How to take good pictures: 5 Photography Tips For Beginners
Starting your photography journey can be both exciting and overwhelming.
Here are five essential tips for beginners to help you get the most out of your photography journey:
Starting your photography journey can be both exciting and overwhelming.
Here are five essential tips for beginners to help you get the most out of your photography journey:
1. Understand Your Camera Settings
Aperture: Controls the depth of field. A wide aperture (low f-number) creates a shallow depth of field, ideal for portraits. A narrow aperture (high f-number) keeps more of the scene in focus, which is great for landscapes.
Shutter Speed: Controls how long the camera's sensor is exposed to light. A fast shutter speed freezes motion, while a slow shutter speed can create motion blur.
ISO: Adjusts the camera's sensitivity to light. A low ISO is best for bright conditions, while a high ISO can help in low light but may introduce noise.
2. Study Light
Golden Hour: The hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset offer the most flattering natural light for photography. The light is soft and warm, creating beautiful shadows and highlights.
Natural vs. Artificial Light: Experiment with natural light and artificial light sources. Learn to manipulate light using diffusers, reflectors, and other tools to achieve the desired effect.
3. Learn the Basics of Composition
Rule of Thirds: Imagine your image is divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. Place the important elements along these lines or at their intersections.
Leading Lines: Use natural lines in your scene (like roads, rivers, or fences) to guide the viewer’s eye toward the main subject.
Framing: Use elements within your scene to create a ‘frame’ around your subject, which can add depth and focus.
4. Practice Regularly
Daily Practice: Take your camera with you and shoot every day. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with your camera and the principles of photography.
Challenge Yourself: Set specific goals or themes for your photography sessions to push your boundaries and learn new techniques.
5. Edit Your Photos
Post-Processing: Learn basic editing skills using software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. Editing can enhance your photos, correct exposure issues, adjust colors, and crop images for better composition.
Develop a Style: Over time, you’ll develop a personal editing style. Consistency in editing can help create a recognizable look for your work.
Additional Tips:
Join a Photography Community: Engage with other photographers through online forums, social media, or local clubs. Sharing your work and receiving feedback can be incredibly valuable.
Study the Work of Others: Look at the work of renowned photographers to understand different styles and techniques. Try to analyze what makes their photos compelling.
By focusing on these fundamental tips, you'll build a strong foundation and continuously improve your photography skills. Enjoy the journey and keep experimenting!
Press credentials, why every photographer should have them, and how to get them.
A press pass and a media pass are both credentials that allow photographers to access certain events or locations that may otherwise be off-limits to the general public. However, there are some key differences between these two types of passes that photographers should be aware of.
Photo of Press Press ( Press Credentials) which include the Journalist's affiliation and expiration date of Press passes
A press pass and a media pass are both credentials that allow photographers to access certain events or locations that may otherwise be off-limits to the general public. However, there are some key differences between these two types of passes that photographers should be aware of.
Press passes are typically issued by a government agency, such as a city or state press office, and allow the holder to cover news events, such as press conferences or political rallies, as a representative of a specific news organization. Press passes are typically only issued to journalists who work for established news organizations, and they may require the photographer to show proof of employment, such as a business card or letter from their editor, to obtain the pass. Media passes, on the other hand, are typically issued by private organizations, such as concert venues or sports teams, and allow the holder to cover events or access certain areas within those organizations. Media passes are often given to freelance photographers or those who work for smaller, independent news outlets, and they may not require the same level of proof of employment as a press pass.
One of the key benefits of having a press pass or media pass is that it allows the photographer to gain access to events or locations that may not be open to the general public. This can be especially important for photographers who are covering breaking news events, as it allows them to get up close and personal with the action, and capture images that may not be possible from the sidelines. Press passes and media passes also often come with additional perks, such as reserved seating at events or access to special areas within a venue. This can be especially useful for photographers who need to be in a specific location to get the best shots, or who want to avoid the crowds to focus on their work. In addition to the practical benefits of having a press pass or media pass, these credentials can also help to establish a photographer's credibility and professionalism. By showing a press pass or media pass, a photographer can demonstrate to event organizers or security personnel that they are there to cover the event in an official capacity, and are not just an average member of the public. This can help to open doors and facilitate access to events and locations that may be off-limits to the general public.
Okay, so now that you have a general understanding of what Press passes are and an understanding of their function, I should tell you how to get your hands on one, so you can start your journey into visual journalism.
I currently hold two pairs of freelancer passes. The first pass I carry is from the United States Press Agency. (I have been with USPA since 2014.) The second pass is from the National Press Photographers Association. Of the two, the USPA pass is much cheaper, costing less than $200 USDA for new members and a $48 annual fee to renew membership. The NPPA Press Pass is more expensive, (not included in the NPPA membership) but comes with several benefits including discounts from Apple and Canon, health Programs, insurance, and more.
Overall, press passes and media passes can be valuable tools for photographers who want to cover news events or gain access to exclusive locations. These credentials can help photographers get closer to the action, secure reserved seating access to special areas, and establish their credibility as professional photographers.
NYC Pride March & Queer Liberation March 2022 close out Pride Month With A Bang!
This year marks the 52nd year since the first Pride March commemorating the Historic Stonewall Riots. This is my second consecutive year documenting Pride Weekend, and it’s definitely an event that I look forward to covering. Here is my NYC Pride 2022 photoset. I covered 3 different events which included the NYC Pride March, Queer Liberation March, and the Washington Square “After Party”.
This year marks the 52nd year since the first Pride March commemorating the Historic Stonewall Riots. This is my second consecutive year documenting Pride Weekend. This weekend also marked my return to journalism, with NYC Pride being my first serious coverage of an event since the George Floyd protest.
I started out my day heading to the NYC Pride March, which starts at 5th Ave & 25th street. Unfortunately it took me about 15 minutes to find and entrance on to the roadway. (during large parades NYPD usually barricades the street corners) But once I found a crosswalk for the parade I was able to flash my Press Passes and ready to get to work.
I didn't stay at the NYC Pride March very long though, the feel of the event just didn't fee l”authentic”. If you know the history behind Pride and the Stonewall Riots, you understand NYC is just the corporate commercialization of a radical movement. So after about an hour I headed down to Foley Square where the Queer Liberation March was being held.
Canon's RF 85mm F/2 Macro IS STM , Yes this is a Gear Review… smh
After picking up my Canon RF 85mm f/2 MACRO IS STM, I was eager to get a subject in front of my camera so I hit a friend who lives a few blocks away and is always down to shoot, my good friend Sasa Juste. I have to admit I was shocked at the quality of the video when matched up with the EOS R. Coming from the Canon 7D MKII the quality is significant and with the image stabilization of the RF 85MM, it makes handheld shoot unreal. Imagine if I upgrade to the R5 or R6!
Now if you followed me long enough you are aware I’m the last person to talk about camera gear. Definitely off-brand but to be honest iam stuck with how to start bringing traffic to my website so here we are. A f*cking gear review, yes i know, I’m down bad. After picking up my Canon RF 85mm f/2 MACRO IS STM, I was eager to get a subject in front of my camera so I hit a friend who lives a few blocks away and is always down to shoot, my good friend Sasa Juste. I have to admit I was shocked at the quality of the video when matched up with the EOS R. Coming from the Canon 7D MKII the quality is significant and with the image stabilization of the RF 85MM, it makes handheld shoot unreal. Imagine if I upgrade to the R5 or R6! 🥷🏾
Sasa Juste is a Recording Artist born in Brooklyn, New York of Haitian heritage. In addition to musical talent, Sasa is also very skilled with her hands crafting jewelry, natural hair styling. Heavy influenced and connected with her Haitian background, she often displays Haitian pride in her artistry.
New York Fashion Week 2022, Street Style and Beauty
NYFW is back in New York City. 2022 marks my third consecutive year covering shooting Street style and I honestly say though I’m not big on fashion, I do love the energy around New York Fashion Week. What started out as a way for me to practice my portraiture has now become a catalyst for peers respecting my eye and companies looking to pay me to shoot their events and artist wanting to jump in front of my lens.
NYFW is back in New York City. 2022 marks my third consecutive year covering shooting Street style and I honestly say though I’m not big on fashion, I do love the energy around New York Fashion Week. What started out as a way for me to practice my portraiture has now become a catalyst for peers respecting my eye and companies looking to pay me to shoot their events and artist wanting to jump in front of my lens.
My First time attending Pride NYC Weekend 2021
I attended my first Pride this year in New York City. I didn’t get the full experience being the official Pride march was a “virtual” event, however, i did get to cover several events over the weekend. Protests and gatherings in the city that i feel very much the true spirit of Pride as the community still fights for rights and respect throughout the world.
I attended my first Pride this year in New York City. I didn’t get the full experience being the official Pride march was a “virtual” event, however, i did get to cover several events over the weekend. Protests and gatherings in the city that collectively feel like they carried the spirit of what Pride weekend is meant to be.
Portrait of “Rollerena Fairy Godmother”
Rollerena Fairy Godmother came into being on the evening of Saturday, September 16, 1972 by a young man from Kentucky who put on a gown, a 1950s hat, and a straw basket and skated up and down Christopher Street in Greenwich Village, New York City. Over time, Rollerena added to her outfit: rhinestone glasses, costume jewelry, a small horn, and a magic wand to bless mortals became regular accessories to her character. She skated in gay neighborhoods, the Easter Parade, Gay Pride marches and in popular discos. The creator of Rollerena did not consider himself a drag queen; instead she became the character of a Fairy Godmother.
(Source: https://gaycenter.org/archive_item/rollerena-fairy-godmother-collection/ )
One of the first events I was able to capture was the end of the 29th annual Dyke March. The March I believe started at Times Square and made its way all the way down to Washington Square Park, which is where most of the cities recent demonstration often close out. It also a great location. Because of the WSP fountain which people tend to jump into to cool off so the Dyke March demonstrators where no different jumping in and finding refuge from the 90° heat we had during Pride Weekend.
After covering the Dyke March I wanted to make sure I was able to properly cover a Pride demonstration from the start so I had some contacts send me info on the Queer Liberation March. I was to follow the demo all the way to Stonewall another important landmark and very much part of the story of the communities fight for respect of their rights, just look up the stonewall riots to gain understanding on the important of Stonewall. When we arrived the Queer liberation demo was crossing paths with the Stonewall demonstration so I followed that demo on their March which brought me a few blocks From Astor place. After a quick rest I made my way back to WSP where most of the Pride goers had started to gather to continue the festivities and where I was able to capture the bulk of my fountain photographs the pictures explain it all. Lol
I will definitely be back next year to photograph the event. I likely add some video blogging to my coverage, as I make a transition to incorporating more high quality video into my workflow and coverage. I hope all enjoyed the weekend and would love to hear about some of the annual events I should hit to get a full Pride experience. Shoot me a tweet if you the plug.
I feel the struggle of the LGBTQIA+ community as they still fight for rights and respect throughout the world, keep fighting.
Behind The Scenes: Photoshoot with Nestreya, Jasmine Nichole & Reign APIIM
I had the pleasure of shooting these beautiful Black Women for the Black-owned business Goddess Body. Nestreya, Jasmine Nichole, and Reign APIIM. I've known Jasmine Nichole for years and was my first time formally meeting Nestreya. Of course, those who follow my Instagram account, know I've been working with Reign for the last few months… she is literally my neighbor.
I’ve been pushing myself to do more live streams as I’ve been missing in action on not only my YouTube channel but my popular Periscope account. It’s been crazy in 2020 for everyone so I as we all try to close out the year of Covid strong. I decided to live stream my latest photoshoot.
I had the pleasure of shooting these beautiful Black Women for the Black-owned business Goddess Body. Nestreya, Jasmine Nichole, and Reign APIIM. I've known Jasmine Nichole for years and was my first time formally meeting Nestreya. Of course, those who follow my Instagram account, know I've been working with Reign for the last few months… she is literally my neighbor.
Let me know if yall want me to continue doing the photoshoot live streams? Also, I been thinking of picking a day out of the week to do a photo walk of NYC.
Please go check out the model’s Instagram accounts listed below.
Nestreya: http://instagram.com/nestreya (also check out her Youtube, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL6qMAGejiomo39SaUt5x5w)
Jasmine Nichole: http://instagram.com/jasminenicholeofficial
Reign: http://instagram.com/reignglobal
Goddess Body: http://instagram.com/goddessbody
ISSA KHARI: http://instagram.com/issakhari
(To catch these live streams follow me on http://twitter.com/issakhari)