
Blog
Straight from the horse's mouth!
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Animal photography ranges from beautiful portraits of your pet to candid wildlife photographs. We’ve all been amazed by those National Geographic images of animals in action haven’t we? You don’t have to be on safari to practice your animal photography either. If you’ve got enough images of your pets you could consider taking a walk along farmlands or visiting a wildlife park. Photographing animals is challenging because you have to have the knowledge to control your camera effectively and understand the animal to get that great shot. Photographing animals can be really rewarding and when I have had the opportunity to do animal photography I’ve really enjoyed it! In this blog we’re going to look at how to do animal photography and my top tips for you to get out there and practice! | ||
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One of the most beautiful things about this big old complicated world that we all live in is how wonderfully diverse the humans that populate it are. The first portrait was taken in 1839 by Mr Robert Cornelius. There was no such thing as digital cameras or fancy phones to snap a selfie in those days and Robert had to set the photo up and sprint to his position and sit in perfect pose until the image was created. Nowadays it’s much easier but it doesn’t mean we should give it any less consideration and thought. | ||
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The definition of composition is that it is the arrangement of elements within an image. But what does this mean for us as photographers? Composition is one of the most important aspects of photography. Mastering it will change your photographs and enhance your skills to the next level. There are several rules to composition that help us know how to start practicing it such as;
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Choosing a photography course when you’re getting started can be daunting. There are so many options. Selecting a curriculum that supports your skill development at a pace that suits your lifestyle is the difference between completing the course and never quite finding the time because it’s overwhelming. A photography course is a teaching aid to help you improve as a photographer. Often online so you can complete it at your speed and to fit around your lifestyle. Don’t be overwhelmed by the fancy certification names that pop up when you search, what you need is an authentic course that will make you better rather than a slap dash course that gives you a certificate you can print off. I have been a photographer for almost thirty years and I’ve been teaching since 2008. I have designed courses that are relevant, value for money and guaranteed to improve your skills. But this isn't about my courses. This is about what you need to consider when choosing a photography course for you. | ||
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Depth of field. What is it? How do I use it? What impact does it have on my photography... what is it again? Having control of your camera gives you the confidence to become a better photographer. Knowing how the core features work so that you are leading the shot is the difference between a fluke and a well thought out photograph. Having control of your camera gives you the confidence to become a better photographer. Knowing how the core features work so that you are leading the shot is the difference between a fluke and a well thought out photograph. | ||
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Cameras don’t take pictures. People do. It’s a motto I live by and a lesson I teach every photographer hungry to learn more about photography. It doesn’t matter if you have a second hand camera that’s 10 years old compared to your mate’s brand new state of the art camera. What matters is how you take the photo. When you’re starting out with your photography journey, you might be wary of being attracted by the wrong features. It can be mind boggling to be faced with so many choices and so much ‘shiny’ as I like to call it. I attended a fantastic event where I was lucky enough to speak but what I want you to take from the video is the chats I had with other photographers. Their varying ideas of what matters in terms of functions will be really enlightening for you when you’re thinking about your camera purchase. | ||
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Children are an absolute joy (mostly) and we love having beautiful photos of our dear little ones in place of pride in our homes. They make wonderful gifts for family and hold memories that dissipate so quickly as they transition from toddler to child to pre-teen and beyond! As much as children are a favourite subject, kids photography is never as straightforward because kids generally aren’t perfectly poised. Unless of course they are young monks… because then you would get this epitome of discipline shown by these boys... | ||
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Sunsets are romantic, overused in happy endings and really exciting to photograph. One of my absolute favourite times of day is the golden hour. That brief interlude between day and night when the sky comes alive… | ||
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Learning the different functions of your camera can seem like an overwhelming task when you first get started. Every upgrade comes with a host of new features supported by spanking new software! You don’t need it all. Cameras don’t take pictures because photographers do. That being said, there are a few core features that I do encourage you to get to grips with because it will make a huge difference to your images. Here we are going to look at understanding shutter speed and how to use it effectively. Let’s start right at the beginning. Shutters on cameras are the same as shutters on houses. The shutter is a curtain that blocks the camera sensor until you’re ready to take the photo. When you take the photo, the shutter opens and lets light hit your sensor. | ||
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The rule of thirds is a top trick to have in your rolodex of go to tools for photography. Make sure you take time out to practice it and see how you can make it work for you! Pop me an email and send me your photos using the rule - I’d love to see what you’re learning. You will see for yourself how effective this simple composition rule is and how it makes a huge difference in your work. | ||
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