I kinda have to pinch myself today. I have four of my blogging icons here to share some words of wisdom on using quality photos to grow your blog and then I get to chime in on the subject as well. Kate from Centsational Girl brought us together to share a series on Growing Your Blog. I know I would’ve loved to read something like this when I first started, so I’m honored to be a part of this. The topic for today is photography and styling. I’ll give the floor to my guests and then share some additional thoughts with you…
Y’all I should be arrested. I use a 4 year old Nikon D40 whose lens cap was lost a year or two ago. I have Photoshop but I don’t have time for the learning curve so if I do any editing it’s in iPhoto that came with my Mac. I rely much more on sunshine than I do editing and I take about 10,000 photos of house stuff every year. I really want to learn how to use my camera better but I just haven’t taken the time. And for the record I keep my camera dial on the little no-flash lightning bolt setting all the time.
Nesting Place would looks so much better and more professional if every photo I posted were magazine quality and staged. They are not. I try to have just enough socially acceptable/staged/good quality photos so that I don’t lose credibility. I mix in very imperfect, real, unstaged, dog-tail-in-the-picture every day photos as well~ but I think every photo I publish is beautiful because of what it documents. I think it works OK for me since the motto at Nesting Place is’ It Doesn’t Have to be Perfect to be Beautiful’. Even though 100% gorgeous photos would look better, it wouldn’t be true to who I am and what Nesting Place is about. However, I think beautiful photos are more about lighting than staging and I think everyone should align their photo publishing philosophy with the purpose of their blog. All the bloggers in this series are such a great example of doing just that.
Up till a little over a year ago, I used a simple Canon point and shoot camera. I did quite well with it and still say any blogger can do the same with some styling and editing! That being said, I purchased a Canon Rebel last fall and I do think it makes a difference in my photos. I still haven’t figured out how to use the thing beyond adjusting the aperture, but just in general, it takes great photos. I use Picnik for editing and LOVE it! Most of their options are free for anyone — it’s helpful for brightening up pictures, making the colors more vibrant (as they look in real life), and adding watermarks to photos.
I try my boost to take photos during the day, with natural light, and I pretty much never ever EVER use a flash. Flash just washes out the subject and I now avoid it at all costs. 
I will take a TON of photos for just one post — it’s all about trying different angles and styling and perspectives. It’s not until I get on the computer and see the pictures on the screen in front of me that I know what’s going to work best. Photographing, editing and then choosing the right photos takes a TON of time — sometimes just as long as doing the actual project!
I’m not a photographer by any means, but I do know that beautiful pictures will make or break a blog. You can have the best idea in the world, but your idea will not be shared without pretty pictures. I use a Nikon D40x – and I hate to admit it but I shoot it on the auto mode most of the time. And I never, ever, use my flash.
I have a few tricks that help make my pictures look good. First, I use Picnik, an online photo editing service (you can use a lot of it for free). I wrote an article about it at the CrafterMinds site–with some examples of pictures before and after editing and the steps I used to get those results. Second: my light scoop. I found out about this company this year: the light scoop is a nifty, inexpensive tool that redirects your flash light up to the ceiling, bouncing the light back to your subject. It doesn’t look like you’re using a flash, but lights your subject evenly regardless of time of day or even on a cloudy day. And that last thing is styling is so important. A clean background looks great for almost any project. And don’t give in to the temptation to take pictures when the light isn’t good. (Taking a photography class is on my list of things to do in 2012.)
I’ve come a long way with my photography, a loooong way. When I first started blogging three years ago, I knew nothing about photography, I didn’t see it as very important, and my pictures were just okay. I don’t think it became that important until about a year ago with the influx of the Pinterest sensation and the big brands finally taking notice of the people behind creative blogs. I do believe there is a direct correlation between good photography and the opportunities that arise to work with brands and magazines, which naturally leads to more attention and traffic for your site. I don’t cater to those interests per se, but I always keep this in the back of my mind: my blog is my resume, therefore beauty shots do matter if I want my work to be featured or noticed.
And I think there’s something nice about inspiring others with pretty images since we’re naturally drawn to them. It’s why we buy magazines, subscribe to blogs, or store images in our inspiration files. It doesn’t mean that our homes are perfect all the time (mine certainly is NOT), it’s just a choice to share more of the prettier stuff and less of the chaos. That’s one thing I learned from Matthew Mead, you should let things be what they really are, not fake or phony, but real, because they do tell a story, and taking the time to set the scene and photograph it in proper light with a decent camera makes all the difference. But I don’t think readers should be intimidated or overwhelmed by the concept of great styling or better photography. Instead, be inspired. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can learn the basics of taking better pictures, I know because I’m proof. This article is a better explanation of what I’ve learned and offers a few tips for better interior photography.
I loved reading the different perspectives on this topic. It should be so encouraging that Sarah grew her blog to humongous with a point-and-shoot camera and that The Nester hardly ever edits. All four of these blogs were grown without a professional photographer and stylist behind the lens, so don’t feel like you need to be either of those things to get your blog where you want it. That said, photography is so important. This is a visual industry and readers are drawn to “beauty shots” and eye candy. Like Kate said, good photography can bring in more opportunities that can lead to significant blog growth. Readers are going to Pin, share and Tweet beautiful pictures. Editors, producers, peer bloggers, etc. are going to be more likely to feature you or contact you about opportunities if you have gorgeous pictures to back up great content. Kate is also right that anyone can learn to take better pictures if they are willing to work at it.
Here are some links to posts I’ve written, so you can check out what aspect of photography you’re most interested in…
If you’re curious about my gear, you can check out the post on My Camera & Lenses. Since this post, I have added a Nikon shutter release cable, a nicer tripod and my big splurge, a Nikon SB-900 flash.
One of the secrets to great photography - My infomercial for a tripod.
Watermarks and actions - Since this post, I have been using a new action. I now almost always use the Classic Bright action in the Classic Workflow set by Shanna Rae of FloraBella.
Blogging and Photography - There are some links in this post to other great photography series and posts.
If you don’t have time to go through all of those, here are my top five tips to get your photography (and your blog/Etsy shop, etc) noticed…
Lighting is EVERYTHING – Take your pictures next to a window to capture soft natural light. Learn where and when your best light is and take your pictures there. Turn off your flash and use a tripod, so you can use slow shutter speeds to let lots of light into your camera.
YOU take quality photos, not your camera – Don’t buy a better camera thinking it’s going to make you a better photographer. You can do more with a lower end camera that you know how to operate than a fancy schmancy camera you use like a point and shoot. If you bought a fancy schmancy camera, learn how to use it. Read the manual, watch You Tube videos (which can be awesome) and spend lots of time playing around with your camera until you’re getting the looks you like.
Take time to stage – It is time consuming to stage pictures and get shots from different angles and with different lenses and camera settings, but it is totally worth it. You don’t have to do this for every post or every picture, but start throwing in one or two proper photo shoots a week and see how your readers (or customers) respond to it. I guarantee you…if you have an online shop, your traffic and sales will increase if your merchandise is photographed and styled well.
Take time to edit – This is another time consuming thing. I can spend hours editing photos, resizing them, adding watermarks, etc., but it’s really worth it. I can take a picture that’s OK and make it look bright and beautiful. If you don’t have the time (or desire) to edit all of your photos, just edit the “beauty shots” to make them look their best.
Be patient and stick with it – Photography is part art, part technology, so be very patient with yourself as you’re learning. I do all of the photography and editing for my work with HGTV, Cottages & Bungalows and I’m shooting for my book and I STILL feel clueless about a lot. I’m sure I do some things entirely “wrong” and I have so much room to grow when it comes to photo editing (which is why I like actions) and some of the more technical aspects of photography. I sometimes get discouraged with this, but then I see someone like The Pioneer Woman say she’s still not 100% happy with her photography, which is amazing, and I know I’m not alone.
Make sure to visit Centsational Girl tomorrow for the final installment on Balance. Wow…I need to read what the other girls have to say about that one.
Since the Favorite Furniture of 2011 party is still live, I won’t post FFF this week, but get ready to share your new projects next Thursday at 10:00 pm EST.
Thank you so much for doing this!!
Marian such a great ‘all in one’ post. Truth be told I like Sarah used to only use a Canon point and shoot but just got the new IPHONE 4S and I must admit the camera is awesome. I love, love having my phone, email and camera all in one gadget – totally worth it for anyone not wanting to go the expensive DSLR route.
I think this was my favorite post yet in the series.
And I couldn’t agree more especially with what Marain and Kate had to say about photography and the link with opportunities {not to mention the fact that we are working in a field that is clearly visual like Miss M said}. It’s obvious that both of them spend the extra time to make their photos stunning and it’s paid off for them–Marain works with HGTV.com and Cottages and Bungalows and I’m sure lots more, and Kate’s been featured on The Nate Show, and a ton of magazines. I think Layla from the Lettered Cottage is a great example of this as well.
There’s no rule saying your photos must be great, but, you can’t deny that fantastic photos look better and attract some opportunities that YOU might hope to have.
Well said ladies!
I loved your perspective as well. It doesn’t have to be perfect, staged, edited photos all of the time and I think that’s what I like so much about blogs. I not only get to see (and show) the beautiful areas, but I get to see (and show) the piles of laundry and cluttered counters. That is never shown in magazines and one can easily feel discouraged if that’s all they see. The blog world has pulled the curtain back and shown that even beautiful, well decorated homes have their messy places and moments. There is safety in numbers after all. If SHE has issues with her laundry, it’s OK that I do, too.
Great post! Thank you!! I’m still not sure what to do about my living room though. This time of year, in Oregon, the gloomy weather sets in and I almost never have good lighting for our living room. I’m not sure what to do about it. I only have a point and shoot right now, and it is SUPER challenging.
Nice to hear that the blogs that have amazing photos still feel like they are learning too!
Oh, I hear you! My master bedroom was really hard to photograph. I only have one window and it faces the neighbor’s house, so it doesn’t get a lot of light.
Oh, I know exactly what you mean–cause I’m an Oregonian, too! The thing that’s helped me most is the device that bounces the flash light off the ceiling. And I only have that because my guy’s a photo geek and not only has the equipment but is teaching me how to use it.
I do the best I can right now and sometimes publish pics that aren’t up to my standards, knowing that it’s all a work in progress.
Thanks for this post! It’s so interesting to hear what you all have to say on this subject. I’ve been using a Canon point and shoot for several years and have been happy with it. Lighting is everything. I just got a Canon t3i for Christmas, but haven’t taken it out of the box yet. I’m hoping to read up on how to use it and start taking photos this weekend.
wow! i am sooooo greatful to you guys for doing this series! Thank you for theinformative tips!!!! And for making everything seem well just so real and possible to achieve!!
Thank you so much for this. This is a great series and I am really learning a lot, not to mention getting the links to other great articles on the subject. Really a wealth of information to anyone looking to start blogging.
Thanks for this series. I started my blog only last year and now I have the hang of posting things I want to take it to the next level in 2012. I’m saving for a better camera but the comments above have made me realise there is a lot more I can do with my point and click for now. BTW I think your blog is beautiful and really inspirational, I love reading it.
This is very helpful, thanks a bunch for your great advice and encouragement.
Another great post in this great series! Thanks so much – I love your photos and think that you have mad photography skills my friend. I’m getting better as I go along, but I really enjoy the process of learning! At the very least, the fact that what I’m shooting doesn’t MOVE makes it a little easier to photograph.
Expanding my arsenal of lenses has been fun too, and my 50mm can be my magic bullet for some great styled photographs. Love learning from people whose photography I admire. Thanks for posting.
I absolutely adore this series! Picnik is amazing…I just upgraded to Picnik Premium…it makes all the difference in the pics I take for my blog!
Great post! I am learning so much.
Thanks for all the tips! Photography is one of my favorite hobbies…I just need to be more consistent. Sometimes I think mine look great and then there are the not so great, that I post anyway. I appreciate all the time that you guys spend on helping us.
Debbie
ps When are we going to see your new do?
This was extremely helpful! Thank you so much for posting! I think personally, my photos during the summer were better quality then now. Better overall lighting and more of it!
Interesting information…I just still have to disagree with watermarks. I know they may expose new people to your blog but I think it ruins the photo and vibe. Just my humble opinion. Love your blog.
Jana
Photography is that thing I have always wanted to do. In fact taking a photography class and learning photography is on my bucket list! Since starting blogging (six months ago) I have learned so much through practice and through you all. Thank you so much for sharing. I cannot believe how much time it takes to stage photos, take photos, upload photos, edit photos. Yikes! I think people would be shocked if they knew how much time went into each post or into a blog in general. I sure didn’t realize what I was getting into, but now I am totally hooked! I struggle most with daylight! I know that is when I should take my pictures, but I am home with a three y.o. and seven month old so finding time is hard and having a presentable space is nearly impossible! When the kids are in bed is when I have time to straighten up and do projects and take pictures. Lately we haven’t had any sunshine either and today we do! I look around at this disaster and think too bad, today would have been a great day to get some shots! How do you find sunshine and time at the same time?!
I’m enjoying this series so much! I was inspired to know that most of you aren’t using the most expensive camera models on manual settings. Both Nester and Jen said that they use an older model Nikon D40, and that’s what I’m using too. I’ve been using it a few years now, and still have soooo much to learn, but I agree that natural lighting (and a little editing) is the most critical factor in a good photo. I find that it’s also fun to experiment with taking shots at different angles. I can usually be found standing on furniture…even the counters, lol. Thanks so much for all your tips!
~Kerri, A Pop of Pretty, apopofpretty.com
Yep, I used a Nikon D50 until this summer, so you definitely don’t need the biggest and best.
Now I’m off to go research this light scoop contraption! I had never heard of one until reading this post. Thanks!
wow! Picnik may well save my life! I know photoshop but do not have the time to use it well. Picnik is greatfor one touch brightening! Watch out for better photos of my dark rooms!!!! Thank you all so much!
Again, great information in thise series. I have taken many notes. As for photography and edits. I have a huge learning curve with this. I also need a new camera but am thinking that I should start small (meaning not high-end) and better my skills.I do client before and after shots (as well as blog images) and need a camera that can take pictures in various spaces, hard to see angles. I’m finding that I have to take multiiple pictures in just a small room, instead of having the ability to capture a nice full shot at the end. That might be a lens detail–any suggestions on a beginner options?
I am also going to start adding the watermarks and need to find an editor program I can practice in. Great tips. More goals of mine this year!!
Thank you for these tips. I’ve seen your others post on photos and your expertise.
What you need is a wide angle lens and those can unfortunately be pretty expensive. I think mine was around $600. I think you can get ones that snap onto an iPhone or point & shoots, though, which are much less expensive and might fix your problem.
Thanks for the reply. Do you have a suggestion for a point and click camera, where a lens can be added, for me to start with?? I’ve been needing a new camera and am thinking $200-$300 for camera and lens. Keeping in mind wide angles are needed.
You can get a decently wide angle on a kit lens (the d40 comes with a 18-55 in the kit) and the 18mm can capture a pretty good wide angle view of a room. You don’t have to start out with a dedicated wide angle lens
Love this series and so excited about this section on photography. My photos have definitely improved over the past year with editing and working with more light. I also got my first DSLR for Christmas and am learning how to use that now. You all have great tips. Can’t wait to dive into all your links.
One thing I see on blogs that bugs me is small pictures. Bigger is definitely better!
WOW! What a great post. I have a art and graphics background so for me, it is about struggling coming up with content and really wanting it to look professional and perfect. Best lesson? It doesn’t have to be. I need to relax…geez!
This is such a great series! Thank you so much for sharing your tips. Your photos are always beautiful. I’ve always had an eye for photograpy. I took a couple classes as s teen. I’ve never had the perfect camera or technical skills. But blogging as refueled that fire. I’m really trying to impro
Thanks so much for the encouragement to use a point and shoot camera, which is what I have. This entire series has me taking a close look at my blog and I’ve found a lot to improve. Thanks for being so willing to share your knowledge, all of you.
Loved this post, and thanks to you all for your input. I think my photos have greatly improved but I know I have lots more to learn. Gloomy days and rooms without a lot of natural light are certainly challenging, and I work outside our home almost full time, so often photos at night are inevitable. I guess I need to plan better. And I will have to look into the light scoop too.
Thank you so much for posting this. I have a house where all the windows are on the one side and there is little to no light in our living room. I think I need to get some better lenses for my Nikon D40. Love hearing everyone’s perspective on this subject!
Try using it in manual mode. Set the dial to the “M” and look through the view finder. There is a line with a plus on one side and a minus on the other. There will probably be hash marks to one side or the other. Turn the dial by your thumb to the left or right until the hash marks are gone and there is just one in the center. If you’re shooing in a poorly lit room, you’ll definitely need a tripod or set your camera on a table to keep it steady. Press the shutter button. If the picture is too light, turn the dial so you have one hash mark towards the negative and take another picture. If it’s still too light, keep turning the dial until the picture is right where you want it. Play around with it and see if that helps!
OH MY GOODNESS! You just changed my life! Thank you so much! I was ready to throw my camera out the window because no matter how hard I tried, I could not get “pretty” pictures. Always too dark, too stark, to harsh, too something that wasn’t pretty! This post is fantastic. I just played around on picnik with some of my mantel pics and they are so much better. I didn’t do a Christmas mantel post because the pictures just didn’t do it justice. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Now, I’m off to post a way to late mantel post.
I’m so glad each of you have shared your experiences.
I am a very visual person, so I am moved by photos.
When I start a post, my inspiration frequently comes from something I’ve seen.
When it comes to recipes, many times I’ll take the photos, adjust them, find the perfect ones to use, name them, and then the blog post practically writes itself.
I guess I get energy from having just the right photo.
~ Dana
Oh, and that’s not to say that my photos are any good…lol.
They are ‘good enough” to inspire me. I’m always learning. And, I have lots pf pics to replace. (Like I’ll soon be replacing that HORRIBLE green pic of the Olica Garden’s Zuppa Toscana recipe with a very pretty pic I took this week. (Too bad that green pic is all over Pinterest, lol.)
Fantastic insight Marian, you are such a great example of incredible styling and photography from a “real” person! It’s so fascinating to read everyone’s approach, how we all use different tools and approaches … so encouraging too but we all agree, lighting is KEY and natural light is your best friend. I used a D60 model for years till it broke down on me (me thinks too much paint on my fingers over time…) and finally invested in a D90 body (pricey at $700) but worth it because I use it every single day. You’re right about the wide angle lens too, I’m learning more and more that lenses make the difference for both close ups and room shots. Always learning, always learning…
Thank you for being a part of this series my friend!
xo
Kate
Thanks so much Marian for all of the wonderful advice! I find my biggest problem this time of year is taking photos with natural light. I’m at my full time time from sun up to sun down! I’m just itching for daylight savings to end
Thank you again!!
I had been waiting for this lesson. I make partly primitive, kind of contemporary felt folk appliqué pictures and things. I have a horrible time photographing them well. I just have a Nikon point and shoot and that is all I can afford for now, but I still want photos that show the fibers and the embellishments and such. I am taking from this lesson that lighting is key. I usually never get around to taking the photos until evening so lighting is awful. I will try daytime shooting with natural light more. Shadows are a problem still. Willing to learn.
I have taken pics in the dark with a Blackberry – I have posted some truly awful, dark, depressing pictures because I am always so intent on what I’m *doing* rather than what it looks like. But once I would get done with a renovation and want to get “nice” pictures — I was screwed!
I can’t justify the expense of a camera because I don’t monetize my blog either. sigh…
Wow!! A BIG THANK YOU! To all of you ladies for sharing your tips. I had never heard of Picnik and I can tell you I wasted no time trying it out. I was soo thrilled with the results of the pics taken with my point and shoot camera (not even sure what kind of camera it is! ) after editing them with Picnik, I just had to share!
http://rusticcottageinteriors.blogspot.com/2011/12/london-crate-mini-tutorial.html
I just wish I had the before pics on there too, so I can show you what a difference it made. I can’t tell you how pumped I am! You guys rock.
xoxo
Stefani
I am really enjoying this series. Kudos to you ladies for doing this.
I have a plain ole digital camera that I plan on upgrading in the future but for now it works….Can’t wait for tomorrows post!
~Mandy
I have to be honest, all of these tips I’ve read in that last few days have been somewhat discouraging to me. Can’t really explain why in a short sentance, so I’m going to leave it at that. However, I love the advice and tips. Thank you.
Oh, big hugs Michele. Our hope with this series was to encourage, so I’m so sorry it did the opposite. I know I have felt overwhelmed and discouraged at times through my blog journey and I know I’m not alone in that. Often times when I meet people they say, “Oh, I just have this small blog…” and start to apologize for it right off the bat. The truth is, there are no “small blogs” or “bad blogs” or “stupid blogs”, there are just different blogs. We all have strengths, weaknesses, gifts, talents, flaws and faults. We also have different goals, so it’s not fair to compare one blog to another. Just let your blog be “you” and enjoy whatever comes out of it.
I’m blabbering, but I just wanted to respond.
Oh, what a great reply! I appreciated it!
Hi Marian,
Wow, this was a wonderful and inspiring post!!
I have a really inexpensive Olympus fe point and shoot camera. Is it really possible to get amazing photos from a camera like this? I have been contacted a couple of times about photos of my home for possible magazine publications, but because of the quality of my photos, they haven’t been able to use them. I do use picnik to edit my photos and I do see an improved difference but it still isn’t magazine quality.
I can’t really afford a better camera right now, so I’m hoping I can get some help on how to take beautiful photos with the camera I do have.
Thanks so much and have a great day!
Sincerely,
Melinda
I wish I could help more, but I’m not familiar with that camera. I do know that camera gear can be rented, so that’s an option or see if you have any friends or bloggers local to you who would come over and take some shots for you, especially if you have magazines interested!
Flashes aren’t evil!! Natural light is beautiful, but a flash can work wonders too! http://anestforallseasons.blogspot.com/2012/01/backstage-pass-why-once-in-awhile-you.html
Yes, I agree! I use my SB-900 on my book and magazine shoots to fill in shadows. I just felt that was a bit too complicated and technical for a post like this. For most people, it’s just best to turn it off.
Good point!!
Great post! Thanks so much to all of you for sharing all of your tips!!! Definitely going to work on my photography in 2012!!
Thanks so much for this series, and this article in particular. One of my goals is to work on my photography skills in 2012. I loved Jen’s tip about the light scoop. I will have to try it out–I live near Seattle, and so trying to take indoor shots with enough natural light can be a challenge. I’m also planning to get a tripod–I read your tip last time, Marian, but now I’m actually taking you seriously
. Thanks again!
Great post! It is so wonderful to hear all the tips and tricks! My pictures have come a long way, but I still have so much to learn and I have a crummy camera that I just have to make due with for now. I completely agree about staging and taking the time to edit. My husband thinks I’m crazy when I make him help me drag a hutch outside to accessorize and do a photo shoot
I am not alone, thank you! Although I do not have a ‘good’ camera I’ve been using my iPhone 4 and the photos are turning out really nice.. no flash is a good tip also! Picnik, I’m on my way there now to learn the how’s!
Thank you for this post
very interesting
Sandy
I love your blog! I love your photos, and I love this series, hopefully some of it will sink in and stick! I do have a real problem with light in my house, and have been using a sort of homemade spotlight, but not sure it’s working… my pictures look “pretty” to me but not sure how they look to a professional like you. But I’m going to stick with it and keep practicing! Thanks for all you do
Wow…thank you ladies for putting this series together. The information coming from you is seriously invaluable. I never really thought a whole lot about photography with regards to my blog until this past year. My hisband gave me a Canon Rebel for my 50th (shhhhhh) birthday and I am loving it. I plan to register for a 3 credit class in digital photography at my local community college this semester. I think Jen mentioned this, glad to know I am somewhere in the ballpark with you on that.
I have to say that I have only been around these parts of the blogosphere since September, and I have never met so many nice people who are so willing to share what they know to help anyone and everyone they can. And you all are amazingly talented to boot!
Thank you again and I will be following this series with an eagle eye!!!!
Thank you for all the inspiration and information!
I’m trying to get my blog up and running, again.
Thanks to you, I’ve just singed up with Picnik, looks like it will be much easier than the program I was going to tackle learning this year. THANK YOU!
I’ve been so inspired reading your posts and learning about your journey….I’m so glad I found you!
Julie
We have a super new blog–like a few weeks old–and even though we’ve been reading blogs like yours for the past few years, this series is totally invaluable! This post especially has so many great tips on how to boost the appearance of our blog and make it more attractive to readers. Thanks to all of the bloggers who put this series together to show us what growing a blog is all about!
-The ladies of Brown Paper Booth
Amen! I bought a Nikon D5000 for photographing my kids at soccer games…when I started blogging, I took HORRIBLE photos with my NEW fancy camera–because I didn’t know how to use it.
So, over the last several months, I have practiced, read tutorials, and read and studied posts just like this one… and now I am so much better at photography. Still have more to learn
Just to let you know, I clicked on the link above for CrafterMinds site and a “virus” found screen popped up. Just something to check out.
So much great info. I am learning with my little camera and my photos have come a long way in a year…baby steps. This is so encouraging.
Happy new year!
Mary Ann
Thanks for all of the great advice! I’ve spent the past two nights learning how to use my camera with my husband who is so much better at this than I am! Your stories are all so inspiring and encouraging!
I’ve been really “focusing” on taking better pictures, no pun intended, so I’m going to be memorizing each and every tip! Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom.
Getting to be best buddies with my camera is one of my resolutions, and this post could not have come at a better time.
Loving the series as well!! Thanks for letting us all in with all the “secrets”!
a second comment on the Tuesday Test Post. Displayed on the single.php page when only one post. check if that changes after adding this post???
Fantastic information! Thank you for sharing! Happy New Year! Have a grand day. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Great information…I personally don’t worry too much about editing my pictures or using special tricks to make them look better. That’s probably why my blog is about as popular as ants at a picnic! Too much fiddling and editing of pictures reminds me of the airbrushed pictures in magazines of models and celebrities. It can make people think that perfection really exists and they can never live up to it. I’m more of a fan of the “This is the way it is” look on blogs. If I want to see “perfection” I’ll buy a glossy magazine.
Yes, that’s a delicate balance. I only boost the contrast, color and sharpness, but the composition of the picture is real, if that makes sense. It’s not quite the same as making a 70 year old look 30 through airbrushing…
I hear you, though!
Thanks for all the great info on taking photos!! I do a lot of editing too! Makes a huge difference…but I still have lots of room for improvement!
Hugs
SueAnn
Thank you for sharing this information on photography. I totally respect anything you have to say about photos as the beautiful pictures on your blog are testimony to your knowledge and skill. Little Bit from DecorateWithaLittleBit.com
I’m just learning how to take better photos thanks to your earlier posts and Kate’s as well. Many magazines aren’t shooting material- they are looking for photos they can publish to cut down on costs. If we can provide this, then fantastic!
I think along with all other aspects of blogging it’s a major learning curve. Thanks for all your wonderful advice!
This is SUPER helpful to brand-new bloggers like me (4 days in, ha!) I have a decent camera, but I have no idea how to use its features. The simple tip to never use a flash is just the type of takeaway I was hoping for. THANK YOU!
Thank you so much for this series you bunch of brilliant ladies you…yous. I’m new to this whole area and though Im following a wholllllle lotta info, I don’t get time to read even 5% of it, but I read every part of your growing series. I recently won…I know right… a dslr camera, which Im still trying to work out how to use. I’m just wondering if you could clarify, what are ‘actions’? A few of you mentioned them but I don’t know what they are.
Thanks again, so much useful content here. Now I’m off to backtrack trough all this so I can find and sign up to follow each of you.
I joined Nester’s 31 Days Challenge with the goal of improving my photography skills. It was all about 31 Days to Better Home Photos. Taking that time made a HUGE difference for me! I’m still learning (I just got photoshop and a tripod yay!), but boy does it feel good to be able to control my camera, even a little. If you’d like, you can check out my journey here: http://www.insideways.com/2011/09/31-days-challenge.html
Thanks for this post! Exactly what I needed to hear!
I LOVE this post. The series was such a great idea! I found it searching for “bucket list / resolutions 2012 take a photography class” which of course seems so random. I’m a wedding photographer transitioning to teaching online photography classes and I’m inviting several bloggers to take a free online class in Feb. to review and share with their readers (this is a one time opportunity.) So if anyone blogs, has a camera with manual settings (DSLR or point and shoot) and wants to learn how to shoot in manual – email me to snag a spot in the class. These super talented ladies are right, good photography makes a big difference in blogs!
xoxo Brandy @ bellapop.com
Thank you so much for the advice, I am an Interior Designer and blogger, sometimes I find my photos very flat, I so appreciate your tips and tricks about lighting, staging and editing. I certainly will be more aware next time I take a picture and will work on them a little more.
Have a very Happy 2012 year and thanks again for your great posts.
decogirlmontreal
What a beautiful website you have! Thanks for sharing your blogging and photography tips with us! Very encouraging and helpful! I look forward to reading more of your articles. I am so glad I found your site! Blessings!
I just discovered your blog through pintrest of all things, and I an so glad that I popped in. Thanks for sharing thoughts on photography. Mine lacks creativity without a doubt, but I am trying. A little more incentive and ideas definitely do not hurt!
Jen
My photography skills have come a LONG way since I started my blog one year ago. I wouldn’t call myself a photographer, since I never leave automatic mode, but my ability to get a good photo has increased! Buying a Canon Rebel definitely helped, and a 50mm lens!! I’m going to have to check out Picnik now. Glad that I found your blog!
Rosa
Wonderful and helpful information! I like the light scoop idea. It’s true about taking a ton of pictures, too, to get one good one. My husband and I take our cameras everywhere with us – you never know when you’ll need one. He says you should take at least 20 pictures of your subject. That way you’re bound to get at least one or two really good pictures. I use Picasa for editing my photos on the computer. It’s great and so easy to use.
Thank you for this post.
I recently started blogging and I really appreciate your advice.I have found the technical end of the pictures to be the most challenging. I just learned how to use picnik and received an email yesterday indicating that would be closing down in April. Do you have any other ideas on what you will be using for editing?
The objective (or the objective I believe is crucial to selecting a school) of many is to develop photographers that are technically and professionally sound, enabling them to pursue any photographic field and compete in the job marketplace.
There are many different types of photography fields, including fasion photography, digital photography, advertising photography, editorial photography, documentary style, wedding photography, portrait photography, or photo technician style work. You’ll be prepared to do any of these with a solid education at a photo college or school.