Photography
How to Set Up The Perfect Outdoors Photography Space
If you are someone that works in the creative sector, then it is likely that you have spent the last couple of years in a state of unrest. Life has been very unsure for performers and creative individuals, as to be able to do the jobs they usually have to have an audience or at least work with someone.
However, thanks to the government rules that were put in place to protect us all, a lot of creative practices were forced to close. This meant that you were not allowed to go and see a play, see a concert, get a tattoo, or be involved in a photography shoot.
Now that the rules are easing, people that work in creative sectors are once again able to go to work and do the job that they love. However, people are still about conscious about being so close to people in the current climate and so this means that more intimate creative jobs are suffering.
If you are someone that works in photography, then it is likely that you have had much fewer clients than usual over the last few months and people are still a bit worried about being in a confined space with someone.
Now that the sun is coming out, you will be excited to know that you have the opportunity to get more clients by taking pictures outdoors. Not many photographers enjoy taking pictures outdoors for a number of reasons. First of all, the elements can be unpredictable and you never know whether or not a day is going to be right for pictures.
Secondly, when you take photographs indoors you have full control of what the lighting is like so you can get the best possible results from your photographs, and when you go outside you have to work with natural lighting, so it can be unfamiliar territory. If you have never taken pictures outside and you are not sure what kind of setup you need, here is a bit of insight on how to set up the perfect outdoor photography space.
Make Sure You Have OverHead Protection
If you are taking pictures outside, it is likely that you will want to make the most of the outdoor appearance and really embrace nature in all of your pictures. For this reason, it may be silly to use something like a gazebo, as this will take away from the natural look of your images.
However, something that you have to take into account is that nature can be unpredictable and there are a lot of things that can disturb your photographs. For example, it could be very windy and this could disrupt your model or even blow away some props.
It may also start to randomly rain and this comes with its own problems such as equipment damage and shoots disruption. You will be glad to know that there is a solution if this possibly happens.
First of all, you can buy a gazebo. What you may not know is that gazebos usually have the option to take the sides off. This means that if you still want to get the natural environment into your pictures, you can take off a side of the gazebo and just have the space above you protected.
If it is incredibly windy, you can keep the sides on the gazebo and just have the back exposed. As a photographer, you will be familiar with camera trickery and so you will know exactly how to keep your model protected, all while making it appear as though you are using nothing at all.
Make Sure Your Environment Looks Good
If you are lucky enough to have a garden, you may wish to set up your photography space outside in your garden. This just makes sense as it means that you do not have to carry your possessions back and forth from a different location and you can take last-minute photography appointments whenever you feel like it.
Because it is your garden, there is no escaping that your garden will look kind of used. However, you can make sure that it looks presentable enough for you to be able to take pictures. If your garden has been quite neglected for a while, I would recommend that you hire a landscaper to clean it up and make sure that it is ready for photographs. Finding the right landscaper can be quite difficult, it is important to use a company with good reviews, as this will let you know whether or not the company offers a quality service.
As well as having your garden landscaped, it may be worth spending some money to get your garden professionally cleaned. When you take a picture, you want the main focus of your picture to be the model that you are taking pictures of but it is easy for people to pay attention to the little details and any mess that they may see in the pictures.
You don’t necessarily have to get a professional to clean your garden, but you do have to make sure that you do a thorough job and have the tools to make sure that it is done right. I would recommend stocking up on some of your basic garden necessities such as a powerful hose and sheering equipment that will come in handy with pruning later on.
Music Genres Proven To Improve Your Creativity When Taking Pictures
If you are a photographer, it is likely that at one point or another you have hit a creative wall. People tend to relate creative blocks with writing and songwriting, but they seem to forget that photographers can also be hit by a creative block.
If you are someone that photographs a specific type of subject, then you may feel as though you have overused it and you no longer have any inspiration. Luckily, inspiration can be found in a lot of different ways. You can be inspired by your surroundings, literature, and other forms of creativity.
A really popular way that photographers find inspiration for their pictures is by listening to music. A lot of photographers that find themselves in creative ruts state that listening to music always helps them escape this rut and different genres tend to give them different energy and allow them to explore their art in a new way.
If you are someone that has been stuck in a rut for a while, you may be looking for a brand new way to enhance your photography. Here is a look into the different music genres that have been proven to improve your creativity when you are taking pictures.
Jazz
For decades now, when people have found themselves in a poor creative position they have reached out to jazz. Jazz was one of the first genres of music that was marketed to the world and people all over the world have been absolutely taken by this genre.
There is something about Jazz that really gets the creative juices flowing and there are a few reasons why this could be the case. First of all, the composition of jazz songs is usually very crazy and very interesting. Jazz gets your heart beating really fast and this can really inspire you to get on your feet and start taking pictures.
Jazz also feels as though it can transform you into a completely different headspace, which is just what you need sometimes to be able to really explore your creativity.
House
House has been around since the late 80s and it was said to have created a whole generation of ravers. People that listen to the house tend to associate it with a feeling of euphoria and they say that it takes you to a completely different place.
House has really evolved in the last few years and thanks to the improvement of production technology that we have access to. If you are someone that has never really listened to the house before, then something that you can do is check out some of the house playlists that you can find on Spotify. A lot of these playlists include the top house songs for 2022 and you can give them a listen and see if they offer any sort of inspiration for you.
Classic Rock
You may be surprised to see the classic rock on this list, but classic rock is actually a great genre for getting inspiration for your music. Something that you have to remember is that a lot of classic rock songs have incredibly emotional lyrics.
Even if a song seems like it is very fast-paced, in reality, it is likely very emotional. That makes it very similar to photography, as when someone is taking a picture they really need to connect with their emotions. Sometimes listening to songs with sad topics can really help you connect with your emotions and this can inspire you to put these emotions into the picture that you are taking. Plus, who doesn’t love a fantastic classic rock ballad?
Tips for Making a Photography Client Feel More Relaxed
If you are a photographer, it is likely that you prefer working with humans as your subject. Though landscapes and landmarks can be beautiful subjects to photograph, it is likely that they have already been captured a million different times and there is not much that you can add to the image to improve it.
When you are working with human clients, it is far more exciting. The human body is really interesting and incredibly beautiful. Humans are incredibly diverse too, which means that every new person that you photograph can offer brand new inspiration and a brand new insight into how the human body looks.
If you are someone that likes taking pictures of people, then it is likely that you have already photographed your friends hundreds of times and you are looking for someone new to inspire you.
It is not uncommon for photographers to take on clients, especially if they need to make a bit of money on the side. Though photographing people is a great way to make some extra cash, there is absolutely no denying that it can be awkward sometimes.
Taking pictures can be a very intimate affair and if you don’t really know someone, then it can be quite uncomfortable. When people are uncomfortable, it can be very noticeable in your pictures. When you are trying to photograph someone, you want them to feel comfortable, but if you feel awkward yourself this may be hard to achieve. Here are some tips for making a photography client feel more relaxed.
Let them bring a friend
When you are doing a one-on-one session with someone that you do not know, it can be very easy for you both to feel incredibly awkward. Instead of letting this get in the way, I would suggest that you let them bring a friend that can watch on the sidelines.
There are a lot of advantages to allowing friends in the photography studio. First of all, it would make your client feel a lot safer as they will not be going to the house of an unknown person without support from somebody that they know.
If they have a friend there, then they will feel a lot calmer and a lot more open to the pictures. It is only natural for friends to crack jokes with each other and so there will likely be a lot of laughter between the two people. If you encourage them to chat when you are taking the pictures, you may be able to capture a lot of candid scenes that could result in some pretty cool pictures. Their friend may also have some suggestions for changes that you can make and you could ask for their opinions on the set etc.
Make Them Laugh
A great way to make anyone feel much more comfortable is by making them laugh. We can all feel a bit uneasy when we are meeting new people but that does not mean that we have to continue with the awkward feeling.
If you can tell that your client is feeling a bit uncomfortable, feel free to crack a few jokes. This technique is very popular when you are using younger clients, as they can be very shy and very nervous at the start. If you photograph children, then don’t be afraid to get very silly with your jokes.
There is nothing that children love more than a goofy joke and if you are photographing a child, then you are probably taking the picture for their parents and so you will want a picture of them laughing and smiling.
If you aren’t very comfortable being silly, don’t be afraid to bring some props along with you. You can bring some teddy bears or some funny cartoon characters, all of which can make children laugh in seconds and have everyone feel much more relaxed.
Get to Know Your Client
The main reason why photographing a new client can feel so awkward for you both is because you are complete strangers. Instead of remaining strangers throughout the entire session, you can get to know them and this will make you both feel much more comfortable.
There are a number of ways that you can get to know someone and it is very easy to do. I would recommend taking a look at Ponly.com, where you can find a list of 200+ questions that you can ask them.
You can just casually ask them the questions while you are taking the pictures and this will be a great way to break through some awkward silence. A good topic for conversion is always which movies you have been watching and any music that they may like, as you could relate back to this and continue to have a long conversation.
The Best Destinations to Capture Pictures of Beautiful Landscapes
As a photographer, it is likely that you are constantly looking for inspiration for your next photography project. A beautiful thing that many photographers can do, is photograph one location a million different ways, all with their own perspective and story to tell.
In the last year, there have been travelling restrictions all over the world. This means that as a photographer, you have been limited to your local area of inspiration. Every good photographer can perceive a location in a million different ways, but there are only so many times that you can photograph a space before you start to feel a little less inspired.
If you have been feeling the brunt of this loss of inspiration, then you will be glad to know that travel restrictions have started to ease up. This means that you can finally jet off and find other sources of inspiration for your photography in any location around the world.
Of course, some places are still cut off from the world at the moment, so you may be wondering where you can go. There are plenty of places that are open to the world and some of them have absolutely beautiful landscapes that need to be photographed. Here are some of the best destinations to capture pictures of beautiful landscapes.
Chile- The Valley of the Moon
This landscape can only be described in one way and that is surreal. The Valley of the Moon has earned its name due to its resemblance with the craters of the moon and the way in which the moon sets behind the mountains at night.
This landscape is just absolutely beautiful and it can be photographed at essentially any angle and still look amazing. This location is an example of natural processes creating beautiful appearances, as the lunar craters that have earned the location its name was actually caused by harsh waters and heavy winds.
Every time the sun rises, the landscape is filled with beautiful orange and purple colors and it feels as though a new aspect of the location is revealed. There are dozens of hidden caverns and caves that occasionally catch the light and stand out very clearly, which means that you can stand at one point throughout the day and create beautiful photography at any given hour.
Jamaica
I find it near impossible to pinpoint just one place in this country, as there are so many extraordinary places that you can visit. The whole island of Jamaica is incredibly beautiful, and it is surrounded by brilliant white beaches and even more exciting deep blue waters.
Something that a photographer portfolio could never have too much of is brilliant beach pictures.
My husband is a photographer and when we were planning our honeymoon a few years ago, we did it with brilliant photography in mind. We wanted to be able to capture memories that could last a lifetime and we wanted these photographs to have a brilliant background. We wanted our honeymoon pictures to be candid and so every picture had to appear natural, which made a beautiful location a must-have. We were dead set on visiting a sandals resort and so it only made sense that we picked a sandals honeymoon resort in Jamaica, as this had the most beautiful natural scenery that I just had to make the most of when I had the opportunity to.
We managed to do a beautiful beach shoot which was just absolutely unforgettable and so if you are someone that is eager to find a place with plenty of photography opportunities, you definitely need to take a trip to Jamaica.
New York City
For some people, photographing natural landscapes and scenery just isn’t their thing. Every photographer has their own area of expertise and if you are someone that enjoys capturing life and the hustle and bustle of the busy streets, then you just have to visit New York.
New York is one of those places that you have to visit at one point in your life and it is certainly a fantastic place to capture some great landscape photography. It is not likely that you will run into any natural landscape to photograph, but instead, you can celebrate the work that has been created by man.
The New York skyline is one of the most famous skylines in the world and it has been photographed in a million and one unique ways. As I stated previously, photographers have this magical ability to take something that may have been photographed a million times, but yet create their own unique vision of how that landscape may look. The New York skyline is something that all photographers should try and put their spin on at one point or another, as camera technology has completely reinvented the way in which you can capture the appearance of the skyline, so why not give it a go yourself?
As well as being able to capture the New York skyline, due to all of the accessible skyscrapers that you can enter, you can also capture a lot of brilliant pictures of some of New York’s most well-known tourist locations. For example, you can capture a brilliant picture of the Empire state building, or you can get a bird’s eye picture of what Central Park looks like throughout the different seasons of the year.
Why Lisbon has Become a Photography Hotspot
If you are a photographer, then the last year has probably been especially hard on you. As a photographer, it is in your nature to want to look for new sources of inspiration and brand new scenes that you can photograph. As we haven’t really been able to travel for the last year, you may have found yourself in somewhat of a creative rut as you have probably only been able to photograph in the same places, which can get quite tedious after a while.
Now that we are allowed to head out and enjoy the world again, as a photographer you are probably excited to get out there and dust off the old camera lens. With the whole world at your disposal, it can be difficult to choose where to go and it can be even more difficult to figure out where will be the best location to get the best snapshots on your camera. If you have stumbled across this article then you may be looking for advice and the advice that we can offer you is to go to Lisbon. Millions of aspiring and professional photographers are traveling to Lisbon this year to take amazing photographs, but why exactly has Lisbon become such a photography Hotspot?
It is a beautiful country
Something that nobody can deny is that Lisbon is a beautiful country. Located in Portugal, Lisbon gets plenty of sun which means that an array of plants are able to easily thrive in the climate. The vast nature located within Lisbon makes it extremely beautiful and those that travel via plane over the location have said you can see the floral landscapes that it has to offer for miles.
As soon as you step off the plane in Lisbon, you are instantly exposed to towering hills and plenty of organically occurring nature. If you are a photographer, then you may have a hard time actually seeing the place as you will have to stop every couple of seconds in order to capture the beauty of the location on your camera. All that you need to do is travel a few feet and you will be taken back by just how wonderful the place looks. If you are someone that doesn’t necessarily live in the most aesthetically pleasing place, then this will be a refreshing break from your usual scenery and may even inspire your next photography project.
Historic buildings
If you are a photographer that loves capturing modern moments in history, then Lisbon is a great location due to just how many historical landmarks still exist. You don’t even need to travel far before you encounter a piece of history and there are many transport links that take you straight to historical locations and if you are someone that wants to drive around and explore by yourself, this company offers motorcycle rental in Lisbon which you can use to travel straight to some of the most amazing locations.
One of the most popular destinations for photographers located within Lisbon is the Torre de Belem. What makes this location such a well-photographed part of Lisbon is the fact that when the tides lower, the castle rises out of the Tagus River. If you catch this happening at the right moment, you can get a brilliant photograph of the scene which means that you can enjoy the design plans of ancient architects. When the tide is up, you can still access the building by going over a bridge. From this bridge, you can get a beautiful view of the ocean and on top of that you can also get a view of the interior of Torre de Belem, so you can really look at the work that has been put into it and how it has held up over time.
Modern Art
As well as having a lot of historical buildings and architecture that you can take pictures of, you can also photograph some more modern art. Lisbon is well known for having a lot of urban street artists that do a lot of graffiti and make statues that just have to be captured. This can make for some excellent photography, which means that it would be silly not to check it out for yourself.
Nature Photography: How to Properly Photograph Wild Animals
I’m sure that we can all agree that nature is beautiful. If you are someone that loves animals, you have probably had the experience of stopping in your tracks to admire an animal that has wandered into your path. Plenty of us sit at home and spend countless hours staring at compilations of animals doing funny things or wildlife photography that pops up on our newsfeeds. However, many of us don’t really think about what went into making these images possible and what lengths the photographer had to go through in order to capture the images that they were able to.
There are plenty of us that are silently appreciative of the pictures that we see, some of us so much so that we want to try and capture our own wildlife photography. For those of us that have attempted to capture pictures of animals out in the wild, it is easy to quickly fall victim to fast-moving creatures and a poor-quality camera. Now, you don’t need to invest thousands into pursuing your photography passions, but there are some techniques that you need to pick up in order to capture quality pictures of the animals.
Keep them still
One of the biggest issues that you will find yourself facing when trying to take wildlife photography is just how much animals like to run. Most animals live in constant fear of predators, so any slight shock can result in them running away as fast as they possibly can. Even the animals that are willing to be around you may not sit well for your picture, so how can you combat this?
Camouflage clothing
If you find your presence to be the reason why you can’t capture a good image of an animal, you should try techniques that will disguise yourself in the animal’s habitat. A technique that a lot of wildlife photographers use is utilizing camouflage clothing to allow them to blend themselves into their surroundings. If done correctly, then an animal will not notice that you are there and you will be able to freely take pictures of them without being noticed.
Occupy the animal
If you are dealing with an animal that is friendly enough to get close to, but quite fidgety, there are a number of techniques that you can follow to ensure that they sit still enough to photograph.
A common technique that wildlife photographers will use is luring the animals in with food. Now, before you even think about doing this you need to do some research. Animals have very different diets to humans and no two animals share the same diet. Foods that could be considered delicious to one animal could be a death sentence to another. Now of course you want to make sure that the subject of your photography is healthy, so you should take steps to ensure that you are feeding them all of the right foods. If this is something that you are struggling with, you could always seek out tips and advice at petsuppliesunlimited.
Finding the right food will mean that the animal will be preoccupied for enough time for you to get pictures, on top of this who doesn’t love capturing a picture of a cute animal munching down?
Avoid flash photography
One of the biggest mistakes that a new wildlife photographer can make is using flash photography when trying to capture an image of an animal. Flash photography is a big no-no as it can scare or even send an animal into shock. If you are smart enough, you will try and take your pictures in good natural lighting so you won’t need to use any external lighting. Photographs that are taken in natural lighting also feel a lot more authentic, so doing so could work in your favor.
Use a good lens
Now, you don’t need to buy an extremely expensive camera in order to take good pictures of wildlife, but you will need a quality lens. It is likely that you won’t be close to the animals that you will photograph, so a quality camera lens will ensure that you can get quality pictures from a distance.