Don’t be afraid to use the crop tool to get rid of anything in the frame you don’t like and/or to make the image neater and more powerful. (‘Before image’ above & ‘after image’ below)
If we look at my photo of Roue de Paris below in a two-dimensional sense it looks rather flat. I’ll explain: The image has been framed so everything sits on various horizontal strips.
Along the bottom of the frame are the chairs and a few people dotted about. Above that is the pond, then some more people and trees and then the wheel and sky. In reality, you are actually looking at an area about 50m deep, but my framing makes the area seem reasonably flat. I often create images like this as I find it pretty pleasing.
To do this yourself, look out for patterns in the photos and perhaps even get down on your knees (or lower) to create that perspective.
All cities have a rich history with many stories to find. Understanding those stories and adding your own spin is a great way to create images. I shot this image at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial. I spun around and noticed a woman looking like she had just stepped out of war-time Europe; black coat, headscarf – really timeless, a ghost from the past. I quickly raised my camera, filled the frame with those concrete slabs, and pressed the shutter. I managed one single frame before she was gone.
Nine times out of ten, your travel photos will be taken using available light (i.e. you won’t be adding any flash) so use The Sun to your advantage.
You don’t always have to put your back to it, turn towards it a little and get some cool lens flare. Real lens flare is infinitely better looking than the fake stuff added in post.
Not really no – only a version of the truth. So with that in mind, get extreme. This statue base already had some graffiti sprayed on it so I went full comic book punk by using the Split Toning feature in Adobe Lightroom (See below).
The split toning feature allows you to add colour/tone individually to the highlight and shadows. For this image, I chose a pinky/red colour for the highlights and a blue-ish colour for the shadows.
Add depth to your frame by shooting through things. You’re showing a narrative and/or an environment with one single image, so do so by having multiple things in your shot but find a creative way to do it. This image is super symmetrical – I levelled it by eye on the day.
I used Split Toning to add some teal to the shadows and some light orange/slight tan to the highlights. I also dropped the blacks giving the image a very subtle cinematic look.
The image above is f3.5 1/125. It was a particularly dull, overcast day in Barcelona when I visited so there wasn’t a super great amount of light to worry about flooding into my camera which could cause overexposure.
But if it had been a bright summers day, I definitely would have had to increase the speed of the shutter to above 1/250.
Using Split Toning, I added teal to the shadows and a very subtle orange to the highlights. I also dropped the blacks
There are no right or wrong answers. Experiment. Play around. Have fun and find your own style. You don’t need lots of fancy equipment. Remember: every cool and iconic image taken in the past was created using equipment that is less technically superior than the camera you hold in your hands. It’s imagination and individuality that counts, so have the confidence to create your own images in the way you want to.
Photography can be more than just a passion, it can be a profession! This complete guide on how to become a professional photographer will answer every question you’ve ever had about professional photography and starting a career as a professional photogr
The advent of digital photography has led to an explosion in photography, both as a creative art form and as a career choice as well. The basics of becoming a photographer are incredibly easy now; You can buy a camera and some equipment, learn photography from a multitude of free online photography courses, practice your photography skills, find a niche that you can focus on. You can indeed find your own answers to the question - how to become a professional photographer.
However, though it sounds easy, the truth is not that simple. Photography is an extremely competitive field that requires you to have talent, skills, marketing acumen and discipline to make your mark as a professional photographer. To be successful, professional photographers need to not just be talented; they also need the tenacity to put in long hours, compete hard due to supply-demand imbalance and manage their business as an entrepreneur. Here is an extensive collection of great photography website templates for your reference.
While you can earn much more as a photographer, based on your talent, skills, portfolio, and business acumen, it would be wise to make sure that it's your passion and love for photography that's driving your decision to go down the path of becoming a professional photographer.
Documentary Brand FilmsOnce you have figured out what motivates you and decided on taking up photography as a career, it's time to start looking into the big question of 'how to become a professional photographer.'
In this comprehensive guide, we have covered all the aspects and steps that you would need to take to complete your journey from a hobbyist/amateur photographer to becoming a professional photographer:
Professional photography can be an excellent choice for a career if you can manage the right balance between your creative passion and entrepreneurial instincts. Just like starting any other business, put together a list of questions that you need to answer for yourself before you begin your photography career, set goals and think about how to be a good photographer.
You would find the answers to most of your questions on how to become a good photographer through research, both online and offline. Go to photography talks, exhibitions, and seminars. You would meet a lot of photographers at these events, and you can get a lot of answers directly from them. There are a number of online photography communities that you can become a member of. Some of the answers that you seek will come from structured education, and some answers will only come with experience and time.
Tip: Find a professional photographer to mentor you. Help him out in his assignments and begin learning the basics of photography business from him.
Professional Photography is one of the very few fields where structured training is not a prerequisite. You can self-learn, practice, and improve your skills without going to a formal educational institute. However, it can add a lot of value to your career, skills, and experience as a professional photographer.
A lot of professional photographers have taken photography courses at top photography schools, universities, or design institutes. Besides a formal course of instruction to develop their skill sets, a photographer should have a keen eye, oodles of creativity, and technical ability. We have listed a few simple steps to get you started.
A lot of professional photographers have taken photography courses at top photography schools, universities, or design institutes. Besides a formal course of instruction to develop their skill sets, a photographer should have a keen eye, oodles of creativity, and technical ability. We have listed a few simple steps to get you started.
The Certificate Photography programs can be completed in a few months. They help students learn essential skills and knowledge in photography. These programs cover the basics of:
The Associate Degree in Photography is offered in various Art Schools, Colleges, and Universities. The Associate Degree course typically lasts for two years. The curriculum is technical and prepares students to learn the different types of photography and use various techniques – from transparency and negative films to working in a natural setting. Students also learn to acquire skills for making photographs in a studio.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography is typically a four-year course available at a University or College. The course includes in-depth curricula and supporting coursework. It entails a study of the fundamentals of photography, digital and film photography, its narratives, history, and techniques. The course also teaches understanding imagery in Editorial, Advertising, and Fine art photography. And, this guide will walk you through some of the fruit-producing tips and tricks editorial photography.
The Master's Degree in Photography or Master of Fine Arts prepares students to explore theory and gain essential practical experience. The Master's Course is available for students who have completed the Bachelor's Program.
If you are currently employed full-time, you can choose from a range of Online Photography Courses that will give you a good understanding of the basics. While the really good ones are paid, there are several free online photography courses also available. You can take up these courses in your free time and improve your skills. You can also join photography workshops during weekends to build your portfolio, which would become a base in your journey as a professional photographer.
There is ample information available on photography blogs and podcasts to get an understanding of the basics of photography – composition, aperture, shutter speed, ISO settings, depth, white balance, etc... You can always learn additional skills in lighting, posing, equipment, flash, and improve your editing skills as you go along. Start small and then begin working on your images using photo editors. Gradually you will learn the art of perfecting your pictures using settings in professional editing software.
If you're a young, budding photographer, look out and network with other professional photographers and mentors. It is very important to develop your people skills. Good communication, flexibility, and a patient demeanor are as important as developing your technical skills as a professional photographer. Never shy away from getting feedback about your work. You are eventually going to make a living based on the quality of your working. Here is an example of best wedding & lifestyle website templates you can check.
Look out for vacancies and get a photography job as an intern or an Assistant to gain hands-on experience that no university or school can teach. The key is to get professional photography experience by applying the knowledge and skill-sets that you have learned in the real world. During your internship, focus on learning how a photography business is run and how to deal with clients.
Your education and internship experiences would help you learn the art and technique of photography and give you a more definite sense of the kind of photographer you want to become. It's time now to start defining your style of photography and find your niche and concentrate on the genre/photography style that you enjoy. Do you want to shoot portraits, travel, weddings, fashion, conceptual fine art photography, documentary, or are you interested in commercial photography? Research the niche that you want to focus on - For example, if you want to become a wedding photographer, study and learn from the best wedding photographer websites.