Hey, how’s it going? I’m Andy Jones and this is episode 68 of the Photography Q&A podcast.
Last week's podcast, What is Macro Photography? shouldn’t have happened. I have a long list of episode titles that I can do in the future. Unfortunately, I picked up an older pad with an older list and saw that What is macro photography? was next on the list, so I did it. All the time I was writing and recording it I was thinking I’d covered this in another episode, but I continued regardless. Mid-week I found the up-to-date list and realized what I had done. So I promise not to do a macro episode again unless I discover a new insect or something.
Anyway, yesterday I discovered an App that I had no idea existed. It’s perfect for photographers, I’ll tell you all about it later.
But first, I need to give you…
6 ways to improve your photography
Number #1 has to be mastering the settings on your camera. The main settings you need to control are the Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO. Changing these without the need to take the camera away from your eye is a game changer.
If you are fumbling around trying to make changes to your settings during a portrait session, you lose valuable shooting time. Plus it doesn’t impress your customer.
I have a video on the 50mmframework.com website that takes you through changing these settings. Just sign up and get full access to the downloads section.
Remember, practice makes perfect.
Next, think about available light. It doesn’t matter where you are shooting, light is the most important thing you need to address.
Landscape photographers generally shoot at sunrise or sunset. That’s because the sun is shining from close to the horizon. At noon the sun is high in the sky and there aren’t many shadows. Shadows create drama in a landscape image.
A couple of days ago I was trying to get a photo of some wildflowers. At noon they would have been well-lit, but at 5 pm the sun was lower in the sky and lit the flowers from behind which gave me a totally different result.
For portraits, you don’t want to have your subject looking into the sun and squinting. An overcast sky is your best friend, with no harsh shadows and no squinting subjects.
If you do have harsh shadows you really need to use a flash, and that is the next thing that will improve your photography.
This is something you should do. It isn’t hard to figure out and you can buy a decent flash for $50-$100 on Amazon. Your portraits won’t have shadows where you don’t want them. Once you get the hang of it you’ll get predictable results every time. Your images will have a professional look and if you are starting a photography business you can charge more for your sessions.
There is no downside to learning how to use a flash.
If you are shooting portraits, weddings, or anything, look to see what is behind your subject. Is the background suitable? I see lots of photos on Facebook with distracting backgrounds like tree branches that cross behind the subject. Even flower beds are distracting. Just because the flowers are nice to look at doesn’t mean they will be a good background for your subjects. You need a background that lets the subject stand out, not blend in or disappear in a mass of color. The creek running through the background is great, but the chainlink fence in between the creek and your subject isn’t great. Check the background.
Next is …
Now I have been guilty of this in the past. It’s so easy just to click one button and your photo is ready to show the world. The problem is I see lots of photos that are way overdone. A simple sunset turns into a horror show of color.
I used to use a preset that made the photo look like is was a watercolor. It’s a nice effect on a good photo, but I was using it to try and make bad photos look good.
Try to use presets, filters, and actions that only have a small effect on your image. Or instead, try editing it yourself step-by-step, and if you like the result save it as a preset. This way you will develop your own style, not someone else’s.
Last, but not least
Now I’m not saying print everything you produce. Maybe just one print a month. Having a photograph you can hold and look at will give you a clearer idea of what you need to change in the future.
When I get a print I always look at it and think I could do this or that a little differently. Looking at everything on a screen doesn’t make you think this way, holding a print in front of you does.
You don’t have to go out and spend thousands of dollars on the latest greatest printer. Use a photo lab, or even Costco or Walmart. Get an 11x14 print done, and maybe buy a frame and put it on the wall. It’ll give you a visible comparison of how your work has changed over time.
I still get excited when my prints arrive, old habits die hard I guess.
Ok, I mentioned the app at the beginning of the episode. The app is called Vero. I believe Vero first came out in 2015 but didn’t really take off. This was mainly due to Instagram. Now that Instagram is gradually changing over to video it isn’t giving photographers what they need.
Vero is an app that also offers a desktop app, but you need to set your account up on your phone and then download the desktop version. It works just like Instagram but allows full-screen viewing of the images. I really like it.
If you are interested join me on Vero, it’s free, I’ll put a link in the show notes.
Ok, that’s it for this episode, I’ll be back next week with more waffle.
Bye for now.