The Beginner Photography Podcast

In this episode of the Beginner Photography Podcast, I chat with Wedding Photographer Casey Fatchett, who shares how to make the most of the gear you have. Together, we explore the common misconception that newer equipment automatically leads to better photos and emphasize the importance of understanding and mastering your current gear. Casey shares his experiences with both digital and film photography, offering practical advice on how to push your creative boundaries without succumbing to the pressure of having the latest technology.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Intentionality Over Abundance: Limitations can foster creativity. Choose your shots wisely to deepen your artistic expression.
• Practice Made Perfect: Regular, intentional practice with your camera will sharpen your skills faster than any new gadget.
• Embrace Constraints: Enforcing restrictions, like using older or manual equipment, can teach you the fundamental principles of great photography.
• Value Artistic Vision: Focus on developing a unique artistic vision rather than mimicking prevailing trends for broader appeal.

Photography Action Plan:

• Use a Film Camera: Find a film camera, whether by borrowing or purchasing a used one, to experience the process of manual exposure and intentional shooting. Use an entire roll to photograph a single subject or scene under different conditions and study how each image differs.
• Master Manual Mode: Shift to using manual mode on your digital camera. Begin by setting your own aperture, shutter speed, and ISO to see their direct impact on your images. Practice this in various lighting scenarios to gain confidence and improve your technical skills.
• Practice with Flash: Start with a basic external flash unit and experiment with bounce flash technique by aiming the flash at ceilings or walls instead of directly at the subject. Progress to using a diffuser or a reflector to soften the light and reduce harsh shadows in your images.
• Analyze Your Work: After each shooting session, set aside time to review your photos critically. Identify one thing you like and one area for improvement in each photo. This self-critique process will accelerate your learning and refine your photographic eye.
• Limit Your Shots: Challenge yourself with a 'single shot' day where you allow yourself only one photograph per subject. This will force you to think critically about framing, composition, and all camera settings before taking the shot, enhancing your decisiveness and precision in photography.

Resources:
Visit Casey Fatchett's Wedding Photography Website - https://fatchett.com/
Listen to the Nerdy Photographer Podcast - https://nerdyphotographer.com/
Follow Casey on Instagr

Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets at
http://freephotographypresets.com/

Build Your Dream Photography Business and Keep More of the Money You Earn with CloudSpot Studio.
And get my Wedding and Portrait Contract and Questionnaires, at no cost!
Sign up now at http://deliverphotos.com/

Connect with the Beginner Photography Podcast!

• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Send in your Photo Questions to get answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Everyone wants their photography to have a style. From the colors, use of light, poses, editing, subject matter. The camera is a tool that lets us say something without words. Your style is

In this episode I break down the most common mistakes photographers make when searching for a style and give you practical exercises to train your eye.

Resources:

• Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
• Free Lightroom Presets!

Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets at
http://freephotographypresets.com/

Build Your Dream Photography Business and Keep More of the Money You Earn with CloudSpot Studio.
And get my Wedding and Portrait Contract and Questionnaires, at no cost!
Sign up now at http://deliverphotos.com/

Connect with the Beginner Photography Podcast!

• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Send in your Photo Questions to get answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

In this episode of the Beginner Photography Podcast, I chat with Justin Anderson, astrophotographer who captures the night sky with breathtaking mastery. Justin shares his journey of photographing Comet NEOWISE and other celestial wonders, emphasizing the importance of preparation, persistence, and creativity. Today you'll learn how to set up your camera for night photography, choose the right equipment, and find the perfect locations to shoot. You'll also learn the art of scouting dark skies, experimenting with different lenses, and appreciating the beauty of your surroundings.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Persist Through Challenges: Consistently work on improving your skills, even when conditions don't align. Persistence is key in mastering night photography.
• Embrace the Learning Curve: Night photography comes with a steep learning curve. Accept mistakes as part of the journey towards stunning captures.
• Plan and Prepare: Success in astrophotography requires meticulous planning, from checking the weather to selecting remote locations away from light pollution.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN

• Scout Dark Locations: Use dark sky maps to identify potential shooting spots away from city lights. Visit these locations during the day to plan your composition and safety measures.
• Optimize Camera Settings: Set your camera to manual mode, adjusting ISO, aperture, and shutter speed according to the lighting conditions. Practice taking long exposures to capture more light and detail in the night sky.
• Experiment with Lenses: Try using wide-angle lenses (e.g., 24mm) to capture expansive landscapes along with the night sky. Test prime lenses with apertures wider than F2.8 for better light capture and reduced noise.
• Use Proper Accessories: Equip your camera with a remote shutter and intervalometer to avoid camera shake and take multiple long exposures. Bring a sturdy tripod to keep your camera stable during long exposure shots.

RESOURCES
Follow Justin on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aurorajanderson/
Check out Justins Website - https://highhopesaurora.com/

Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets at
http://freephotographypresets.com/

Build Your Dream Photography Business and Keep More of the Money You Earn with CloudSpot Studio.
And get my Wedding and Portrait Contract and Questionnaires, at no cost!
Sign up now at http://deliverphotos.com/

Connect with the Beginner Photography Podcast!

• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Send in your Photo Questions to get answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Im renaming November to MEvember and focusing on my health. Since photography is a large part of my life I wanted to examine how it contributes to my health. Today I want to share with you the 4 ways that photography is incredibly beneficial to your health and well being and how photography can take care of you.

Memory

Have you ever noticed how you have strong memories of taking photos more so than the event itself? Science may have an answer as to why! Reviewing our photographs builds new path ways from our hippocampus to more visual memory parts of our brain.

Creative

Have you ever wished you were a born creative? According to science, creativity really can be strengthened like a muscle when practiced regularly. The key, the more you do, the more experience you have, the more experience you have, the more you can tweak that experience to apply to the current situation at hand.

Physical

I routinely get 20k steps in at a wedding. While photography is not the most physically demanding job it’s far more demanding than a desk job or video game hobby. Physical exercise also helps in the creative aspect. When you move your body, get your blood flowing to the brain, reduces inflammation, and lowers stress hormones which can help create more connections between brain cells and brain areas.

Feels good to give to others

We all know that when we give to others, the mesolimbic pathway lights up increasing activity in the prefrontal cortex and activating the subgenual area which is also associated with higher levels of social belonging.

Resources:

• Memories, Photographs, and the Human Brain
• The Science behind Gift Giving
• Your Brain and Creativity
• Join The Beginner Photography Podcast Facebook Community
• 46 Creative Photography Ideas: Free PDF Download

Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets at
http://freephotographypresets.com/

Connect with the Beginner Photography Podcast!

• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Send in your Photo Questions to get answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

In this episode of the Beginner Photography Podcast, I'll take you behind the scenes, sharing my personal pre-wedding rituals for energy and focus, overcoming equipment issues in challenging venues, and orchestrating the perfect shots despite unpredictable weather as we we dive into the dynamic and unpredictable nature of wedding photography. From capturing the dress and intimate moments during prep, to the emotional vows and lively group shots—I break down my strategies for creating those timeless wedding images. Embrace the tips, witness real-time problem-solving, and refine your skills to tell a wedding's story beautifully.
The Big Ideas:

• Routine is Key: Your mental energy is precious - a consistent pre-wedding routine helps you focus and stay sharp for the big day.
• Tackling Emergencies: Be adaptable; you can overcome unexpected challenges, like equipment malfunctions or weather changes, with calm problem-solving.
• The Art of Detail: You'll learn the subtle art of photographing wedding details – rings, dresses, and flowers – that tell a richer story.
• Capturing the Moment: Find strategies for photographing genuine moments, ensuring every emotion is beautifully immortalized in your pictures.

Photography Action Plan:

• Prepare Your Gear: Check your camera, lenses, flashes, batteries, and memory cards the night before to ensure everything is in working order. Have backups ready. Pack your gear neatly, create a checklist, and mark items off as you pack to avoid forgetting essential equipment.
• Plan Your Shots: Study and understand the wedding day timeline to know when key moments will occur and where you need to be for the best shots. Create a shot list with the couple beforehand, including must-have photos and desired poses, to work efficiently and not miss critical moments.
• Master Lighting Techniques: Practice using your flash in different environments so you're prepared for varying lighting conditions on wedding days. Learn to bounce flash off ceilings or walls to create a more natural light look in your photos when direct flash is too harsh.
• Capture the Details: Don't overlook photographing the small details like rings, floral arrangements, and place settings as they contribute to the story of the day. Be meticulous in arranging these elements and use macro lenses if necessary to capture intricate details and textures.
• Direct with Confidence: Develop clear, concise directions to guide groups and individuals during posed shots – having a few go-to poses can help you start strong. Encourage natural interactions between subjects for more candid and relaxed photographs, such as asking them to talk about a memory or share a joke.

Resources:

Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets at
http://freephotographypresets.com/

Build Your Dream Photography Business and Keep More of the Money You Earn with CloudSpot Studio.
And get my Wedding and Portrait Contract and Questionnaires, at no cost!
Sign up now at http://deliverphotos.com/

Connect with the Beginner Photography Podcast!

• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
• Send in your Photo Questions to get answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa
• Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/

Thanks for listening & keep shooting!