Photography 101

Hi there!  There are a lot of Puffs who have been commenting that they would like to get better shots for their projects but they just don't know how.  Many think that they need a big expensive camera and tons of lighting equipment - guess what, you don't!  All you need to do is tweak a few things and you can have some awesome shots.  I'll share with you a few things that anyone can do and I promise, there will be hardly any scary technical mumbo jumbo.  Ready?

1. Pay attention to your lighting.  Many of us finish our projects well into the night and take our photographs without natural sunlight.  This is okay to do and sometimes, it's better because you can control where and how it hits your project.  A simple tip to remember - make sure your light isn't blazing on your project and casting a harsh glare or shadows.  Indirect lighting is always best because it gives your projects a nice glow.

2. Focus on your subject.  I know a lot of you are going "Well, duh" but just because we are focused on our subject, it doesn't mean that our camera is as well.  If you are wanting a detailed shot, check your camera for a "macro" setting - generally shown on most cameras as a flower icon.  This allows the camera to focus in when you are super close to get those awesome details.  Also, if you can brace your elbows on something to act as a tripod, along with not holding your breath when you shoot, your images will be crisp and clear.

3. Be mindful of the entire shot.  All I'm really saying is pay attention to the 'noise' around the project.  Is there anything in the frame that is pulling your eye away from the project?  Is it positioned in the frame the way you are wanting?  Do you have the right perspective to show off all the awesomeness of your project?

4. Keep shooting.  I know that I delete about 90% of the photos that I take.  Just because I have my item set where I want it and I'm at the angle I want to be at, I will always take about ten shots because sometimes, I find a surprise.  Thankfully, we live in a digital age so in order for me to get those one or two perfect shots, I've taken about 40 so that I didn't have to settle for 'good enough'.

5. Learn one good photo editing program.  There are a ton of free ones out there - Pixlr, PicMonkey, Picasa and Gimp are just a handful of the ones I utilize.  They range from super simple to crazy complex.  These programs are great at giving your shots the little tweaks that you might not have been able to get in your actual settings... and it's the little tweaks that make your photo pop.

This was taken with indoor lighting and a flash at 10 p.m.  The post process was 3 simple clicks.

I hope these little things help but the most important bit of advice I can give anyone is simply to practice.  Anyone can do these things so the next time you are getting ready to shoot your project, just think of these easy tips and you just might be amazed at the end results. 

Good luck and happy crafting ~ PprmntMochaMama!