Time Your Ocean Images for Maximum Impact

When it comes to vacation destinations, the beach often reigns supreme.  Nothing says summer like moments with our kids creating sandcastles, sandpipers strolling along the shores and the crash of waves against rock walls. The time of day is extremely important when shooting along the shores.  Natural light plays a prominent role with this kind of photography and patience is crucial in capturing the image you envision. 

The intensity of the light will play a role so being prepared before sunrise and well before sunset will serve you well.  Small passages of time can make a substantial impact in your final result. 

Capturing the mood of the ocean can be a challenging and rewarding experience and is one that takes experimentation.  For example, if you wish to convey the gently rolling seas and slow movement consider shooting with a slow shutter speed and use a tripod for added stability to minimize camera shake.  Don’t have a tripod? Consider one of our fantastic options.

Book Review: The PROMASTER Guide to Digital SLR Photography

Walk into any bookstore or browse your favorite online store and you’ll see that there’s a healthy selection of books on digital photography. This plethora of choices can be a good thing but, if you’re looking for that perfect guide, it can quickly become confusing trying to decide which book is best for your needs.

Fortunately, one book stands out as the perfect accessory for your new digital SLR camera.  The PROMASTER Guide to Digital SLR Photography by Jenni Bidner is just what you need to help you master your camera.   The book is written in a straightforward manner and covers a variety of topics designed to help you create stunning images.  This newly updated version includes a section on studio lighting and covers all the basics related to shooting with a DSLR camera.  If you’re looking for a well-written guide geared to get you started.

Creating Your Photography Business Niche

For today’s working professional photographers, the combination of a crowded market coupled with a tough economy has translated into pros casting a wide net when it comes to what they shoot.  Many have become all-purpose photographers, which is a wise strategy and can bring new jobs that might have otherwise been missed.  However, for some, specializing one’s services can bring new clients while strengthening skills in a specific field.

When does specializing in a niche make sense?  Well, for one, it can help launch a new side business while remaining engaged in a full-time career.  Many people dream of going pro but the realities of providing financially for their families means that taking such a risk without a regular income is simply not an option.  Being a niche photographer means that focusing on one area of expertise-usually one that the photographer is passionate about--is easier to fit into a full working schedule while still allowing one to remain connected to photography. 

Specializing in a niche also allows the photographer to become more attuned to the unique demands and nuances of that particular area of expertise, which can translate into a competitive advantage.  When one spends a great deal of time working in a niche market, the photographer becomes an expert in that market and can position herself as such to others in that field.

There are numerous niches to consider such as architectural photography, real estate photography, corporate portraiture, product photography, event photography and more.  Each market has its own demands, challenges and opportunities but any one can be a door that opens to larger projects down the road.