Tips for People Who Hate Photo Editing

Digital photography technology has given us so many great new tools with which to experiment and improve our images.  Image editing software allows us to correct blemishes, add special effects and color correct images to our heart’s content.  However, when it comes to image editing and correction, it can often become a crutch that actually ends up taking MORE time overall, and time seems to be our most scarce resource these days.  Managing your total time invested in an image is particularly important if you make a living as a photographer.  Even if you just love snapping shots on the weekends, a little bit of preparation on the front end can ensure you get great shots that require very little, if any, post processing.

Benefits of Custom White Balance:   A custom white balance can save all kinds of post-processing time and the CWB is particularly useful this time of year when many of us are shooting winter snow scenes.  If the sun is bright, a CWB will come in very handy in making sure your snow doesn’t have a blue cast.  You may wish to lower your exposure value (EV) since your primary subject (snow) will be lighter than your background.

These techniques are also beneficial to those who prefer not to become masters of an image editing program.  Become a master of your camera technique instead.

Is it Better to Be Overexposed or Underexposed?  When it comes to your digital images, it is usually better—if given the choice—to underexpose and image rather than overexpose it.  This is one area where an image editing program can really help you in a pinch as they have tools to help pull detail from the darker shadow areas.  If an image is overexposed, or ‘blown out,’ there will likely be very little detail that can be salvaged.  We believe this same advice applies to celebrities…underexposure is definitely better.

Benefits of a UV Filter:  Did you know that ultraviolet rays can have an impact on your images? These rays can make your images appear hazy or blurred.   Our Promaster  Digital HGX UV filter is a multipurpose fine-weather filter for color as well as black and white photography. The exclusive PROMASTER REPELLAMAX element resistant coating repels moisture, fingerprints, dust, dirt, and grime to ensure the sharpest image possible.   As an additional bonus, this filter can double as a lens protector! Learn more about this quality UV filter here: 

http://www.promaster.com/digital

Sports Photography Tip:

When it comes to photographing winter sports, it’s often the athlete’s expressions that pull us into the shot.  Next time you’re shooting a sporting event, think about the best position to occupy that would allow you to capture your subject’s expression during key moments.   Try to spend a few minutes before the event starts to scout a location that will let you capture the exhilaration of the athlete as well as the action.

Why a Photography Hobby is Good for Women’s Health

Today’s women find themselves with more tasks than time and juggling multiple roles that each have a long to-do list attached.  For those ladies who say they don’t have the time to explore their love of photography, we’d like to share some good news.  It turns out that a photography hobby can improve your health. 

Dr. Elizabeth Weidmer-Mikhail, director of the women’s psychiatry program at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, stresses the importance of actively engaging in a hobby to deal with the tangible physical and emotional stresses that women manage during days filled with caring for others.

"Women need to do things that are soul-feeding that aren’t aimed at gratifying others,” Weidmer-Mikhail said. "Women need to take care of things, to do things that promote emotional growth. Find a satisfying hobby that doesn’t involve making money or drawing attention to yourself. It will increase your sense of self-worth, which leads to better health all around.”

Many medical professionals point to the benefits of a hobby to help with stress-reduction and related ailments.  Photography is a wonderful choice because of the flexibility, low-cost of entry and creativity that can be explored. 

So, the next time we send you an announcement about an upcoming event or workshop and you automatically think, “I wish I could go but I just can’t get away,” please reconsider.  You do so much for those around you, and by enjoying your photography hobby and making time for yourself; you will also benefit your loved ones. 

Intermidiate Digital SLR

Intermediate  Digital SLR

March 6th. and 20th 

Directed towards SLR users and those with cameras having creative controls, Exposure, relationships between shutter speed, aperture, and ISO to achieve correct exposure, creative metering, exposure compensation, depth of field control, bracketing, & more advanced flash tech. etc.  

• Understanding shutter speed and apertures
• Manipulating depth of field 
• Using ISO  manipulation over flash 
• Composition tips 

Cost of class $45.00 

Length and time of class: 90 minuets   Starting at 2PM

*please note, due to limited space, prepayment is required to reserve your seat in any class.
 

Beginner Digital SLR

 Beginner Digital SLR  

March 6th. and 20th. 

Basic photography skills, good for compact camera users and SLR users, 

featuring selective use of focus, composition, incl. rule of thirds, leading lines,

framing, basic use of flash, etc.

• Goes over the benifits of a D-SLR
• How to use the features and functions of your camera
• Shooting techniques

Cost of Class  $30.00

Length of Class :  60-75 minuets  Starts at 12 noon 

*please note, due to limited space, prepayment is required to reserve your seat in any class.

Turning Your Photography Hobby into a Business

Many a business guru will attest to the importance of following your passions when it comes to starting a business.  If you love photography and have entertained the notion of turning your hobby into a side business, here are a few tips:

What is Your Specialty?  Are you interested in shooting weddings, seniors or other portrait-related venues?  Are you hoping to expand into commercial photography for real estate developers and similar interests? While you may want to do all of it, consider specializing in one niche arena until you have built up a reputation and client list.  You can expand into new areas once you get your footing.  

Get Notable:  You’ll want to start brainstorming in a notebook to explore you ideas and possible obstacles to getting your business off the ground.  Keep it with you and write down ideas as inspiration strikes.  The written process can also help you uncover new avenues that may not reveal themselves otherwise.

Start Local:  Think about who might be in need of your services? Many small businesses have digital cameras but not the discerning eye to create a compelling image for their brochures, websites and sales materials. 

Sharpen Your Business Skills:  A thriving photography business is as much about powerful marketing as it is about high quality photography.  If you don’t feel you have the marketing and promotion savvy needed, enlist a partner or someone who can assist you in building the ‘business’ part of your new venture. 

Be Social:  Let your Facebook friends and Twitter followers know that you’re now open for business.  You never know where a new lead will come from, and your friends may help you spread the word about your new gig. 

Stop in Our Store:  We’d love to help you with your new venture.  Let us help you determine if you need any additional equipment or evaluate the camera and accessories you already own.  For example, we have a wide range of high quality studio lighting. 

http://www.cooterscamera.com/lighting

 Maybe we can help you spread the word as well!

Digital Beginner Class

 Digital Beginner  Class

March 6th. and 20th.

This is a class that will cover

• What the button and icons are and how to use them 

• How to maximize the abilities of you cameras zoom and flash functions

• Photo composition

This class last's 60-75 Minutes and starts at 10am

Cost of the class is $30.00

*please note, due to limited space, prepayment is required to reserve your seat in any class.

 

Camera Batteries in Cold Weather

Camera Batteries in Cold Weather:    Shooting in extremely cold weather can be tough on your camera.  Did you know that cold batteries don’t work as well as warm ones?  In fact, a cold battery can actually mimic a dead one when exposed to extremely frigid temperatures.  Keep an extra set of batteries inside a warm jacket pocket (some people tuck them inside a sock in their camera bags!) and change the batteries out half-way through a shoot or event to make sure your camera is ready when the action hits.

Picture Dictionary: Histogram

Picture Dictionary:  Histogram:  Ever wonder what that black and white graph is that sometimes shows up on your camera’s LCD screen?  It’s called a histogram, and it’s essentially a representation of the contrast and dynamic range in each image.  The histogram shows a range of 0-255 with the value of zero being black and white valued at 255. You’ll find the ‘true white’ illustrated at the far right of the graph and the ‘true black’ on the far left.  A well-exposed image will show points close to both ends.