photo tips

I have been receiving a lot of requests for tips on photography and information on what type of camera I use, so I thought I'd do a post of recommendations and suggestions for photography to point people to in lieu of retyping an email each time. Let me start by saying that I have no photography training at all; everything I know I learned through trial and error. I use a Nikon CoolPix 2100 digital camera which is, believe me, nothing fancy. I am very flattered that people like my photos, but, really, I have no clue what I am doing most of the time. That said, here are my recommendations for improving your blog photos:

1. Get to know your camera. Read the instruction manual. Learn how to turn the flash off, how to turn the macro on, how the self timer works, etc. Always take photos at the highest quality setting available to you.
2. Natural light is your friend! Always use natural light, if at all possible, to take your photos. This means turn your flash off, folks. The photo on the left is one where I forgot to turn my flash off, the other is the same conditions, but with no flash. Big difference!  
3. Once you've turned your flash off, pay attention to lighting. Finished your project at 2 am and want to take a photo? Wait until morning, silly! Find a place in your home with a lot of natural light. I noticed one time that Katey takes her photos in the bathroom; whatever works. You can go outside, but harsh direct light can be really unflattering to objects and people as well.
4. Now you have light, but probably not quite enough to keep a moving subject from being blurry. This is why most photos of my kids are a blur of arms and legs. I think this captures their true nature, but if you want a more distinct photo, go outside. For an object, to minimize the blur, I create a makeshift tripod by setting my camera on a piece of furniture or stack of books to keep my shaky-caffeinated hands from interfering.
5. Get down on your subject's level. The subject on the floor with you looming above is not going to be a great photo. Find a way to hang it, or put it on a table or chair to photograph it from a better angle. This is true of photos of children and pets too; get down on their level. Something great about most digital cameras is that you don't have to look through the view finder. If you don't want to crouch down, use the LCD to view your photo while you hold the camera down at kid level and just snap away.
6. Take A LOT of photos. Something I learned when I worked briefly as a photo stylist for a magazine was when you think you just got the perfect shot, take ten more. If you came of age before digital photography like me, you'll probably be worried that you're wasting pictures. You're not. It's free. One great photo is worth 25 deleted ones.
7. Take some time to style your photos, this may mean just shoving all the crap on your dining table off to one side, or it may mean creating an amazing little photo story ala Wee Wonderfuls. Make an effort.
8. Have a subject or a focal point to your photo. It may be a beautiful beach or a stunning mountain top, but what exactly am I looking at?
9. Crop your photos! Great shot except that pile of laundry over in the corner? Crop it out. Get up close and personal. Show me what the photo is about and leave everything else out.
10. Once you have your great photo, post it as a decent size on your blog. What is with all the teeny tiny photos on blogs? How do I know that I want it to pop up if I can't see what it is?

Hope this helps!

Comments

[hannah]

great tips! i am a huge fan of natural light, and am lucky enough to get great pics every time i shoot at my front door, all kinds of wonderful light there!

[Laurie]

Great tips! I've learned how to take my photos in much the same way. Your tips about taking a lot of pictures and creating a setting are the best. I always have to re-take pictures if i don't keep those in mind from the beginning. :)

[Erica]

Thank you for the excellent tips -- I enjoy your photographs (and all of your crafts) so much, and it's fascinating to see how you achieve them.

[laurie]

thanks, now i just need to learn to post them on my site.

[Siri]

I second all that you've said. Thank you for the tips. I really like your opinion on the blurry shots of children. They are some of my favorites, too, but not always what I'm looking for in a picture.
I usually take a zillion pictures,too, though it always seems like the best one is either the first or the last one that I took.
You've been tricking us! Here I've been jealous that you had a house with sunshine streaming in at all times. You've just been picking all the good spots and times of day to photograph.
I'm dreading the shortening days to come but also love the low sunshine coming right through into the dark corners of the house.

[myra]

Great tips Stephanie! I too must take 10 photos for every one that I post. My biggest problem is never being home when there is natural light.

[Nancy]

Great hints -- thanks! Now if only I could convince my husband to turn off the flash when he takes the pictures. :-)

[moki]

I dont think it's your photography skills that make your pictures so great...I think it's all the great details and colors in your world that get added to each photo by accident!

[myra]

I forgot to add that doing some basic auto adjustments to the photo in a picture software eg. the software that comes with your printer or camera also can improve the quality a lot.

And I agree with Moki, the details of your life and family that are captured in your photos really make them great.

[abbyjane]

I have had to play around so much with my camera since I started taking pictures for my blog. I find it especially hard to photograph small projects without them becoming blurry. This is a subject that should be posted about more! Thank you.

[Christie]

I also like to turn ON the flash, but cover it up. I do that when the shutter speed isn't (or wasn't the first time around!) going to be fast enough, but I don't feel like remembering how to change the settings. It sometimes works great and other times I end up with a black photo.

[Katey Nicosia]

I agree with the whole NO FLASH thing. I NEVER use my flash. And I never post a picture without going into photoshop first but that's because I have a crappy camera (2 megapixels?!). I'm getting a new and much better camera soon but I have a feeling I'll still be photoshopping everything.

[kath]

i agree - natural lighting all the way - and movement in pics of kids is wonderful.

[hillary]

right on. great advice!

now if only turning off the flash meant our photos would be as beautiful as yours.

[Ann]

Wonderful help! Thanks so much for making the blogworld a more naturally lit place!

[rosa]

Great advice. I second every word. Thank you for taking the time to share this :)

[Bel]

Great tips!
Thank you! It helped a lot. ;)
Your photos are great and I adore your profile´s photo.

[di]

Fantastic tips- I'm totally with you on the crop front. A photographer I work with told me once to always look in the background.
And I love the fabric on that chair...

[Sergejs]

Yes, the flash is our enemy - I always try to get rid of it...
Thank you, Stephanie!
You are absolutely right!

Regards,
Sergejs from Latvia, Europe.

[Lina]

Ahh, thank you! I just got started. Hoping to buy my own Nikon D50 soon. Love you blog btw :)

[natasha fialkov]

i have a sony cybershot that i adore. it was about 400 bucks, but id really dose everything that the more expensive one does and it was between the camera you have and this one, but i thought this one was easier to use because it was similar in operatiing to my crappy fuji finepix. it is important to have the best lens for taking closeups for the crafty stuff we do. i only use the upstairs windows in my bedroom and get the best photos. overcast days are not bad for shooting, either, or overcast and on your porch under a roof, that works well too. thanks for all the tips! you are the pro! what hat have you not worn?

[Ariella]

I bookmarked your blog, b/c I find it very inspiring. I was really taken with your pictures. I SWEAR that I thought you worked for MS magazine...the style of photo set-up and shooting is exactly the same. I'm inspired to make more time for the crafts that I'm into right now. It goes through cycles. Keep up the excellent work and THANKS for sharing your inspiration and creativity with us! Ariella

[Jennifer]

Thank you. I would love some tips on taking pictures of black or dark colored items. I had a heck of a time photographing a black velvet bunny I made, esp. because the flash bounced right off the fabric.