The number one piece of advice I give out when folks ask me how to take better pictures? Get Closer. Whether you do it by zooming in, using your feet or even cropping, this tip works with every camera from cell phone to top of the line DSLR.
Now I’m not suggesting that you walk out onto the football field with your iPhone in the middle of a play – I love my iPhone but it doesn’t work for everything! I am suggesting however that if safety permits, do what you can to fill the frame with your subject (or a close up portion of your subject!).
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to purchase something I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. You can read my full disclaimer here.
“Your photos are amazing, you must have an expensive camera!” The first thing said to me as I sat down to relax at an end of season soccer party for my kid.
I can’t tell you how many times as a photographer I have heard that phrase or something similar.
Over the years I have taken terrible photos with an expensive camera. I have also learned how to take photos that I am pretty proud of with my cell phone. It all boils down to how well you know your gear, composition, lighting, posing, etc, and whether you do any editing. You don’t need an expensive camera to take great photos!
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to purchase something I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. You can read my full disclaimer here.
From Photography to Videography
Photography has been a huge passion of mine for many years but I had never really tried or been interested in videography with my phone (or any other means). However as I started leaving my big girl camera at home more often and using my phone more and more for photography, I also started taking more video.
I have never been very good though at getting the right clips, narrowing things down, putting things together, etc. Yes, I’m a photographer but videos are a whole other realm and I wasn’t sure I was cut out for it.
But…I decided to try and I’m so glad I did. I looked up several online courses and decided to go with DIY Family Films. Yes it’s geared toward Family Films and memory making, but I believe the lessons are pretty applicable overall. Not gonna lie – my creative juices are flowing!
While my first video isn’t perfect I’d say it’s a good start – especially since it was all done on my phone!! To protect my phone for the underwater shots I used this waterproof case I purchased from Amazon.
As I’m sure you have heard many photographers say – the best camera is the one you have with you.
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to purchase something I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. You can read my full disclaimer here.
Today I chose to make a Facebook post about two items on what I call my Happy Shelf. A small Amethyst, and a Tree of Life Charm.
I posted more as a reminder to myself as to why I added some of the things to my shelf, but as people commented on my post it made me pause and think about this past weekend.
The day I was so disappointed in myself because I was already in the first week of January seeing myself on track to FAIL at one of the goals I had set for myself. That goal? To post at least once a week on this blog and I hadn’t written anything during the time I scheduled.
What does my Happy Shelf Facebook Post have to do with not meeting my blogging goals you may ask?
As people started commenting on my Facebook post I started to observe a few things.
I don’t always realize how much people appreciate the small things (like me sharing my Happy Shelf!), and I maybe need to write about those more
I have learned so much about blogging over the years and I am so Type A that I have been immensely intent on “following the rules” as far as creating a “successful blog”. But…the typical blogging type that fits into the rules does not fit with my personality. This makes it difficult for me to be inspired to write.
It’s time to say Fuck it and start doing this blog my way. I’m not really a “fit in the box” kind of person so I’m not sure why I ever thought my blog should be.
As my brain worked through all of those thoughts, I continued to look at my Tree of Life Charm. Yes, I WILL let my light shine for all to see.
Then I wrote this blog post.
And now, as my Tree of Life instructs…
“Celebrate Life’s victories, no matter how small they may be.”
