4 Easy Tips To Avoid Blurry Photos

No matter what type of photography you do, you do not want to have blurry photos. Today, we wanted to provide you with 4 ways you can be sure to avoid and eliminate camera shake and capture clear photos. 

1. Watch The Shutter Speed

Shutter speed dictates how long the camera's imaging sensor is exposed to light in order to record a picture. So, if there is not much light available, the exposure will take longer and increases your risk for a blurry photo. Times this could be an issue is when you are shooting a sunset or taking photos indoors. 

With that said, it is hard to keep your hand totally still for the amount of time needed for the exposure. To minimize the risk of the blurred photos, make sure you think about the focal length of the lens when working out what your safe speed is when holding your camera on your own. Shorter lenses are most of the time easier to hold steady than a longer lens. Make sure the shutter speed does not drop below the effective focal length of the lens. 

2. Aperture and ISO

A larger aperture will provide a faster shutter speed than a smaller aperture. Keep in mind that larger apertures offer less depth of field, but it is typically worth the sacrifice to remove the risk of camera shake. 

If you can not go for a larger aperture, increase the ISO so that you get a faster shutter speed. Set the ISO to Auto and the camera will automatically adjust the ISO for sharp results. 

3. Increase The Number Of Frames You Take

If you shoot a number of frames in a quick succession, you will increase your chances of taking a sharp picture. Just be sure that the camera is set in continuous drive mode when shooting handheld, even if the subject you are shooting is not moving.

4. Practice Sharper Handholding

 Of course making sure the way you hold and set your camera is also very important for making sure you get clear photos. First, make sure you set the lens correctly if you have it on the tripod. Also, a great way to increase your stability with the camera is to loop the camera strap around your right or left arm and pull it taut. Also, be sure to stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your elbows in towards your body, which will help keep you more stable. 

Depending on where and what you are shooting, you may also be able to find an object to lean up against to brace yourself. 

Do you love these tips? Here are a few more you should check out! 

 

 

When there is not much light available, you could increase your chance of having blurry photos. Need some help with lighting? Then this Beginners Guide To Lighting is perfect for you and could be yours for only $29.99 (a $299.99 value)! 

 

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5 More Items To Carry In Your Camera Bag - Part 2

You may have seen our recent post all about 5 essential items that you should always be sure to carry in your camera gear bag. If you did not, be sure to check it out here. Today, we wanted to share with you a few more items we think are important to keep on hand anytime you may need to pull your camera out and snap a few photographs. A few of these suggestions were also ones that came from our readers! 

1. Portable Light Source

This is important to be sure you always have enough light when you are taking whatever photos you are trying to take. Whether you find yourself at a dark wedding ceremony and need more light to capture the bride and groom saying "I do," or you are simply out photographing a beautiful view you saw while driving, you never want to not have enough light! 

If you always find yourself in need of extra light, check out this Hikeren Portable Light Source perfect for various camera brands! 

2. Waterproof Case

If you are shooting outdoors, and will still need to continue shooting even if it is raining, a waterproof case is important. You spend good money on your camera and equipment and do not want to ruin it with a little rain and you not being prepared! 

Here is a waterproof camera case that would be perfect for you to use. 

3. Polarizer

A polarizer is perfect for cutting out glare in photos. Whether you are needing to cut the glare on the leaves on the trees or even cutting out the reflection in a window, this is the perfect item to have on hand. 

Looking for a polarizer for your Canon camera? Be sure to check this one out. Need one for a Nikon camera? You may love this one. 

4. A Tripod

Having a good tripod is a great idea when you want to make sure your camera is steady and still when taking specific photos. This is especially great for landscape photos and other still objects that you may be photographing. 

Are you in need of a sturdy tripod? Here is a tripod that is compatible with many different camera brands. 

5. A Great Camera Strap

A high quality, comfortable camera strap is very important. You do not want to be fumbling or struggling with a cheap strap that you are afraid will not hold your expensive piece of equipment as best and as safely as it should. Getting one that is padded, to help with your comfort level may or may not matter as much to you, but you want to make sure whatever strap you have, works best and makes your job easier!

This Rapid Fire Quick Release Sling Shoulder Neck Strap may be the perfect addition to your camera. 

Between these 5 items above and the other 5 we mentioned in our previous post, this are some very important items that you do not want to find yourself without. If you always keep these items handy and in your gear bag, you will never find yourself stuck without an important piece of photography equipment when the time comes that you need something specific.

Is there another piece of gear that you simply can not live without? Tell us below!  

Before you head out with your gear bag, you will probably need a cup of warm cup of coffee to keep you going! Here is a great coffee mug with one of our favorite photography quotes to keep you motivated! 

 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
THIS PHOTOGRAPHY IS ART COFFEE MUG! 

 

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5 Things To Remember For A Successful Mini Session

If you are a new photographer just starting out or been photographing for 25 years, you have most likely heard of mini sessions. All throughout the year photographers offer theses for various occasions, holidays or just because! 

Have you offered a few mini sessions but just not sure if you like them or not? Or, perhaps you have never offered your clients anything like that before because you would rather book a full session and wondering if it would pay off? Here are 5 things to remember if you are planning your own mini sessions to make sure they turn out a success for your business! 

1. Plan Ahead And Market Early

Make sure you set the days and specific times you will be offering your mini sessions way ahead of time. You want to give clients enough time to plan ahead - especially if you are doing holiday sessions. Once you set the date, start marketing your mini sessions to be sure and book each and every slot you have available. You want to make sure you are maximizing your time and getting totally booked since mini-sessions are less expensive. 

Also, keep in mind that if you are doing holiday mini sessions, each client may want to use their photos for their Christmas cards so you want to plan them with enough time to get them completed so they have time to get them out and printed.  

Photo credit: The Milky Way

Photo credit: The Milky Way

2. Be Yourself

Just because you are doing a mini-session and not a complete engagement shoot or family portrait session, does not mean you can not be yourself. You may only have 30 minutes with the family or children, but do things just like you would for a typical photo shoot. Is there anything you like to find out about the family or children ahead of time, make sure you ask! 

3. Think About The Location and Props 

Depending on what time of year you are having your mini sessions, make sure you have a great location picked and fun props and items to include in the photos. If it is going to be an Easter session, perhaps have a basket of colorful Easter eggs, a bunny rabbit stuffed animal or a pretty Easter hat. Use pastel colors and keep it bright and light! If you are doing a holiday mini session, do the photos in a room with a gorgeously decorated Christmas tree or even think about having Santa make an appearance. 

4. Don't Count On Getting Tons of Print Orders

Many times with mini sessions, the client will most likely want to purchase just the images so they can print them all on their own time and cost. Do not get let down by this.... it is the norm. You may have someone who does want to pay you to print them for them, but it is not typical. 

Be sure you price your sessions as if no one else will buy any prints or custom orders for you. Then, be happy with that price. Perhaps you want to price your sessions out just for the 20 or 30 minute session and the digital files. Or maybe you want to only do 20 minutes, the digital files and 1 8X10 of their choice. It really is up to you, but just make sure you clear and upfront with your cost ahead of time. 

5. Remember That Mini Sessions Can Lead To More Work

Just because these are new clients and the sessions are very short, do the great work you know and love to do. You never know when a client from a mini session will pass along the word to a family member who is looking for a wedding photographer. That person may come back later and want to book a full session when they want their family portraits taken. 

Getting ready to shoot your mini session and want to get the word out? This Mini Session Marketing Pack would be perfect for you! These templates are super easy and will make all your marketing materials look professional! For $69.95 (a $249.99 value) you can get this great tool for your business! 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
THE MINI SESSION MARKETING PACK NOW!

 

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10 Tips For Better Holiday Photos

The holidays are such a wonderful time of year! The beautiful twinkling lights, festive Christmas trees, garland and candy canes galore also make wonderful backgrounds for holiday photos. There are also so many people who are getting engaged or saying "I do" during this time, which means most people are looking for a photographer to capture their special moments. Here are 10 tips for better holiday photos on BetterPhoto.com that we just had to share!

1. Compose Creatively and Move In Close

Getting creative with your photos can never be bad! Pay special attention to how you organize all the various elements you have visible in each photo. Here are 2 concepts that you may love:

Off-center your main subject. Instead of having your main focus in the center of the photo, move the subject off to the side. This looks great if you can balance that subject with another object in the background (think Christmas trees???) A great example that they gave is if you are taking a photo of a candle. Place it on the right with the Christmas tree blurred softly into the background (or anything else that you prefer to use).

Move in close. It is good to move in close when your subject is in the center but also when you off-center it, moving in closely will be one thing that makes a huge difference in your picture taking success! The fact is that the audience is always more impressed with a subject in a photo that is impossible to miss. So make your subject fill up your frame.

2. For Better Family and Group Portraits

For family and group portraits, you must take a lot of photos. Photographers will find that many people in the group who are taking the photo tend to hate being photographed, so as a photographer, you need to try and make it fun and friendly. Taking as many photos as you can is important because with a big group, there is always someone who is blinking or looking the other way, so having many photos to choose from is the best way to catch each and every person at their best!

Photo credit:  Rebekah Westover Photography

Photo credit:  Rebekah Westover Photography

3. Shoot First, Ask Questions Later

You have to be prepared when you trying to capture a wonderful moment. Maybe you are watching a child open a present… if you take time to ask questions, you will not be focused on the subject, and you could miss an amazing shot. You must be ready to take a photo at moments notice!

4. Do Not Use Flash Indoors

The flash can be a lifesaver, but the light from a flash tends to produce harsh, flat and cold light which is rarely complimentary to the subject you are photographing. Try having your subjects in the photo stand by a window to have a lot of natural light (but do not include the window in your photos as this will throw off your exposure meter). If you are shooting indoors at night time, try and find a room with as much light as possible. Use extra lamps if necessary.

5. Use Flash Outdoors

Flash can be a big help when it comes to shooting outdoors during the day. Even in bright sunlight, forcing your flash to fire can often mean the difference between an okay photo and an amazing masterpiece because having a flash outdoors during the day can help to even out harsh contrasts.

Photo credit: Alissa Saylor Photography

Photo credit: Alissa Saylor Photography

6. Look for Reflections

Focus on capturing reflections rather than the object itself is a great way to add that artistic touch to your holiday photos! Interesting splashes of color, like those that reflect from colorful Christmas lights or holiday decorations may be perfect. If it is a rainy day, a puddle in the street could be great to use.

7. Blur, Swirl and Zoom the Christmas Lights

Most Christmas trees look the same, so why not try something new in your photos to give it that extra magic? Set your camera to a slower shutter speed (anywhere from 1/2 second to 2 or 4 full seconds) and then purposefully move the camera while taking the photo. The intention is to blur the colorful lights… but in order to blur a stationary subject, you must have a slow shutter speed and controlled camera movement.

Photo credit: Kevinandamanda.com

Photo credit: Kevinandamanda.com

8. Give the Gift of a Photo

A family photo is a wonderful and perfect gift idea. Parents and grandparents LOVE family photos and what better time to give them than at Christmastime?

9. Plan Ahead

Just like any other time of year, always make sure your batteries are charged, you have enough film or space on your flash memory card. You would hate to begin shooting that huge family photo and realize you are not totally prepared!

10. Blue Snow Is No Fun!

If you photograph snowy outdoor scenes, most camera meters will be fooled into underexposing the photo. That will leave you with a bluish cast to your snow scene, rather than the beautiful white, bright snow you want.

To overcome this, use your camera’s exposure compensation feature or a manual exposure mode to force an addition 1 to 2 stops of light to reach your film or CCD. If you have a point and shoot camera or a compact digicam, your camera may not feature manual exposure but it will likely have the exposure compensation option.

We hope these tips for better holiday photos has been helpful to you! We hope you each have a very, merry Christmas! Happy photographing!

 

Use these great Holiday Text Overlays on a family portrait and make them perfect for your clients to order as their holiday cards! No need for card templates with this great tool! Purchase Holiday Text Overlays for $75 (a $99.99 value). 

 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE HOLIDAY TEXT OVERLAYS NOW! 

 

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Save Big On A SnapKnot Pro Membership

Check out this awesome deal that SnapKnot is offering for Black Friday! Sign up to the Pro Membership for just $7 for the first month... that is 89% OFF the normal monthly membership!!! What a great deal! 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THIS GREAT OFFER NOW!

A SnapKnot Pro membership is the best, most cost-effective way for you to get yourself in front of new clients and book more weddings. It takes just 5 minutes to create your profile and get listed on SnapKnot. 

As a SnapKnot member, you will have support with you at every step along the way, from profile recommendations to photography education to business tips. You will also get over $400 in VIP partner offers just for being a SnapKnot member. 

What will you get from your SnapKnot membership?

  • Your 1st Month (30 days) of the SnapKnot Pro membership with all the benefits
  • A beautiful personalized profile to display your portfolio with unlimited photos, a link to your website and contact information
  • Display in search results in up to 5 different cities
  • Priority access to new couples via the Lead Match System
  • SnapKnot pro member badge to display on your website and blog
  • Unlimited leads

To read more about this amazing offer that is 89% off the normal monthly membership price, or to read more about SnapKnot, click here. 

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THIS GREAT OFFER NOW!

25% Off Spider Camera Holster Products Through November 30

Change the way you carry your gear with Spider Camera Holster products groundbreaking features, beautiful design and great functionality. Spider Holster is offering 25% off their SpiderPro Hand Strap and other top of the line, high quality camera carrying equipment from November 26-30 at www.SpiderHolster.com when you use code: CG25

The SpiderPro Hand Strap's unique, thin and extremely durable material slides in-between the camera body and any tripod plate, making it the first truly universal hand strap on the market. The camera slot connection is carefully designed and crafted from proprietary materials that allow both a sound connection to the camera body (allowing easy access of user's hand in and out of the strap) and flexibility to handle the controls. 

The Hand Strap's unique curved "S" shape positions the user's hand at optimal shooting position (at 45 degrees to the camera body), allowing easy access to the trigger and all other controls while offering clear access to the battery door and memory card slots. Its combination of design and materials provides real weight support in the correct places: over and above the knuckles, and close to the user's wrist.

The SpiderPro Hand Strap "remembers" and curves to the shape of your hand, providing a high degree of functionality. The high-quality memory foam on the inner side of the strap provides greater comfort over longer periods of time. From November 26-30 enjoy 25% off the SpiderPro Hand Strap with code: CG25 at www.SpiderHolster.com

Spider Holster is a proud sponsor of CameraGiveaways.com! Enter to win a Canon 5DS R, Nikon D810, or Sony a7R II by clicking here! 

Visit Spider Holster online at: 

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40% Off SmugMug Account Through November 30

Here is a great deal for all of your photographers who have wanted to get a SmugMug account! Now through Cyber Monday, get 40% off a SmugMug account! 

Looking for a professional website with a  responsive design that automatically adapts to mobile, tablets and monitors that is easy to use for your business. 

CLICK HERE TO GET 40% OFF AT SMUGMUG NOW! 

To get the 40% off, simply follow this link and then click the green TRY IT NOW button at the top of the page and your discount will be applied once you sign up. 

A Couple's Creative Photos From Opposite Sides Of The World

This couple makes art together called ShinLiArt and their relationship recently became a long distance one where Seok Li is living in Seoul, South Korea and Danbi Shin is living in New York City. Their creativity still lives on as they have not let distance get in the way. They began these creative photos from opposite sides of the world that they post on their Instagram account.  

Their photos feature half-and-half split screen photos that blend their two worlds in beautiful ways. They each have been shooting similar scenes in their cities and then splicing them together to create interesting mashups that show the differences and the similarities of living in South Korea and the USA.

The name of their project is "Half & Half" and the couple says they work on this project together in real time, despite the 12-hour time difference, communicating over the phone and snapping the photos simultaneously. Check out a few of their great photos below that we originally found on Petapixel. 

If you want to follow this project, follow them on Instagram @shinliart. Be sure to check out this couples art on their website www.shinli-art.com. 

Did you love these photos? Here are a few others you may enjoy:

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6 Great Books About Photography

No matter your age, you never want to stop learning and perfecting your craft. Whether you are an amateur photographer still learning the ins and outs or you have been a professional photographer for twenty years, the industry is always changing and there are always new things to learn. Books will always be a great way to learn so today, we wanted to give you a list of a few great books about photography that we hope you will love. 

Pro Secrets to Dramatic Digital Photos

Jim Zuckerman, a photographer known for his vivid, surreal images, provides a lifetime's worth of tricks and techniques for taking photos that will have a WOW factor. 

Click here to purchase Pro Secrets to Dramatic Digital Photos now! 

Road To Seeing

Dan Winters has received more than 100 awards during his photography career and in this book, he shares his journey to becoming a photographer, as well as key moments in his career that have influenced and informed the decisions he has made and the path he has taken. In Dan's book, he helps the reader forge their own "Road To Seeing."

Click here to purchase Road To Seeing now. 

Understanding Exposure, 3rd Ed: How To Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera

This new edition is updated with current technologies, more than 100 new images and an all-new chapter - all that will inspire you to free yourself from "auto" and create the pictures you truly want. 

Click here to purchase Understand Exposure now. 

Digital Wedding Photography: Capturing Beautiful Memories

Written by acclaimed professional wedding photographer Glen Johnson will teach you how to take memorable photos and will show you how to start a wedding photography business. It will help you set up efficient workflows, choose camera equipment, manipulate images, make impressive presentations and launch smart, photo-based marketing strategies to build your business. 

Click here to purchase Digital Wedding Photography now. 

Wildlife Photography: Stories from the Field

By George Lepp, one of today's top nature photographers, comes a very personal book that mixes engaging storytelling with technical know-how. He and his wife describes their exciting and terrifying adventures behind their favorite wildlife images. 

Click here to purchase Wildlife Photography: Stories from the Field now. 

VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography

Do you want to enter the world of vocational photography, staying true to your craft and vision, while fusing that craft with commerce VisionMongers is a great place to begin your journey. 

Click here to purchase Making a Life and a Living in Photography now. 

Have You Entered Our Current CAMERA GIVEAWAY!

If not, be sure to enter here for a chance to win your own camera! Also, enter your info below to to stay up to date on our other giveaways and industry deals and news!






Huge Early Sale - Black Friday Deals

The holidays are upon us and with that comes enjoying times with family and friends, beautiful twinkling lights and seeing the excitement that each child has during this time of year as they anticipate Santa's arrival! Shopping is another huge part of the holiday season because everyone wants to find that perfect gift for the one they love. We are here to help with a list of some huge Black Friday Deals that you want to make sure you do not miss... and be sure to click here for a complete list of all deals being offered during this early sale that ends Thursday, November 19th at midnight.  

These may be perfect as a gift for that photographer in your life. Or, you may just want to purchase something for yourself because it is such a great sale. Whatever your needs, be sure to check out a few of these huge black Friday deals below. 

SEE ALL OF THE EARLY BLACK FRIDAY DEALS HERE!

 

The Beginner's Guide To Lighting

Do you find yourself taking great photos, but there is just one thing off... the lighting? Do you have a hard time understanding aperture, shutter speed, and ISO? This guide is for you! 

Cost: $21.00 (regularly $299.99)

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS GUIDE NOW!

 

All-In-One Welcome Packet Template (1st Edition)

This comprehensive welcome packet by BP4U encompasses a variety of different photography sessions and is perfect for you photographers who specialize in more than one type of photography. This is an easy and quick way to present helpful information to your clients. 

Cost: $16.80 (regularly $239.98)

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS ITEM NOW!

 

Camera Lens Coffee Cup

If you are a photo enthusiasts or know someone who is, then this is the PERFECT accessory to add to your collection. 

Cost: $14.94 (regularly $24.95)

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS MUG NOW!

 

Contracts and Forms For Photographers - Volume 2

These basic contract outlines help you with all the details you need for each client. You should have your lawyer look it over to make sure that it fits all of the requirements for your state/country! 

Cost: $20.93 (regularly $299.99)

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS ITEM NOW! 

Marketing Made Easy

These are proven tactics to increase business and client traffic. Whether you are running a Cyber Monday sale, have a new product to market or offering a new type of photo session? Then these templates are for you! 

Cost: $17.50 (regularly $249.99)

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS ITEM NOW! 

 

Photographer Blog Posts Made Easy! 

We all know how important a blog is in today's world. This guide not only takes the hassle out of writing blog posts, but also delivers the 4-1-1 to your clients, 

Cost: $21.00 (regularly $299.99)

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS ITEM NOW!

 

Posing Workflow For Family Portraits

Capturing beautiful, wall-worthy photos is easier said than done when photographing a family. This guide walks you through dozens of posing ideas, complete with over 125 detailed photos. 

Cost: $28 (regularly $399.99)

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS ITEM NOW! 

The Ultimate Season Action Bundle

No matter what type of weather, season or lighting condition you had while taking your photos, these actions are perfect and can help your photos look like you hope. These will work with ALL versions of Photoshop and Elements. 

Cost: $35 (regularly $499.99)

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE THIS ITEM NOW!