Photography Questions Answered

 

Recently I’ve received a few e-mails from sweet readers asking tons of wonderful photography questions. Let me start off by saying that I am in no way an expert on the subject and not sure I will ever be. The world of photography is a vast one and I feel like I’m just getting my feet wet. I have on the other hand put in countless hours researching and learning about anything photography related I can get my hands on……but I still have a long way to go!

 

I started replying to those sweet e-mails then thought “Hum I wonder if there are others out there with the same questions? Maybe I should post something on the ole blog in case there are!” So here were are. I have several questions I’ll be answering and have decided to break them down into a few post. Sunday’s will be our photography chat day!

Okay let’s dive in!  

Photography has always been a passion of mine. Knowing how expensive quality D SLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) cameras can be I never thought it was possible for me to fully get into photography the way I would have liked to. I just couldn't fathom spending thousands of dollars on a camera, lenses, and editing software. Oh I wanted to REALLLL bad but I just didn’t have the funds in my pocket at the time so I made do with what I had over the years which was a handful of point and shoot cameras.

Although a D SLRs help by giving the photographer more creative control over their images you can still have fun with your point and shoot camera…trust me!

Q: Stephanie sent me an email asking for tips to help improve her pictures. Stephanie thanks so much for your e-mail this post is dedicated to you sister!

A Few Quick Tips to
Help You Along the Way…….

A: ALWAYS keep a camera with you! You never know when something pretty, cute, inspiring, or funny may come up. If you have your camera handy you’re able to capture that special moment. I ALWAYS have a camera in my purse and still use my point and shoot sometimes.

 

This picture automatically came to mind as I was typing this.
  
Point and shoot image
No editing……they sky really was that color!

I was walking out of Ross one evening and literally stopped in my tracks when I saw the sky. My arms were full of bags but knew I wanted to remember what I was seeing. I stopped right there in the parking lot, put down my bags, and pulled out my little point and shoot camera! People in the parking lot were looking at me like I was nuts but I thought they were nuts for not enjoying the beautiful sunset. It was literally breathtaking. I have yet to see one as beautiful as I did that evening.

I took this picture 4 years ago but since I always have a camera on hand I’m able to remember it for a lifetime.

*Lighting, lighting, lighting! I’m sure you’ve heard this before but lighting is extremely important when snapping a picture. Turn your flash off, open the blinds or step outside. Using a flash washes your images out.

Here’s where it gets a bit tricky. If you don't have enough lighting your images will look blurry. This is where white balance, shutter speed, ISO, and aperture come into play. That’s a whole different post and something I could go on and on about. I’m assuming most of you reading this have a point and shoot camera so you really don't need to worry about the scary words above because your point and shoot automatically adjust these settings for you. If you take anything from this little segment turn your flash off whenever possible I promise your images will thank me!

*Don’t be afraid to play with angles and levels when taking pictures. There’s no rule that says you always have to shoot horizontally, face on, and have your subject smack dab in the middle of your pictures. Switching things up adds interests to you’re images. Get above or below your subject. If your taking a picture of a child or pet get on their level. Change up the way you hold your camera. Shooting vertically can give you a nice tight shot.  

 

Off centered and eye level with a little one
(I was laying on my stomach when i took this)

 

 

 

 
Shooting vertically

 

 

 

Shooting from above

 

 

 

Shooting from below looking up at my clients

 

 

*Pay Attention to details. Sometimes we’re in such a rush to snap a picture and move on that we miss the little things……..a newborns tiny feet, your pet’s all time favorite toy, your daughter’s new hair cut, your child’s messy room, your husband's favorite coffee cup that he drinks out of every day. I think you get the point. All these things and more are a part of life and something you will enjoy looking back on. Just take a moment to enjoy the things around you and snap a picture so you can remember. They do not always need to be beautiful artistic images so don’t let that keep you from capturing the moment. It’s about you recording a moment or item that means something to you and I’m sure you’ll find you love the picture that much more…..because it’s special to you!   

This cracked me up……snap!

Our AC went out over the summer and Kent was sweet enough to let me sleep on the long couch. Our loveseat is just too small to sleep comfortably so he deiced he was going to sleep on chair and ottoman. When I woke up I saw this. It cracked me up! He pushed the two ottomans together so he would have enough leg room. Ha…smart guy!  

 

 

 
New experience…..snap!

My niece’s first time to have self serve frozen yogurt. This was her concoction after several warnings not to go too crazy with the toppings. After we started eating I asked her what she thought about the yogurt. She said “Uh I haven't gotten to it yet.” She had so many toppings piled on top she was full by the time she got to the yogurt.

 

 

 

Premature newborn recently home from the hospital……..snap!

I thought it would be neat to look back many years from now when she’s all grown and see her precious and once very tiny head compared to her Dad’s. They grow so fast it’s important to capture moments like this along the way.   

 

 

 

 
Point and shoot image

Sweet gesture……..snap!

Kent is super sweet and often brings home beautiful roses from his mother’s garden. He knows I’m not a huge fan of spending cash on flowers from a florist that die within a week. I would rather have that money to go to Goodwill! But roses from his mom’s garden are free and mean so much more! He and his mom take the time to pick the prettiest ones. She snaps the thorns off and wraps the stems in a damp paper towel just for me. How sweet is that! Way better than any store bought flowers! 

 

 

 

Point and shoot image

Special time with a friend…..snap!

My friend Mariel makes the BEST chi tea lattes not only do they taste good but they are beautiful as well!  She has moved away :( but when she was closer she would call me out of the blue and invite me over for a little chi tea latte and chit-chat. Ahh I miss that and her! 

 

 

I’m getting carried away but I think you get the point! Have your camera with you at ALL times, don’t be afraid to play with levels and angles, and turn your flash off!

I’ll end or first installment here. :o)

Next week I’ll answer more questions and talk about editing.

 

 

Below are a few images I took several years ago with my point and shoot.

   
Point and shoot image

 

 

 
Point and shoot image

 
Point and shoot image

 
Point and shoot image
(Playing with the macro setting on my point and shoot.)

 

See it’s possible to capture great images with your point and shoot so don’t feel like you need to run and fork over thousands of dollars to create quality images! It’s all about learning a few tricks and knowing your camera. Ha I do LOVE my D SLRs though. :o) 

To see a picture from one of my 1st photo shoots I’m talking 20 years ago click HERE