Make Money in Photography

Welcome to "Photo Tips". Whether you are a "casual weekend shooter" or serious amateur, you will find helpful photo tips here that will enhance your overall  photography experience. Keep in mind that these tips are written with the understanding that you already have some working knowledge in photography

Happy Shooting :0)

Ken McDougal Jr

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ONLY BUY WHAT YOU NEED.  In other words, don't let any salesman talk you into buying a camera with a lot of "bells & whistles" that you will have no use for.

HOW DOES IT FEEL IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND. I know this sounds kinda weird but you need to pick it up and "hold it" to see how it feels in your hand. If it does not feel comfortable or it feels awkward (like you're going to drop the thing) then my advice is..DON'T BUY IT! Your camera should feel so comfortable that it is like an "extension of your hand."

DON'T GO CRAZY AT FIRST  A lot of "Newbie" photographers think that they have to have every new piece of "photo gear" out there just to get started. YOU DON"T!  A decent digital camera with a fair zoom, a flash and a tripod is all you need to get started.

THREE WORDS...USE A TRIPOD!   I know it is easier to just "hand hold" your camera but if your shots come out the least be fuzzy or blurry because you were too lazy to use a tripod, you will probably lose the sale to someone who did.

DEVELOP A SYSTEM  Once you start accumulating a lot of photos (or digital image files) you will need a "system" to keep track of them all, There is nothing more embarrassing then when a photo buyer wants to pay you $500 for a cover shot of seagulls and although you KNOW you have it...YOU CAN'T FIND IT!

SHOOT 10:1  Photographers are famous for shooting a lot more photos than needed. Try to shoot a 10:1 ratio. This means that for every image you choose or create, shoot at least 10 shots of that image. Especially if it's moving. Since most people shoot digital now, there is no additional cost but time and you can delete the images later. That way you will have a better chance of getting the ONE shot that might make you a cover. 

LEARN PHOTOSHOP  I know there are other image enhancing software tools out there but in my opinion, photoshop is the best. Learn to use it. You can actually improve the overall quality of your original and you can  create some pretty cool digital photo effects.

USE "FILL FLASH" TO GIVE YOUR PHOTOS A LITTLE KICK  When shooting portraits outside, sometimes people think that because it looks "bright enough" to the human eye then you don't need a flash. Well, I have always used a flash set just high enough to fill in the shadows on people's faces as well as add a sparkle to the eyes. Just don't use too much flash to where it over rides the existing ambient light and makes your portrait look un-naturally balanced.

ALWAYS CARRY BACK-UP  I have heard HORROR STORIES of Photographers going to shoot an event with only one camera, flash, and lens. This is a REALLY bad practice to start if you are working for a client. Thinking that "Nothing will go wrong" is a very dangerous mindset. You are working with mechanical equipment and sooner or later SOMETHING will fail on you and if you don't have at least ONE piece of back up equipment for each piece of MAIN gear you are carrying, you are just a disaster looking for a place to happen. ALWAYS...ALWAYS...ALWAYS carry back up. You made need it sooner than you think.

 DON'T RELY ON YOUR IN-CAMERA METER   If you are just a "casual shooter" then your in-camera meter will probably be just fine.  But, if you are considering making money with your camera then you really need a good external camera meter for more accurate light readings. There are so many meters out there (too many to mention here)  but try to find one that measures ambient and flash readings and has a "spot meter" as well. The meter I personally use is a SEKONIK Multi-Master L-408. Do some research into what works for you and get out there.

CREATE YOUR PHOTOS...DON'T JUST SNAP THEM  The difference between a professional photographer and an amateur, is usually in the WAY they shoot photos. Professionals "CREATE IMAGES" and amateurs "take snapshots"  If you really want people to notice your photo work, then the next time you whip out your camera, don't just take the first shot that you see for your final image. Try and pre-visualize exactly they WAY you want your final image to look. Think about what "Elements" you want to place in your picture (and what ones you want to take out.) Move east or west to place the sun or clouds in a certain  location. Experiment with different camera angles and different times or light (morning or evening.) By thinking this way, you will actually be able to CREATE your final image instead of just "pointing and clicking".

BRACKET YOUR EXPOSURES IN TRICKY LIGHT   Most people just rely on what ever light level their in camera meter tells them. But...if you find yourself in a very tricky lighting situation, then your in camera meter isn't really going to do the trick. It will simply read the most dominant light source and adjust for that, leaving the rest of your photo to suffer. If you really want to improve the overall quality of your final images, one technique you can use to "help" your photos is called "BRACKETING".  Bracketing your exposures is nothing more than starting with your meter's recommendation and then shooting another image slightly under and then one over the original exposure. For example...if your meter tells you that your exposure is f/8...then shot one at f/8...another at f/11 and then another at f/5.6. This will give you three different exposures of the same image. Since most photography and cameras are now digital, simply choose the exposed image YOU like best and then delete the other two. (Remember-you must have a camera that allows you to change shutter speeds to do this.)