1.24.2014

Photography Advice from Photography Novice


Boy that title really drew you in, didn't it?

Seriously, why would you want to take advice from someone who is, by her own admission, a novice?

Well, sometimes, when I'm new at something, I like getting the advice of someone who is equally new (or maybe just a few steps ahead of me) in the same process.  Somehow it's less intimidating:  I know that person won't judge my lack of experience, silly questions, or all around cluelessness.

So I'm here today to tell you about a recent discovery that (I think) has taken my blog photography to a new level.

Now I'm not claiming that my blog photos are anything great, but they sure have come a long way since I first began.  (Feel free to check out my archives if you don't believe me.)

Given that most of my posts are about crafts and recipes, I often find myself taking close-ups of small items.  I personally love the look of a nice blurry background when I take such pictures and, after reading up on the topic, decided to get myself a fixed 55mm lens to do the job.

Now I must reiterate here that I am no photography expert, but I think the pictures that I have taken with this lens speak for themselves.  Here are just a few shots I've taken since making my purchase.  Some have been cropped, and maybe one or two were edited slightly, but the time I spent on any one picture was probably less than five seconds.

Lavender at the farmer's market in Santa Barbara

Pickles the fish.  Read more about him HERE.
Succulents in thrifted milk glass.  Read more HERE.

Flowers at my sister-in-law's house


Jam at the Santa Barbara farmer's market

Swiss Chard at the market

Gerberas
Brussel sprouts.
Aren't those nice?  I'm taking the pictures just as I usually do (mostly on manual) but I find the pictures to be crisp (where I want them crisp) and colorful.

Writing this post is kind of risky.  I imagine more experienced photographers might be tempted to pick these images apart and tell me a million things that are wrong with them.

In the end, however, I find them really appealing and I know that some other folks do too.

So, if you fall into that latter category, you can check out my new fixed portrait lens HERE.  And if you don't?  Well, feel free to move along.  Nothing to see here...


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5 comments

  1. Hi Elena ... especially with photography I find reading the advice of others with skills similar to mine helpful ... I still haven't managed to get my vocabulary up to speed with the professional photographers so I often can't follow their great advice, and quite honestly, can't afford all the "necessary" items they advocate. Someday, maybe. Till then practical sharing of experiences are great for me, so thanks for sharing yours. I agree, the fixed "portrait" lens is on my wish list. My Nikon requires specific types of lenses so I don't have flexibility on that, just have to keep saving my pennies :)

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  2. these pictures look amazing to me, I too am just starting out in the blogging world and discovering that great pictures are key. Thanks for sharing!
    Cathy
    www.threekidsandafish.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Cathy! And best of luck on your blogging journey. I'm going to check out your blog now.

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  3. Your pictures have come impressively far since I started following you. I would happily take your advice. I want a new lens
    now!

    ReplyDelete

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