jeff covers a heap of ground – some is quite introductory but he does get a little more advanced too with lots of great examples.
The video is around an hour long so grab yourself a cup of your favourite beverage and settle in for some good learning.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
Do You Know these 15 Key Features of your DSLR? [VIDEO]
The best light to capture most kinds of subjects is in the golden hours- one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset (depend off course on where you are on the glove). So get up early to get that amazing photo opportunities, while all the other tourists are still asleep.
Don’t leave it to chance and learn as much as you can about the place you are about to travel. The more you know, the more “intelligent” your images will be.
Don’t waste your expensive traveling time on learning how to operate that new camera, lens or flash. Do your homework at home.
Staying on the center of town, or having a room with wonderful views can create a lot of great photo opportunities.
Learn how to say “Hello” in the local Language, and greet the locals when taking their photo.
Watch the portfolio of other photographers in order to get new ideas and get inspiration. You can read the interview I did with Steve McCurry, the photographer of the “Afghan girl”, to get few great tips for a true master.Also, If you perceive yourself as an artist, you must acknowledge the work of other artists. Do not underestimate inspiration: visit art galleries, attend some photography lectures, listen to classical music, read good books.
Photography is not only about visual inspiration. Try the local food, smell local markets and hear local music, this will help you to better understand the story of the place.
Talk to locals and seek their advice on great photo opportunities in their own country.
Don’t take your entire house with you. When I travel I take with me only two lenses: One zoom and one prime lens. This is extremely important tip if you plan to do some hiking or trekking.
Yes I know that in Cuba they smoke cigars and that in Thailand they have monks. Tell your viewers something fresh and new. Share your own point of view of the place. You will be able to do so, only after following tip number 2 and 6.
Don’t try to see everything on your limited time. It is much smarter to get a better understanding about each place you visit on your journey. Slow things down, and your images will get better.
If time allows you, always choice to travel by train or bus over flying. As it will allow you to have better Interactions with the locals.
Don’t spend your entire trip looking through the lens. Enjoy your time just traveling and enjoying the ride.
One of the most important and influential photographers of all time, Henri Cartier Bresson- Never ever used flash in his photography. A practice he saw as “impolite…like going to a concert with a pistol in your hand.” Try to learn how to use and enjoy the benefits of natural light before you buy that expensive flash or reflector.
Every good travel photo series must have at list is one bird’s eye view of the place (Being referred sometimes as the “establish shot”). Find yourself a vintage point overlooking the entire city or town.
“Well, if I had an expensive camera and lenses like you have” or “If someone would pay me to travel”, or “but, you have so much time on each destination”.
All of those, are excuses I often hear from my travel photography students. Excuses they tell themselves to answer the question of “Why cant I get Strong images?”
So, A. My first newspaper published cover image, was taken using a pocket camera.
yes, equipment is important and it certainly makes life easier. But don’t forget the camera is just an instrument. A “pipe” which captures your vision and thoughts. Do not cry over the equipment you don’t own. spend the time and money to learn photography, reading books about it and travel as much as you can.
And B. For my first 8 journeys, no one paid me anything. I worked very-very hard at my day job for a whole year, and then I spend my money on traveling. I slept in some shitty places got bus rides from hell. This lifestyle requires commitment. And today, even as I get paid for traveling somtimes. The lengths are usually one to two weeks per assignment. Two weeks to come back with an amazing results. Not excuses like “but it was raining and I was sick” are accepted.
So, stop the excuses, and get back to work.
: the best way to learn (anything) is by watching a master working on his craft. Try to find a photographer which you can accompany as his assistant. It is true that most travel photographers like to travel alone. But it doesn’t have to be a travel photographer. Most of my knowledge about using light, I learned from a great fashion photographer, which I served him as an assistant for a while.
“Well, if I had the time \ money to travel the world or if I had the money to buy that new camera \ new lens … I’d probably be an excellent photographer”. Excuses are just our way to explain ourselves why our photography doesn’t get any better. No matter where you live in the world: New York, the Middle East or a small village in France. Try to see the beauty of the place you live in. if you will find the beauty of that place and bring within your images, people will follow.
A good travel photographer must keep is portfolio alive. Keep on traveling, and as the last tip mentioned: you don’t have to travel to far and exotic places to do so. As it is very easy to travel to India and get “good” travel photography. Try to bring the beauty of your own local town. Travel to the nearest market or attend the next festival as a way to keep your craft improving.
Treat your subject as well as you can. Don’t shoot people for a far distance, don’t shot people who don’t want to get snapped. If you promise to send their photos, please do so. This will ensure that the photographer that will come after you will be received with a smile. And don’t forget, sometimes it is best to just leave the camera behind and enjoy the ride.
Oded Wagenstein is a Travel photographer and writer. He is a regular contributor to the National Geographic Traveler magazine (Israeli Edition) and his images have appeared in many national and international publications and websites.
He is known for his intimate culture portraits. In his works he put the emphasis on understanding the culture and achieving good relationship with the person being photographed pre-shooting.
You can join his Travel photography group on Travel photography group on Facebook and continue to discuss on travel and people photography.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
20 Photography Tips Every Travel Photographer Must Know
Phil Steele recently released a good video on the topic of Lens Hoods that I thought readers might enjoy.
It covers everything from the why, when, and how of using Lens Hoods.
Just a reminder – Phil currently is offering 30% off his Lightroom Made Easy online course for just a few more days on SnapnDeals.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
Lens Hoods: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know
By Annie Tao
Many photography enthusiasts contact me because they want tips on how to make their dream of becoming a Professional Photographer a reality. I am a believer and an example that it is possible to make your life’s passion a profession. The key is to not just start a business, but rather, to sustain it by being profitable and happy. That is success!
There are a multitude of books you can study and courses you can take about this very subject. Below is a short list of topline things you should consider based on my own experience. It will give you a starting point of things to think about and do.
You are ready to make the leap from Aspiring to Professional when…
You should be well versed in your camera settings, lenses, lighting equipment, etc. Getting a good image is about skill and experience, not luck. So know your stuff before you start charging for your services.
When you make photography your business, you are actually only shooting a small percentage of the time.
At some point in your career, you can choose to outsource or hire staff to do some of these activities, but when you start out, a larger portion of your time will be filled with things like, communicating with clients and potential clients, culling and editing images, balancing your budget, selling products and services, marketing yourself and your business, fulfilling orders, and drafting client contracts.
Being a Professional Photographer means being an Artist and a Business Person.
You’ve answered critical questions, such as: Who is your target client? How will you market yourself and your business to your target client? What is your pricing strategy for Year 1? Year 2? What products will you sell? What kinds of services will you provide? How will you differentiate your business from others in your area?
Do this before you start your business. It will be harder to shift business strategies later.
Once you start charging money for your services, you have to guarantee a certain level of quality and produce it consistently. A good portfolio would do most of the selling for you.
It’s plain and simple: if people can’t find you, you won’t get any business.
Before launching a website, make sure you’ve put thought into your brand identity and have optimized your site for searches (known as SEO or Search Engine Optimization). In addition to a website, there are a plethora of social media options to get your business and images noticed, such as Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Pinterest, Flickr. You can protect your images by placing a watermark on them and limiting the file size and resolution.
You’ve registered your business, gotten insurance, filed for a business license (ie, LLC, Sole Proprietorship, S-Corp), and have a contract ready to send your clients when they book your services. You have also spoken with a small business attorney and tax accountant, and have opened a separate bank account for your business.
This may sound ridiculously simple, but it’s often overlooked.
Know what specialty you want to have before you start, so you won’t waste your efforts growing a side of your business that you do not love. Especially if you are in a saturated market, stick with your own style – whether it’s a style of shooting, processing, or photography – so you can differentiate yourself from others.
Do what you love, know your own strengths, and be yourself. This will help you attract the right clients for you. (The right client for Business A is not necessarily the right client for Business B.)
Starting and running a successful business takes a lot of resources — namely, your money, time, and energy. If you aren’t sure about something (ie, the quality of the images you’re producing, how to use your equipment, the profitability of a shoot), people will feel that uncertainty and won’t invest in you.
Make the necessary preparations before starting your business, so you can be confident when you do.
If you have additional tips for starting out Pros, feel free to share in the comment section.
Annie Tao is a Professional Photographer in the San Francisco Bay Area who is best known for capturing genuine smiles, emotions and stories of her subjects.
You can visit annietaophotography.com for more tips or inspiration and stay connected with Annie at facebook.com/annietaophotography.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
How To Know You Are Ready To Become A Professional Photographer
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