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3 Affordable E-books to Improve Your Photography

When you make photo greeting cards, you want to have some really great shots. These e-books look like they might have some great tips for improving your photography.

via Digital Photography School by Darren Rowse on 10/27/09

Today I spent a couple of hours working through 3 great new ebooks by David duChemin.

The 3 e-books are only $5 (USD) each – yet they contain some really great information that I’m certainly many DPS readers will really find useful.

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Lets take a look at each of them in turn:

1. TEN (10 Ways To Improve Your Craft. None of Them Involve Buying Gear.)

David describes this ebook like this:

“10 is my 32 page answer to everyone that’s ever written in and asked me “So, what can I do to make better photographs now? I have the basics but want to take my images up to the next level. Where do I go from here?””

It’s filled with practical tips and inspirational images to illustrate the points David is making.

2. TEN MORE (10 More Ways To Improve Your Craft. None of Them Involve Buying Gear.)

A followup to the first ebook in this one David shares another great 10 tips for photographers wanting to take their work up a notch (or two).

The tips are simple – yet powerful.

3. DRAWING THE EYE (CREATING STRONGER IMAGES THROUGH VISUAL MASS)

This newest ebook from David moves beyond some of the more general tips in the first two ebooks and hones in on principles of composition, ‘visual mass’ and ‘drawing the eye’ of those viewing your images.

All three ebooks are beautifully put together and contain loads of great visual examples of the principles that David is talking about.

Buy one or grab all three – for $5 each they’re a great opportunity to get inside the mind of one of the world’s most respected photography authors.

Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.

3 Affordable E-books to Improve Your Photography

If You Could Only Have One Lens, What Would It Be?

via Digital Photography School by Peter Carey on 10/29/09

Creative Commons Copyright Steven Wong

Creative Commons Copyright Steven Wong

It’s time to open up your favorite photo gear catalog and pick a page!  My question to you is this: If you could only have one lens for the rest of your days, what would it be and why?

The reason I ask is because the bittersweet decision says a lot about a photographer and their style.  When I’ve asked other photographers it’s helped me to understand more about them and the art of photography.  For instance, those that want a simple 50mm lens tended to be more practical and versatile in their approach.  While others hooked on wildlife photography long for a coveted 600mm unit of the finest quality.  Other’s still insist on a wide angle zoom or telephoto zoom.  I’ve also found that it forced those I asked into truthfully evaluating what was important to them.  What type of photography was paramount in their mind if they were faced with such a choice.

Sure, it’s hypothetical.  But exercises like this, I feel, help stop my quest for the next-best-thing and really simplify.  What is the minimum I need to enjoy photography.  The rules are simple for this mental drill.

  1. Price is no object.  The sky’s the limit and this includes telescopes on the top of Mauna Kea. :)  It can also be a lens you already own.
  2. Please specify a particular lens.  Yes, I know there will be new lenses in the future, but let’s just deal with what’s available today.
  3. Most importantly, let us know why you chose the lens you did.

For me, it’d be a Canon 28-300mm L.  I already own this lens and it has been a super lens to use while traveling.  While I can nit-pick about what needs improving, all in all, it has been a solid performer once I’ve learned its limits.  And I admittedly love zoom lenses when I don’t have space to pack multiple prime lenses.

Your turn!  Use the comments below to let us know which lens you’d pick and why.

Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.

If You Could Only Have One Lens, What Would It Be?

Make Photo Greeting Cards

I love to make photo greeting cards.  It combines two of my greatest pleasures...photography and writing.  Well, make that three pleasures.  It is also a way to connect with family and friends by sending a little gift of myself.

Would you like to make photo greeting cards? I know you already have some dynamite photographs, so lets get started.

Here are the simplest ways I've found:

Down and Dirty Method #l:   

  • Get yourself some envelopes and card stock at your local office supply store. 
  • Cut the card stock so when it is folded, it fits nicely in the envelope.
  • Glue your photo on the front of the card with an acid free glue stick.

Clean and Classy Method #2: 

  • Buy blank note card or invitation stationary with same sized envelopes.  These cards come scored in the middle for a neat fold.  You can buy small amounts of these at the same office supply store, or get economical and buy a box of 200 at your local printer or online.  (You'll be glad you did, because your cards will be in demand!)
  • You can, of course, glue your photo on the card and be done with it, but this is the clean and classy method, so let's show off that artwork with a simple frame.  I use Greeting Card software and choose a thin double line  border.  It is amazing how this simple step gives your photo greeting card a professional look. 
  • Next, give credit where credit is due.  Print the back of the card with information about you, the photo and where they can get more.  Again, I use Greeting card software by clicking on "View" and "back of card."
  • Now you can glue your photo into the border you printed on the front.       

Alternate Avenue Method #3:

  • Print your photos directly onto ink jet note card paper.  These photo papers are specially cut and pre-scored for easy folding.  Glossy or matte note cards enable you to print photo quality images directly onto your card stock, saving you the time and expense of first printing the photo, then gluing it onto a separate note card. 
  • If you still like the look of the framed border, you can add this as you are editing your photo.  
  • Don't forget the back.  Use your Greeting Card software or your Photo Editing software to create text and perhaps your own logo for the back side of the photo greeting card.

Last but not Least Method #4:

  • Not the least expensive, but certainly the easiest method to make photo greeting cards is to buy note card paper that comes with cut out openings for your photographs.  These also come pre-scored for folding.
  • Your photo is placed into a sleeve on the front of the card and is held in place by peeling off an adhesive strip.  This gives your photo a finished matted look.
  • One of these products also comes with "Original Photo By" printed on the back with lines for you to add your name, website, e-mail, etc.  

Hopefully, you can find a method above that suits you.  Who knows?  You might get so good at it that people will want to buy them.  And that is the subject for another blog.....

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