I've written a lot about what we should do for our clients, and how we should go about our day-to-day business as photographers. But there's another piece to the puzzle that's equally important — that doesn't involve pricing, sales, licensing, printing or anything else. And that piece is you. We all got into photography for one reason or another. For me, I was stuck at a job that I no longer enjoyed, and I wanted to "break free" from the 9-5 daily routine. I wanted to spread my creative wings, so to speak. I wanted to do things on my … [Read more...] about Photography Marketing: What’s important to you?
creative
Weekly Wrap-Up: February 24-March 2, 2019
The Weekly Wrap-up compiles interesting articles published during the week on Photofocus. This week we posted articles on making photographs in falling snow and from a moving train, a technical look at external graphics cards, thoughts on why landscape photographers want to carry telephoto lenses, what is a normal lens and the value of spending time with our fellow creatives. Enjoy. … [Read more...] about Weekly Wrap-Up: February 24-March 2, 2019
Creative Christmas tree light photography
Christmas is a wonderful time of year for us photographers because we get to experiment with all of the beautiful colors and shapes associated with the season. I’m always striving to find new ways to be creative, so last year I challenged myself to produce creative interpretations of Christmas tree lights. I’d like to show you six different techniques I used that should help get your own creative juices flowing. Since these images require long exposures, you’ll need to use a tripod. Also, you’ll need to use a zoom lens that allows manual … [Read more...] about Creative Christmas tree light photography
Using self portraits to learn
You really dislike having your photo taken, don’t you? Most of us prefer to be on the other side of the camera taking the images. There is something to be said though for using ourselves as models and test subjects in learning how to shoot portraits and also learning general photography. Would you do that yourself? Think about images you see of models. Sometimes they are in precarious positions, scary locations or uncomfortable environments. By trying some of these things yourself you can better empathize with your subjects and help them to … [Read more...] about Using self portraits to learn
Adobe Stock releases 2019 Visual Trends Forecast
With 2019 only weeks away, Adobe is looking forward to what the new year will bring, specifically with visual trends. The Adobe Stock team looked around the world, from fashion runways and art galleries to the business world, pop culture and social media — all with the goal of uncovering what 2019 will bring. Natural instincts As technology increases, this has led to a shift in more people seeking a balance through nature. Artists like Adobe Stock Premium contributor Archan Nair are part of a movement of creatives taking inspiration through … [Read more...] about Adobe Stock releases 2019 Visual Trends Forecast
Turning a Boring Shoot Into an Inspired Photo Session
Editor’s Note: This is a guest post from Cathy Seaver, a commercial photographer in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She works primarily for Cull Group shooting product, corporate headshots, and other client needs. In her off time, Cathy enjoys getting out into nature to shoot what she sees around her. She is also an avid horseback rider, enjoying her time in the saddle on trails and playing around with a bit of dressage. Check out her work on Instagram. Shooting commercially, a photographer doesn’t necessarily get to choose what they are shooting, … [Read more...] about Turning a Boring Shoot Into an Inspired Photo Session
Getting Creative With Instagram’s Multiple Photos Feature
Recently Instagram added the “multiple photos” feature, where an image post can include up to 10 images and/or videos which you can swipe through. Although sharing an album of shots from a trip or shoot is the most obvious choice, I am always on the lookout for new ways to share my work and the stories behind it. Below are some creative ways to use multiple photos in my Instagram posts, as well as a short primer on how to use this new feature. Ideas for Things You Can Do with Multiple Photos Action Sequence (See it on Instagram. Best … [Read more...] about Getting Creative With Instagram’s Multiple Photos Feature
Photographer of the Day – Regina Pagles
Photographer: Regina Pagles - Captain Spaghetti Head Hi everyone! Kristina Sherk here – I am excited to present today’s portrait photographer of the day, the very talented Regina Pagles! This is such a great shot, it totally made me smile this morning when I found it in the Photofocus Flickr community. Regina has amazing vision and excellent compositing skills, see for yourself! The subject of this image is a local owner of a restaurant in town. We agree, Regina, Alex looks great with spaghetti on his head! I’m definitely inspired to have … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day – Regina Pagles
Using Shutter Speed Creatively To Blur Your Image
Using shutter speed to create a blur in your images is one of many tools in your photography toolbox. Here are some techniques to consider: 1. Panning. When panning, as you press down the shutter release button you follow the motion of your subject with your camera, from right to left, or left to right. The goal is to keep your subject as sharp as possible in your resulting image, with the background blurred. Panning is hard to get right. It requires practice and luck. The key is to move your camera at the same speed as your subject … [Read more...] about Using Shutter Speed Creatively To Blur Your Image
Photographer of the Day: Tobias Gawrisch
Category: Creative Photograph: Street, by Ric Rus Originally shared on the Photofocus Flickr community right here. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photographer of the Day: Tobias Gawrisch
You Don’t Have To
“When clients demand something, it’s mediocre at best. You don’t have to shoot it the way they want you to shoot it.” Ewan and Brianna Phelan (out of this world amazing boudoir photographers you can read about here) said this once at a seminar I was lucky enough to be present for and the statement really resonated with me. In wedding photography, we often get wrapped up in client requests that make us groan. Not only for the simple reason that they “saw it on Pinterest” and it’s blatant plagiarism to be copying the exact image, but from the … [Read more...] about You Don’t Have To
Photo of the Day: London 2015
Category: Creative Photograph: London 2015, by Karina Ter Originally shared on the Photofocus Facebook community right here. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: London 2015
Photo of the Day: A Spy in the Midst
Category: Creative Photograph: A Spy in the Midst, by Johnny [Shakedown] Originally shared on the Photofocus Flickr community right here. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: A Spy in the Midst
Photo of the Day: Architecture – Past and Present
Category: Architecture Photograph: Architecture: Past and Present, by Manuel Buetti. Originally shared on the Photofocus Flickr community, right here. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Architecture – Past and Present
Photo of the Day: Isolated
Category: Creative Photograph: Isolated, by Thibault Roland Originally shared on the Photofocus Facebook community . To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Isolated
Photo of the Day: Solitude
Category: Creative Photograph: Solitude, by Bernd Weller Originally shared on the Photofocus Facebook community . To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Solitude
Photo of the Day: Friends Forever!
Category: Creative Photograph: Friends Forever!, by Saffat iptida Originally shared on the Photofocus Flickr community right here. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Friends Forever!
Photo of the Day: Spotlight / Blue Gel
Category: Creative Photograph: Spotlight / Blue Gel, by Michi Nas Originally shared on the Photofocus Facebook community right here. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Spotlight / Blue Gel
Photo of the Day: Together we Stay Strong
Category: Creative Photograph: Together we Stay Strong, by Arto Leppnen Originally shared on the Photofocus Flickr community right here. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Together we Stay Strong
Photo of the Day: Cooler Study II
Category: Creative Photograph: Cooler Study II, by Liz Glass Originally shared on the Photofocus Flickr community right here. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Cooler Study II
Photo of the Day: Day Lily
Category: Creative Photograph: Day Lily, by Joe_R Originally shared on the Photofocus Flickr community right here. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Day Lily
Photo of the Day: My Daughter
Category: Family Photograph: My Daughter, by Valerie Kuepper Originally shared on the Photofocus Facebook community . To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: My Daughter
Photo of the Day: Under the Pier
Category: Creative Photograph: Under the Pier, by Kevin Britton Originally shared on the Photofocus Flickr community right here. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Under the Pier
Photo of the Day: Shelf
Category: Creative Photograph: "Shelf", by Marcel Theriault Originally shared on the Photofocus Facebook community . To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Shelf
Photo of the Day: Laundry
Category: Creative. Photograph: Laundry by Richard Johnson Originally shared on the Photofocus Google Plus community right here. To learn how your work can be featured on the site, please read this article. … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Laundry
Lightroom Hangout: From Download to Mobile and Everywhere in Between: The Workflow Episode, with Vanelli and Nick Minore
You gotta join us live for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We kick of Thursday 3/26, 1:00pm Eastern, 10:00am Pacific/ 1:00pm Eastern. RSVP here and it'll show your local time. Starting with downloading from a memory card all the way to publishing finished photographs on the interwebs, these experts will open your eyes to terrific techniques for making … [Read more...] about Lightroom Hangout: From Download to Mobile and Everywhere in Between: The Workflow Episode, with Vanelli and Nick Minore
Ship or Shut Up
"What you do for a living is not be creative, what you do is ship." Seth Godin At the bottom of this post, you will find a video recently posted by a good friend of mine who owns small game publishing house. He and his partner are well-respected in their industry for delivering quality products that their audience love. So, when he posted this as a call to all creatives, I had to make time to watch. I wasn't disappointed. As creatives, we live and die by our ability to see the world, real or imagined, differently than the average … [Read more...] about Ship or Shut Up
The Real Student Struggle
I'm a formal student of photography and probably will be a life-long student of it, and I'm faced with constant struggles in class. Although fighting through the completion of degree (that doesn't necessarily help you to not become a starving artist) is a very real, hefty and common problem that students face, there are deeper and more dampening issues for those photography protgs--especially for those who have been fueled by their passion and took it upon themselves to study and experiment, which includes me. While every student's education … [Read more...] about The Real Student Struggle
No Tripod – No Problem – Improvise
There are lots of times a tripod comes in handy. Of course you might not have one on hand when you need it most. Here are three of my favorite techniques to overcome the lack of a tripod. Swaddle the Camera This technique works best for time-lapse. Take a sweatshirt or jacket and ball it into a nest of sorts. The camera literally sits inside the nest which absorbs vibration and keeps the body from falling over. Find a Bar This technique is best for HDR or low-light shooting. Find a railing, a park bench, a garbage can even. The key is to … [Read more...] about No Tripod – No Problem – Improvise
