Many people purchase a digital camera and then hope that by some miracle of technology they will start taking wonderful photographs. Chance and serendipity do not create great images, you do. In order for you to shoot really great photos you need to give it some serious thought and make a move on your way to great photos. Here’s how to do it.

1. Maximise your thought process

The greatest photographers are thinking photographers. They take time out to think about what they want to do and how they will achieve those great images. If you are not thinking as you learn then you won’t maximise opportunities that stare you in the face. A thought process must start somewhere in order to reach its climax. So, take time out to sit, think and ponder what you want out of it.

2. Maximise your photographic identity

Find out who you are first and what you enjoy in life. Don’t cop what others enjoy. It’s not going to last for you if you follow a dream that isn’t yours. Sit down with a pen a paper and write down whayt you enjoy in life, your hobbies and interests. What pushes your buttons? A shiny vintage car or an antique pen set or perhaps a yacht in full sail. Define yourself as a photographer first. If close-up photos ring your bells then write it down. If wide open landscapes excite you then write it down. By defining what you like early on you will start heading in the right direction. I realised early in my journey that close-ups were my passion. Thirty years later it is still the same.

3. Maximise your goal setting

Once you know what you like then set your goals out on paper. You must right them down so that you can measure whether you are reaching them. Plan what you are going to do on your journey and what you need to learn to achieve it. This means that you can plan to do a course, buy a book, research on the internet and buy or budget for the equipment necessary to achieve your goals. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. Knowledge is power over yourself and your dreams.

4. Maximise your practise

Similar to goal setting is taking the time to practise your art or hobby. Allocate the time in your schedule no mater how busy you might be. Regular and focused practise will go a long way to helping you become a quality photo taker. Gary Player the famous golfer and winner of every major tournament over 5 decades says that the harder he practises the luckier he gets. You create your own luck through dedicated effort and practise.

5. Maximise your review and evaluation

You cannot progress along your photographic journey unless you take the time out for review and reflection. Firstly on the quality of your images and secondly on where you are at with the goals you have set for yourself. Set specific review dates in advance of your planning then sit down and measure your self against these plans. If you aren’t aiming at the bull’s eye you may not even reach the target. Make the time to evaluate where you are at and then based on where you are, create a new set of goals for yourself.

By following these steps I can guarantee that you will go a long way as you learn digital photography. The person who is focused and looks for results in their learning experience will maximise that experience. Simple steps to follow but maximum results will be achieved. Happy shooting!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3975499

In order to protect your precious images it essential that you follow a protocol or process after every photo shoot. Keep it simple in order to ensure that your images are protected for ever and are never lost. Here are some simple steps to follow in order to be sure that keep your images forever.

1. Backup your memory cards after a shoot

Even if you are a point and shoot photographer it is essential that you back up the cards you are currently using after every shoot or picture taking opportunity. This means that at all times you have your photos stored in two places. One set of images on the card you are currently using and the other on a computer hard drive or field backup device that allows you to copy from a memory card.

2. Create a set of backups

Once you delete the images from your memory card make sure that at the same time you make a copy or backup of the images on the hard drive or backup device. Again the rule is there must always be two sets of photos available at all times. This might mean that you copy your laptop hard drive to an external hard drive or write them to a DVD or CD. Backup does NOT mean copying to another device and then deleting from the original location. It means you have a source and a copy of that source at ALL times.

3. Use an online storage service as an offsite backup

It’s great that you have everything on your laptop and then copies on CD, flash drive or external hard drive, BUT, if they are all at the same location then disaster can still strike. If your home were to burn down or get flooded you are still in trouble. If you are able to, store the copies at your office or if you are backing up your office files, store them at home. The ultimate solution is to use an online storage company where you can upload everything of importance. Google and many other online companies offer huge amounts of storage at low or no cost. USE THEM!

4. Repeat and rinse

Once you have backed up there is a false sense of security. This can lead to future disasters. Get into a rhythm of doing this regularly. Set a time on a weekly basis to do your backups and repeat this. There’s nothing worse than thinking you have it under control and then realise your last backup was 6 months ago. As long as you keep this process going on a regular basis, then you are safe.

5. Check your backups

Make sure that you check your backs on a regular basis to see if the CDs, DVDs or hard drives are in good condition. There is nothing worse than trying to restore after a crisis and finding that your backups are damaged, corrupt or inaccessible. Not all CDs last a lifetime so back archival CDS and DVDs for backup. And, there will come a time when your backup hard drive comes to the end of its life and needs replacing. Find this out before you need to use it in a restore crisis.

All of us will at some stage have a hard drive go bad on us. Don’t let the disaster of losing irreplaceable images and documents befall you. Make sure that you have some plan in place to prevent tragedy. Lost memories are irreplaceable so make sure today that you are protected by regularly backing up.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6201378

So, how can people take better images for posting to Facebook and other social media sites. Follow these simple steps for immediate improvement to your photo taking abilities.

1. Think about the lighting

When taking an image have a look at your lighting. Firstly, make sure that there is enough light to take a photo. I know sometimes this is not possible but consider it carefully before you shoot. Secondly, look where the light is coming from. Unless you are trying for a specific effect never place the light behind your subject. The camera will always focus and meter off the brightest area of a scene so your subject will be dark and indistinct. Rather shoot with the light coming from behind the camera over the shoulder of the photographer. Good images need good lighting to get a good exposure.

2. Use your feet

Sometimes it’s more important to use your feet before your head. Use them to get in closer. Most of the time photos are being taken with cellphones or point n shoots with either no optical zoom or very little. So the subjects are little blips in the photo. Get close to your subject and fill the frame so your see more of the person or object. Don’t use digital zoom as it degrades the image. Try it out and see which image you prefer. I like to see more of the memory I am making rather than all the clutter around scene.

3. Change your angle

Ninety percent of images are shot from in front of the subject approximately 5 feet (1.5m) above the ground. They all look the same, just different people. Change your angle so that you shoot from either low down or high up. Move around from your left to your right so that you aren’t directly in front of your subjects. Turn your camera at a forty five degree angle or hold it high above your head or at your waist. Digital photography allows you to review quickly and see if it works.

4. Think outside the box

Try to come up with a composition that is out of the ordinary. Be creative and take time to think about what you are going to shoot before pressing the shutter button. Look at the scene and ask yourself if you have seen a picture like this before. If you have then try another composition or angle. The key is to experiment.

5. Review your images

Before uploading to Facebook, review the images you’ve taken. Look through them and delete or remove the ones that you aren’t totally happy. Rather upload 10 good images than 50 average or bad ones. A little time taken to ask yourself whether you are proud of the image will ensure that your photo gallery stands out from the rest.

The bottom line is to learn digital photography and apply it so that you become a photographer and not just a picture taker. A little bit of thought and putting into practise some basic photographic principles will help you create images that you can be proud of. Facebook is there to showcase your images so try to upload only your best ones. Just because people aren’t making funny comments about them doesn’t mean they aren’t thinking them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6353645

So, how can people take better images for posting to Facebook and other social media sites. Follow these simple steps for immediate improvement to your photo taking abilities.

1. Think about the lighting

When taking an image have a look at your lighting. Firstly, make sure that there is enough light to take a photo. I know sometimes this is not possible but consider it carefully before you shoot. Secondly, look where the light is coming from. Unless you are trying for a specific effect never place the light behind your subject. The camera will always focus and meter off the brightest area of a scene so your subject will be dark and indistinct. Rather shoot with the light coming from behind the camera over the shoulder of the photographer. Good images need good lighting to get a good exposure.

2. Use your feet

Sometimes it’s more important to use your feet before your head. Use them to get in closer. Most of the time photos are being taken with cellphones or point n shoots with either no optical zoom or very little. So the subjects are little blips in the photo. Get close to your subject and fill the frame so your see more of the person or object. Don’t use digital zoom as it degrades the image. Try it out and see which image you prefer. I like to see more of the memory I am making rather than all the clutter around scene.

3. Change your angle

Ninety percent of images are shot from in front of the subject approximately 5 feet (1.5m) above the ground. They all look the same, just different people. Change your angle so that you shoot from either low down or high up. Move around from your left to your right so that you aren’t directly in front of your subjects. Turn your camera at a forty five degree angle or hold it high above your head or at your waist. Digital photography allows you to review quickly and see if it works.

4. Think outside the box

Try to come up with a composition that is out of the ordinary. Be creative and take time to think about what you are going to shoot before pressing the shutter button. Look at the scene and ask yourself if you have seen a picture like this before. If you have then try another composition or angle. The key is to experiment.

5. Review your images

Before uploading to Facebook, review the images you’ve taken. Look through them and delete or remove the ones that you aren’t totally happy. Rather upload 10 good images than 50 average or bad ones. A little time taken to ask yourself whether you are proud of the image will ensure that your photo gallery stands out from the rest.

The bottom line is to learn digital photography and apply it so that you become a photographer and not just a picture taker. A little bit of thought and putting into practise some basic photographic principles will help you create images that you can be proud of. Facebook is there to showcase your images so try to upload only your best ones. Just because people aren’t making funny comments about them doesn’t mean they aren’t thinking them.

So what is there to shoot?

Focus on what is unique about the season. Is it the dry branches of the trees or the buds and flowers of spring and summer. Maybe it’s the leaves as autumn ends and winter begins. There is just so much to photograph as the seasons change. Here are a few tips to help you shoot the seasons.

1. Summer

Focus on the vibrant colours and luscious greens. Get in close to the flowers and look for detail. Or, get back and shoot the rolling fields of colourful flowers and trees. Shoot landscapes of green with skies of azure blue. The world is at your mercy so shoot till you cannot any more.

2. Autumn

Autumn is a favourite season for many with the colourful leaves of  trees and vines. There are so many shades of brown and red in the carpets of leaves strewn across woods and forest. Look closely for pine cones and acorns and their patterns across woodland floor.

3. Winter

Winter is a time of texture and patterns as trees stand starkly contrasted against pale grey skies. If you’re fortunate to have snow there is opportunity to shoot beautiful snow clothed subjects. The colours are cool and neutral across landscapes of crisp whites.

4. Spring

Spring is the time time to go wild. There is just so much to shoot as the world rises from the dead of winter and new life blossoms across the countryside. Colours are vibrant and the wildlife is active and ready to face the abundance that creation provides. So get in close and see what new life offers your creative genius.

Now is the time to learn photography and develop the photo techniques that will help you create those magnificent images.

If you haven’t already purchased my ebook then now is the time.

Till midnight on 24 December I will slashing the price by 50%. Together with the free Audio book 21 Steps to Perfect Photos, the bonus ebook 30 Keys to Photography Success and a free assignment field guide this deal is not to be missed.

Just click on the link below and take a look at the sample chapter before you purchase.

http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/21steps.htm

Take you photography to the next level this Christmas or buy this ebook and give it to someone for Christmas.

Canon EOS 7D

The Canon 7d, on the market for almost a year, is in my humble opinion the best digital SLR Canon has released for the avid amateur or semi-pro. It’s not a 5D and it’s not a 1Ds but it is an affordable camera with great specifications. And, comparing it to the 500D for my application has a microphone input. The video is incredible and I can quite see why ad commercials have been shot on this camera.

So why did I purchase this camera? Firstly, the ability to record sound directly from a microphone plugged into the camera. I was a little surprised at the fact that there is no way to control volume levels which is a downside although Canon have promised a firmware update. There is a work around if you are serious about your video sound and that is to use a stereo digital recorder mounted on the hot shoe. Taking your sound out of the recorder into the mic socket allows you  to control the sound as good as the ability of your digital recorder. For my applications this is more than adequate.

Canon have maintained their participation in the megapixel race by giving a brand new 18 megapixel APS-C sensor with a 1.6x crop factor. The new sensor gathers plenty of light with each pixel 4.3 microns in size with their gapless microlenses assisting with this. This baby is definitely competition to the Nikon  D300.

The 7D is designed for speed with dual DIGIC 4 chips together with a fantastic 8 frames per second top speed. The buffer can handle 94 jpegs at the highest speed or 15 RAW images.  I like the fact that exposure compensation has been increased to five stops over or under coupled with a top ISO of 6400 which can be expanded to 12 800.

If you like HD video then this camera is for you. The HD movie mode captures full HD video at 30 fps when set to NTSC format and 25 fps when set to PAL in non-USA countries. Just be sure that your PC can handle these files and don’t get a surprise like me when it doesn’t.

The electronic horizon level to help with those landscape images doesn’t ring any bells for me but will probably help some. The RAW button will help when moving between jpeg and RAW as long as you remember the last change you made. Another little feature is the flash commander mode that allows you to control up to three groups of off camera flash units.

I am happy that there is still a non-full frame high end DSLR that will allow me to get that extra out of my zoom lenses. It’s size is slightly bigger than the 50D weighing in at 3.23 pounds or 1.4kg with a 28-105 kit lens.

If you are looking for the  idiots settings or Scene Mode you’ll find that they are missing on the dial which hails this camera as an entry level pro camera. The enthusiast who can afford it will miss these settings.

If you are looking for a camera that shoots high quality video and stills then this one is for you. There is a lot more that I could write about the 7D but what I have given here is perhaps for the serious amateur who is looking to take a step up to pro quality and ease of use without breaking the bank. Happy shooting if this the route of your choice.

Make More Money

This is a question that all of those who love photography ask at some time or other. Even those of us who are professional photographers sometimes need to sit down and evaluate where we are with our photography businesses. So how can you make more money from your photo business or hobby?

A professional photographer is someone who earns their living from photography, but, it doesn’t mean that a pro is better than an amateur. Of course, doing it full-time ensures that you spend more time doing what you love and becoming really good at it. So here I sit evaluating my business and asking the above question. Let’s take a look at what I found that will help me make more money from my photography.

1. Do more marketing

All of us fail here at some stage. Many pro photographers are not pro marketers and numerous businesses in general fail because of their marketing strategies, or, lack of strategy. I have sat down and looked at where I am at and what I am doing to market more effectively. I took a white board and began to mind map by writing down what I WAS doing, what I SHOULD be doing and what I COULD be doing with my marketing. If you can answer these three questions effectively and so something about each one, I can guarantee that you will make more money than you are at the moment. By taking your core business elements and letting people know about them will make you more money. So, bite the bullet and examine your marketing efforts and do something about it. If you need help, find it and implement it. A simple strategy can not only make you more money but save your business during difficult times.

2. Evaluate your style and quality

Complacency in any business is a killer to the entrepreneur. It creeps up on you and before you know it you are no longer growing but in the process of stagnating or even terminal. You stick to the same old portrait or wedding styles while the industry moves on. Your quality starts to be affected and before you know it what once was great is now average. I am not saying copy the market trends but keep up with them and adapt. If your clients want the happy family actions shots with a white background then give it to them, but, put your own unique style stamp on the final product. By keeping up with what people want you will make more money. You are in it for the money if it is a business so don’t be idealistic and refuse to watch the market trends.

3. Write a book

You’re a great photographer and have come through the ranks and now have a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and practical experience. So, share it by writing an e-book. Don’t share your trade secrets or unique techniques but show others how to do what you do well as a photo entrepreneur. Those of us who have followed this route have made thousands of dollars supplementing our businesses. There are so many people who want to become better photographers and will never make use of the services of a photo business and in this way you can reach their wallets. The process is simple with a little research on the internet. I am on my third e-book and reached the point where it is a great passive income every month. Wisdom cannot be owned so benefit financially by sharing it.

4. Run a course

All photo businesses have down time so run a course or offer personal photo coaching. When the studio has no bookings or the photo shoots have slowed, offer your services to people who want to learn the basics of the business. Show them how to do the things they think only pros can do. You aren’t going to show them everything and create competitors to your own business but rather help someone get better at what they can do.

5. Make a gift

Giving your time to people, organisations or charities who cannot afford a photographer will always help the growth of your business. As the old adage goes, ‘your gift will make room for you’. A photographer who gives often wins the trust of those she serves and others who observe her generosity. Trust is a huge factor in any business and someone who serves others will get noticed by those who can afford the services. So get involved in a local charity and showcase your business.

The proactive photographer who works at their business or hobby will make more money as they carefully apply these five points. Don’t work harder but rather smarter and you will make more money. Happy shooting!

Hindrances to Photography

Every photographer has to start somewhere and most beginners have to overcome several hindrances on their photography journey. Here are the top five that I have discovered and how to overcome them. There is a misnomer that great images are shot by professionals and that the rest of us fit into the category of happy snappers which are a sub-standard group of photographers. The great divide is a figment of your imagination. There is no wide gap and I am going to show you why.

I find it amazing that the students I teach have this idea that they can’t take the great images the pros do and they have a mindset of inferiority. I am going to look at five hindrances that amateurs create for themselves, thereby limiting there photographic journey.

1. My photos are sub-standard

This is probably true in certain respects but you will find that there are really great images scattered amongst your mainly average images. Key here is to find those images that are good and concentrating on making them better or shooting more like them. Here’s a practical exercise for you to do. Select a random number of your photos, whether they are prints or digital, and sort through them choosing the ones you think are great and that measure up to your standards. Place them in a pile or folder. Now pack the rest away, discard them or put them in a file somewhere on your PC. Take the good ones and focus on them. Now tell yourself that you can take good photos. This is the first step to becoming an above average photographer. Your journey has begun. Change that mindset now.

2. My equipment is not good enough

This is a statement that so many budding photographers make. And how wrong can you be. Good photographers take good images and NOT good cameras. A great photographer will take a top image using just an ordinary camera. Forty years ago most images were shot with cameras that are nowhere near the quality of equipment we use today. Concentrate on your photo taking and not on your camera. Composition is not dependent on a good camera but a good eye.

3. I can’t get this right

There is no right way to take an image. You have to start somewhere and it’s not always easy so persevere at taking photos. You have to start somewhere and regular practise is essential. Gradually you will start getting better. Get to know you camera and its settings and learn what it can do. Your camera has automatic so use it to begin with. It doesn’t make you any less of a photographer if you don’t start with manual. Ease yourself into it and start using the different settings one at a time.

4. I’ll never be able shoot like the professionals

Did you know that every single professional started at the same place that you did? They weren’t born with the ability to take great images. It was a journey of perseverance and effort that took them to where they are now. Commitment to a task and lots practise and effort will help you to shoot like the professionals. Professional just means that they do it for a living and doesn’t describe their ability. I have seen some really average images by professionals and some fantastic photos by dedicated amateurs. If you take the time and effort you will grow as a photographer.

5. I can’t afford to learn

At this point in the digital day and age there has never been a better time to learn photography. Besides the fact that digital makes it almost free to learn after your initial purchase, the internet is full of free material to download. Much of it is also very reasonably priced. So you CAN afford to learn. Join a photography club in your area and you’ll probably find others willing to teach you or courses at no cost to members.

The biggest hurdle that most have to overcome is a negative attitude or mindset. If you are really enthusiastic about becoming a great photo taker then nothing will hold you back. Find a solution to each of the barriers to learning and in a short time you will be taking great images. Happy shooting!

What I discovered many years ago was that great images and those dramatically inspired photographs don’t just happen. If you were to speak to a National Geographic award winning photographer, you’d find out that there is a process that leads up to the outstanding image. Now I am not going to give you the keys to that type of image because I wasn’t part of the photographer’s process. I am going to give you some basic steps to get you moving towards your personal goal of that perfect image. Before we go on I need to make it clear that the perfect image for you is one that is in your mind and nobody else’s. So here are some tips to head you in the right direction.

1. Define yourself as a photographer

This is really simple and not as difficult as the step sounds. Defining yourself as a photographer means discovering what you like to shoot and what genres you want focus on. This might be landscape, portrait or close-up and macro. If you don’t do this you’ll be a generalist and never focus on what really motivates you to take photos. As I said, the perfect image starts with a process and this is the first step.

2. Learn to think

Once you know what you want to shoot and have an idea of what you really like it’s time to take a step back from the actually shooting and learn to think. Take time out to think about what the final result will be. Begin with the end in mind. If you love close-ups, is it that green tree frog with bright red eyes? Or, perhaps the bee on a bright red flower? Start to visualise what the final images should look like and what you need to do to get to that point. Where you need to go, at what time of day and what equipment you need to take with or plan to buy now or in the future. The perfect image comes from a lot of thought and planning.

3. Take your time

Perfect images can never be rushed. As the golfer who takes a lucky swing and gets a hole in one so are the chances of you getting the lucky shot. By taking your time to find the right location, set up equipment properly and thinking about the image you will increase your chances of that perfect shot. Passion and enthusiasm are sometimes hindrances to great photography because they induce haste and speed which are big negatives to the process.

4. Plan

This is a key component to realising a great image. It includes finding the best location for a perfect photo, preparing your equipment, working out the technical aspects of the image and understanding what the best lighting and other weather conditions will be. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. A good plan will increase your chances a hundredfold of shooting the photo of your dreams.

5. Experiment

Although you have a plan and a series of steps you need to take to get the image in your mind’s eye, don’t be afraid to experiment. Make sure that you implement you plan carefully, this is number one. But be prepared to try out other ideas, angles and settings. You never know what will happen and a variation of your plan may just result in something dramatic and an image that is beyond your wildest dreams.

6. Practise makes perfect

If at first you don’t succeed try and try again. Practise makes perfect is what the old adage says. If the plan doesn’t work out then try it again and again and again and vary it as I said when experimenting. You may get 70% of the plan right or even only 50%. Don’t give up but keep on trying because next time it will be 75% or even 90% percent right. As you go a long you’ll find yourself perfecting your techniques and repeating the successes more often. All this adds to the process and you will find yourself getting nearer and nearer to that perfect image.

Once again, the perfect image is one that is in your mind and not someone else’s. Nobody can prescribe to you what that image should be. It may look like one in a travel magazine or on the cover of Nature magazine or National Geographic but it is still your image. Take the time, plan, experiment and practise until you reach that perfect goal in your photographic journey. As you learn digital photography you will learn something new every day so build on it and soon you will become an accomplished photographer. Happy shooting!