How to Have the Perfect Backyard Photoshoot

June 8, 2022 Cathy MobleyLeave a comment Techniques

If you’re looking for a beautiful backdrop for your next photoshoot, your backyard is the perfect place to go! With plenty of natural scenery and interesting architecture, your backyard can provide everything you need for a stunning photo shoot. In this article, we will give you some tips on how to have the perfect backyard photoshoot!

To get started, you’ll need to choose the right time of day for your shoot. The best time to take pictures outdoors is in the morning or evening, when the lighting is softer and more flattering. Avoid taking pictures midday, when the sun is high in the sky and can create harsh shadows on your subjects. Once you’ve chosen the time of day for your shoot, take a look around your backyard and pick out the best location. Look for areas with beautiful natural light and interesting backgrounds that will add depth to your photos. Also make sure that there are no distractions in the frame, such as power lines or trash cans or even your pets.

Now that you’ve found the perfect spot, it’s time to get your subjects ready! If you’re shooting portraits, have your subjects dress in clothing that compliments the surroundings. For example, if you’re shooting in a garden, have them wear flowy dresses or skirts. If you’re shooting in a more urban area, have them dress in clothing that will contrast with the background. It’s also important to make sure that your subjects are well-groomed and looking their best. Have them style their hair and apply makeup before the shoot so that they’re camera-ready.

Now it’s time for the fun part – taking the pictures! If you’re shooting portraits, make sure to get a variety of shots. Get close-ups, full-body shots, and candid moments. For group shots, have your subjects stand in different positions and interact with each other. And don’t forget to take some detail shots of the background – these can often be some of the most beautiful pictures.

When you’re finished shooting, take a look at your photos and pick out the best ones. Edit them if necessary, then share them with your friends and family! With these tips, you’re sure to have a stunning backyard photoshoot that everyone will love. Happy shooting!

We hope you found these tips helpful! If you’re looking for more photography inspiration, be sure to check out our other blog posts. Happy shooting!

If you have any tips of your own for taking great backyard photos, be sure to share them in the comments below! We would love to hear from you. Thanks for reading!

Danger! Tips for Photographers

January 11, 2022 Cathy MobleyLeave a comment Techniques

It’s important to be safe when you’re out and about shooting portraits. Photographers can’t always control the environment in which they shoot, but that doesn’t mean they should put themselves in danger! Here are some safety tips for photographers:

Be careful when crossing the street.

When crossing a street, always look both ways before stepping out into traffic. Make sure to cross at intersections and use crosswalks whenever possible.

Watch out for cars.

When shooting in a busy area, always be aware of the traffic around you. Don’t stand in the middle of the road to take a picture!

Be careful when using props.

If you’re using props while shooting, be sure to use them safely. Watch out for sharp edges or points that could cause injury.

Look out for low-hanging branches.

Shooting in the woods or other areas where trees are present? Watch out for low-hanging limbs! They could hit you, your subject, or even damage your camera equipment.

Watch out when climbing rocks and ledges.

If you’re shooting on top of a rock formation or ledge, be extremely careful about where you’re stepping. One wrong move could result in a nasty fall.

Stay away from dangerous animals.

If you’re shooting in an area where there are potentially dangerous animals, be sure to keep your distance! Don’t try to get too close for that perfect shot – it’s not worth the risk.

Use common sense.

Above all, use common sense when you’re shooting. If something feels wrong or unsafe, don’t do it!

Be aware of your surroundings.

Always be aware of the environment around you and who is in that environment with you. This includes potential hazards such as dangerous animals or busy streets. When crossing a street always look both ways before stepping in.

Stay safe! Always make safety your number one priority when you’re out shooting portraits. These are just a few of the most important things to keep in mind while photographing, but there’s more information available online about staying safe as a photographer. Be sure to research other photographers’ tips for keeping yourself and others around you safe while shooting.

Joint and Muscle Pains Photographers Face: How to Deal with Them

January 11, 2022 Cathy MobleyLeave a comment Techniques

As a photographer, it’s not uncommon for you to experience joint and muscle pains. These can be caused by the repetitive motions of your arm and shoulder as you take pictures with long lenses or tripods. Photographers may also develop carpal tunnel syndrome from spending hours behind a computer editing photos, or they could have neck pain due to the weight of their camera gear.

It is important that photographers learn how to prevent these physical pains before they become an issue. The following blog post will discuss types of joint and muscle pains that photographers face, as well as provide tips on how best to deal with them!

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Description: Carpel tunnel is an entrapment of the median nerve, which travels through your wrist and into your hand. It can cause pain in any one or more of these areas along the path it takes.

Symptoms include numbness, tingling, burning sensation in fingers &/or hands (usually thumb to little finger), and pain in the wrist.

Physical Tips:

  • Wear a brace when you’re experiencing symptoms or if you think it may be coming on (it can make your symptoms worse before better). – Stop what you are doing to give yourself time to rest & heal. If necessary, take breaks of at least five minutes every hour while you are working on a computer. – Keep your shoulders back and down, elbows at chest level in front of you while using a mouse or touchpad, make sure wrists aren’t turned inwards. Don’t grip items that require pinching with thumb & index finger for long periods of time.
  • Try to avoid sitting with arms crossed when shooting.
  • Keep your neck in line with spine (don’t look down when taking photos).

Physical Therapy/Exercises:

  • Use a computer without strain for at least 20 minutes everyday if possible; try to break up usage into smaller blocks of time throughout the day, and take regular breaks.
  • Stretch out fingers & wrists for at least five minutes.
  • Make a fist with one hand and place it over your opposite wrist, holding this position until you feel the stretch &/or tension release. Repeat on other side of body.

Arthritis

Description: This is a disorder that affects the joints, and it can also cause pain in other areas of your body. Symptoms include stiffness, swelling or redness in one or more joints (especially hands), loss of function in a joint.

Physical Tips:

  • Keep your blood sugar levels under control if you have diabetes/impaired glucose tolerance; uncontrolled blood sugar can worsen symptoms.
  • Use assistive devices as needed (canes, walkers, braces).
  • Ice the affected joint for 15 minutes every four to six hours; if you have swelling, use a cold pack or ice wrap. Limit heat exposure to the area.

Physical Therapy/Exercises:

  • Exercise regularly (especially strengthening exercises), and weight train (avoid using weights that cause pain). Warm up your muscles before exercising.
  • Alternate hot and cold showers; do this for 15 minutes, several times a day if you can.
  • Wear supportive shoes or foot braces as needed; check with podiatrist &/or doctor to ensure safety of high heels.
  • Gently move the joint through its range of motion.
  • Take a supplement such as glucosamine chondroitin sulfate, which helps to rebuild cartilage and improve joint function.
  • If you are in pain, take over the counter antiinflammatory medication (such as ibuprofen) to help relieve pain.
  • Use moist heat or a heating pad to help ease pain & stiffness in the affected joint(s).
  • Do gentle range of motion activities that don’t cause you discomfort.

How To Keep A Photographic Log Of Your Road Trip

September 20, 2020 Cathy MobleyLeave a comment Techniques

So you’re going on a road trip. Don’t forget to take pictures. Or better yet, keep a photography log of your trip. Below are some tips on how you can do this.

You need a plan

Many people think that good road trip photos just happen. What they don’t know is that it actually requires planning. As they say, if you fail to plan then you plan to fail. One of the things that you need to keep in mind if you want to get excellent road trip photos is that it’s all about the light. So if you want to have a great photograph of a particular place then you need to make sure that you get there at a time when sufficient light is available. Of course, you also need to consider shadows. After all, photography is not just about illumination.

Use apps or books

To make sure that you’ll be in the right place at the right time, you can use a cellphone app. There are apps available that can show you the position of the sun at any given time of the day. A weather app, on the other hand, can tell you if it’s going to be a sunny or cloudy day. If cellular signals will be hard to come by where you are going, then you can bring a travel photography book that tells you what time of day is the best time to take photographs of certain places.

Bring the right gear

If you want to get perfect road trip photos then you also need to bring the right equipment. After you have determined your destination and the route you’re taking the next thing you need to do is to make a checklist of the equipment you’ll need to properly document the trip. The last thing that you want to happen is to discover midway that you’ve forgotten something important. You don’t have to bring a lot. In fact, it is advisable that you keep your bag light. Overpacking is for those who don’t plan their trips properly.

In your list of gear, you need to make sure that it includes the right lenses. In most cases, though, you will only need wide-angle lenses. If you want to have special effects, however, then you should consider bringing a fisheye and telephoto lenses.

Wear the right clothes

This should be a no-brainer but there’s a need to emphasize the importance of wearing the right clothes during a road trip. So what’s the connection between clothes and good photographs? You need to wear clothes that are light and flexible so you can spring into action whenever a good shot presents itself. You may also need to wear clothes that are tactical. For example, wearing cargo pants or shorts during road trips is recommended so you’ll have pockets to hold your gear.

Bring your dog along

Why do you need to bring your dog along? Because travel photos become instantly interesting with dogs in them. Also, having a dog with you will keep you entertained especially during the dull moments of the trip.

How To Keep A Dog Quiet During A Photoshoot

August 24, 2020 Cathy MobleyLeave a comment Techniques

Photographing dogs can be a daunting task if the dog is super active. Some dogs are photogenic; they pose well for the camera. They follow instructions and remain calm when they are made to sit and pose. Then there are dogs that are restless and overactive. They do not sit idle and posing for the camera is not their forte. If you have to capture a dog in the picture frame but it does not cooperate with you, what would you do? First of all, you should not panic at all but find out ways to overcome the problem. It is possible to make an active dog sit active during photo shoots. Let us find out how to do the same.

1. Before a photoshoot session, take your dog for a long walk. It will greatly help if your dog is super active and impulsive. Dogs can get dazzled when they are being photographed due to the presence of bright lights at the set. They may also keep barking if they feel uneasy. Walking your dog prior to the photoshoot session will make him tired and calm. It will behave well during photography sessions and not bark uselessly.

2. Another way to calm your dog and avoid them from continuous barking is to feed them before the photoshoot. A hungry dog is a barking one. When the dog is full, it will not only avoid barking but will also behave like a good boy. Make sure to give your dog a bowl full of his favorite meal.

3. One of the best ways to treat dogs is to treat them. Dog photography studios keep a stock of dog treats that are awarded to good dogs. When dogs are given treats for good behavior, they tend to perform well. In fact, dog treats are also used behind the camera to make the dog photogenic. It is also a good way to get the attention of the dog towards the camera. It will also remain calm and quiet.

4. If you are thinking about how to keep a dog quiet during a photoshoot, try a bark collar. It has been specifically designed to control dogs that excessively bark. When you are looking to buy a bark collar, you would get a few options to choose from. You can choose to buy an ultrasonic collar, a citronella one, or a static shock collar. All three types of dog bark collars are effective in preventing the dog from barking continuously. They all function in different ways, so you should find out the one that would be the right fit for your dog. When you try a bark collar, you would be amazed by how effective it is. Make sure you buy a good quality one that will last for a long time.

When you have mastered the art of keeping the dog calm during photo shoots and stop it from uselessly barking, you would gain total peace of mind and beautiful dog photos.

How To Take Excellent Dog Photos

July 30, 2020 Cathy MobleyLeave a comment Techniques

Since a dog is considered an important part of your family, you might want to include him in your family photos but for this, you will need to ensure that your dog will cooperate with you while taking the photos. Moreover, you will need to know how to take excellent dog photos so that you will love the energy, joyfulness, and unpredictability of the dog. The right kind of tip is especially very important as it helps you in capturing the unimaginable adorableness of your pet dog either with your phone or camera. There is no need to hire professionals for taking the perfect photo because you can master this skill and enjoy getting the best photos of the pet.

If you want to take excellent dog photos, the most important thing that you will need is the right photography equipment because it makes a huge difference in the type and quality of photos of your dog. You can either use a good brand camera and even your mobile phone will do, provided it has good quality lenses. Another important thing that you will need to consider is the personality and emotions of your pet so that it will help you to take photos according to the taste and preference of the dog. Regardless of the kind of photos that you take, you should always keep your pet dog in focus so that it will help you get amazing results. If your dog has some special features like long ears or curly tails, you should focus on them for getting the best photos of your pet. You can also take beautiful close up portraits of your dog that will be complemented with the smooth and blurred background. Excellent dog photos require an ample amount of natural light so that the pictures will look beautiful and it will eliminate the need for using the camera flash. The flash burst can frighten your pet and even cause panic and red-eye so you should avoid its use completely. On the contrary, you can always take photos outdoors or choose a room with large windows so that you will get natural light for taking photos.

But before following all these tips, you will need to make sure that the places where you want to take photos are free of all the clutter. You should also have a crate handy for keeping your pet dog inside if it is causing any problem during or after the photo sessions. You should have a place that is tidy and beautiful so that it will add an aesthetic element in the dog photos. Changing the angle of the photos is the best way of experimenting while you are taking the pictures so that you will get different varieties of shots. You can also focus on the different body parts of the dog so that you will get the best kind of photos for your pet dog. The use of different toys and treats will be of great help during the pet photography session so that your pet will remain calm and does not cause any problems during the photo sessions.

How To Make Money As An Event Photographer

July 26, 2020 Cathy MobleyLeave a comment Events

When you are finally confident of your photography skills, you know the next step would be getting profit off of it. The next step would be trying to up your game if you want to make some serious cash. The next step would be to build an amazing portfolio of your past photos. Better make it as presentable as possible so future clients would be more than happy when they get to see it. Picture yourself in the shoes of the client and find out whether you will be impressed in your own work or not. Here is how to make money as an event photographer:

Start a Photography Blog

One way to spread the word about your photography skills in a fast manner is to start a blog. It should contain your photoshoots with various models and nature shots. You should edit each photo until you deem it good enough to appear in the blog. Of course, don’t forget to write a little description of all the photos that you took so the readers would know what you are trying to shoot. There must be a theme for each model’s pose. When your blog gets a ton of hits, you can actually earn extra income when the brand partner up with you to advertise their products or services.

Submit Photos on Stock Websites

There are a lot of stock websites where you can purchase photos. This is usually for those people who would rather not take their own photos. The photos there are usually from photographers so submit your photo there and see how much they will take it. It would be better to send as many as possible and see if you can get a great deal by submitting a lot of photos. Better base the price you will want for your photos on the difficulty of each shot. For example, you may want more for pictures that you had to do a lot of adjusting and less for the ones where you used a mode.

Conduct Workshops

You will certainly spread your popularity, even more, when you conduct workshops about photography. There are a lot of people who would love to learn more about it and you can teach them the basics. Don’t forget to boost your advertisement so a lot of people would attend the workshop. Better include in your instructions what each participant needs to bring so that they would not go to the event empty-handed. The payment terms will also be important as a down payment would be preferred since you don’t really know the attendees who signed up.

In conclusion, there are a lot of ways to make money as an event photographer other than attending events and taking a ton of pictures. The events will definitely grow when the client sees that your photos look awesome. The aftermath of taking the photos involves a lot of careful editing so the job of an event photographer does not stop in taking tons of pictures.

How To Make Your Photos Look Like Professional Edits

July 23, 2020 Cathy MobleyLeave a comment Editing

Photographs were taken by nonprofessional and professional photographers give us a clear difference when analyzed. The professionals of photography do know the editing techniques for an excellent photo. He would not leave a photo taken as it is and he would employ all the professional edits so that the picture quality is jaw-dropping. The ultimate result of the photos is mind-blowing for the viewers. Both a variety of on-site and lab techniques are applied by the professional of photography.

A beginner or even some professionals would find it tough to cope with the excellent photographs. Only an experienced and technically sound professional in photography can do magical things as he likes. Let us see some techniques on How To Make Your Photos Look Like Professional Edits.

The first and basic technique of photography is the light exposure feature of the camera. The light that enters the camera has to be understood so that the desired results are obtained by a person. The major components like shutter speed, aperture, and light sensitivity are important features for professional photography. If you shoot at a place where the light is very low then you have to show your professionalism by making the picture very good and quality. Especially, during evening hours you have to apply low-light tips that are taught or learned.

Next is the resolution tips for the low-resolution problem during the photoshoot. In this case, the professional would go for the high-resolution feature so that the quality and brightness of the picture look far most better. The Resample image tool helps the beginners of photography to a maximum extent for making your photos more professional.

Focus Feature

Many photographers have issues because of the autofocus feature of the camera. Due to this advanced feature, the expected clarity and crisp of photos are not obtained. A perfect tip for this issue is using the manual focus so that your expectations are fulfilled by getting a professional picture. This manual focus makes you focus on a particular subject alone.

Motion Blur

Many professionals face the issue of motion blur during their shoot. The smart way of reducing motion blur is to make your camera face down. This is the only easy way to cope with the blur issue. Another tip is to mount your camera on a tripod for a clear photo shoot. The tripod has to be placed against a wall.

Resizing Feature

Another professional tip for the best photography is resizing photographs. Using the image size option is a clever idea for a perfect photograph. The image features are modified by using this tool. The resizing tools are available for you to alter the image size as per your wish.

Landscape Tips

If you are going to shoot at a landscape then you must show your expertise without fail. You can Make Your Photos Look Like Professional Edits with the help of a polarising lens. This lens reduces the glare and reflection issues that normally occur.

Coloring Feature

You should concentrate a lot on coloring features when you shoot a photo with proper techniques. You can increase the level of color saturation for the desired photo quality.

How To Capture A Great Sunset Photo

July 20, 2020 Cathy MobleyLeave a comment Techniques

There’s nothing as refreshing as watching the golden rays of the sunbathing the entire landscape for the last time in the day.

It’s so beautiful that you want to capture it. Every day, the sunset offers a whole new set of colors and glory. With the right equipment and timing, you can take a sunset picture of your dreams.

The great thing is you don’t have to be a professional, though, of course, great skill is required for a satisfying final result.

If you’re new to photography and want to take a photo of the sun when it’s at its best, here are some tips on how to capture a great sunset photo:

USE A TRIPOD

Most photographers choose to take shots with the camera in their hands which has several disadvantages. For starters, due to the instability that comes with holding a camera, taking a quality photo is hard.

That’s why you should use a tripod for all your sunset photos. It helps you capture all the minute but perfect details that make the sunset a masterpiece, such as those soft clouds reflecting those glorious rays or the hidden sky that is rarely noticed.

Also, with a tripod, you can develop an excellent composition and move on to strengthening your exposure.

Pro tip: Don’t ground the tripod. Move around so you can get fresh and unique pictures.

WAIT FOR A LITTLE LONGER

There’s more to a beautiful sunset picture than just the perfect shot. That said, don’t leave just yet when you take some awesome photos.

Stick around for the after the reveal, when the light and colors in the sky are at their best. The real show often happens when the big yellow ball leaves the scene. There’s an explosion of various colors in the sky, mostly orange and light pink.

Wait, if possible, until the sky turns dark.

CLEAN THE LENS

You have the perfect camera and the best spot but still, the pictures are blurry and fuzzy even when you adjust the camera. Why?

The largest problems often have the most straightforward solutions, such as cleaning your lens before taking a picture. Exposure of your photo gear to the elements makes it dirty.

Even the smallest speck can have a major effect on your beautiful picture, so strive to keep your lens clean.

MAINTAIN A LOW ISO

Different cameras have different ISOs. However, the most common ones are 100 or 200. A low ISO means less noise. And, the sensor of your camera gives you high-quality photographs.

A low ISO also helps in blurring moving objects and brings a balance between tonal reproduction and colors.

A high ISO may work for other types of photos, but not sunset ones.

PRACTICE

To achieve quality, you have to try new things and take as many pictures as you can. This means that even if you don’t like the first picture, delete it and keep trying.

It may surprise you that we often achieve the best results while we are in the trying stage. This applies to photography.

To get the best sunset picture, you must have a positive mindset and assure yourself that if this photo isn’t perfect, the next one will.

How To Choose Your First DSLR Camera

July 16, 2020 Cathy MobleyLeave a comment Cameras

You can’t blame yourself if you are excited to purchase your first DSLR camera. It is something you can take with you on your travels and take tons of pictures. The longer you have it, the more you will learn about taking nice pictures. You can even start a sideline as a photographer. There is nothing wrong with that as it always feels great to get added income. Here is how to choose your first DSLR camera:

Check Modes

The more modes there are, the better it would be for beginners. One new mode would be a food portrait as it is used to take pictures of food. #foodgasm is always trending on Instagram so you may as well join the craze by taking good shots of food too. When you use this mode and post your pictures on social media, you can expect more followers. Another popular mode would be landscape portrait as it is great for nice scenes like when you are on top of a mountain or at the beach. When it is time for sunset, you know you would want to take a portrait of that.

Check Resolution

If the resolution of the DSLR camera is higher than 15 megapixels, you are going to get what you paid for. The image quality is going to be great as that is usually the first feature the camera will brag about. You know you are going to be proud of your images when the resolution is high. That would mean you won’t have to spend much effort on editing them. You can just directly publish them or do it online.

Editing Capabilities

It would be awesome if you can edit your photos after you’ve taken them as most of the new DSLR models have editing capabilities. Of course, you can’t really compare what you can do with the picture to what you can do when you do it from your computer. The good thing about it is that you don’t have to wait until you get home before you can finally do it.

Durability

You may want to check recent reviews about the DSLR you are eyeing and see if the camera was able to last longer than they originally thought. You would certainly want a camera that would be able to survive tons of terrains so that it would be worth every penny you spend on it. If you see some reviewers praise its durability, then you know you must be extra careful with it especially the lens. It would be awesome if it is waterproof if you plan on taking it to the beach or the waterfalls.

Once you know what you want in a DSLR, better take a lot of photos using it to get a sense of whether or not it is the model for you. If you feel comfortable taking pictures, you know you could do it no matter where you are. You know you would want to bring it wherever you go even if it is a bit bulky.