I spent only 1.5 days in Venice, but took hundreds of photos there. When I came back and started my sorting and editing, it was very important to me to preserve that enchanting look and feel. The shadows and highlights were equally strong. The colors were vibrant and subtle all at the same time. And the textures were diverse and beautiful.

Editing to preserve a look and feel can be very challenging, and it does take time, effort, and care to accomplish. Rather than giving you “tips” to consider while editing your own photos in Adobe Lightroom, I thought it may be productive to walk you through my own process for this particular image – one of my favorites from Venice. Even though it was taken too dark, I do love the composition and storytelling quality. This is the picture I want to represent my take on Venice.

1. Exposure

Always adjust exposure first. Anything else you edit will change based on the exposure settings.

This image is way too dark, so I know it will take a bit to adjust correctly. I want to increase the exposure without losing color in my darks, so I finally settle on the following.

    a. Exposure – 1.25
    b. Blacks – 16
    c. Fill Light – 40

2. Detail Adjustments

I want to be sure to catch detail in the textures, so I’ll increase the recovery a bit. Recovery can tend to flatten the image, so I will also increase brightness and exposure to give a little more depth. I will also decrease the clarity to smooth the lines and add to the etherial feeling.

    a. Recovery – 31
    b. Brightness to pop: 45
    c. Contrast: 73
    d. Clarity: -16

3. Exposure Details

After making my detail adjustments, I find that I want to make a few more modifications to my exposure. To do this I navigate to Lightrooms Tone Curve.  I pull up the lights a hair more, and then lift the darks so that my colors aren’t muddy. I do like strong shadows though, so I bring these down significantly.

    a. Lights +2
    b. Darks +43
    c. Shadows -70

4. Colors

Venice has an old world charm, but it is also full of color. I want to reflect this in my picture. I start with the temperature and general colors first.

    a. Temperature: Cooling down to 5523
    b. Vibrance +40
    c. Saturation: +34

5. Split Toning

I like the strength of the color, but at this point the picture is too cold. I would like some additional warmth, but want to control this based on the highlights and shadows. For this, I play around with the split toning. This gives me the control to balance cool and warm tones.

    a. Highlights
        – Hue: 57
        – Saturation: 31
    b. Shadows
        – Hue:  55
        – Saturation: 0

6. Final Details

I know I am close to the final product. But I am still  finding too much or too little of some colors. I also want to adjust the quality and depth of the colors. So I will adjust these details in the Hue/Saturation/Luminance tabs.

    a. Luminance
        – Yellow+9
        – Green – 63
        – Blues +96
    b. Saturation
        – Orange+17
        – Green – 17

After about an hour of editing, I’m very pleased with this image. I believe it maintains the character and feel of Venice, but I’ve also allowed for some creativity as the artist.< ?p>

The most important element to remember about editing is this: What is your purpose? You have thousands of editing options at your disposal. To sort them all out, you just need to determine what you want to achieve with the end results.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

A Lightroom Post Production Walk Through: Venice

The greatest skill any photographer can hope to possess is that of observation.

Observation will define your work. It will give life and breath to the stories you capture and the beauty you create. Observation will be the difference between an average photo and a captivating photo; between an image that is a visual picture, and one that speaks to it’s audience in the most audible ways.

Developing observation – specifically in your photography – takes deliberate and practical efforts. It takes time and effort, and an unwillingness to take what is at face value.

Practice with some of the following techniques, adapted specifically for photographers:

1. Analyze

Take one inanimate object and place in on a table in front of you. Look at it for five minutes and take note of everything You notice about it. If it is an apple, notice the shape; is it round, is it bumpy, does it have many grooves? Notice the size; is it large, small, medium – and in comparison to what? Notice texture, color, shine and polish. Does it look old? Why? Does it look freshly picked? Why? Is it mouthwatering? Then what makes it so? Ask every question you can about your object until you can think of absolutely nothing else. What kind of stories were you making up in your head about this object? Why?

2. Exhaust Perspective

Take another inanimate object and set it in a window. Take your camera, and with one lens, take as many pictures with as many different perspectives and focal distances as you can over 15 minutes. What are you trying to communicate? What makes different angles express different moods or feelings? Use the light in as many ways possible. Does the overall look and feeling of your communication change based on the way you use your techniques and combine your options? This stretching exercise will challenge your capacity and cause you to begin looking outside your box for perspectives you have never seen before.

3. Evaluate your Locations

When you go on a shoot, take a few minutes prior to evaluate the location. Ask yourself which location communicates different feelings and emotions. Then, ask yourself why. Is the lighting streaming through the trees above, creating soft and diffused sun rays that give warmth and drama. Is the placement of the flowers asymmetrical, creating a feeling of artistic dynamic? Don’t take anything you see at face value.

4. Take pictures in Your Mind

The first few months of dedicating photography often cause individuals to “see” frames everywhere – even when there is no camera in hand. This joy and wonder in photography causes a heightened sense of observation. Force yourself to create images in your mind before they happen; notice the pieces of images all around you and develop your mental sharpness for visual elements.

The skills of observation will enable you to combine all elements that are at your disposal, and arrange them to reinforce the storytelling strength of your image. And that is a powerful thing.

About the Photo Above: I noticed this young married Indian girl walking in the middle of the others. She looked up at me with a shy wonder, and her eyes were filled with expectation. As she walked, I noticed that she didn’t assert herself as many of the others did. She rather hung back. The rough texture of her skin, the cut on her lip, the dirtiness of her hair all spoke to me – that her life had not been easy. And yet her eyes spoke something else entirely. Her eyes spoke with a soft and quiet confidence, almost as though she didn’t have to have the easiest life to know that she was beautiful. When I asked if I could take her picture, I discovered my intuitions were correct. For a brief moment she didn’t meet my eyes, but when she looked up, she nodded a permission and met the gaze of the camera unflinchingly.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

4 Practice Techniques to Develop Photographic Observation

Photographers like to critique photos – deliberately pointing out how the photo could have been improved by this or that. But what percentage of the time do we look at a photo and allow ourselves to get lost in it? How often do we take a moment to really evaluate what the creator intended to communicate?

Personally, I know that I ought to devote more time in the exploration of reading photographs. Acknowledging this need for growth, I’ve done my research and found a few tips from the pros. The next time you see a photograph from National Geographic, or a portrait from an art gallery, walk yourself through the following list. You’ll be excited to see with a completely new perspective.

1. Start with First Impressions: What do you notice?

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is this picture saying to you? Allow yourself to take in all the elements collectively, and then tuck your observations away for a moment. As you look at more specific details you may be surprised that your first impressions aren’t always accurate.

2. Evaluate the content

What time is this photo taking place? Determine not just time of day but the occasion as well. Where is the setting located – in both a general and broad sense? This alone will influence the story being communicated if there are different cultures involved.

3. Relationships: Subject to subject or subject to viewer

What can you see about the people within the picture? How close are they? How do they feel about each other? Also consider if there is anything being said between the subject and you as the viewer. Are there emotions that meant to be communicated to you? What does this leave you feeling?

4. Concepts: Actions and connections within the setting

Sometimes subtle details within a photo can make a dynamic impact on the message. Hand gestures, direction of gazes, etc. What do all these details communicate about the message of the image?

5. View: Does it make you a participant or a viewer?

Powerful photos are often the ones that draw us in and make us a participant rather than those that leave us as simply a viewer. How does this influence your take and feeling about the photo?

6. Direction: Where does it take / leave you?

This question goes beyond simply eye flow. After evaluating all the subtleties and details, ask yourself how they all come together to support the overall message or idea of the image. What thoughts do you have? What conclusions are you drawn to?

It takes a little bit of practice to uncover the mysteries that often are hidden from plain view, but then that is what makes art exciting isn’t it?

Other resource for developing your ability to read photographs: Master Photographers: How to read a Photograph by Ian Jeffery, and The Photographers Vision by Michael Freeman.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Reading a Photograph

So then it is with great excitement I bring you the following resources as books that fulfill all my own personal criterion. These are books that I myself will be purchasing for my bookshelf, and strongly recommend to other photographers of all skill levels. I promise, study these books and your abilities will drastically improve and develop.

1. Photo Idea Index: People – Jim Krause

For those photographers who are exploring what it may look like to develop their abilities shooting people and portraits, but are running low on creative ideas. Krause has created a sort of “look book” for a resource that will help with just that. A thick one and half inch book, this photo index provides the most eclectic collection of people pictures in one piece. And don’t think these pictures are typical – if anything each image pushes the envelope of innovation. Any photographer can choose literally any area of interest within portraits or people photography and find inspiration, from motion, to drama, sports to quirky, Goth to kids. It’s a fantastic coffee table book sort of resource.

Buy Photo Idea Index: People by Jim Krause at Amazon

2. Focus on Photographing People: Haje Jan Kamps

Kamps has created a book that does a fantastic job opening the eyes of novice photographers and giving them wings to possibility in the portrait field. Innovatively designed, this book gives just enough technical details to inform without overwhelming.

Buy Focus on Photographing People by Haje Jan Kamps at Amazon.

3. The Hot Shoe Diaries – Joe McNally

Granted, this book is not quite as full of technical “how to” as some may like. However, McNally provides a unique perspective within this genre: What it looks like to add light (via flashes) in all kinds of varying environments. His writing paints a vivid picture of the shooting scenario, making you feel like you were with him as a part of the shoot. McNally shines in giving the viewer examples of his pictures as they progress through the shoot, before completing the “final image”. This certainly is not a book of “nuts and bolts” (though he certainly does state his opinion on this), but rather practical inspiration and craft.

Buy The Hot Shoe Diaries by Joe McNally at Amazon.

4. People Pictures: 30 Exercises for Creating Authentic Photographs: Chris Orwig

This book is hands down the best resource I’ve found which combines practical development ideas, technical aspects, stories, and inspiration. Best of all, the book is overflowing with profiles of real-life, successful portrait photographers who provide short industry vision and encouragement to the reader. Topics include connecting with your subjects by being empathetic, identifying the differences between mediocre and magnificent portraits, and how to be a catalyst with your portrait work.

Buy People Pictures: 30 Exercises for Creating Authentic Photographs by Chris Orwig at Amazon

5. The Portrait Photographers Lighting Style Guide: James Cheadle

With a book that perfectly balances technical details with inspiring imagery, Cheadle has created a resource by which creativity to be born. Interspersed through the book are powerful pictures, technical data, stories describing time and setting, and even charts of the lighting set up. An incredible variety in portrait styles represented, including street photography, action portraits, Hollywood vintage, and editorial portraits.

The author also provides a “Toolbox” of suggested equipment and workflow suggestions. This is a guide you won’t be able to put down until it’s been read from cover to cover.

Buy The Portrait Photographers Lighting Style Guide: James Cheadle at Amazon

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

People Photography and Portraits: Best Resources Toolbox

I wanted to take some time to share with you a mission that is on my heart: using my photography to help others. With the holiday season approaching, it seems like a good time to put out some encouragement for photographers around the world to do the same.

Here and now, I would like to issue a challenge: During the November and December months, offer your time and talents with outstretched arms to those who may need it. There are no parameters for this challenge. The only requirements are these:

You + your time + your camera = G.I.V.E.

You don’t have to come up with a list of ideas on your own. Of course, only you know what is at your disposal with time, money, and talents – but even there, don’t be held back. Think outside the box.

I myself have finished several projects that were larger than myself, simply because I saw a need and thought I could do something to help (especially with a little bit of help from my friends). The results from my favorite project can be seen here.

Don’t feel like you are alone in this mission. Several innovative crusaders have paved the way for photographers of all skills and ages to offer their creativity for good. Instead of brainstorming a new challenge on your own, you can also get in on the mission of other photographers making a difference.

Help Portrait

Perhaps one of the most well known artistic nonprofit events of its day, “Help Portrait” unites photographers with low-income families to give holiday portrait sessions. I myself have been a part of this event and it certainly was a dynamic personal time.

Medical PhotoOps:

What I love about the following four organizations is that each bring in photographers to provide something priceless to families coping with intense medical challenges. If every photographer took a step outside their comfort zone to help someone in heartbreak, we may be able to help bring hope and healing to people who really need that. While such missions are not for everyone, this work is truly life altering for artists to be a part of.

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

NILMDS Is there for parents and families to help aid them in their healing, bring hope to their future, and honor to their child. It is through remembrance that a family can truly begin to heal. They introduce remembrance photography to parents suffering the loss of a baby with the free gift of professional portraiture.

Images For A Cure

This fall, countless photographers and creators are coming together for one purpose: a cure. Through October and November 2011 – a collection of photographers are donating their time and session fees to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®.

The Tiny Light Foundation:

The Tiny Light Foundation is a non-profit organization that provides professional photography for children and families that have been faced with a life altering diagnoses. They provide families with lasting memories through the amazing art of photography.

Pictures of Hope

Pictures of Hope Foundation provides complimentary, documentary-style, photography services to families with a child in the Neonatal Intensive are Unit.

Operation: Love Reunited

OpLove photographers provide free homecoming & deployment portrait sessions to US military families. Joining the organization takes up to a month, but photographers are contacted directly by military families who want keepsakes of their loved ones.

www.ShutterMission.org is a site that lists volunteer opportunities for photographers to give back – and the list of opportunities is growing.

Want to give other ideas? Or need inspiration for yourself? Post them here. We can all make a difference together.

My mission: This month I am going to donate senior portraits for a youth shelter in Denver, CO. I am so excited to give these sessions because I want these young people to see how beautiful and valuable they are – even when most of the people around them don’t recognize that.

Remember: Don’t put yourself in a box. Start here:

You + your time + your camera = G.I.V.E.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

Use Your Camera to Give

A painter once said, “The soul of art is inspiration.” I couldn’t agree more. I can’t count on two hands the number of times I continued to work on a shoot because I was inspired by the light, or got up in the middle of the night to brainstorm a shoot idea because I was inspired by the movie I just watched. Inspiration has a power to drive us artists in a way that few things can. This being the case, it is so important that we seek inspiration in our working and off hours.

Developing technology has blessed us with many opportunities to find inspiration and tuck it away for when it’s needed most. Sites like Pinterest or even flickr allow you to harness the power of visual imagery from blogs, sites, magazines, or even your own pictures. I’ll give fair warning to you though: Pinterest may become your next inspiration obsession.

2. Find Causes and Run with Them

There are few things more rewarding than finding ways to use your photos to support a cause you believe in. Generally most nonprofit organizations – especially the smaller ones – are ecstatic to have a photographer offer to assist their cause. Volunteer your services in whatever way they may need and you will grow as a person, as a storyteller, and as a photographer. Need ideas on where to start? Seth Godin’s “Tales of the Revolution: True Stories of People who are Poking the Box and Making a Difference” is an incredible resource to help you brainstorm.

3. Find Time to Develop

How often do we really just take the time to develop our craft? Many professional photographers agree that it’s easy to pick up a camera for jobs – but will do so on few other occasions. Take a challenge like 365 Project and push yourself develop the eyes to see art all around you – and share that with others.

4. Find Resources

There is a proverb that says “there is nothing new under the sun.” In the area of art, we create when inspiration and our own innovation collide. Discovering new perspectives is a critical part of our photographic development. When was the last time you went to an Art Gallery? Be it local or part of a museum, routine visits to an Art Gallery gives way for you to explore art through other artists eyes.

5. Find Your Loves

What things in life give you intense pleasure and enjoyment? Those are the things to take pictures of. We never grow tired of the things that we really love – that give us refreshment and perspective. Returning to these loves in both conceptually in the creative process and practically subject matter will make room for photographic exploration.

6. Find Community

Camaraderie in creativity is a fantastic resource for our artistic development. Finding a photographic community – or creating a group yourself will provide collaboration, fellowship, and a lot of fun. With PUGs, FTP groups and more, there are plenty of opportunities for you to dive into a community.

7. Find New Vantage Points

Many of us have heard the old adage: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten.” So why is it so difficult to apply this to our art? Take a risk. Try a new idea. The real deal of art is to never put yourself in a box – so take steps outside your comfort zone with concepts, with shoots, with editing. You may be surprised by what new discovery you find yourself in love with.

8. Find Local Experts

Gone are the days of “trade secrets” and tight-lipped professionals who do everything in their power to stay on top. Today’s photographic industry is full of individuals who are more concerned with connecting and helping than the bottom line. Take some time to hunt down professionals in your area whom you respect and admire – both personally and in their work. After you have a small list gathered, contact these individuals and inquire as to if they would be willing to get together with you over coffee for questions and discussion. Who knows, while you may be looking for a mentor, that photographer just may be looking for someone to invest in.

9. Find Honest Critique

It’s difficult to critique your own work – after all, you know the backstory, you are biased to the reasons why you took the shot, etc. In the past we’ve explored some ways to critique your own work, but sometimes we just need the strong, non-nonsense critique of others. If you have built a photographic community, or know a local expert, try to schedule a time they may be able to conduct a review and critique of your work. The feedback you gain will give some good indicators of specific areas you may need to develop.

10. Find Your SWOT

If you really want to invest developing as a photographer, conduct a SWOT of yourself. Strengths. Weaknesses. Opportunities. Threats. Be honest and objective as you work this analysis, and then brainstorm a plan to maximize and grow each of these areas.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

10 Ways to Develop Yourself Photographically

This post is based on the portrait shoot of a young family who are DPS readers. After hearing of my work in Battle Ground, they contacted me for a portrait session. I am very happy to feature them in this post.

Shooting family portraits is always a varied experience based on the number of people you are photographing. Depending on the number and ages of your clients, you will need to be spontaneous and learn to adapt to different levels of interaction. Portraits of a young family is no exception. Here is a starting point for a Young families portrait session:

1. Interact with the children

If the children in your shoot are happy, the parents will be comfortable, and you will be able to achieve natural portraits. This said, focus on interacting with the children. Do your best to be “entertaining” through the session to draw out laughter and smiles.

2. Avoid “posing”

Children do not sit in one place for a long time. They are active and moving. Keep your session this way also. Constantly be moving with your clients. You may be able to position or pose the couple where you want them, and then encourage the child to move around – walking, twirling, etc.

3. Follow the Child

Sometimes you may not be working with children who will follow your guidance. In this situation, keep the session lighthearted and fun, by having the parents follow the child until the child stops. Your job then is to have the parents draw close to the child, and then snap a series of shots.

4. Be shutter happy

Especially working with small children, don’t be afraid to take more shots than a normal portrait shoot. You want to make sure to catch the right expressions and no blinking – and with children this is much easier said than done.

5. Be ready for anything

Don’t walk into a family shoot with set ideas that can’t be adapted to in the scenario. Have some ideas in mind that may serve you if possible, but be prepared to take what you have and run with it.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

5 Tips for Young Family Portraits

But what if you do not have a camera with video capabilities? Or, what if you just aren’t ready for the launch of a new video craft?

For several years now I have enjoyed my own “type” of Fusion Film – the Stopped Motion Fusion Film. Quite simply, these films are created by shooting a series of image sequences, rather than single shots. [Check out one of my wedding films here: http://brideinspired.squarespace.com/films/ ]

My brides have loved these films for their unique styles and perspective. And to be completely honest, the films are not complicated to create. In just a few steps, you can create a really awesome wedding film yourself.

1. Plan: In the same way you have your “shot list” for single shots, you want a shot list for the sequences you need to capture. You may want to go for:

• Hair or makeup getting done
• Guys tying ties
• First look
• Putting corsages on
• Couple interaction [twirling, holding, dancing, funny faces, etc.]
• Coming down the aisle or greetings from well wishers
• Signing certificate
• Hugging parents after ceremony
• Entrance to reception
• Wedding party [dancing, jumping, running, etc.]
• Exit

2. Anticipate: What I enjoy most about these stopped motion sequences is the freedom I am given to capture expression in a way that may not happen with still photos. Keep a watchful eye for short interactions that may be perfect for the film.

3. Be prepared: As a warning – be prepared to use m.u.c.h. more memory than normal. If I shoot 20Gig of just single shots during a wedding, I can easily plan for 10Gig additionally. Always have an extra card handy because there is no changing cards in the middle of shooting a sequence.

4. Using light: One of the most important aspects of developing a stopped motion piece is to remember – while you are shooting – that you need good, natural light for these images. Typically a flash can’t fire fast enough to keep up with as many shots as you may want in a sequence, so take your images as near natural light as possible.

5. The tech specs: For stopped motion sequences I typically set my camera to the following:

• Shutter Speed priority so I don’t have to worry about aperture settings.
• Multiple shot in order that I can be sure to capture as many images in succession as I need to.
• ISO 250 in general, just so that I can get evenly exposed images without using a slower shutter speed

6. Sequence Lengths: 5-6 images is typically not enough for a good sequence. Go for capturing 15-25 images per sequence – remember we will speed these in post processing so they will be set much faster than your single images.

7. Post processing: You can use a variety of Slideshow programs to pull the sequences together. You can even create these films in iMovie. I find it easiest to create each sequence in Final Cut before pulling in the still images. My workflow looks like this:

• Import an individual sequence of images
• Set the images timing [anywhere from 0.5 of a second to 0.3 of a second [oh and one minor note, I aways try to time both the first and the last image of a sequence at 1 second. This tends to smooth transitions.]
• Export each sequence as a clip
• Open a new project
• Import all the single images and set their timing [2 seconds on average]
• Add transitions
• Drag and drop the stopped motion clips where they need to be in the Timeline.

Perfect the timing, add music, and viola! You have yourself a Stopped Motion Fusion Film!

As with anything, practice makes perfect. Complete several films before promising them to clients. When you are comfortable with your workflow, you have a new and unique offering for your clients!

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

The Basics of a Stopped Motion Fusion Film [Wedding Edition]

Photographing these old churches presents a very unique challenge, and it is neither a simple nor an easy challenge to master. What I did learn about this special area of photography though, equipped me for shooting in similar environments in the future.

1. Be Quiet and Respectful

By far this is the most important part about photographing within these churches was having an attitude of quiet respect. People literally come from all over the world to get a glimpse of this faith which has been in existence for over two thousand years. For many, these visits are part of personal journeys of deep meaning. Do whatever is necessary for you to maintain respect of that. Some ways to do this may be:

• Put your camera in [S] mode. Rather than hearing a harsh clicking sound, the shutter softens the click and seems to drag the shutter. Of course, the disadvantage to using this mode is that you always have to pay attention to the speed of your shutter – elsewise you may end up with all blurry images.
• Place priority on the story first, and the image second. If someone is praying and you want to take a photo of them silhouetted in the window, you absolutely must do whatever possible to not disturb them. Make yourself invisible. Shoot from the hip, or from further away and plan on cropping in.

2. Be deliberate with your settings

These great churches are infamously dark – almost to the point that you can try everything to get a good exposure, and the fact of the matter is, you probably can’t. A few settings to keep in mind:

• High ISO is typically something that we choose only with great hesitance. In these places of worship, High ISO is a necessity if you want to capture an image at all. Plan on incorporating some intense post processing work to reduce the film grain of a shot.
• Slow shutter speed is your only option for creating a decent image in this environment. And most churches do not allow tripods so, of course this means that you have to either prop your camera on something to act as a tripod [challenging to do if you are trying to be invisible], or train yourself to hold your camera steady during a very slow shutter. On a really good day, I can handhold at a 1/10.
• Open wide your aperture as far as it will go to let in the most light you can.

3. Point, Shoot, and Move on

Unless you have a pro-photograpers clearance, there is little chance the church curators will be pleased with you if you take several minutes to compose a shot. Remember, you don’t want to be a distraction at all. Think about the shots you want before you even lift your camera. Ask yourself:

• How do I want to compose this image?
• How do I need to arrange my settings?
• How can I achieve this image in the least amount of time possible?

You may sacrifice some of the technical awesomeness for being invisible, but you may catch a h3er story for it.

4. Find the Light

The large, open windows will be your first choice of location for shot creation. Find this light and create an image using it’s contrast.

5. Use Angles

How can you give perspective to a wide open area? Use angles. Take your shot by crouching down quickly, or lifting your camera in the air and taking a shot looking down. Also, shoot between objects, arrange your shot with elements in the foreground and the background to keep the image interesting.

6. Be reflective

The shots I loved most were the ones that literally “came” to me. They were the ones I was not planning on taking. They were the ones that came when I wasn’t looking for them. Sometimes, your state of mind can actually impede your ability to create a shot. So while you are there, sit down, and take some time to be introspective. I think you may be surprised how inspired you become.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

6 Tips for Photographing the Churches of Europe

Yes. I love taking photos. Yes. I am a professional photographer.

But no. I do not carry my camera around with me all the time. Nor do I want to.

This is why I am absolutely in. love. with Instagram.

Available for Droid or iPhone, Instagram allows you to manipulate the photos that come from your phone, and create masterpieces.

And don’t worry – I am going to show you just how to do that.

A few general basic tips:

1. Depth: Camera phones don’t give you the ability to have the same awesome depth of field as an slur. So you have to create it with your shot itself. Use lines, repetition, and space with foregrounds and backgrounds to do this well. Focus on this, and you can use the Instagram “Tiltshift” effect to make your depth really stand out.

I created this shot at a lodge where I was photographing a wedding. I deliberately shot with the footstool in the foreground and set up my frame some direction with the windows in the background.

2. Lighting: If the need to pay attention to your lighting is true for normal shots, it is crucial for your camera phone pics. The lighting will make or break your Instagram photos. Take pictures in lighting that is soft when can see detail in the highlights and the shadows. Then, once you pull your shot into instagram, you have a variety of options for your editing to bring the photo to a new level of awesomeness.

Over lunch with my friend Mish, I was in awe of the stunning light that fell through the window and onto her face. I was so obsessed with the light I couldn’t resist taking her portrait.

3. Angles: You need all the help you can get with Camera phones, so be sure to shoot from unusual angles. Shoot down. Shoot from below. Shoot with objects in the foreground to blur out. The more creative you can be with your angles, the more interesting your shot will turn out.

I was enjoying this particularly good cup of chai and reading when I looked down and saw this shot. A small moment of diversion was all it took for me to create this shot!

4. See the world in Squares: One of the most important considerations to keep on your mind when taking photos with Instagram is the crop factor. Think of the old polaroids – this is what you’ll get with Instagram. Its a sad day indeed when you take a fabulous shot and find yourself unable to work with the Instagram 1×1 crop.

During a morning run I found this shot while taking a breather at one of my favorite neighborhood ponds. It is now sitting as my phone background, reminding me of how precious these peaceful moments are in life.

5. Borders: Instagram has some really cool borders to incorporate into your shots. From paint-brushed to vintage, white to black, these borders give a lovely artistic feel to literally any shot you take.

This is another shot I took during a long roadtrip from Denver, CO to Portland OR. And once again, it is taken with the breathtaking light of dusk.

Some Specific Considerations:

6. Landscapes: Lighting is one of the most important elements of a landscape image. If you can get gorgeous highlights and shadows in a scene, the shot will take care of itself – and don’t forget to throw some “tiltshift” for artistic affect.

After a little weekend excursion, I was riding back home with a friend when I looked out the window and saw this dusk light. We didn’t stop driving. I just clicked my camera through the window. And it is one of my favorite landscapes.

7. Portraits: So… Portraits?!? With Instagram? Yes. In fact, you can create some gorgeous portraits with Instagram worthy of a living room wall. Once again, finding a soft and even quality of light will be your surefire way of a cool portrait.

Last week I was working at my studio, about to grab a snack when I saw this light flooding my kitchen. I knew that this was the kind of breathtaking light that good portraits are made of. Inspired, I took a few minutes to capture this self pic – and I do have to say, I really like it.

8. Details: I have been incredibly impressed with how lovely detail shots can turn out using Instagram. Even if you have to crop in a bit, use good light and good composition to get a really sweet shot.

I actually captured this while driving with a bride to our portrait location. It was one shot, one kill, and the bride and I both love how it turned out.

9. Moments: One of the things I love most about Instagram is the freedom to take beautiful pictures without making a big affair of each shot or loosing the artistic expression that makes your shots unique. Every day moments that have vibrant colors, interesting textures, and sweet stories can become art.

Sitting at a little coffee shop editing, I was mesmerized by this man who sat next to me. He came in to very simply read the newspaper with a good cup of coffee. I took his picture in his natural environment and am so pleased with its’ story.”

10. Capturing beauty: Instagram is for anyone, and everyone. In a day and age where we always carry our phones, there is nothing more lovely than having the ability to see and capture art wherever we go. On a walk. While working. Over coffee. On a roadtrip.

Instagram will enable you to make art too.

Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.

Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.

10 Tips for Mastering Instagram