Photo Tips for Beginners

Letting Your Personal Style Find You

Posted on September 9, 2016 by ShutterBug

I think that so many of us love photography because of its inherently dichotomous nature. On one hand photography is an art form which allows each of us incredible creative latitude for visual expression. That is counterbalanced by the complexity of the technical considerations that can come into play when creating images.

NIKON 1 J5 + 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 12.1mm, ISO 160, 1/320, f/8.0

Each of us may be drawn to different things. Some like the grand vistas of landscapes.

NIKON 1 V2 + 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 10mm, ISO 160, 1/800, f/5.6

Others are attracted by the strength and character of buildings.

NIKON 1 J5 + 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 @ 77.1mm, ISO 360, 1/500, f/5.6

The delicate details of blossoms can offer intrigue.

NIKON 1 V2 + 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 75mm, ISO 160, 1/50, f/8.0

We can see the world around us as optical illusions.

NIKON 1 V2 + CX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 300mm, ISO 1250, 1/1600, f/5.6

Or be compelled to capture moments in nature unfolding before our eyes.

NIKON 1 V2 + 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 @ 20.3mm, ISO 450, 1/30, f/5.6

The beauty in the graceful sweep of lines and shapes can be found all around us.

NIKON 1 V2 + 10-100mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 64.3mm, ISO 4500, 1/50, f/5.6

Sometimes simply being in the right place at the right time can yield interesting opportunities created by the combination of subject, light and circumstance.

NIKON 1 V2 + 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 25.7mm, ISO 160, 1/80, f/6.3

We can find messages about the human condition during our everyday walkabouts.

NIKON 1 V2 + 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 @ 36.1mm, ISO 160, 1/60, f/5.6

At other times our vacations can provide us glimpses into the everyday lives in other countries and cultures.

NIKON 1 J5 + CX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 204.5mm, ISO 3200, 1/40, f/5.6

We can be mesmerized by the fine details and almost surreal colours that can be found in nature.

NIKON 1 V2 + 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 13.6mm, ISO 280, 1/60, f/8.0

Or wonder what we will find around the next corner or up the next street.

NIKON 1 V2 + CX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 165mm, ISO 3200, 1/40, f/5.6

Our eyes may be attracted to the subtlety of hues and of graceful lines.

NIKON 1 J5 + 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 38.8mm, ISO 1600, 1/500, f/8.0

Or the symmetry and power of man-made objects.

NIKON 1 V2 + 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 83.2mm, ISO 1800, 1/125, f/5.6

Our images can capture movements and preserve them as snapshots in time.

NIKON 1 J5 + 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 28.7mm, ISO 400, 1/250, f/5.6

Everyday subjects can be messengers about the need for each of us to strive to grow and overcome obstacles.

NIKON 1 V2 + 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 non PD @ 24.4mm, ISO 160, 1/800, f/5.6

The power of emotions can often be found in both expected and unexpected places.

NIKON 1 V2 + 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 76.4mm, ISO 160, 1/30, f/6.3

There is so much in the world that still baffles me, and reminds me that there is an infinite amount for me to still learn and experience. With each thimble-full of knowledge that I add, the more acutely aware I become of the depth of my ignorance. There is one thing of which I am certain.

NIKON 1 J5 + 10-100mm f/4-5.6 @ 100mm, ISO 800, 1/320, f/8.0

None of us will ever find our personal photographic style by reading books or viewing DVDs. Nor will we find it by trying to replicate the work of other people no matter how famous and how talented they may be. It will never be found through seeking the approval of others. There is no need to put artificial restrictions on our creativity by labelling ourselves as ‘wedding photographers’, ‘landscape photographers’, ‘nature photographers’…or anything else.

NIKON 1 V2 + CX 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 @ 157.2mm, ISO 2500, 1/50, f/5.6

We must free ourselves from all of these limitations and distractions, and simply trust in our experience of the world around us. The camera gear we choose to use makes no difference…it is only a tool that helps us to visually create. Ultimately each of us must follow our passions and our individual visions. Bringing them to life in our own unique ways allows our personal style to find us.

NIKON 1 V2 + 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 non PD @ 30mm, ISO 160, 1/500, f/5.6

Photography is, and always will be, subjective in nature. What one person loves another may hate with vitriol.

NIKON 1 V2 + 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 non-PD @ 30mm, ISO 160, 1/3, f/8.0

Trust in your creative impulses. Trust in how you see the world around you. Through those things – you will find yourself.

NIKON 1 V2 + 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 non PD @ 30mm, ISO 160, 1/4, f/8.0

Article and all images are Copyright 2016 Thomas Stirr. All rights reserved. No use, adaptation or reproduction of any kind is allowed without written consent. Photography Life is the only approved user of this article. If you see it reproduced anywhere else it is an unauthorized and illegal use

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Posted in Photograpy How To | Tagged Find, Letting, Personal, Style | Leave a comment

Miss Manners in Table Settings

Posted on September 9, 2016 by ShutterBug

So, you are hosting your first formal or semi-formal dinner party complete with the table settings. In the days of yore, your parties may have just been casual in nature with the food and the eating utensils laid out in a buffet style while the guests find their own places on whatever table takes their fancy after filling their plates. Well, now the rules of the ballgame are different.
Two Rules

Well, don’t despair about finding your inner Miss Manners in time for the dinner party. There are only two basic rules to remember when setting the table while the other rules are often added just because you want to lend a more sophisticated feel to the party.

• The glassware for the beverages is placed on the right while the dinnerware for the solid and the semi-solids are placed on the right. This is true regardless if the guests are right or left-handed mainly because it is more convenient in this way.

• Use the flatware like the Oneida Easton pieces from the outside in. Thus, your outermost fork or spoon must be used first in such a manner that only one piece of flatware must be used for each course.

The second rule has an important bearing on your duties as a host. You should only place the right number of dinnerware, flatware and glassware on the table commensurate to the number of dishes that will be served. In this way, your guests will not have one too many or one too few spoon, fork or plate on their places and, thus, cause embarrassment for either of you.

For example, if you will not be serving steak, then don’t place the Oneida Juilliard steak knife on the table. Similarly, if you are not serving champagne, then don’t bring out the champagne flute. In short, don’t set expectations in the kinds of food that will be served if you cannot live up to it.

Two Types

Now, in dinner parties, you have two choices in the type of dinnerware laid out on the table depending on the level of formality – or the lack thereof. Keep in mind that the dinnerware is an important component of setting the mood for the meals, thus, it is essential to choose well and choose wisely.

For formal dinners, all of the dinnerware pieces must be placed about an inch from the table’s edge and all pieces must be spaced apart equally. You start setting the table with the charger, bread and butter plate and soup bowls. Flatware should be laid out from the outside in while the glassware can reach up to 5 pieces.

In a casual dinner, you will still apply the above mentioned two basic rules with a twist. For example, you can choose to lay out all of the dinnerware and the charger may not be used.

In conclusion, the rules of table setting are relatively easy to remember with practice. The choice of dinnerware, flatware and glassware is yours to make, which means that you can be as eclectic or as orthodox with the size, shape and patterns of the tableware. It is your dinner party, after all.

Danielle Brooks is a freelance writer who loves to entertain. Some of her favorites for entertaining are the Oneida Easton and Oneida Juilliard flatware sets

Posted in Camera Settings | Tagged Manners, Miss, Settings, Table. | Leave a comment

15 encouragement photos to boost your day

Posted on September 8, 2016 by ShutterBug

Featured image by Heather Stockett

One of our favorite posts here on the Clickin Moms blog each month is this one, the monthly member share. We love throwing a theme out to the forum members and seeing how they interpret it. This month, guest judge Beira Brown chose the theme of ‘Encourage’ and there were so many fantastic images submitted. Enjoy…

Anda Panciuk

Carol Merriman

Dana Ball

Eve Tuft

Holly Berfield

Jessi Trigg

Karyn Olsson

Kelli Young

Click Away photography conference in Seattle 2016

Kristen Ryan

Kristina Gorokhova

Lisa Tichane

Monica Carlson

Sonia Bourdon

Tetyana Gumenyuk

Would you like the opportunity to be featured in next month’s photo share here on the CMblog? Our next guest judge has asked for your favorite ‘Furbabies’ photos which you can submit here.

Not a member of the forum? Don’t forget that you can sign up today risk-free!

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The post 15 encouragement photos to boost your day appeared first on Clickin Moms.

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Posted in Photograpy How To | Tagged Boost, encouragement, Photos | Leave a comment

iPad Air 2 WI-FI 64G Silver

Posted on September 8, 2016 by ShutterBug

iPad Air 2 WI-FI 64G Silver

So capable, you won’t want to put it down. So thin and light, you won’t have to. With iPad, you’ll have a device that’s immensely powerful, but amazingly thin and light. It’s a device that helps you do amazing things, without ever getting in your way. At just 6.1mm, the thinnest iPad ever is also the most capable. It has a re-engineered 9.7-inch Retina display, the revolutionary Touch ID fingerprint sensor, a powerful A8X chip with 64-bit architecture, a new iSight camera, an improved FaceTime HD camera, faster wireless, iOS 8, iCloud and up to 10 hours of battery life. It also comes with great apps for productivity and creativity, with many more apps available in the App Store. iPad Air 2 comes with powerful apps for the things you do every day, like surfing the web, checking email, editing movies and photos, writing reports, and reading books. And there are hundreds of thousands of apps on the App Store, designed specifically for the large Retina display (instead of stretched-out phone apps). So whether it’s photography, gaming, traveling, or managing your finances, you’ll find an app that will help you do it better.

Price: $
Sold by Sam’s Club

Posted in Camera Settings | Tagged iPad, Silver, WiFi | Leave a comment

iPhone 7 Plus – Impressive Camera Features

Posted on September 8, 2016 by ShutterBug

Today Apple unveiled the brand new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus mobile phones and it looks like a lot of attention has been given to the camera features of the two devices. With the “Shot on iPhone” campaign showing huge billboards featuring iPhone images, it is no wonder that Apple has been spending quite a bit of R&D towards the image capture capabilities of the new iPhone. The keynote presentation was filled with camera verbiage – in fact, the Apple team specifically used such words as “bokeh” to describe the new dual lens design of the iPhone 7 Plus. Speaking of which, it will only be the Plus model that will have two lenses – one wide-angle f/1.8 lens for wide shots and a 56mm equivalent telephoto lens for zooming in and capturing portraits (the regular iPhone 7 will have a single wide angle lens).

iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus

While the telephoto lens won’t bring the amazing subject isolation capabilities of a large camera system, it will be good enough to be able to isolate subjects from the background and apply additional algorithms to blur the background further via software – a pretty clever way to simulate a portrait lens. In addition to the dual lens design, there are a few more camera upgrades.

First, the sensor has been updated to a new 12 MP sensor which is supposedly 60% faster and 30% more energy efficient. Second, the flash unit right next to the camera has been also upgraded to be 50% brighter, thanks to the new Quad LED light, which is capable of compensating for the flickering when shot in artificial light indoors or outdoors. Third, there is now a more intelligent image processor, which allows for not only more overall throughput, but a much more enhanced way to capture images. Some powerful scanning of the scene takes place before capture, which not only does a better job at detecting objects and people, but also performs additional noise reduction, improved white balance and even compositing of multiple images.

iPhone 7 Plus Dual Camera

And lastly, the new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus will both be able to capture images in RAW using Adobe’s DNG format, which should allow one to perform additional tweaks in post-processing software like Lightroom.

I am looking forward to upgrading my iPhone 6 Plus to the new iPhone 7 Plus, primarily because of the above. The new camera features make it an appealing choice for taking pictures on the go, whenever I do not have a large camera with me, or I want to shoot something that the phone camera is good enough for…

What do you think about the new iPhone 7 Plus camera features? Are you planning to upgrade your phone later this year, or will there will be feature annoyances such as the removal of the headphone jack that will prevent you from doing so? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below!

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Posted in Photograpy How To | Tagged Camera, Features, Impressive, iPhone, Plus | Leave a comment

Letting Your Personal Style Find You

Miss Manners in Table Settings

15 encouragement photos to boost your day

iPad Air 2 WI-FI 64G Silver

iPad Air 2 WI-FI 64G Silver

iPhone 7 Plus – Impressive Camera Features

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