I've blogged for more than a year by now, and it feels like I've done it forever.
For that reason, today I wanted to share with you a few tips & tricks I've learnt throughout the whole journey.
Remember, though, that you actually learn by doing it properly, so never forget that 'practice makes perfect'. If you want your blog to be how you imagined it, you have to spend time on it, and try to google as much as you can until you find what you where looking for.
But I'll stop rambling and go to the point.
1. USE WHAT YOU HAVE
You have probably heard it so many times, but I'll never stop saying that you don't really need a DSLR to get a good pic. There are loads of different cameras today that can take a very nice photo without being that expensive. So many people post snaps they've taken with their iPhone, and I've done it too at the beginning, but then I moved onto the DSLR in December since I got it for Christmas. I'm not saying it's the same thing, because otherwise I would cheat you, but I have an iPhone 4S and the camera is not as good as the latest's ones. However I've seen so many pics taken with a Canon EOS M for instance and trust me, you can't really see the difference. The thing is, a good photographer can take a good shot out of any kind of camera.
2. PHOTO IS WHAT THE READER LOOKS FIRST
All bloggers are usually regular blog readers. For that reason you should know that the first thing the reader looks at before opening a post is the photo. And sometimes it could be more important than the actual content, in fact images can often explain more than words. That's why bloggers put so much effort in taking the best shot they can.
3. THE BIGGER THE BEST
This rule is pretty much a consequence of the previous one. In fact, as I said before, pics are very relevant in a blog. That's why the larger they are, the more they attract the reader.
I also wanted to give a practical advice to the ones who, like me, use Blogger. In this platform you can choose your snap's size among five options: small, medium, large, extra large and original size. I used to go for the extra large since I thought it was the biggest one, but then I got I was wrong. In fact, the original size was actually bigger and plus, it didn't affect the quality of the shot, as it is for the others.
4. CLOSE UP AND BRIGHTEN
Clear, focused images are very pleasant, especially when the subject is in the foreground.
Brightened pics are so likable too, but you have to make sure you don't overexpose the photo, or you'll end up with a sort of angelic-like thing.
3. TURN OFF THE AUTOMATIC CORRECTION OPTION
Again, if you are in the Blogger club, you might have missed to set a few photos' options you can easily find in Google+ Settings. Turn off the automatic correction one, and your pics won't have that greyish tint anymore. Trust me, it definitely makes the difference.
4. DON'T USE THE FLASH / SHOOT IN NATURAL LIGHT
You'll probably know that natural light is the best for shooting, but unfortunately spring lasts just three months and after the sun sets very early in the afternoon. I know, I hate it too, but there's nothing we can do. So there are three things you can try: one is to plan you shooting time, so that you can't miss the light - highly recommended for outfit snaps; the other one is to take pictures in lamps' light and editing the camera options before (in my Canon there is a specific button related to the black and white balance, where I can select the interior lights option) a or editing the photo after the shoot (decreasing the temperature); the last one is to buy a very expensive set of led bulbs and soft boxes which is absolutely not in everyone's budget, especially if you are a newbie.
5. PREPARE A BACKGROUND
Sometimes it could seem like the objects in the photo are set in the most effortlessly way, but still nice on the eyes. Well, I'm here to tell you the truth: a real photographer always thinks about his picture before taking it, so there is no detail he hasn't actually planned. And when you see that messy background, I can assure you it is not because he hasn't tidied up his room.
6. HAVE A PERSONALISED STYLE
It's nice when you find your own way of shooting, so that people can immediately recognise when a photo is yours. Some bloggers like to keep it monochrome, others like to keep it muted. Somebody likes it bright, or always with the same background. I don't think I have found mine yet, but I guess it might be my next resolution.
7. RELEASE YOUR CREATIVE ENERGY
You don't have to buy particular things to make your background look cute, neither the famous white desk is a must as you might think. If you are a bit creative you can have a nice picture using whatever you find in your room. A piece of colourful paper, a sleek magazine, a bouquet of flowers, a few fairy lights … anything, really. Just use your creativity and you'll end up with some good stuff.
8. EDITING PROGRAMMES
I'm definitely a lazy girl when it comes to edit. In fact, unlike other people, I have Photoshop but I don't know how to use it, and I never find the motivation to sit in front of a tutorial trying to understand the moves, although I'd really like to learn.
However, there are a few websites that are pretty good and easy to use. The one that I use the most is BeFunky, since it has recently updated to a new version, which is more professional but still simple.
Sometimes though, I just upload my pics in iPhoto and correct a bit light and contrast.
IPhone-wise, I'm an absolute fan of Afterlight, which unfortunately is not free, but in my opinion, it is really worth those 89 cents.
So those were a few photography tips I've learnt through blogging, hope you've found them useful! Please don't forget to let me know in the comments if you have a few more tricks I haven't mentioned here!
Love,
Love,
Sara♡
Great post, some very good tips! The photography is probably my favourite part of blogging :)
RispondiEliminaCourtney x
courtneydoesbeauty.co.uk
Thank you! Yeah, I love photography too!!
EliminaSara x
What a post! So many good tips! I only have an iPhone for pictures atm, but hopefully if I become really dedicated ill buy a camera :)
RispondiEliminawww.denajayne.blogspot.co.uk xxx
iPhones have a really good camera now, so don't worry I'm sure your pics are awesome!
EliminaSara x