It’s the middle of the night and still bright outside. I’m in Iceland a few weeks after the summer solstice, and I just finished the longest hike of my life – a nine-day version of the Laugavegur. I’ll have several photos and articles to publish now that it’s done, including this first post about the process of going lightweight on such a long hike. How do you trim your camera setup for such an ordeal?
Have you ever wondered how your favorite photographers stay inspired?
Do you wish that you could have access to their unending ideas and creativity?
Well guess what? We know the secret: COMMUNITY!
Over at Clickin Moms, we are always thinking of new contests, games, and exercises to strengthen our photographic skills while having fun and making friends. One of our favorite traditions is the monthly forum contest: we announce a theme and the Clickin Moms members share all of the ways that they were inspired to capture it.
And did we mention that there are prizes?!?!
The June theme of Fatherhood showed us once again just how much talent is in this amazing community. With imagery ranging from tender and sweet to hilarious and heart-warming, the Clickin Moms members wowed us once again with the honesty and beauty of their photography.
Today we are sharing some of our very favorites for you to enjoy here and we know that you are going to be just as inspired as we are by the amazing artists of the Clickin Moms community. We are thrilled to congratulate Kristen Ryan for her winning shot that has earned her a live Breakout session from Click Photo School!
Do you want a chance for your work to be featured on the Clickin Moms blog and to be eligible to win a live seat to a Click Photo School Breakout Session? Then join us for this month’s forum photo contest by sharing your best photos for this month’s special Photo Hunt-themed contest! With a list of 75 summer items to get your creative wheels turning, the Photo Hunt is sure to inspire some of the most jaw-dropping imagery our community has produced yet!
Are you not yet a member of Clickin Moms? As a Clickin Moms member you get access to contests like this, thousands of free tutorials, and so much more. Nothing would make us happier than for you to become a member today! (Questions? Feel free to ask them in the comments below!)
The post 35 heart-melting photos of fatherhood appeared first on Clickin Moms blog: Helping you take better pictures one day at a time.
Clickin Moms blog: Helping you take better pictures one day at a time
One of the key areas many photographers often struggle with, especially when starting out, is focusing. Being able to properly acquire focus on a subject or a scene is critical in making sure that the photograph is sharp where it needs to be. In this article, we will cover back-button focus in detail and go over its pros and cons. If you are not yet familiar with this technique, check it out below, as it might change the way you take pictures in the future.
Roughly 80% of people in the United States live in metropolitan areas. This means that cityscape photography is one of the most accessible genres of photography. The shapes and intricate details seen in city skylines are attractive to humans because our brains recognize and think in terms of patterns. However, creating an impactful cityscape photograph can be challenging. Here are eleven tips to help you get started with cityscape photography or improve your existing skills.
We love to shop around here and few things make us happier than discovering a new, must-have product. We are bringing our favorite photographers to you to share their favorite things so that we all can all get a peek inside their worlds and add their best-loved items to our own lists!
Today we have Chloe Ramirez, Click Pro and incredibly talented wedding and portrait photographer, joining us to share just a few of her favorite things.
1. My girls
It may be a predictable answer but hey, I am a mom! These three ladies are my reason for everything I do so they made the list!
This full frame camera may be small but it is mighty! When I first held it in my hand I was skeptical. It was lighter than my D800 and much smaller. One afternoon of shooting later it’s the only camera I reach for.
The flip screen in the back is perfect for taking overhead shots to actually compose your shot. You know you’ve been holding your camera over your head and hoping for the best haha! Bonus: because it is lightweight it doesn’t hurt your back after a day of photographing!
3. My Madewell overalls
Hey hi! It’s me! I love my Madewell overalls so much. It took me awhile to jump on the bandwagon with this revival style because I thought it might make me look a bit dumpy. The Madewell overalls are high waist and hug my hips like a glove making them ultra-flattering to my figure. Cha ching! Here is my wallet Madewell.
4. Dappled light
Dappled light has a bad reputation in the photography world. I get it, it can be challenging with its dark shadows and bright highlights. It’s easy to blow out the highlights or clip the blacks in the shadows.
However, challenges are good and what makes us grow as photographers. A few years back I was feeling uninspired and stagnant in my work. I took on a personal project where I photographed my kids in less-than-ideal light. It was a learning process but I found myself eager to pick up my camera because I was challenged and engaged.
Feeling uninspired? It might be time to push yourself and level up.
5. Movement in photos
Whether it’s hair blowing in the wind or a family dancing on the bed to their favorite song, I am all in and ready to capture the action! It’s my favorite recipe to take a boring bland portrait and give it some oomph. Is everyone feeling awkward and stiff? Add some movement! Boring portrait of a kid? Add some wind and voila! Interesting portrait!
6. Flowers
I love fresh flowers in a vase. Especially when I get to photograph them too. If you absolutely MUST buy me flowers, I like peonies. My address is… haha!
7. Connecting with my subjects
There is nothing I hate more than showing-up to photograph complete strangers. I get to know my clients well before their session by giving them a questionnaire.
It’s not your average questionnaire though; all my questions are geared toward connection. It puts my clients heads and heart in the right place as well as gives me insight into who they are and how they love. Every time I get to know my clients I start caring about them, and when you care about something you always bring you’re A Game.
8. Adventures with my family
Life can be so mundane with it’s daily routines of school work and activities. I like to shake it up often and explore new places with my family.
This photo was from a recent trip to Palm Springs California. We ventured out to Salvation Mountain and it is an absolute must see if you are ever in the area!
9. My photographer friends
My friends are my lifeline. They are there for me through ups and downs. Whether it’s texting them in our shamelessly long group text sharing memes and funny antidotes or crying on their shoulder through a tough time. We are there for each other through thick and thin.
What started as a shared interest blossomed into a bond I cherish so much. My photography friends are now some of my best friends in the whole world and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Note: SO many people not pictured!
10. Music
Whether I am cooking dinner, commuting to a shoot or dancing in the living room with my girls, music is a huge part of my life.
Music has the power to transport you to another time and make you feel nostalgic.
It can empower you when you are feeling timid. Music can comfort you when you are sad or it can turn a party from boring to fun!
It’s a powerful and vital part of my life.
Fun random fact: I used to be in a rock band in high school.
The post 10 things photographer Chloe Ramirez loves appeared first on Clickin Moms blog: Helping you take better pictures one day at a time.
Clickin Moms blog: Helping you take better pictures one day at a time
