Photography - VERY Basic Tips To Getting Started

I have people ask me all the time about my photography equipment. The truth is that I have, by industry standards, a dinosaur of a camera, a Fuji Finepix S3 Pro. I don't think it's even made anymore. It's perfect for studio work, but does have limited options for low light ambient light situations. I use a very inexpensive off brand lens (Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8) or a nice quality lens (Nikkor 85mm f/1.4) depending on what I'm shooting. Some day I will upgrade to my dream camera, but probably not anytime soon.

You may have heard before, it's not the camera that takes a good picture, it's the person behind it. Well, I agree with that. . . . for the most part, but I won't deny that having a good equipment certainly helps, especially lenses. 

If you're serious about taking better photos, my best advice is to forget the big Canon or Nikon debate and do some research of your own to see what sort of camera will fit your needs. Everyone takes photos for different reasons. Once you invest in your camera, LEARN TO USE YOUR MANUAL SETTINGS. Once you gain a basic knowledge of proper exposure, the sky is the limit. It's not going to happen overnight, believe me, I'm still learning, but here are a few suggestions to help you get started. 

Check out DP Review and do some side-by-side comparisons on some cameras. Read the reviews and specs, but ignore the brand wars. The truth is there are many great camera brands out there, you just have to find out what works for your photographic needs and your budget.

Be careful of black and gray market products and be sure to use a reliable source to purchase your equipment. B&H Photo Video and Adorama are two reputable places to purchase quality photographic equipment*

Don't focus so much on kits, but rather what it is you're going to be shooting and what sort of equipment will offer the best outcome for your needs. Perhaps you already have a nice DSLR, and you want to upgrade your lens. Having quality glass can really make a big difference, but again, isn't always necessary.

Check out additional review sites that are geared for a broader consumer audience and not just for professionals, like Ken Rockwell's site. 

Invest in books that will help you gain a greater knowledge and better understanding of photography. 

I recommend the Photography text by Barbara London, Jim Stone and John Upton and Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson. I have older versions of both, and they are wonderful references.

You might also want to join, or browse, some online photography communities. Not all are geared for the novice, but many do have valuable information and resources. Here are a couple links you could start with. 

Cambridge in Color

Improve Photography

Last, but not least, get out and SHOOT SHOOT SHOOT! Practice what you've researched and try to gain a solid understanding so your images will be consistent. If you're frustrated because your pictures don't look like the pros, but you feel like you have a solid understanding of basic photography, you can now get started with your post processing journey. Post processing is meant to enhance a photo, but nothing can replace proper exposure out of the camera. The more you shoot and practice gaining control of your camera's settings, the better your straight out of camera (SOC) images will be and the less post processing you'll need to do. I will touch on post processing someday, in the mean time, go out and practice your manual settings!

Until the next time. . .

Quick Back Yard Photo Shoot

I've had my 85mm lens for a while, but haven't used it much, and for no real reason. So the night before last, I asked my daughter if I could take her photos. 

She agreed to brave the chilly and drizzly evening along with the blood thirsty mosquitos just to make me happy, oh and to bargain for candy.

And I'm sure glad I agreed to her deal. She really was a good sport.

This is the daughter we often refer to as Pig-Pen. Like the Peanuts character, she's usually just a filthy mess.

But my beautiful little tomboy sure does clean up well when she wants to. 

Until the next time. . . .

2012 A Year of Change

*Warning this may be a long and boring post for most, but it's about me, so if you're interested, read on.


Often times I feel like I lack creative vision and quite honestly that's exactly why I have such a hard time following through with a lot of things. It's a terrible thing really, always trying to achieve perfection when I know it's not always realistic. 

When I was a child I wouldn't use my brand new crayons or markers for a long time for fear of ruining the tips. I wouldn't draw that picture I had in my mind because I knew it wouldn't come out exactly as I pictured it. As an adult, I'm not much different. I feel like I want my house to look a certain way, but knowing it won't, I don't try to turn my vision into reality. I want to try new activities, but out of fear of failure, I just don't bother. It's terrible really, so I'm declaring 2012 a year of change.

One thing that I've always had a passion for is photography. I can remember all the different feelings evoked from looking at photos. It's like pictures spoke to me. What few photos I saw of my grandparents made me feel like I had really known them, but it also made me realize how much of my history was missing. I've only ever seen one photo of my mother as baby, none of her as a child, and only a handful of her as a young adult. This could be because she lost her mother when she was nine years old and she grew up in a materially modest upbringing in remote Western Alaska where I'm sure not many of her relatives had cameras. This void of seeing my mom's past sparked an obssession to document my life, and it only intensified when she passed away in 1996. I remember loving to take pictures with my Mom's Poloroid camera. Then when I was seven or eight, I got my first 35mm camera from my Dad and so began my real obsession with taking pictures.

A few years ago, when my interest in photography was at its peak, I decided to give studio photography a shot. With the help of some family members, I got some basic equipment and started portfolio building. I loved it. I took a lot of photos of many many faces, but there was still always that strive for perfection that left me unsatisfied. So the need for perfection coupled with never ending technical difficulties,  I quit taking pictures all together. I put away my equipment, sold my good camera (Nikon D700) and just went about taking mediocre pictures with a half broken Fuji S3 Pro camera and a barely working Tamron lens. Recently, however, I have had more and more people wanting me to photograph their kids. After months of inquiries, I have taken a few photos and am still being convinced to take more. 


Why all the babbling? Well, today while I was on the internet I saw something that got my excitement for photography going again.

The announcement of the New Nikon D4! Seriously it got my blood flowing again! Not that I'm planning on buying this bad boy, cause let's be real here! My unemployed stay-at-home mom status will not afford me a $6,000 camera, but I can sure dream, right?!  Perhaps I'll get lucky and some rich person wanting to spend some of their petty cash will find me and donate this beautiful piece of equipment to me so my kids, who have dubbed me Mamarazzi, will really have something to frown about. I know, I know, it's highly unlikely, but I am liking this dreaming thing so I'm just going to keep at it.  If you were brave enough to endure all the babbling, then you deserve a little more eye candy, so here you go.

2012 will be a year of dreaming, but more importantly a year of change. Thanks Nikon for the inspiration to shoot again!

Sometimes Less Is More

I have to be honest, I love some of the elaborate backgrounds and beautiful props that some photographers use. However, sometimes less really can be more. 

You don't need a fancy background or crazy fun prop to get a good portrait.

Just get up close, focus on the eye, and you've captured a timeless image.

The most important thing to remember is to capture your subject(s) as they are, not how you think they should be. 

You might not always get cooperative subjects with beautiful smiles like this gorgeous girl,

but at least you've documented history as it just was. So dig out those cameras and happy shooting!

Natural Beauty

Yesterday I was privileged to some beautiful faces in front of my camera. Wish I could share them all, but that would require permission, and so far I only got permission for this stunning tween. 

She was pure beauty. . .

And a complete natural.

Even with four outfit changes,

 total camera time was less than 30 minutes!

She did exactly what I asked her to do. . .

Which makes taking photos so much easier. Isn't she striking? I can't believe she's only 11 years old! Not only is she absolutely gorgeous, but she's super sweet. Mom and Dad are going to be busy fighting off the boys for sure. Good Luck Lisa & Rick!

Delightful Teen

Okay so I wasn't entirely honest when I said nothing exciting had been going on on my end. One thing I failed to mention, which was exciting for me, was that I took senior photos for a teenager who I remember as a little boy. I was a bit nervous as I've only done a few senior portraits before and I really don't keep up on my photography skills or the latest trends. It all worked out though.

New Life

It never ceases to amaze me when I see a newborn baby. The miracle of life is just so amazing and beautiful. Yesterday I had the privilege of photographing my friends' new born baby. She is the sweetest little girl and so calm in nature; a true blessing for their first child.

I will confess that I am not a great natural light photographer and I have older equipment, but I made the best of the low light, small space, rushed time, and I am pleased with the outcome. It's been a LONG time since I've shot a newborn. In fact, I can count on one hand how many times I've shot portraits in the last year. I'm not in business and I don't advertise nor do I want to, but I sure enjoy capturing some photos for friends on rare occasions. Congratulations Timothy and Franceska on your beautiful baby girl!

I love this photo of the proud Daddy holding his baby girl's feet.