33 Free Tutorials for Photoshop, Lightroom, and ACR

If you’re interested in learning more about photo editing, but aren’t sure where to begin, you’ve come to right place! This neat and tidy list of 33 Free Tutorials for Photoshop, Lightroom, and ACR will not only get you started learning, but it’s also a convenient way to save all these tutorials for later.
Perfect for pinning, so you can check them out over and over again!
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photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

 

Click any of the links below to get started!
You’ll find the Photoshop Tutorials listed first, with Lightroom & ACR tutorials toward the bottom.
Happy learning!

1. USING AND UNDERSTANDING LAYER MASKS IN PHOTOSHOP

2. MY FAVORITE PHOTOSHOP TOOLS

3. CREATING A FILM-STYLE B&W EDIT IN PHOTOSHOP

4. A QUICK LOOK AT CURVES ADJUSTMENTS IN PHOTOSHOP

5. HOW TO USE THE LIQUIFY TOOL IN PHOTOSHOP

6. HOW TO USE THE CROP TOOL IN PHOTOSHOP

7. ONE WAY TO REMOVE CHROMATIC ABERRATION IN PHOTOSHOP

8. BLANKET COLOR CHANGE PHOTOSHOP TUTORIAL

9. THE BENEFIT OF USING GROUPS IN PHOTOSHOP

10. HOW TO TURN A TEXT WATERMARK INTO A PHOTOSHOP BRUSH

11. USING THE GRADIENT TOOL ON A LAYER MASK IN PHOTOSHOP

12. ADDING LIP COLOR IN PHOTOSHOP ( PLUS A FREE ACTION! )

13. ADDING A SUBTLE VIGNETTE IN PHOTOSHOP

14. USING SOLID COLOR LAYERS IN PHOTOSHOP TO CREATE A MATTE LOOK

15. CONTRAST IN LUMINOSITY BLEND MODE IN PHOTOSHOP

16. PAINTING TO CHANGE COLOR IN PHOTOSHOP

17. ADDING A COLORFUL BLOCK OF NEGATIVE SPACE TO YOUR IMAGE IN PHOTOSHOP

18. BELIEVABLE BACKGROUND BLURRING IN PHOTOSHOP

19. HOW TO CREATE A SIDE-BY-SIDE COLLAGE IN PHOTOSHOP

20. HOW TO ADD TEXT ON A CURVE IN PHOTOSHOP

21. HOW TO DELETE POP UP INSTRUCTIONS IN YOUR PHOTOSHOP ACTIONS

22. HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN TEMPLATE AND USE CLIPPING MASKS IN PHOTOSHOP

23. HOW TO APPLY TEXTURES AND OVERLAYS IN PHOTOSHOP

24. HOW TO RETRIEVE DETAILS FROM A HAZY IMAGE IN PHOTOSHOP IN THREE STEPS

25. ADDING A FALLING RAIN EFFECT TO YOUR IMAGES IN PHOTOSHOP

26. AN EASY WAY TO APPLY SKY OVERLAYS IN PHOTOSHOP

27. HOW TO BATCH EDIT IN PHOTOSHOP

28. HOW TO BATCH EDIT IN ADOBE CAMERA RAW

29. HOW TO PAINT IN LIGHT USING ADOBE CAMERA RAW (OR LIGHTROOM)

30. HOW TO STRAIGHTEN AN IMAGE IN ADOBE CAMERA RAW

31. HOW TO REDUCE NOISE IN ADOBE CAMERA RAW (OR LIGHTROOM)

32. CREATING A MATTE EFFECT IN LIGHTROOM (LR3 & UP or ACR)

33. INSTALLING AND USING LIGHTROOM PRESETS AND ADJUSTMENT BRUSHES

Need more? Click here for 18 more Free Tutorials!

If you enjoyed the tutorials above, but are looking for a more structured way to learn, I’d love to invite you to join me for my online Photoshop course, The Photoshop Fanatic.
The Photoshop Fanatic is an easy-to-follow, go-at-your-own-pace course that starts from the very beginning of Photoshop– with a walk-through introduction and explanation of the various tools, layers, and filters in the program, showing you exactly how to use them, and then building on that knowledge to show you how to achieve full, in-depth edits with ease.
If you’re interested, you can click here to read more.

What Is the Best Nikon Portrait Lens?

photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

If you’re into shooting portraits and wondering what the best Nikon portrait lens is, read on.
We’ll compare some of Nikon’s best optics and show you the best Nikon portrait lens out there for your photography needs.

What to Look for When Choosing a Nikon lens

There are a few crucial elements that you need to consider when you’re looking for the best Nikon portrait lens. Let’s go through each of them to help you decide which option to buy.

Distortion

Most lenses suffer from one type of distortion or another. Even some of the most expensive ones have it.
Ideally, you need to find the best optics with minimal warping. After all, you wouldn’t want your subject’s face to end up looking disfigured.

Sharpness

Every photographer wants their lens to be as sharp as possible. But the reality is that the quality of the optics varies a lot even if it comes from the same manufacturer. The best way to figure this out is to research the lenses you’re into, and find out if they’re prone to soft focus.
Or check out our list of lenses below.

Bokeh

When shooting portraits, it’s essential to separate your subject from the background. And the best way to do that is to blur whatever is behind them. Each lens produces a distinct background blur (a.k.a. bokeh).
In most cases, the fuzzier it looks, the better the photos it creates. Always look for options that can create that specific effect.

Size/Weight

The size and weight of your portrait lens can affect the way you work. You don’t want it to be too heavy because it can get tiring lugging it around all day.
But you also don’t want it too light because it could easily break while you’re working.

Price

Portrait lenses are expensive in general. Most of them cost between a few hundred to several thousand dollars. If you are planning to do professional work, then invest in a high-end lens. But it’s okay to buy an affordable lens if you’re starting out and want to dabble in portraiture.
We’ll show you different options to help you decide which one you want no matter your budget.

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G

Want to get serious about portraiture but don’t have enough money to buy a professional portrait lens? Well, you can always start with the 50mm f/1.8. What makes this a fantastic option is the fact that it’s cheap. You can get one for about $200 brand new, and less than $100 for a used lens.
Another advantage of the 50mm is that it’s an all-around lens. You can use it for anything from street photography to portraiture. Its focal length is short enough to get you real close to your subject. But it’s also long enough that it doesn’t have the distortion shorter lenses such as the 35mm or 24mm have.
The downside is that it’s plasticky and it’s not weather-sealed. So you may have to keep it safe from the elements so you could use it for a long time. And although it doesn’t have the amount of distortion of other lenses, it can still cause some minimal warping.

Pros:

• Consistently produces sharp photos;
• Maximum aperture of f/1.8 lets you shoot in low light;
• Small size means you can carry it with you anywhere.

Cons:

• Although its distortion is minimal, it could still affect the look of your portraits;
• Doesn’t allow you to get tight shots of the face;
• Background blur isn’t as prominent as other portrait lenses.

Nikon 24-85mm F/3.5-4.5G

Not used to prime lenses or crave the convenience of a zoom lens? Then the Nikon 24-85mm is for you. It’s not a kit lens per se, so it produces better quality photos. But at the same time, it feels familiar to most beginners because it’s so easy to use.
From another point of view, the 24-85mm is not the best lens for portraits. It has a maximum aperture of F/3.5 which makes it terrible for low-light situations. And also, it starts with 24mm, which distorts people’s faces.
So why is it on our list then? Because it’s affordable at less than $500 brand new and as low as $150 used. It’s also a quality portrait lens if you only shoot between 50 and 85mm.
If you don’t have enough money to buy expensive optics, you’ll realize the Nikon 24-85mm is a great choice.

Pros:

• Price and usability is accessible to regular camera enthusiasts.
• Range of focal lengths makes it perfect for different types of portraiture.
• Portability and light weight makes it easy to carry around anywhere.

Cons:

• Plastic body makes it look cheap.
• Quality of optics doesn’t compare to prime lenses.

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8

Don’t like the fact that you can’t go any lower than 50mm when using the 24-85mm? If you want more flexibility with your portraits, then take a look at the 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.
Around $2,700 brand new, the 70-200mm is more expensive than the 50mm or the 24-85mm. But the price is justifiable because this is one of the best zoom lenses available on the market today. And if it’s way beyond your price range, you can still buy a used one for $700 or less.
The 70-200mm is a workhorse. Its zoom function lets you get close to your subject without much distortion. And because it can get up to 200mm, it’s capable of creating creamy bokeh for your portraits.

Pros:

• A wide range of focal lengths to let you shoot up close or from afar;
• Maximum aperture of f/2.8 makes it a great performer in low light;
• Rigid construction equates to improved durability.

Cons:

• Length and weight can bog you down if you’re shooting all day;
• Focus ring is in a different position on the lens which can be confusing for long-time Nikon users.

Nikon 85mm f/1.4G

The 85mm is among the best Nikon lenses for portraits for many reasons. First is its ideal focal length. It allows you to take tight shots of the face without visible distortion. It also allows you to be far enough from your subject and still achieve intimate results.
The 85mm bokeh qualities are what makes it a favorite among portrait photographers. It creates sharp photos even when shooting at its maximum aperture of f/1.4. As a result, it creates a creamy background blur that makes the subject pop.
Another benefit of using the 85mm is the fact that it’s not a big lens. That means, it’s easy to transport, and it doesn’t weigh you down when you’re shooting all day. So it’s no wonder it’s the go-to lens of many wedding and event photographers. And at $1,500, it’s not a bad investment at all.

Pros:

• The robust weather-sealed body makes it suitable for any condition;
• Ergonomic design feels good on your hands even when shooting all day;
• Minimal distortion ensures your subject’s face appears the way it should.

Cons:

• Slow autofocus may cause you to miss a few good moments;
• Lacks aperture ring which makes it incompatible with most manual cameras;
• Fixed focal length can sometimes make it challenging to shoot up close.

Nikon 135 f/2 DC

The DC on this lens stands for Defocus Control, which is a fancy way of saying that it allows you to manipulate bokeh. So if you love background blur, this should be a part of your collection. It’s a one-of-a-kind lens, so it’s mind-boggling that it only costs less than $1,500 and not more.
The Nikon 135 DC has a unique ring that can control the bokeh of either your background or foreground. And you can even manipulate it to soften your main subject if you wish.
If you don’t want to use Defocus Control, you can always set it to zero and keep it locked. Once you disable this feature, it becomes an ordinary lens that creates sharp results.
People tend to misuse the DC a lot because they think it is only for soft focus images. What they don’t realize is that it’s one of the best Nikon portrait lenses they could ever own.

Pros:

• Perfect focal length for tight headshots;
• Special Defocus Control Ring provides a lot of artistic possibilities;
• 9 blade diaphragm adds to the creamy background blur.

Cons:

• Confusing to use if you’re not familiar with the lens;
• Old design means it lacks optical stabilization and other modern features;
• All metal body can weigh you down.

Conclusion

The best portrait lens for Nikon depends on the type of photography you do. If you’re a hobbyist eager to take photos of people, you can start with either the 50mm or the 24-85mm. Once you’re ready to step up your game, you can invest in the 85mm, 70-200mm, or the Nikon 135mm.
Before you shell out some money, weigh the pros and cons of each option. That way, you get the most out of whichever best Nikon lens you choose.

A note from Josh, ExpertPhotography's Photographer-In-Chief: Thank you for reading... CLICK HERE if you want to capture breathtaking images, without the frustration of a complicated camera. It's my training video that will walk you how to use your camera's functions in just 10 minutes - for free! I also offer video courses and ebooks covering the following subjects:

• Beginner - Intermediate Photography eBook
• Beginner - Intermediate Photography Video Course
• Landscape Photography eBook
• Landscape Photography Video Course
• Photography Blogging (Service)

You could be just a few days away from finally understanding how to use your camera to take great photos! Thanks again for reading our articles!

Chad Verzosa

Chad Verzosa is a writer and photographer from Florida, United States. He likes to travel, write, and take photos.

Courtesy of : ExpertPhotography

Thanks for stopping by my blog.  As I research the web for interesting articles, occasionally I find an article or blog that really grabs my attention.  I found this one "MagazineMoma.com" on Pinterest.

photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

I particularly liked the free Photography guide they offer,

"How to Make Money Teaching Photography Classes"

 

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Are you looking for photography marketing ideas to grow your photography business in 2019? Check out my over 25 photography marketing templates and welcome guide templates. They will help you stand out from your competition, save you time and help you get more clients. #photographymarketing #photographymarketingtemplates

 

Here's more from MagazineMama:

 

Photography Marketing Ideas

Do you want to know how to market your photography business? Do you ask yourself: how do I get clients for my photography fast?  Then read these tips:

To get noticed by customers and stand out as a photographer, you need to get your name out there. Marketing is essential for every photographer, regardless of how long you’ve been working in the industry, but even more so if you’re just getting started.
Taking great photos is not enough to get you noticed as a photographer. You’re going to need to think outside the box and test out several different approaches if you want to make a name for yourself.
This guide was designed to give you the inspiration you need to develop a unique marketing strategy for your photography business.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Blogging:

1.  Offer to write a guest post on a local website in your niche. Find a few blogs or websites that have viewers in your niche and offer to submit a guest blog post.  This can be beneficial on both local and national blogs or sites. It’s a way to showcase your expertise and get your photos published.
2.  Blog Your Sessions:Consistently blog your photography sessions. Be sure to use the keywords of your photoshoot location, especially if it’s a wedding venue and a place where your ideal clients get married.
3.  Feature Others on Your Blog. Jot down the names of a few leading industry experts and interview them for your blog. Send them a link to the interview that they can share on their social media platforms. The result is instant marketing for your photography business.
4.  Blog to Educate Your Clients. Blogging is another way to educate your clients and create content that can be shared across media channels and within your e-mail newsletters. Not only is it a great way to be known as an expert, it also helps your sessions go smoother. If you're busy and don't have time to write your own blog posts, you can find some pre-written blog posts for photographers here.  Or if you're a wedding photographer, you can find pre-written wedding photography blog posts here.
5.  SEO Still Works. When you are blogging, don’t forget to include your keywords.  If you need help finding appropriate keywords you can use sites such as SEM Rush or keywordtool.io.  Don’t forget that your blog isn’t the only place you need to focus on SEO; keywords play a big part in getting found on Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Working with Non-profit Organizations

6. Volunteer for Non-profits. Find a non-profit organization that is near and dear to you and ask them if they need a photographer.  When you offer to help someone else, they will more than likely want to help you in return.
7. Donate to Non-profits.Non-profit organizations often host high ticket fund raising events and need prizes to bid on for silent auctions.  Put together a special session with a high dollar value and donate it to a non-profit for their silent auction.  If possible have a giveaway for people to enter to win so you can collect names, e-mails and addresses of potential clients.  When you follow up with them after the event, don’t forget to remind them how you got their information. This tactic is great if you are looking for clients at a higher price point as people who attend fund raising events will likely have a higher income.  When working with non-profits, try to find a non-profit that is related to the genre of photography services you offer.  For example, if you’re a pet photographer, it would make sense to team up with an animal shelter.  Or if you’re a women’s headshot photographer, team up with a non-profit that helps women with cancer and offer to do headshots and photos to help women feel beautiful even with all they are going through.

Photography Marketing Ideas: E-mail Marketing

8. Offer a FREEBIE.  Offer a free download on your website. This could be a simple pdf such as "How to Look Great in Photos."  By opting in to receive the download, potential clients are agreeing to receive your future e-mails.
9. Send Annual E-mail reminders. Each year should bring updated headshots and family photos. Set up a reminder calendar for the following year to encourage repeat business from your clients.
10. Send Monthly E-mail Newsletters. Keep top of mind with your clients and potential photography clients by sending out a monthly e-mail newsletter.
11. Send Weekly E-mails. In addition to your monthly e-mail newsletter, consider sending out an e-mail at least once a week to your e-mail subscribers. It doesn’t always have to be about a promotion; it can be a simple e-mail sharing a testimonial from a previous client or a link to a recent blog post. If you need some pre-written marketing e-mails, check out this bundle here.
Want FREE training on E-mail Marketing for Photographers? Click here.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Referral Marketing

12. Word of Mouth Marketing.  Get your current clients to help you spread the word about your photography business. Offer them a special on their next session or offer to throw in something extra like a free print.
13. Have a Referral Page in Your Welcome Guide. Dedicate a page in your photography welcome guide specifically for marketing your referral program. Offer a percentage off on their next photo session for every “x” number of clients they refer to you.
14. Get Referrals from Other Small Business Owners. Clients aren’t the only place referrals can come from.  Talk to some business owners in your area and see if they need marketing photos or headshots for their website. Let them know about your referral program.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Networking with Other Businesses

15. Organize a Giveaway. Talk to some local business owners in your area and put together a prize package. Create posters announcing the contest with each of your business names and logos on it. You could even consider contacting your local tv or radio station and let them know about the giveaway and get some good old-fashioned PR.
16. Create a Co-op Photography Marketing Piece. Design a postcard, flyer, brochure or magazine insert that features some of the photos from your vendor shoots.
17. Network with Other Photographers. Many photographers feel intimidated by their competition, but if you work together, you may be able to help each other out.  Look for photographers in your area that have a similar style to yours and ask them if they’d be interested in meeting for coffee.  Get to know them and if you have a photography inquiry on a date you are booked, send them the referral. You may find that they will start sending referrals your way, too!
18. Display your Photography in Shops and Local Businesses. Ask your local cafes, salons, gift shops, florists, pet stores or real estate agents if they would display your photography in their shop. Perhaps you reach out to a florist in your area and offer to photograph some of their bouquets and then give them a framed canvas to hang in their shop. Don’t forget to ask them to display your welcome guides or marketing materials in exchange for the complimentary wall art.
19. Share Album Samples with Businesses.Make a list of venues or businesses you want to work with and create sample photo books for them to keep. Don’t forget to include your logo, website address and contact details somewhere on the samples that can easily been seen by the potential client.  Make sure that it’s a venue that you enjoy working with and that the clients would be able to afford your photography services. Refresh your sample books every 6 – 9 months to keep them looking professional and to ensure that they aren’t placed at the bottom of a pile of similar books. Showcasing your work at venues is like social media marketing for photographers - you need to regularly update your material to stay top of mind.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Teach a Photography Class

20. Teach Photography to Kids and Moms. Not only will this idea help get you more clients indirectly, it will also help you earn some extra cash in your not-so-busy seasons. You know when people come to learn photography that they most likely love photography themselves. Who better to market to?  I’m not talking hard sell marketing here. Just show you are an expert by teaching them the basics of photography. You can have your work on display at the class and even collect potential client leads.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Social Media

21. Facebook Marketing.All types of photographers can benefit from Facebook marketing. Facebook is considered a “pay to play” platform but you can still get lots of reach if you post the right content at the right times.
22. Host a Facebook Group.Consider creating a private Facebook group for your clients as a place for them to ask questions about their upcoming sessions. If you offer wedding photography services, create a special Facebook group for your couples. It’s a great way for them to ask you questions and interact with each other.  The bonus is you get to be a fly on the wall of their conversations and get to know your ideal client even better. If you want to join my private Facebook group with other photographers, you can click here to join. It's totally FREE!
23. Pinterest Marketing. Wedding planning is a hot topic on Pinterest, so if you are a wedding photographer or destination wedding photographer, you will definitely want to take advantage of this platform. You can also use Pinterest as a way to create inspiration boards for your clients’ photo sessions.
24. Instagram Marketing. Instagram is a great way to connect with new potential clients. You can use apps such as Linktree to link to different portfolios if you offer more than one type of photography. Try using scheduling tool such as Tailwind where you can schedule to post on multiple social media platforms at the same time.  Bonus tip: find an Instagram influencer in your area and offer to shoot some photos in exchange for some publicity on their Instagram account.
25. Connect with Clients on LinkedIn. Using LinkedIn as a way to connect to other business owners is especially helpful if you are a headshot photographer or personal branding photographer. Look at your current LinkedIn Connections. Have you noticed that many of them need updated or professional headshots? Send an email to all of your connections and offer them a special package for headshots. Remind them how important it is to look good, especially in front of colleagues and potential employers.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Printed Marketing Materials

26. Postcards.  Send out yearly reminders for your clients to get updated photos for the new year or family photos during the holidays.
27. Include Great Content in Your Photography Welcome Guides or Brochures. Content marketing is huge when it comes to booking clients. Including helpful, relevant content in your photography welcome guide will help you stand out as the expert in your area. Bonus, it will also help make your sessions run smoother.
28. Place Your Welcome Guides in Local Businesses.  Many of my Magazine Mama customers are using this tactic. For example, some birth, newborn or maternity photographers will place their welcome guides in doctors' offices while one of my senior photographers placed her welcome guide in orthodontists' offices.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Referral Marketing

29. Client Testimonials.  Feature your best client testimonials on your website, your blog and social media accounts. Bonus tip: use your testimonials in your advertising and use the same words or phrases from them throughout your marketing materials to appeal to more ideal clients just like them.
30. Use your pricing as a marketing strategy. Keep in mind that if you're in a low pricing range there's a chance you could be viewed as an amateur photographer. If you want to get photography clients that will pay for your experience, creativity, and expertise, then you want your pricing structure to reflect this.  There's an old saying you get what you pay for and sometimes people let that guide their purchasing decisions.
31. Send Out Thank Hand Written Thank You Cards. Sending out hand written thank you cards to your clients can make them feel extra special.  You can send a thank you card after a potential client meeting or after a photo session.  Your clients will notice that extra special touch that makes you stand out from your competition.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Host Events

32. In Home Shopping Party: Have you been to a jewelry or makeup party at someone’s house? If so, then you know that wine, friends and shopping can be profitable. Try organizing a shopping experience with your photography studio and partner with a few of those local businesses.  Holidays are a great time for parties because people need to buy gifts, but you don’t have to wait for a holiday to have an excuse to throw a party.
33. Mom’s Night Out Events: Partner with other businesses and host a mom’s night out event. You could have mommy makeovers or even mommy and me mini sessions.
34 Happy Hour Event. You can spin happy hour events in many different ways. For example, you could have a “Headshots Happy Hour” event or even a “Bridal Happy Hour."  The key here is to combine forces with a couple other complimentary businesses and you each reach out to your client base to bring in attendees.
35. Facebook Fridays/Social Media Saturdays. Choose one weekend a month and host a a social media event where people can come and get updated photos for their social media profiles.
36. Mini Session Events. Some photographers have mini sessions every month. And this can be a great marketing idea for your photography business as long as you keep in mind the ultimate goal of your mini session should be to bring “new” clients through the door as opposed to always giving your current clients mini sessions.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Your Photography Website

37. Build a Portfolio Around Your Ideal Client.  Remember who your ideal clients are when you are selecting which images to include in your website portfolio.  Make sure all the photos in your portfolio reflect your ideal client. If you want to shoot small intimate weddings, then showcase small intimate weddings. If you need to, consider setting up a themed photoshoot specifically to get photos that will speak to your ideal client.
38. Collect E-mail Addresses.  Make sure your website has the capability of collecting e-mail addresses.  The location you choose to place your e-mail newsletter sign-up form can affect your results. If possible, choose an area that is visible on every page of your website.  An example would be on the footer or in a margin column of your blog.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Great Customer Service

39. Maintain Great Customer Service.  Want to get more repeat clients and referrals?  Provide excellent customer service.  Limit the number of photoshoots you book so you have more time to provide excellent customer service to your clients.  You may need to increase your prices to make up for the limited number of photography sessions. Going the extra mile will help you generate referrals since happy and satisfied clients are more likely to recommend you.
40. Follow Up.  Don’t forget to follow up with current clients and potential clients. Let’s say someone has e-mailed you as an inquiry.  You respond and then don’t hear back from them.  Reach out and ask them why. Sometimes people just get busy and appreciate when people take the initiative to reach out to them.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Get Featured 

41. Get Your Photos Published in a Magazine. Try to get your photos published in a printed magazine. Photography clients, especially wedding clients, like to know their photographer was featured in popular publications. I was lucky to get my photos featured in People Magazine which helped take my business to a whole new level. Make sure the photos you submit are in line with the publication's core values and target audience. Don’t send images that the publisher hasn’t requested; you will just be wasting your time and theirs. Don’t watermark your images.
42. Get Your Photos Featured on a Blog. Printed magazines aren’t the only place you can be featured. Blogs are equally important. Look for blogs that your ideal client would be reading. They can be national blogs or smaller local blogs.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Give FREE Prints

43. Give Away Proof Prints. With so many people living in the online and digital world, it’s nice to actually have hard copy prints of photos. Print out some extra proofs for clients with your logo and contact information for them to give away to family and friends.  They will love the added surprise prints and now your work is being passed around to their family members and potential clients.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Location Matters

44. Rent a Studio and Market as an Established Professional. If you have the opportunity to be part of a co-op studio, you may want to consider this as a marketing strategy, especially if the location is in an area that gets lots of foot traffic.  Display samples of your photos in the window or have your logo on the door.  By renting a studio space or a meeting room in a nice office building, you can professionally meet with your clients and give them the proper presentation to help market and sell your photography services. This is also a great idea if you use the in-person sales business model.
45. Market Your Business as “Mobile.”  If you work with people that have busy schedules, it might make more sense to go to them instead of asking them to come to your studio. Consider setting up a backdrop and lights at a local co-work office space and offer headshots once a month. You may also want to adopt the mobile truck strategy. If your clients are busy moms with young children, offer to do in-home lifestyle sessions. You can even charge a premium price if you are coming to them as it is more custom.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Trade Shows

46. Attend a Trade Show in Your Niche. Set up a booth at a local trade show. Don’t forget your main objective of the trade show will be to collect leads. Have a giveaway for people to enter.
47. Place Marketing Pieces in Trade Show Bags.  If you’re unable to attend the trade show or if the cost is more than what you want to pay, ask if they have bags they give to attendees that you could insert your printed marketing pieces in.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Have a Contest

48. Have a Contest on Social Media. Have a contest on social media to grow your social media following. If you’re a wedding photographer, have the couples submit their story of how they met and choose the most creative one. You could also have entrants submit a photo and pick the best one.

Photography Marketing Ideas: Video Marketing

49. Facebook Live. If you have a Facebook page, it’s a great idea to go live so your audience can connect with you. You can take them behind the scenes at a session, show them what you do to prepare for a session, or show them your steps in editing photos. You could also have an “unboxing” of a client’s finished albums before you deliver them to your client.
50. YouTube. YouTube is a great place to host your videos. You can create educational videos for your clients to teach them how to pose or share steps to prepare for their session. Consider taking some of your blog posts and turning them into videos. You could also put together a slideshow from specific locations you’ve shot at. Don’t forget to add keywords and a link back to your site within your videos’ descriptions. You can subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking here.
51. Video Slideshows. Animoto is a popular platform used by photographers to create slideshow videos of their sessions. These are great for posting on your social media profiles or for sending to your clients for them to share with friends and family. Make sure to brand your videos and include a link back to your website.
52. Facebook Video Marketing. If you’re doing any type of advertising or marketing on Facebook, you may know that you can get more reach when posting videos on your Facebook page. You can also build an audience of people who have viewed your videos and use this as an audience for your Facebook advertising.
When it comes to establishing yourself as a professional photographer, creativity and consistency will take you far. Once your calendar starts filling up and you have a steady stream of income, don’t fall into the trap of becoming complacent. Keep thinking of new and innovative ways to market to new and existing customers and watch your business thrive!

  I think we can all agree, "MagazineMama" is a fantastic site.  When you visit them, please let them know where you heard about them. 'til next time, Happy Shutterbugging. 

How to save money on photography gear

photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

 

Some of the most powerful images are shot with a small or nonexistent production budget. But that doesn’t exactly change the cost of lenses, prints, memory cards and all the other expenses that come along with photography. Thankfully, there’s a new way to save money on all that gear.

Here’s the trick: Wikibuy.

If you don’t already know, Wikibuy is a popular Chrome extension that automatically finds coupon codes and discounts while you shop at Best Buy, Jet, Shutterfly, Adorama or B&H. Then at checkout, it magically applies one to your cart. All you do is click the notification, and Wikibuy does the work. It takes literally zero effort to save money.

Not only does Wikibuy find coupon codes, but it also compares prices on Amazon. While you shop, it checks hundreds of other sellers like Adorama and Walmart to find a better price, including shipping + tax.

The best part? It’s totally free. Do yourself (and your wallet) a favor and get Wikibuy HERE:

 https://wikibuy.com/blog/how-i-save-money-on-photography-gear

 

 

 

 

 

What Vivian Maier Saw in Color

By Andrea K. Scott

photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

“A photograph is a secret about a secret,” Diane Arbus said. In the case of Vivian Maier, the photographer was a secret, too. From the nineteen-fifties until a few years before she died, in 2009, destitute at the age of eighty-three, Maier took at least a hundred and fifty thousand pictures, mostly in Chicago, and showed them to nobody. It’s telling, perhaps, that one of her favorite motifs was to shoot her own shadow. For decades, she supported herself as a nanny in the wealthy enclaves of the city. But her real work was roaming the streets with her camera (often with her young charges in tow), capturing images of sublime spontaneity, wit, and compositional savvy. When pressed about her occupation by a man she once knew, Maier didn’t describe herself as a nanny. She said, “I am sort of a spy.” All the best street photographers are.

Maier’s covert work might have languished in obscurity if not for the chance acquisition, in 2007, of a cache of negatives, prints, contact sheets, and unprocessed rolls of film, all seized from a storage locker because she fell behind on the rent. When John Maloof, a Chicago real-estate agent, bought the material, everything about Maier’s identity was a mystery except for her name. It was only when he ran across her death notice, two years later, that her story began to unfold. (His wonderful documentary on the subject, “Finding Vivian Maier,” was nominated for an Academy Award in 2015.) Maier shot in both color and black-and-white; perhaps to establish her credibility as a “serious” artist, the first of her pictures to be widely disseminated were the latter. Now that Maier has earned her place alongside Arbus, Robert Frank, Lee Friedlander, Lisette Model, Garry Winogrand, and other giants of the American street, a new book, “Vivian Maier: The Color Work,” and a related exhibition at Howard Greenberg Gallery (opening on November 14th) consider her eye for the vivid.

Chicago, 1978.

Maier is such an original artist that it feels a like a cheat to play games of compare and contrast. But, leafing through the book, it’s remarkable how often other photographers spring to mind. On an unknown date, at the Art Institute of Chicago, she pulled a Thomas Struth when she documented a mother (a nanny?) and a child staring raptly at a painting on the wall, both dressed in navy and white; the composition is centrally anchored by another child staring, defiantly, directly at Maier. In another image, a red-headed boy, who sucks his thumb while slumped against a wood-panelled wall on which four framed handguns are hanging, could be the shy, sullen cousin of Arbus’s manic boy with a toy hand grenade. The detached bumper and crash-crumpled metal of a Volkswagen Beetle, shot in Chicagoland in 1977, assumes sculptural proportions that invite thoughts of Arnold Odermatt, the Swiss policeman whose forensic photos of automobile accidents deserve to be more widely known.

Location unknown, 1960.

The Beetle was yellow, a color that brings out Maier’s best. In 1975, she took one of her shadow self-portraits against a green lawn dotted with little gold blossoms; cropped by the lens, the dainty, painterly landscape splits the difference between a Warhol silkscreen of flowers and the allover compositions of AbEx. (Note that Maier was shooting her shadow in the nineteen-fifties, roughly a decade before Friedlander, who is renowned for the gesture, did the same.) The same year, she came across two men on a sidewalk—one standing, one striding—both wearing canary shorts and lemon-fizz socks. To their right is a woman in a sensibly dark woolly cardigan and a daffodil-colored skirt. Their outfits are almost absurdly sunny, but not one of them is smiling.

Maier can pack an entire short story’s worth of details into a single frame. Consider the overly tan, skin-baring couple shot in an unknown location in 1960. They stand peeping through two cruciform holes in a high wall separating them from a swimming pool. The woman’s dingy white curls echo the hue of the stucco; his peeling, freckled back repeats its mottled texture. The ruched fabric of her bitter-orange bathing suit is the same palette and pattern as a poolside cushion in the near distance. Past the man’s ear, there’s a lively brunette whose blue one-piece is a shade darker than the water below. She’s thrown her arms in the air, as if describing a wild night at a party. The elderly pair are on the outside looking in, and it’s worse than having their noses pressed against glass—they can smell the chlorine. When you see that she’s clutching a wrinkly brown paper bag, the mise en scène becomes somehow sadder.





One question that has dogged the discovery of Maier’s photography is how a lowly nanny could make such high art. Let’s call that sexism. I’ve never heard anyone ask how another exceptional Chicago outsider, the visionary writer and artist Henry Darger, could have produced his fifteen-thousand-page magnum opus while holding down a job as a janitor. The photographer Joel Meyerowitz contributed a foreword to the new book, a canny choice given that, like Maier, he learned how to shoot on the streets. He also co-wrote (with Colin Westerbeck, who also contributes an essay) an esteemed volume on the genre, “Bystander: A History of Street Photography.” He concludes, rightly, that “Maier was an early poet of color photography.” But he also floats a wince-inducing theory about her knack for snatching secrets, what he terms all great street photographers’ “cloak of invisibility”: “She’s as plain as an old-fashioned schoolmarm. She’s the wallflower, the spinster aunt, the ungainly tourist in the big city . . . except . . . she isn’t!” Has Henri Cartier-Bresson’s “decisive moment” ever been defined in terms of his looks?

 

 

 

 

• Andrea K. Scott is the art editor of Goings On About Town and has profiled the artists Cory Arcangel and Sarah Sze for the magazine.
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Processing Black & White Film

Great Guide On How To Get Great Looking Photos

 

photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

By Miranda

Do you have a budding interest in photography with no clue about how to take those crisp, beautiful shots? Do you know how to get the perfect lighting and angles? Even those with a measure of experience can benefit from the advice of others, including the tips you’ll find here.
Choose the subject of your photo. A good photo is like a little window into specific characteristics of your subject. Do not try to show too much. If you are trying to capture an impression, take a couple of photographs instead of just one singe picture that has no detail or focus.
Skies that are overcast should be avoided in photographs. If your photos contain too much gray sky they will appear washed-out and muted. If you find yourself shooting into overcast skies, taking classic, black and white photos may be your best option. If the sky is blue and beautiful, include it as much as you want, but pay attention to the light.
Experiment with new ways to use your camera, and take some original pictures. When you take photographs, you should be working to develop your own personal style. You want to show the photographed item through your point of view. Stay away from taking the same type of picture that you have viewed a million times over. Find unique angles, and do not be afraid to let your creative side loose.
When it comes to photography, framing is key. Zoom in on your subject and eliminate any surrounding distractions. This helps your photo remain clutter-free without distracting elements.
As a photographer, it is important that you keep your batteries well charged so you never have to miss out on the opportunity to take a great picture. Digital cameras consume a lot of battery life, particularly when you use the LCD screen; therefore, be sure that your batteries are charged fully before you need to use your camera. Another great idea would be carry an extra set of batteries for the camera so you don’t miss your shot.
Nobody says you cannot move around your subject to search for an interesting shot. Try getting shots of the subject from all around it, like above it or below it and so on.
Stay still while you press the shutter. Don’t even breathe. You could ruin your shot by accidentally moving. Make sure to square up your shot and hold your breath before hitting a shutter button.
Challenge your preconceived notions regarding expressions, perspective and even scale. Even an ordinary object can be transformed into a work of art if its setting makes it appear dramatically magnified or diminished in size or placed in a situation that is humorous or unique. Develop your compositions in order to create a unique outlook on a common object.
To take more unique pictures, try using limitation. One way is to limit your shots for a whole day to subjects that express a single idea. Choose a single position in the room and make an effort to shoot 100 entirely different pictures. Another alternative is to take 100 photographs within a single location, like a store or a park. Having these limitations in place can make you be more creative and think outside of the box.
Be conscious of the natural light. When taking outdoor photos, pick a time when the sunlight is low; generally late afternoon or early morning is best. If your subject is facing into the sun, it can distort the picture with shadows, and can also make it hard for your subject to keep a relaxed face. Consider a position where your subject has the sun shining on them from the side.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not a good idea to wear white for a photo. A majority of cameras use autofocus, which tries to interpret all the different shades within the pictures. It is almost inevitable for white garments to appear washed out in pictures.
Try to avoid setting your digital camera to the lowest settings in order to fit more photos on the camera because you will sacrifice print quality. The only time to use lower settings is when you know the images will only be displayed on your computer screen.
When shooting landscapes, make sure that something interesting appears in the photo’s foreground. Even something seemingly routine, such as rock formations or tree leaves, can add interesting elements to your images. The enhanced depth will make the photos more interesting to those viewing them, and viewers will be better able to imagine themselves in the setting.
Mastering the art of photography will require dedication, effort and knowledge. Remember that photography is subjective and that you cannot be wrong or right. Only your personal vision matters.

Insights Into Photography That You Will Benefit From

By Miranda

photographyhobbyist  #photographybestoftheday #photographyforever

 

Do you think that you are capable of taking wonderful photos? Do you want improve your photography skills? If you answered yes, this is the place for you. The ideas here are some advice on ways you can improve your abilities in photography.
Move closer to the object of your picture, and you will get a better shot. Taking a picture from close avoids any potential distractions in the background. It lets you zero in on facial expressions, important considerations for any photographer taking a portrait. If your subject is far away, you are likely to miss the small important details.
Be mindful of which and how many objects appear in your photos. A good picture should be like a small window showing a certain aspect of your subject. Don’t try to crowd too many things into the picture. If you are wanting to show an overview of something, shoot a group of photos that can show the same scene from different vantage points.
Different locations and lighting situations call for varying shutter speeds to produce the best results. Photography lets you capture a single moment or show motion over time by adjusting shutter speed. Lighting quick shutter speeds are great for sports shots with lots of action, while slow shutter speeds are nice for landscapes without a lot of movement.
Often, photographers only take into account the background in a landscape photo and forget about the foreground. The foreground will be the most viewed area once the photo comes out. Compose the foreground of your shot to create a more striking frame and increase the appearance of depth.
Spend some time playing with the features on you camera, especially the manual balance white. Indoor lighting can sometimes cause your pictures to look yellow and off colored. Instead of spending the time to fix the lighting, you can just change the white balance from your camera. This slight change in quality will make your photographs have a much more professional look about them.
There is no reason you can’t move around your subject to find the best angle to photograph. If possible, take a spectrum of shots from many angles including from above and below.
Almost all digital cameras contain a built-in flash, and it will pop up automatically when dim conditions are detected. This flash is great for quick shots, but more professional photographs should use an external component for flash and lighting. Before you decide to purchase, check your existing camera and look for a “hot shoe” that can accommodate a new flash unit. This is usually located on top of the device. Next head to your nearest professional camera shop to find a flash unit that is compatible with your camera.

To help a wedding album convey the personal atmosphere, take some close-ups of small items belonging to the bride or groom, or details of decorations. You can take these photos before the ceremony begins as a warming up exercise. It also allows you to catch a few hidden gems of details that might be overlooked when the event is finally underway.
You should ensure your photographs have three vital things when you’re having to deal with any type of landscape subject. They are a foreground, a mid ground, and a background. These are the original basics that apply to all types of art, including photography.
If you’re serious about photography as a hobby for life, it’s important to find out which equipment works best for you. You do not always need to purchase a top name brand; find the brand that works best for your type of photographs.
Make your camera one of the tools in your arsenal as you attempt to get good pictures. You can blur backgrounds out to focus attention on the photo subject by applying a shallower depth of field.
When using a camera that takes film, consider what brand of film you would like to use. Nearly every photo artist has an opinion on which brand of film works best. There is actually no big advantage of one film brand over another. It comes down to what you enjoy using.
Lighting will not always be on your side when you are shooting landscape. There are also times when you can not find another area that is more consistent. So, what are your options? One option which you can do is to get a program, such as Photoshop, where you can use the gradient filter tool to take out any contrasting light.
Hopefully, this article has made you feel excited about trying and experimenting with these new strategies. With any luck, these hints and tips will take your photographs from dull to dramatic. Also experiment with different subjects so you can see what type of photography you enjoy most.