Helping you get better photos...

Since we can't get together and create amazing photos together, I am going to continue to help you with other options.

If you have been taking your own photos, but want a little help, I'm here for you!

Retouching - colour, straightening horizons, editing out elements making them look a little something extra than straight out of camera. Still keeping it real though. From $70 per hour

Resizing - resizing your photos to make them fit the different places they need to go. Bulk photo re-sizing from $35

Stock photos - check out www.heidiwho.com/buy for tourism style stock photos. More being uploaded weekly so if you are looking for something in particular, get in touch and I'll prioritise. From $5 an image

Mentoring and courses - $195 for 2 hours ‘one on one’ or other online options at www.heidiwho.com

Hoping these services can help you until we can get out and have fun on a shoot together!

3 important photo tips...

Lots of people say 'oh wow, that is a great camera, it must take really good pictures!' Well, you know what... Really expensive pots and pans don't make me an excellent Chef. Far from it. Sometimes the better the equipment, the more operator flaws are obvious. 

Here are a few tips to consider, to make your photographs better, no matter the equipment. 

1. Light

Considering the word photography means 'drawing with light' in Greek it's probably quite important in practice, yeah? Yes, it is. Light can make or break an image. One 'scene' photographed in one type of light can tell a very different story to the same 'scene' being photographed with a different kind of light. Dark and moody is reflected (or not so much practically speaking) through light, or lack of, just as bright and fun are achieved through photographing with lots of light and minimal shadows.
When looking at your 'scene' look at the light and what the light is doing.
Is there shadow across the face?
Is something too bright?
Is there too much shadow/darkness?

Evaluate and then take action. 
If there is a horrible shadow behind the person you are photographing (and they are up against the wall) move them away. If there is dappled light on their face, move them to somewhere where it's not dappled. If there is too much shadow on the front of your object, turn it towards the light - whether its window, sun, flash, torch or lamp/light.  

2. Story

I guess before you even get your camera/phone out you have to know your why. Why do you want to take this photo? What are you saying through this photo? Remember, one photo tells one thousand words. 

What do you need to include in the photo to make the story? Will the person be enough or do you need to include where they are? A close up of a wine glass or a wine glass being held, with bottle and cheese platter, by a couple sitting watching a sunset. Or friends having a dinner party.

What is the most important part of the photo? Make sure there is a focus on that. If someone is doing a fantastic trick, but they only fill 1/10 of the frame, it's easy for them to get lost. And it's easy for the viewer not to know where to look. 

3. Composition

There are a few rules to photography, but they can also be broken. So don't hold them as gospel. However, if you do remember them, and apply them, it can make a more appealing photo (most of the time).

The main one is the use of the rule of thirds. Cut your image into three horizontally then cut it into three vertically. Where the lines intersect is where you can place your point of focus. For example, put your waterfall on one of these points instead of the middle. A portrait of a person with a beautiful landscape behind (that you want to show) can be out on one of these points too. It works for anything. Except when it doesn't. Haha. Sometimes if you only have the one subject in the frame and nothing else to compete with it, it is better in the middle. Examples being a person looking directly into the camera, a product by itself, a group portrait... 

So remember, it's not all about the equipment. In fact, I believe it has little to do with the equipment. Think about what you want the photo to achieve - your why. Then look at the light - does it suit what you are saying. Are there bad shadows or too much light? Then make sure what is inside your frame is right. Can you move in, should you get more in, are there distracting things in the frame?

Workshop: Marden Senior College

Last week I gave a workshop to the students of Marden Senior College. Focusing on how I photograph food, but we also touched on location portraits. 

The day was split into a studio food shoot, shoot in a kitchen, on location food shoot and portrait shoot. 

I started off my intro by saying 'I am not a technical photographer, I go with a feeling. I care more about the story than the camera model or tech specs (although I am fully aware of how I'm shooting and why). Not everything I do is correct, but it's the way I do it.' I don't know if there is a dead set right or wrong way to do things in photography? Or life really.

We also spoke about Contra work, charity jobs, social media and how to get clients. There can be confusion and misunderstanding that there is a prescribed way of how you have to do things.

There isn't. 

I accept or decline things on a case by case basis. Some things I do for love, practice, exposure or desire to help. Other things are purely business decisions. 

But something I did want to 'bang on' about is the relationship building. It's so important. I have been in business since 2004 and put emphasis on networking, being friendly, doing a good job... people will talk. You know the old saying... 'It's not what you know, it's who you know.' 

Studio - playing with angles, light, reflections in glass, working without a lightmeter and reading the histogram.

Kitchen - telling a story. Detail, medium and wide shots. Looking for interest. Keeping out of the way.

Food on location - light, direction, props, backgrounds, creating stories (including one here done by a student on healthy/indulgent), playing around.

People - Looking at interesting backgrounds, graphic, space, reflector or speedlight, working with your subject to make them comfortable. 

I put a call out on Facebook for anyone willing to lend us some food...  Kayla from Natural Naughties came to our party with some delicious, healthy food. Check out her food, recipes books and more here. http://www.naturalnaughties.com/

Want to get more action in your social media feed?

Better Pics for Business is opening its doors on Tuesday, March 1st. Only a few more days to register. Have you jumped onboard?

Do you want a better social media feed?
Do you want a better e-shopfront?
Do you want more clients?

Sick of taking photos that aren't how you thought they would turn out?
Tried to be smart - but ended up with blurry pics?
Not quite sure how to get your subject of focus looking its best?

You know the best bet is to hire a professional photographer, but sometimes you don't have time or the money. Yes, you will hire a pro for major stuff, but what about your social media? You try to do it yourself. But it just doesn't work out the same - nowhere near. Well, how about learning some easy tips and tricks easily that will turn your photos from blah to wow?

In 8 weeks, Better Pics for Business will get your photo feed looking more inviting, attractive, interesting and... just a bit more wow. 

What is it?

Online course/mentoring run by me, Heidi, of heidi who photos. I have over ten years experience in location photography.

What does this experience mean for your learning? You won't need all the bells and whistles to get great looking photos. You don't need to spend a fortune on a camera and all the bits. I know cheat tips, how to work quickly, natural light, making people comfortable in front of the camera - everything you will need to get good looking pics yourself.

It's part course, part mentoring. No point learning it, then doing nothing with it. Each week you will have homework to practice what you are learning. There's also a community to learn and share with. Help each other, and learn from each other. 

We will be focusing on the story and helpful tips rather than the geeky numbers and stats. Yes, there is a bit of geek, but it's more about how to use any camera to get a "Like' worthy photo or two. 

Photography goes a long way in gaining interest from potential clients. Don't turn them away with a dodgy looking online presence. Don't let yourself down. 

And, as a subscriber of heidi who travels, you get it at the awesome price of $149 instead of $295 using this (ugly) link...

https://www.sentrylogin.com/sentry/member_signup.asp?Site_ID=17777&Ppl_ID=21862&tk=

If you need to know a bit more, you can find out all about the course at www.heidiwho.com/betterpicsforbusiness . 

If you can't do the course now, it will be run again later in the year, or you can join anytime and do it at your own pace. However the discount won't last. It's only until March 1st. 

SATIC 2015 conference at Crowne Plaza Adelaide

On Wednesday this week, a few hundred of SA's tourism industry crowded into the conference rooms at Crowne Plaza Adelaide for the annual conference. A day of facts, figures, inspiration, tips and networking. It's the third year I have photographed it, and love it. I guess it's a perk of my job - having to go to events, meet people, learn new things and get paid for it.

I love the Crowne Plaza. I have stayed with them, I have been a conference attendee, and of course - I have photographed their lovely spaces. One bonus attendees get out of attending a conference here is the views. Morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and networking drinks with a 15th floor outlook over Adelaide CBD. Perhaps not so good for the faint hearted dealing with heights, but for everyone else - wow. Floor to ceiling glass windows and an outdoor balcony look over Hindmarsh Square to the south of the city. 

No shortage of hotels in the area...

Dean Evans from Leading Minds Australia had some interesting info to share about leadership, getting out of your comfort zone and fantastic customer service. I want to continue to lean into my fear more, and one of his slides I NEED to pin up on my wall, behind my computer screens. Where my magic life sits is just beyond my comfort zone...

Social media is part of our lives, and a big part of our marketing now. I've got on to Instagram (and love it) finally, and love some treasures that Rebecca White from Tourism eSchool shared. 1888 Hotel in Sydney really encourage all of their guests to get on social media, and even have a neighbourhood map showing different points of interest, with #hashtag and Instagram points. Get your clients raving about you!

Conferences are a great way to learn up to date information, network with peers and be inspired. My next AIPP The Event is going to be in Perth - can't wait. I'll hashtag and Instagram my way through it. :)

Not every hotel in the area has balconies...

www.satic.com.au

www.crowneplazaadelaide.com.au