Organizing Photographs

LET'S GET ORGANIZED
 I imagine many of you already have a mass of photographs all over your computer, no problem.

Here's is how to start. START TODAY.
 1. Make a folder on your computer called PHOTOGRAPHS. Then think of what you mostly take photos of, family, nature, trips, etc.
2. Make subfolders in the PHOTOGRAPHS folder with these headings. Make them very broad so you only have 5 or 6 subfolders at the most. Don't worry if you can't decide where something goes. Your photos can go in more then one folder. EX. You can put the photos of your son in his own folder and in the folder of the trip to Cancun.

HOW TO DEAL WITH ALL THE UNORGANIZED PHOTOS: In each of the 5 - 6 subfolders make another folder called "to Organize" put all your unorganized photos from that theme in that folder. You can just dump in all the photos of your trips, family, art photos etc in this folder. Then while you're watching TV or something little by little you can put them where they belong.

 NOW MOST IMPORTANT: Every time you download photos from you camera make subfolders under the main themes and put those new photos there. Here are two sample of a structures that will probably work for lots of people. This second one will seem daunting however this is what you're working towards.

 SAMPLE ONE : Simple start (do this today)

 PHOTOGRAPHS
 Travel
      to organize
 Family
      to organize
 Nature
      to organize

 SAMPLE TWO: This is your goal. Check my blog. http://charlottebell.com/blog-page/

Photoshop for digital photographers

We have covered many details for improving your photographs in this blog. You should have a pretty good idea by now how to approach photography so you are consistently taking great photographs. However you have to deal with them once they are out of your camera. How to you print, enlarge, edit, crop, alter, add filters, erase blemishes and a thousand other details you need to know to make you photos truly great. So I am going to shift the focus to editing your photographs. The program I am going to suggest is photoshop. You may say. That's really expensive. Well things have changed. Go to the adobe site and check it out. https://creative.adobe.com/plans?store_code=us. You can now just get the program for as little as 9.99 a month. So why not? Of course now you have to learn how to use it and that is what this blog will be about. We will start with the basics, organizing. You have got to have a system in your computer. I cannot emphasize this enough. Once you have a system in place you can always find that wonderful landscape you took in Italy in 2012. Or those family photos for Christmas last year. So stay tuned. This is going to be fun. Photoshop to me is like a big toy. Once you know how it's organized you will have countless hours of productive fun. We'll start tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Creating depth and shape in photography

I studied with Tony Corbell a couple of years ago. He teaches all over the country. Take some time an view this instructional video. It will change how you take photographs in the future.

Candid photographs

Many people hate having their photograph taken. They liken it to going to the dentist. So first I try to put people at ease especially if is a portrait or head shot. They have to look at the camera. I tell them this is the digital age we can take as many photos as we like, so relax. Then I start to talk to them about their family, kids, job or stuff they like to do. Suddenly they become relaxed. I may try to sneek a couple photos while their talking, this can work but the main idea is they have stopped thinking about “smiling” and they are just themselves. Now when I have them look at the camera again they are much more at ease. However for family, friends and wedding it’s great for people to be involved in activities they like. I will put on my long lens so they are not so aware of my presence. Then I just keep “catching the moment”. Usually the best photos are the ones were they are observing one another.

The unusual in photographs

Move your photographic subjects out of their comfort zone. Or how about encouraging people to get silly like in these wedding photography samples. Some people will think it's dumb but most folks like to ham it up and just need a little encouragement. These photographs sure make the wedding album more fun. This can be the back ground or having your subject do something entirely new and unexpected.

A Unique wedding experience

Sometimes people are just too unique not to share their experience. This couple is traveling around the country to visit friends and family and at each location they have a ceremony and reception. I was lucky enough to do their photography in Austin TX. This was wedding no. 3. While you view this video think about some of the photographic hints we have been talking about. To me what I loved about photographing them was their spontaneity. They were so expressive it was easy, well sort of, you have to be on your toes all the time to catch these moments. This is what experience does. You can anticipate what's coming and get that photo the second it happens.