Photography

Capturing Life: Breaking Into Still Life Photography

Arguably there is nothing more beautiful than capturing a moment in time. If you’re someone that is into photography, you will be more than aware of how praised still life photographers are around the world, as it takes a certain degree of patience and skill to be able to catch the essence of a moment and publish it into the world. Though it may sound simple, still life photography is a bit more than just taking candid pictures and hoping that they will get praised due to their uniqueness, as more often than not, your run of the mill still like photo will just be ignored. To really catch someone’s attention there are a number of things you can do to produce some really interesting pictures, here is how to break into still life photography.

Acquire interesting props

The props that you use in your pictures are obviously going to be the image’s main focus, because of this you want to make sure that you are using something that really stands out. This can be something beautiful or something quirky. You’re not likely to find props that meet your needs in local shops and so it is important to look a little further to find objects that you can use. One of the best places you can find these props is in nature, go on walks and keep an eye out on the floor as you may stumble across something that inspires your next big project. Travel to different locations such as beaches and woods to really acquire a variety as this will only make your pieces more unique. We also recommend visiting a local charity shop, as these always have funky little trinkets and stand out pieces that would be great to use in your pictures. Also, tell some of your friends that you are looking for new props as they may come across something great you can use.

Put the extra effort in

A lot of still life image photographers choose to use people in their work as well as any object that they want to be the focal point. Because of this, you will want to make sure that you put the effort in to make sure everything is cohesive and looks good together, this means that you should make sure that your model fits the piece. This can be done in several ways. Firstly it is important to pick out the right outfit for your model, because if the clothing they are wearing clashes with colors or other elements of your piece then the entire project could seem a bit off. You should also focus on other little details like makeup and hair. Adding splashes of color to the face of your model can really bring everything together and help with cohesion. You could also use private label products for hair from goodvara to style your model’s hair as you will want to ensure any stylings that you make stay in place for continuity sakes, so using quality products can really help with this.

Get a good quality camera

This can really be applied to all forms of photography as having a good quality camera will just make your image seem more aesthetically pleasing. Not only this, but the level of detail that you are able to capture will increase through the use of a quality camera, meaning that your pieces are more likely to get attention. Having a low-quality camera can make your pictures appear blurry and unclear, which is what you really want to avoid in this industry.

Capturing Nature: Why Landscape Photography is so Important

For years our society has raged a constant debate over the arts. Many academics and those predisposed towards more practical subjects often see the arts as something fanciful and lacking in real intellectual power or usage. While those on the other side of the argument will argue that art is one of the most important facets of human development and in fact is the cornerstone of our modern cultures. And it is impossible to disagree with that last sentiment.

Everywhere you look you will see the influence of art. From the simples cartoon in the morning newspaper to the massive motion pictures enjoyed at the cinema. The hottest car design was created by an artist as was the logo of your favorite brand. It is true that academic subjects and intellectual pursuits have advanced our culture forward with fantastic technologies and medical advancements. But art has brought culture to our kind. Without it, we would not be as wise or motivated or as kind. Art lets us connect and express ourselves. It allows us to view things that wouldn’t be possible without. Explore far off worlds or travel through time simply by reading a book.

But I want to look at an often ignored aspect of art that is actually one of the most important and vital for, not only our creative outlets but for our history as a species too. Landscape photography.

What is it?

Landscape photography is exactly what it says on the tin. Capturing photos of different landscapes across the globe. These do not have to simply be the landscape themselves; they can include people or props or animals. But the main idea is you are capturing a large stretch of land in a landscape picture format.

Some might look at this and think it is nothing special. That anyone can grab a camera and snap a picture of some random section of land. And to an extent you are right. Anyone can. Which is one of the reasons art like this is so important to our society. It is not exclusive. The arts are so magical because, unless the hard sciences, anyone can give it a go with little repercussion. Sure, not everyone’s art will be heralded as brilliant. But just the act of creating brings more color into the world.

But what is it that makes landscape photography specifically so important?

Capturing Our Heritage

Our planet is constantly changing. And I do not mean socially. Physically the landscape is different now than it was thousands of years ago. And we have paintings of landscapes from a couple of hundred years back, but paintings are always subject to an artist’s creative vision. Imagine if you could look at an honest to god photograph of the world as it existed at the dawn of man. If you could see just how different the world was.

We are lucky to live in the first age where we can take pictures at such high quality. And we can take as many of these photos as we want. We are only limited by storage space and battery life, and both of these are near enough unlimited now.

In two thousand years’ time, the landscape of the world will have changed. Maybe for the better, most likely for the worse. And landscape photography will allow our descendants to look back at how the world was. To see what existed without question. And being able to view and understand history is one of the most important aspects of any civilized society. It lets us connect to those in the past and those in the future. We can know one day, someone else will look upon the same images as us.

Helping Science and Business

But let’s look at the more practical aspects of landscape photography. For many scientists, environmentalists and biologists, landscape photography is a useful tool of study. Being able to capture the habitat of a herd of wild animals and study it will prove extremely useful to their studies. Capturing landscapes and observing the environmental changes over time compared to the images will let us study the occurring effects of climate change and give us stronger ideas on how to combat it.

And when it comes to business, landscape photography, like most art forms, boosts the economy. Firstly you have to purchase the photography supplies, which creates an entire industry within itself. Not to mention amateur photography allows plenty of opportunities for small local businesses. Someone looking to create a landscape image of their garden might hire local tree removal companies or landscaping firms to come and create a vibrant tableau for them to capture on camera.

The increase of people attempting photography in their own time will also encourage more local events. Galleries hosting shows for people to display their own work will stimulate local economies and give people a creative outlet to display their work with pride and build their confidence. If an amateur artist manages to sell their work, they might be motivated to start selling on a larger scale which is always positive for the individual and the economy. Alongside being a massive boost for art as a whole.

So on the whole, landscape photography is an art form that brings more to the world than people seem to realize. It has a lot of benefits to us as a culture and if you are so inclined, I’d suggest giving it a go. You never know, you might just become hooked.

Pictures of the World: Making it as a Travel Photographer

Do you dream of traveling the world and getting paid for it? Well, then this may be the career path for you. Travel photography allows you the creative freedom to capture elements of foreign lands that people may not have realized exist. Many countries need fresh content for their tourism industry and this can be where many travel photographers find their niche. Whether it is the beautiful beaches of a scorching hot paradise or the vast beautiful landscape and mountains of an icy wonderland, there are an infinite number things that you can capture for the world to see all whilst taking in any number of different cultures and cuisines along the way. While it may seem like a dream job for many people, there are a number of things to consider if you’re wanting to become a successful travel photographer. Here’s our list of advice to help you make it in the world of travel photography.

Research

First things first, you should make a list of questions you need to be answered and fire up your internet browser for the clearest response. Luckily, nowadays, people have had ample time to experience things and document their successes and failures to help people. Chances are, there will be someone online, able to advise you on almost anything. Look up some message or forum boards on travel photography and they should be able to provide you with a more detailed account of what you’ll need to consider before you take the leap of making travel photography your main source of income.

Finance

You shouldn’t expect to be rolling in money from the first time you take a photo abroad. It will take a lot of time and hard work and if you’re wanting to make it your main career you’ll need to have plenty of money saved up for equipment, travel, insurance and also to live on in between jobs. Maybe don’t hand in your resignation just yet – especially if you’ve never even picked up a camera. It will initially be an investment and could be a while before you’re making a considerable profit from it. Just be patient and cautious and keep in contact with your bank and others for advice. Once you’re ready to go on your first trip (advisably just a holiday for some experience), you should look into ways of keeping your money safe abroad. Sites like plutuspocket offer in-depth reviews on a number of money transfer sites like TransferGo. There are plenty of sites online like this designed to review banks and transfer accounts that are designed for use abroad. It’s advised to do your research before you sign up, find out what works best for you.

What Next?

Well, once you have done all your research and have gotten some equipment to get you started, it’s up to you. If you need some inspiration on where to travel to first, just look online for some of the most affordable places to help get you started. You could look into some of the cheapest beach destinations in Europe and get that beach experience whilst not breaking your bank. Go somewhere that fascinates you and do your research for some of the best destinations to take some beautiful shots. Set up social media and even a website to get your brand out there.

The most important thing you can do is practice and experiment to make sure your photographs show something new and don’t just blend in with the rest. Don’t lose your passion for traveling, other cultures and photography and there’s nothing stopping you from taking the travel photography by storm.

Portrait Photography: A Beginners Guide

Whether you’re hoping to expand your knowledge of the photography field or if you’re looking for an entirely new career path, there’s a reason so many people have started getting into portrait photography. Whilst there is a need for creatives, there will always be a need for portraits. An invaluable tool for any budding actor or business person, portraits are used to put a face to a name or brand. This is where you can come in. With these tips, we’ll tell you everything you’ll need to know to break into the world of portrait photography.

Get the Right Equipment

The first step to being a great photographer is by finding the perfect equipment. While it may be daunting at first, with enough research you’ll definitely be able to find the best camera and accessories for you and the types of photography you’re hoping to do. Don’t be tricked into thinking that the most expensive equipment will automatically be the best. Whilst often with technology and therefore photography you get what you pay for, there often alternatives that better fit your budget. Don’t blow all your savings on a mega-expensive and complicated camera – especially if you’re only breaking into the photography scene.

Establish a Brand

If you’re hoping to make a career out of photography, it would be worth establishing a brand. By encompassing your company, you’ll be able to reach a wider audience and invite more potential clients. The best place to start is on social media. It’s a quick and easy place to base your company. It allows you to post examples of your work and advertise your services for free. When you’re looking to make more of a professional investment into your company it may be worth setting up a website. While it may seem daunting, companies like Wix make designing the perfect website for your company easy. Once you establish a brand, you’ll get more people discussing your work and will be able to grow.

Location Location Location

The next step is to decide where you’ll be doing your photoshoots. While it may add a nice flair to your shoots if you do some portrait shots on location, it’s always useful to have a backup. It may be worthwhile to set up a makeshift studio as a base for your photography. Shooting outside can lead to some gorgeous shots, but weather can be unpredictable and when you’re shooting on a schedule, you don’t want your entire shoot to be ruined by a touch of rain. Don’t worry about renting out space, if you have a shed in your backyard or a spare room in your house, it can easily and affordably be converted into a simple photography studio.

Engage With Your Subject

Before you start charging your potential clients, it may be worth building a portfolio so people can see examples of your work before deciding to hire you. Why not give your friends an opportunity to model for you. It’ll give you a chance to get some experience and you’ll also get to hang out with your friends. Once you start working with actual clients, the key to getting the best portraits is by making sure your subject is comfortable. If you’re wanting some ideas on how to get your client to loosen up, ponly has plenty of conversation starters and questions you can ask your client to make sure you get some awesome candids. Smiles and laughter look even better when they’re real.

Experiment

The best way to get started in portrait photography is just to do it. Like everything, with enough practice, you’ll be taking incredible portraits in no time at all. Experimenting with your photography will also help you discover your style and will help to set you apart from other photographers. Play around with filters and perspectives to find out what looks best. Adjust your camera settings to fit the shot you’re hoping to take. There are plenty of free resources online to show you how to get the most out of your camera and your photographs. If you’re planning a shoot with a client, make sure to communicate beforehand to find out what it is they’re wanting. Avoid experimenting with a paying client without asking their permission before the shoot.

The Top 4 Tips for Getting Started in Photography

Whether you’re wanting to start a new business or even just wanting to pick up a new hobby. There are any number of reasons why so many people have decided to take up photography. The creative possibilities are endless and there will always be something out there for you to capture. Whether you want to specialize in portraits, landscapes, nature or artistic photography, the beautiful thing is that it’s all up to you. The most wonderful thing about photography is that you don’t need overly expensive equipment to take great photos, you just need to develop an eye for beauty and have a passion for capturing the world and you’re well on your way. If this all sounds like something you’d be interested in, then here are the top 4 tips for getting started in photography.

Equipment

One of the most important things you’ll need to consider when getting started in the world of photography is the equipment you’ll be using. Many phones nowadays take pretty decent photos, so it’s a great opportunity to get a feel for photography. Once you feel you’ve gotten the hang of things, it may be worth looking into some decent equipment. Sites like Camerakool offer some great deals and information on all kinds of cameras and accessories. Just be sure to do your research before buying to be sure you get the right equipment for the type of photography you’re wanting to do.

Find Your Subject

Probably the most fun part of getting started in photography is finding the subject that makes you tick. While you’re not limited to one branch of photography, many people choose to specialize in one or two aspects of photography if they’re trying to build up a business. This allows you the most freedom as you can explore every sort of photography to see if there are any forms you enjoy capturing more than others.

Practice

One of the most important aspects of developing any skill is by practicing and you’ll be glad to know that photography is no different. Practicing will help you to develop your own individual style. Everybody is different. With so many things to experiment with, there will always be more to learn. It’s worth getting in contact with other established photographers for tips and advice on things they’ve found to help and hinder their photography. The best photos are the ones that stand apart from the rest and practice will help you achieve this.

Set Up Your Brand

The final step for getting started in photography comes from if you’re considering developing it into a profession. It may be worth setting up some social media accounts to get your photography into the public eye. If people see your style and personal flair, they might be interested in collaborating for creative projects, helping to build your brand. If people see examples of your photography online and like what they see, they’re far more likely to want to reach out and hire you for photography jobs. All of this will be improved if you have followed the earlier steps and found your niche market.

A Guide to Photography in Paris: The City of Love

The city of love has been a popular tourist destination for some time now and thanks to this popularity there has been a large increase in tourism over the recent years. This popularity stems from the fact that Paris is such a beautiful and romantic place to visit, there’s so much to do and see which makes it not only a great place to see as a tourist but as a budding photographer also. The photo opportunities are endless with iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre being the obvious choices to get some great photographs. Obviously all of the iconic landmarks are a must see, but in terms of photography you can get some great shots just on the idyllic streets alone so you can finally match the aesthetic of all the that are constantly popping up on our social media.

Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel tower is a compulsory visit when you are in Paris, it’s not only one of the most impressive construction feats in the world but it presents the opportunity to get some great photographs, the landmark itself is exceptionally photogenic but should you get the chance to go up to the top you are able to get some of the most breathtaking images showing a unique aerial view of this amazing city. The Eiffel Tower is a must see when it comes to Paris, you can’t visit Paris and not see it and in terms of photography it provides you with the opportunity to get some amazing photos whether it be of the architecture itself or of the views, you won’t find anything like it anywhere else in the world.

The Arc de Triomphe

Another classic tourist hot-spot would have to be the arc de Triomphe, set in the centre of Paris’ iconic roundabout the sheer amount of traffic from cars and bikes can really make for a unique photoshoot that represents the tourism and hustle and bustle of Parisian life. Much like the Eiffel Tower this is another you can’t afford to miss out on, with a lovely sunny day and a clear blue sky there is an opportunity to get some really beautiful photos here or if you prefer a night time shot you can get something a little classier to represent just how amazing the city of love is. The intricate detailing and sheer talent that has gone into creating this long standing sculpture is a crucial part of history and just shows Paris in a way that does justice to how aesthetically pleasing the city as a whole really is.

Patisseries/Bakeries

For those of you that are budding bakers and foodies here’s one for you, the sheer amount of bakeries and patisseries that are in Paris may come as a shock, with endless glass windows showcasing the most amazing pastries and desserts in a wide array of colors, decoration, flavours and constructions there is a photo opportunity that you really cannot miss. Photos like these would be great on food and travel blogs and these picturesque creations reflect how unique and versatile Parisian food culture can be.

The streets of Paris

The streets alone are cause for celebration, miles and miles of classical architecture combined with some of the more modern graffiti and street art. This combination of the old and the modern is  a great cause for photography and it really is something you won’t find anywhere else. Imagine the shots you could get just from being in such a picturesque environment, the juxtaposition of the classical structure and build quality of the buildings is something that as a photographer you have to see.

Markets

Parisian markets are very unique, in such a classically beautiful city you wouldn’t expect to see markets like these, and that’s what makes them a must see. The hustle and bustle and the wide variety of things in sale make for excellent shots that you would rarely find anywhere else. All the unique little pieces that are available to purchase are not only great buys but a great opportunity to get a lovely photo to add to your repertoire.