Moving On

I have been having issues with using this format for my blog and have found a platform that I feel is a much better fit to my brand and style... and it seems to be free from the 'glitches' I have been experiencing with this site...

 I will be moving my blog over there as of today - however all the previous posts for this blog will remain online for you to access in the future.

 The new blog can be found here. I would love for you to come over and join me in the next phase of the journey :)

See you soon x

Improve your Photos using Basic Composition

This is the second part of a series of informational posts about how everyone can get the best out of their camera, regardless of what brand or style of camera you are using… You can read more about the types of cameras and which one might suit YOU here.

I have always been curious about photography. I remember playing around with my Mum’s camera as a child and setting up props to take pictures of. I always got frustrated because what I was seeing when the photos were developed was not what I had imagined in my own mind. Looking back at these situations I know now that it wasn’t the props or my vision that was lacking… it was knowledge about how to use the tools I had available – how to use the camera and the light in a way that would make my images stand out.

As I learned more about these two factors my photos improved… and so did my confidence in being able to replicate what I was seeing in my mind’s eye.

This series is intended to share some of that knowledge, so that you can create images that are more like the ones you are seeing in your imagination.

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So what exactly DOES turn a ‘good’ photo into a ‘great’ photo?

There are a range of things, but it basically comes down to two main elements - composition and lighting.

A great image will always catch your eye immediately. This might be achieved by the use of colours, shapes or contrast between light and dark. It might be because of a strong contrast between positive and negative space. Regardless of which components are used, a strong image will always contain at least one (but more often a combination) of these elements.

Finer details serve to keep your attention within the photograph. They could be cloud patterns, textures, hints of contrasting colour… anything that makes you want to look a bit deeper into the picture. These details are not noticed, though, without the initial impact of the picture – the elements of light and dark, colour and shape. It is the basic underlying fundamentals of composition and light that make or break an image.

Let’s talk about composition then… What does it mean, and how do you use it to make great photos?

One of the first things to consider when composing an image is that the subject really doesn’t matter too much! What??? How can that be if I am trying to take a photo of something that is particularly important?

If you want to take a photo that will really pop out at people – regardless of the subject – you need to begin thinking about your subject from a different perspective. Instead of seeing your subject as a particular object, you need to begin thinking of it in terms of shape and colour… it is a shape of colour within your image – how do you want to position that in your picture? Move the camera forward or back, left or right, to position the compositional elements the same way you might move pieces of coloured paper around a page to compose a collage.

Once you have your subject positioned where you want them, or more often, your camera positioned where you want it, then you need to consider the other compositional elements of your photograph.

The human eye wanders, it’s a fact, and you need to be aware of this. We are most easily drawn to the brightest, most colourful, or most contrasted area of a picture. But once we have seen this, we then tend to move our eyes around the whole image. You want to keep the viewer’s eye within the image and not wandering off the page. Make sure you keep important elements away from the corners, and especially not cut off by the edge of the photograph. It’s helpful to imagine that you are reading the image as you would a page of writing, from top to bottom, left to right, and keep the components of the image moving in the same direction. Allow space for movement within your image. Make sure people are looking ‘into’ and not out of the image, facing toward the middle and not the edge of the photo. 

Avoiding distractions within your image is an important aspect to consider. A telegraph pole or a tree in the top left hand corner that has no relevance to the image will only draw the viewer’s eye away from the main focus – the subject. Try to crop these distractions out by slightly changing your position, moving closer to your subject or turning slightly to avoid capturing the distraction within the frame of your image.

This image captures the affection between these two friends, however the background is very distracting and the impact of the photo is lost among the busyness of the background...

Moving in closer to the subjects and cropping out the distractions allows only the important parts of the image to be captured... 

THE RULE OF THIRDS…

One of the key points to remember when composing a photo is that our eyes are drawn naturally to the top, bottom, left or right third of a picture. Most great painters were aware of this and positioned their subjects in this way. Movies and TV shows use this when they film scenes. This is the natural and most comfortable position for our eyes to see the subject. This is where you want to position YOUR subject within your photograph.

Many point and shoot cameras have the option of placing a grid on the LCD screen which will help with this. 

Ideally you want the subject to be positioned where the vertical and horizontal lines meet. If you are photographing a person, then you want their eyes to be positioned on this cross-line. Post-processing programs, such as Photoshop also have the grid display when you select the cropping tool, enabling you to crop your photo to achieve the rule of thirds after the photo has been taken. However, it is much easier if you are aware of this when you are taking the photo in the first place.

When capturing a scene, it is useful to remember the Rule Of Thirds when positioning the foreground and horizon... Keeping the horizon either on the lower or upper third line will result in a much more pleasing image.

FART before you take a photograph!!!

Ken Rockwell uses the acronym FART to describe the process of composing a photo. He describes the four steps as:

FEEL - A good photo starts when you get the feeling to take a picture. You're walking around, and come across something that seems worthy of a photo. It's never a subject, like "a Ferrari” though. What catches our mind's eye and leads to a great photo is always something more abstract. What attracts us to Ferraris as photo subjects is their bold, solid, primary colors and their brilliantly pure styling.

ASK - Once you've got a hankering to stop and take a picture, stop and ask yourself exactly what it is that made you stop. Is it a bold color? Is it a crazy juxtaposition? Is it the wild light? What is it, exactly, that made you want to take a picture? Is it the brilliant Italian design, lines, motion and proportion of the Ferrari? If so, what exactly about the design caught your eye?

REFINE - Now that you have hopefully gotten some clue as to what it is that attracted your eye, the hard part is to refine the image to emphasize whatever it is. If we can emphasize whatever it was that stopped us, the photo will be far more likely to stop others and make them say WOW! In other words, if we liked something, was it because it had a weird texture? If so, be sure to show that texture as boldly as you can. If you like the color of something, fill the whole frame with it. If there is an interesting relationship between two things, be sure to do everything you can to make sure that that is what takes over the photo. Get rid of everything that isn't directly related to whatever it is that made you want to take the photo. Compose as strongly as you can. Eliminate everything that isn't directly related to the point of the photograph.

In the case of a Ferrari, if you don't FART before snapping, you're likely to make another boring photo of the whole car from eye level. If you FART first, you'll ask yourself what is it about the Ferrari that catches your eye, and when you can Answer that, maybe wind up with a close-up of those big round Hella tail lights. 

It's never about the obvious subject. It's always something more basic and subconscious that draws us to want to make a picture of something.

You always can refine more and more, and as you do, your photos become stronger. The better you can Answer and keep Refining, the more your photos will grab people.

TAKE - This is the easy part. Take the picture. Be sure the exposure and color (WB) are OK, and you're done.

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By learning how to compose your images before you take them, you will be producing far better photographs than the basic snapshots you have been used to. Pay attention to what grabs your attention about a scene or subject. Put to use The Rule of Thirds, underlying shapes, colours and forms to make your image stand out from the rest.

There are technical aspects to using a camera but most of the time your camera has all that covered if you are using the ‘auto’ settings. Your job is to pay attention to the position of your camera – millimeters can make a big difference – and really learn to SEE what is in the frame, and where in the frame it falls.

Get the composition right and you will be on your way to taking EXTRAORDINARY photos with any camera! 

Project Gratitude...

At the start of the year, with a lot of turmoil and confusion in my life, I made the decision to focus on the positives and turn what seemed like bad situations into something that I could be grateful for. I then realized that every day I have so much to be thankful for that it was worth documenting it in some way… and photographs were the natural choice for me.

3 months on, and I now have 89 photographs (I actually have more because some days I take photos of several things I am grateful for but only post one) that represent all the fabulous things in my daily life that are worth celebrating. I am human, and not every day has been easy for me, not every day has been a day without struggle or heartache or painful experiences… but every day, regardless of what could be negative situations, I have looked for the positive… and although on some days I have struggled, I have always found SOMETHING to be thankful for!

Looking back over the images from the last 3 months it is glaringly obvious to me that the important things, the things in my life that stand out the most as being things I am grateful for, are people… those beings who share life with me on a daily basis, who make me smile, laugh, and challenge me, but who always fill my heart with a love only a mother can know. Featured heavily are also the people who have shared a part of my life journey and left an impact that words cannot describe, and friendships that constantly support and encourage and lift me up when I need it most.

Places also seem to be a major source of gratitude… recognition of the beauty within the surroundings, the sunrise, the wildlife, the natural world. These are things that make my heart sing with thanks that I am here and able to experience them.

I was told today by a lady who has had struggles with her health over the last year that ‘Every day is a good day’ – and that is exactly the attitude that keeps life full of gratitude, joy and purpose! Because NOW is all we really have, and none of us know what tomorrow may hold… I am so grateful for right now! Grateful that I am blessed with the opportunity to experience THIS MOMENT, whatever it holds… whether it can be perceived as ‘good’ or ‘bad’…

 Because, and I know I harp on this, but it is just so darned true...

the ordinary moments really are EXTRAORDINARY!!!!! 

You can follow my Project Gratitude posts on Instagram or  facebook.

Wow, You must have a really good camera!!!

One of the first things people say when they see my photos is "Wow, you must have a really good camera" and they then ask for me to teach them how to use their DSLR camera. It seems to be one of the common threads among people these days. Everyone thinks it is the camera that creates the photo - which is true to an extent, but there is so much more to a good photograph than the camera you use. Perhaps because of this opinion and the relatively inexpensive nature of entry level DSLR cameras more and more people are exploring this option when buying a new camera, and yet very few understand how to use them to their full potential.

There are so many tutorials, videos, articles and online courses available these days at the click of a button. We truly are living in the information age and google is your friend. And I wondered whether I really needed to add to everything that is already available... Then decided that if my mission is to make beautiful photographs available to EVERYONE, then a huge part of that process is to educate people on how to take beautiful photographs. After all, why have a camera - any camera - if you don't know how to get the best out of it?

And so, I have created a series of blog posts about just that - Using your camera to it's full potential, regardless of what type of camera you own. It is a series for beginner photographers. Ordinary people who want to be better at taking extraordinary photographs so they can document the life of their families.

The series will explore: 

- The different types of cameras that you might choose.

- What I have learned about what turns a 'good' photo into a 'great' photo. 

- How to compose a photo - and what does composition mean. 

- How light makes all the difference  

- Ways you can use post production and editing to enhance images.

Today we will start with cameras... What kind of camera do you need to take a great photo?

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There are two quotes I love that sum up the type of camera you need to take an amazing photograph...

"Photography is no more about equipment than writing is about word processors" ~ Unknown

and

"The best camera is the one that's with you" ~ Chase Jarvis

A common misconception among digital camera owners is that a cameras megapixel rating is the main thing to consider when determining a camera’s quality, however, megapixels are NOT everything. A point and shoot cameras with more megapixels than a DSLR does not mean their quality level is necessarily as good as the DSLR.

The main reason for this (and there are many others) is that the image sensor used in point and shoot digital cameras is generally much smaller than the image sensor used in a DSLR. This means that the pixels on a point and shoot camera have to be much smaller. It is a complex subject, but basically means that smaller sensors significantly reduce the quality of an image. Whether this is of concern to you really depends on what you plan to use your images for. Posting them online and sharing through social media means you are not needing large digital files and therefore the quality of the image is not so important. However if you wanted to enlarge your image to hang in your home then a camera with lower megapixels and a larger sensor will be much more useful for you than any camera with a smaller sensor regardless of the number of megapixels.

The main questions to ask yourself when choosing a camera is 'How do I intend to use the camera?' and 'What do I want to do with my photos?' - When you know your purpose it makes the choice so much easier. Someone who wants to snap images of their children and share them online will choose an entirely different camera to the person who wants to create large fine-art prints to display in a gallery.

So, with your purpose in mind, let's explore the different options for camera choice...

Smartphone Cameras 

Smartphone cameras are the most used camera in the world. Most of us carry one of these cameras with us on a daily basis and with the technology available in these cameras the images can be amazing. With the right light, the right framing and the right focus, you may not be able to tell whether a photo was shot on a phone camera or a dslr. With red-eye reduction, auto-focus, zoom and many other features, the smartphones have rendered point-and-shoot cameras almost obsolete.

Some people in the photography industry look down on mobile photography but I personally believe that camera phones encourage us to take more photographs, and I think the more we take photographs, the better photographers we'll be. The advantage of being able to share our photographs with the world via Instagram and social media, email and text message means we are sharing our lives, our joys, our passions and our memories.... which to me, is the whole purpose of photographs in the first place!

There are some disadvantages to phone cameras of course such as when your camera is damaged, like the lens cracking after being dropped. Regrettably there’s not a way of rebuilding just the lens from the mobile camera phone. It requires a whole new phone.

Smartphone camera's usually also have a video camera option, another reason why they’re popular and practical as a day to day camera. Having the opportunity to create short videos means most of us are able to capture and share funny or moving moments that otherwise could have been lost.

Point and Shoot Digital Cameras

These cameras are great for those who perhaps don't have access to a smartphone or who choose to keep their photographs separate from their phone. Point and Shoot cameras are often slim and light which makes them ideal for putting in your pocket and carrying around. They are great for travelling, parties or night/days out when you don't want to carry much with you. The quality of images produced in point and shoots varies greatly, but in general they shoot well in auto mode, which tends to be the mode they are most commonly used in. 

Point and Shoot cameras are generally cheaper than a DSLR camera or a smartphone, but as with any product you can go to the top of the range and spend as much as you would on a cheaper DSLR.

Many digital camera users prefer to frame their shots using the LCD monitors on the back of the camera. Point and Shoots always come with this ability and some even come with ‘flip out’ screens that enable their users to take shots from different angles and still see what they’re shooting. This does mean however that most point and shoot cameras rely almost completely upon their LCD for framing. Most point and shoot cameras have view finders but they are generally small which renders them almost useless. Some models don’t have viewfinders at all.

Point and Shoot cameras do often have a smaller sensor (as I mentioned above when I talked about megapixels) which means the image quality is not as good as a DSLR, however if you’re not planning on using your images for major enlargements or in professional applications the quality of point and shoot cameras can be more than enough for the average user. ISO ranges are also more limited in point and shoot cameras making them less useful in low light situations which leads to a reliance on the use of flash (which we will discuss later in the post about lighting). Point and Shoot digital cameras have always been notorious for their slowness, particularly their ‘shutter lag’ (the time between pressing the shutter and when the image is taken). This is constantly being improved but the instantaneous feel of many DSLRs is still not there with point and shoots when it comes to shutter lag, start up and even focusing time. Again, if you are not trying to capture moving objects and only want to take snapshots this may not bother you. 

DSLR CAMERAS 

Digital, Single, Lens, Reflex Cameras (DSLR) are bigger than the average compact system (point and shoot) camera because they have a mirror that reflects light into the optical viewfinder.

These cameras accept interchangeable lenses making them much more versatile than other cameras.

The DSLR’s ability to change lenses opens up a world of possibilities for photographers. They can be fitted with many high quality lenses ranging from wide angle to super long focal lengths depending on your photography needs and budget. There is also an extensive range of other accessories (flashes, filters etc) which allow a DSLR to be adapted to many different situations, from cramped interiors to landscapes, distant details, portraits or very close macro subjects.

The larger size of the image sensor in a DSLR means they are generally able to be used at a lower ISO which will lead to faster shutter speeds and less grain. This means the DSLR camera is much better suited to low light situations and capturing fast moving objects. DSLR cameras are actually much faster pieces of equipment in their start up, focussing and shutter lag than point and shoot cameras.

Many point and shoots come with the ability to shoot in some form of manual mode and there are camera apps available for smartphones that allow manual control, but a DSLR is designed in such a way that it is assumed that the photographer using it will want to control their own settings. While they do come with good auto modes the manual controls are generally built in in such a way that they are at the photographers finger tips as they are shooting. If you choose to purchase and use a DSLR camera then you really need to educate yourself on it's functions and settings in order to use it to it's full potential.

There are obviously reasons why choosing a DSLR camera may not be for you. The main one being price. While they are coming down in price (especially at the lower end) DSLR’s are generally more expensive than point and shoot digital cameras. Also consider that you might want to upgrade your lens (as kit lenses are generally not of a super high quality) or you may wish to add more lenses later and that this adds to the cost. DSLRs are also heavy and bulky and when you add a lens or two to your camera bag you can end up with a fairly heavy load to carry.

Another factor well worth considering if you’re going to use a DSLR with more than one lens is that every time you change lenses you run the risk of letting dust into your camera. Dust on an image sensor can leave imperfections on your images. Cleaning your image sensor can be quite a process and most recommend that you get it done professionally. There are DSLRs now available with self cleaning sensors to assist with this situation.

At the end of the day, your choice of camera is unique to you and your needs. Ask yourself what you are wanting to do with your images and what you will use your camera for and then make a decision based on what works best for YOU.

After all, it doesn't matter what camera you use - what really matters is learning how to see what's in front of you, noticing the moments and situations that make a great photo, and then capturing it with whatever you have available with you at the time! Document the ordinary moments however you can, because ORDINARY MOMENTS ARE EXTRAORDINARY!!!

Self Portrait Project

It has always been something I have thought about. I have read other blog posts, Facebook posts, and magazine articles about it. And I have always thought "I should do that. I really should." But I have never made any real effort to make it happen.

What am I talking about?

Being IN the photographs myself!!!

My grandmother passed away at the end of January and for her funeral I created a slideshow of images from her life. In order to do this I needed to look back through photo albums and find the photographs that best represented her and how she lived, and there were so many fabulous images of her with those she loved... It made me question whether my children or (one day) grandchildren would be able to look back at photos of their lives and see me.

Soon after those questions arose, my Mother came to visit and brought with her a box full of slides - images of my childhood. My children sat for hours looking through them all asking questions about my life, asking their grandma about her life, relishing in the stories and images that gave them a picture of who we are and who we have been before they knew us.

These experiences have led me to consciously make a choice to be IN the photographs more, not just behind the camera!

And so has been born The Self-Portrait Project.

The aim of this project is to make sure that AT LEAST once a month I am in FRONT of the camera. This might mean capturing moments in my children's life where I am a part of it, or it could mean capturing a moment of my own life that represents who I am.

A project like this also allows me to practice a whole lot of technical photographic skills from a very different perspective, and puts me in the position of my clients so I am better able to understand their insecurities and inhibitions.

I am excited about this project and although it is a personal project of mine I am excited to share the journey with you. I would love for you to join me in this project. You can post your images to my Facebook Page or email them to me - info@suzannewillson.com.au. Once a month I will share them on my blog.

Let's turn the camera around and make sure we are creating memories for our families that include US!!!

Because even us ORDINARY people really are EXTRAORDINARY! 

Autumn Mini Collections

Autumn has arrived. The leaves are starting to change colour and the nights are getting cooler. I have noticed on my morning walks that I am needing to wear a jacket for a little longer each day and I am now home before the sun rises properly over the hills.

Now is a fabulous time of year to capture the change of the season, and with Mother's Day only 7 weeks away I thought it was the perfect time to offer the very first MINI COLLECTION for the year!

As I have said in the last few posts, one of my main intentions for Suzanne Willson Photography this year, and into the future, is to make beautiful professional photographs available to EVERY family. The MINI COLLECTIONS are one way I am able to do this.

Each MINI COLLECTION consists of a 20-30 minute session at an outdoor location, 5 digital files with print release and a 5x7 print enlargement of your chosen image. And ALL this is only $50!!!

These collections are only offered a few times throughout the year and the sessions are limited, so you will want to make sure you contact me early to secure your booking.

"You will never have this day with your children again. Tomorrow they will be a little older than they are today. This day is a gift, breath and take notice. Smell and touch them: Study their faces and little feet and pay attention. Relish the charms of the present. Enjoy today Mama. It will be over before you know it." - Jen Hatmaker.

The MINI COLLECTION is a great opportunity to have some images to give as gifts for Mother's Day. Maybe have some prints done and framed to give to Grandma... or book a session for your NIECE'S AND NEPHEW'S and then surprise their Mum on Mother's Day with some photos she will cherish forever!

Better still, bring YOUR OWN FAMILY along for a MINI COLLECTION and get some photos WITH YOU IN THEM instead of being the one behind the camera all the time!!! Your kids will LOVE having photos of the whole family together as they get older... and it's tough to get those images when someone is always missing behind the camera!

The AUTUMN MINI COLLECTIONS don't necessarily need to be specifically for MOTHER'S DAY either...

Maybe you haven't had family photos taken for a while? Maybe you have NEVER had family photos taken? These MINI COLLECTIONS are a great way to try out a session and see what you think. And Autumn really is a beautiful, colourful time of year that is worth celebrating...