I'm am posting a few photos a day on my Instagram account and I give my camera and lighting setting as well, so that people and check them out and hopefully it helps you a little. Below is a live feed of my stream but please follow on Instagram where you can see settings and a pithy one liner about the image. As always, if there are any questions about settings or lighting etc, please ask.
Blog
But I Don't Have a Fancy DSLR Camera?!
Suffice to say, I love taking photographs!
People often think “it’s OK for you, you have a fancy DSLR camera. What about those of us who don't have a big camera?”. Well the truth is, most of the photos I take on a daily basis are with my iPhone. You don't need a fancy camera in order to take good photographs. We’ve all become used to seeing poor quality photographs taken with mobile and dismiss it as 'just a mobile photo' when the truth is, mobile cameras today are better than the point and shoot cameras we all carried around with us a few years ago. A poor mobile photo is more likely to do with us than the camera we are using.
Good light is one of the most important factors and then comes technique when using a mobile. You wouldn’t see a professional photographer taking photographs in a poorly lit area using their DSLR in one hand only and waving it around clicking away. Every time you take a photo with your mobile, treat it like a DSLR and you will get better looking photos.
All these photos were taken with my iPhone 5S (Click on the image to see them full screen, plus there is a photo for Sherlock fans):
Here are some things to try when you next take photos with your mobile:
- Find good light for your subject. It’s not always possible to move the subject but if you can find a window or a nicely lit area.
- Get a good stance and hold the phone with two hands like you would with a normal camera. Don't rush it.
- Tap on the screen to focus on your subject. Also, most cameras allow you to adjust your exposure by sliding up and down accordingly.
- Most mobiles allow you to use the volume button as a shutter button. You can also see the timer.
- Edit the photo afterwards. There are 100s of good editing apps that allow you to brighten up the shadow areas, decreases the bright highlights add contrast, detail etc.
- Learn the functions of your mobile. Don;t be on of those people who just point, jab the screen shutter button and are done.
Practice! It's free and you can practice all the time. It will make a huge difference. Now snap away!
My Lego Commission!!
Recently a 'client' wanted me to take some photographs of Lego! Aaryan had created a Lego diorama and he was desperate that I take some photographs, so that he could share it with people. Fair enough I said but in return, I asked that he sit for a short period afterwards and allow me to take some photos of him!
One would assume that it must be easy for me to take photos of my own son but it's actually harder than you would think! Anyway, I present the Lego diorama:
Lighting wise, I used a softbox place to my right. Taken at f8 at 1/125s.
There was also time for some Lego Ninjago action! This is a good example of what happens when you are close to the 'subject', in this case the Lego pilot, and shooting at a low f-stop. This is at f1.4. You can see the background blur away after a few cms.
....... and what session isn't complete without some Skylander figures?!! Exactly! No shoot is complete!
After my warm up, I got Aaryan to sit down for a couple of portraits. Just like most things in life, you always need time to warm up and that especially applies to your subjects. At first we chatted and joked and I fired of a load of photos just to get him to relax and forget about the camera...
And then I captured one that his mother would like:
Children....... they grow up too fast. So get your camera out and capture the moments.
