So, as a designer and photographer, it sickens me to see so much bad photography in the blogosphere. Although I won’t get too deep or technical, I will help you take better photos with some quick tidbits. This is aimed at both bloggers shooting others and bloggers shooting themselves. More after the break…
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Tips after the photo:
1. Although it’s true that the photographer matters more than the camera; in this case, the camera needs to be good, since most of you reading this are not actual photographers. Buy a DSLR. You can get them for under $400 second hand now. Buy a decent Canon or Nikon body and buy the 50mm f1.8 lens. (only $100).
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2. Learn how to use it. Best case scenario… you take my upcoming one-day photo class. Worst case, you read the manual, learn about shutter speed and aperture and experiment. SHOOT IN MANUAL MODE AT ALL COSTS.
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3. If you have to use a point-and-shoot; move away from the camera. When shooting full body or even head and shoulders, get it as far away from you as you can while framing with a good foot above and below. The number one mistake bloggers and un-skilled photographers make is they get right in your face with a cheap point-and-shoot camera at the widest angle pointing down. This is like taking a photo through a peep-hole. You enlarge the nose and facial features while shrinking the subjects legs into bobble-head proportions.
NO Bobble-head photos! Even worse is cutting off your subjects feet. No!!!
Get back. Zoom if you have to.
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4. Squat down or take a knee before framing and shooting. Aim the camera in line with the person’s navel or for bloggers that shoot themselves, set your tripod to waist level (Not eye level).
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5. Focus. Focus. Focus. If I had a dollar for every blurry cam blog-shot I could buy you all new cameras. If you’re shooting yourself with timer mode; place something in frame exactly inline with your intended position, focus on it in manual mode and leave it. Take your position and shoot away. Even better; you can buy wireless remotes for any DSLR for less than $20 on eBay. Get one.
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6. Make sure you have enough light while avoiding on-camera flash. If you’re inside, shoot near a window. Natural light is always best. If it is hard beaming sun, a simple sheer white curtain will give you beautiful soft light. Even better, get outside.
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7. Learn how to export JPG’s with at least 85 percent quality at the size you need to fit your blog layout. Most blog software ‘crunches’ your photos and degrades the quality. By exporting the photo at the intended size, you can avoid your blog ‘re-sizing’ it and making it blurry.
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Most importantly, TRY to take a good photo. Some people just snap away. If photos are a crucial element of your blog, take the time to better your photography. You, your photos and your readers will be better for it.
Lastly, I’ve offered up some basic tips. No creative direction here… just good, sound technical details that should help you take better (well-exposed, in-focus, & workable) photos. The creative approach is up to you.
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StyleQuotient will be hosting it’s first ever 1-Day photography courses this fall. A casual but insightful day of essential photography knowledge and the equally important ‘post-processing’ steps needed to create beautiful photos. Learn how to shoot in manual mode using the crucial basic settings for most scenarios. How to use your camera to take better photos in different lighting conditions. And how to work with the photos on your computer to make them look even better, make them web ready and even add the important touch of your own logo/watermark automatically.
Stay-tuned for dates and bookings.
Comments:
AWESOME!