Photography Tip

Here’s a little photo tip for you guys. I’ve just recently started posting different tips that I feel people can gain some value from, so please, leave a comment with your thoughts. I would love to hear from you!

Photo Editing

Almost all photos need some type of post processing after they come out of the camera.  I’m not talking about major changes to your pictures but often, just simply increasing or decreasing the exposure, the contrast, maybe even a slight crop to eliminate an unwanted object in the corner or on the edge of the photo.

 Even in the “old” darkroom days, the most famous photographers would use manual techniques to lighten or darken parts of the picture.  This was called “dodge and burn”  I won’t explain the technique except to say that it’s a lot easier today with the use of photo enhancing software that most of us already have on our computers. 

The camera does not always capture the feeling we are having when we see and take the picture.  You can get closer to what you want to show with minor tweaks…don’t be afraid to use today’s technology to turn an almost great shot into a truly good one

Being True

One of the true benefits of being a photographer, or actually any creative endeavor is that you have something to do whether it’s your occupation or hobby.  For me, it was my occupation and has now become my hobby although I still derive some income from it.  I can’t see ever fully putting my camera on the shelf and becoming even more of a news junkie/couch potato than I already am.

But, my point here is that when I’m out taking photos, that’s really where my concentration is.  And then there is of course the development of the pictures or as we say in the digital age, the post processing on our computers.

I lose myself even more into photography when I’m traveling, especially in a foreign country which I love to do.  Everything is so new and different and the photo opportunities seem to jump out at me all the time.  And since TV in those places is usually in a language I don’t fully understand, I’m able to get totally away from the politics and craziness of what might be going on as usual.  

I’m often shocked when I return to find out that all the hoots and hollers are still going on and that not much has changed.  I resolve to not watch the news and that lasts for maybe a day or two.  But, my camera is nearby and I can grab it, get outside and start shooting…what a relief and what great excitement when I download my photos and begin the process of refining them after deleting those that don’t make the grade…and there are plenty.  It’s not like when we shot film where each shot had to be thought out.  With digital cameras, you can shoot to your heart’s content and not worry about running out of film.

My suggestion to all of us is to let our creative juices flow…there’s no other reward as fulfilling.

Here is a photo I took a while back while at a local sandwich shop. What comes to mind when I look at this photo is, true creativity. She seemed to be letting her mind wander as she sat there looking off into the distance, and that, for some people, is their truest way of being creative.