Photography Q&A – Tips from Tamara

I can’t tell you how honoured I am to have Tamara share her fount of wisdom by giving us photography tips, and answering her most often-asked questions here. You’ll see what I mean when you glimpse her pictures. There is genius there. Every one of her posts is filled with beautiful words and breathtaking images. I’ll share all her social media contacts below so you know how to find her – you will become a fan, I promise.

But first, without further ado, let me present: Tamara.

“I Hope I Have An Answer For You”

by Tamara

First, I feel like I need to introduce my own post, by saying that Jennie is someone in my heart. I have realized that many times over, through her Facebook posts and her lovely comments on my blog, and her gorgeous words on her own blog. We are kindred spirits, even in different countries with different families and different lives and different tastes in food, although she makes foods I don’t even eat look magical.

Also, Des was supposed to be a Juliet, like Jennie’s daughter. When we saw on the ultrasound that our “Juliet” was actually a boy, I was pretty shocked. Anyone who names his or her daughter Juliet, like I intended, is a friend of mine!

Here’s my “Juliet”:

And that brings me to my next and main point. I’m not just a blogger; I’m a professional photographer. I have been a writer and a photographer in spirit for most of my life, but I’ve only gone professional with both within the last three years. It’s both exciting and terrifying. I started writing down a list about a year ago, of common photography questions, problems and obstacles that my loved ones have asked me about. While some are probably not serious, I thought it would be fun to put many of them here on Jennie’s blog. I hope I have answers for everyone.

Feel free to ask me your own!

1. This is a real question from a relative. “If I get the same exact camera as you, and the same lens, will my pictures look exactly like yours?”

Well. In a short answer, NO. Do you have the same exact equipment as me and the same exact software and the same exact computer? Have you studied photography by yourself, in classes and as an apprentice for over a decade? Do you live inside my head and see the world exactly as I see it? If you answered yes to those questions, then yes, our photography may look the same, or similar. But do you use the same settings as me?

And that brings me to my next common question…

2. “What exact settings would you use for a dog running? I tried the exact settings you used for your dog running, and my photos came out too dark.”

Well. That’s probably because it’s more about available light than it is about settings. Settings are what you do with the light you already have. You took those dog photos when you were in California, and I was in New England, but even if we had been down the street from each other – or possibly even in the same yard – it might have been different! Angles and shadows and natural light and non-natural light and all. That said, I DO favor a minimum shutter speed of 1/250 with running dogs. However, you do still have to work on ISO, aperture, focus points and more!

3. “My kid won’t sit still! Help!”

Wait. Is that your question? Have you tried TV? Just kidding. If your kid won’t sit still for your photos, well, that happens. Have fun. Get new angles. Go above and below. Follow them. Get them running. Get them happy. Get blurry photos too, if you want. If you don’t want that, which I fully understand, try the fast shutter speed thing like the dog running above. I’d narrow your aperture (high number) and make your shutter speed faster. Both tasks will limit available light, so you may have to crank the ISO, find more light, or use an external flash or other such fun item. Another thing I like to do is give the kids a few minutes to just run and yell and get their sillies out, and then take photos directly after. And before. And during. Just always.

4. “What kind of camera should I get?”

I get this a lot. I have to tell you what I meant to tell you with question #1. I have seen plenty of people make absolute magic with iPhone cameras and point-and-shoot cameras. I have also seen people buy $5,000 cameras and still not be able to take a compelling photo. The magic is in YOU. That said, I personally love Canon, although I think Nikon is probably just as good or better. A good starter dSLR is a Canon Rebel. I actually started my business with that and a Canon 60D:

5. “What are your best tips for a low light situation?”

Ah, it’s all about light, isn’t it? Some people will tell you they only use natural light, or it’s a no go. Other people will tell you they always use some sort of assistance because they have shaky hands and the weather is unpredictable or they’re in the studio or they just like the look. There are a million reasons. I’m going to tell you that I use both, but vastly prefer natural light because.. it’s easy and more pleasing to the eye. I have a camera that can handle very high ISO but sometimes even that isn’t enough. Like during a wedding reception at night. I do have umbrella lights and an external flash. Both can be expensive, so you can also consider a Lightscoop if your camera is compatible. Their website should tell you. There is a way you can Google how to diffuse your pop-up flash with just a business card. I’ve never tried it, but I’ve never needed to, so give it a shot if you feel compelled.

6. “How do you find inspiration? I’m not inspired lately!”

You have to remember that sometimes I get inspiration in the form of MONEY, but of course it’s more than that and always has been. Look for the light. I knew I wanted to become a photographer because when I was in 2^nd grade or so, I was watching the way the sunlight streamed in through the school bus window and lit the eyelashes of a classmate. It was breathtaking. Since then, inspiration has been a part of my life. It helps me to go for a walk in nature or talk to other photographers and maybe arrange a meet up. It also helps to have your husband dress up like a 7-foot tree.

7. “How do I get those cool-looking lights in my subject’s eyes?”

Those cool-looking lights are called catch lights, and they’re a photographer’s dream. They can help your subjects’ eyes look full of life. It’s really simple how to get them – simply have your subject look towards the light! You may need to experiment.

8. “Is it better to crank the ISO or underexpose the photo?”

A properly exposed photo will always have less noise/grain than an underexposed one, so crank it if need be!

9. “The pictures look ok on the LCD screen and even after uploading to the big computer, but look blurry through the viewfinder! Help!”

Ok, that was my own question and that happened to me! It sounds like the diopter. It may seem like your camera is broken but luckily it’s a quick fix. My diopter is located near the top of my camera. It has a + and – symbol. As you dial in either way, you’ll start to see the focusing points become either blurrier or sharper. When they are at their sharpest, you have successfully calibrated your diopter! Congrats!

10. “My photos are always blurry! Help!”

Honestly, you’re not alone but something has to give. It could potentially be a problem with the camera and/or lens. More likely, it’s your settings or focal points. Try a narrower aperture (at least 2.8, maybe) and try a faster shutter speed. Use a tripod if need be. Drink less caffeine? Have an expert look at what you’re doing! Sometimes your subjects are just always moving, and that’s ok, but a good camera and the right settings should be able to take non-blurry photos. My example is a bit blurry, actually, but I just wanted to show you that it happens to all of us:

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