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Category: New Answers

Photography Question 

Melissa Kellogg 		 

How can I improve?


 
 
Hello everyone. I just joined this site and set up my own gallery. I am interested in improving my photography to hopefully be able to do this professionaly.
My question/s are basic ones.
How can I improve? After you look at my photos , what do you see that I may be doing wrong? What am I doing right?
What would you suggest I do? Where can I learn these things? Wich online ( or offline) courses would benefit me from what you see now?
Thank you for your input!


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August 15, 2005

 

Alisha L. Ekstrom 		  Hi Melissa...I'm not a pro on this photography thing, but I can tell you some basic tips that I know that people from BP has helped me out tons!! First off shooting outdoors...Shoot VERY early mornings or LATE evenings. OVERCAST days are perfect & if it's sunny shoot in the shade with no glare from the sun. AVOID bright sunshine. For indoor shots personally I use no flash. Just natural lighting from my windows. Though today I learned you can use a floor lamp with a halogen light & a couple reflectors & that will help with lighting too. Avoid flash indoors cause it washes out the skin tones. Though I hope the professionals comment on your thread cause I'm by no means a professional. The lighting side of photography is still a learning challenge for me. I just know what works for me & I don't want to invest in studio lights quite yet. Good luck in your photography journey!!


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August 16, 2005

 

Amber D. Jones 		  I agree with Alisha. Lighting is one of the most important things in photography. If you don't have any equipment and are only using natural lighting, I probably wouldn't use a flash indoors. A flash can really create a harsh shadow (like in your first picture). Your pictures are good, though. I like them. II hope everything turns out good.


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August 16, 2005

 

Melissa Kellogg 		  Alisha,

Thanks for the tips! I have huge windows in my home, yet almost always use flash. As a result, things are TOO bright, or blurry. I end up having to re-touch them to make them what I saw through the lens.
That makes great sense!

Amber- I never thought about shadows. Most of my pictures have them. But now that I look over them with the lighting tips I see alot I can change .
I had this idea that you couldnt necessarily "change" what light you got, you just had to run with what you were given and hope for the best.
I will start taking more photos with and with out flash, and pay attention to the shadows my subject carries.

Thanks again for the great tips!
I cant tell you how helpful it is to have fresh eyes looking at my pictures.


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August 16, 2005

 

Elisabeth A. Gay 		  Melissa I have also found that not only are BP members very helpful with tips, but some of the books, like Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure, and the courses are really great. I did one of the beginner's courses, and now that I am a little strapped for cash, I bought the above mentioned book, which has been invaluable! It's my photography bible!


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August 16, 2005

 
- Gregory LaGrange

BetterPhoto Member
Contact Gregory LaGrange
Gregory LaGrange's Gallery 		  avoiding bright sunshine has become a cliche.


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August 17, 2005

 

Sharon Day 		  LOL Gregory! Is it not true?


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August 17, 2005

 
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