Give Your Photography a Boost
Whether you are a beginner, an advanced amateur, or a professional, we can all benefit from boosting our skills, finding ways to get our photos noticed, and even sold! I follow many photographers online, as well as photography blogs, that offer great suggestions. I thought I would share a few I have gleaned recently in this post.
Jumpstart your skills:
Consider taking a day trip to find different scenery. Changing the terrain will help develop your composition skills and get your creative juices flowing. This is a great time of year to get out and capture the beauty of fall and all of its changing colors.
Go on a photo walk with a group or a friend. One of the fun things about Camera Walking with a friend is that you walk past the same spot and see different things. Sharing your photos with each other will help you see things differently.
Sign up for a workshop. Workshops have increased my photography skills. I have taken advantage of both in-person and online courses. I enjoy tutorials on a variety of sites, such as Kelby One, Creative Live, Lynda.com, and through the Canon website, but signing up for a live workshop where you can interact with the photographer is truly impactful.
Edit older photos. I am amazed when I look back at photos I took just a few years ago at how much I have advanced. Taking time to edit those older photos with new software, and my newly enhanced "eye," is a great way I jumpstart my skills. This first photo was taken in 2011 edited with Aperature and Nik Software.
With just a few adjustments in Lightroom and Topaz Impressions, the photo below has a bit more impact and drama.
Showcase your work: If you are like most of us you post your photos on Facebook or Instagram and leave it at that. Of course these are great places to get feedback, but if you want to take it to the next level consider creating your own photo portfolio. There are many available, but here are some of the most popular:
Flickr is a great place to upload your photos and share with friends and the larger Flickr community. Depending upon your level of membership, it is a good platform to sell your photos as well.
SmugMug offers a variety of features and themes for the casual to professional photographer. Their plans start as low as $5/month up to $35/month for a professional who needs a variety of features. The portfolio plan for about $150/year, allows you to sell your photos online. I have used SmugMug for years and recommend them.
500px is a very popular site with photographers. According to their website, "500px is a photo community for discovering, sharing, buying and selling inspiring photography powered by creative people worldwide." It is a great platform to showcase your photos, and to get inspired by other photographers.
Behance is a terrific site if you are looking to being discovered by other industries, as well as your photography peers. Companies use this site to scout for talent. The site is creative, effective and beautiful, and participation is free.
Participate in contests: Entering contests can help you get noticed, get feedback on your photos, and possibly win something. There are many sites that host contests, ranging from National Geographic to ones sponsored by camera companies, but lately I have noticed my photography friends sharing their photos on ViewBug. The site says that," ViewBug is out to redefine the photo contest. Much more than just contests, we’ve built a unique photography community that fosters collaboration and rewards creativity." Membership is free, so it is worth taking a look and trying it out.
Taking a walk in a different locale, creating an online portfolio, or entering a contest can help give your photography a boost. Grab your camera and go out Camera Walking to achieve better health, fitness, and capture photos that you want to share with the world.
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