Behind the Scenes ~ Photography

So, this isn't really a homeschooling post but I get a lot of emails about photography so I thought I would try to address the FAQ here too! I am no longer a pro photographer but was at one point years ago!

What is your photography background, how did you learn?

• I have always had a passion for photography but never did anything with it until after I graduated from college(where I was a Birth-Kindergarten Child Development major). My roommate in college was actually a photography major and I remember always secretly wishing I was doing that!
• While teaching Kindergarten I decided to take a photography course at our local community college, my best friend joined me and we had a blast. We took another class, learning all of the basics together (this was before either of us had children).
• After completing our courses we realized we were on to something and we jumped into starting a children's photography business together. We began with a darkroom and used all BW film, printing all of our own photos. We switched to digital awhile later and then began a HUGE self-taught learning curve.
• We ran our business together for about 4 years, until I moved to Philly to become a missionary in 2004. My friend still runs our old business today. We desperately miss working together and are still very close!

What kind of camera do you use, what did you start with?

• I currently use a Canon 40D which I got within the past year (as a gift because my Canon 10D went on the fritz after over 5 years of HARD use and instead of fixing it it was time to upgrade)
• I started with a film version of the Canon Rebel back in the day but if I were to begin today I would start out with something from the Canon Rebel Line. I am not familiar with the different types of Rebels they have out there today, but I would definitely start with one of them.

What about lenses?

• My favorite lens is my Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 IIwhich is also my cheapest lens! I LOVE this lens because of the f/1.8, that's what gives you the ability to shoot in lower light without a flash and also gives you the nice blurry background when shooting portraits. It is NOT a good lens for everyday use because it is fixed lens (meaning it can't zoom to anything other than 50mm).
• For everyday use, I currently have the Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USMon my camera. This is a fine lens for everyday use, and it was what I could afford at the time. I wouldn't use this lens for professional use but it works fine for what I need on an everyday basis.
• I used to use the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM but now my old business partner has this lens (we used to share lenses when we ran the business together). We also used our Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USMfor photo sessions this is also a *fixed lens* like the 50mm I currently have. The 85mm is great for close up portraits.
• If my wildest dreams would come true I would have the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM which as you can see costs more than my camera body alone!!! Why you ask? Because it has a fixed aperture of 2.8 which is a BIG deal with a zoom lens. Most lenses have a range like my f/3.5-5.6. If that makes no sense to you, then you'll probably enjoy my next set of answers below so you can learn the photography language!

What photography blogs/sites do you recommend to help me learn to take better photos?

• The online forum I used as a HUGE learning tool when I first began is: http://www.ilovephotography.com/. This is a GREAT community online and you can learn a TON. You might even see some of my old posts from years ago (around 2002/3), online over there I am "Little Moments" which was our business name. Be careful, this site will suck up your time if you are really interested in trying to learn photography!!!
• Pioneer Woman has an awesome photography section on her blog with great tips and tutorials.
• Audrey Woulard is now a leading Chicago area photographer. Funny thing is, she began photography right when I did and we were on the ilovephotography forum together back in the day, just starting out. Now she is world famous-it's amazing! She doesn't offer much in the way of tips and trick on her blog, but it is fun to read and see her great ideas and photos!
• I actually *met* Amy Schuff through this blog (mine) and now I really enjoy her photography blog, you will too.
• MckMama from My Charming Kids has a few tutorials up on her blog too. She is a photographer mom of 4 young kiddos and always has great photos up of them.
• I recently found a new blog i heart faces that hosts a photo contest each week. I will be participating and hope some of you will too! The way you could learn form this site is by looking at the websites/blogs of the featured judge each week. I am sure we will all find many great pointers from them each week!
  

How do you edit your photos, what software do you use?

• I use Adobe Photoshop 7.0, but that's only because I won't upgrade for the cost. If I were still working professionally today I would use Adobe Photoshop CS4.
• Learning to use photo editing software was actually MUCH HARDER than learning the basics of photography itself! I felt like I was going back to college and I was self taught on Photoshop. The ilovephotography forums help a lot with the learning. It is a VERY long process and one you have to be committed to.
• If I were beginning, I would use Adobe Photoshop Elements. It is a great and cost-effective way to begin learning PS. But even with Elements, you need to be dedicated to learning-it is in NO WAY easy!!!! I have heard Elements is much easier than PS, but I wouldn't know as I began right away with PS7 since I got it as a gift way back when!

How about printing your photos, storing online, etc. What do you use and/or recommend?

• I use Phanfare for all of my online photo needs. I absolutely love this software. If you have ever looked at my *public albums* you have seen it. But I also use it for all of our private family stuff too. That way it is protected (full sized images) always in case of a computer crash (which I have had happen). It even stores videos. Family and Friends can see it with a password, sorta like Facebook!
• I use WHCC for all of my photo printing, for portrait type prints. For regular snapshots that I print, I use Winkflash, but I wouldn't say they are necessarily any better than the competition in their category (Kodak, Shutterfly, etc.) It's just what I have grown accustomed to.

I think that covers the basic questions I have received. If you have any others, leave them in the comments below and I will add the answers (if I know) there so others can see them too. If I personally think of anything else, I will edit the original post and add to it!