Beryl's Photographs

Posts Tagged ‘Photography’

So, you have finally started putting together a portfolio, hoping for that dream photography job that you have always wanted.  As a photographer, you are likely on the constant lookout for the perfect subjects to show off and practice various techniques.  Whether you are looking for action shots or stills, scenery or living subjects, the Kentucky Derby is a great place to get those pictures that can really show off what you have to offer.  Even if you are not a fan of horse racing, there are many opportunities for an aspiring photographer to show their love of their medium.

The Real Stars

Not only will have you have over 150,000 people attending the Kentucky Derby to shoot, you will also have the opportunity to shoot the real stars of the race – the horses.  For a list of the Kentucky Derby horses, you can visit any number of websites.  Taking a few minutes to study your subjects prior to attending the event can get you prepared and will give you an idea of which horse(es) you are most interested in shooting.  Considering all of the potential actions shots available, during the race as well as the more relaxing shots, from before and after the race, the horses really can provide you with all of the shots you need to take your portfolio to another level.  If you have never been to a horse race before or seen one in action, Twinspires is a great place to give you an idea of what you can expect.  With live streaming of daily races, Twinspires can help you prepare yourself for where you may want to stand during the race to get the best shots.

Not Everything is in Motion

If you are looking for some still life photos to add to your portfolio, there are plenty of wonderful opportunities at Churchill Downs.  The track recently underwent an extensive renovation, providing you with more subjects than you could hope to shoot.  The gorgeous clubhouse will provide you with simple shots of luxury, while taking a walk through the Kentucky Derby Museum can provide you with the chance to take pictures of less contemporary subjects.  The scenery itself is gorgeous and you could spend a day simply looking around and seeing the scene around you through the eye of a lens.

If you are in the business of making things for other people, you probably already know that your wares are only as good as the materials you use, with which to build them.  Even something as simple as paints and brushes, if purchased too cheaply, can make a difference in the finished product.  Now, there’s no saying that you can’t get a really nice picture, with a simple, digital camera, that you pick up at Walmart or some other discount shop.  That said however, if photography is your livelihood… or you would like it to be… count on spending some really serious cash, for the right kind of equipment.

What Kind of Equipment Will You Need to Start out As a Photographer?

The kind of equipment you’ll need as a photographer will greatly depend on what kind of pictures you intend to take.  Are you going to be taking family portraits indoors or are you going to be taking pictures of wildlife in its natural habitat, out-of-doors?  Will you be taking still shots or will you be requiring a higher speed film for action shots, such as those during sporting events?  Lighting is a big factor.  And, unless you intend to have someone else develop your pictures, and what kind of photographer is that, you’re going to need all the equipment necessary, for either a dark room or digital processing through computers and printers.  I’ll bet that you have all that stuff, just sitting around in a closet somewhere right?

This Is Going to Cost You

Knowing full well that this kind of thing doesn’t grow on trees, you’re going to need some fast cash, if you want to get that business up and running in a short amount of time.  Now, you may have been saving all your little pennies in your piggy bank and maybe you’re even close to having what you need, in order to start up that photography business of yours.  If not, and your credit isn’t exactly stellar, you might consider jumping online and looking into some guaranteed bad credit loans.   Let’s face it, you’ve probably tapped out Mom and Dad and all your other sources of lending.

Don’t forget that you get what you pay for ,so try not to skimp if you don’t have to.  Quality costs money.

Photography has been one of the most enduring hobbies and professions, since the creation of the first camera.  Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but a photographer’s eye is extra special; just like that of a painter.  One uses oils and canvas, the other the lens to a camera. The composition of the photo is artistic, if it is to hold the viewers attention.  I’m sure you have looked through the photo album, of one of your relatives and seen pretty much the same picture over and over.  It doesn’t matter if it was of a horse, your nephew, a train accident, and alien ship landing or the broadside of a barn.  It had the same look in every photograph. How much more interesting would those photos have been, if a little more attention was paid to the background, the light the special awareness of the angle of how the photo was shot.  What kind of a story is the photo trying to say?  All it takes is a little attention to detail, to bring life into the composition of the photo no matter what your subject – people, places, or things.

There are people everywhere and things everywhere, that we know.  And, certainly there are distinctive people and distinctive things, all over the world, as well.  However, what every country does not have is the same landscape or city.  And America has some of the richest of both.  With a few Megabus Coupons, you’re good to go on a photo adventure!  Here are a few ideas.

Cityscapes

New York City – the most populated city in the United States.  If you can’t find something to photograph here then you are just not looking. High rise buildings, a wide range of classic and modern architecture and landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, the 9/11 memorial, Empire State Building, the Brooklyn Bridge and Times Square.

Las Vegas – with its distinctive skyline, in the daylight hours, but especially at night with the city lit to capacity that can be seen for miles around.  San Francisco – known for its summer fog, rolling hills and the mixture of architecture.  And it’s landmarks – the Golden Gate Bridge, cable cars, Alcatraz Island Prison and Chinatown, all offer the photographer an abundance of options.

Landscapes

Some of the greatest landscapes to seek out and add your special touch to photographing are Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore Memorial, the Rocky Mountains and the Grand Tetons, the plains of South Dakota, the Devil’s Tower, Old Faithful, and Mount St. Helens, to name a few.  And, don’t forget the beauty of Yosemite, where Ansel Adams sought out the perfect shot.

Keep in mind these are only examples of some of the better known places to photograph.  No matter where you are, or where you look you can find something that catches your eye–to tell a story.  When you see that story in the lens……SHOOT IT!

This year if you don’t have the kind of money you’d like for gift giving, you can always look to your talents as a gift. And one of the best talents that can be parlayed into a gift is photography skill. There are so many ways to use the knowledge of photography as a gift, from offering free photos to teaching what you know. Here are some of the best ways to make a gift of your photography skills.
Offer a photo shoot

One of the most obvious ways to use your photography skills is offering a photo shoot as a gift. If you know someone that has an occasion coming up where they need new photos, such as an engagement, a high school or college graduation, a new baby, an anniversary or milestone birthday or an aspiring model or actor (for head shots), offering photos can be invaluable gift that can be worth much more to them than what you would’ve purchased otherwise. Also, since professional photo shoots can cost a pretty penny, this gift is always well received.

Teach photography lessons

A lot of people want to learn how to take better pictures but simply don’t have the time, or money, which is why if you’re looking for a fresh way to utilize your photography skills as a gift, consider giving photography lessons. Take them out on the town for an afternoon of taking photos and learning the basics. Or if you have a studio, invite them to come and learn how some of the equipment and other cool gadgets works, as well as take photos, so they can take them home with them.

Is always good to get creative when thinking about new ways to utilize your skills, and utilizing them in a gift giving capacity is one of the best ideas yet.

Photographers can make a great deal of money, especially if they are very good at what they do and they are able to be very creative at making the perfect photograph. If you are thinking about a career in photography, but you are not sure what qualifications are required so that you are able to sell your service, then you need to to some homework.

Photography Classes

In order for you to get an idea about photography and all of the demands, you should invest in a photography class at your local college. You want to find out all of the different aspects there are two photography and what types of things you should know, so that you are able to bring the best of your skill and ability to a photo shoot.

Getting Started

Once you get started with your new photography business, you need to make sure that you are able to spread the word about your photography services. Advertising and marketing are going to be instrumental and your success. The first thing you should do is send out several evites for specials on your services so that you can start building a clientele list. You should also send out a personal evite to all of your friends and family to let them know that you are able to help them start capturing moments in their families.  The more you spend on your advertising and marketing, the more work you are going to get and your business is going to get off the ground successfully.

Photography is a terrific career to get into, and you are going to be able to meet a great deal of people. Customer service is one of the most important things you can do with your new photography business, so be sure that you take good care of all of your clients.

Everyone is recycling these days, it doesn’t matter if it’s steel, copper or rubber, there’s always something that can be recycled and it’s fairly easy to make money from it, especially if you scrap your car for cash; besides recycling precious metals and other items, it’s also possible to make money by recycling old photos as well.

How To Make Money Recycling Photos

The first step to this process is to dig through your attic or basement and look through those boxes of old photos that you haven’t looked at in years because old photos, especially black and white photos are worth something to someone and you can make money posting those images online and selling them on a per download basis.

The next step to making money by salvaging old photos is to choose a great image and then frame, plus matt that image. If the image is framed and matted it will have better presentation value and you can charge more money for those images by selling them online via auction websites like ebay.com.

Once you start marketing and selling your images online you should start looking for more images to sell at old estate sales, garage sales, auctions and free ads on websites like Craigslist because almost everyone is throwing away their old photos and they don’t realize what those images are worth.

Be Everywhere The Buyers Are

Your key to success with making money by salving photos all depends on your ability to be where the buyers of photos are online. If you have a blog that you’re selling photos for a price that can be bought and downloaded from your blog, make sure that you’re back linking to other blogs, running banner advertising and doing everything that you can to leverage the traffic of those blogs. Cross-promotional advertising and internet marketing works plus it’s the best way for any website or blog owner to correctly leverage their time and make money.

Are you a novice photographer or perhaps a professional starting to build your new business from a home based studio?  Whatever scenario describes your needs the decision to design a space to be specifically used for your photography studio has endless possibilities.  The first consideration of course is how much space you plan on allocating for the studio.  The larger the available space the more elaborate the design.  Small spaces can be built to be completely functional also so you will be able to create a studio with what space you have available.

Form and Function

Your design plans will be developed with your end results in mind, will you be doing portrait photography, do you want to accommodate small or large groups of clients, will you need a waiting area for clients, how much space do you need for storage of your photography supplies and will you be developing your pictures or sending them out for development?  All of these factors will determine what building material Waldorf will be able to supply for you.  Having a design plan or perhaps consulting with one of their consultants will help you achieve the results that will best fit your needs.  Creating a space that works for the type of photography you produce means you will have to build spaces that work.  For still life photography you will want the walls and flooring that will compliment your subjects.  The paint on the walls should have minimal affect on the skin tones of your clients.  The backdrop should be seamless and the lighting should be even with good shadow management.  A smooth background will not distract from the subject of your photography.  Be sure to include enough building supplies to construct shelving or a closet for your cameras, film, developing supplies, props and any other equipment you will need to keep on hand.  Whether your photography studio is a hobby or your livelihood, having a designated space will enhance the joy of your work.

Thinking about getting into sports photography? Before you grab your camera and try your hand at taking the next great sports photo, keep in mind that the real secret to sports photography all boils down to the following tips:

Choose The Right Location

The key to success with sports photography is choosing the right location to take your photographs at. If you can get closer to the action, you can take a better shot that will be well received by sports magazines, newspapers and blogs around the world.

Be Aware Of What’s Going On Around The Players

The next step to shooting the right sports photos is paying attention to what’s going behind the action and positioning yourself to be ready to snap a great photo as it happens. Many aspiring sports photographers and sports fans that buy football tickets for sale make the mistake of taking photos of the action when they see it happen. This effectively puts them behind the action. The best sports photographers in the world today have learned to position themselves ahead of time and be ready to take a great shot as the action is happening.

Take The Time To Learn The Sport

As an aspiring sports photographer it’s important to learn the sports that you’re photographing before you head out to a game or match. This step is vital because you will know which plays to expect and be ready for unlike other amateurs who will be putting their equipment away or taking a break right as the action is heating up.

Another important aspect of learning the sports that you plan on photographing is being prepared to start taking shots before the action happens; for example: when a pitcher throws a pitch, this isn’t the time to take your shot, you should take your shot before the ball leaves the pitchers hand because if you see the action happening, that means you just missed the ability to take your shot.

Invest In Better Equipment

Although you may be tempted to stick with your same ole digital camera that you’ve been taking pictures with for years, you owe it to yourself to invest in better equipment like 85mm or 135mm lenses. The easier it is for you to shoot photos from farther away, the more photos you will sell and more success you will have as a sports photographer.

If you’re a photographer and you haven’t started a photography blog yet, you owe it to yourself to get a blog started ASAP. Why? Every day millions of internet searchers are searching for images online and you can get your images found, establish credibility online and even build your business simply by blogging.

Name Those Images

Once you’ve started your photography blog and are ready to start posting, make sure you always give each image a keyword loaded name. For example: Southern California Landscape, black Labrador puppies, and children dancing.

Why is this step important? Whenever an internet searcher searches for image, they will be searching by typing in keywords, not by typing in common file names like 001jpg, so the only way for your images to get found by those searchers is by giving each picture an appropriate name before you upload it to your blog.

Start Guest Posting

What is guest posting? It’s the process of writing blog posts for other blogs that are similar to your blog. Guest posts will help you to establish credibility and even help you to start selling your work in a very short period of time.

• To get started with guest posting the first thing you need to do is start searching for top photography blogs.
• Analyze those blogs to see if they allow you to leave comments on their posts.
• If they do allow comments, start leaving well thought out and well written comments on each blog post that you feel like commenting on. This step is important because, the blog owner will see your comments, realize that you’re not a common spammer and be more inclined to letting you guest post on their blog when you email them a guest posting request.

Creating a photography blog is a fun way to share your passion with the world, it may take some time to attract a fan base or traffic to your blog but, if you invest the time and labor necessary to establish your blog, the results will be worth it.

What would pay television be without the educational channels? Some of the most amazing shows I’ve seen have been in the name of education and extremely entertaining. So why couldn’t education have been entertaining when I was in school? To make sure that you get as many of these shows as possible consider doing a DISH comparison to other pay television providers. It would be a shame to miss Ken Burns next documentary and his archivalphotography.

Watch The Photography Channel

You can either watch the Photography Channel on television or online. If you end up with a pay TV service that doesn’t offer this channel at least you’ll be able to catch it on your laptop. And if you’re thinking that the Photography Channel is about photos and nothing else, guess again. Here are just a few topics that can be found/watched on the Photography Channel: blind parents and their children; an interview with David Snider; George Bush; Ronald Reagan; Marines in the Iraq war; women in the senate; Cuba; the Washington sniper; New York jazz; the year 2004 in history; the anniversary of the Washington Post; military medicine; hip hop and many, many more topics that you might not ordinarily equate with photography.

What Does Ken Burns Have To Say?

Several years ago Ken Burns sat down in New York City for a 2 hour interview. He talked about life as a child and how he got his start in the industry; how he formed Florentine Films (his own company) in the 1970s; and about Brooklyn Bridge, his documentary. He discussed still photography, narration, and film making styles. He talked about his relationship with educational programming; specifically PBS, and he has been involved in the making of the following: The Civil War; The Congress; Thomas Hart Benton; Huey Long; The Statue Of Liberty; Hands To Work Hard To God: The Shakers. Also discussed was his 2007 documentary entitled Men Who Made Radio, Baseball, Jazz And The War: Empire Of The Air.

But it’s five years later now so to find out what Ken Burns has been up to lately and about archival photography, keep your eyes open to the Photography Channel both on TV and online.