Article: 50 Brides Reveal What Their Photographers Could Have Done Better

I read this article with much amusement. I understand that brides want their day to be captured perfectly (in the way they think it should be shot), but sometimes they don't share or understand the vision the photographer has. I recall, a few years back, a friend was showing me her wedding photo album, which was really well done. As we were flipping through the pages, she stopped on one particular page to complain about a particular black and white image the photographer chose to use instead of the same in colour. I recall looking at the page in its totality and thought the photographer made the right choice, BUT my friend wasn't happy with the choice. At the end of the day, it was a beautiful product, but my friend was not happy.

A couple years later, I was watching a course on CreativeLive, and remember the instructor mentioning that sometimes the client (and she was talking about brides), will have a particular image in mind that they want and it isn't necessarily aligned with what the photographer would suggest. The instructor reminded those of us watching that in the end, it may be in your best interest to let go of your creative vision, to keep the client happy.

Both of these things came to mind when reading this article... Photography, particularly wedding photography, is really about managing a personal relationship. Yes, a bride has come to you because they like your work, but they think that you can capture the magic of the day. For me personally, the only way to do that is to have a great relationship with the subject of my photos... I tell them what I want to do/have in mind, and ask for their suggestions, and hopefully everyone is happy with the final product.

What Brides wish their photographer did differently

Article: 5 Lies Your Camera Likes to Tell

I learned about these lies the hard way... There were many pictures I took in Morocco last year that I was not happy with because, quite honestly, I was still learning my brother's camera!

It is great to remember this any time you pick up a camera.... An instructor once told me, "remember that you are the one with a thinking brain and a feeling heart, don't let you camera tell you it knows better than you....trust yourself."

This is a great reminder of just that!

http://www.borrowlenses.com/blog/2013/09/5-lies-your-camera-likes-to-tell/

Article: 10 Common Mistakes if Newbie Photographers

I love editing my photos... I love the opportunity to take a step back and look at my images, reminisce about what I was feeling when I took each shot, and then refining them to the image I had envisioned, but didn't quite capture. It's time consuming, but also de-stressing.

I'm still learning to edit and tweak my photos, and found this article helpful.

http://digital-photography-school.com/10-common-mistakes-made-by-new-photographers/

Article: 3 Tips to Take Better Landscape Photos

I constantly do this to myself... I envision the perfect photo I want to take, and then get really let down when the perfect conditions don't present themselves to get that shot.  More often than not this happens when I'm trying to capture a particular landscape, and often times it's somewhere I'm not going to get a second chance.

The author of this article has some great suggestions, including borrowing techniques from other areas of photography to capture the landscape image you want.  I will have to try to keep this in mind the next time I'm only shooting.


http://digital-photography-school.com/3-tips-take-better-landscape-photos-regardless-weather/

Haven't posted photos in a while

It's been a busy time for me, and I have not had a chance to edit or post any photos I have taken over the past 5 months. I'm hoping to find some time to do just that in the next couple weeks... Until then, I will continue to post articles, that I find interesting/useful for beginners/amateurs like me!

Article: Top 15 Photography Clichés Everyone Hates

I was thoroughly amused reading this article - Top 15 Photography Clichés Everyone Hates.

Like with every article I have posted, there are points with which I agree, but others I don't.  The only photo cliché that they mention that I really NEVER understood is the white vignetting... I still don't know when this is ever a good idea. This "finish" was very popular in Morocco.  All the photo studios I saw there had their works with this white vignetting proudly displayed for all to see; honestly, it made me cringe every time I saw it!

Having said that, I feel like some the things mentioned in this article of these are artistic choices of the photographer, and really if it speaks to their art/vision, then by all means they should continue to do these things.

Article: The 6 (Surprising) Best Cities for Photographers to Live and Work

I have to admit, I take my city for granted!  I guess because I have lived here all my life, I forget there is a certain charm of Toronto.  There is an incredible amount of natural beauty in this city, juxtaposed with a lot of man-made beauty, that encroaches, but never overtakes that natural.  Of course, we also have an amazing thriving film industry.

Read about The 6 (Surprising) Best Cities for Photographers to Live and Work.

Yay for Toronto! Time to be a photo-tourist in my own town, again... This is where we belong!

Event: Islamic Relief Canada benefit concert featuring Raef and Maher Zain

So, earlier this month, I went to this benefit concert at the very BEAUTIFUL Rose Theatre in Brampton and took pictures from where I was sitting, in the balcony. If I had actually been shooting the event, I would have more access, and would have moved around the theatre. Here are a few of my favourites... tell me what you think!

Raef starting his set.

Raef

Raef again...

Drummer

Keyboardist

Raef.... never noticed he had a dimple.

Almost done his set... yes, stage lights are really that hot!

Taking a picture of the crowd.

Thanking the crowd... It was a great set... even if we didn't hear "Dream".

The illustrious Maher Zain...

Maher Zain

More Maher Zain

Now in purple. The stage lights were pretty cool.

Feeling the music

Listening to the crowd singing.

Now in blue-green.

Interacting with the crowd... who is loving it.

Taking a video selfie with the crowd.

Final song of the night.

Getting a shot from above.

It was a fun night, and for a really great cause.

Article: Pro-Tips for the Best Children Photographs

I once took a course online by Tamara Lackey. I think it was a course on portraiture, and I just loved her work. I follow her on Facebook and read all the tips and suggestions she offers.  This article (link below) is an interview/article she did for Nikon's Learn & Explore website.

Hope you find it as helpful as I did.

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Learn-And-Explore/Article/hv6ehqiy/a-pro-s-tips-for-the-best-children-s-photos.html

Recognition from ViewBug - Snowy Landscape

I got an email saying that a judge liked my photo on ViewBug...

It's the photo from my 365 project, namely Day 192 - Serenity! When I posted it in December, I did say I loved the photo. It's nice to know that it isn't just me, but others like my photo too!

New logo/Branding for MOI!

Though I'm nowhere near being a professional photographer yet, I have decided to create a logo to watermark the images I share. I decided this to start branding my work, that way, if someone likes my work, they will know who created it.

Truthfully, this came about as an experiment in progress. I recently went to an event, where I chose to photograph it as an attendee, just to practice. I was limited somewhat, by where I was at the event, ie. the balcony of a concert hall, but was still able to get some decent photos. I branded the pictures to see just how quickly the photos made their way on to other pages, with the branding removed... should be interesting!

Canon vs. Nikon debate

For anyone out there wondering which to buy here is an analysis of the difference between the two brands. I am more partial to Canons but have used both. Everyone has a preference, and now you can choose your own preference.

The Great Debate: Canon vs. Nikon.

SnapKnot

Courtesy of: SnapKnot - Find Local Wedding Photographers

Long time no post

So, I've been bad about posting photos since the end of my 365 challenge, but I have reasons for that. First, camera really has seen the end. I can't hold on to the faithful Canon Powershot Pro1 any longer. It sits dormant on my desk, because I don't have the heart to recycle it. I am especially hesitant since I don't have a camera to replace it yet... I'm working towards that, but it might be a long time in the making.

Second, it's been really busy for me. With the end of the school year and the beginning of summer, and of course Ramadan....  However, I really don't like using busyness as an excuse, since we can always busy ourselves with nothing. So, I have decided that I'm going to try and blog a little more regularly. I've been reading a lot of photography websites, so I'm going to post my own pics, but also post articles, tips, and techniques I find interesting.

Currently, I'm working on trying to figure out how to capture an image I want to for a competition that I would like to enter. I have less than a week left to figure it out, since after that I won't have access to my brother's camera.

Day 365 - Beauty...

Can you believe that this is it? the 365th picture.... A year since I started this project. I found this fortune in my wallet.  It's been there for some time.  I still remember the day I got it.  I was having a bad day. A bunch of us were out at lunch at a Chinese restaurant. One of the members cracked open his fortune cookie, and handed it to me, and said he must have mistakenly taken my cookie.  It was very sweet.  I also thought it was pretty good way to end this project.... A lot of people take pictures for many reasons, and one of the primary reasons I photograph is to capture the beauty around me, and to share the virtues of the world.

Day 364 - Light and dark

Came home and saw this petal on drive way.... I saw it there sitting in the light, and the darkness  encroaching. The petal still was looked bright and defiant, even unattached from the flower from where it came.

Day 363 - Elections

Election day here and I hope many people will vote. I've had many conversations about voting. I really don't care who you vote for, but only that you go out and exercise your democratic right.  There are so many around the world who would do anything for this right, and the right to exercise it without fear.

Day 362 - Just a little shower

Camera not really cooperating today, so resorted to taking this on my phone.  It did a much better job of taking the close-up than my camera!  I liked the little drops of rain on the petals...

Day 361 - Drag'un!

The title is an homage to a children's program from many, many years ago. The title character had a specific way of saying dragon... and after all these years, I still say it that way!

So, this is a metal figure I happened upon that was part of a display by a water drilling company's facility. There were a bunch of dinosaurs in the display.  I really liked that dragon looked like it was attacking the sign, so that is why I'm posting this image!

Day 360 - On the grill

Tonight's dinner... completely vegetarian. Ever try a portobello mushroom burger? Great replacement for a meat patty. Wish I wasn't so hungry when I was trying to take this photo, I really didn't take the time to properly compose this shot. This was the best one of the ones I took. Oh well, it was yummy!

Day 359 - Random flower

After the crumby day I had yesterday, I figured I'd post a picture of some flowers because I need something uplifting to make me smile.  Flowers always make me smile, especially when I can smell them even when I can't see them.

Day 358 - Ever have one of those days...

I guess this photo can now be from "the archives"... it's been about a year since I took this photo. It was one of many that I took trying to get the shot I wanted.  I was looking for a picture to edit and post for today, and this is the one I chose, because while looking at it, I realized, it perfectly reflects how my head is feeling right now.

Day 357 - Pinocchio...?

So, I didn't have the time to go out and shot a new picture today, so I figured I would edit one I took a few weeks ago.  Not sure which would have taken longer...  After staring at this picture for 10 minutes, I then tried various filters to edit it to tell the story I wanted it to tell.  Still not sure I got it.  This figure reminded me of Pinocchio, and I wanted it make the background fairytale/drawing like, and make the figure look as though he was stepping out of the drawing as a "real boy".  Not loving the edit.  Will have to try again, when I actually have some time.

Day 356 - Let me shade you for awhile...

I really like this shot.  It's like the tree is leaning over the bench saying, let me shade you for awhile...

Day 355 - Lines

My camera seems to be cooperating again!  Yay! So, this is from today...

I'm still trying to figure out what I feel about this shot.  I was trying to capture the train tracks through the fence. A lot of different lines, with the leaves framing them... the jury is still out...

Day 354 - Set lists

Haven't had a chance to look at my camera, so today's entry is from the archives, sort of.  Here is some background:

I remember years ago I was at an album preview event that was part of a free summer concert series in the business core of the city.  As throngs of fans waited to meet the artist and the staff cleaned up the temporary stage, I walked aimlessly onto to the stage.  There I noticed that artist had a set list printed on a simple white 8 1/2" x 11" paper that was on the ground next to his mic stand.  Next to it were the lyrics to his newest song. Knowing this artist, I knew it was because he admitted that with new songs he often couldn't remember the lyrics new songs until he had performed them for a while.  I still have both of these.

Since I have been volunteering for arts and cultural festivals, I've had many more opportunities to observe artists and how they function.  One of the things I always take note of is where they keep their set list.  The following are two such lists.

This photo was from a couple year's ago. I was with the artist while he sat in the Green Room/Staging Area figuring out his set list. I was thoroughly amused as he wrote it on his wrist; he humoured me later and allowed me to take this picture of his wrist/list.

This set list was from the event last week. The performance came together sort of organically, as we chatted about life in the interview portion, so there was no fixed set list.  The artists did however want to remember a couple of requests that had been made, so he jotted them down on a piece of paper and laid them on the drum that was by his mic stand during the performance.

Day 353 - More flowers...

So, I went out to shoot some flowers during the golden hour, and my camera just would not cooperate. I tried so many ways to get take pictures of these and a few other really pretty flowers, and my camera would just not cooperate.  It would indicate that it was focused, and then it wouldn't actually be.  The camera has a mind of it's own.  Until I figure out what is wrong, again, I'll be using my point and shoot.

Day 352 - Another Wedding...

At a wedding this weekend, and was trying to capture that perfect shot, and my camera was being particularly insubordinate. I was trying to capture the rose centrepiece on the next table through the branches of the centrepiece on our table.  As I was trying, very unsuccessfully, to get this shot, I noticed the door to the kitchen and the ugly EXIT sign would wreck the shot if I could ever get it. This was the best I could do... time for a new camera... yes.

Day 351 - Director's Chairs

Part of the fun of hosting a conversation is that you get to do things that are out of the ordinary.  During our conversation, we hung out on these director's chairs. Fun to pretend that you are part of the entertainment industry!

Day 350 - From the stage

I posted this photo straight to Facebook yesterday evening, and wanted it to be the shot for the day.  At the dinner I attended I hosted a conversation with Dawud Wharnsby. We had a conversation and he sang a few of his songs.  I love hearing the stories of people lives, and Dawud has had some really interesting experiences which made for a really inspiring evening.

Yes, I've posted a few pictures of Dawud, a dear and wonderful friend and it was an honour to share the stage with him.

This was from where I was sitting on stage.

Day 349 - Waiting for the perfect shot

So, I'm going to be a dinner tonight, so don't have a lot of time today. I found this unedited photo from a week(?) ago.  As I was walking down town, I saw this tree canopy, which I haven't seen in years...mostyly because I didn't stop to look. It has been filling in, and I really liked the way it looked.  Had to take my picture from across the street, to frame the image the way I wanted. I ended up taking two photos, since I wasn't able to stay long.  Both of these pictures were not perfect. The first had a car zooming through.  This one, I don't mind the cyclist, what I don't like is the woman on the left who is about to fall out of shot. If I had had more time, I would have waited for the perfect shot, and I'm sure I would have gotten it.

Day 348 - On being short

Was kind of cloudy today, so there were few people out and about. This was the perfect opportunity to take some pictures without people in them.  Because I'm limited by my camera's fixed lens, I had to go pretty far back to get a shot of the entire section of the building.

The unfortunate thing is to do so I had to go down a set of stairs to get the building the way I wanted.  In the original photo it is very apparent that I was taking the photo from a lower vantage point.  I feel that it was more apparent because I'm short and I can't compensate very well.  I ended up editing to correct the perspective.  The picture looks better, but I think is you look at it closely, you can tell that it was taken from a lower vantage point.

Day 347 - More cupcakes!

So, this was yesterday's experiment, which I have to admit taste AMAZ-ING! I actually found some store bought frosting in the house, so made some cupcakes to use them on.... I didn't want a run-of-the-mill flavour, so I tried making almond and cardamom cupcakes.  I then flavoured the frosting with rose water. Still drooling...

So, if you look at this picture, the left is really warm and the right really cool.  I had two different light sources, and they cast very different temperatures of light. I couldn't balance it too well in post.  It's just something I need to be more cognizant of in the future.

Day 346 - Starving!

Can you guess where I was today? Just placing an order with my sister for an event at her school.  I was fasting, so sitting there watching all this food come out to the tables was torture!

Day 345 - Using obstructions

So, I was at a concert last night, and wanted to take some pictures, but my camera cooperates less and less with me.  I have a lot of very blurry pictures of my friend performing.  I realized how I would be able to take a half decent picture after much fiddling, the only thing is I kept getting peoples head in my shot.  It wasn't artistic in the least. At one point the person in front of me turned to the left, and I thought maybe I could use that.  This is the result.

Day 344 - "Let me rest in peace..."

This was from Thursday.  It was a beautiful day out, and all the urban creatures were out doing whatever it is that they do.  As I was photographing this tree, I noticed this little guy sleeping.  I stood there for a minute to figure out how close I could get to photograph him.  As I stood there, he opened his eyes, just a crack, turned towards me, as if to say, "That's far enough." He then put his head down, and tried to continue sleeping.

Day 343 - Solitude

I saw this sole dandelion and had to take a picture. This was an area that was on the side of the road, and the rest of this patch was covered in dandelions.  This one stood alone, away from the rest, as though he was shunned or wandered away from the group.

Day 342 - In full bloom

The winter that seemingly would not end has most definitely ended.  Downtown is in full bloom, and it's breathtaking!

Day 341 - On the menu tonight...

Okay, so here is another food shot! Dinner tonight... brought to you by whatever you find in the fridge thrown together...

Chicken breast stuffed with red peppers and cheddar cheese, with spinach, and red and yellow peppers lightly sautéed with onions and garlic, on mushroom couscous.

Delicious!

Day 340 - Choosing which bridge to cross...

This is one of the pictures from a hangout last summer.  I had to work on this one a bit, because it was way overexposed. I also added text, just because.

Day 339 - Another look at the cupcake...

Really tired today.... So, edited another photo from yesterday's cupcakes. I'm still drooling over them...