The 5 Kind Of Photographers And What To Expect

Photography, like any skill, has several different avenues of approach. It’s a skill that relies on the concept and delivery of emotion, the use of various backdrops for photography, and the consideration of what people want to see and feel.

There is a specialized area in various fields of photography which allow people to work on standing out, and becoming more known in particular ‘areas’.

There are different kinds of photographers, and within this concept is the fact, everyone has a different opinion toward the ‘kinds’.

Kinds of Photographers—and what to expect
1. Portrait- These are photographers based on taking singular, or group photos. They deliver professional photos, but minimum creativity.

2. Fashion- These deliver concepts based on wanting to enhance a particular garment, fashion, or even event. They are exciting, eccentric, and make the photos ‘alive’.

3. Emotional- These are photographers that specialize on human emotion. The delivery of making you feel the image, whether it is the feeling of:
a. Happiness
b. Sadness
c. Hope
d. Acceptance
e. Determination

4. Legal- Photographers that deliver photos for legal purposes. Crime scenes and photos for use in the court of law. Very professional, all business.

5. Special event- Whether it’s weddings, anniversaries, or birthday parties, these are very customizable photographers that deliver a variety of different personalities.  They can mold their skills to meet your needs.

Photography is an art that has a lot of room for adjustment and change, and professionals see this as an opportunity to expand their own abilities. Photographers deliver these skills with equipment provided by sites like yescomusa.com because they leave room for satisfaction and accomplishment at high levels of creative adjustment. Consider the various kinds of photographers on the market and decide on which one meets your needs the way you need them met.  Options are essentially endless. 

Happy shooting!
Tom

Is freelancing for you?

That's a good question.

Are you creative?
Do you like to be in more control?
Do you have the time available?
Are you flexible?
Have you ever run a business?
Do you want to make some extra money outside of your regular job?

These are just some of the serious questions you'll need to ask yourself before you spend too much time, effort and energy trying to get this type of work.

But if you do decide to try, there are many places where you can look for leads. Some are free. Some you have to pay for. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. No need to go into that here.

For a good source of free project leads, I recommend Freelancer.com. Here's a link you can use to sign up for a free account. You'll get e-mail notices when someone posts a job in the field you want to work in. Then it's up to you to put in a good bid. :-)

Check them out, then get started!

 

Thanks for checking in & happy shooting!

Tom

 

PS..Please let me know if you ever have any questions or special topics you'd like to see me address. I'm happy to be of assistance! 

Tips for Lighting Still Life photos

In creating a dynamic still life image, the photographer uses light to add depth, mood and interest. While lighting is the most important element, it is not complicated. Here are some tips and ideas to help you get the perfect still life shot every time.

If you use lighting in a directional manner, you will bring out texture. Lighting from the sides is the best way to bring out the contrast between highlights and shadows. Use this to give images greater depth and dimension.

In order to be sure that you obtain proper contrast, your lights need to be varied from one to the next. Therefore, your main needs to be the brightest, no matter what source you are using. Your secondary should simply provide the proper fill effect.

Keep the background simple! Fluffs and folds might be appropriate in some situations but are usually more of distraction than not. Just try keep the idea of 'simple and smooth' in your head when you're setting up this type of shot.

Don't be afraid to experiment with angles. When setting up the scene in your studio, you can think about the relationship of the subject to the camera and also the lights to the subject. You can give something ordinary an interesting new perspective when you change up the angles.

Think about the shape of your subject in three dimensions. That's the way we see, so images that are able to draw the viewer in or bring the subject out, are the most pleasing to the eye. Highlighting along the sides will help accomplish this.

Whether or not you shoot professionally or not, spending some time in the studio with a still life, will help you understand the way this element impacts your images.

Thanks for checking in & happy shooting,
Tom

How to get a Good Studio Up and Running

If you’re going to open a photo studio, you’re going to need some basic equipment.  Even if you don’t use it all, the appearance of a good, operational studio is important.  But you are probably going to use the equipment regardless, and if you don’t think you need something, maybe you just don’t know how to use it!  Or what it’s for.  For example, you are going to need some photo backgrounds because that way you can control the environment a whole heck of a lot more.  You’re going to want a couple different photo backdrops to use so that your clients can have an option.  Even if you have one you really like., you are probably going to encounter people who are paying you money – i.e. you have to do what they say – and will have a different aesthetic than you.  And that’s okay – your expertise should be respected, but sometimes a client will simply have something different in mind and you’ll have to accommodate.  Could be worse I suppose!  So if you have a lot of options for your clients to choose from, there’s a better chance they’re going to be happy.  If they’re happy, there’s a better chance you get a favorable review both online and in person, through word of mouth, and then you get more clients and more money and you can get the vacation home you’ve always wanted!  I get all my equipment at www.thelashop.com because they ship right to your house and have a lot of options on the site.  I hope my advice has been helpful at least in encouraging you to do things right and get a good start on your photo career.  If done right, it can be a whole heck of a lot of fun!  It’s how I make my money and I love it.


Thanks for checking in & happy shooting!

Digital Photography Tips - Capturing the Spider's Web

Greetings friends!

I hope the weather is going to start acting a little more like Spring is supposed to. I don't know about you, but here in Wisconsin, it's been an interesting start so far. :-)

As you know, I love photographing the wonders of nature. Not only can you get some beautiful images that people will pay money for, but there's something very cathartic about spending time focusing on things other than our own problems.

I had a couple people ask me recently about takings photos of spider webs so I thought that might be a good subject for an article. The article is titled Digital Photography Tips - Capturing the Spider's Web and can be found by clicking the link. I hope you'll take a couple minutes to check it out. I'd certainly be interested in your feedback or any other suggestions you'd like to share.

Now grab your camera & get out there. There's a world of interesting subjects just waiting for your artistic eye to bring them to our attention!

Happy shooting,
Tom

Tips for Using Your Point & Shoot at Night

Hey fellow shutterbugs,

If you're like a lot photographers, you probably keep a camera somewhere close to you most of the time. For many, like myself, dragging around my main rig DSLR all the time just isn't very practical. But I have an Olympus P&S that takes great pictures. It's small & easy to carry just about anywhere.

Here's a few ideas to try next time you're out at night & get the urge to go looking for an image.

Shutter Speed Settings - Pretty much all point & shoot cameras have some means of adjusting the shutter speed. This is principally done in one of two ways. First, is an actual control that allows you to select a specific speed. If yours had a manual mode setting, that would be the first place to check. If yours does not allow for specific speeds, then it probably has different pre-programmed "scenes" or modes that you can choose from. Try some different speeds & see what effect they have on moving lights. You'll be amazed at what you get. The longer open shutter time will also force a smaller aperture to help bring distant objects into clearer focus.

No tripod? - That's OK! Most of us don't keep one of these real handy. All you really need a steady & sturdy to help you stay still. You might find that this object becomes part of the picture itself. You can buy or make a beanbag holder that is easy to transport. Finally, don't forget to take advantage of the timer feature that most all units have. That way, you won't even be touching the camera when the shutter fires.

ISO Selection - Here's another method you can use to effectively control exposure to get the look you want. Just note that with higher ISO rating, you will get increased noise, which may not be desirable. The level of noise-reduction capabilities varies amongst camera manufacturers and also depends on what the individual photographer likes.

So there you have it! Just a few ways you can use to improve the images you take at night. These work great & you will notice an improvement. Be sure to post some examples so we can check out your work too!

Happy shooting,
Tom

Shooting Portraits with Available Light

Hey everybody!

Here's a few tips to help you with shooting portraits using available light.

- Use reflectors & diffusers to 'play' with available light. You can makde adjustments to get it just to your liking.

- Try stepping out of the shadows! Use full outdoor light and shoot at different times of the day to get different effects. Be sure you try to put the source behind your subject so they're not squinting.

- Set exposure to proper levels for your subject & don't worry about the rest. Who cares if you can't make out the pretty cloud formations in the background. Check out Ansel Adams work for a better idea of how this helps focus attention on what matters in the shot.

- If you're using a flash indoors, bounce it off something rather than firing straight at your subject. Also try stopping down the recommended flash and slow the shutter speed. this will allow more of that precious available light shine in.

So get out there & practice using these handy tips. You will see better results.

Thanks & Happy Shooting,
Tom

I'm Making My Way Back

A chilly greeting to all my photographer friends! It has been a while & I do apologize for the absence. Sadly, my father became ill suddenly and passed away in late October. I know he missed Mom terribly after she left us in February. It's been difficult getting used to the idea of not either Mom or Dad her for Christmas this year. Needless to say, I'm looking forward to a much better 2010 without all the personal distractions of the last year and a half.

I can tell you that I've been getting more involved with the youth center & it's really been a blast. Just being around the kids brings me an energy that is difficult to describe. I just feel younger myself. I'm also going to start working with Big Brothers & Big Sisters in January (as a big brother, of course). I see a lot of kids out there without a positive male role model in there life so I think there's something I can do to help. Look for updates and pics in future posts.

As you may have seen, our area got hit with a blizzard last week. Here's a few pics I took around my house. Let me know what you think of them.


Thanks & I'll see you back again soon,
Tom

Digital Photo Tips - Ideas for your next outing

Hello everyone,

Hard to believe that we're getting into the middle of September already. The time just keeps going faster & faster.

Lately, I've been doing some reading about macro photography and thought I'd suggest a possible subject to consider.

With fall just around the corner, the leaves will be changing soon. I'm going to try getting some macro shots of a leave in it's different phases of color change. Hope it turns out & I'll post the picts when I get them.

So that's your assignment (I know I never assigned you one) if you choose to accept it. Go out, find an interesting plant of any type and photography really close up, as it transitions into it's winter stage. Make sure your post your shots so we can learn from your work.

Well cheers for now & happy shooting,
Tom

Shutterstock Seeks Photographers!

Greetings and salutations fellow photo enthusiasts!

I truly hope the day finds you well and busy. It's hard to believe that summer is already starting to wind down. Soon the leaves will start to turn here and the kids will be back off to school. As much as I do love the fall season, there is a certain amount of meloncholy for me too. Probably something to do with thinking about all the things I didn't get done yet. I guess that's what New Year's resolutions are supposed to be for.

Anyways, the reason for my post today is to let you know about an opportunity for you to make some extra money with your photographs. A company called Shutterstock (I'm a member) is looking for new photographers to start contributing to their stock collection. So I thought I'd pass the word along in case you're interested. It doesn't cost anything to join and if they sell your work, you get a big chunk of the proceeds. It's that simple. Just follow this link to sign up for your FREE account and start making money.

Thanks for stopping by and as always, Happy Shooting!

PS...I'm still working on a couple new article with even more digital photo tips for you so be sure to stop back again soon and feel free to tell your friends too.

Studio Lighting Techniques Article

Howdy friends,

Great news! I just got notification that my latest article about digital photo tips was just approved for publication.

I think you'll really enjoy this one because it addresses some issues that a lot of people have problems with.

You can read my latest piece by clicking on the post title above.

Thanks for stopping by. Don't be afraid to let us know what exciting projects you're working on now.

Cheers & Happy Shooting!

If you considering upgrading your equipment, check out these specials at Amazon.

Studio Lighting Techniques - Upcoming Articles

Greetings All,

I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted. Wow, the summer is sure flying by.

I just wanted to let you know that I have a new article coming out soon. This article will deal with studio lighting technique errors and easy ways you can correct them. Check back in a week to see if it's bee posted yet. I don't think it should be any longer then that.

Cheers & happy shooting!

Shooting Portraits on Location

Greetings friends,

Hope the day finds you busy, healthy and in good spirits! Are you having opportunities to get out & take some pictures? Now is a busy season for weddings and graduations so you may be able to find some paying jobs.

I had an article published recently that deals with subject of shooting portraits on location instead of in a studio. Forget about studio lighting techniques, backdrops and all that other stuff. If you really want to tell your subject's story, I think you'll find it useful for many applications either working with friends and family or your business clients. Please click the title above to read this article. You're welcome to leave a comment if you'd care to share your thoughts. I always like to hear from my fellow photographers.

Thanks for stopping in and Happy Shooting!

Speaking of special occasions for photo opps, here's what's recommended on Amazon these days in case you need to bring a gift. They've got some great ideas for you.

Subject Matter

Hi again everyone,

I'm in the process of setting up another series of articles dealing digital photography and I'd like your help.

If you would like, please post a reply indicating a subject or subjects you would like to learn more about.

Thanks for looking and happy shooting!

PS...What's your favorite cola? Click this link now to voice your opinion!



PPS...Looking to upgrade your equipment? Check out these deals from Amazon that will help you next time you're on location.

Digital Photography Lighting Techniques

Hello Shutterbugs,

Here's another instructional video from my friend Amy Renfrey.

In this episode, Amy discusses how you can improve your indoor action shots with suggestions for getting more light in the scene. I think you will find this information very useful.

When you are ready to take your photography skills to the next level, try clicking on the links in the 'About Me' section to the right. Here you will find many more tips and tricks to help you take better pictures.

Thanks for stopping in and Happy Shooting!



Also, here's some equipment I would recommend if you're looking to upgrade your equipment.

Digital Photo Tips - Basic Studio Lighting Techniques

Greetings fellow photo enthusiasts,

Here's the link to another article that I published recently which explains what is necessary for setting up a basic studio photography lighting scene. If you click on the title, it will take you the article. I hope you will give it a read and find it useful.

If you would like more advanced information on how to take your skills to the next level, check out the links in the 'About Me' section.

Cheers and Happy Shooting!
Tom

Here is some of the equipment you will need for seting up a small home photo studio.

A Little Off Topic - Golf Putting Drills

Hey everyone,

This doesn't have anything to do with photography off-hand but since golf is one of my favorite past-times, I thought you might be interested in this too.

If you're like me, the idea of taking a few stroke off a round is a nice idea. Who doesn't want to play better right? Here's a web site I found that really helped my game. My biggest problem was on the green, so the golf putting drills I learned made a big difference. Plus I'm also driving the ball straighter than I ever have. Definitely want to check this one out!

Cheer and Happy Shooting!

PS...I'm hoping to post another digital photography video lesson in the next couples days.

Understanding Histograms - Online Photography Lessons by Video

Hi everybody,

True to my promise, here's a great video by my friend Amy Refrey about using the histogram in digital photography. Amy explains why this feature is SO important to taking better pictures and give you some insight about how you can use this in your own work. Please enjoy the video and check out the links in my 'About Me' section for more great online photography lessons for the digital enthusiast. Happy shooting!



Also, here are some accessories I would recommend next time you are looking to add to your equipment.

Common Mistakes

Hey shutterbugs,

What a beautiful day to take your camera out and see what you can find for an interesting subject!

You know there's some things we do photographers sometimes that can ruin the perfect shot. I had an article published recently that talks about these issues and what you can do to make sure they're not a problem for you. Please click on the title above to check it out.

Here's something to try next time you're bored. Just go outside (weather permitting) and find some odd looking plant or weed or bug. Then just set up and take shots from all angles. Try some different lenses and ways of emphasizing your subject. Even if you don't get any killer pictures, you will discover that even the most overlooked objects can be made very interesting with your photographer's eye.

You can can find more photography courses online and other digital photo tips at my web site.

Here are a few accessories you may want to consider adding to your camera gear.

Digital Photo Tips - Using Natural Light

Hello again friends.

I hope this day finds you doing well. I can't believe it's almost June already! Where is this year going to anyways?

I recently wrote an article about why using natural light for your photos can really make a huge difference in the quality. In this piece, I dicuss how you can use this photography lighting technique to improve your images.

Please click the title above to read it. You can also check out my online photography lessons page for even more information. I'm hoping to get some videos posted soon so please check back often. Cheers and Happy Shooting!

Here are some accessories I would recommend for shooting with available light.