The Genesis Connection
A Newsletter for Through the Lens Photography Club
May 2013 Edition
This Month's Meeting: May 14th at 7:00 PM Gateway Church of the Nazarene
For our May meeting I will quickly list 100 Tips from a Professional Photographer. Now don't get all excited - this won't take long - I'll just run through the list and we'll discuss them as needed. I think you'll get a kick out of some of the tips.
A Child Is Born!
Photographer of the Month --- David Stropes
Ideas to Inspire You
Lens Lessons: Photography Tips & Tricks
Three Simple Reasons Why Some People's Photography Does Not Improve
This article will likely not apply to most of us, but there are reasons why some photographers are better than others (and it has NOTHING to do with equipment).
They Don’t Take Their Cameras With Them
Those who don’t practice using their cameras are unlikely to ever grow in their understanding of and skill in photography. If they rarely have their camera with them, they’ll not get the practice needed to improve. That doesn't mean they have to lug their DSLR around with them all the time though. When it isn't practical to have the heavier, more bulky DSLR with them, they could always use a smaller point and shoot or even their phone's camera. While the quality of those images may not be as great with these cameras, at least they'll be practicing composition, thinking about light, color and other aspects of photography.
Many people lead life at such a fast pace that they rarely stop to see the opportunities right before them. They can carry their cameras around with them 24/7 for the rest of their lives, but unless they learn to slow down and to look at the world a little differently, they may never actually use it.
But how do they do this? They need to find ways to slow down – or at least slow down temporarily. They need to set aside time to be a bit more intentional about photography. A good place to start is by taking a walk with the sole purpose of shooting a few frames. Next, they could try something bigger - a weekend away with their cameras, taking a photography class, or going on a photography tour. It's all about building photography into their daily rhythm. It takes time to create a new habit, but when it starts to become a more natural thing, they'll find themselves seeing life a little differently - more "through the lens."
They Worry What Others Think
Some photographers suffer from ‘framing paralysis’. They take their camera with them, and even though they've slowed down enough to see the photographic opportunities around them, there’s something that stops them from lifting their camera up to frame the shot. These are the photographers who are worried about what others around them think. Their sub-conscience mind asks, "Will I look stupid?" "Will people think that I'm photographing them?" "But what if the shot turns out bad?" The key to moving through framing paralysis for these photographers is to build up their confidence as photographers. To overcome this paralysis, they could try taking a photography buddy with them when they go out to shoot (there IS safety in numbers, you know). Or they could go somewhere where they don't have to worry about being seen by someone they know - sometimes it's easier to look "silly" if you know you'll never see those people again in your life. Of course, the best way to build confidence in oneself as a photographer is to PRACTICE.
The Go-To Source
My all-time favorite "go-to source" is Digital Photography School. This site is a community of photographers of all experience levels who come together to learn, share and grow in the understanding of photography. It contains multiple articles covering topics from photography tips and tutorials, to camera equipment, to post-processing tips. Just click on a link, read the article, then click on the related links for more information. There is no shortage of links on this website. The site conveniently contains a "search" bar to help you locate precisely the information you're looking for. The digital community of members often upload their photos for viewing or critiquing, so browse away.
Along with a wealth of information and photographic examples, the site also contains a "Weekly Assignment" (see the "Forum" tab at the top of the site's home page) where you will find a topic to challenge you when you need inspiration. You can simply take the challenge for yourself, OR, for those who are a little more brave, you can add your challenge-photo to the forum. Step out of your comfort zone and take a risk!
Once you discover Digital Photography School, I'm certain you visit the site time and again.
Prepare to Have Some Fun at Club in June
Next Meeting
Tuesday, Jun 11, 2013, 07:00 PM
Gateway Church of the Nazarene, Oskaloosa, IA
Contact Info
Email: ddjimagesphotography@gmail.com
Website: https://throughthelensclub.wikispaces.com/
Location: 2679 Millridge Lane, Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577
Phone: 641-660-5670
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Through-the-Lens-Photography-Club/320480281299492
Twitter: @dejongdd