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19/12/2018
Are Presets Good For Your Photography?
Recently, I seem to be seeing numerous opportunities to acquire for free, or purchase, Lightroom presets. For sure, they offer a quick, convenient way to give images a boost and take time out of workflows. However, the question in my mind is do they improve your skills or hinder learning and are they an alternative to genuine creativity?
I’ll declare my personal preference before making some general observations.
For me, one of the joys of photography is the almost endless opportunity for learning. Experimenting in Lightroom and working to achieve the final image I have in my mind are integral parts of that learning process and a real source of satisfaction when I get it right. I do not want to achieve the same result as someone else by piggy-backing on their work. (Although, of course, I recognise that there are many third party influencers who consciously or unconsciously have an impact on the images I capture.) For these reasons, I tend to steer clear of most plug-in presets.
This isn’t a criticism of presets and clearly they can offer real value in time savings. However, it seems to me that if a preset is used merely as a means of getting a desired end result more quickly, and with minimum effort, then a key potential benefit is overlooked. Taking time to study the slider settings which accompany a preset provides a learning opportunity. The sliders show how the effect was achieved – and from that point you can move on to create your own effects, either using the knowledge gained to start from scratch or taking the preset as a basis for further modification.
Whilst my preference is to learn through experimentation, it is just as valid to adopt a ‘reverse engineering’ approach, acquiring knowledge by analysing the work of others.
Whatever your preference, surely the key is to take advantage of the learning opportunity.
mfimage
22/11/2018
How’s Your Hit Rate
I constantly strive to up my hit rate, increase the number of ‘keepers’ and reduce the percentage of images that I capture only to reject them when back from a shoot. Some days, I am pleased to find several photographs make the grade. On other days, I can cast aside almost everything – those good ideas and images that looked OK through the viewfinder just don’t cut it once I start post-processing.
Digital photography rather encourages over-shooting but I like to think I am getting better at reducing the number of times I click the shutter. Even so, it can be a demoralising experience looking at the number of rejects.
If your experience is similar and you are looking for a pick-me-up, a recent tweet from renowned wildlife photographer Richard Bernabe might be just the thing. I don’t recall the exact words but, in essence, asked about the balance between the images he takes and uses and those that don’t see the light of day he responded along the lines that most images are bad images.
Now, Richard’s idea of ‘bad’ may be rather different from mine. His bad may be my good. Nevertheless, if photographers at the top of their profession are happy to acknowledge that for every stunning picture, they take many more that they ultimately dismiss then we lesser mortals need not be ashamed of our mistakes – as long as we view them with a critical eye and learn from them.
mfimage
15/10/2018
That Photo Competition Feeling
The other day, I checked out the weekly stand-out images submitted to the Sony World Photography Awards. The open entry submission deadline, in January, now seems remarkably close so I have begun the process of reviewing UK and European images I have made over the last year to decide on possible contenders from my portfolio.
The good news is that, even with the best part of three months to go, I think I have a few that catch the eye. The bad news is that, when I look at the weekly stand-outs already posted, I experience those classic photographer’s doubts about image quality and ability to compete.
The Sony contest typically attracts approaching 250,000 entries so, in reality, the odds of making the final cut are on the slim slide. The other bit of good news, however, is that I am more than happy to be judged alongside them. To completely mangle some familiar sayings: “It is better to enter hopefully than to hide your images on a hard drive.”
mfimage
02/09/2018
Who Cares About Privacy & Copyright?
I’ll be honest, I’m a bit of a coward when it comes to sticking to the rules of photography.
When photographing in the UK, I like to comply with ownership, privacy and copyright regulations and seek permission before publishing any image that I believe to be ‘borderline’.
If I am planning a trip abroad, I always like to check out any special conditions in the country I am visiting. After all, what passes as just fine in the UK can get you into trouble elsewhere. Take a look at the strict privacy laws in France, for example, or regulations on photographing people in Germany.
Yet, as I look around the internet and social media I often see examples of images that seem to me to ‘break the rules’.
In my view there’s a grey line, too, between what are deemed images for personal use and those intended for ‘publication’. Cross it at your peril. If you’re thinking of publishing that innocuous picture of a National Trust property that you took for personal use but liked so much you decided to ‘go public’, take care – chances are you’ll need the Trust’s permission first. As for that terrific French landscape with the lonely farm house in its midst that you would like to share on line, exercise caution. The owner of the property might take exception and could have the right to sue.
Maybe it’s just me. Perhaps I’m too cautious – or are there a lot of people out there playing with fire?
mfimage
02/06/2018
Travelling Light With A Z Mount
Sometimes when you are travelling, lugging too much camera gear is just not very appealing. DSLR, lenses, tripod – that’s quite a load to carry, particularly if it’s not a dedicated photography trip.
One of my favourite lightweight combinations is a Sony RX100 along with a Z type tripod flex pan/tilt camera mount. The Z type is pretty versatile and an ‘alternative’, perhaps, to a Platypod or a GorillaPod. Of course, each of these has its particular strengths/benefits so the best choice will be down to personal requirements and preferences.
What I like is that the RX100 fits comfortably into one pocket, while the Z type folds flat so it drops easily into another. Job done.
Below: Sony RX100 on a Z type mount. (On this model, I add a rubber washer on the screw to assist in obtaining a firm hold on the RX100.)
mfimage
10/03/2018
Cycling & Photography – The Secret Of Youth?
Here’s a thought. If instead of driving to your photo shoots you cycle, you could live forever.
Well, OK, that is something of a fantasy. However, a recent report highlighting the benefits of cycling in maintaining muscle strength and supporting a healthy immune system does suggest making ‘getting on yer bike’ a lifestyle choice could bring real benefits to all, whether they are 20, two score, two score and 10, or octogenarians.
What happens if you add that thought to the therapeutic effects reported by many (particularly landscape and hobbyist) photographers of being out and about with a camera and concentrating on capturing great images. Could the result then be twice the benefit?
I’m not a scientist, not a doctor and not a fitness expert. For all that, it sounds logical to me that this might be one way of living fitter – provided, of course, you cycle safely, in locations that minimise risk and take care not to fall off!
Spring is around the corner so maybe it’s time to spruce up the old bike, strap on the Lowepro backpack and head for the hills.
mfimage
16/01/2018
No Need To Obsess About Followers
Pretty much everyone with a genuine interest in photography that I know likes to gain exposure for their images and to see the number of people following them on social media grow. I am no exception and, unsurprisingly, as I post rather intermittently I have a long way to go.
The rigours of the recently passed festive season, and various commitments since, left we somewhat exercised by the fact that I hadn’t updated my website or posted much on Twitter or Instagram lately.
Hang on, I thought, do I take pictures to feed a social media habit or because I gain pleasure and knowledge from the process of photographing places and people? (The latter is the case). I am also currently working on steadily building up my bank of stock library images.
That means, for my particular situation, I should not need to obsess about maintaining a full-on social media presence. Sure, I want my images to be seen and I’ll be delighted to have more followers in the course of time but, for now at least, I’ve got no problem with a few gaps in on line activity.
In the meantime, I remain an ardent follower, and respecter, of those individuals and organisations that have caught my attention and are committed to posting very regular and high quality content.
mfimage