Tag: advice

This Is Why You Should Participate in Photography Contests

Posted on March 6, 2018 by Taya Ivanova

In general, contests are associated with impressive prizes. Winners receive flight tickets to exotic countries, money they can spend wherever they want, and equipment that will help them fulfill their most grandiose dreams. They often involve hundreds (if not thousands) of participants, offer unbelievable prizes, and challenge photographers with eye-catching themes. It’s not surprising, then, that they intimidate many.

What’s the point in working hard for a photography contest that may or may not see potential in you? Participation matters because contests come with multiple prizes; you don’t need to get the first prize to enjoy all the benefits of participation. Here are some of the reasons you should join a photography contest.

If You’re out of Ideas, They Will Inspire You

Most photography contests have themes that revolve around specific colors, landscapes, people, and more. The themes themselves – which, though often simple, aren’t something we’d typically come up with ourselves – can spark new ideas and provide you with an abundance of fresh inspiration.

When you search for contests, pay attention to their themes. Even if you don’t participate in a contest entitled Intriguing Silhouettes, for example, you might find the idea quite striking. This might lead to the creation of an exciting project, photograph, or collaboration.

If You’re Feeling Restless, They Will Strengthen Your Patience

Sometimes, losing is inevitable. Once you participate in a few contests, you’ll learn that losing isn’t a reflection of your talent; it’s simply a reason to keep going.

Persistence will get you far not only in your world of hobbies but in your personal life. Overcoming creative obstacles will shape you into a stronger photographer, which will transform you into a patient, curious, and relentless individual. Once you get to this point, no amount of failure will be able to steal your motivation.

If You Can’t Find Meaning Anywhere, The Rewards Will Motivate You

If inspiration doesn’t excite you, let the rewards motivate you. Many photography contests offer exposure, equipment, money, etc., prizes that are all worth pining for. If this kind of participation fuels you, you’ll be able to pour all of your energy into incredible photographs. As you do this, you’ll become a better artist, editor, and observer.

If You’re Feeling Creatively Dull, They Will Challenge You

Every contest comes with detailed guidelines. Some will encourage you to get out of your comfort zone, reconsider the value of seemingly typical objects, or work with a limited amount of equipment. This is significantly different to the freedom we usually give ourselves during photoshoots. A combination of excitement and structure is great for discipline yourself and getting better at following instructions. Most importantly, it’s a healthy source of creativity.

Time and time again, research has shown the benefits of limitation. Many people thrive when they’re given a set of tasks and a deadline. Working under pressure can force creativity to emerge out of the blue and fill our minds with an immense amount of ideas. So, if you like a good challenge, photography contests are ideal for you. If you’re not sure, just give them a try!

Participating in photography contests will help you strengthen your photography skills, connect with like-minded people, find precious inspiration, become more patient, and more. I can guarantee that you will improve in one way or another if you join at least a few contests. If you don’t win, you will have learned so much that it won’t discourage you. If you do become a winner, your prize will simply be the cherry on top. 🙂

Now that you’re familiar with the benefits of photography contests, join a few! Once you do, leave a comment below telling us about your experience.

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How to Stay Comfortable During Client Photoshoots

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Taya Ivanova

There are many articles that provide models with tips on how to pose, feel comfortable in front of the camera, and enjoy themselves during a photoshoot. Though these resources will teach you how to make your clients feel good in your presence, they won’t highlight the importance of your own comfortability. It’s easy to forget your own needs during a shoot and end up feeling exhausted once a session is over. You don’t deserve to feel this way.

It’s possible to meet your clients’ needs and stay balanced at the same time. All it takes is a little bit of preparation and a few handy tools!

Have Pre-Photoshoot Rituals

A lot of people love routines because of their consistency and reliability. Without them, life can get pretty hectic. Even if you’re not a fan of scheduling, you can still prepare things for yourself and avoid the disasters that ambiguity likes to create. Here are a few self-care tips:

Rely on to-do lists.
Like any meeting, a shoot isn’t fun if it involves forgetting, rushing, and worrying. You can avoid this once and for all by preparing your equipment, outfit, and any other essentials a few days before you meet with your client. As soon as you schedule a meeting, make a to-do list filled with things you should pack. This will help you immensely on the day of the shoot.
Eat well before you go out.
A healthy meal will give you energy, lift your spirits, and keep you motivated throughout your session. Make sure you don’t eat too much and that your meal is truly healthy. Your mind and body will thank you later.
Bring a few snacks with you.
Boosts of energy are always a plus, and you can offer them to your clients if they get hungry.
Spend quality time with yourself.
Taking care of your own needs now will help you satisfy your clients’ wishes later. To avoid feeling neglected, take some time – even an hour – to properly relax. Take a bath, read a book that makes you feel warm, call a friend, or simply take a nap.

Be Mindful

“Mindfulness means being awake. It means knowing what you are doing.”
– Jon Kabat-Zinn

Client photoshoots are an opportunity to connect with other people and be mindful. Being present will give you peace, inspiration, and openness. The way you move, think, and talk during a shoot will affect your clients’ behavior; the calmer you are, the easier it will be for them to be themselves in front of your camera. Compare this to a frantic photo session that’s filled with awkwardness, silence, and a lack of creativity. In a situation like that, both you and your model will feel highly uncomfortable.

If you want to be mindful, use all of your senses. Listen carefully and observe everything around you, not just what’s in front of you. This will enhance your creativity, give you more opportunities to take spectacular photos, and help you be peacefully present.

Invest in Comfortable Camera Accessories

Equipment that is rough

, bulky, or heavy will add to your discomfort and give you unnecessary problems to worry about. Fortunately, many companies are creating more and more products that are both beautiful and comfortable. There are a plethora of accessories that will look incredible on you and make your professional life easier to manage. A few of these things are:

Soft camera straps that won’t hurt your neck
Lens cap keepers that will keep your lens cap within reach at all times
A memory card case to store all of your precious photos in one physical space
A camera bag that won’t break your back!

Prepare Something You Can Look Forward To

The last thing you want is to rush back home, eat something unhealthy, and edit your photos in a stuffy room. Knowing that you have a clean living space waiting for you is not only refreshing but motivating. Before you go out, make sure your workspace is tidy. Plan something that your future self can look forward to a movie night with friends, a visit to the park, or a day off that you’ve been postponing for too long.

By taking care of yourself, you’ll find all the energy and inspiration you need to have a successful and comfortable shoot. Remember to cultivate mindfulness, practice self-care, and invest in helpful camera accessories. These improvements will enhance your creative experiences and make you a happier photographer. That is what you deserve.

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Tips for Photographing Grandparents with Their Grandchildren

Posted on January 16, 2018 by Taya Ivanova

Grandparents are true blessings; in addition to inspiring, comforting, and nurturing their grandchildren, they give their own children a chance to relax and be grateful. The bonds between such family members are so indescribable that only photographs can capture their immense value. It’s not surprising, then, that many people want to document these relationships as accurately as possible.

Family photos, like family photoshoots, are unique. Couples, families, friends, etc., all demand different creative approaches. If you learn how to work with different types of people, you’ll attract more clients and significantly refine your portfolio. Whether you’re photographing your own parents or working with clients, the tips below will help you take authentic photos of real emotions.

If You Don’t Know Them, Get to Know Them

Getting to know a family will help you build a strong photographer-client relationship and allow you to take photos that both you and your clients will love. Get to know what your subjects regularly do together. Be politely curious and open to sharing information about yourself. Ask them questions like:

Do you have any mutual hobbies or interests?
Where do you usually go together?
Do you have a favorite location, toy, or activity?
What makes you the happiest?

Questions like these will show your clients that you care and make them feel more comfortable in your presence. They’ll also come in handy during the photographing process, as you’ll see now.

Observe

Subjects of any kind (especially children) shouldn’t have to pose throughout an entire shoot. Their true nature will show when they play, talk, and don’t pay too much attention to your camera. Instead of asking your subjects to say cheese, let them interact with each other. Ask them more questions (now that you know them better, you can have comfortable discussions), give them fun activity ideas, and most importantly, observe. The advantage of having multiple subjects is that they’ll feel more comfortable in the presence of someone familiar. Don’t take this for granted.

Observation will show you details that you overlooked in the past and give your artistic self-more room to grow. Your clients will love this spontaneity and admire your ability to document life at its purest. There’s nothing quite as special as knowing that an artist lovingly crafted a world just for your family. Be the kind of person who makes people feel this way.

Photograph Mutual Interests

Having a proper conversation with your clients before a shoot will give you valuable information about their relationship. Think about what your clients love most. Do they like to cook, read, walk, or play certain games together? Knowing this will let you take the best photos of their bond and let them have lots of fun. Photos of people enjoying one another’s company are nothing short of delightful and portfolio-enhancing.

Choose a Familiar Location

Think of your favorite place. How does it make you feel? Mine is a tranquil park located on a mountain; it feels like my very own secret place with neat surroundings and few visitors. There, I have the opportunity to take joyful photographs of myself and my family. If I had a shoot in an unfamiliar environment, on the other hand, my self-awareness would be intense and my smiles would probably be forced.

If you let your subjects interact with each other in a place they love, it’ll be much easier for you to take fantastic photos of them. They’ll be too immersed in their surroundings to even notice your camera!

Your creativity and skills will freeze time in the best way possible; by photographing grandparents and their grandchildren, you’ll store precious memories that your clients will cherish forever. Most importantly, you’ll give your subjects a reason to spend even more quality time together. Imagine that: you’re a photo-taking wizard who can lift people’s spirits, store heartwarming moments, and give families a reason to smile. You are more than enough. Go out there and document valuable moments that no one will forget.

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What to Avoid When Posing Models: A Reference Guide

Posted on January 8, 2018 by Taya Ivanova

If you’re active on social media, you’re probably familiar with the perfect photo: a body-flattering pose, a breathtaking expression, and a look that speaks of pure confidence. It may seem like the models in such photos are naturally perfect and that nobody else can even dream of modeling the same way. The truth is that these individuals simply have a strong knowledge of posing which greatly contributes to their modeling success.

Certain angles can make even the most stunning models look unappealing. Every person has a variety of expressions and poses that can make or break an image. It’s up to you to help your subjects find these strengths. To do this, you can show them what not to do. The reason this approach works is that mistakes, unlike ideal poses, are universal; anyone can learn from them. Once your subjects know what to avoid, they’ll discover confidence-boosting poses that will not only make them look incredible in your photos but give you a chance to take your work to the next level. Let’s begin!

Don’t Make Them Uncomfortable

Awkwardness and posing don’t work too well together. An overload of compliments, criticism, or silence will make any model feel out of place. If you don’t want to try too hard and give the wrong impression, get to know your subject’s personality first. This will help you understand the kind of treatment they’d be happy with. Even a short conversation will reveal their personality and, in turn, allow you to reveal yours.

Don’t forget to talk about yourself, too. Opening up to people will make you appear relatable, charismatic, and friendly. You and your model may find mutual interests or acquaintances that will help you bond during the photoshoot. And even if you don’t perfectly click with someone, there will always be an opportunity to make them feel good in your presence.

Don’t Ask Them to Pose Immediately

Many photographers treat posing like acting. Instead of telling their models to strike a pose, they ask them to move around, interact with their surroundings, and visualize something specific. This may not appeal to every person you work with, but there’s something important you can learn from it: giving your models room for imagination will help them pose naturally. Spontaneity, in addition to a lack of strictness, will open up many creative doors for you.

Avoid These Poses

Once your model feels comfortable in front of your camera, it’s time to let him or her know what to avoid:

Slouching: this is something many people do unintentionally. To avoid this, your models should straighten their backs, take a few deep breaths, and slightly turn away from the camera. This will instantly make them look relaxed and comfortable.
Entire body facing the camera: this will make your models look awkward and wide. Instead of facing the camera, your subjects can slightly turn their shoulders or put their hands on their hips.
Pressing arm against the body: this will flatten your subjects’ arms and make them look much bigger than they actually are.

Don’t Forget the Hands

Awkward-looking hand poses can make a generally beautiful image look unnatural. Make sure your models’ hands are relaxed; their fingers should be slightly spread out and placed on their shoulders, under their chins, or wherever they decide. Give them freedom when it comes to their hands, but always make sure to correct them when they start to look too tense. A proper hand pose will give your photographs an air of grace. When your models see how elegant they look in your photos, they’ll feel even more confident in your presence.

Posing isn’t always a walk in the park. Even professionals need clear instructions when working with new photographers. If someone with years of experience needs direction, imagine what a struggle it is for non-models to feel comfortable in front of the camera! A small amount of patience and posing knowledge are all you need to create a healthy photographer-model relationship.

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Why It’s Okay to Fail as a Photographer

Posted on January 7, 2018 by Taya Ivanova

Failure is inevitable, especially in the world of art. It may be difficult to grasp this immediately; an innumerable amount of ideas float in artists’ minds every day, making it hard to store one concept without losing another. Photographers not only want to make the most of every precious thought but work on it successfully. This state of mind can be very overwhelming, especially if hours of hard work end up amounting to nothing. At one point, these artists may start to wonder if embracing other ideas would’ve given them better results.

The truth, however, remains stable. Ideas that appear in the form of unclear yet exciting dreams can’t be perfect. They shouldn’t be. Experience, practice, and success can stop failure from occurring too often, but they won’t obliterate it completely. Whether you recently discovered photography or entered your twentieth year of photo-taking, you have every right to fail. Here is why.

It Will Give You a Reason to Strengthen Your Patience

In today’s fast-moving world, it’s easy to seek instant gratification everywhere. Social media is filled with notifications, updates, and feedback that motivate people to receive answers within seconds. More often than not, scrolling through your feed is easier than finding new ways to improve. Similarly, it’s easier to bring yourself down than to pick yourself up. While social media can be very handy, it makes patience a difficult skill to obtain.

Failure won’t provide you with immediate satisfaction, but it will open a new door for your patience. Just because a concept didn’t work out doesn’t mean you should give up on it completely. Analyze the problem and try to find a solution for it. This will not only strengthen your problem-solving skills but significantly improve your patience with both art and yourself.

It Will Show You That You’re Not Always the Problem

You’re really not always the problem

. Photographers of all kinds often bump into unpredictable obstacles. Bad moods, people, the weather, time constraints, and other external factors can have a significant impact on your work. Creative mistakes don’t make you unworthy, untalented, or undeserving of personal success. Keep this in mind when something goes wrong again.

Tip: When you feel like a failure, remember your past achievements and current strengths. If that doesn’t work, go to your friends and family for support. You can even do both at the same time. These acts of self-love will give you a small yet significant boost of confidence.

It Will Allow You to Start Over Successfully

Any creative project, regardless of its success, changes an artist. Using your new experience, you can work on the same projects with an improved mindset. Previous mistakes will come in handy and give you more room to learn and to grow. You won’t face the same problems because you’ll be an improved version of yourself.

By starting over, you’ll strengthen your perseverance, a skill that’s highly valued in every workplace. The next time you bump into an unpleasant problem, treat it like an opportunity to get better at living. What you learn from your creative mistakes will help you in other areas of your life. Perseverance and patience will improve your relationships, strengthen your reputation, and increase your self-confidence.

Most Importantly, It Will Make You Brave

Failure isn’t a creativity-obliterating beast or an unstoppable negative force. It’s not a person whose goal is to spite you. It’s not even a reflection of your incompetence as a photographer. In reality, failure is the perfect excuse to get up and try again. It can be seen as a friend who willingly points out your mistakes and gives you another chance to start all over again. The sooner you realize this, the sooner you’ll find your own courage. Though this courage won’t entirely eliminate your fear of failure, it will stop you from letting mistakes bring you down.

Failure is meant to help you improve as an artist. Instead of thinking of it as the end of the world, look at it as the beginning of a new creative chapter. Failure, it turns out, is just a bunch of wonderful opportunities in disguise, so go out there and embrace them.

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When Should You Embrace B&W Photography?

Posted on December 24, 2017 by Taya Ivanova

When does an image deserve to be converted to black and white? This is a question you have probably asked yourself countless of times during confusing editing sessions. Some photographs simply look better in black and white, while others stand out gracefully only when their true colors are present. Others look fantastic no matter what.

To make the decision-making process easier, consider the points below. They’ll help you answer important questions about your work, ones that will give your photographs a chance to shine in the best way possible. You’ll be compelled to observe your image, spot both distracting and appealing elements, and come to a conclusion you won’t regret.

This is when you should embrace b&w photography:

When Your Photograph Is Hard to Edit

Some photographs simply don’t look appealing in color. More often than not, those same images look significantly more beautiful in black and white. If your photo has too many distracting colors, chances are that you’ll like its monochromatic version much more. I’m often surprised to see what a dramatic change a simple conversion can make!

When There Are Lots of Shadows

A person’s face partially hidden by mysterious shadows, a street filled with silhouettes on a bright day, and a mountain surrounded by intimidating rainclouds all have one thing in common: they possess photogenic shadows. Impactful black & white photographs often have a lot of contrast, so pointing it out in your own work using highlights and shadows will make it look all the more astounding.

When You Want to Get Rid of Busy Elements

In addition to color, there are many elements that can ruin a photograph’s composition. A background filled with moving objects of various colors, shapes, and sizes may distract the viewer’s eye and obliterate the entire meaning of an image. If you have photos of locations crowded with different subjects, convert your results to black & white. This will help viewers clearly see what you want them to see.

When There Are Textures Involved

Eye-catching textures have the potential to get lost in colorful compositions. Faces, houses, roads, and landscapes are all made up of elements that, when devoid of color, transform into masterpieces of their own. If your image is filled with interesting lines, patterns, and shapes then consider converting it to black & white. To really enhance the textures in your image, gently increase the clarity, contrast, and sharpness in your editing program.

comparison for b&w — Edits like this are subtle yet effective. To create a similar effect, increase your photograph’s clarity, contrast, and sharpness in Lightroom. The Tone Curve tool is also very helpful when it comes to intensifying highlights and shadows.

When There’s an Abundance of Negative Space

Environments are ideal for telling deeper stories, focusing on unusual subjects, and highlighting things the human eye wouldn’t notice at first glance. Unfortunately, environments are also known for their negative space, something that can prove to be a nuisance during the editing process. If you take very atmospheric and environmental photographs, black & white photography may be perfect for you. Black & white conversion will turn any extra space into an aesthetically pleasing blank canvas.

When Emotions Are Your Main Focus

This is particularly helpful for portrait photographers. Relationships between people – and human emotions in general – look very genuine and raw in black and white. Experiment with black & white if you have intimate photos of this sort, and you may get very touching results.

From now on, black & white photography will no longer be an unsolvable mystery. Whether you’re an avid portrait photographer, a curious landscape artist, or an eager photography enthusiast, a solid knowledge of black & white photography’s strengths will strengthen your own work. Once you familiarise yourself with the approaches above, you’ll know exactly what to do with every image you edit in the future.

5 Portrait Photography Mistakes You Should Avoid

Posted on December 10, 2017 by Taya Ivanova

It’s true, creativity has no limits. What may look like an unforgivable mistake to one artist may be a relieving source of inspiration for another. Regardless of this fact, certain mistakes are simply worth avoiding. Photography genres have unique rules that deserve to be kept in mind during photo shoots. Landscape photography, for instance, demands a type of lighting that may not appeal to portrait photographers.

In portrait photography, unflattering lighting, uncomfortable poses, and tension all contribute to inauthentic photographs. It’s important to know how to deal with models, what not to do during the editing process, and how to approach different lighting situations. In addition to doing all of these things yourself, you can learn from the mistakes of others to boost your learning process.

In this article, you’ll not only familiarize yourself with 5 common portrait photography mistakes but learn from them. Each mistake is accompanied by a helpful solution so that the next time you bump into a creative problem, you’ll know exactly what to do.

Avoiding Conversations with Your Model

Taking photos of someone you barely know can be a tense activity, especially if you’re introverted. It’s easy to forget that the model is probably as uncomfortable as you are. Avoiding proper discussions will not only result in unnecessary awkwardness but give you a massive creative block.

Solution: If possible, have a short meeting with your client before a shoot. Once they get to know both your love for photography and the creative ideas you have in mind, they’ll feel more comfortable in your presence. In turn, you’ll get to know them. Don’t be afraid of asking questions, requesting feedback, and giving them creative space. They may have an idea that will come in handy during your shoot, so remember to stay open-minded.

Solely Depending on Poses

Posing guides are undeniably helpful, but they can get in the way. Not every individual will feel comfortable with certain poses. Your client may even end up feeling bad about poses you really like.

Solution: Don’t ditch your posing guide. Instead, give your model lots of room to be spontaneous from time to time. If they enjoy talking, have conversations with them as you take photos. Give them compliments and proper feedback. This will help you catch authentic moments. The photo below is a great example of this.

Beating Yourself up in Front of Your Client

…or in any other situation. Of course, self-deprecation is sometimes humorous and pleasant. When it comes to photo shoots, however, bringing yourself down will bring your others down, too. You’ll end the shoot feeling exhausted and unenthusiastic. If you don’t believe in your creative skills, no one will.

Solution: Embrace the inevitability of mistakes. If something goes wrong, don’t immediately blame yourself. Instead of discouraging both yourself and your client, find a solution. Once your client notices the confidence you have in your problem-solving abilities, they’ll feel safe in your presence.

Not Focusing on the Eyes

Experimentation is cool. It proves that you don’t limit your creative mind. Many clients, however, want a combination of simple and creative photos of themselves. Images that focus on their clothes, hair, or surroundings won’t satisfy them completely.

Solution: Manually focus on the eyes when you take simple portraits. This may take some practice, especially if you’re used to autofocus, but keep trying and you’ll get the perfect results in no time.

Shooting in Locations with Abnormal Lighting

Light is a photographer’s best friend

, but too much of it can lead to the creation of unappealing portraits. Harsh, flat, or distracting light is something portrait photographers don’t use on a daily basis. Unique lighting situations require unique approaches. If used incorrectly, they’ll highlight the wrong features and overshadow flattering elements.

Solution: Before a shoot, find the best locations where lighting won’t be a problem. For instance, a park filled with shaded areas will give you lots of room to take well-lit photos on sunny days. An open field will give you lots of lighting opportunities on gloomy days. Unless you want to create experimental portraits or experiment with portrait actions, avoid locations with lots of different lights.

It’s true, creativity has no limits. It’s also true that learning from other photographers’ mistakes will benefit you greatly. Absorb this knowledge, learn from your own mistakes, and keep taking wonderful photographs of others.

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The importance of lighting and why you shouldn’t be afraid to experiment with it

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Taya Ivanova

The importance of lighting in photography is a well-known topic that’s been discussed for ages, by both professionals and amateurs. We can easily define light as endless, ever-changing, and infinitely majestic. Light can soak a location with heartwarming golden colors or simply dance with mist in a dark room. Because of its versatility, light is often feared.

Experimenting with light seems to be an intimidating idea; first attempts to master light are often met with failed results, which might discourage many artists. After all, it’s still possible to take visually stunning photos when there’s a plentiful supply of light available. Though unsuccessful shots are inevitable in any photographer’s life (regardless of their level of experience), befriending the many sides of light is highly important. Several failed shots are worth experiencing if the ultimate goal is a strong understanding of light.

The importance of lighting in limited light situations

Creative potential and light go hand in hand; if there’s even a small source of light somewhere, there’s a chance you’ll be able to use it to create fascinating shots. Dark rooms with limited light, for example, can be used to take mysteriously inspiring portraits. If you prefer to decrease your ISO number as often as possible, encourage yourself to get out of your comfort zone and use a high ISO number. In most cameras nowadays, a high ISO isn’t extremely damaging to a photograph, especially if you shoot in RAW mode. A combination of RAW, a high ISO, and a sturdy tripod will allow you to take photographs that would lose their mystery if more light were available.
Limited light is also a great opportunity to take abstract photographs. Unclear portraits of people whose faces are slightly concealed often have the power to tell a deep story. Silhouettes or shadowed faces are great examples of photos that could instantly catch a viewer’s eye. If storytelling is something you’re interested in, limited light could help your stories come to life.

The manipulation of light

Light can be manipulated to make your photographs look like carefully crafted works of art. Find beautiful fabrics in your home (curtains are a great resource) to create intricate shadows on sunny days. If you’re a portrait photographer, this shadow play will help you take unique photos of people, photos that both you and the model will be proud to have. Interesting shadows can also be created using hands, trees, hair, grass, and more. Your imagination is the most important part of the equation, so make sure you nurture it whenever you have the chance. A big imagination will constantly give you peculiar and brilliant ideas, which will help you to continuously grow as a photographer. The more ideas you’ll acquire, the harder it’ll be to not make great progress.

Artificial lighting and its role in Photography

Though natural light isn’t accessible 24/7, artificial light is always there to help you take better images. This kind of light can be altered more easily than natural outdoor light, making it possible for you to have more control over everything. Artificial light can be moved, decreased, and covered in an endless amount of ways. Even everyday objects as simple as torches, desk lamps, and phone light can be used to take stunning portraits. That’s why it’s crucial to acknowledge the importance of lighting early on.

You might be repelled by the unflattering colors that artificial lights tend to create – yellowish or blue hues that alter skin tones dramatically. This, however, can be fixed by altering a camera’s white balance. If your camera’s white balance doesn’t fix the issue, don’t refrain from continuing to take photographs. Editing programs such as Lightroom can decrease an image’s temperature and gracefully fix any unwanted colors.

Confront your fears

Any creative fear can be changed by directly confronting the fear itself. If you’ve always avoided darkness for fear of getting blurred results, learn the power of high ISO numbers and strong tripods. If you’ve never been a fan of artificial light, research the works of talented studio photographers like Sue Bryce and give artificial light another chance. If you think your home is boring, notice the way light enters your room or the way your lamp makes your table shine. If you find too much natural light distasteful, dare to experiment with shadows. Open your mind to the beauty of light, no matter where you are, and you’ll get brilliant photographs in return.

Happy shooting!

Using backlight to create ethereal portraits

Posted on June 18, 2017 by Taya Ivanova

You’ve probably come across dreamy-looking portraits, ones which possess a warm glow without appearing too harsh. It seems that the photographers behind these shots mysteriously conjured up the perfect light, creating a composition so striking that you can’t imagine recreating something equally beautiful. The secret, however, doesn’t lie in light that requires an elaborate spell – the key to taking great backlit portraits is the right kind of light and the ideal location to complement that light. Though this might sound like a tough (or vague) challenge, don’t be discouraged. If you find yourself visualizing photographs even when your camera isn’t nearby, mastering the art of backlit photography will come easily to you. Below are a few important basics to get you started:

Finding a great location

If you’d like to experiment with backlight, find a location where light roams freely. (Open spaces like fields are ideal for this.) If you live in a busy city filled with structures that block the sun, find a roof where you can safely photograph yourself or your subject. These locations will give you plenty of light to work with. (If you don’t have access to such places, shooting in front of a window on a sunny day will suffice.)
The backlight will light up not only your subject but everything surrounding your model. This is why shooting backlit portraits in a field of flowers, for example, will yield breathtaking results. If you’re shooting in a more urban location, add your own flowers and plants to enhance the composition. Challenge your imagination. When surrounded by objects which are beautifully lit, your subject will glow all the more. Furthermore, such small decorations will make the overall composition absolutely stunning.

The benefits of shooting during golden hour

Before we get into the best ways to position a camera for backlit photography, let’s focus on every portrait photographer’s favorite time of day: golden hour. The magic hour comes into being shortly after sunrise or before sunset. This is a time when the light is, as most people agree, at its best. Everything takes on a soft and warm glow during the golden hour, creating an almost nostalgic feeling wherever you look. If you’re an absolute beginner, experimenting in an open space during golden hour will inevitably provide you with the best possible lighting conditions for a successful shoot. For expert photographers, shooting in all kinds of spaces during the magic hour will add a pleasant touch of warmth to their work. If you’d like to learn more about the golden hour, read this article.

Choosing the best time to shoot

To make the most of a backlit shot, you must control the amount of light that enters your lens. Direct sunlight will ruin your shot, while completely blocking it by placing an obstacle in front of it will make your results very dark (unless you’re shooting silhouettes, this method won’t work.) For visually appealing results, make sure light enters your lens from one side. This will create a pleasant light leak which will not only brighten your composition but add a beautiful texture to it.

Unlike golden hour, a backlight is rarely available in limited quantities. It can be found even on overcast days when soft light is present. If you find the light is too dull on a day when the weather conditions aren’t ideal, use a reflector; this will significantly enhance any available light and make your subject’s face stand out in a flattering way. If you don’t own a professional reflector, it’s very likely that you can find one in your home: a mirror, a white sheet of paper, kitchen foil, or a Tupperware lid.

Experiment persistently

Most importantly, experiment. Break the rules: create dark silhouettes, work with overexposed shots, and photograph whatever you desire during the magical hour. Enjoy the warmth of golden hour and the softness of duller days. If portrait photography is your niche, experiment with other genres using the same methods. Try out taking photos of flowers, buildings, and objects. Broaden your creative horizons. This will be very evident in your results; additionally, it will transform you into a better photographer and observer of the world.
Whatever you do, don’t stop shooting, and you will thrive in the most surprising of ways. Just remember to embrace spontaneity, listen to your imagination (no matter how bizarre it may seem at times), and find potential in seemingly insignificant details.

Happy shooting!

Interview with Katherine Robbins: A Self-Portrait Artist

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Taya Ivanova

What inspired you to start taking photographs?

I started photographing at the tender age of seventeen, thanks to a high school friend. She’s an amazing artist who got me into deviantART, where she showed me her favorite photographers, and it all started from there. I remember admiring several artist’s photographs, and soon enough I started getting my own ideas for photographs that would not rest until I executed them.

You take the most exceptional self-portraits. What does a typical self-portrait shoot consist of?

For me, it takes a few hours because my camera is so old. I can’t use a wireless remote, so I always spend a lot of time preparing, making sure that I will be in focus. I really love the light, like most photographers, so I’ll wait until a certain time of day, put on some makeup, grab my reflector, put on some music and start shooting. It could be an initial idea I had or a completely random shot but when I start shooting I forget everything else. Actually, most of the time, the ideas I had in my head change when I’m shooting. I’ll choose a different pose or theme because I start to like it more as I’m getting inspired.

What has been your biggest artistic challenge so far, and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge so far has just been overcoming my fears and anxiety. I think a lot of artists have that mindset that their work isn’t good, and I am one of those people. So, it’s hard for me sometimes when I don’t get an idea quite right, or if I don’t have the right model or location, but it’s good to just breathe and learn from one photo at a time.

Is there anyone you dream of photographing one day?

I dream of photographing you, Taya. ;3 If it’s someone famous, I would love to photograph Marina Diamandis. I just love her style, and when I watch her music videos I start getting ideas for shoots with her in my head.

You often combine people and nature in your art. What would be your dream location to shoot in?

My dream locations vary so often depending on my mood. But, I’ve always wanted to shoot a model in Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia. The reflections on the ground from the sky and the light just give off the feel that you’re in heaven, floating above everything else. I would love to do a shoot with that kind of ethereal feel. It’s hard to decide though. Anywhere really; this Earth is so beautiful.

What advice, in relation to photography, would you give your younger self?

Do not doubt yourself, do not be afraid to put yourself out there, find and work with other artists and advertize. If you have a concept, no matter how silly other people might think it is, just do it. Don’t be afraid of your ideas, don’t be afraid of yourself.

What do you do when you feel insecure about your artistic skills?

When I am feeling insecure, I usually watch youtube videos from my favorite photographers, or I look at my favorite photographs. I try to pump myself up, and by looking at the art I admire it revamps my passion and drives me to better myself and execute my ideas better next time.

Where do you wish to be, art-wise, in 10 years?

I would love to be a professional photographer here in Japan. But, I also have so many artists I would love to meet and collaborate with. Not only to take photos, but to meet them because all of my photographer friends are the most lovely people. I would love to say that in 10 years I have met them all.

Your photographs are made up of such elegant colors. What is your favorite editing program to use and why?

I use Adobe photoshop cs5. Years ago, I used cs2, which is old now, but it still did the trick. I love photoshop because I can do so much to a photograph with it. I’ve only ever used photoshop, so I’m used to it and I know how to maneuver with it. I use windows, so all of my favorite curves and actions I use in photoshop too.

What is the most valuable thing that photography has taught you?

Photography has taught me how to live. How to express myself and my ideas through the lens, how to push the boundaries of my dreams. I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t picked up a camera. I am so grateful for it.

You can find more of Katherine’s work on Flickr.

Discussing the beauty of portraits with photographer Bluewaterandlight

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Taya Ivanova

Ben, also known as bluewaterandlight, is a talented portrait photographer from Germany. His interest in people is very evident in his images, which vary from heartwarming portraits to emotional works of art. In this interview, Ben talks about his working process, how he feels about human interactions, and what he believes aspiring photographers should know. Please enjoy this fascinating conversation.

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.

Hey, my name is Benjamin, but I prefer Ben. I’m a portrait & people photographer from Germany. I wanted a new toy to play with, which I couldn’t understand directly, so at Christmas, in 2014 I decided to buy a camera. And the journey began. Since I got this camera I knew I wanted to photograph people, but my introversion and shyness made it impossible. But with every little step, I noticed more and more that I must photograph people and not landscapes, so I spent time with other people and I found the most interesting thing in our world: humans.

Landscapes are really beautiful but without people they are dead. I’ve learned to see the beauty in every little piece of God’s nature. The beauty is there, everywhere. But unfortunately, most people can’t see it. If every earth inhabitant could see this beauty, we would not enslave and destroy our nature, but live in harmony with it.

Photography for me is the best therapy and way to express myself. When I am sad or full of anxiety I create a picture of myself or another person with these feelings and put all my sadness and anxiety in the picture and then my heart is ready for happiness and love. I love people and I think this gives me the power to work hard and follow my dream, to be a worldwide working photographer.

Your portfolio is filled with gorgeous portraits. How do you make your models feel comfortable in front of your camera?

I start my photo shoots with a hug for my models to create a friendship. I’m really interested in people and this is one of the reasons my pictures look so natural. During the shoot, we talk a lot about life, love, anxiety and other things. My shoots look like this: two friends talking about their life and creating “a few” pictures.

In addition to being sharp and well-lit, your photos are beautifully edited. What does your editing process consist of?

My editing process begins during the shoot. I alway try to get the perfect exposure directly in the camera. Great make-up is also very helpful. At home, I import my pictures to Lightroom and choose the best pictures, if I didn’t do that already at the location together with the model. Then I import my/our favorites to Affinity Photo to edit the skin and if necessary, I remove distracting elements. Then I go back to Lightroom and edit the color, brightness, etc. Here I use my own or the VSCO presets.

Many of your images were shot using a limited amount of light. What do you think is the most important thing to consider when shooting in darker locations?

Shootings at dark locations are really hard because my Canon 6D’s autofocus isn’t good, and at dark locations, it’s extremely bad. So I mostly focus with manual focus and focus peak (Magic Lantern). Often, I use a reflector or even a flash. Many people don’t like noise/grain, but I love it because it gives the portrait a bit of a painting and creates a symbiosis between the model and the background.

Are there any photography genres you’d like to experiment with more?

In the future, I want to take more “Fine Art” pictures because I want to tell the world what’s in my mind. I want to travel more to talk with people all over the world and take pictures with them. And I would love if I find a model to take pictures of her/him crying, it’s one of the strongest feelings.

What do you find most challenging about portrait photography?

For me, people photography is the masterclass of photography. It’s extremely hard to make people familiar with you and your work and make them trust you. In my preparation for a photo shoot, I listen to my “power playlist” to give myself certainty that the photo shoot will be awesome. You should create your own “power playlist” filled with songs which give you energy and self-confidence.

If an aspiring photographer asked you for advice, what would you tell them?

Follow your heart, don’t give a shit on what other people think.
If something doesn’t work, wait a bit, try it later and get some rest. But never give up!
Use music to make the emotion more intense (a mobile music box with Bluetooth and battery is helpful.) Classic music, for example, can slow down the space around you and help you see through chaos.
Write down your ideas and thoughts in a notebook. If you don’t, you will forget them.
Don’t look at cameras, lens or other gear. It’s not important. The image in your mind, your ideas and people are important.

You’re a fan of black & white photography. What do you find most appealing about it?

Black and white photography is the origin of photography and the most natural photography. It puts my focus on the model/subject and away from color. For me, it’s the essence of photography. It makes the light and structure more important.

If you could meet your favorite artist and ask them 3 photography-related questions, what would they be?

What’s your story?
Why do you do your photography the way you do it?
How do you handle anxiety and depression?

What has been your most challenging creative obstacle so far, and how did you overcome it?

Every single time, it’s hard to transfer the image from your mind to the reality. My most challenging picture was the picture of my best friend Ante. I was inspired by the pictures of “omerika” (https://www.instagram.com/omerika/).

The act of sleeping fascinated me all time because during sleep you solve problems you can’t understand in the real world. During sleep, you can be every person you want. You can be an astronaut, race car driver, a bird and even the doctor (knock, knock. Who is there? Doctor! Doctor Who? Correct. 😛 ) In this picture I wanted to create a symbiosis between a sleeping girl and mother nature. First, I tried to use a tree as a symbol of “mother nature” but then I didn’t like the picture. So I put it away for a few days, and later I decided to use a forest and merge it. It was so beautiful. I love this image.

A few last words from the photographer:

Don’t do what other people want you to do. Do what you love and never give up!
“The limits in photography are in yourself, for what we see is only what we are.” -Ernst Haas
Good light and great ideas,
With love, Ben

You can find more of Ben’s work on his website and Instagram.

Photographer interview: Martina Bertacchi

Posted on April 18, 2017 by Taya Ivanova

Martina Bertacchi is a talented photographer from Italy who photographs people in worlds unlike our own. Her portraits are charming and striking, focusing on the subject’s raw beauty and their surroundings. In this interview, Martina talks about her inspiration, ambitions, and the tips she’d give to aspiring portrait photographers. I hope you enjoy this eye-opening conversation!

What inspired you to start taking photographs?

I started taking pictures by chance about 6/7 years ago when I was still at school, and photography became a sort of safety valve on the days of full study. I took inspiration from the smallest things, also in the house, but mostly when I went out I really liked to capture nature, leaves, and flowers. My main source of inspiration was the Internet, sites like Flickr and Facebook have helped me a lot. I saw some photographs and I remained amazed by their beauty, so much that I wanted to start playing around with my camera and make it my own. Only much later I began to get interested in portraits.

You have many stunning photos of people. What do you look for in a model?

I love spontaneity in people. I think that in every single person there is a beauty. I consider it very important to constantly look into it, details even in the face. Sometimes the imperfection can become perfection. I prefer delicate, dreamy faces that tell something.

The subjects in your photographs are always very sharp and well-lit. What advice would you give to aspiring portrait photographers?

The advice I would give to a young aspiring portrait photographer is to not be fooled by the desire to have super expensive equipment but to also start experimenting with a simple camera, play with the lights and natural shadows. I think good post production is more important, as that is what gives meaning and feeling to your photo. Lightroom helped me a lot in the beginning.

What does your editing process consist of?

First I shoot in RAW. I find it essential to recover the lights in the background, and it’s more appropriate for the white balance. To develop the raw format I use Lightroom – as I said before, I modify the lights, use Photoshop to work on the skin, and then I play with colors, curves, tones, and contrast.

Who are your favorite artists and why?

I do not have a favorite artist. There are so many that I admire and I esteem. I prefer to quote emerging photographers that inspired me a lot, like Marta Bevacqua, Alessio Albi, Laura Zalenga, Alexandra Sophie. They represent fully the emotions, through their stories – almost fairy-tale atmospheres that fascinate me a lot.

Is there anything photography-related you wish you could tell your younger self?

I would say to always be themselves, to never give up, and never stop to create and experiment new things and to be inspired by anything that surrounds them.

Your models look very graceful and natural in your images. How do you make them feel comfortable in front of your camera?

I’m actually very shy. It happened several times to turn on the music and let myself and my models be carried by it. I always try to make them express themselves without forcing anything.

Is there a photography genre you’d like to experiment more with?

I’d like to experiment more with taking pictures indoors, with natural light, and why not also self-portraits. I find them very intimate and full of emotions.

What do you find most challenging about portrait photography?

Surely to capture the perfect moment, whatever fills my heart with joy and creates something magical and beautiful.

If a photographer approached you and asked for 3 tips, what would you tell them?

Yes, I have three pieces of advice for people who love making photography:
Let yourself be guided by your feelings and inspirations and most importantly, take the time to observe the environment in which you take pictures and always give a close look to your subject’s details in order to give value to your portraits.

You can find more of Martina’s work on her Flickr and Instagram.