Follow The Money In Professional Photography

Posted by chris on May 16th, 2012
pet photography

Pet photography is an untapped market for many professional photographers

People tend to have a vision of professional photography that encompasses a fairly narrow range of services. One of the first that springs to mind is portrait photography, yet if most photographers had to live off portrait sittings, they would starve.

You can verify that yourself by spending some time in front of the portrait studio that’s in the front of many big box retail stores. Count the number of customers going in for portraits and don’t be surprised if that number is zero much of the time.



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ADAY Project Calls For Photographers

Posted by chris on May 14th, 2012
aday photo example

It doesn't have to be fancy, just step out the door and take pictures of your neighborhood for the ADAY project

As I’ve mentioned before photowalks are a great way to sharpen your skills as a photographer and to contribute the collective history of your local community and places you explore.

May 15th of this year is your chance to contribute to a world-wide photography project called ADAY, that will become part of a huge snapshot of modern living.



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Night Photography Tips

Posted by chris on May 11th, 2012
night shot

Look for locations where lighting adds depth to your night shots. - by Kprateek88

New DSLRs with light-sensitive full frame and APS-C sized sensors provide photographers with amazing tools for night photography that were largely unavailable as little as 10 years ago.

All you need for a night out capturing the city lights is a camera with a “B” or “Bulb” setting which allows you to leave the shutter open for extended periods of time, a tripod, remote release switch, a lens hood, and a small flashlight for adjusting camera settings in the dark.



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Full Frame Sensor vs APS-C

Posted by chris on May 9th, 2012
canon 5D mkiii photo

Many new photographers agonize between a full frame camera like the 5D or an APS-C camera that costs less - by Canon

One of the more common discussions that go around photography forums is whether new shooters should buy an APS-C crop sensor camera like a Canon 7D or the Nikon D300s, or a camera with a full frame sensor like the Canon 5D or Nikon D700.

This subject really shouldn’t inspire the agonizing decision process some people put themselves through to get to a selection.



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Transitioning From Hobbyist To Professional Photographer

Posted by chris on May 7th, 2012
wedding photographer

Professional wedding photographer, Karl Leopold, taking photos of a new bride and groom

If you ask 100 photographers how they got into the business and most will tell you they backed into photography as a career when offered jobs by friends or family. That’s a familiar story and the path that’s most likely to lead to a career taking pictures.

But don’t think that just because you’ve had people express an interest in having you take pictures at their wedding that you’re ready to go pro. There are three things you have to have if you expect to make the transition from hobby to career.



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The Risks of Gray Market Photography Equipment

Posted by chris on May 4th, 2012
Nikon D800 photo

Gray market or authorized reseller? You can't tell by looking - by Nikon

In photography it is frequently tempting to shop around and try to save a few bucks whenever you can. I’m just as guilty as anyone but there’s a risk that goes along with buying from the lowest priced vendor.

If the savings are too steep, you may be getting a product from the so-called “gray market”. Manufactures work with specific importers and distributors in certain regions, called a distribution channel. Gray market products are brand name products sold outside the manufacturer’s distribution channel.


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Finding Inspiration In Photography

Posted by chris on May 2nd, 2012
outside photograph

One way to spur creativity is to visit somewhere new, like this shot from Oak Mountain State Park in Alabama

Burnout is a constant problem in photography for hobbyists and professionals alike. One day you’ll find yourself looking at your camera with the very certain feeling that you just don’t feel like taking pictures that day. I’ve had that feeling on days I was being paid to be somewhere to take pictures. I found the motivation to go, but it was only by dogged determination and commitment to the customer.

Everyone, at some point in their photography career, will have to play games with themselves for the motivation to keep taking photos. Even professionals will go out and take pictures for the sheer fun of it on their days off.

Here are a few tips I’ve found helpful when my enthusiasm for photography wanes.



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Taking Your Camera With You Everywhere

Posted by chris on April 30th, 2012
sony nex-7 image

Cameras like the Sony Nex-7 give you a camera that's easier to carry than a DSLR but better quality than a cell phone camera. - by Sony

For many people hauling a camera with them in the age of the iPhone 4S is no longer necessary.

For many others the 8-megapixel camera in their phone, while a vast improvement over most other camera phones, just doesn’t make it from an image quality standpoint. Serious photographers want more camera to take along.



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Invest In Quality Lighting

Posted by chris on April 27th, 2012

 

lighting shot

Good quality equipment like this Alien Bees B400 will give you good service for many years.

Last time we talked about the habit of amateur photographers and even a few pros, to fret incessantly about minor differences in cameras.

For many people new to the business, if they have a $5,000 equipment budget, they’re going to put $4,999.99 of it into the camera. Personally, I think that’s a mistake.



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Don’t Get Caught Up In “Measurebating”

Posted by chris on April 25th, 2012
canon 60D photo

If you're going to be shooting a lot of video with your DSLR, then spring the extra money for the Canon 60D - by Canon

I’ve seen it in virtually every camera forum since the beginning of the internet and in letters to the editor in photography magazines before that. People arguing over the most infinitesimal differences between one camera and another, between one lens and another.

Allow me to let you in on one of the great secrets in photography: 99 percent of it is pure nonsense and a great deal of it borders on quackery. My friends in the video business call endless agonizing over trivial details “measurebating”.



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