Lucy And The Lens

Category: Tips And Tricks

  • 10 Days To Start Everyday the right was a photographer in 2024

    Today is my 100th article on this website so I’m going to post about 10 ways to start off everyday in 2024 the right way as a Photographer.

    1. Set Clear Goals: Define your professional objectives for the year, whether it’s expanding your client base, mastering new photography techniques, or achieving financial milestones. For me I want to expand my client base this year and to have more stability in work.
    2. Update Your Portfolio: Is your portfolio looking like you haven’t revamped it in months. Why not add more recent images on your website to showcase your work in the best light.
    3. Networking is Key: I absolutely loved networking with other photographers, CWS creatives, Co work society one and mum’s In business though I’m not a mum myself and I want to bring more of this into the new year.
    4. Refine Your Branding: Ensure your brand identity is consistent across all platforms. This includes your logo, website design, and social media profiles. A cohesive brand builds trust.
    5. Stay Updated on Trends: I love checking trending reels on Instagram, videos on Tik tok and planning my content around them and also trying to revamp the trends where possible to fit with my brand.
    6. Time Management: Establish a clear schedule to balance work and personal life. Efficient time management enhances productivity and prevents burnout.
    7. Invest in Education: Continue learning and improving my skills. I am Definetly going to participate in more workshops and read lots more photography books this year.
    8. Financial Planning: Develop a budget and pricing strategy. Ensure you are pricing your services competitively while covering your costs and allowing for business growth.
    9. Social Media Strategy: Consistent, quality content is key and I’m going to keep being consistent through 2024.
    10. Client Relationships: This year is all about building on new and existing client relationships. Plan shoot, send photos, follow up.

  • Capturing Emotion In Photography

    Today I’m going to talk about the concept of capturing emotion in photography.

    Emotion is a difficult concept to capture in any art form, but particularly in photography. Images are two-dimensional and can often seem flat and lifeless. Yet, a good photographer knows how to use light, composition and timing to create images that evoke feelings in the viewer.

    One way to capture emotion in photography is through the use of light. Bright, natural light can create a feeling of happiness and vitality, while shadow and darkness can convey a sense of mystery or foreboding. The way light falls on a subject can also create a sense of drama or enhance the feeling of a particular moment.

    Composition is another important tool for evoke emotion in photography. A well-composed image can create a sense of balance and calm, while a more chaotic image can convey a feeling of energy and excitement. Framing a subject in a particular way can also help to emphasize certain emotions – for example, isolating a subject can create a feeling of loneliness or desperation, while including a lot of negative space can convey a sense of peace and solitude.

    Timing is also crucial when trying to capture emotion in photography. Capturing a moment just before or just after a key event can help to convey the feeling of that event, for example, a photograph of a child just before they blow out their birthday candles can convey anticipation and excitement, while a photograph of a couple just after they kiss can convey love and tenderness.

    Help us capture emotion in photography! Like and comment if you think light, composition and timing are key!

  • You Are Your Own Worst Critic

    Most of us can relate to the feeling of staring at a photo for too long, second-guessing our every move.

    For me, this happened just last night.

    I was trying to pick a photo for a competition, and two hours and 30 images later, I finally made a decision.

    Even then, I found myself acting as my own worst critic.

    In the moment, it can be tough to silence that little voice in your head that’s constantly critiquing your every move. But it’s important to remember that you’re the only one who knows what’s best for you.

    Also with social media, it’s become so easy to compare ourselves to others and to constantly strive for unattainable goals. It’s no wonder that so many of us are our own worst critics.

    But what if we could learn to love ourselves, flaws and all? What if we could be our own biggest fans? It turns out that there are plenty of benefits to being your own worst critic.

    Being your own worst critic can be healthy as it helps you to focus on areas which you need to improve. If you’re constantly putting yourself down, it’s likely that you’ll start to believe it. But if you’re constantly striving to be better, you’re more likely to achieve your goals.

    It can also help to keep you humble. It’s easy to get a big head when you’re constantly being praised by others. But if you’re your own toughest critic, you’re less likely to get caught up in your own ego.

    So trust your gut, and go with your gut instinct. Chances are, it won’t steer you wrong.

    If you’ve ever been in a similar situation, like or comment below!

  • Take Time To Relax

    It’s always good to take the time to relax and have a holiday.

    I do this a few times a year and here are a few reasons why you should too:

    Taking a break from work can help you to relax and recharge, which can in turn lead to increased productivity and motivation when you return to your job.

    Physical health is another reason to consider a vacation. Getting away from your regular routine and spending time outdoors can help to reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality and boost your overall fitness.

    And of course, it’s always nice to have a change of scenery! So, whether you’re looking to boost your career, your physical health or your mental wellbeing, taking a holiday could be a great idea.

    So, what are you waiting for? A little break might be just what you need!

    Here’s just a little snippet of how I spent my last trip away:

  • How do I manage my workflow effectively as a freelance photographer?

    As a freelance photographer, one of the most important things I can do is manage my workflow effectively in order to ensure timely and high-quality photos are sent to my clients .

    This means I have to prioritize my tasks, and stay organized. One way to prioritize my workflow is to break down my projects into smaller tasks, and then tackle the most important or time-sensitive ones first. This can help me to stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed.

    Being flexible and adaptable is something that is necessary when maintaining a creative workflow as sometimes things can happen that can’t be planned for.

    Getting regular feedback from other photographers and also those who aren’t photographers is also something that’s beneficial to your productivity as a freelance creative.

    Staying organized is the most important thing when maintaining a efficient workflow. This means having a system for storing and organizing my files, as well as staying on top of my communication with clients is the top priority.

    By following these tips, you can make sure that your workflow is efficient and that you’re able to deliver high-quality work on time.

    Please like or comment if you found this helpful!

  • The Importance Of Networking

    Today I want to talk about the importance of networking.

    I go to a variety of networking events predominantly CWS Creatives.

    Networking provides me with benefits for my business as it allows me to meet new people and build professional relationships.

    By attending networking events, I can connect with potential customers or clients, as well as other business professionals who can provide helpful advice or referals.

    As a freelance photographer who is looking to expand my customer base. Attending a networking event can put me in contact with businesses and individuals who may be interested in working with me . Networking can also help you connect with potential employers. And if you simply want to learn more about your industry, networking can provide you with the opportunity to speak with other professionals who can share helpful insights.

    Whether you are looking to meet new people, gain industry knowledge, or find new job prospects, attending a networking event can help you achieve your goals.

    If you’re looking to benefit from all that networking has to offer, comment below and let us know what events you’ll be attending!

  • Work, Life, Balance

    This week I’m going to talk about what I do to create and maintain a good work, Life, Balance.

    The main thing you need to do if your self employed/ freelance is work out how long you can focus for before you take a break.

    I find that reading for a bit, going for a walk or going to the gym are good ways for me to take a break as I spend a lot of time staring at a screen while I’m working.

    It can be difficult to achieve a work life balance, but it’s important to try. By taking breaks, taking time off, and finding a career we love, we can make strides towards a more balance life.

    Of course, achieving a good work-life balance is easier said than done. But with a bit of effort and planning, it is possible to strike a balance that works for you.

    Here are a few tips to get you started:

    1. Set clear boundaries between work and home.
    2. Make time for yourself and your loved ones.
    3. Don’t let work consume your life.
    4. Plan and prioritize your time.
    5. Learn to say NO.

    So what are some ways you achieve a work life balance? Let us know in the comments!

  • 8 Tips To Get You Out Of A Creative Rut

    Today I’m going to be dispelling the myth that if you’re in a creative rut you need to go to an exotic location.

    Here are eight things you can do to get out of a creative rut.

    Create an Assignment

    You may find that if you give yourself an assignment. for example, a photo a day for a month or a year it instils some newfound creativity within you. I personally set myself a new photo challenge every Friday which I have a full week to do and this helps me think out of the box.

    Here is a link to my latest Friday Challenge Post and some other related posts:

    Create A Theme for A Photo walk

    Another way to get out of this rut is to create a theme for a photo walk and then it becomes more like a treasure hunt and helps to provide you with ideas.

    Do Something Different

    Have a day where you go out and do something other than photography or whatever your profession is as sometimes you need to get away from it to end the rut. You can also try and learn something new that’s completely unrelated to your niche. (unique area of expertise)

    Humans of Your City

    How about creating your own humans of New York style project in your city looking for interesting characters wherever you go?

    Take Inspiration from The Everyday

    Another great way of getting out of a creative rut is to take inspiration from the everyday. How about picking up a book from your shelf and recreating the cover in one photo, a painting, drawing or anything else it inspires you to do. Find some other objects you have in your house and use them as your inspiration.

    See What Other People Are Doing in Your Niche

    How about browsing on your computer looking at what other people are doing in your niche.

    Create A Mood Board

    One of my favourite things to do when I’m stuck in a rut is to go on Pinterest. See what I can find and design my own mood board based on that.

    Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

    Try doing something you wouldn’t normally do, something as simple as changing the way you take your morning coffee.

    Just simply take your mind away from work.

    I hope you enjoyed this post if so, stay tuned for more.

  • Studio Lighting: Tips

    I have my own studio lights and also access to a studio at UCLAN (University of Central Lancashire) as I do my freelance work from there. So, I’ve been reading books, blogs and googling techniques on how to light a subject.

    Here are some tips I have acquired about studio lighting from the book lighting for portrait photography by Steve Bavister:

    1. Persuading you’re subject to face the window adds detail to the face and creates a strong profile. (Shoot this at a shutter speed of 1/250 and an aperture of f5.6).
    2. Placing your subject facing out of a doorway gives strong illumination.
    3. A reflector beneath a subject and a tilted camera angle adds impact to a simply lit but powerful portrait. (Shot at 1/125 shutter speed)
    4. The clam shell set-up: this is where a subject is seated, and you place the light above her and maybe a reflector below her.
    5. The typical studio set-up is when you place one light to one side of the subject and one light behind her.
    6. Using a light and a jumbo umbrella gives lots of lighting control (Shoot at a shutter speed of 1/400 and an aperture of f11.)
    7. The further you take a light to one side the more moody and dramatic it becomes.
    8. Photographing people wearing glasses requires a high lighting position.

    Below are a few more tips from DIY Photography:

    1. Beauty Dishes add a natural catch light to your images.
    2. For a two light set-up use an octobox and fill light with a colour gel: an orange or yellow gel will add a warmer tone to your portrait. Try this on f1.8.
    3. Old guys with beards photograph better with no soft boxes.

    Below is a video tutorial from DIY Photography: Lighting By Elaine Torres

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOYTtxzJWqo&feature=youtu.be

    I hope you’ve enjoyed this post let me know in the comments. Read more for more tips and tricks.

  • Photoshop Quick Fixes for Beginners: Sharpening Images and Black And White Conversion

    Typically when taking photos on my mobile I use the mobile version of photoshop (photoshop express) when editing.

    The first thing I do when editing quickly is a quick 35% sharpen of my image as this amount is what I find pushes the image just enough. Then I auto expose my image but usually change the auto exposure to fit the mood I want the image to have. As sometimes I find auto exposure to be too bright or to dark for what I was going for when I took the image. For me these mobile quick fixes are easier for IPhone photography.

    Normally I shoot from a camera so when I first started I’d upload my images to my computer and import them into photoshop to do a more complex edit, without ever using lightroom, now that’s my go to. My processing started in a similar way to my IPhone photography as I started by sharpening the image. My sharpen is slightly different to on the phone as I start by duplicating the original layer and using an unsharp mask filter to sharpen my image to 35%, with a radius of 5.0 pixels and a threshold of 3 levels.

    Next I would duplicate my sharpen layer and then I adjust the levels so the light to dark ratio of my image is perfectly balanced. Then I’d use auto curves on my image to further improve the light to dark ratio.

    Finally, not all images lend themselves to colour and thanks to the Google Nik collection as there are now better ways to make an image black and white without using the standard photoshop desaturation or black and white filter. So, before Lightroom Pre-sets and still on occasion if I think an image shouldn’t be in colour, I use the silver efex pro filter from the Nik Collection as the tool which contains pre-sets. My favourite pre-set is high structure harsh because it makes the original boring background stand out against a subject and I typically used this for street photography and any portrait where I think the original background was dull.

    If you enjoyed this look out for more tips and tricks in further reading on my blog.