SLR Photography Guide - March Edition 2019
A digital magazine for photographers. Featuring student images from our Online Photography Courses over at https://www.slrphotographyguide.com/photography-courses/
A digital magazine for photographers. Featuring student images from our Online Photography Courses over at https://www.slrphotographyguide.com/photography-courses/
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<strong>SLR</strong> PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
GUIDE<br />
MARCH<br />
<strong>2019</strong>ISSUE<br />
Personal<strong>Photography</strong><br />
<strong>Photography</strong>Tips
<strong>2019</strong><br />
MARCHEDITION<br />
EDITOR-TANYAPUNTTI<br />
htps:/www.slrphotographyguide.com<br />
Coverphoto/studentimagebyLeovanVuuren,SouthAfrica<br />
f/5.6,1/400sec,ISO200
Didyouknow ouronlinephotographycourse<br />
now comeswith42<strong>Photography</strong>CheatSheets?<br />
"Ifyouhaven'ttakenadvantageofprintingthecheatsheets,<br />
Istronglysuggestyoutaketimetodoso.Thesealoneareworth<br />
thepriceofthecourse."~JohnSmith(student)<br />
Checkoutouronlinephotographycourseoverat<br />
htps:/www.slrphotographyguide.com/online-courses.html
Highlights<br />
StudentimagebyJanaBurns<br />
f/10,5secshuterspeedwitha50mm lens
StudentimagebyKim Carpenter,US<br />
f/6.3,1/50sec,ISO100
StudentimagebySandieRead,AU<br />
f4,1/640sec,ISO200,WhiteBalanceKelvin10,000
StudentimagebyDianaShang,AU<br />
f/5.6,1/1000sec,ISO800
Personal<strong>Photography</strong><br />
writenbyEricKim<br />
Iwanttoproposeanewschoolofphotographycaled“personalphotography.”<br />
Ifyou’veeverwantedtofindmoremeaning,purpose,anddirectioninyour<br />
photography,Irecommendyoutopursue“personalphotography.”<br />
Whatexactlyis“personalphotography”?Tome,itisagenreofphotographythat<br />
focusesonyourself,focusesonyourpersonallifeexperiences,focuseson<br />
photographingyourlovedones,andtheotherelementsofyour“boring”and<br />
everydaylife.<br />
Inotherwords,keepitpersonal.
1.DISREGARDWHATOTHERSDO<br />
Letmeoutlinethebiggestcausesofmiseryforphotographers:<br />
1.Feelingthattheirgearisn’tgoodenough<br />
2.Nothavingenoughfolowersonline<br />
3.Nothavingothersappreciatetheirwork<br />
4.Notmakingalivingfrom photography<br />
5.Nothavingenoughtimetotakephotos<br />
“Personalphotography”isbeingindiferenttothephotographyofothers;and<br />
focusingonyourownphotographyandlife.
2.PHOTOGRAPHY=LIFE<br />
Ithinkphotographyislife.Lifeisphotography.Theyareinterconnected.You<br />
cannotseparatethem.<br />
The#1goalinlifeistoliveagoodlife.<strong>Photography</strong>isjustapartoflivingwel.<br />
Forme,Iliketotakephotosbecauseitenhancesmyexperiences,Ifeelmore<br />
fulypresent,Iappreciatesmalmundanepartsofmyday(mywifedrinkinga<br />
cofee,medrinkinganiceespresso,ormywifegetingreadytogooutwithme).<br />
Thesearealverypersonalthingsthathonestlynobodyelsegivesaflipabout.<br />
ButIgiveaflip.Igivea“lot”offlips.<br />
WhenIam onmydeathbed,I’m notgoingtocareaboutanyofthephotosIshot<br />
WhenIam onmydeathbed,I’m notgoingtocareaboutanyofthephotosIshot<br />
ofstrangersonthestreets.TheonlyphotosI’m goingtocareisaboutthe<br />
photosofmylovedones.Yetmanyofusdon'ttakeenoughphotosofourloved<br />
ones.
3.DON’TPHOTOGRAPHWHATOTHERSEXPECTYOUTOPHOTOGRAPH<br />
Photographwhatyouthinkisgoingtobepersonaltoyou,ratherthanwhat<br />
otherswilthinkisa“good”photo.<br />
Imagineyoulivedinaworldwheresocialmediadidn’texist,andyouonlytook<br />
photosthatyouwouldsee.Whatwouldyoucontinuetophotograph,what<br />
wouldyoustarttophotograph,andwhatwouldyoustopphotographing?
4.DON’TCOMPAREYOURSELFWITHOTHERS<br />
Wearealwayscomparingourselvestoothers.Wecompareourselvestoother<br />
photographers,wefeellikeourcameraisn’tfancyorexpensiveliketheirs,we<br />
wishwehadmorefolowers(oratleastasmuchasthem),andwewishthatwe<br />
wereastalentedasthem.<br />
Buteveryoneisdiferent.AreyoujealousofanNBAplayerbecausetheywere<br />
born7foottal,whileyouareonly5foot10inches?Thatissomethingyou<br />
don’thavecontrolover.<br />
Similarly,someofusarebornintosituationswherewemightnotbeabletobe<br />
theworld’s“best”photographer.Wemighthaveashityjobthatrequiresa<br />
90-hourworkweek,wemighthavebabiestotakecareof,orwemightbe<br />
missingoneeyewhichdoesn’tgiveusgooddepthperception.Orperhapsyou<br />
wereraisedinanengineeringorientedfamilythathatedart;soyoumissedout<br />
getingsomesortofartseducationwhenyouwereyoung.<br />
Regardless,itmakesnosensetobejealousofotherphotographerswhoselife<br />
circumstancesarediferentthanyours.<br />
Thesolution?<br />
Besatisfiedandcontentwiththelifeyoualreadyhave.<br />
Trytoachieveyour“personamaximum”inyourownlifeandphotographic<br />
abilities.Youweregivensomesortof“maximum capability”intermsofyour<br />
photographyandartisticability.<br />
Ratherthantryingtoachievewhatothershaveachieved,seeifyoucanreach<br />
100% ofYOURpotential.
5.DON’TDEFINEYOURSELF<br />
Sostripawayallabelsinyourphotography.“Streetphotography”,<br />
“documentaryphotography”,“portraitphotography”,“weddingphotography”,<br />
“landscapephotography”.<br />
Alphotographyisphotography.<br />
Even“personalphotography”isanotherlabelthatyouprobablyshouldn’tapply<br />
toyourself.Justcalit“photography.”Orbeteryetdon’tcalit“photography.”<br />
Calit“livingwel”,andtakephotosofyourselflivingwel.<br />
Sopleasenomoredick-measuringcontestswiththecameraorlensyouuse.No<br />
morebraggingabouthowmanyfolowersyouhaveonsocialmedia.Nomore<br />
refreshingyourphoneevery5minutes,seeingifthereissomeonewhorecently<br />
“liked”yourphoto,or"commented"onit.<br />
I’m nottelingyoutogiveupsocialmedia.I’m justsayingtouseitmore<br />
I’m nottelingyoutogiveupsocialmedia.I’m justsayingtouseitmore<br />
mindfuly.Dothisandseehowmuchcleareryourmindandselfsatisfiedyou<br />
become.
GETTING STARTED IN PERSONAL<br />
PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
Togetstartedin“personalphotography”,considerwhatyoufindmeaningfulin<br />
yourlife.Whoareyourcloselovedones,andhowdoyourphotosreflectthose<br />
relationships?<br />
STEP1:NOTICE<br />
Intoday’ssociety,weareconstantlybeingdistractedbyflashingnotifications,<br />
emails,textmessages,socialmediaupdates,blogs,games,apps,and<br />
advertisementsvyingforouratention.<br />
PersonalyIhavefoundthatmostofmoderntechnologypreventsusfrom<br />
noticingthebeautyinlife,especialywithinourlives.<br />
To“notice”moreistoturnofyourtechnologyfrom timetotime.Sofor<br />
examplewhenyou’reathome,turnofyourphone.Appreciatethecompanyof<br />
yourlovedones,yourchildren,yourpartner,orfriends.Befulyengagedin<br />
conversationwiththem,andknowhowto"focus"inyourinterpersonal<br />
communications.<br />
Furthermore,whenyou’reoutwalkinginthestreets,walkslowly,andlookal<br />
aroundyou.Takea360degreeviewoftheworldaroundyouandtakemore<br />
noticeofalinterestingthingsaroundyou.
Alotofphotographerscomplainthattheirhometownsaretoo“boring”to<br />
photographandthattheirlivesaretoo“boring.”<br />
Ithinkitisalaboutperspective.IhavefriendsinNYCwhofindit“boring”,<br />
friendsinPariswhofindit“boring”,andfriendsinTokyowhothinkthecityand<br />
theirlivesare“boring.”<br />
“Boring”isjustastateofmind.Ifyouarelikeachild,everythingisinteresting.A<br />
childisconstantlycurious,alwayswantingtolearnmore,andnoticeseverylitle<br />
thing.
STEP2:APPRECIATE<br />
Anotherpartof“personalphotography”istoappreciatethebeautyalaround<br />
you.Sureyoucan"notice"thebeauty,butcanyourealy"appreciate"it?<br />
Forme,Itakealotofthingsforgranted.Itaketheamazingpublic<br />
transportationsystem forgranted,Itakemylovedonesforgranted,Itakemy<br />
smartphoneforgranted,Itakemycameraforgranted,andItaketheinternetfor<br />
granted.Ibecome“usedto”althesegreatmarvelsinmylife.<br />
Toappreciatesomethingisquitedifficult.Asimpleexercisetobeterappreciate<br />
thingsistovividlyimagineasifyoulostit.Forexample,tobeterappreciate<br />
yourlovedones,imaginehearingiftheygothitbyadrunkdriver,howwould<br />
youfeel?Andfurthermore,aretherecertainmomentsyouhadtogetherthatyou<br />
wouldregretnotphotographing?<br />
Everythinginlifeisfleeting,includingphotographs.ButIfeelthatthrough<br />
“personalphotography”,documentingyourpersonalmomentshelpsyoubeter<br />
appreciatethemoments.<br />
Bybeingabletoidentify,“Thisisawonderfulmoment”ablesyoutonotonly<br />
photographit,buttorelishinthemoment.
STEP3:DOCUMENT<br />
Asphotographers,wearedocumenters.Wedocumenthistory,wedocument<br />
thosearoundus,andwedocumentsocietyaroundus.Notonlythat,butweare<br />
creative;wemakeart,weinterpret,andweanalyze.<br />
Todocumentisthelaststepof“personalphotography.”Generalyifyouwantto<br />
documentamomentfaithfuly,itistocomposeandframethescenewel.<br />
Forexample,decidewhat'not'toincludeintheframe.Decidewhatisnot<br />
interesting,thenonlyfocusontheessentialintheframe.<br />
Ifeelthatphotographyismoreaboutsubtraction,ratherthanaddition.So<br />
alwaysasktoyourself,“Isthisrealyanessentialpartoftheframe?CanI<br />
removethissubject,element,ordistractionfrom thebackground?”<br />
Byeliminatingdistractionsandnoise,youcanfocusonwhatisimportantinyour<br />
photograph— yourmainsubject.Whatisessential,andtrulyimportanttoyou.<br />
Needmoreinspirationforshootingpersonalphotography?<br />
CheckoutEricKim’sblogoverat<br />
htp:/erickimphotography.com/blog/
PhotoshopActionsaregreattime-savingtoolsthatalowyoutospeedupyour<br />
editingworkflowbyrecordingrepetitivetasks,suchasresizingimages,<br />
increasingcolor,creatingvignetesetcsoyoucanusethem infutureedits<br />
withasimpleclickofa'Play'buton.<br />
ThissetwascreatedforNaturePhotographers.Aperfectmatchforlandscapes,<br />
wildlife/animals(includingbirds),plantsandmacrophotography.<br />
OVERVIEW<br />
-42Actionstohelpyouprofessionalyedityournaturephotosinundera<br />
minute<br />
-Createcrystalclearimagesinseconds<br />
-SaveandsharpenperfectlyforFacebookwithasimpleclickoftheaction<br />
'play'buton<br />
-Brightenimagesasawhole,orsimplybringouttheshadows<br />
-Bringbackhighlights<br />
-Corectnoise/grain<br />
-Creategorgeouslensblurthatyoumayhavemissedincamera<br />
-Corectwonkycolorcasts<br />
-NumerousColorTonesincludingBlackandWhitewithselectivecoloring<br />
-Vignetingandmoredramaticactions<br />
-Sharpenimagestakeninfogandhaze<br />
-Beautifulpastelswithasimpleclickforflowerimagesandgorgeousskies.<br />
Only$47USDincludinglifetimeupdates& accesstofiles.Detailedinstructions<br />
included.<br />
Learnmoreoverathtps:/www.slrphotographyguide.com/nature-ps-actions/
StudentimagebyDoreenUrquhartBroughm,Canada<br />
f/5,1/125sec,ISO3200,42mm focallength
StudentimagebyCarolHoliday,US
DianeColeman<br />
Ljungquist<br />
(studentprofile)<br />
htps:/www.flickr.com/photos/147434414@N08/<br />
It’sawonderfulthingtohavememberswhosignedupforourD<strong>SLR</strong><strong>Photography</strong><br />
coursefiveyearsago,whostilpartakeinourPrivateFacebookgroupand<br />
helpinspireotherswiththeirimagesandkindwordsofsupport.Diane’sresponse<br />
whenIaskedwhatherbestadviceis,sumsherupperfectly.Neverstoplearning,<br />
don’tbecompetitivewithothersbutlearn/sharewiththem andalwayshavefun!
Howdidyoufirstbecomeinterestedinphotography?<br />
IreceivedaPolaroidSwingerforChristmasasayoungteenager,ausedBrownie<br />
boxcamerainHS,a35mm Nikonforcolegegraduation,adarkroom kitaftermy<br />
firstjobandafulframecamerathefirstChristmasmyhusbandandIwere<br />
together.Acamerahasrarelyleftmyhandssincemyfirstexperiencewithone.
Whatorwhoinspiresyou?<br />
Somanytalentedfolks,includingyourselfTanya,inspiremetocontinualy<br />
improve.Ilovesharingmyviewsintheworld.PriortoFB,mydadcreateda<br />
familyinternetpagesowecouldsharephotosandstayclosetoeachother.He<br />
andIweretheonesthatmemorializedourspecialfamilymoments.Althoughhe<br />
haspassedaway8yearsago,Istilpostphotosandthink“Hopedadlikesthis<br />
one”.
When
Howhasourphotographycoursehelpedyou?<br />
ThefirstcourseIsubscribedtowastheD<strong>SLR</strong>course.Despitehavingbeen<br />
interestedinphotographyformorethan40years,IrealizedIhadbeenstuckon<br />
Autoforwaytoolong.OnceImovedtofulmanual,Icouldgetsomuchmore<br />
creative.Imovedonto“EditlikeaPro”whichhelpedmemovebeyondjust<br />
basicadjustments.Theamountofsupportandsharingofthegroupsare<br />
amazing,too.Everycoursefrom Tanyahastruelybeenthebestever!
What’syourmostmemorablemoment?<br />
MymostmemorablemomenthastobewhenIcapturedthetreeinScotland<br />
wheremygrandpa’sasheswerescatered.Almostalmyfamilymembersalso<br />
havethisphotodisplayed,becauseithassuchspecialmeaningtoalofus.My<br />
grandmotherwhowaslegalyblindhadthephotohunginherkitchenwhere<br />
shedrankhermorningtea.Shetoldmethatsheknewmygrandpawas“justup<br />
theroad”waitingforher.
Yourfavouritelocation?<br />
Myfavoritelocation .theresomanythatitishardtonamejustone.Myhusband<br />
andIliketobikerideandhike.Ialwaystakeatleastonecameraonour<br />
adventuressoanywherewearetogetherinnatureismyfavorite.IfIhavetopick<br />
justone,theCanadianRockiesonour“BackroadsAdventure”wasafavorite!
Whatplansdoyouhaveforthefutureofyourphotography?<br />
Iretiredabout18monthsagoafter39yearsinhealthcareadministration.I<br />
alsoam anticipatingmy5thgrandchildinAprilsolotsoffamilyphotos.Ihave<br />
startedtodofamily/wedding/portraitsforothersbuthavetroublecharging<br />
forwhatIlovetodo.Iwouldlovetoholdbeginnersworkshopsorlead<br />
adventurephotowalkstosharemypassionforphotography.
What’syourbestpieceofadviceforotherssofar?<br />
Neverstoplearning,<br />
don’tbecompetitivewithothers<br />
butlearn/sharewiththem<br />
andalwayshavefun!<br />
ToseemoreofDiane’sworkvisit<br />
htps:/www.flickr.com/photos/147434414@N08/<br />
LearnmoreaboutourOnline<strong>Photography</strong>Coursesoverat<br />
htps:/www.slrphotographyguide.com/photography-courses/
Reflections<br />
ImagebyMarciaLoschiavo<br />
ImagebyMerilynRichmond<br />
ImagebyGingerHarter<br />
ImagebyIleneHertz
Highlightsfrom lastmonth’schalenge<br />
ImagebyTrishaOakes<br />
ImagebySkMasonry(SKlimchuck)
Studentimageaboveby<br />
JoanneSpiegel-Klausner,Canada<br />
f/6.3,1/250sec,ISO100<br />
Joanne’ssetupshowntotheleft.<br />
Apieceofplexiglass,spraybotle<br />
ofwaterandm&m’sonthetable<br />
betweentheboxes.
StudentimagebyLoraineWiliams,AU<br />
f/5.6,1/500sec,ISO350
<strong>Photography</strong>Tips<br />
1.Alwaysreviewpastphotosthatdidn’ttakeyoureyethefirsttimearound.If<br />
you’relikemostphotographers,you’leditanduploadafewimagestosocial<br />
media,thenstoretherestonhard-drivesformonths.Yourtasteschangeover<br />
timeandyoumightfindsomerealgemswhenlookingbackoveroldphotos.<br />
2.Don’tbeafraidtoflipanimagehorizontalyorverticalytoseeifitlooksany<br />
beter.It’salwaysinterestingtoseepicturesandsituationsfrom adiferent<br />
perspective.
3.Nexttimeyou’refacedwithacolourfulsunrise,whynottryapanningshot.<br />
Whatyoudoismovethecamerasidewaysfrom righttoleftfor2seconds,<br />
makingsureyouarecontinualymovingthroughouttheentireexposure.I<br />
recommendusingatripodwithabalheadtohelpyoukeepthecameraonan<br />
evenlevel(noupanddownmovement,onlysidewaypanning).Try30-40shots<br />
andyoushouldendupwithsomekeepers.<br />
4.Forotherpanningshots(folowingamovingsubject),useShuterPriority<br />
Mode(TVorSdependingonyourcamerabrand).SetthelowestISOpossible<br />
dependingonthelighting.StartwithShuterSpeed1/40sec.Usefocusing<br />
modeAIServo(Canon),AF-C(Nikon)orthealternativeforotherbrands.Move<br />
thecamerasidewayswiththesubjectandshootinburstmode.<br />
LearnmoreaboutourOnline<strong>Photography</strong>Courseoverat<br />
htps:/www.slrphotographyguide.com/online-courses.html
ComingIn<strong>March</strong><br />
NightSky<strong>Photography</strong>CourseandPremium Lightroom Presets