Category Archives: photography

Photography info for writers

Photography Magazines

If you are interested in taking your own photos to accompany the articles that you write, one of the best things you can do is invest in a magazine subscription. You can read up on techniques and gear as well as get terrific tips that will help you take better pictures.

There are many photography mags out there, so deciding which one to choose can be a little difficult. You can always go to the bookstore and browse, but you can also take a look at this list for an idea of what the various publications cover. I get several, including Outdoor Photographer, American Photo and Popular Photography. Each has its own niche, and I learn a good deal of information from them. The more you can learn, the better your chances are of getting quality photos to go with your articles.

Tips For Taking Portraits

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So you’ve gotten an assignment and want to try your hand at taking a picture of a particular person for the article. If you aren’t really a photographer yet, how do you go about gettting a good shot? Here are a few tips that are based on my own experience:

  • Natural light is generally the most flattering, so take a picture outside if you can. Just make sure that the sun isn’t casting weird shadows on the person’s face.
  • Get the person to relax a bit before taking the photo. Talk to them about hobbies, kids, etc. If they are tense, it will show in the picture.
  • Take tons of different shots. You never know which one you’ll wind up using.
  • Try different angles. Do full length shots and closeups. Variety is important.
  • Count down so that they know when you’ll be snapping the picture.
  • Look at the review screen to see if the person’s eyes are open. (This is assuming you have a digital camera.)
  • Don’t get too close or the camera will not focus.
  • Watch your background. Try to avoid things such as trees growing out of the person’s head or a lot of distracting clutter.

There is no reason you shouldn’ t be able to take a photo like this, so give it a go! Here are some more tips for shooting portraits to help round things out. Remember, confidence is key, so don’t let on that you’re a novice!

Apogee Photo Magazine

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Writers….if you are interested in learning more about photography, check out Apogee Photo. This online photo mag has a host of helpful articles and information for all levels–whether you are a beginner or have been at it for a while. Learn more about travel photography, or get some pointers for starting out. The best part is, you can do this right from your computer. Take a break from writing and invest a little time in photography–it’s a great skill to pick up for the New Year!

Is There A Rookie At The Keyboard?

Regardless of whether you are a newbie or seasoned pro you can find some good information here. This resource, put out by the Naval Safety Center, gives great tips on a wide range of subjects that are of value to writers. Here are some titles of the individual pages:

  • How To Tell A Rookie Is At The Keyboard
  • To Cut Or Not To Cut
  • What Makes A Photo Effective
  • Making The Most Of Verbs

Although this is geared for writers who work for their publications, it offers terrific advice!