by Guest Contributor Anna Bilowus

Do you ever just start pressing the shutter button because you feel the moment is right?  Your subjects are having fun, laughing or smiling; so, you have to capture it!  Then you view the photographs on the computer and there is a leg cropped off at the knee; pole coming out of the top of someone’s head; and their skin is green! I am guilty!  In my first year of learning manual exposure there were a lot of elements to juggle when trying to capture the “perfect” photograph. I finally realized I needed to slow down to think and imagine before I snap.

There are a few reasons that it is important to get your photo right in camera.  First, because it is less work at the computer.  Second, it preserves the quality of your photos. Last, the photo may not be salvageable.

First, you need to THINK about the technical elements.

Shutter Speed. Start with 1/125 for sitting subjects. If they are on the move definitely start with 1/250.   For those subjects that are really on the move consider continuous shooting mode.  This is also a great way to capture a series.

Aperture. How many people are you photographing?  The more people the smaller you want your aperture.  Unless, I am attempting to get creative I start with  f/2.8 for 1-2 people.  How close will you be to your subject? Again, you may want to decrease the size of your aperture if you are getting really close to ensure everything is in focus.  Is there distracting objects in the background?  If the background is distracting and you can’t relocate enlarge your aperture, create some beautiful bokeh.

ISO. Keep as low as you can without compromising your photo.  Noise can be fixed.

White Balance.  Select the correct white balance.  This makes a big difference in your color and it can help reduce noise.

Automatic Focus Mode.  If you haven’t already, consider changing your automatic focus mode to Al Servo.  Al Servo will help track your moving subject.

Second, IMAGINE your photographs before you snap.

This is where you get to be creative.  Your creative talent is what sets you apart as a unique talent.  So, imagine the perfect light and perfect location for you to compose your photographs.

Lighting. Watch out for harsh shadows.   The sun provides beautiful light, but at the wrong time of day it can create harsh shadows that are very hard to fix.  Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to take pictures in the sun.  If that time of day is not convenient look for open shade (you and your subject are in the shade) is a great solution when the sun is high and bright.   You can get amazing catch light in the eyes too if you have your subject facing the light source.

Composition.  Always compose before your snap.  You can’t fix a missing foot.  You can’t avoid cropping your photograph when your horizon is crooked.  Try to avoid distractions like a tree branch sticking out of your subject’s head.  You don’t want too much going on in your photograph (too many people or distracting objects in the background).  If the location can not be changed, try opening up your aperture to blur out the distractions or get in close. However, when getting in close try to avoid cropping off parts of the body.  You want to avoid cropping at the joints.

Composition is just as important as exposure.  This is what draws the eye to your photograph.  Have a plan before you start!  Exercise your mind by practicing the tips in the this fantastic article – 10 Tips for mastering composition.

In conclusion, if you force yourself to THINK and IMAGINE before you SNAP you will spend less time at the computer and more time creating beautiful photographs.

I have always had a desire to be creative but could never sit still long enough to sew, paint, draw or glue. I think photography is the perfect creative outlet for me. I am learning something new everyday by capturing the beauty of life.  Learn more from Anna on her website Clik With Me.

by Guest Contributor Elizabeth Halford

“Hi I’m Elizabeth! I want to use your hard earned fan-base to easily grown my own. Please ‘like me’ back!” If you’re a photographer, blogger or vendor for photographers, do you want people leaving advertisements like these on your Facebook page? Even worse, are you a photographer or vendor guilty of this rudeness? Stop! Think! And read the rest of this post.

Facebook was quickly picked up as a totally genius way to grow your business, reach out to your clients and build a fabulous fanbase. Once you have these fans, you can do a few things with them: you can build a community around yourself & your brand, you can gain bookings if you’re a photographer or if you’re a vendor, you can sell your products. If you follow the rules, you can also run fabulous competitions and get your name out there by giving what you’ve got. With all the rich diversity that Facebook offers folks like us, there is also a niche for giving tutorials and information to photographers about how to maximize these opportunities. Unfortunately, it seems that some people are learning to squat on others’ Facebook pages and utilize their hard-earned fan bases to advertise their own products and services. It often looks something like this:

I’ve noticed a large spike in these squatters recently and these are the trends that seem pretty consistent with them:

• I have no clue who they are
• They’ve never included themselves in conversations going on in my discussions tab or on my blog. I.e.: they’re not friends of Elizabeth Halford Photography & they don’t intend to be
• They ask me to ‘like’ them
• I never hear from them again
• They have a very small number of ‘likes’
• With the exception of a few vendors who should know better, they are almost exclusively amateur photographers just starting out

At the risk of looking like a total jerk, I have to say that I really don’t think these people know better. Some are vendors who want to tell my fans to come look at their sale (a surefire way to get banned from my page) but most are beginners who just want people to look at, and comment on, their work. In our hear of hearts, even the most advanced of us still just want to know that people like us, so how can I blame them? But there are rules to follow if you don’t want to look desperate and get your post removed.

{How not to do it}

Do not post a link to your page on someone’s wall without first emailing them and asking. Just because you can do it in 2 seconds flat doesn’t mean you should. Practice common courtesy.

Do not post your products or sales to someone’s page. Same rules as above.

Do not advertise your services on the page of a fellow local photographer. I can’t believe that I even have to say this, but it happens.

{How to do it}

Facebook now allows you to login and engage as your page. Which means that I can go to Pretty Presets and leave this much more appropriate message:

While logged-in as your page, you can comment on photos and statuses from other pages your page likes {you have to ‘like’ it while logged in as your page, not just ‘like’ it personally while logged in as your personal profile}. This is where you go to log in as your page:

If you’re posting for the first time on someone’s wall, leave a meaningful message, not just a “like me back” message. Tell them your favorite shot of theirs or how their work makes you feel. Don’t just try to sweep through and grab a few more likes. It looks slimy and cold and doesn’t do much for your relationship with that page in the future.

Another way you can be seen on someone’s wall is to include a mention in your own status. If you want to mention another photographer or vendor in your status, use the @ symbol before beginning to type their name and it will drop down for you to select like this:

The mention will appear on you wall and on theirs and is considered the safest way to pop up on someone else’s wall without looking cheap.

If you’re a vendor and you want to establish a relationship with a photographer you admire, do it the old fashioned way: offer them a complementary item. Ask only that, if they like it, they use it and send you a shot once you have. If you’re nice, that photographer will give you a shout-out on their page or blog for your kindness and you will gain far more likes than if you just squatted on their page.

{How I did it}

I have steadily gotten around 1,000 new fans per month for the last few months. I have never once posted my link on some stranger’s wall and asked for new fans. In addition to the points above, I have also:

• Spent a lot of time writing guest posts like this one
• Written tutorials on my own blog and posted them in forums, answered questions on Yahoo Questions, etc.
• Gotten involved in communities like Rock the Shot. Posted my Facebook link in my post signature and gotten involved in threads where everyone is liking eachother’s pages.
• Offered stuff for free. The information I post on my blog, many others charge for. I give something for free and, in return, I’ve gained a good, solid fanbase who I love and they love me back.
• I give products away in giveaways from other photogs and vendors who have a good solid fanbase of their own.
• Used the actions, presets and templates from fabulous vendors. Some vendors allow photogs to post B&A images directly to their page and some ask that you email them first. There are also Flickr groups from these vendors where users can post their B&As. This doesn’t directly lead to FB likes, but I often follow someone’s Flickr to their FB and ‘like’ them.

If you’re a photographer who has squatters posting inappropriately on your wall, don’t feel bad for removing those posts. You can even ban repeat offenders. The way I think about it is this: I charge for ad space on my blog. Why should ads on my Facebook wall be free?

Facebook is a very new establishment in our post modern social structure and these are things we have to discover and work out on our own to find out what’s rude and what isn’t. What works and what doesn’t. But no matter how you decide to move forward, always remember the golden rule and treat others as you would like to be treated.

So please for goodness sake after all this hard work…go like me on Facebook!

About the Author: Elizabeth Halford is a professional photographer and blogger. She gives real photography advice in real.plain.english. Visit her on Facebook and join a community of photographers just like you!

 by Guest Contributor Rachel Durik

I started my business as a wedding photographer in North Carolina. My family had lived there for years and word quickly spread about what I was doing. Work practically fell in my lap. It came so easily that I thought rebuilding my business after moving to Florida wouldn’t be so hard.

Wow, was I wrong! It took nearly two years of pushing myself to finally make it to the point where I have (somewhat) regular work.  Along the way, I’ve learned some lessons about what you should (and shouldn’t) do to break into the wedding photography industry.

1. Advertise

I had read on several blogs about successful photographers who relied solely on word of mouth and never spent a penny on advertising.  Because of this, I thought that I would never need to advertise. The problem with this for me was that I didn’t have any local brides that could tell their friends. I needed to get some weddings first. Finally, I decided that I would need to invest some money in advertising. The first place I went was a very popular wedding website. It was expensive, didn’t generate many leads at all and the customer service was terrible. Next, I tried Facebook, which has been my most successful means of advertising.  Don’t be afraid to advertise to let people know you exist!

2. Work for Free (for the right people!)

I don’t suggest shooting any weddings for free. People who are willing to accept a free photographer probably won’t be referring clients to you and it won’t get you far. Instead, offer to do some complimentary work for local vendors. Early on, I was able to connect with a local event planning company that planned very high-end weddings. I photographed their designs at one event for free and with those images, I created a mini-album and some 5×7 cards with their name and logo featured.  When I delivered them, the owner was pleased, looked directly at me and told me what a smart move it was. Ever since, I’ve been working for this company and have been introduced to other very important people in the field as a result.

3. Get Experience

By all means, before you agree to shoot a wedding, be a second shooter for several weddings to gain experience. Contact other local photographers and see if you can build any relationships with them. If this doesn’t work, online forums sometimes will help you connect. Depending on how badly you want experience, you might even have to be willing to travel.  For example, a former workshop student of mine asked if she could second shoot with me at a wedding. She offered for free and is flying in from out of state. How could I possibly say no to that?

4. Be Yourself – Or don’t!

You want to be yourself when meeting with potential clients to make sure you’re a good fit. But my natural tendency is to be shy and introverted. When it comes to breaking into the business and signing clients, I often have to do what feel completely uncomfortable and unnatural for my personality– I have to put myself out there, get introductions, and be outgoing. It’s not easy for me, but I know that when I come home, I can return to my introverted self. A wedding photographer has to be a people person, so if that’s the job I want, that’s what I’ll be!

5. Don’t Give Up

It took me a whole year and a half of working day after day in Florida to book my first wedding. It might take time, but if you have determination, perseverance, and a willingness to work hard, you’ll meet your goals!

About the Author:  Rachel Durik is a photographer located in Southwest Florida. You can learn more by visiting her photography site, Savor Photography, Naples Wedding Photographer, the Savor Facebook page, or by attending her online Photoshop and Lightroom classes.

by Guest Contributor Misti Tracy from Love That Shot

What makes a photo stand out from the crowd? Is it its unique use of color? Choice of subject matter? Or maybe its awesome post-processing? While it could be any number of these things, chances are, composition has a big part to play in it all. Often times, something as simple as how the photo is composed can make all the difference. Things like depth of field, contrast, negative space, and converging lines, when used to their fullest potential, can greatly increase your photo’s chance of getting noticed.

Here are ten of my favorite tips for mastering composition in your photographs:

[1] Keep the Horizon Line Straight

This might seem like a common sense, no brainer tip but you may be surprised at how many times it’s overlooked. Sometimes we’re so focused on getting that fabulous shot that we forget about the things in the background that could make or break that perfect shot. Pay close attention to the horizon line behind your subject…even if it’s only slightly visible through trees, houses, etc. Your camera may have a grid or guideline setting to make this easier.

[2] Maximize the Potential of Depth of Field

When shooting a photo, especially a portrait, it’s important to make sure the focus is always on your subject. One way to accomplish this is to eliminate any distracting background that could be competing for attention. Using a shallow depth of field will blur the background creating a beautiful bokeh texture, which will frame your subject nicely. Achieving shallow depth of field is easy, just open up your lens as wide as it will go! If you’re lucky enough to have a lens that will open up to the f1.4 range then you’ll have more than enough room to work with. For portraits, I would suggest starting at f2.8, then work from there as you become more comfortable.

Use this technique on your everyday photos as well and transform them from candid to captivating!

Using a kit lens with an aperture of only f5.6? Here’s a trick to maximizing depth of field…

[3] Step Away From the Background

Have your subject move several feet away from the background. This will create the illusion of a wider aperture by creating more space between the subject and background, allowing the available aperture to work its magic and blur what would have been in focus right along with the subject.

[4] Maximize the Potential of Negative Space

Building off of the gorgeous bokeh you’ve created using shallow depth of field in the tips above, try using negative space to direct the eye to the focal point. To do this, experiment with framing your subject to the left or right, rather than smack dab in the middle of your photo.

[5] Be Aware of the Background

This may go without saying, but always be aware of what’s going on in the background of your photo. Keep an eye out for anything that could be distracting. If something stands out as unsightly, change your view point, blur the background with depth of field, or have your subject move to a different area.

[6] Move Around

In addition to playing with the placement of your subject in the frame, experiment with different angles. Physically move around. Photograph from above, the side, or even below.

[7] Add Contrast

Use what is in the environment around your subject. Use differences in texture, color, and shapes to create contrast with your subject and the background.

[8] Fill Your Frame

Don’t be afraid to zoom in real close! Don’t have a zoom lens? Then take a step closer. Whether you’re shooting a landscape or a portrait, fill the frame!

[9] Converging Lines

One easy way to direct the eye to your subject or focal point is to look for lines that occur naturally in the scene. Take advantage of perspective lines in roadways, architecture, etc.

[10] Break the Rules!

Now that you’ve learned a few basic tricks, I’m going to totally blow your mind…forget everything! Okay, well not entirely everything. But I do want you to get out there and experiment because hey, rules are meant to be broken, right? The key to being creative and finding your own style is to learn the basics, and find ways to infuse your personality into them. So don’t be afraid to take risks and break the rules!

Keep an eye out for “Get Your Photos Noticed” [Part 2], where Michelle will share a few of her secrets to adding the “WOW!” factor! You’re not going to want to miss this one!

About the Author: We are Misti and Michelle, sisters and co-founders of Love that Shot. Love that Shot is for the beginner and amateur photographer. We teach you how to use your camera, and edit your photos, so you can improve your photography skills. We’re your first stop along your path to professional photography, if that’s your goal, or we’ll help you make your hobby more enjoyable!

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