If you’re starting the process of learning photography, or you have a big trip or milestone coming up, it may be time to purchase a new (or new to you) camera. Yay! But also, where should you even start? Let’s walk through some options for good cameras for beginners. What should you look for when […]
I imagine you found this page about taking photography lessons online because you’ve either decided to start your photography journey or you’re looking for ways to improve your skills. Yay! I’m excited for the experience of learning and growth that you are pursuing! However, making sense of all of your camera settings can be quite […]
Are you interested in starting the journey of learning photography? I’m so excited for you! I’m also thrilled that you are looking for a Beginners Photography Course to help you start mastering the basics. Your camera is quite a sophisticated tool. If you want your photography skills to progress quickly, it’s worth taking the time […]
Are you trying to figure out the best shutter speed for portraits?
If you’re in the process of learning how to use your camera’s settings, you’re probably quickly learning that there’s no one simple answer that covers all shooting scenarios. In this post, I’ll break down a few of the factors to consider when choosing a shutter speed for your portraits when shooting in manual mode.
TL/DR: Best Shutter Speed for Portraits
When choosing the best shutter speed for portraits, the photographer has to find the balance between letting in enough light and avoiding loss of focus (assuming sharp, in focus images are the goal).
Be careful of using a shutter speed that is slower than the inverse of 2x the lens focal length when hand holding. For example, for a 50 mm lens, avoid using a shutter speed that’s slower than 1/100 when shooting by hand.
Remember that a shutter speed of 1/500 or faster will freeze moderate human movement such as jumping, walking or jogging.
I remember when I was first learning photography. I actually took a wonderful class at a community college to learn the basics. But as I started practicing at home, I quickly became dissatisfied because my images did not have the creamy, blurred backgrounds I desired. It took me a while to learn how to blur […]
Do you have a senior in your home? Congratulations! I know this year will be filled with lots of fun, celebration, and memory making as everyone prepares for your student’s next phase. As you start to plan for senior year, you may be wondering: “When do you take senior pictures?” In this post, I’ll discuss […]
Are you expecting a sweet new addition to your family? Congratulations!! If beautifully documenting major family milestones is important to you, you may be wondering when to take maternity photos. While there is a general guideline, there are multiple factors to consider. Note: Ultimately, I encourage you to document your pregnancy. I mean this even […]
Are you new to photography with flash? In this post I’ll be sharing 3 flash photography mistakes that you’ll want to avoid if you goal is to create well lit images that look natural. (If you want your images to look like they were obviously taken with bare, direct flash, this post probably isn’t for […]
Are you new to photography and wondering about the best way to choose exposure settings? What’s the difference between an incident light meter vs reflected metering using your camera? In this post, I’ll explain the difference between the two different approaches to measuring or “metering” light. I’ll also fill you in on my preferred approach […]
