“5 Uncomfortable Truths About Photography” plus 1 more: Digital Photography School

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5 Uncomfortable Truths About Photography Posted: 27 Mar 2016 11:00 AM PDT There is a lot of hype about photography, it’s a booming hobby practiced by huge numbers of people around the world. With the prevalence of high quality images from our phones, and widely available, inexpensive dedicated cameras, it’s no wonder the art is so popular. But it isn’t all roses, and there are some uncomfortable things it’s best just to understand from the beginning. Here are five truths about photography: 1. More gear won't make you a better photographer Don't get me wrong, I love camera gear. New bodies, lenses, and accessories are fun and exciting, but they won't magically make you better at photography. To be a better photographer you need to learn how to find images. The gear can help you capture them, but the finding part is up to you. Whenever I'm thinking of buying a new piece of gear, I ask myself, "Is my current gear holding me back?" Sometimes the answer is yes. It could be that the lens I've been using for night photography is too slow to get the detail I need, or the limitations of my current body are preventing me from blowing up the final shot to the size and detail required by a client. In such cases, I almost always have a specific image that I want to make, but can't, due to my equipment. More often though, the answer to whether my gear is holding me back is no. The actual reason I want a new piece of gear is that it is shiny. I may lust over new camera stuff, but if that gear won't improve my photography in a very tangible way, I don't buy it. Some images require certain equipment. Without a big telephoto, this shot of the full moon over the Andes would have been impossible. Remember that good photography comes from your heart and your mind, not your wallet. 2. There is no "knack" Some people take to photography quickly, others more slowly, but everyone has to learn. Photography is an art, not a gift. A few times, I've been told by people looking at one of my images, "You have such a gift." I know they are being kind, that they are offering a compliment, but I can't help feeling insulted. I want to say, "It's not a gift! I worked my ass off to make that image! That shot is the result of years of effort, of early mornings, and hours of travel, of study and practice, tens of thousands of failed and deleted shots, and thousands of dollars in equipment. Nothing about that image was given to me, I earned it." Of course, I don't say that. Instead, I smile as though they've just said the nicest thing, and say thanks. Photography can be learned. With practice you can see the way lines and light interact to create a pleasing image. Or how those elements can become jumbled, resulting in a photo that just doesn't work. With time and effort, you get better at recognizing the difference. It's a process I work on every day. So no, photography is not a knack – it's work. 3. You've got to be patient I spent 20 minutes hand holding a big lens to make this image, as I waited for an albatross to turn in profile over the waves. Yeah, lots and lots of patience. I've guided hundreds of photographers into wild locations to make images. Sometimes we've arrived at a site, and the light has been perfect, or the wildlife is waiting in the perfect place, as though they'd been staged there. But that is rarely the case. More often, we have to wait, and wait… and wait. The pages of magazines are filled with spectacular images, timed to perfection. But those didn't just happen. The images were made because the photographer knew how to be patient. Few things are so hit and miss as photographing the aurora borealis (there are lot of misses). The best images all require time and effort. This is a hard reality for many of my clients (students) to swallow. They just want the photo to be there, though it rarely is. To be honest, I'm not very good at patience. I like to move and explore, but it’s the times where I force myself to wait and sit silently, that I often walk away with something good. 4. There is nothing wrong with being an amateur Being an amateur does not mean you are any less talented than a professional photographer. In fact, in many cases, I'd say it is just the opposite. You see, professionals spend much (most even) of their time doing the dirty work: invoicing, marketing, tip-tapping away at the computer, and much less time actually making and working with images. The images we professionals shoot are often those made for clients, not those we make for ourselves. Inherently, photos made for others are not as good as those we are passionate about. Amateurs can shoot whatever they please, and that means they are making photos that matter to them. Skill and artistic sensibilities are not the sole territory of professionals. Some of the finest photographers I know do not make their living from it. And equipment! Here is the biggest irony: pros often can't afford the latest and best gear. With the exception of the very top people in the industry, we pros aren't millionaires, or anywhere close. Out of our meagre incomes have to come our mortgage, food, computers, software fees, travel, and yes, camera equipment. When I made the transition to full-time freelancer, that new reality hit me like a falling piano. Science fiction writer John Scalzi once wrote that you shouldn't consider leaving your day job until you are making TWICE your normal income with your writing (or in this case photography). It's good advice. So yeah, there is nothing, NOTHING wrong with being an amateur. 5. Postprocessing is a tool, not a crutch I'm not the first to say it, but I'm going to repeat it, there is no un-suck filter. If your image stinks when it goes into Photoshop or Lightroom, it's going to stink when it comes out, no matter how much you crop it, add contrast, or saturate. This image took a lot of work in post-processing, but it was a solid image going in. Nothing in Lightroom will make a bad image good. For the love of god, don't over-process your images. What matters in an image is the way it speaks to the viewer, that the photo means something. Make your image meaningful, and you won't ever have to rely on post-processing to be successful. Conclusion In the end, what really matters about photography is not the final image, but the process of making it. So forget about the shiny new gear, practice the art, be patient, don't get caught up in labels, and make your best image in the camera. Everything else is details. Do you have anything else you’d add to this list? Please share in the comments below. The post 5 Uncomfortable Truths About Photography by David Shaw appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Review: Manfrotto 5001B Nano Light Stand Posted: 27 Mar 2016 06:00 AM PDT Rating: 10/10 Among the most essential parts of a photographer’s lighting kit, is a sturdy light stand. While there are a wide variety of options that definitely fall into the sturdy category, many of these light stands are also heavy, bulky, and difficult to travel with. One light stand that is pretty much the complete opposite of every other option out there, is the Manfrotto 5001B Nano. Compact, lightweight, and surprisingly tall for its size, this light stand is my go-to favorite that accompanies me on every one of my photo shoots, however it won’t necessarily meet the needs and expectations of every photographer. Here are some reasons why you might love this light stand, and why you might opt for another option. Manfrotto Nano 5001B shown next to the Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and light stand adapter (neither of these is included and must be purchased separately). Manfrotto 5001B Nano Specifics Weighing in at a mere 2.2 pounds (1kg), this aluminum light stand stands at just around 19-inches (0.48m) when it is collapsed, and can extends up to 74.8 inches (1.9m) tall when all of its 5-sections are fully extended. According to the product manual, it has a maximum payload of 3.3 pounds (1.5kg) . Compared to other light stands, most of these stats aren’t particularly impressive, and it should now be apparent why the Manfrotto 5001B Nano won’t be suitable for every photographer. But, here are some situations when this light stand absolutely shines. Lighting stand as seen with a Speedlight adapter attached. Adapter sold separately. Extremely Compact and Travel-Friendly The main benefit of this light stand is its compact size, which makes it easy to carry when shooting on location, or in situations when you need a stand or two without carrying an excessive amount of gear. When pairing this light stand with a speedlight, and simple lighting modifiers like an umbrella or any of the Westcott Rapid Box series, you get a simple yet effective lighting setup that won’t take up a ton of room when assembled for use, and when transporting it. Flexible Light Stand Legs Unlike most other light stands, the Manfrotto Nano’s legs have little rubber tips to prevent sliding, and the legs themselves are very thin and not rounded, allowing the stand to fold down to 19 inches. The method of folding the stand can take some getting used to, but another unique aspect of the stand is its ability to get extremely low to the ground, thanks to the unusual folding of the legs. This increases the light stand’s overall footprint, offering increased stability, as well as the option of lighting areas close to the ground, without taking up a ton of floor space. Light stand with adapter, speedlight, and umbrella attached. The ideal use for this stand. Trading Stability for Compact Size As mentioned earlier, not every photographer will be in love with the Manfrotto 5001B Nano, as it often trades stability for its compact size. Flexible legs are great for packing up small, but also a recipe for disaster if the gear it holds is not balanced or is too heavy. Being very lightweight, without the option of suspending sandbags, this stand is also susceptible to being knocked over by even a slight bump or gust of wind, so outdoor photographers will want to have an assistant to hold it in place.  It’s definitely not as sturdy or as beefy as other light stands, meaning you won’t want to rely on it if you use heavy strobes, or big lighting modifiers. In Summary If you’re a location shooter, who doesn’t carry a ton of camera gear and has compact lighting equipment, the Manfrotto 5001B Nano will be your new best friend. Having one or two as travel light stand alternatives, will give you the flexibility to do a quick and easy lighting setup in tight spaces, without carrying extra weight. However, steer clear of these light stands if you prefer uncompromised stability and/or have heavy, valuable lighting gear. The post Review: Manfrotto 5001B Nano Light Stand by Suzi Pratt appeared first on Digital Photography School.

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