What we are going to look at are three controls on your camera, ISO, aperture and shutter speed. You need to understand that each of these impacts on the others. If you change the aperture then you need to change the shutter speed, if you change the ISO then you need to change the aperture or shutter speed.

So here’s how it all works.

1. Aperture

The aperture is the scale of numbers on your lens or camera ranging from f2.8 all the way to f22 and above. The widest aperture denoted by f2.8 and the smallest by f22. Aperture controls the amount of light you allow to reach the sensor or film. This determines the depth of field reflected in your photos. Depth of field or depth of focus controls how much the photo is in focus. In a portrait you’d see that the background is blurred out which is created by using a large aperture i.e. f2.8. The opposite is true for a landscape image where nearly the whole image is in sharp focus. Here a small aperture of f22 is used. So how does this affect shutter speed?

2. Shutter Speed

Shutter speed in shown all the way from seconds to thousandths of a second. It determines how long the sensor is exposed to the light reaching it. The brighter the light the shorter the time the shutter remains open to obtain an optimal exposure on the sensor. What you need to understand is that there is an optimal speed for every aperture in order to get a perfect exposure, and vice versa. Lets say for example, that you want a depth of field that shows a fair amount of the image in focus, which could be f8. The light meter says that a shutter speed of 1/125 of a second will give the correct exposure. If you decide to blur out the background a little more by reducing the aperture to f5.6 you effectively double the size of the aperture. At 1/125 of a second you have double light reaching the sensor so you have to reduce it by half to 1/250 of a second. There is a direct relationship with the aperture. The same goes for the shutter speed. If you want to slow it down to 1/60 of a second from 1/125 then the aperture that was correct at f8 needs to be halved to f11. If you increase the aperture then you need to decrease the speed.

3. ISO

This is the sensitivity of the sensor to light. By increasing it from 100 to 400 the sensor is far more sensitive to the light reaching it. This is great for low light conditions where you cannot open the aperture any wider to let in more light so you make the sensor more sensitive. Or, if you need to use a fast shutter speed but the light is too low then by increasing the ISO it will allow you to use a faster shutter speed.

Being able to control your shutter speed or aperture allows you to be more creative as a photographer. Being in control of your aperture allows you to set how much of the image is in focus, i.e. depth of field. Being in control of shutter speed can equally give you more creativity by allowing you to blur or freeze your image. A fast shutter speed will freeze action while a slow speed will blur the action.

On your camera these creative settings are controlled by setting the camera to either aperture priority or shutter priority. Aperture priority allows you to control your aperture while the camera determines the shutter speed. Shutter priority does the reverse allowing you to set the shutter speed and the camera chooses the correct aperture.

There are times where you want the ability to set both aperture and priority. This is done by setting the camera to manual. By getting to grips with these settings you’ll be able to shoot perfect exposures and take complete control of your creativity.

These aren’t listed in any particular order and I don’t think in any order of importance either although if you were to push me for an answer I would place a tripod as my number one accessory. It will also depend on what type of photography you are pursuing as to which one will be number one to you. They are, however, accessories that I would list as essential to a photographer’s gear bag.

1. A tripod

If you don’t already have a tripod then get yourself one. Buy the most expensive one you can afford. A good solid tripod is essential to the kit of a photographer. There are many occasions when light conditions aren’t great and the extra stability helps you create crisp, sharp images. Just a little camera shake will cause blurring to some degree in the final photo. A tripod is especially useful when shooting close-ups of flowers and small creatures and will help you to have complete control of your images.

2. Remote shutter release

This is coupled with the tripod and is essential when avoiding camera shake. Even when your camera is mounted on the tripod, the simplest action like pushing the shutter button can still cause camera shake and prevent you from taking the sharpest images. It works very simply either connected by a cable to the camera or using an infrared connection to activate the shutter.

3. A good circular polarising filter

A polarising filter cuts down glare and reflections off shiny surfaces. Those of you who have ever owned or used a pair of polaroid sunglasses will know the effect that it has on shiny and reflective surfaces. This includes shiny foliage as well. When using polaroid sunglasses while looking at water you are able to see below the surface if the water is clear. The sky becomes bluer and the green vegetation greener.

If you are a landscape photographer you will really benefit from a polariser. I consider this essential. One tip though is that you should always use one that has an equivalent or higher quality of your lens. There is no point in putting bad glass in front of quality glass.

Remember that these are my three top choices of accessories in no particular order. You need to choose which ones will serve your particular needs the best. I use all three equally but maybe if my photography changed slightly I would add another one or two to my list. Happy shooting!

When I discovered digital photography after years as a film photographer I wanted to get the best possible camera and other equipment. But, equipment was really the last thing that should have been on my list besides a camera of reasonable quality. What I really needed was to learn the fundamentals of photography. Good photographers take good pictures not cameras.

The first thing that any budding photographer needs to learn are the fundamentals of photography starting with the basics. Get these under your belt quickly and you have already won half the battle. So, what needs to happen to get you going as a beginner with your first digital camera? Let’s take a look at my top seven.

1. Equipment

It’s not all about equipment. Don’t go rushing out to buy expensive equipment without knowing what you need. A keen sales person will sell you as far as your wallet or credit card will take you. Wait until you know what you need and what you like and match these desires with the right equipment.

2. Decide on the type of shots you’d like to shoot

A good idea is to browse the internet photo galleries, look in magazines or visit your local library to get an idea of what type of photo you really like. Try it out with your camera and see if you are able to, or, want to persevere until you can. Once you’ve made a list plan to go out and shoot on a regular basis. It’s practise that makes perfect. Stick to it until you master your genre. Only then start looking for the equipment to match your area of interest.

3. Decide on a structured learning plan

Find out what you’d like to learn and what you need to learn in order to shoot the type of photos that interest you. For example, macro and nature photography is a more specialised art form and there are a number of techniques and skills to learn, as well as equipment you’ll need to buy. Research it on the internet, read books and if possible take a course on macro or close up photography.

4. Take photos often

If you are not regularly shooting images you are not going to grow in your skills and abilities. Set yourself assignments based on what you are studying. Of course, in a structured course you will be given assignments. A photo a day keeps the creativity flowing and helps you to keep motivated. I did an assignment once taking a 100 photos of the same subject from a host of different angles. It gave my photography an unexpected boost.

5. Learn your camera’s settings

Getting to know your camera is paramount if you want to learn to take great photos and the best way to do this is by reading your manual. Like I should be telling you this. I am the last one who reads a manual. But, if you do it in a structured way you’ll be amazed at how quickly you get to know your camera. The way I did it was to go through the manual highlighting everything I already knew about it. Then I went back through the manual reading up on each section I didn’t know, practising as I went along. Once I got to know it I was amazed at how much more I could do with my camera. The key is to experiment.

6. Keep your camera with you

Take every opportunity to get a great shot. Whenever you see something that would make a great photo, shoot it. I have often wished that I had taken my camera with me and got an amazing shot. If you don’t have it with you, you won’t get the shot

7. Buy a tripod

Besides my camera, my tripod is the most important piece of kit in my equipment bag. There are shots you can only get if your camera is steady. The sharpness of your shots will improve dramatically. If the pros use them then why not the amateurs?

As you begin your photography journey, work at learning in a structured way so that the fundamentals of photography become second nature. Photography should be fun but your learning process needs to be serious. Happy shooting!

Here are some tried and tested ways that will guarantee you an income if you are committed, work hard at it and persevere even when things get tough.

1. Sell your framed images

If you are able to shoot really great photos then think about getting a few framed and offering them to local stores. If they are good enough and framed appropriately they will sell. Go have a look at what other images are on sale. Check out the quality of the frame and the composition and see if you can match them. Match them I said, not copy.

2. Cafe art

Ask the owners of local cafe’s to decorate their walls with your images. They get free art to cover empty walls and you get to showcase your images and make a name for yourself locally. It’s a win/win situation and you have nothing to lose. If they don’t sell take them down and replace them with others until you find some that do.

3. Sell your photos on eBay.com

In the same way you sell them on the walls of cafes, sell them on eBay. Set up an eBay store, choose you best images and advertise them at reasonable prices. You can do this framed or unframed. It’s up to you how.

4. Submit to microstock sites

This is a relatively easy way to sell your images electronically if they are of a high quality. Don’t try to sell just anything. There is strong competition and you have to have a quality portfolio. This is a great passive income if you consistently shoot and submit on a regular basis.

5. Enter competitions

In our digital age there are just so many online competitions that are not geographically specific so you can enter from anywhere in the world. Don’t forget about your local competitions. Many offer cash prizes and if they don’t and you win there is always the boost it gives to your reputation.

6. Turn them into wallpaper

All of us at some stage have put quality images on PC desktops. Some of us have even bought images. There is quite a market on the internet for good quality desktop images so test the market and sell on eBay, Craigslist and Gumtree.

7. Open a Flickr account

There is just so much business being done on Flickr. Many photo buyers are leaving the microstock sites and approaching buyers directly on Flickr and paying really good prices for exclusive rights to specific images. So create a Flickr account and start a portfolio.

8. Social photography

Weddings, events, portrait and children’s photography make up social photography. It’s basically people photography and a bit of pets. Start shooting for friends and family and gradually you’ll start getting offered commissions to do specific events.

9. Create a photography book

There are just so many companies offering to publish your images in a great coffee table book. So when you shoot an event like a golden wedding anniversary or a child’s birthday, think about offering the final photos in the form of a professionally printed photo book. They are reasonably priced and a great final product.

10. Product photography

Approach local businesses and offer to shoot for their product catalogues, menus and real estate brochures. Some companies with limited budgets are looking for well priced alternatives to the commercial photographers so there is always a possibility if you can create great product images.

These are just some of the ideas that if you are prepared to spend some time and take some effort you will be able to make cash from your camera. Try one or few together and you might find that you are on your way to making a livelihood from your photos. Happy shooting!

This has been a hobby horse of mine for a few years and some have said get off and stop flogging a dead horse. They may be right and maybe a little wrong. But, there is a solution or rather a number of solutions. The one I want to consider is getting back to basics. In most vocations when skills diminish it’s time to get back to basics. This is where the problem lies in digital photography. The bottom line is that in order to learn digital photography you need to learn the basics of photography.

There are two things that need to be done then. Get back to the basics or if you haven’t learnt the basics, begin with them. Here is where the big question lies. How do we get back or begin with the basics. The operative word is learning. Learn photography or learn digital photography. Picking up a camera and shooting doesn’t make you a photographer. So what do we do? Acquire the skills. This is much easier said than done.

Our current generation is the most fortunate generation as we have the internet and the ability to read, read and read. Again easier said than done. What I would like to suggest is that acquire specific literature i.e. books on photography. The internet is full of them especially electronic downloadable editions. But lets go beyond this and back to the paper books. There are a number I’d consider to be fundamental to any aspiring photographer’s library. So here are a few suggestions:

1. The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby

Scott Kelby gives you the simple insider tips pros use. There are three volumes in the series with each building on the next and providing great tips from the pros. It’s easy to understand and very simple to apply resulting in great photographs. I love his fresh style of writing although is a prolific author and has produced many best sellers. He will keep you interested with his humour and expertise while making photography simple to understand. I always feel highly motivated to take photos after reading his books.

2. Understanding Exposure: How to Shoot Great Photographs with a Film or Digital Camera (Updated Edition) by Bryan Peterson

Exposure and how to use aperture and shutter speed always confused me until I read Bryan Peterson’s book on exposure. A must have book in your library. He makes the whole concept of exposure simple to understand and easy to implement in your personal photography journey. If you have any doubts to your knowledge and application of exposure principles then this is the book for you.

3. The Photographer’s Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos by Michael Freeman

Michael has been around for donkey’s years and handles a subject that every digital photographer needs. Composition. By understanding composition your photographs will improve a hundredfold. Michael has a way of getting the point across in a simple way and will help to make you into a photographer who is able to compose with a true photographer’s eye.

4. Learning to See Creatively: Design, Color & Composition in Photography (Updated Edition) by Bryan Peterson

For some of us seeing creatively is a natural ability while with others it’s something we need to learn or acquire. This is one of the best books I have read on creativity in photography. This is the ultimate book on creative photography. He takes a simple concept and gets you taking images you would never have dreamed of taking before reading the book. Complemented by his Youtube videos this book is a must.

5. Digital Photography Masterclass by Tom Ang

Tom Ang has been around a long time and with this book takes you further along you photographic journey. Great assignments throughout this book. He will take you to a new level. I love a book that has assignments as it is the practical that will always get you moving along your photography journey. A little more for the advanced amateur but nonetheless a great book.

6. Understanding Shutter Speed: Creative Action and Low-Light Photography Beyond 1/125 Second by Bryan Peterson

This book is linked with his other one on exposure and helps cement your understanding of how to use your shutter speed. It complements his other book, Understanding Exposure and with these two books in your library you will never look back. His style is easy to understand and gets you thinking while at the same time motivates you to take photos and experiment.

7. Understanding Digital Photography: Techniques for Getting Great Pictures by Bryan Peterson

Getting the shot is what it is all about. Bryan gets you thinking before your press the shutter button too quickly and succumb to the disease of digital. If there was a one man solution to this problem it’s Bryan Peterson. This book should be the textbook of all photography learning experiences. A must for the beginner written by a top photographer who knows what he is talking about.

These are just some of my favourite authors and photographers who have enhanced my photography dramatically. By going back to the principles of good photographic composition and learning photography and not just digital photography you’ll become a better a more rounded photographer. Don’t allow digital to take you backwards. Take the principles of great photography and apply them to digital. Remember, great photographers take great photos using any medium, digital or film. Keep learning and don’t stop making great images.

Eiffel Tower

It amazes me that people who want to learn photography don’t maximise their learning experience. They seem to just wander along like piece of driftwood tossed on the surf of the ocean hoping to land at the destination of great image taking. Here’s how to maximise your learning experience.

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 copy 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 what 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!

Do you want to learn more about photography in a digital world? I’ve just completed a brand new e-course delivered by e-mail. Download it here for free by clicking here: http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/ To learn how you can take your photography from ordinary to outstanding click here – http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/21steps.htm

You’ve spent your hard earned money on your first digital camera or perhaps your first digital SLR and you want to do more than just take photos on automatic. Do you start reading your manual, should you take a course or perhaps buy some digital photography books? The big question is where and how do you get started? I have some great digital photography tips to help you on the road to becoming a real photographer.

Just because you aren’t going down the route of professional photography it doesn’t mean that you can’t take top photos like the pros. Any new piece of technology can be quite daunting to the newbie or amateur, but, not worry as there are a few simple steps that will get you going.

1. Get the feel of your camera

Before you open the manual or read any quick start guides play with the camera. Make sure that it is on automatic and shoot some photos. Get the feel of the camera. How the shutter button feels and how the camera sits in your hand. It’s going to be your photography companion for a while. Most of all get to know the various buttons, NOT what they mean or what their functions are, but where they are situated. Carefully press any buttons and see what happens. The reason you want to familiarise yourself with the camera is that when you read the manual and it refers to a button with a star and moon you will know where it is. Once you know where all the buttons are you will be able to follow the manual.

2. Read your manual

What you need to do is take a highlighter pen and start at the beginning of the manual and highlight all the section or chapter headings that you know and are competent with. Once you’ve done this you can start working through all the un-highlighted sections in order to understand the features or settings mentioned in those chapters. If it gets too technical go on to the next section and once you are familiar with that part of your camera highlight the section in the manual. When you have finished this exercise you will know what you need to get help with or read up about.

3. Experiment

This is a logical exercise as you need to start at the beginning of the manual and try the different settings and work out how they affect the final image. Take for example white balance. This has no meaning to a non-photographer as it is something unique to digital and needs to be mastered. Shoot an image then change the various white balance settings and see what happens. Try this on all the different features on your camera. What you want achieve is an understanding of all the buttons, menus and knobs on the camera. Only then will you get creative with your compositions and final images.  By understanding your camera’s controls you will understand what effect they will have on your compositions.

Unless an artist or a workman has an intimate knowledge of the tools of their trade they will never rise to a level of competence necessary to be skilled at what they do. You need to get to a level of being able to change settings with your eye glued to the viewfinder of your camera. Operate it in the dark. This may seem weird but photography is all about capturing a moment in a sliver of time and sometimes there just isn’t the time to think before changing a setting. It may seem a big task at first getting to know your camera, but as you learn digital photography it will form the foundation of all great images in your future. Practise makes perfect as the old adage goes so take the time and make the effort to practise. Happy shooting!

An image does not just appear in front of your lens and you just press the shutter button and there it is. Neither is it luck or pure chance. The perfect image starts long before your press the shutter. It starts when far away from the scene you are about to photograph. How to start that process and what route to take to the image is what I am going to help you discover on this exciting journey as you learn digital photography.

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 of the photographers process. I am going to give you some basic steps to get you moving towards you 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-up 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 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!

It’s so easy to be so overly focused on your photography that you don’t realise there are possibilities beyond just shooting photos for pleasure. So maybe it’s time that you considered these possibilities and decide whether you could do this as a profession. It’s a hard world out there and the step from amateur pro is a tough one. What used to be a pleasurable experience now becomes your bread and butter and a daily grind if you are not careful. But, if you can answer these six key questions in your photography, then you stand a much better chance of going pro.

1.  Are you selling your images on a frequent basis?

If you are selling your images on a regular basis then you have a foot in the door because you are already making money from your hobby. There are many ways to sell your photos and if you are able to do this consistently, whether at a craft fair, as greeting cards, framed at art shops or for stock agencies, then by focusing on it full-time you’ll sell more.

2. Are you technically competent?

Are you able to create better images by changing depth of field, shutter speed and all the other more technical aspects of photography. If you don’t have to think before setting up your camera for a composition then you are halfway there. Does working out the correct exposure and lighting come naturally and does it result in great images? Then, you probably find that you are ready to test the professional waters. Competence with all the technical parts of photography is essential before making it your livelihood.

3. Can you market yourself and enjoy it at the same time?

A pro friend once said that his business was divided into three areas, 40% debt collecting and admin, 40% marketing and 20% actual photography. Now this may not be totally realistic, but what it does reveal is that marketing yourself is a big component of being a successful photographer. If marketing is a drag then maybe you should reconsider going pro and continuing as a hobbyist making money on the sideline.

4. Do your images have a creative edge?

In order to make a go in the tough world of commercial photography you need to stand out from the rest of the crowd, and, the only way to do this is to have a creative edge to your photos. A unique look, different perspective or freshness will all give you an advantage when vying for business. If you are head and shoulders above your peers then maybe you have something that will give you a competitive advantage, essential to any business venture.

5. Do you receive regular photoshoot requests?

Many photographers start out in the realm of weekend social photography. By this I mean weddings, social events, child and portrait photography and other family related photos. If people are booking you for parties, events and weddings in particular then it’s likely that this will continue if you turned pro. This is a major indicator that you are ready to go professional and make a living from your photography.

6. Are you passionate about photography?

And last but not least, do you have a real passion and excitement when you take photos? If it doesn’t make you heart jump then maybe you need to reconsider. Any creative pursuit needs underlying passion that will maintain you during the dry periods when things are slow. If there is a drive that gets you up in the morning to go out and shoot great images then that could be the final pointer that says you are ready for photography as a professional. I know a children’s photographer whose heart pounds from excitement on every shoot giving her the drive and passion for her work.

In order to make cash from your camera you need to be self-motivated and full of enthusiasm for what you do. You cannot open a business and put your feet up on the counter and expect the clients and money to roll in. It’s a tough process and you need to stick it out until the good times roll in. If you enjoy nothing more than taking photos all day, then you are already halfway along the road to success.

If you have the ability to write good quality articles, you will double your chances of getting images accepted by magazines and other publications. A well written article together with a series of great images illustrating the content will always attract the attention of an editor. Because editors are under pressure with deadlines they are inclined to accept articles with images over articles without images or images without and articles. This cuts down there workload and if you can make an editor happy then half the battle is won.

1. Quality is king

If your writing is not up to scratch then the first impression you are trying to make may not succeed. So make sure it has been proofread by someone else. Although some editors prefer to rewrite articles and are only looking for the content and images. When it comes to your photos there are no second chances. They must stand out head and shoulders above the rest otherwise you aren’t helping the editor. You only get one chance to make a good first impression.

2. Good research is key

Research your subjects well. Know them in detail and write like you know what you are talking about. Choose topics that you are competent with although you may need to do some additional research. Coupled with this is researching the magazines you want to submit to. Get to know the type of article they accept and the writing style of the contributors. Find out what they accept by visiting the websites and if necessary request their guidelines and then stick to them point by point.

3. Shoot your best

Once you know what subject you are going to write about, shoot images specific to that topic, the more specific the better. Focus on clear detailed images that will reflect the key aspects of what you are writing about. Only submit your best images. Rather submit one less image than include a photo not up to scratch. The editor will always request more if the need arises.

4. Knock on the right doors

Make sure that you know which publications accept which type of articles. If it’s a specialist gardening magazine then only articles and photos related to their speciality can be submitted. They will get rejected if they aren’t applicable. You will waste your time and the editor’s by submitting images that aren’t relevant.

5. Submit to only one magazine at a time

If you want to destroy your chances of working in the industry, then have the same article accepted by two magazines. They will never use your work again. Rather follow up on the submission and if it isn’t going to be used then submit to another publication. Ask the editor why it wasn’t accepted then polish it before submitting to another magazine.

Writing and photography combined can be a really lucrative source of income and you will earn you more than just submitting images. Once you establish yourself and create a portfolio/CV you will find that it becomes easier. Still, the bottom line is to never compromise on quality. If you aren’t up to scratch then take time to learn digital photography and its finer points. Happy shooting and writing!