This was an idea i've been thinking about for a while, and my good buddy Mark Kumar just did a webinear that touched upon it. If you just want to point and shoot then any camera will do but listed below are things to know if you want to have more control over your pictures, and make them fantastic.
The first thing that I would recommend is getting a good piece of glass. Without a good lens you can not really take great photos. What is a good lens you say, well that's what the pros use. I've used many other name lens but since i use canon, i use the canon L lens. These lens will take a beating and work perfectly with your camera. If you use multiple lens with different makers you might get confused on which way to turn the barrel to zoom in and out, since some manufacturers change the direction. As time goes on you will learn of the aperature and the bokeh that it creates.
The second thing to think about is what are you shooting. This will help you decide the lens, but will also help you pick the camera body. For example the 5dmark2 is a great camera for many things, but it does not burst as fast as other canons due to the fact that it's full frame. If you are doing sports you can get away with a 7d or something a little cheaper then the 5dmark 2. Now if you are doing a lot of low light then the 5d is your buddy.
After you get the camera and lens that you need, practice on your style. What makes your photos different from anyone else. Also be prepared for criticism, then take it to propel you forward. And try to learn from local photographers or clubs in the area. Learn the basics of your camera even if you have to watch youtube. Then goto some workshops and seminears. Most of the reading i have done points to 10,000 hours to get the eye for photography, and it's a grind. Just keep at it.
Once you are great at taking photos, and learned how to work with light, then move on to editing or sub that work out to someone else. Make a portfolio and then start your webpage. This process can take as long or as little as you want. It's not about all the expensive stuff but as Mark says "the self confidence."
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Barn Tour
Sometimes you just grab your camera and take it with you. In June 2011, it was one of those days. There was a barn tour where you would hop barn to barn and learn of history. For me it was more about capturing the day. Of course, I always love to take pictures of animals. Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as i do :).
Underwater Cameras
This is a tricky topic to say the least. My first disaster experience was on a trip to hawaii. My only camera
at the time was a compact Olympus Point and Shoot basically. Before that i had the Olympus Ultrazoom and the quality and pictures were excellent so i thought the compact camera would do.
The first day i took a handful of shots, and then I put it in the underwater enclosure. This enclosure was brand new, and i tested it for seal many times before the trip. While underwater the camera took about 3 shots and then the lens retracted. So I tried to use my mother's 35mm film camera, and the pictures turned out less then stellar.
I lost 2 days of shooting while i looked for a replacement camera in Hawaii. That is now Canon became my main camera of choice. What happened is that the gears that extend the lens broke a few teeth, and thus the lens would go right back in.
Now here is it 2012, the present day of fear as my next underwater shoot will be in Australia. Back to the rub of underwater cameras. I've come to the conclusion that i don't want to risk my lens or even my backup camera underwater. I've looked at compact cameras that are waterproof and all the reviews.
In the end i went with the sealife dc1400 with the external flash. I've looked long and hard at the cameras out there. This camera will not do raw like i wish, but this is just to document the trip so i think it will do just fine. It's also rated to 200 ft of water. The canon dc10 was a close 2nd choice, and third was the gopro.
I'll do a follow up review of the camera once i field test it, wish me luck :).
at the time was a compact Olympus Point and Shoot basically. Before that i had the Olympus Ultrazoom and the quality and pictures were excellent so i thought the compact camera would do.
The first day i took a handful of shots, and then I put it in the underwater enclosure. This enclosure was brand new, and i tested it for seal many times before the trip. While underwater the camera took about 3 shots and then the lens retracted. So I tried to use my mother's 35mm film camera, and the pictures turned out less then stellar.
I lost 2 days of shooting while i looked for a replacement camera in Hawaii. That is now Canon became my main camera of choice. What happened is that the gears that extend the lens broke a few teeth, and thus the lens would go right back in.
Now here is it 2012, the present day of fear as my next underwater shoot will be in Australia. Back to the rub of underwater cameras. I've come to the conclusion that i don't want to risk my lens or even my backup camera underwater. I've looked at compact cameras that are waterproof and all the reviews.
In the end i went with the sealife dc1400 with the external flash. I've looked long and hard at the cameras out there. This camera will not do raw like i wish, but this is just to document the trip so i think it will do just fine. It's also rated to 200 ft of water. The canon dc10 was a close 2nd choice, and third was the gopro.
I'll do a follow up review of the camera once i field test it, wish me luck :).
Inspiration
Of the things I always find hard to do is find inspiration in my own works. Every photographer looks back and says i did this wrong, or that wrong. But sometimes those errors make for a great photo.
One of the best things I've done is pick John as my business partner. His artistic eye is among the best, and his creativity i've seen no equal. But overall think the best thing for me about having John as a partner is that he inspires me by showing me the pictures I have taken after he's edited them. When I look at them, the thoughts come to mind...if i didn't know these were my pictures, I would have thought these are top notch. Not to mention that he has great business and people skills.
So if you are going to start a business and have a partner, look for someone that has the skills you are missing so that you both compliment one another.
One of the best things I've done is pick John as my business partner. His artistic eye is among the best, and his creativity i've seen no equal. But overall think the best thing for me about having John as a partner is that he inspires me by showing me the pictures I have taken after he's edited them. When I look at them, the thoughts come to mind...if i didn't know these were my pictures, I would have thought these are top notch. Not to mention that he has great business and people skills.
So if you are going to start a business and have a partner, look for someone that has the skills you are missing so that you both compliment one another.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
8/13/11 Mark Kumar Photoshoot with Hope Vicious
Everytime that Mark asks me to a photoshoot i feel honored. Not only is it a fun time, but the models are always top notch. This is my 2nd time shooting with Hope and she is a terrific professional model.
The day started off with a ton of rain and lighting. When it was time I left the house and drove to the meeting spot which i stored in my gps from the last time we went to the location. Unfortunately my luck sometimes follows me and the gps took me to the completely wrong spot. At this point I remember Mark gave me a landmark which i type into the gps and zoom off to with the petal to the metal.
Upon arriving the rain had stopped and it was time to start shooting and we had a blast before the rain started again. This day i didn't change gears too quickly and only took a few shots, but next time i'll be ready for your surprise plans Mr Kumar, lol.
Mark then took the time let Hope use his camera, and they went over what she knew. In no time her talent shined, and some great photos came out of it.
All and all a great time of photography with some great pictures coming out of it, can't wait till the next time.
The day started off with a ton of rain and lighting. When it was time I left the house and drove to the meeting spot which i stored in my gps from the last time we went to the location. Unfortunately my luck sometimes follows me and the gps took me to the completely wrong spot. At this point I remember Mark gave me a landmark which i type into the gps and zoom off to with the petal to the metal.
Upon arriving the rain had stopped and it was time to start shooting and we had a blast before the rain started again. This day i didn't change gears too quickly and only took a few shots, but next time i'll be ready for your surprise plans Mr Kumar, lol.
Mark then took the time let Hope use his camera, and they went over what she knew. In no time her talent shined, and some great photos came out of it.
All and all a great time of photography with some great pictures coming out of it, can't wait till the next time.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
The beginning of the journey.
It started when i was just a younger many moons ago with the polaroid instant camera. I can still remember the joys of shooting the Lockness Monster Rollercoaster, and Ghost town in the sky. Of course many photos did not follow do to the high price of instant film back then.
Many years later i was reintroduced to photography at school. It was the black and white darkroom experience. Again the passion was there, but my darkroom skills with temperature, time, and chemicals did not come to fruition. Once again photography was stowed to be revisited again later in life.
In college i was able to afford a 35mm. Ohh the Pentax was a great camera with the built in light meter. Again not too many photos due to the price of developing, but a few surviving pictures. Mainly the ones of my Aunt on the beach highlight this time. Even then people said that i was starting to get good. Again the cobwebs took over the camera.
Once again came another awakening as the digital age came about. My first camera after a lot of begging from the wife back then was the Olympus Superzoom. It as a great camera, and helped to save some memories of the time. But the images were not quite where i wanted them. Being only 2 megapixel at the time wasn't enough to satisfy my need for quality. In addition my Photoshop skills where just in the infancy. Once again the darkness filled my lenscap.
Then came along a trip of a lifetime with my mother to Hawaii. On the 2nd day there my camera broke, a little Olmpus i had. It broke and i lost 3 days of shooting. While there i took the plunge with the Canon Digital Rebel and have never looked back.
One day one of my best friends came to me about a photography business. John is an awesome business manager, idea planner, publicist, artist, and a million other things that I could go on and on about. That day "Dreams In Focus Photography" was born.
In the months following I've been trying to study under photographers to learn as much as i can and get real world knowledge. John lined us up with the http://chesapeakerollerderby.com . Some of our pictures can be seen on their official page. As i looked over the site, all of the people images are our work. Soon the Official business website will come to be for Dreams In Focus Photography.
Since then i've had the pleasure of attending workshops with Clay Blackmore, and Mark Kumar Photography. Mark has helped me not only as a photographer but to become a better person. Most people do not see that those two things work hand in hand. Every picture we take not only tells us about the subject but the photographer as well. There you have it, now lets hear some of your stories :).
Many years later i was reintroduced to photography at school. It was the black and white darkroom experience. Again the passion was there, but my darkroom skills with temperature, time, and chemicals did not come to fruition. Once again photography was stowed to be revisited again later in life.
In college i was able to afford a 35mm. Ohh the Pentax was a great camera with the built in light meter. Again not too many photos due to the price of developing, but a few surviving pictures. Mainly the ones of my Aunt on the beach highlight this time. Even then people said that i was starting to get good. Again the cobwebs took over the camera.
Once again came another awakening as the digital age came about. My first camera after a lot of begging from the wife back then was the Olympus Superzoom. It as a great camera, and helped to save some memories of the time. But the images were not quite where i wanted them. Being only 2 megapixel at the time wasn't enough to satisfy my need for quality. In addition my Photoshop skills where just in the infancy. Once again the darkness filled my lenscap.
Then came along a trip of a lifetime with my mother to Hawaii. On the 2nd day there my camera broke, a little Olmpus i had. It broke and i lost 3 days of shooting. While there i took the plunge with the Canon Digital Rebel and have never looked back.
One day one of my best friends came to me about a photography business. John is an awesome business manager, idea planner, publicist, artist, and a million other things that I could go on and on about. That day "Dreams In Focus Photography" was born.
In the months following I've been trying to study under photographers to learn as much as i can and get real world knowledge. John lined us up with the http://chesapeakerollerderby.com . Some of our pictures can be seen on their official page. As i looked over the site, all of the people images are our work. Soon the Official business website will come to be for Dreams In Focus Photography.
Since then i've had the pleasure of attending workshops with Clay Blackmore, and Mark Kumar Photography. Mark has helped me not only as a photographer but to become a better person. Most people do not see that those two things work hand in hand. Every picture we take not only tells us about the subject but the photographer as well. There you have it, now lets hear some of your stories :).
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