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