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10 Tips to Boost Your Creativity

11 Feb

The post 10 Tips to Boost Your Creativity appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.

Do you want to capture more creative photos?

In this article, you’ll discover tips to boost your creativity so that you can start taking photos that stand out from the crowd.

There are a number of different approaches you can use for creative images, each with its own benefits.

Read on to find out how you can be even more creative!

1. Try a new technique

A great way to boost your creativity is to learn a new photographic technique.

The choices available to you are vast, so there really is no limit to your creative potential here. And the great thing about learning a new concept is that it’ll generally offer plenty of options for experimentation!

Plus, you can apply what you’ve learned to areas of photography you already know; that way, you can grow in genres you thought you’d already mastered.

Here are a few creative techniques for you to try:

Light painting – Transform your scene using tools such as a flashlight or a programmable LED lightstick.
Flash – Up your game in both portrait and still life photography by learning how to use off-camera flash.
Drone – Get dramatic angles from the sky, once only available to the select few who could hire a helicopter.

tips to boost your creativity woman with light painting — Light painting is a very popular creative technique.

2. Constrain yourself

The best way to really master something is to add constraints.

Too many techniques, ideas, or pieces of equipment can negatively affect the way you approach a subject.

But if you allow yourself to only start taking photos once limitations are in place…

…the results are often much more creative.

For instance, if you only shoot with a 50mm lens, you’ll need to think more creatively about how you’re going to use it.

How about limiting the area you can photograph to 100 meters from your house? You’ll have to work with what you have and think about how you can apply techniques to get creatively interesting photos near your home.

The key here is that, when you’re forced to work with limits, you’ll find different ways to express your vision. Those lessons you learn can then be applied to all of your general photography.

tips to boost your creativity festival — Here, the festival happened to be 100 meters from my house, literally just down the street!

3. Increase your knowledge

Of course, increasing your knowledge of photography is a good way to improve your creativity.

After all, you can only get so far by learning on your own through experimentation. There are many times when reading a photography book, visiting a website like Digital Photography School, or downloading digital resources will make a big difference.

This often happens when you experiment with a new technique and you initially get better, but you then hit the intermediate plateau.

At such a point, looking for expert outside help on the topic you’re learning is a good idea.

4. Use new equipment

Using new equipment is in essence learning a new photography style.

The first time you use a wide-angle lens, your photography will change forever. That’s why getting new equipment is one of my top tips to boost your creativity.

Of course, you need to keep your Gear Acquisition Syndrome under control; going out and buying something new every time you run out of creative ideas is not the way forward.

Also, if you do decide to purchase new equipment, choose something that will really add value to your photography. A wide-angle lens, a tripod, or a flash are all good investments. Then take the time to really learn what the new equipment brings to the table.

tree shot through a lensball — Why not try a lensball? This photo combines a creative zooming technique with a lensball.

5. Explore a new location

You’ve learned a new technique or mastered some more equipment, so what is the next challenge?

Indulge your wanderlust and try a brand new destination!

Going somewhere new is the equivalent of a painter starting with a blank canvas; you have so many possibilities. Once you know the area to which you’ll be traveling, I recommend you plan your trip beforehand. Start by researching the iconic photography locations that are worth visiting. Then go beyond the iconic photos and see how you can photograph the locations in a way that is uniquely yours.

lensball composition in Greece — This photo was taken on a visit to Greece the first time I visited there.

6. Revisit places

It’s also possible to capture creative photos of places you’ve visited before!

There are several reasons you might get different – and perhaps even better – results by revisiting a place.

First of all, you will know where the locations with the best angles are (though the challenge is to reinterpret compositions you’ve found in the past).

Here’s some advice for getting creative shots when revisiting locations:

Go during different seasons – Locations can have a dramatically different feel from one season to the next, such as summer to autumn.
Try a new technique – If you’ve learned a new skill since last shooting a location, why not try it out?
Wait before revisiting – Sometimes, you simply need time to think about a location before revisiting with fresh ideas.

South Korean village — This local folk village is a short drive from where I live in South Korea.

7. Join a photography club

One of the best ways to learn from other photographers is to join a photography community. So consider joining your local photography club or an online photography group.

Clubs and groups are a great place to be inspired by other photographers and to learn from their experience. You may also get the chance to collaborate on creative projects. You might even get to run a joint exhibition.

go on photowalks to boost your creativity — Joining other photographers for club meet-ups like photowalks is a great experience.

8. Start a project

A great way to bring focus and direction to your photography is to start a project.

There are plenty of options, though a successful project will take some time commitment. The benefits are huge, though, as your mind will be focused on how to enhance your project, which will then increase your creativity.

sunset landscape tips to boost your creativity — Why not begin a project by photographing the same location repeatedly?

9. Combine techniques

Here’s another tip to boost your creativity:

Combine different techniques or photographic styles. This might give you a fresh take on a style of photography you’ve been practicing for years.

For instance, why not try combining light painting with lensball photography? Or you could try flash photography and light painting (which is another excellent combination!).

Think about the techniques you know and how they complement each other. That way, you can combine them to create a new style of image.

10. Get feedback on your work

There are plenty of benefits to getting feedback on your photography.

First of all, it will improve your work! However, remember that you’ll be getting other people’s opinions – people who may not understand the creative vision you have.

You need to ensure you keep your own unique creative drive, while also taking on board the ways you can improve your game.

Ideally, you’ll find someone whose feedback encourages your creativity and pushes you to get the best results.

Tips to boost your creativity: Conclusion

Now that you’ve read this article, you should be ready to try some creative photography.

So pick your favorite tip and get creative!

Now I’d like to know your thoughts:

How do you stay creative? Are there any tips you can give to the community? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below!

The post 10 Tips to Boost Your Creativity appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.

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Tips for Buying Used Camera Gear

05 Feb

The post Tips for Buying Used Camera Gear appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Tom Mason.

If you’re shopping on a budget, then buying used camera gear is a great idea.

Modern digital cameras are updated on a regular basis, so the used market is full of cameras looking for a new home. Used cameras are a great way to upgrade your gear without breaking the bank (and they often offer fantastic value for the money, too).

But when looking at secondhand gear, not all of it will be up to scratch. Not everyone cares for their gear, so you must exercise consideration and caution.

Below are some pointers to make sure you get the best bang for your buck when buying used gear. That way, you can update your cameras, lenses, and accessories for a fraction of the original price!

Buying used cameras

Cameras are complex machines, so there are a few key indicators to look for when shopping for a secondhand body.

Shutter count

The shutter count of a camera is simply the number of times the shutter has been fired in its lifetime.

(The shutter count is also known as the number of shutter actuations.)

Generally, the shutter count will give you a great indication of the amount of use a camera has seen, similar to checking the mileage on a car. Cameras are rated for shutter durability, with enthusiast models often rated around the 150,000-shot mark, and professional models rated at 300,000 shots or higher.

When browsing, low shutter counts often indicate less heavily-used items. Fewer than 10,000 shots on a camera that is 2-5 years old is very low, with the normal amount being around 30,000-50,000.

If a camera has a very high count of 100,000 or more, it’s probably best avoided, especially because this number will also give you a little insight into the owner’s use of the camera. Higher-count cameras may have seen professional use (and a harder life), while lower counts indicate casual consumer use.

So how do you find out a camera’s shutter count?

The number is often provided when cameras are being sold secondhand. But if you’re not sure, you can find it out a few ways, depending on the model. Check out this article for guidance: Finding Your Camera’s Current Shutter Actuations.

Camera checks

When looking at a used camera, there are a few things you can check to get a better understanding of its condition.

First, remove the body cap and inspect the inside of the camera around the mirror, focusing screen, and lens contacts. Look for any signs of damage, oil, or gunk that has collected in these areas.

Inspect inside of body used camera gear — Inspect inside the camera, paying special attention to the mirror and focusing screen; look for any sign of oil or residue.

Oil can indicate that the mechanisms of the internal parts are not functioning correctly, sometimes due to the camera being bumped or dropped. Look for any oil around the sides of the internal section. A small flashlight can be a big help here.

Remember to hold the camera face-down as much as possible to reduce the risk of contamination from dust and dirt.

Hold downward used camera gear — When inspecting a camera, try to hold it face down.

If you have a lens on hand, it’s worth taking a test shot to look for any issues with the sensor.

Set the camera to f/16 to f/22, point it at a bright subject (a white wall or the sky), and shoot a frame. Play the image back and zoom in on the LCD screen to look for any marks and scratches.

Dust spots are not a huge problem, as a simple sensor clean can take care of them. But lines can be evidence of a scratch on the sensor (which means that the camera is best avoided).

example of sensor test shot — What to look for in the test shot.

General wear and tear

Of course, it’s also important to look for any external signs of damage. Small scratches, scuffs, and marks should be expected, but heavy blemishes can indicate that the camera has been dropped. Rubber grips often start to come off with heavy use, but these can be replaced at a low cost.

Body outside used camera gear — Outside grips often become worn and unglued. As long as there are no signs of a drop, these are a simple and cheap fix.

Check LCD used camera gear — Remove any protective screens or filters to look at the true body and lens in order to assess the damage.

Inspect external body when buying used camera gear — Look externally for any signs of bumps and scrapes. Often, cameras will have a few marks, but major dents may be evidence that the camera has been dropped.

Buying used lenses

Camera lenses are expensive, so secondhand options are a great alternative to buying new.

Once again, however, there are a few things to look for when making a purchase.

Lens blemishes

When inspecting a lens, you’ll want to check both the external and internal optics.

Externally, look for any scratches or chips on the glass. Tilting the lens toward the light can help you make sure the optics are in great condition.

Note that, even if a lens has a front filter, it may not be optically perfect. So unscrew the filter and check the true front element to be sure.

Often, lenses will show signs of wear on their focus or zoom ring and the external barrel. Simple rubbing is normal and isn’t usually a concern.

Moving on, inspect internally for dust and mold. Shine a small light inside the lens and look for any particles. Most lenses will have small dust spots, but look for any large patches or seemingly smeared areas, as these will indicate whether the lens has any fogging or other internal issues.

Check lens optics when buying used camera gear — Look through the optics to ensure they are clear of dust and mold.

Dust lens used — Heavy dust and mold in a lens are to be avoided. The hundreds of particles inside this lens offer a perfect example of what not to buy.

Inspect the inside of the lens when buying used camera gear — Using a small flashlight, inspect inside the lens, paying particular attention to the aperture blades. Any evidence of oil may indicate the lens is functioning less than perfectly.

Aperture blades

On the rear of the lens, you’ll find a small lever that you can push to open the aperture blades. Do this, and check if the blades are snappy and without any stickiness that could be a sign of collected oil.

Check aperture — Using the lever, you can manually operate the aperture for a better sense of the lens’s functionality. Check that the aperture blades are snappy when they open and close.

Look through the lens with the iris fully open, once again checking for any particles or oil spots.

Open aperture of the lens — Open up the lens’s aperture to aid inspection.

Sharpness

Check the lens sharpness using a test chart. These patterned charts are easy to find online, and they can be stuck on a wall and used to quickly evaluate a lens.

Here’s how it works:

Mount the lens on a camera, then put the camera on a tripod. Focus on the test chart, then fire the camera using a remote release or the self-timer (to make sure you don’t create any camera shake).

Check the shots on your camera LCD (or, if you can, on the computer). Zoom into 100% to be sure of focus. Of course, some cameras and lenses will need fine in-camera adjustments for perfection, but any wildly unsharp tests may indicate a lens has been dropped or is out of alignment.

It’s also a good idea to test the full aperture range and look for sharpness from edge to edge. Even at f/2.8, the center of your test image should be relatively sharp.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to look for any external marks or blemishes when performing these tests, turning the focus and zoom rings to check for any stickiness or grating sounds.

With those checks done, you’ll have a good indication of whether the lens is up to scratch (and worth purchasing!).

lens test target — Here’s a lens sharpness target. You should use a large version of this type of chart to test a potential purchase.

Where to purchase used camera gear

If you’re struggling to find high-quality used camera gear, here are a few suggestions:

Camera shops

Lots of camera retailers offer some secondhand stock as well as new cameras. Buying from a dealer has its advantages, because items are often checked before being added to the inventory, plus they’re often serviced before they’re sold.

Also, most dealers will have a return policy, so if you find any faults, you can exchange the used gear for a full refund. Many of the better dealers offer warranties on used gear that range from three months to a year, which will give you excellent peace of mind when purchasing.

Of course, one of the downsides of buying from a dealer is the increased price. Used kit bought from outlets often costs more than gear bought from private sellers – so you must decide if it’s worth that added peace of mind!

Ebay and private sellers

Purchasing from private sellers directly offers the best chance to find a bargain. Some people sell their gear at far below the market value. If you know what to look for, and are confident about the quality and genuine nature of the sale, you can often get an excellent deal.

It pays to be wary when shopping for used camera gear, though. Be suspicious of any deal that looks too good to be true, or of buyers who will only accept cash in person. Using PayPal or PayPal alternatives offers an additional layer of protection (one that’s very important in online sales).

Of course, private sellers generally won’t offer a warranty, but that is a risk you take to get a bargain.

Buying used camera gear: Conclusion

Buying used camera gear is all about taking your time to search out a bargain. Carefully study the used gear you’re considering, whether it’s from a dealer or a private seller, and look out for the telltale signs of damage.

Assuming you use careful consideration and do a thorough inspection before buying, the used market is a fantastic way to trade up your gear at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

And this, in turn, gives you money to buy additional kit – or even better, a trip or two on which you can use it!

Now over to you:

Have you ever bought used camera gear? What was the experience like? Share your thoughts, as well as any tips or tricks for purchasing used gear, in the comments below!

The post Tips for Buying Used Camera Gear appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Tom Mason.

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10 Tips for Doing Your First Family Portrait Session

30 Jan

The post 10 Tips for Doing Your First Family Portrait Session appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Louise Downham.

Photographs from a good family portrait session will be treasured for many years to come. It’s an incredibly rewarding area of photography, but it can also be a little daunting for new photographers. You need to build a rapport with the family, keep the children on board, and meet the parents’ expectations with gorgeous photographs.

So where do you start? Which camera settings should you choose?

Here are some important pointers to make your first session go smoothly, and to help you take great family portraits every time!

1. Get down on their level

If you’re photographing children, get down on their eye level. This will lead to far more engaging photographs, and will also help you interact better with the child.

2. Use the center AF point to focus

Different focus settings suit different photographers, but using the center point to focus tends to be the most useful for family portraits. As you take more and more family images, you’ll get a feeling for whether this setting suits you.

But it’s a great starting point for your first session.

3. Choose an appropriate aperture

Your aperture settings will be influenced by the style of photography you prefer.

As a starting point, many lifestyle family photographers choose to shoot wide open for individual portraits (f/2.2 works really well if you’re after beautiful background bokeh), and around f/5.6 for group shots to ensure everyone is in focus.

Here’s an example of the effect you get with a wide aperture:

girl in the park family portrait — This image was shot at f/2.2.

And here’s what you get when shooting at f/5.6:

Family portrait dad and son black and white — This image was taken at f/5.6.

4. Choose a fast shutter speed

Children move fast, and sometimes unpredictably.

That’s why you generally want a faster shutter speed, at least compared to your average portrait settings. A good place to start is 1/250s, which will still deliver sharp photos, even if children are rolling over or waving.

If you have a situation where someone is moving very fast, such as a child jumping or racing off into the distance, choose a much faster shutter speed (such as 1/800s).

family portrait baby held up high — To capture a sharp shot of this child being tossed in the air, I shot at 1/800s.

5. Use Auto ISO

While you’re familiarizing yourself with the apertures and shutter speeds that work for family portrait sessions, consider setting your ISO to Auto. The results are usually satisfactory, and it’s one less thing to think about when shooting.

As you gain experience and confidence, you can start to select the ISO manually.

6. Experiment with metering modes

Certain metering options suit some photographers better than others. As you take more family portraits, you’ll soon see which mode works best for you.

To start with, try using Spot metering for individual portraits, and Evaluative metering (also known as Matrix metering) for group shots.

family portrait mother and baby — This photo was taken using Evaluative metering mode.

7. Shoot in RAW format

If you shoot in RAW, you’ll have a far greater range of colors and details in your images – which you can then use for stunning edits in Lightroom.

8. Use Auto White Balance

Set your white balance to Auto if you’re doing a location shoot.

Why?

Because you’ll be working with a variety of scenes with different lighting, and you won’t have much time to change the white balance as you go.

Plus, correcting white balance is an easy edit in Lightroom, so you’d be better off spending the time engaging with the family you’re photographing.

9. Choose your lenses carefully

Carefully consider which lenses to take to the family portrait session.

If you don’t have several lenses, consider renting some. This can be surprisingly economical, and it’ll give you the opportunity to try out different focal lengths to see which suit your style of shooting.

Family portrait baby at 85mm — This baby photo was taken with an 85mm lens.

Using several lenses in a family portrait session will also help you vary your compositions, and it’ll ensure you can cope with most locations. A zoom lens like a 24-70mm will give you lots of flexibility, while a popular prime lens for family portraits is an 85mm lens (it creates very flattering photos!). A wide lens, such as a 35mm prime, will help you set the scene.

As you gain experience photographing families, you’ll develop a sense of which lenses work best for your style. And once you know what you like, I recommend you invest in the highest-quality lenses you can afford.

family portrait siblings at 35mm — This sibling photo was taken with a 35mm lens.

10. Set limits

Limit yourself to capturing five versions of each scene. This will train your eye to look for the details and expressions you want to capture, and will teach you to include everything you need in a single photograph.

Family portrait photography tips: Conclusion

So there you have it – family portraits in a nutshell!

Practice makes perfect, though, so be prepared to work hard and hone your camera skills. Above all, a friendly and professional attitude combined with careful preparation for each family portrait shoot should make for happy clients and repeat business.

Do you have any family portrait photos you’re proud of? Share them in the comments below!

The post 10 Tips for Doing Your First Family Portrait Session appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Louise Downham.

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Tips for Photographing Newborns: Do It Yourself

21 Jan

The arrival of a newborn into a family is an amazing and exciting (albeit sleep deprived) time. You can find yourself in this blissful bubble of just you and your little family as you adapt to life as parents. Most parents will attest to how precious yet fleeting these days are and its why so many choose to capture them Continue Reading
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13 Snow Photography Tips: A Beginner’s Guide

17 Jan

The post 13 Snow Photography Tips: A Beginner’s Guide appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Dena Haines.

Does your heart jump a little on a snowy winter day?

Do you want to run outside and start shooting?

I know how you feel; I love snow photography, too!

So if you’re after some stunning snow photos…

…then read on!

13 snow photography tips: a beginner’s guide

The tips in this article will help you get some great photos in the snow – while also keeping your camera safe.

So make sure to keep these tips and techniques in mind the next time you head out for a snow photoshoot!

1. Focus on contrast

Autofocus can have a hard time when everything is white. So you’ll need to be extra-careful, and do your best to focus on a contrast-heavy area of your snow scene.

It helps to focus on something dark, like the bark that’s just below a lump of snow on a tree branch.

Remember:

Your camera’s autofocus system uses contrast to focus, so a plain white mound of snow may cause issues.

Press your shutter halfway. If the focus won’t lock on, move your focus point to a darker area of the subject and try again. This usually does the trick.

2. Camera settings

Set your camera to shoot in RAW. When you take photos in RAW, you will have more information to work with when editing – whereas JPEG files are compressed, so they don’t allow for much post-processing latitude.

(Learn more about why you should shoot in RAW here.)

Choose Evaluative metering (which is called Matrix metering on Nikon cameras). Evaluative metering will do a good job of getting you a correct exposure, and it’s what I used for all the photos in this post.

If the weather is really sunny, you may also want to try Spot or Partial metering to see if it can handle the light better.

Exposure compensation. Your camera will try to make snow look gray, so set your exposure compensation to +1 or +2. That will keep the snow looking white. You can also adjust the exposure during editing.

3. Shoot in Aperture Priority mode

Aperture Priority mode (AV on Canon, A on Nikon) will allow you to quickly change your depth of field. When shooting in Aperture Priority, the camera will choose the ISO (if the camera is set to Auto ISO) and the shutter speed, so all you have to do is switch between aperture settings.

This is great in cold weather (where cold fingers make it tough to change settings on the fly), and allows for a lot of creativity.

4. Capture snow while it’s still fresh

There’s nothing like a fresh snowfall.

If you want footprint-free snow, you should plan the photos you’re going to take and the order you’ll take them in (so you don’t trample the snow during the shooting process!).

Capturing fresh snow might also mean going out early to shoot (before the kids get up!).

5. Keep your batteries warm

In cold weather, your batteries won’t last long. So charge two, and keep one in an inside pocket.

When the battery in your camera runs low, replace it with the warm one. Then put the drained battery in your pocket; you may even be able to use it again once it warms up.

6. Bag your camera

Condensation can form on the outside and inside of your camera when you bring it in from the cold. That’s scary, but it’s easy to avoid.

When you are heading out into the cold, just bring along a large zip-lock bag. I usually keep one in my camera bag or jacket pocket.

Then, when you’re ready to go inside, put your camera in the bag and make sure the lock is sealed tight.

Once you’re in the house, put your camera somewhere it can warm up slowly. When the camera reaches room temperature, you can take it out of the bag and use it normally.

I leave my camera bag in the car while I’m taking photos. But before getting back into the car, I put my camera in the zip-lock bag, then in the camera bag. That way, the camera comes up to temperature slowly and condensation doesn’t form.

7. Don’t let the weather stop you

Snowy landscapes look good in both sunny and cloudy weather.

On cloudy days, when everything is white, include elements that will break up the monotony and add interest to your photo.

Also, if it’s snowing, use an umbrella to protect your camera. And if it’s too cold to go out, roll down your car window, grab your shot, and roll it back up.

While I don’t take my camera out in super cold weather, some people do. Read more about protecting your camera and yourself in cold weather (by David Shaw, who’s in Alaska and knows all about cold weather!)

8. Act fast

Snow can change quickly. It can start or stop falling in an instant.

And when the sun comes out, snow can start melting very fast. Those beautiful trees can go from dazzling to drab in no time at all.

So don’t wait.

Get out there and do some snow photography!

9. Be patient

Light can change fast.

The sun can go behind a large cloud and totally change how the snow looks. You may need to wait for the sun to come out again. This can be hard when it’s cold, but it’s worth it!

After all, sunshine and shadows add beauty and drama to a snowy scene.

10. Keep all your images

Don’t delete any photos from your camera.

Instead, wait until you’re warm and comfy and you’re sitting in front of the computer.

You’ll be able to see your photos more clearly, and your fingers won’t freeze!

11. Play with perspective

Shoot from different perspectives. Try to show the way snow blankets the ground, weighs things down, and clings to everything.

But watch out for falling snow. It’s not so nice to have a clump land on your camera!

12. Play with shutter speed

Shutter Priority mode allows you to choose your shutter speed while the camera takes care of the rest (assuming you’re using Auto ISO).

And by experimenting with your shutter speed, you can create all sorts of cool effects!

For instance, with a fast shutter speed, you can freeze falling snow in midair.

With a slow shutter speed, you can turn those flakes into long white streaks.

Nice, right?

13. Capture some bokeh

A sunny winter day is a great time to create bokeh. And with all that sparkling snow and ice, this shouldn’t be too hard!

To create bokeh in your photos, look for a subject that has something bright or shiny in the background.

This could be the light reflected off the ice or melting snow. Use a wide-open aperture (e.g., f/2.8 or f/4), and make sure there is some distance between your subject and the shiny background.

With a shallow depth of field (from the wide aperture), your subject will be in focus, but not the shiny background elements.

And this will create lovely background bokeh, like in the photo below:

Let it snow!

Will you be out taking photos on the next snow day? I’m planning on it, and I hope you are, too.

Have fun with your snow photography, and experiment with different settings for creative results. Just remember to dress for the weather and bag your camera.

If you have some snowy photos to share, I would love to see them! I hope you’ll share your favorite snow photography tips, too – just add them in the comments below!

The post 13 Snow Photography Tips: A Beginner’s Guide appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Dena Haines.

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7 Tips for Black and White Portrait Photography

17 Jan

The post 7 Tips for Black and White Portrait Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by John McIntire.

In the era of digital cameras capable of capturing millions of colors, why would you choose to do black and white portrait photography?

For me – and many others – it’s a simple matter of aesthetics. A good black and white treatment has a way of stripping unneeded information from an image, helping you emphasize specific elements without the distractions color can create.

And fortunately, portrait photography is a genre where black and white images can really shine.

However, like any photographic technique, there are tips you can follow to make sure your images have the most impact. In this article, I offer 7 simple tips that will instantly improve your black and white portraits – no matter your level of experience.

So if you’re looking to take your black and white portrait shooting to the next level, read on!

1. Start with black and white in mind

Black and white portrait photography tips

For many photographers, black and white is more than a creative choice at the post-production stage; instead, it’s a mindset. If you can start creating an image knowing that you ultimately intend it to be black and white, you can take steps to ensure that all of the elements of a good monochrome image are in place before you press the shutter.

Things like tonal contrast, lighting contrast, and appropriate expressions from your subjects are all elements that are difficult, if not impossible, to fix after an image is taken.

If you have trouble imagining how an image may look in black and white, try using the monochrome setting on your camera. While I don’t recommend you use an in-camera black and white conversion for your final image, as long as you shoot in a RAW file format, then all of your image’s color data will still be present in the file, and Lightroom or Adobe Camera Raw will reset the photo back to color once it’s imported.

Working in black and white will give you an idea of how an image will look without color, while still providing the highest amount of versatility in post-production.

2. Keep the eyes sharp and well-lit

In the majority of portraits, the most important part is the eyes. Eyes are usually the focal point that the rest of your image is built around.

And this is especially true in black and white.

Due to the lack of color, a black and white image often breaks down into graphic forms and shapes. Eyes are shapes that everyone recognizes, and they immediately capture the attention of your viewers.

So make sure that your subject’s eyes are well-lit and in-focus for a stunning black and white portrait.

3. Expressions are emphasized in black and white portraits

woman's expression emphasized in black and white

As with the eyes, other facial features become very prominent in a black and white portrait.

Use this to your advantage by conveying emotion in your images. Even tiny changes in your subject’s expression can make a difference. Things like a raised eyebrow, a twitch at the corner of the mouth, and smile lines under the eyes can all be used to great effect.

Here is an exercise you can do with your portrait subjects to get a mixture of great expressions:

Prepare a list of words or phrases, then ask your subject to react to each one.

The words you choose can be simple descriptors of emotion, such as love, sadness, joy, anger, and melancholy.

For more diverse expressions, try abstract words. You can even go for funny words, such as cheeseburger, politics, Teletubbies, or Hulk smash. Plus, if you have a subject who’s tense or nervous, this can easily lighten the mood.

4. Do your lighting carefully

When it comes to lighting black and white portrait photography, there are no hard and fast rules. If you like high-contrast images with hard gradations in tone, then choose a harder source of light. If you like soft tones and subtler images, then you want a softer light source.

It’s all about personal preference, here. If you’re not sure what you like, search for black and white portraits on the internet. Find the first ten black and white portraits that stand out to you the most and see if you can deconstruct the lighting.

Then try to use those lighting techniques in your own images!

5. Add contrast with light

If you want to create high-contrast black and white portrait photos, the best advice is to add contrast with light, not Photoshop.

Small global adjustments are okay and won’t hurt your images, but definitely do not crank the Contrast slider to 100. Try to keep it between +15 and -15.

For local adjustments in post-processing, use a dodging and burning technique of your choice. The key point here, and in all post-production, is subtlety.

Ultimately, you can use contrast adjustments while editing. But strive to make the largest changes with your lighting setup!

6. You can’t save a bad image with black and white

If you’re working on an image that you feel isn’t up to scratch and you ask yourself if it might work in black and white, the answer is probably “No.”

A black and white treatment will often emphasize the flaws that made you question the image in the first place – and a bad photo is a bad photo, regardless of its color scheme (or lack thereof).

7. Choose black and white in spite of color

Certain subjects practically beg to be shot in black and white.

Other subjects may not be so obvious.

Bright, punchy hues make for vivid color photos. But by removing the color element, you can completely change how a subject or scene is perceived. When you want to ensure your viewer is focused on a particular element, color can become a distraction.

So try getting rid of it.

This can be a difficult concept to understand without seeing it in action, so I have included the color version of one of the black and white portrait photos above.

Look at the image, then ask yourself: How did my perception of the photo change? What did I notice first in each version of the image? Do I respond differently when I see the image in color versus black and white?

Hopefully, you can see that even though bold colors can make for vivid images, so can a lack of color.

Black and white portrait photography: Conclusion

If you’re new to black and white portrait photography, do remember that these are guidelines, not rules.

So if you need to stray from my tips to get the result you’re after, do so without hesitation.

Finally, if you try black and white and you like it:

Welcome to the addiction!

Now it’s your turn:

Do you have any tips for black and white portraits that I missed? Do you have a favorite black and white portrait technique? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post 7 Tips for Black and White Portrait Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by John McIntire.

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Long Exposure Fire Photography – 5 Tips for Beginners

11 Jan

The post Long Exposure Fire Photography – 5 Tips for Beginners appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Dena Haines.

Do you want to capture stunning long exposure fire photography?

A long exposure photo can make flames look soft and feathery, capture spark trails, and create a romantic or cozy mood.

The tips in this article will help you get started taking gorgeous long exposure fire photos, today!

Long exposure fire photography: 5 tips for beginners

A word of caution:

Be careful as you practice your fire photography. Fire can be dangerous, and it’s easy to be careless when thinking more about your photography than the fire. Maintaining a safe distance is important for you and your gear.

tips for long exposure fire photography — 5s | f/10 | ISO 100

1. Use a slow shutter speed

To take a long exposure photo, the camera shutter needs to be open long enough to blur motion and light. Here are a couple of ways to ensure that the shutter stays open:

Shutter Priority mode: Here, you choose the shutter speed and your camera selects the aperture
Aperture Priority mode: Here, the camera chooses the shutter speed, but you can control its choice based on the aperture you select

Fire photography with Shutter Priority

Put your camera in Shutter Priority mode, choose your desired shutter speed, and let the camera do the rest.

This will force your camera to let in light for the amount of time you’ve chosen. Your camera will choose your ISO (if it’s set to Auto) and your aperture.

Shutter Priority will give you different results depending on how much light is available – and shooting this way can be a lot of fun.

When you choose a shutter speed of five or six seconds, you can capture interesting flame shapes and lots of spark trails. In fact, the bonfire and torch photos in this article were captured in Shutter Priority mode.

long exposure fire photo — 6s | f/10 | ISO 100

Fire photography with Aperture Priority

You could also set your camera to Aperture Priority, choose a mid-range aperture (f/8-f/11), set a low ISO (100-200), and let your camera choose the shutter speed. If you’re shooting at night (when it’s really dark) and the fire is your main light source, your camera will choose a slow shutter speed. This should give you a photo with a large depth of field, and one that’s relatively free of grain (i.e., noise).

If Aperture Priority causes your shutter to be open for longer than you want, increase the ISO. This will decrease the shutter speed, though it will also start adding noise (fortunately, this can be reduced during editing).

The card game and match photos in this article were shot using Aperture Priority mode.

long exposure flame photo — 1s | f/11 | ISO 100

Anyway, those are just a couple of suggestions to get you started. Long exposure fire photography is all about playing around and having fun! Make sure to try lots of different apertures and shutter speeds.

If you’re like me, you’ll get excited as you review each shot and see the interesting shapes you’ve captured.

2. Set your camera on a tripod

When capturing a long exposure fire photo, you’ll want to reduce camera shake, which results in blurry photos.

Camera shake occurs when the camera moves while the shutter is open. Slow shutter speeds (of more than one second) make it impossible to handhold your camera and still get sharp images.

But using a tripod will keep your camera steady – and therefore prevent camera shake plus the resulting blur.

3. Use a remote shutter release or set the self-timer

A remote shutter release (or the camera’s self-timer) can also help you cut down on camera shake.

You see, when you press the shutter release, the camera moves slightly – and this can cause blur in your photos.

But when you use a remote shutter release (or you set your camera’s self-timer), you don’t have to worry about this movement.

Using a remote shutter release may seem like a small thing, but it can significantly affect your image sharpness.

long exposure fire spark trails — 6s | f/6.3 | ISO 320
Spark trails.

Note that, when capturing match flames, a remote works best. While a self-timer will prevent camera shake, the delay makes it tough to capture that initial burst of flame with any real precision.

4. Choose your subject

Do you want your main focus to be the fire itself? Or are you trying to capture the mood created by the fire?

When capturing the mood, it can be tricky to get sharp shots of people. It’s not easy for anyone to sit still during a long exposure, and movement will create blur in your photos.

So first identify your subject, and then adjust your camera settings to keep the subject sharp.

The following photos were shot in Aperture Priority mode with an aperture of f/8. For the first photo, I set the ISO to 100, and my camera chose a shutter speed of 5 seconds. That was too long for my daughter to stay still, so the photo turned out blurry.

For the second photo, I set the ISO to 400, which cut the shutter speed in half (to 2.5 seconds). That made it easier for my subject to stay still, and the photo is sharper.

5. Switch to manual focus

Autofocus doesn’t always work well in the dark. And autofocusing on a moving fire can be tough.

That’s where manual focus comes in.

Now, you don’t need to turn off your autofocus immediately. Instead, try autofocusing on something near the fire, then switch to manual focus to capture the shot you’re after.

How do you do this?

First, shine your flashlight on an object near the fire. Train your camera on the object, and press the shutter button halfway. When the autofocus locks on, turn off the flashlight and switch to manual focus.

Finally, without adjusting anything on the camera, take your shot. Your camera will maintain the same focus point – and you’ll end up with a sharp photo.

Note: You could also try back button focus!

Where will you practice?

Do you enjoy a cozy fire at your campsite or bonfires on the beach? Do you like candle-lit dinners? What about backyard marshmallow roasts? All of these would be great places to practice long exposure fire photography.

long exposure bonfire — 6s | f/5.6 | ISO 160

Experimenting with long exposures around a campfire can be a little addictive. The more you practice, the more fun you’ll have.

And don’t forget your flashlight! You’ll need it to see your camera controls, to help with focusing, and to get you safely back to your car.

Now over to you:

Do you enjoy creating long exposures of fire? Share your tips and photos by commenting down below!

The post Long Exposure Fire Photography – 5 Tips for Beginners appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Dena Haines.

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dPS Top Nature and Wildlife Photography Tips of 2020

31 Dec

The post dPS Top Nature and Wildlife Photography Tips of 2020 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Do you want to improve your nature and wildlife photography, fast?

Then take a look at our best nature and wildlife photography tips from 2020. They’re packed full of helpful advice, all designed to help you capture stunning photos!

Starting with our most popular nature photography article of the year:

1. 5 Camera Settings Every Bird Photographer Should Know

5 Camera Settings Every Bird Photographer Should Know

2. 10 Must-Use Bird Photography Camera Settings for Beginners

10 Must-Use Bird Photography Camera Settings for Beginners

3. How to Take Vibrant, Razor-Sharp Macro Photos of Flowers

How to Take Vibrant, Razor-Sharp Macro Photos of Flowers

4. Tips for Doing a Backyard Photo Safari

Tips for Doing a Backyard Photo Safari

5. Macro Photography for Beginners

Macro Photography for Beginners

6. 10 Incredible Bird Photography Tips for Beginners

10 Incredible Bird Photography Tips for Beginners

7. Photographing on Your Home Patch and Why You Need One

Photographing on Your Home Patch and Why You Need One

8. How to Choose the Best Lens for Wildlife Photography

How to Choose the Best Lens for Wildlife Photography

9. How to Photograph Beautiful Winter Snowdrops (or Other Flowers)

How to Photograph Beautiful Winter Snowdrops (or Other Flowers)

10. Nature and Wildlife Photography Tips for Beginners

Nature and Wildlife Photography Tips for Beginners

11. 10 Ideas for Photographing Nature in Your Backyard

10 Ideas for Photographing Nature in your Backyard

12. How to Photograph Sun Flares: 14 Tips for Beginners

How to Photograph Sun Flares: 14 Tips for Beginners

13. 10 Tips for Improving Your Wildlife Photography

10 Tips for Improving Your Wildlife Photography

14. 6 Tips for Near-Macro Photography With a Telephoto Lens

6 Tips for Near-Macro Photography with a Telephoto Lens

15. Tips for Photographing Birds in Flight

Tips for Photographing Birds in Flight

Conclusion

I hope you’ve enjoyed these nature and wildlife photography tips!

And if you want to keep improving your photos, make sure you subscribe to the dPS newsletter. We’ll send you weekly tips, tricks, and techniques – so that you can take your photos to the next level as quickly as possible!

The post dPS Top Nature and Wildlife Photography Tips of 2020 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

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dPS Top Post-Processing Tips of 2020

30 Dec

The post dPS Top Post-Processing Tips of 2020 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

If you’re looking for a quick way to improve your photos…

…then I highly recommend you take your post-processing knowledge to the next level.

Unfortunately, learning to post-process isn’t easy – which is where these tips will come in handy!

So without further ado, here are the most popular post-processing tips of 2020:

1. 5 Things to Do to Every Photo In Lightroom to Improve Your Photos

5 Things to Do to Every Photo In Lightroom to Improve Your photos

2. Luminar vs Lightroom: Three Reasons Luminar is Better (and Two Reasons It’s Not)

Luminar vs Lightroom: Three Reasons Luminar is Better (and Two Reasons It’s Not)

3. How to Use the Photoshop Camera Raw Filter for Better Photo Editing

How to Use the Photoshop Camera Raw Filter for Better Photo Editing

4. RAW vs DNG: What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?

RAW vs DNG: What’s the Difference and Why Does it Matter?

5. A Beginner’s Guide to Layer Masks in Photoshop

A Beginner’s Guide to Layer Masks in Photoshop

6. Lightroom Moon Editing Tips for Awesome Moon Photos

Lightroom Moon Editing Tips for Awesome Moon Photos

7. 10 Tips for Using a Graphics Tablet for Easier Photo Editing

10 Tips for Using a Graphics Tablet for Easier Photo Editing

8. Good Crop Bad Crop – How to Crop Portraits

Good Crop Bad Crop – How to Crop Portraits

9. 8 Vital Tips To Crop Your Photos For Stronger Compositions

8 Vital Tips To Crop Your Photos For Stronger Compositions

10. Capture One 20 Review: Time to Make the Switch From Lightroom?

Capture One 20 Review: Time to Make the Switch from Lightroom?

11. How to Create a Photogram Effect With a Digital Process

How to Create a Photogram Effect with a Digital Process

12. 8 Core Lightroom Retouching Techniques to Enhance Your Photos

8 Core Lightroom Retouching Techniques to Enhance Your Photos

13. How to Convert a Photo to a Drawing in Photoshop

How to Convert a Photo to a Drawing in Photoshop

14. Mastering Noise Reduction in Lightroom: The Essential Guide

Mastering Noise Reduction in Lightroom: The Essential Guide

15. RAW Photo Editing in Lightroom: How to Make Your Photos Look Real to Life

RAW Photo Editing in Lightroom: How to Make Your Photos Look Real to Life

Conclusion

If you enjoyed these post-processing tips, then I highly recommend you check back on Thursday – which is when we reveal our final set of top tips from 2020!

Specifically, you’ll get to discover the most popular nature and wildlife photography tips of this year.

So make sure you don’t miss out!

The post dPS Top Post-Processing Tips of 2020 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

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dPS Top Photography Tips of 2020

30 Dec

The post dPS Top Photography Tips of 2020 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Over the last few days, we’ve been featuring our top photography tips of 2020, including our best gear tips, landscape tips, and portrait tips.

Today, we’re taking a look at all dPS articles from this past year – and picking out the most popular.

So if you’re looking for a whole bunch of high-quality photography advice…

…check out our top photography tips of 2020!

1. Posing Guide: 21 Sample Poses to Get You Started with Photographing Women

Posing Guide: 21 Sample Poses to Get You Started with Photographing Women – Part I

2. 6 Portrait Lighting Patterns Every Photographer Should Know

6 Portrait Lighting Patterns Every Photographer Should Know

3. 5 Things to Do to Every Photo in Lightroom to Improve Your Photos

5 Things to Do to Every Photo In Lightroom to Improve Your photos

4. Understanding Depth of Field for Beginners

Understanding Depth of Field for Beginners

5. Luminar vs Lightroom: Three Reasons Luminar is Better (and Two Reasons It’s Not)

Luminar vs Lightroom: Three Reasons Luminar is Better (and Two Reasons It’s Not)

6. Beginners Tips for Night Sky and Star Photography

Beginners Tips for Night Sky and Star Photography

7. A Beginner’s Guide to Focus Stacking

A Beginner’s Guide to Focus Stacking

8. Posing Guide: 21 Sample Poses to Get You Started with Photographing Men

Posing Guide: 21 Sample Poses to Get You Started with Photographing Men

9. 7 Mistakes Beginner Photographers Make The Camera Can’t Be Blamed For

7 Mistakes Beginner Photographers Make The Camera Can’t Be Blamed For

10. Your Camera’s Metering System Explained

Your Camera’s Metering System Explained

11. 5 Camera Settings Every Bird Photographer Should Know

5 Camera Settings Every Bird Photographer Should Know

12. 10 Photography Projects You Can Work on From Home

10 Photography Projects You Can Work on From Home

13. 13 Tips for Improving Outdoor Portraits

13 Tips for Improving Outdoor Portraits

14. 10 Must-Use Bird Photography Camera Settings for Beginners

10 Must-Use Bird Photography Camera Settings for Beginners

15. How to Predict Dramatic Sunsets

How to Predict Dramatic Sunsets

16. 5 Reasons You Should Still Use a DSLR in 2020

5 Reasons You Should Still Use a DSLR in 2020

17. The Best Camera Settings for Portrait Photography

The Best Camera Settings for Portrait Photography

18. How to Choose the Perfect Focus Mode for Every Situation

How to Choose the Perfect Focus Mode For Every Situation

19. 6 Vital Things to Look for When Photographing Landscapes

6 Vital Things to Look for When Photographing Landscapes

20. Take Time to Practice These Three Composition Skills Around Your Home

Take Time to Practice These Three Composition Skills Around Your Home

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed these top photography tips from 2020.

And make sure to come back tomorrow, when we reveal the best post-processing tips of the year!

The post dPS Top Photography Tips of 2020 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

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