Erin Peloquin's picture

Easy Ways to Improve Your Photography


Are you a memeber of Clickin' Moms yet?  Several thousand of us scrapbook and photography-loving moms are. We hang out on the forums sharing inspiration, asking questions, and providing quick and encouraging answers.

Wondering how to salvage a picture that you took at high noon that is way overexposed? What is the best way to capture the memories of your little baseball player? Where do you find those precious tutus that toddling little girls look so cute in? The women at Clickin' Moms provide speedy and helpful answers on all those questions and more.

Here are a few tips being discussed right now in the forums:
Q: What is the best focus mode for crawling babies, wiggly kids or sports events? 
A: AI Servo for Canon users or Continuous Servo for you Nikon gals.

Q: How do you find the best light for taking a picture of someone outside? 
A: Put the person in the shade and spin them around in a circle.  Look in their eyes and stop when you see the best catchlights.  Aim your camera, and wait for a perfect pic.

Q: How do I sharpen an image in Photoshop or Photoshop Elements? 
A: Try this:  Duplicate your layer.  Go to the Filter Menu and select Other and High Pass. Move the Amount slider until you just start to see the outlines of the areas of the image you want to sharpen (like eyes). Click ok, and change the blend mode of this layer to Overlay or Hard Light.

Skill levels at Clickin' Moms range from beginner to professional.  We support and help each other, no matter how basic or how complicated the question.  We create tutorials for each other and give suggestions on how to improve specific images to make them scrapbook or frame-worthy.

On top of all that support that is available to every member every day, clickin' Moms offers incredibly popular photography workshops geared towards various levels of photographers.

Would you like to join? Use discount code FRIEND to save 10% through March 31, so hurry. That code is good even on the trial membership, by the way. Also, one lucky Ella reader will win a 6-month subscription. To enter the random drawing, leave a comment on this post describing the first question you'd like to ask the photography experts at Clickin' Moms. Deadline to enter the drawing is April 1, 2010 at midnight, EST.



Thanks to Ella for the opportunity to guest blog today. Hope to see you over at Clickin' Moms!
Comments
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I would ask for some creative ideas to "pose" three kids so my photos do not all look the same. Lynn
I would want to ask about what to look for when buying your first DSLR, specifically, is it more important to find a great brand of camera or focus more on the lenses that work with the body?
alexandra s.m.'s picture
Thank You! I really enjoyed reading this post!
alexandra s.m.
Is there a class for those of us who own a "bridge" camera.
What's the first thing I need to do in order to start shooting in manual mode?
What are the best settings to use on your DSLR when taking photo's of your scrapbooking layouts?
I would ask for tips and tricks on using my external flash to the best effect.
I would love to learn how to use my speed light.....
Maureen
Is there hope for those of us who only own point and shoot cameras?
I would love to know a great lens for capturing baseball games!
www.amysoto.blogspot.com
These are great tips. I would like to know how I can get my Manual mode pics to not look so blurry/noisy/grainy. I know I'm doing something wrong, but don't want to go back to auto mode with lots of flash.
I'd like to know the secret to getting good action shots. You know, where the subject is sharp but the background is blurred?
I've always been curious about this service. It would be great to win a membership to try it out. What is your favorite photography magazine? What resource has helped you improve your photography skills the most?
Where should i start to shoot in manuel?
I would love to know how to even start shooting in manual!!
I have seen this site and would love to be a member! My question would be what would be their recommendation for a new camera that's beyond the basic point and shoot but not quite a DSLR? I'm loooking to upgrade from a compact point and shoot, and my daughter is in both sports & acting, so would like something that would be good at capturing both of these as well as every day moments. Thanks for the opportunity!
Thanks for letting me know about this site! The first question I'd ask would be: "how to use my camera efficiently (meaning not in an automatic mode) to have beautiful pictures of my small kids (who run around and are not really willing to POSE for me)? ;-)
I would like to know how to take photos inside without all the fancy equipment. I am pretty good at getting great outdoor photographs, but the weather isn't always great. I have a Nikon D90...do I need a special flash? Is there an easy way to duplicate natural light?
I would like to know how to get people feeling comfortable and relaxed in front of a camera so that the photos feel more authentic and not posed. Thanks for the chance to win - the Clikinmoms sounds great.
I feel so positively overwhlemed by my DLSR and what I still need to learn. I see beautiful pictures all the time and wonder how they do it. My Dad passed away the day before Xmas after a very short battle with cancer. He was an avid photographer and has left me all his cameras to play with. We always connected with photography and had some photo shoots planned where he could teach me more but it never was to be. I would love a chance to win and connect with other photographers that can help me on my quest to learn more. Thank You
I'm wondering if you can achieve the cool bokeh effect with a standard kit lens or is it best to buy specific lenses in order to get that look? I would love to learn how to take close up shots with the beautiful bokeh in the background! I need your help!! Thanks :-)
Thanks for the tip on sharpening an image. I took a photo I love of my daughter yesterday that is technically less than stellar. I'm off to give that a try. Oh, and I'd love to win!!!
I would love to know how to take better indoor pictures like at my daughters ballet classes. The lighting is ok but my pictures are always blurry or icky yellow. I tons of pics at my sons baseball games but I struggle with the indoor activities.
What are some good tricks to get a toddler to look at the camera - or even in the general direction of the camera?
I would love to know more about taking portraits and ways to make the most of lighting. I also am interested in tips for taking better candids. It seems the shot is there for such a limited time... I'm not a great quick shot!
I would love to know more about taking portraits and ways to make the most of lighting. I also am interested in tips for taking better candids. It seems the shot is there for such a limited time... I'm not a great quick shot!
goldnuggt's picture
I'm a total beginner. How can I make adjustments for shots on a digital SLR camera?
sillypea's picture
Is there a basics class for those with crossover cameras? Mine has some SLR like features, but also point n' shoot. I'm teased by this group but fear they will all talk over my head - would love to try out a membership, though.
Jennifer www.sillypea.com
I can't afford a DSLR yet - I want one, I NEED one, but the budget just isn't there. How can I accomplish great pictures with my point and shoot? Thanks for the opportunity.
How do you get good action shots on my point and shoot? Particularily indoors with the funny light thing going on? Also, can you get portrait shot with a blurry background on a normal point and shoot digital?
Kim :)