Preparing your images for printing

Preparing your images for printing

Why is my image resolution too low for printing? When you upload your images to an online image lab you need to meet their minimum size requirement.  There are lots of different minimum sizes across all the print labs, so I’m not going to cover that now. What you need...

Live View of Viewfinder?

Live View of Viewfinder?

These are two different ways to look at and compose your image. On a DSLR the Live View is a video feed on the rear LCD screen, and the Viewfinder is an optical view through the lens. Mirrorless cameras have both the LCD screen and the viewfinder using a video feed....

What is Bulb?

What is Bulb?

Bulb is a shooting mode that is over one hundred years old. Most DSLR cameras have the slowest shutter speed of 30 seconds (30”), if you want it longer than 30 seconds you use Bulb. So Bulb is a setting that lets you keep the shutter open for as long as you keep the...

On or Off Camera Flash?

On or Off Camera Flash?

What’s the difference between On and Off-Camera Flash? Well, the initial answer is pretty simple. On-camera has the flash mounted to the hot shoe on top of the camera. Off-camera the flash is positioned away from the camera and is set off by a trigger attached to the...

How do I shoot products?

How do I shoot products?

Different types of product photoshoots The two types of product shoots I’m covering here are lifestyle product shoots and still product shoots. Both these types are shoots you can do for yourself or offer commercially. This is one type of photography that you can...

Can I use the 18-55mm lens in Manual Mode?

Can I use the 18-55mm lens in Manual Mode?

Yes, you can. The 18-55 kit lens can be used in Manual mode. Problems arise because of the lens variable aperture. At 18 mm the widest aperture available is f/3.5 and when zoomed in to 55mm it’s f/5.6.  Compared to the 50mm f1.8 lens the 18-55mm doesn’t let much light...

What are the best settings for Portraits?

What are the best settings for Portraits?

The answer is the correct settings are the best. Every time you take a photo you have to go through the step-by-step framework to get the correct exposure.  That doesn’t mean there is only one group of settings that are correct. It depends on what you want to achieve....

How do you find your locations?

How do you find your locations?

Location, Location, Location When a customer contacts you for a portrait session, wedding, or any type of shoot, you need to have a few places that you can use. These can be the local park or trails, or a local farm where you need permission from the owner. Not all...

Do I need to worry about Privacy?

Do I need to worry about Privacy?

** Now I am not a lawyer or solicitor and don’t want to be sued. So you should check out this information yourself or get professional legal help.  As a professional photographer, you need to be aware of the privacy, intellectual property, and copyright laws in your...

Common Mistakes #1

Common Mistakes #1

Centering your subject in all images Centering the subject in all your images isn’t great. It is fine in lots of situations like headshots, but not everything. I want you to think of the Rule of Thirds. The Rule of Thirds divides your image into 9 equal sections using...

10 Things all Photographers Need

10 Things all Photographers Need

10 Things all photographers need #10 Flash Being able to use a flash or Speedlight is a skill all photographers need. On or off-camera flash can make a huge difference to your images. If you are in business, this one skill can put you head and shoulders above your...

How to Make your own Presets and Actions

How to Make your own Presets and Actions

How to make your own Presets & Actions    If you use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, you have the option of using presets (LR) and actions (PS). If you use them properly they can save you lots of time editing.   Photoshop Actions An Action is a recording...