This year has certainly been one full of changes. I got a new job, moved out, and spent most of 2018 adjusting to my new environments. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to keep to the strict “1 post every Sunday” rule I had originally set up, but that taught me that perhaps I shouldn’t have such defined terms when it comes to blogging. I love writing. I love photography. I love writing about photography, but in 2019 I’m going to shift my efforts back onto actually taking photographs. I miss all the avant-garde shoots I used to do back in college and even the chill headshot sessions that allowed me to get to know people in a more meaningful way. I’m going to make it a goal to get out of my comfort zone by networking and asking people (who aren’t friends) if they’d be interested in doing collaborations. I think this will really get me back on track in regards to Shekinah Shazaam Photography. In terms of the Chiaroscuro challenge, I basically limited my focus with surprisingly pleasing results. I originally planned on doing portraits as well as miscellaneous subject matter that fulfilled what I picked from Lindsey Adler’s 52 […]
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As we continue into the double digits of the 2000’s, we can’t deny the ongoing transition to digital media storage. Even though it personally worries me to live in a completely digital world (i.e. not having access to physical storage of files or a backup in case the internet/network/technology fails) I realize it still has its benefits. Here are a few types of cloud storage that you can use with your photography. Most have a baseline tier that is free, but if you think you will need a great deal of space, you will have to purchase a plan that has a bigger storage capacity. Dedicated website The first option many people think of when they hear “the cloud” is probably one of these sites. From Dropbox to OneDrive, there are many different options to choose from. iCloud This is specific to Apple devices, and is great if you find yourself working between your iPhone, iPad, and/or Mac consistently. Google Drive If you already have Gmail and use sheets, docs, or their other Apps, this is a good option that is readily available to use. Your personal website There is a limit to maximum file […]
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We all may have different types of cameras, but chances are we all use some sort of camera strap. There are those that swear by camera grips, but I like being able to sling my cam over my neck if need be so I haven’t tried a grip yet. I’ve had this strap for about 9 months so I’ve had plenty of time to put it through the ringer. Here are my thoughts on it below. Pros -soft & comfortable -easy to remove from camera body Cons -initial install on camera take a bit more time than a typical strap- item is made to order, so there is a bit of a wait after buying I found Action Custom Straps on Esty after looking around for a leather strap to replace my peeling synthetic one. I wanted something that was of high quality and would last me for years and can say I think I’ve found a winner. This strap is so incredibly soft and comfortable on your neck, but also rolls up nicely tucked away in your camera bag. There are easy-to-squeeze clips that allow you to remove the majority of the strap (but still […]
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Depending on your learning style, you may find that you gravitate towards a certain type of medium. Some find written instructions most helpful while others prefer audible means. I’m mostly a visual learner, but I also find that doing the actual thing teaches me the best (kinesthetic.) While videos are a great way to learn many things, I find it hard to focus on the task at hand due to music, the voiceover, effects, and/or constant pausing if I get stuck. An alternative way to visually teach others is through photos laid out chronologically paired with informative text. This allows people to follow along at their own pace. Whether it is recipes, crafts, editing, or home repair, you can share how to do any of them with tutorial photography. Here are some tips on how I’d go about doing a given project. First, determine the project. You should know how to make it pretty well so that explaining the process to others won’t be difficult. You should also actually enjoy making it. That joy will come through in both your writing and in your photos which will get people even more excited to do the project. […]
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I’ve never personally lost files from a computer crash, but I know there are many who have and didn’t take the precaution to back their files up. Don’t be that person! It’s much better to be extra paranoid about what could go wrong and be overly prepared by having multiple backups. I’ll talk about the infamous “cloud” in another post, but for now, let’s stick with the tangible. Depending on your computer’s storage, you may find that it has enough room to store all of your images and more. However, many of us don’t have a great deal of storage space to work with, so we put our photos on external drives. Wherever you decide to store items, you still should back them up. I recommend backing up two separate devices and storing those in different locations so if one is damaged and/or lost you still have another to recover from. External hard drives are more affordable than ever but prices will vary depending on the size & brand you choose. I have a large 2TB that I typically work from, and two 1TB backups. All of those are Seagate, which is one of the highest rated […]
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Though countless creatives focus on the passion they feel for what they do, many still need to pay attention to the business side of things. After you make your contract, but before you send out a packet, set your prices so that any potential clients will know what to expect when hiring you. Research your field If you are completely clueless on what to charge, you’ll need to begin with some research. You can do a generic google search for “what should a _______ charge” or you can look up local businesses that happen to provide the same/similar service as you do. Sometimes, prices aren’t explicitly listed, so you may need to ask around your circle if they know of anyone who has worked with a given business. Compare the prices you find with the services they provide. You shouldn’t copy and paste someone else’s pricing structure, but you can compile many prices and come up with an average. Determine time invested in your craft This may seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re a beginner, but it really is what will help guide your business. Look back on the last few shoots you did. How […]
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This month I chose another shot of interesting art to feature. This was a cube sculpture made completely out of crystal. The way the lights shone through it and how it distorted things behind it looked really intriguing. May the light be with you. Follow
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Everyone knows about the blessed golden hour, but its mysterious sibling, twilight hour, is lesser known. This time should more aptly be called “twilight half hour” because it is so brief. Right before the sun rises fully & sets completely, twilight lies. It can add moodiness and intrigue to portraits. Here’s how I utilize it below. Show up early Just like with golden hour, I recommend you arrive at your location early as to not miss the short time you have. Pack a fast lens Since it is darker, your camera’s sensor will have less info to work with. Be sure to bring a lens with wide aperture capabilities to counteract this. Be prepared to brighten As mentioned above, more light is needed during this time. You’ll probably have to shoot with a higher ISO as well as use a tripod to have a slower shutter speed. Once you edit, you may need to lighten things up a bit more as well. This is assuming you don’t want darker images. If you do though, disregard this tip. Although this light occurs for such a limited time, it is still one of my favorites because […]
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There are many different ways to store your camera gear. Some people are fortunate enough to have large studios with plenty of space, but many of us have to make due with much less. Here are some ideas of places to store your gear. On bookshelves If you have some space available on your bookshelf, consider putting your gear there. Whether on the top or mixed all in between, this would be an easy place to keep track of everything. On hanging shelves Similarly, if you have shelves hanging on the wall, you can display your camera body & lenses on them. They can become a part of the décor when they aren’t in use. In camera bags If you’re like me and have more than one camera bag, there’s always the option of storing items within them. Keeping your most used gear in a bag you can easily grab before a shoot will help leaving much faster. In baskets, boxes, or bins This is my preferred area for other lenses, flashes, batteries, etc. What’s great about this is you can put small items in little pouches or containers and group all the items together […]
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What’s often mistakenly called “photoshopping” is actually what editors & photographers refer to as retouching. Along with fixing exposure or changing color temperature, this is a crucial step in editing that helps complete an image. Sometimes, people over-edit until their subjects no longer look human. Unless you’re doing an extraterrestrial shoot, you’ve gone too far. A caveat I should mention is that in certain genres *cough* editorial fashion *cough* it is still expected for an image to be over-edited. While I’m never a fan of this air-brushed “perfection” you may have to follow through with it if you work for a magazine or even on ADs that will be in one. While I wouldn’t refer to these as rules, they are still guidelines that I notice several excellent photographers abide by. You can do what you want with your work of course, but if you are curious about how I retouch, here are some practices I recommend to use and others to avoid. This is step 4 for me in my editing workflow, if you’d like to know how the rest of my process goes, check out this post. DO remove distracting flyaway hairs […]
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