Avoid The Most 12 Common Digital Photography Mistakes

With digital cameras at their most affordable, anybody can be a photographer these days. The problem is, it takes more than a camera to take good pictures.


It takes a certain eye, a way of seeing things, to take pictures that make people go "Wow!" Fortunately, it can be learned. And the more you practice, the better you'll get at it.


If you're interested in becoming a good digital photographer, I recommend the "Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros,", a free report.


Start by taking a look at these most common mistakes people make when taking digital pictures:


1. Not knowing your camera


If you never read your digital camera's manual and learn its features and how to use them, you won't be able to make the most of it.


2. Not using a tripod


Tripods allow you to take the sharpest pictures even in low light. Use one as often as possible.


3. Not giving the camera time to focus


Digital cameras need time to properly focus and get the right exposure. It can take a fraction of a second or a couple of seconds. Account for this when taking pictures.


4. Relying too much on zoom


Using the camera's zoom feature makes the picture grainier. Get as close to the subject as possible.


5. Taking pictures against the light


This makes the subject dark and the background too bright.


6. Relying too much on the flash


Natural light gives the best pictures, so use it as much as possible. Flash tends to make images look harsh.


7. Not taking enough pictures


It's almost impossible to take the perfect shot at one try, so take many pictures. With digital photography, this doesn't cost you extra. Try different angles and compositions.


8. Always putting the subject dead center


Learn the rule of thirds in composition, and you'll have more interesting pictures.


9. Forgetting to check the horizon


When taking pictures with the horizon showing, make sure it's level.


10. Selecting a low-resolution setting


Your camera will allow you to select different resolutions. Don't be tempted to choose a low resolution just to save on memory space. Instead, buy additional memory for your camera and always take your pictures in high resolution.


11. Trying to take too much


Don't try to include too many things in one picture, such as people and scenery. A picture is more effective when it's focused on a single subject.


12. Not using the camera


You'll never know when a good photo op will come up, so have your camera with you at all times.


It may seem like a lot to think about, but with practice, these things will become second nature.


For those who want to learn even more digital photography techniques, check out the free report, "Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros,", It's a short but info-filled guide that will have you shooting digital pictures like a pro in no time.


Find out more about "Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros" here:
www.learndigitalphotographynow.com

Sell Your Digital Photos

We are pleased to announce the release of the 2011 Version of the comprehensive guide to freelance digital photography, "Sell Your Digital Photos".

 

The first edition of this ebook came out in 2008 and it has gone on to become one of the publisher's bestselling ebooks. 

 

But "Sell Your Digital Photos" is actually more than an ebook. You receive the ebook. You get several photography bonuses. And you also gain access to their VIP area with a database of more than 400 magazines and other publications that pay great fees for freelance photography!

 

This new 2011 version has 216 pages of comprehensive information on selling your digital photos. 

To celebrate the release of this new edition we're putting it on sale for just $27.95. So if you buy it today you'll save $12 and receive everything mentioned above.

 

Get this while it's hot...and very up-to-date.
Click here

 

 

Advanced Exposure

Your camera offers a range of advanced tools to assist and complement the built-in exposure meter

In most situations your camera will produce perfect exposures but there are times where it may need a little help to get the best results. Fortunately most cameras offer a range of tools to help you judge and fine-tune the exposure that your camera has set. Here are a few of them.

Histogram

A histogram is a graph showing the spread of tones in an image, with the peaks to the left showing the darkest areas and the peaks on the right showing the brightest areas.

In an average picture, with an equal number of dark and light areas, these peaks should be evenly distributed across the image. If your image is underexposed the peaks will be bunched to the left end, and perhaps fall off the end of the graph, while with overexposure they will be over to the right.

Simply adjust your exposure to get the peaks nearer the centre. However, with some subjects the peaks need to be biased to one side. With a snow scene, for example, they should be over to the right. If they're in the centre it means your snow is mid-grey in tone. 

Many cameras offer a live histogram so you can view it before shooting, rather than having to go into review mode and see it afterwards.

Bracketing

Another sure way to guarantee perfect exposures is to shoot every picture at a range of exposure settings.

You can do this manually, of course, but most cameras have an auto-bracket feature that can do this for you. When you press the shutter it will take one at the exposure it thinks is correct, plus one or more shots either side of that, in third, half or whole stop increments (determined by you). It all happens in a fraction of a second.

Image: Bracketing is useful for tricky metering situations when you aren't sure which exposure will produce the best result

Dynamic Range Adjustment

A perfect exposure is generally regarded as one that records detail in both the darkest and lightest parts of the scene (excluding high- and low-key images).

Sometimes, though, the subject contrast is beyond the sensor's ability to record detail in both the deep shadows and bright highlights.

Many cameras now include a Dynamic Range feature that boosts detail in the shadows and/or holds back the highlights, much like Photoshop's Shadow/Highlight feature.

Use caution, though. Apply too much and the image will look unreal, and noise will be increased in the shadows.

Image: The Dynamic Range feature boosts shadow and/or highlight detail

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

High Dynamic Range photography, or HDR, takes the Dynamic Range adjust feature a stage further.

It involves taking a range of shots at different exposure settings (you can use the auto-bracket for this), then using either Photoshop or dedicated HDR software to combine these shots into one image that incorporates a wider range of detail than you can get from a single shot.

However, the effect can look cartoonish and unreal if applied too heavily. Some cameras now offer an HDR option in the camera.

Image: HDR is a technique that involves taking several shots at different exposures and blending them together on the PC

By Nigel Atherton.

      

25% off the Captivating Color eBook!

A week ago today dPS launched a brand new eBook - Captivating Color: A Guide to Dramatic Color Photography.

 

The reviews and feedback from readers have been fantastic and so to celebrate the release of the eBook we've decided to run a little competition to give away a brand new iPad 2 to one lucky buyer of the eBook.

 

Win an iPad

We thought it'd be a great prize as our PDF eBooks are readable on iPads (you just upload them to your computer and then drag it into iBooks via iTunes) plus they're fun for photographers with the growing range of photography Apps and new cameras.

 

If you buy Captivating Color before 9am next Tuesday (Melbourne Time) you'll be in the running to win a 16GB iPad 2 (you can choose which color) worth just under $500.

 

If you are one of the thousands who have already bought the eBook you're already in the draw. This is open to people world wide to enter - we'll ship the iPad anywhere.

 

Here's the Offer

Also to keep things neat we're going to extend the 25% discount and bonus eBook giveaway until Tuesday also. So all in all you get:

1. 25% off the Captivating Color eBook - worth $19.99 for just $14.99
2. A Bonus eBook - Seeing the Light - worth $12 (but free with this purchase)
3. An Entry into the iPad 2 giveaway

As this email goes out you have less than 7 days to take advantage of this deal - so don't hesitate and pick up your copy of Captivating Color today here.

Charity Photo Auctions in aid of the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund

On 11th March 2011, the Japanese coast was hit by a massive tsunami after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, leaving many dead and many more homeless.

Many photographers have agreed to submit high quality photos to be auctioned to and to give 100% of the proceeds to theJapan Earthquake Tsunami Relief Fund organised by the GlobalGiving Foundation.

This project will disburse funds to organizations providing relief and emergency services to victims of the earthquake and tsunami. GlobalGiving is working with International Medical Corps, Save the Children, and other organizations on the ground.

So, please consider donating a print to the sale. 

Learn how.

    

Captivating Color - A Guide to Dramatic Color Photography

Mitchell Kanashkevich is a tirelessly curious world  wanderer and a travel/documentary photographer. His main passion lies in capturing disappearing ancient cultures and the human condition in unique, challenging situations. His range of subjects is fairly broad, but whether he is photographing nomadic shepherds in India, life in the last traditional villages of Eastern Europe or sulfur miners working in a volcanic crater, Mitchell's common aim is always the same - to capture the human element. Mitchell does freelance work and shoots documentary photo stories and write eBooks, mostly in collaboration with “Craft & Vision” as well as “Digital Photo School”. In just a day or two he will be launching his new e-book by the name of                              Captivating Color –  A Guide to Dramatic  Color  Photography Please look out for my next post for this exclusive and fascinating book. Much of Mitcell's travel/documentary photography is represented by Getty Images, while his cultural portraits, both colour and black and white are in the private collections of photo lovers and collectors worldwide. So expect to  learn some very useful tips from this great photographer. You can check out his portfolio at  http://www.mitchellkphotos.com/photography.html

What Is Freelance Photography?

A photographer that is for hire for an array of types of photography is practicing freelance photography. At one point, or another, in the lives of most photographers, there is a period when there aren’t one or two specific photography niches that they specialize in.

Freelance photography allows photographers to hire themselves out in different photography niches, as well as sell their photos as stock photography. Customers hire freelance photographers when they have a need for some quality photography but they don’t have the skills, the equipment or the time to do it themselves.

Freelance photographers typically and often work odd hours. It is not unusual for a photographer to have an irregular shooting schedule, or a photo session at off hours of the day or night. Most freelancers enjoy theflexibility that this allows.

Actually, there are basically only two types of photography:

1. stock photography and
2. assignment photography

Stock photography is the selling of photos after they have been taken (as a rule). And assignment photography is when photographers are hired to photograph people, places and things as determined by thecustomer hiring. The term ‘hired’ can be misleading. The photographer is not an employee of the customer, but a self-employed consultant.

Part-Time Freelance Photography

Part-time photographers can do very well as freelance photographers.

Many photographers use freelance photography:

• to find photography markets that pay the most in an area;
  
• to find out what specific photography types are in the highest demand;
  
• to transition to full-time or more focused niche photography; and
  
• to sell their own photos themselves

My experience continues to be that most photographers freelance. There are just a couple of prerequisites to freelance:

1. A digital camera
2. Internet access
3. Know-How

That’s it! Of course, there is much more needed to be efficient and proficient. But, that is really all you need to get started.

What Is Freelance Photography?

It is a tremendous help if the photographer knows the various photography niches. Many photographers are sometimes confused by the “photography niche” issue. As a rule, photographers want to photograph everything! That’s fine. However, knowing the various photography niches helps photographers in a number of ways.

First of all, knowing the niche will help the photographer understand that standards within the specific niche. For examples, portrait photography is a niche. Within the niche of portrait photography there are niches. Senior portraits and executive portraits are examples of two distinct niches within a niche. The standards of ‘senior’ portraits are somewhat more ’creative,’ ‘edgy,’ and personality-driven. And, of course, the standards for executive portrait photography are dramatically different from those of ‘senior’ portrait photography. It helps the quality of the photo when the photographer knows the niche standards’ differences.

Also, knowing the specific photography niche is very helpful to the photographer in choosing how to communicate marketing messages to customers. Using the ‘senior portrait’ example and the ‘executive portrait’ again, the photographer’s marketing message must be different because one audience is a bunch of high school students. The other audience is experienced professionals. The languages that appeals to them are dramatically different. Knowing the niche helps determine the useful language and categories.

Also, knowing specific photography niches will help the photographer compile great looking portfolios. Some of the biggest mistakes that photographers make are with their portfolios. One mistake is that photographers put too much in their photography portfolio. Sometimes, people portraits are mixed with landscape photography, etc. Although the offending photographers’ intent is to show their work, to the experienced eye, they’re showing their lack of knowledge. With portfolios, less is more! 

Photographers should only show their best. And niches shouldn’t be mixed unless the portfolio is specifically demonstrating the range of the photographer. Unless the ‘range’ portfolio is requested, stick with the ‘less-is-more’ specific niche.

How To Freelance Photography

This is the challenge for most photographers that freelance – knowing what to do, when to do it, where to do it and how! That is a lot to know! But, you can learn over time. It isn’t necessary to “know-it-all” before you start. Knowing the basics, however, is key.

• A good thing to know is that the current growth explosion in the photography industry has a positive effect on freelance photography. The current demand worldwide for photos is not being met by current supply. Freelance photographers can profit from that growth.
  
•  Freelance photography is perfect for home-based photographers. In fact, many people are choosing photography as a source of extra income. This is the perfect fit for the work-at-home-moms of the world.
  
• Knowing what is selling in the market is done through research. Research what is in demand, what are the prices, what is the most lucrative, what are prices, etc.
   
• Knowing how to shoot quality photos is critical. Again, it’s important to know the standards of the different photography niches. Standards of quality are a given. However, within some specific niches there are varying standards – that benefits the photographer that knows the differences.
  
• Editing photos ‘know-how’ is very helpful to the freelance photographer. Digital photos often needsome minor editing. (As a side note, digital photo editing is a photography niche that many knowing photographers freelance in.)
  
• In this digital photography world, knowing how to optimize (make easier to find) web pages, photos,titles, descriptions and keywords will help customers find your photos online.
  
• Knowing ‘where’ to start saves a tremendous amount of time (and money, sometimes – if you don’t know, you might purchase unnecessary expensive equipment that you don’t need).

Knowing where to find good information is the ultimate solution. There is an “information overload” in freelance photography ‘how-to.’ Unfortunately, much of it isn’t that “informative.” Two very good and very informative freelance photography beginning solutions and why they are very good (in my opinion):

• Both provide good ‘how-to’ information on where and how to start. Both also provide very good brief explanationsof the different photography niches. And you will be successful following the steps in both of them. One of them offersmore information about successfully entering the stock photography market. A consistent source of income for the freelance photographer is selling their existing photos as stock. This one provides information on taking photos and selling them to magazines. The magazines’ guidelines, requests, prices paid, etc. are provided
  
• The other resource is also very good and very informative. This particular resource offers a 100% guarantee that their freelance photography course will make you money.

I have both of them. They are both very, very good! Successful freelance photography is very doable and very within your reach.

Freelancing also develops your photography business skills. It’s one of the best kept secrets in photography. But, now you “know the secret!”