The Importance of Blogging

In this day and age social media is heavily involved in most people’s day to day lives. This fact has become an important tool for businesses of all kinds, including photographers.

Any photographer knows, to get work in this competitive industry you need to show a portfolio of your work. This is the same for if you are trying to gain entry into an already established business, well as for simply gaining clients for your own business.

I personally have a Facebook page, which I use to display my work to potential clients, and am currently in the process of creating a website to gain a wider range of recognition, but do I need more? Should I also blog my work on one of the internet’s many well known blogging networks? Yes, we as photographers need all the public attention we can get, but will a blog be seen, or will it be a waste of my time and effort?

Yes, it seems in today’s society blogging is the way to go. Most recognised photographers, such as, my idols Sue Bryce and Lara Jade, blog, and I have even found a few forums which argued that we should build a blog instead of a website! The reasons given were points such as;

•          Cost – Blogs are FREE

•          Searching – Google is more likely to display a good blog at the top of the results page than a website

•          RSS – Viewers can subscribe to your blog and receive updates whenever you post

•          Fully update-able! Whenever you want!

So yes, in conclusion the benefits of having a blog to display your photography far outweigh any negative points, you just need to remember to update regularly!

Retouching with Graphics Tablets

As today’s technology expands, more and more recourses become available to photographers, graphics designers, and many others in similar fields. One interesting piece of new technology is the graphics tablet. This is suddenly becoming very popular among photographers as a tool for editing images, however it was originally designed for graphic designers. One particular model of graphics tablet that seems to be attracting a lot of attention is Wacom’s ‘Bamboo’ line. These can be purchased at most electronic stores, as well as online for as little as around $100; the more advanced models reaching the $300-$400 mark.

So why have these tablets become so popular amongst photographers as well as the other creative industries that it was originally designed for?

That seems pretty obvious. Simply plug the tablet into your computer or laptop, and use the stylus to essentially draw on your images in whatever program you may use. This tool allows you to be more precise, and to edit faster than you could dream of doing with a mouse.

Here is an example of what may be much more easily achieved, using a tablet and stylus;

The options for how the stylus works with the tablet are also fully customisable, allowing the user to personalise the way they use it to what suits them best.

As with any new technology, there are cons to go along with the amazing pros included. Searching through various blogs, vlogs, webpages, and etc, the only con I have found is the learning curve. This differs from person to person; some say it doesn’t take long, some saying they found it very difficult to perfect after using a mouse for so long.

Overall the reviews, forums, vlogs and blogs say predominantly excellent things about working with tablets, recommending everyone to try it, and ensuring post production will improve

I will certainly be investing in one and trying it out for myself!

Sony's new Dog Harness

That's right...a camera harness...for a dog.

Sony recently launched the AKA-DM1 In Japan at around $53, the mount is

compatible with Sony's HDR-AS15 rugged video camera. Weighing in at around

128grams, Sony says that the design won't wear dogs down.

The purpose behind the strap is to allow owners to mount the camera and record the world

from their pets point of view. Quite honestly If I were to mount this onto my puppy

I'd have 12 hour footage of my dog chasing anything that wonders into the garden combined

with a few mandatory hours of nap time. Although in saying that the Camera's included Wi-Fi

capabilities allow for cable-free video transfers, So if I had nothing better to do I could watch live streaming to make sure she wasn't up to no good.

Various youtubers seem to have beaten Sony to the punch-line though by strapping their GoPro

cameras to their pets for some time now. Including this one shot by a Great Dane at the park.

On that note, speaking of GoPro videos, check out this beauty: 

Lara Jade

I first discovered Lara Jade through her Facebook page in 2011. Even though I wasn't established in my photography yet, and had no idea what field of photography I wanted to pursue, I instantly fell in love with her work. She inspired me because she started out so young, and helped me believe that I could make it in the competitive photography industry, no matter what direction I took.

Lara Jade grew up in West Midlands, England. While living there she took an interest in photography. At the young age of thirteen she picked up her father’s camcorder and began taking stills with it. Lara started collecting compact cameras to photograph with. By the age of fifteen she had discovered fine art and self portraiture, and received her first SLR, a Canon 350d, for her sixteenth birthday.

At just seventeen years old, Lara started her own business, starting off with small portraiture clients’, and quickly moving on to larger clients like book publishers and music labels. Soon after starting her business she took on fashion, and later moved to London to work with other photographers in the fashion industry.

Lara is always striving to improve her photographic and business skills. In September 2005 she began a National Diploma in Photography, and later, in September 2007, studied Visual Communication at UCE. Even this far into her business she continues to learn and improve at every opportunity, to maximize her abilities as a photographer and business woman.

As Lara Jade explains in her website biography; “I am influenced by past and present style; whenever I shoot I like to create stories with an underlying sense of narrative, whether this is in my personal work, commercial campaigns or editorial projects. I am deeply inspired by elements of influential style, film noir, old masters in painting and photography, Romanticism and untouched beauty. All of my experiences in life thus far have been reflected through my imagery, and continue to shape me personally, and as an artist.”

The above image was posted to the Facebook page; Lara Jade Photography in April last year (2012). It is a picture from the very beginning of her journey as a fashion photographer, and as she describes it, it was one of the first fashion images that she was really proud of. Her pride in this image helped to push her to follow fashion photography, and influenced her to keep going.

Throughout her quickly expanding career as a photographer, Lara Jade has acquired many major clients. These include magazines such as Elle, Lush, Material Girl and Institute, as well as other clients like Sony Music, Schwarzkopf, Harper Collins, and Lamb. As well as working with these well known clients Lara continues to photograph for herself, as well as holding photography workshops for aspiring fashion photographers all over the world. She has also written a book, Fashion Photography 101, which was published recently. 

As my idol, Lara Jade influences me greatly. I stated at the beginning of this blog that I was interested in starting my own business as a pets/family/couples/newborn/glamour photographer. However now I am rethinking again thanks to Lara Jade and other photographers like her, and considering starting out with glamour and pursuing fashion photography. 

Here is a small selection of some of my favourite Lara Jade photographs;

People Today

It's funny to see that people these days are scared and wary of people and photographers with a big DSLR camera and a long lens. On the other hand, if you're using a small compact camera then that seems to be fine. This is especially true since the increase in the amount of selfies which are posted around the net. This is seen in all the family photos posted across Facebook and Instagram, so loved ones can see them across the world.

However, when someone else wishes to take their picture all that goes out the window. When you're out and about in public places snapping away taking photos you always seem to get that sideway glance of are they taking photos of me? What are they going to with that photo? Yet out of common courtesy we as photographers sometimes will ask if they mind having their photo taken but this is more so that we can get a nicer picture. What a lot of people don't know is that if you're out in a public place anyone has the right to take your photo. Now I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing but it's just the way things are. I know a few people and even myself people have come up to them ask tell them you can't take my photo, why are you taking my photo etc, so it turned around to one person one day and said do you have Facebook ? Yes, and do you post photos to Facebook? Yes, so then how is that any different than me taking your photo? As you are posting for the world to see your photos I'm just helping you along.

Wildlife

Since my passion is Wildlife/Nature photography I thought I would write about some of the people that inspire me and that I follow and pass on some of their wisdom too. First of all I would like to mention Michael Snedic and Mark Rayner the guys behind Trekabout Photography Workshops.

Michael Snedic is one of Australia's most accomplished wildlife and nature photographers. He has been photographing across Australia for the past 16 years. He is also a highly experienced, professional photography tutor, especially in digital photography. Michael loves sharing his images and photographic knowledge with the public.

Mark Rayner is a fully accredited professional photographer (AIPP), an expert in post processing, retouching and workflow. His specialties lay in Wedding, portrait and commercial photography. He recently received one of four 'Highly Commended' awards in the '2012 Shoot the Architect' photography competition from the Australian Institute of Architects.

Together Michael and Mark have formed the company Trekabout Photography Workshops. Trakabout Photography offers personalised photographic tuition, in stunning natural locations and at affordable prices.  Brisbane photography workshops are offered by many companies. Attention to detail and high levels of hands-on individual tuition. I have had the pleasure to be able to join them on a few of their workshops and it has been great both Michael and Mark are very welcoming and very happy to share their knowledge and experience with you.

Below are the Links to both Michael and Mark websites and their Trekabout Website.

http://www.trekaboutphotography.com/index.html

http://michaelsnedic.com/

http://www.tailoredphotography.com.au/

Here are some tips done by Mark Rayner about wildlife photography

7 Tips to help improve your Wildlife Photography.

Some of these tips can equally be applied to people (portrait) and your pet photography.

1. Shoot from the eye level of your subject (or slightly lower). The difference is remarkable when compared to just standing and shooting down on your subject. Try the different angles next time you're out in the field and you will see what I mean.

2. Focus on the eye. Make sure you get those eyes in focus or your image will surely fail. It is just that simple. The eyes must be tack sharp and if they are you are halfway to a great shot.

3. Leading on from point 2, use single point focus. If you have your camera set to auto focus point selection you run the risk of the camera picking up the wrong spot and you'll end up with your subject blurred. By using single point focus, you chose the spot that the camera will focus on. Using this method you can then make sure your focus point is lined up on the eye.

4. Blur out your background. Shoot "wide open", i.e. use a large aperture, say, f/2.8 to f/5.6 depending on your lens of course. This will eliminate distractions in the background and allow all of your viewer's attention to be directed to your subject. Nice soft bokeh (background blur) can make or break a good photo. The added advantage to shooting with a wide open aperture is that, automatically, your shutter speed will be faster. Faster shutter speed equals less chance of a blurred image due to movement or camera shake.

5. Choose your background carefully when composing your shot. You can't always do this with moving subjects as you may just have to grab the moment, but if you do have time, study your background. Moving a small distance may mean the difference between having a stick growing out of your subject's head or not. It is easy to get carried away with the excitement of the moment but that small change of position could be the difference between a good shot and an award winner.

6. Get to know your subject. Study the way your subject, be it a King Parrot or a small dragonfly, moves and interacts with its environment. If you understand what makes your subject tick, you can often anticipate what they will do next and be prepared in advance for the shot.

7. Make sure your camera settings are ready for the shoot. Typically you will have aperture, ISO, focus point, exposure compensation, metering, shutter mode (single shot or high speed continuous) all selected and set before you lift your camera to your eye, or even begin approaching your subject. Be prepared and ready to just focus and shoot. The last thing you need is to be quickly changing settings while that Tasmanian Tiger disappears back into the forest. Here is my last shot of a Tasmanian Tiger.

Kirsty Mitchell

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I first discovered Kirsty Mitchell and her amazing Photography around three years ago, when she had as little as 500 followers (recent count 42,968) Her photographs initially caught my eye but once I read her story I was completely hooked.

Kirsty Mitchell for the past three years has been working hard on a series she likes to call ‘Wonderland’ at first glance her images are sensational, bright and honestly they could hold my attention for hours. The more I look, the more detail I find and I think it’s incredible. But what really caught my attention and has made her name stick with me, was the reason behind all of this.

Kirsty Mitchell’s mother Maureen was an English teacher, who spent her life inspiring generations of children with imaginative stories and plays, and sadly in 2008 Maureen died from a brain tumor, and Kirsty channeled her grief into her passion for Photography, and created ‘Wonderland’ a tribute to her Mother.

It initially all began as a small summer project but soon blossomed into something MUCH, MUCH bigger. 

I soon found her website and began to follow her journey. The painstaking detail that goes into these images is just phenomenal, you can read all about the work that goes into each and every single photograph on her website, Kirsty will even wait up to 12 months to shoot an image just so that flowers in bloom match the colors of her dresses. 

I think that her work is beautiful and so inspiring, and It’s a relief to finally see her work receiving the recognition that it so deserves.

If you have a spare few minutes please have a look at her website, You will not be disappointed.

http://www.kirstymitchellphotography.com