When you need a photo for your corporate newsletter, do you hand a camera to the nearest employee? Or maybe you ARE that employee! Increasingly, non-professional photographers are shooting pictures for publications, media kits, Web sites and more. In this 22-minute podcast, you’ll hear some very practical tips for capturing better photographs when you are pressed into service as a shutterbug. Our guest is Peter West, a former journalist and marketer who is also a very skilled photographer and teacher of photography with Henry’s School of Imaging.
00:01 Intro and welcome; about Peter West and the River 16 recording studio; Peter teaches at Henry’s School of Imaging.
03:54 Genesis of this podcast; many employees have become photographers
05:13 Practical tips for someone pressed into photography service
05:43 Tip #1: A dedicated camera is going to shoot better photos than a phone with a camera in it.
06:20 Tip #2: Composition. Most people shoot too far away; step closer; think about the background; don’t shoot into a window; if possible, turn off the flash and use natural light.
07:06 Tip #3: Shoot lots of photos
07:30 Tip #4: What will the photo be used for? You don’t need a 12 MB picture
07:50 Tip #5: Trade magazines love photos
08:20 Tip #6: Almost every story is improved with a photo
09:20 Tip #7: Sometimes, camera automation can get in the way of a good shot.
10:44 Tip #8: One of the joys of digital photography is the ability to look at the back of your camera and see if you got the shot; you can even blow it up.
11:05 Tip #9: Always take a safety shot, then get creative.
11:30 Tip #10: Read the manual!
11:55 Tip #11: Keep in mind that the manual might be terrible. Take a course.
13:00 Tip #12: Hidden issue of digital photography: white balance
13:33 Tip #13: It’s worthwhile practicing; don’t learn on the job
15:30 Tip #14: Practice photographing your cat or your kids; don’t test your camera in the workplace or on vacation. Some companies just hand a camera to an employee. A SlapDrive is a handy tool for transferring photos from camera to computer.
16:00 Tip #15: Upload photos to a Flickr commercial account or to SmugMug; can access photos form anywhere.
17:44 Tip #16: Shoot at the best possible image quality; shoot in JPG.
20:00 Tip #17: Turn off the flash and get people outdoors when you can.
20:55 Tip #18: The best camera is the one you have with you!
21:00 Thanks to Peter West and to River 16
21:50 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog.
Thanks to Peter West for taking the time out to talk about photography and to River 16 owner Rob Lackie and audio engineer Tyler. River 16 is a new recording studio here in Oakville, Ontario, where we recorded this episode. If you’re looking for recording space west of Toronto, check out their Web site. And be sure to visit Peter West’s photography blog.
Speaking of photos, here’s one that Peter West shot of me at River 16.
Here are the show notes:
Comment line: 212-624-020900:01 Intro and welcome; about Peter West and the River 16 recording studio; Peter teaches at Henry’s School of Imaging.
03:54 Genesis of this podcast; many employees have become photographers
05:13 Practical tips for someone pressed into photography service
05:43 Tip #1: A dedicated camera is going to shoot better photos than a phone with a camera in it.
06:20 Tip #2: Composition. Most people shoot too far away; step closer; think about the background; don’t shoot into a window; if possible, turn off the flash and use natural light.
07:06 Tip #3: Shoot lots of photos
07:30 Tip #4: What will the photo be used for? You don’t need a 12 MB picture
07:50 Tip #5: Trade magazines love photos
08:20 Tip #6: Almost every story is improved with a photo
09:20 Tip #7: Sometimes, camera automation can get in the way of a good shot.
10:44 Tip #8: One of the joys of digital photography is the ability to look at the back of your camera and see if you got the shot; you can even blow it up.
11:05 Tip #9: Always take a safety shot, then get creative.
11:30 Tip #10: Read the manual!
11:55 Tip #11: Keep in mind that the manual might be terrible. Take a course.
13:00 Tip #12: Hidden issue of digital photography: white balance
13:33 Tip #13: It’s worthwhile practicing; don’t learn on the job
15:30 Tip #14: Practice photographing your cat or your kids; don’t test your camera in the workplace or on vacation. Some companies just hand a camera to an employee. A SlapDrive is a handy tool for transferring photos from camera to computer.
16:00 Tip #15: Upload photos to a Flickr commercial account or to SmugMug; can access photos form anywhere.
17:44 Tip #16: Shoot at the best possible image quality; shoot in JPG.
20:00 Tip #17: Turn off the flash and get people outdoors when you can.
20:55 Tip #18: The best camera is the one you have with you!
21:00 Thanks to Peter West and to River 16
21:50 Where to send comments: email to Donna AT Trafcom DOT com, call the comment line at 212-624-0209 or post a message to the Trafcom News Podcast blog.
Look for the Trafcom News Podcast on Blubrry.com.
Theme music is "Beneath Your Surface" by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet from the Podsafe Music Network.
Donna: Thanks so much for allowing me to offer some thoughts on photography. It was great working with you again.
Posted by: Peter West | July 20, 2009 at 05:55 PM