Insanely Useful Photography Tips

Photography is not technique
Photography is not ego
Photography is not software
Photography is not a profession
Photography is not art
Photography is not expensive
Photography is not pretentious


Photography is:
Painting with light,
Photography happens before capture,
A service to others,
A skill,
A craft,
A gift

Recent Popular Posts:
Insanely Useful Photography Tips
~ See my tips here
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Beginner's DSLR Photography 101 Workshop & 16 Insanely Useful Photography Tips

The date will be February 9, 2014. It will run from 10am till 2pm. Cost is $150 and includes a light lunch.

Registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com/event/9045528419

Here are 16 Insanely Useful Photography Tips (blog post)that I have written over the years to give you some guidance on creating photographs. 

Is the Classic Photograph Dead???

In the last weeks I have been having the same conversation over and over. The conversation has been about the cost of a photograph. This conversation has been with entrepreneurs, innovators and start-up companies; people who need high quality images that deliver a message to the world about their products and ideas.

This is how the conversation goes:

Them: "Photography is dead...well not photography, but the need for a photographer."

Me: "Why do you say that?"

Them: "If I need a photo for web or an ad I get a staffer with a DSLR and let him go at it."

Me: "OK, are your images delivering"

Them: "Not sure, I think so, no complaints."

Me: "How much post production are you doing?"

Them: "A couple of hours in photohop."

Me: "Ok, your staffer goes out and shoots product for a day and then spends day two working in photoshop finishing the images. What is the cost you have in lost wages and production from that staffer?

Them: "Probably two days wages and labor are lost."
*****************************************************

I ask you this: Is the classics photograph dead, or just forgotten about?

What I have discovered by having this same dialogue over the past weeks is that photography is dead and the photographers kill it. A good photograph has become too expensive to produce. Too time consuming for companies to even consider hiring an outside professional photographer.

******************************************************

Back to the conversation:

Me: "I could do that same job in two hrs and have it print ready."

Them: "How and how much?"

Me: "The how is easy...I take photographs. I have been doing that for the past twenty years. It is my job to problem solve, see light and understand perspective. How much...starting at $55 to $75 per hour."

Them: "That is a saving."

The point of this post is not to run a commercial about myself as a professional photographer (or to set a standard price as to what a photographers should charge) but to shed light on the idea that the classical photograph is dead. During these conversations, the same topic kept reoccurring.

Professional images are too expensive to go out of house.

This is an opportunity for the photographer to learn. Let's file this under "insanely useful photography tips". Classic photography is timeless.

I ask again:

Is the classic photograph dead?

Did the photographer kill it?

Let the conversation begin....

Compact flash cards and disaster prevention

About every six months I have a memory card problem with my camera. I have never lost a photo (yet) with the help of recovery software. The mystery for me is why does it happen in the first place? Below I listed the safety steps I take to help preserve the images (in camera). If you have any other helpful suggestions please let me know. I will re-publish this post accordingly.

1. Do not fill up your compact flash card; leave about 20% of empty space
2. Do not place CF card by magnets or your cell phone, this could erase your card.
3. Wait for your camera and flash to recycle before taking next shot
4. Do not delete images in camera (file systems can become corrupt - especially since deleting an image doesn't really remove the data. It just changes the name of the file to one that indicates the image or file has been deleted and the space assigned to it can be reused. Formatting twice assures that the possibility of corruption will be minimal. )
5. Do not let your batteries run low in your camera or flash, this will place strain on your card.
6. Buy recovery software for each brand of CF card you own. Each brand has their own photo recovery software.


Recent Popular Posts:
Insanely Useful Photography Tips
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How to be the Greatest 2nd Shooter….Ever

~ 7 Insanely Useful Photography Tips & 5 What to Expect Tips~

You want to be a great photographer…yes.

First you need to be a great second shooter. Why start at number 2 when you want to be number one?

Steve Williams is Tiger Woods’ caddy; I’m guessing he does not suck at golf.

Simple answer: you need to be on the field. No matter how many classes you take or books you read the game is played on the field. Experience and fast reactions mixed with the ability to think on your feet are mandatory.

1. Shoot 50/50 – 50% of your shoots should be in the style of classic, traditional photography. Capture all the key moments of the day. Remember to shoot safe and smart. Pick a safe ISO and F/stop to get that shot. You are not going for art here, you are going for documentation of the day. The photos you take may never see the light of day but they have to be there in case of an emergency. If the main photographer happens to lose images due to a failed card, theft or computer problems, your shots are now playing 1st swing.

2. Shoot the other 50% in the mode that you’re going to compose the best F’ing, photographs ever. Go for the shots, be creative, change yourself, push the limits of your abilities. Create photographs that will get you remembered.

3. Do you homework. Know the equipment that you will be working with that day. Understand the camera, lens, lighting, flashes, reflector, computersand software that you will be working. Be remarkable with your knowledge of gear. You want to be able to counsel the main photographer on exposure and equipment as needed.

4. Be proactive: the 2nd shooter’s job is to know the outline of the day and to be prepared for every situation. Set up lights, have lenses and flashes ready to go when needed. Ask the main photographer where s/he is at on card count. Have back-up batteries ready to go at the asking.

5. Yes you carry the equipment. You open the doors. You get the drinks. You pack the car. You do what is asked, with a smile.

6. Second shooting is a business relationship at work. Show up on time. Be consistent in your work. Advise on the subtleties of the day.

7. Ultimately the main photographer makes all the final decisions and they get all the reward (& risk) for the outcome of the day. Your part is to enhance and aid the experience for both the photographer and the subject.

What the second shooter gets!

1. Gives you the opportunity to shoot in a live fast-paced environment. Remember that is the one thing books and classes cannot teach you.

2. Behind the scenes look at your future.

3. Realization of your confidence and talent to go it alone as a professional or to hit the books some more.

4. Ask up front about image rights and be respectful of whatever (if anything) is offered to you.

5. Competitiveness; do not even go there. You were just given the greatest photo opportunity you could ever ask for. Be respectful.


If you like this article please be sure to pass it on…friend me on Facebook, connect with me on Twitter and info on private consultations can be found here on Photographer's Corner.

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In search of:

Insanely Useful Photo-Biz Tips

Ok, This post should be titled:

“Insanely Useful Human Centered Photography Business Tips”...
but that is just way too long to be a working title. The following list of tips has nothing to do with picking up your camera or turning on your computer.

- Fail often to succeed sooner

- “Acts of discovery consists not in finding new land, but in seeing with new eyes.” ~ Proust

- Create new experiences, not objects

- Write down your insights, be a dedicated notetaker.

- Seek out diverse side projects

- The karma of giving is powerful; what can you give away?

- Do more with less; what monthly services do you pay for that you barley use? Scrap it, or them.

- Do not be afraid to slow down.

- “Those who learned to collaborate have prevailed”. ~ Darwin

- Your business is constantly telling a story, do you know what your story is?

As always, I’d love to hear what you think...add to the list.

Insanely Useful Photography Tips

Question - what's the best way to create a quick buzz in your city about your photography biz??

Answer - Volunteer to photograph charity events ~ and it’s a good way to improve you skills

Get Critique ~Insanely Useful Photography Tips

I am always at the beginning no matter how far down the path I go.  20 years of being a working photographer and this is what I have learn. I need to be critiqued to get better!

Being critiqued is a lost art that desperately needs to be brought back into photography.

Growth only happens when you feed the creative-soul. In a social media world of “thumbs-up” and “likes” being the benchmark of how we judge our work...we are all starving.

In my conversation/critique sessions with Vincent Pugliese he has taught me the “why” of what I do.  The why of how I wish to create, capture and compose a photograph.

Most successful photographers have mastered the “what” and “how” of our profession but unlocking the “why” is seldom thought about.

VP brings this to the forefront of his photographic approach to critiquing a photograph.

Getting to the “why” is not easy.

The “what” and “how”...that we know.

What: we take photos because we love it, it is our passion, it is a source of income.
How: technical knowledge of gear, light and 10,000 hours behind the camera.

This is where most photographers stop growing and ultimately it leads to their failure.

Why: it’s not because we love it (love, passion, money is all part of “what”).  “Why” is deeper. “Why” goes into every click of the shutter, every frame we snap. “Why” is discovering the inspiration, the experience, the belief...it’s the reason we do what we do.  “Why” motivates us to stay with the mysteries and to aspire, to transform, to create something new.

Through conversation/critiquing sessions with VP you will discover the deeper meaning of the “why” within your work.

Understanding of the “why” will unveil strengths (& weaknesses) that you have. Trust me, Vin will not hold back on your weaknesses; his “bootcamp approach” is not for the thumbs-up crowd.  It is for those of us willing to do the work and move into a higher tier of photographic excellence.

This is a personal journey for the photographer; there is no one way to create an exposure and there is no one way to be a photographer. VP will critique you on becoming the best working-professional-photographer that you can be. Notice that I have hyphenated the last words together in the previous sentence because that is the trinity that he will guide you towards.

After my time with VP, I find myself taking lots more photos, shooting more efficiently, shooting more relaxed, enjoying the process more than ever before (trust me I thought I was happy with my previous work).

As for me my “why” is: to create purposeful photographs that document the legacy of the subject, to bring providence to the viewers and to strip away the non-essential elements that do not add to the story within the frame.

What is your why?

Create, Connect & Grow,
John Craig

Workshop ~ NOW BOOKING

Now Booking (Click HERE)

HOW TO EVERYTHING: PHOTOGRAPHY (The Basics -101)

Contact Elizabeth Craig at 724.355.9079 or by email at craigphotography@mac.com for more information and to register.

See all past Insanely Useful Photography tips (HERE)

Life with E ~ Insanely Useful Photography Tips

I have been wanting to write this post for years. Not until seeing the photo above and being a witness (film coming soon) to nine women going through the Elizabeth Craig Intimates experience did the words come to me. I am writing this for the up-and-coming photographer to help them be the greatest (& happiest) photographer that they can be.

Elizabeth is by far my favorite photographer in the world. Ok, I am her husband and deeply in love with her, but read on to discover why for yourself, and how you can apply her approach to becoming a better photographer yourself (or whatever artistic endeavor you want).

I feel like I’m E’s olympic coach; for years I would help guide her on her creative path of discovery.

She has heard me say “photograph the light first and the subject second” countless, endless times. We have critiqued, ripped apart, and been overjoyed when reviewing her work after a shoot (only the family-friendly photos ladies…I’m not privy to the “husband/fiance/boyfriend/significant other” photos. No worries there). We do this after every single session. She imports the pics, then we have a conversation and a discussion on what she has created that day.

Tip #1. Get critiqued often. 
Tip # 2 Have lots of conversations.

Like most coaches, I look at her as far surpassing anything that I ever taught her. When I watch her work I feel like the student. Don’t get me wrong, someday when she is awarded “greatest photog" in the world, I will accept a big shot out, but at the same time nobody will be cheering louder than me.

She is a constant creator, collaborator and at times a pusher (she wants what she wants). When a camera is in her hands she has a glow and an energy; she is happy, very happy.

Tip #3 Do the work that makes you happy. 
Tip #4 Do not take a job because of the money, you will fail.

One of her strengths is that she knows that no photograph can be reproduced twice in camera. Every single press of the shutter is an opportunity to create anew. She is a student of her craft. She studies others, but at the same time she has a complete understanding that you can never copy another photographer’s style. You can be influenced, motivated, jealous and inspired by other photographers, but you can never be them. You must make your own music, create your own work. If you try to clone another’s work you will always fall short in achieving the most important thing in photography….which is seeing what is in front of you.

Tip #5 See what’s in front of you (light then subject).
Tip #6 Vision takes practice; put the time in.

Her greatest talent by far is the wounded healer that she carries inside of her. Today when she photographs a woman, what she is doing in essences is handing back to those women her own beauty within. Yes, the photos she creates are beautiful, glamorous and carry a dream like quality. When Elizabeth connects with a woman (see photo above) she herself is looking forward to looking back on a moment.

A moment when that woman felt strong, beautiful and intimate. A moment when that woman can say to herself that she got it right in her life: flaws, scars and all the wobbly bits are just as important as the curves, lines and the fire and passion in her eyes.

As the group photo session went on that day, Elizabeth would take each woman and do an individual session with her. I filmed this entire process and I noticed there was one constant thing that every woman would say when Elizabeth would show them their photo on the back of her camera: “That’s me?? I am amazed!” Elizabeth’s response was “Yes. That’s you” with a smile on her face.

Tip “Lucky #7: Transformative power of seeing the beauty within.

This is the my favorite photo of E, never has truer pic of her been taken. I am the lucky baster who gets to see her beauty within, daily.

Insanely Useful Photography Tips

In the last couple of weeks we have been complimented on our ethics, professionalism, and client privacy. I like compliments. I especially like compliments when they generate new clients for us.

We have been praised – even won awards base on our professionalism while working with our clients. Note to photographers: you can laugh, make jokes, have fun and still be professional. It goes without saying, but I will say it. Show up on time, deliver on time, and listen all the time. Be creative, break the rules, push the bar but most importantly be nice.

Things not to brag about - Ethics, Professionalism, Client Privacy – they are all prerequisites.

My Top 10 Mistakes ~ Insanely Useful Photography Tips,

Confessions from a professional photographer ~ things that have taken me entirely too long to learn

1. How to sync multiple cameras so at the point of download all images are in sequential order.

2. Project manager application in my darkroom software.

3. To start thinking like a digital photographer instead of film-based photographer.

4. I love the 18-70mm lens, but prime lenses are better.

5. A whales tail is better left on a whale and not on my camera

6. Not to trust Google Maps or GPS

7. Pack food and drink on days of long shoot

8. Hand-held light meters are still important in a digital world.

9. NEVER delete in camera…never, do that…never.

10. Being part of a photo-community is better than being alone.

Insanely Useful Photography Tips

- Use a tri-pod, I can not stress this enough.
- Practices the art of seeing
- Do not think about cropping think about composing
- Photograph the light first and the subject second
- When photographing close-ups frame your subject first and then take two steps closer to the subject: then take that picture.
- Negative space and positive space are your friends
- Color saturation, think about it.
- Kill the phrase "I'll fix it in Photoshop" its poor compositional skills.
- Style happens, don’t think about it

Insanely Useful Photography Tips

~ Equipment is a crutch; composition cannot be bought.

~ Discovering your voice as a photographer is a path, not a destination.

~ Don’t photograph to impress their brains, photograph to touch their heart.

~ Simple beats complex every time.

~ Imperfections are real, art has flaws…

~ Inspiration is scarce, remove all distractions when shooting.

~ Respect mistakes – do not hide or cover them up. This is where you grow and are shaped as an artist.

~ Sleep