Leading lines through photography
I just love to follow a line - with my eyes, along a path, while writing, dancing.
In photography, it is accepted that the eye follows lines into a photograph, so you should aim to place your point of interest where the line ends.
I'm talking about just this, this week in Better Pics for Business. I looked through my images and found some of my faves that demonstrate it.
Take a look at some of your fave pics and see if they have leading lines. I bet some of them do. Whether it is virtual, with light or with colour.
The set of waves rolling in makes me want to look deeper along the coast.
The patterns in the sand draw the eye through from bottom to top.
The doors lead the eye in the room. The lines of the floor boards and rug lead them in further.
The hands lead the eye in to the focus of this image, the wine glasses.
10 'meh' places I've traveled to...
Places that didn't get me going 'oh yeah!' Do you have any?
By 'meh' I mean places that didn't grab me, I didn't enjoy, didn't live up to expectations... If I went again, I might think differently. My experience, my story - not factual.
I wanted to come up with 10, but couldn't. I am appreciative of all the places that I have been, and can always find some positives, but here goes.
1. Karon, Phuket - found the staff at the hotel and restaurants to be not very helpful, got stuck up a mountain for five hours with a baby and toddler due to a tsunami warning (absolutely not Phuket's fault), itchy sea water, not much shopping but concrete city feel. Wouldn't rush back - but rather go to the outer lying areas of Phuket or a different part of Thailand.
2. Tuban, Bali - grey sand, right near the airport... you get the idea.
3. Venice - WHAT? You say. Well, the experience I had there of dark and grey waterways left me somewhat 'is that all?' I also got lost one day and had to walk a very long way back to the cruise liner I worked on. We also picked a lousy restaurant to eat at. I'd give Venice another go, though.
4. Nadi, Fiji - I'd stay a night if I have to, to get to where I want to go. Although I did find the market interesting to meet locals, there wasn't much else here for me. Let me know if I missed something.
5. Kuta/Legian, Bali - seems like I'm dogging down on Bali, but I'm not. Just getting fussy. I call this area concrete city with bogans. Lots of hawkers (that I can handle), tourists walking around with a beer in hand first thing in the morning, tourists being crude, tourists being rude...
6. Cruise ship ports - although I've never been a tourist on a cruise ship, I have worked on one. It sounds dreamy, cruising the Greek Islands through Croatia from Venice. But, the reality of being in port with thousands of others for a short amount of time is far from idyllic. If I got off the ship, I would always head in the complete opposite direction to the guests. I like to discover the different things and not be in a crowd of tourists.
7. Surfers Paradise, Australia - ok, so I have never stayed here, but I did venture through here while holidaying a few suburbs south. It's too built up, too commercialised for me.
Where is your 'meh' place?
10 places I must see in my life
Having kids doesn't stop the travel - perception and effort does. It's time to work on bucket list destinations - kids or no kids.
I have lived in Greece, and would love to travel back. But get scared that it won't live up to my expectations and memories. I want to be let down by my memories of my time there about ten years go. Do you ever feel the same?
1. Cuba - the old world, the cars, the dancing, the music, the colour.
2. Hawaii - the beaches, the surfing, the countryside, the little unknown places on the islands.
3. Northern Lights - magic. I'd love to stay in one of the igloo hotels and watch the lights dance from bed.
4. US - a road trip from the skyscrapers of New York to the trams of San Francisco. And everything in between. Not too much to ask?
5. Mexico - Spanish, mexican food, the west coast, maybe a bit of touristy stuff. Really would love to hang out here.
6. Northeast, Brazil. I've already been, but I have to do it again. The beaches, the architecture, the culture... the caipirinhas and batidas. Yum.
7. Antarctica. I hate the cold, but this would be worth it. Little penguins, grand icescapes - a completely foreign environment.
8. Necker Island - of course, complete with Richard Branson. I have the opportunity to go next year but don't have the $$$. One day. Why not?
9. White Christmas in Europe. I'm not sure exactly where, but somewhere that is a little more 'snowy and white' than the London white Christmas sprinkle I had back in 2003.
10. Australian road trip. This is something that may be scheduled on the calendar very soon. I want to go all around. Perhaps not in the one trip, maybe a few. One up the East Coast. The second over to the west and down the guts of Aussie. And then another for Tassie and the Great Ocean Road again (third time).
What have I missed? I'm sure there are some places where later I'll think 'ahh, that is a top ten'.
Where does your ultimate travel list take you to? Please comment below. Maybe I can add it to mine. :)
Want to get more action in your social media feed?
Sick of ugly and boring photos? Do something about it. Better Pics for Business starts March 1st.
Better Pics for Business is opening its doors on Tuesday, March 1st. Only a few more days to register. Have you jumped onboard?
Do you want a better social media feed?
Do you want a better e-shopfront?
Do you want more clients?
Sick of taking photos that aren't how you thought they would turn out?
Tried to be smart - but ended up with blurry pics?
Not quite sure how to get your subject of focus looking its best?
You know the best bet is to hire a professional photographer, but sometimes you don't have time or the money. Yes, you will hire a pro for major stuff, but what about your social media? You try to do it yourself. But it just doesn't work out the same - nowhere near. Well, how about learning some easy tips and tricks easily that will turn your photos from blah to wow?
In 8 weeks, Better Pics for Business will get your photo feed looking more inviting, attractive, interesting and... just a bit more wow.
What is it?
Online course/mentoring run by me, Heidi, of heidi who photos. I have over ten years experience in location photography.
What does this experience mean for your learning? You won't need all the bells and whistles to get great looking photos. You don't need to spend a fortune on a camera and all the bits. I know cheat tips, how to work quickly, natural light, making people comfortable in front of the camera - everything you will need to get good looking pics yourself.
It's part course, part mentoring. No point learning it, then doing nothing with it. Each week you will have homework to practice what you are learning. There's also a community to learn and share with. Help each other, and learn from each other.
We will be focusing on the story and helpful tips rather than the geeky numbers and stats. Yes, there is a bit of geek, but it's more about how to use any camera to get a "Like' worthy photo or two.
Photography goes a long way in gaining interest from potential clients. Don't turn them away with a dodgy looking online presence. Don't let yourself down.
And, as a subscriber of heidi who travels, you get it at the awesome price of $149 instead of $295 using this (ugly) link...
https://www.sentrylogin.com/sentry/member_signup.asp?Site_ID=17777&Ppl_ID=21862&tk=
If you need to know a bit more, you can find out all about the course at www.heidiwho.com/betterpicsforbusiness .
If you can't do the course now, it will be run again later in the year, or you can join anytime and do it at your own pace. However the discount won't last. It's only until March 1st.
Where am I going?
Where I'm going in the near future. Contact me if you need anything.
Assignment? Stock photos? Article? Coffee? Wine?
Find out where I am, and we can do business :)
Suggestions, ideas or commissions welcome.
August 2016 - Melbourne, Victoria
October 2016 - Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia, Sydney
October/November 2016 - Eyre Peninsula, Flinders Ranges, Clare Valley, Barossa, Limestone Coast, Yorke Peninsula. Road trips. *Enquire about my new $400 Editorial Package I am offering on these trips.
Early 2017 - Tasmania, Victoria
If you are interested to know more about dates, email me at heidi@heidiwho.com.
*this list will be updated in Blog when required. Please subscribe to keep up to date.
Top 10 travels so far...
My fave places so far on my life travels... Share yours with me.
In no particular order...
Tell me where your favourite places are. I love to add to my 'where to go next' list. :)
I'm on a roll, just wait until the 10 'meh' places and the 10 must see in my life places...
2016 - want to learn?
Who wants to learn how to get better photos? MENTORING ECOURSE STARTS ON MARCH 1ST - COME JOIN US!
And welcome to 2016! I hope this year is a year full of fun, excitement, adventure and love for you. In all areas of your life - personal, career and family.
I read something from a good friend of mine today, about setting your intentions on progress rather than goals. I love it. So often we are disappointed when we don't reach our lofty goals. Setting the bar high can be good, so long as you don't beat yourself up if you don't achieve exactly what you set out to do. What is that saying about reaching the stars? I forget. I guess that is also why many business plans are set out with many smaller tasks and activities scheduled to achieve the one big goal. Like a ladder - step by step.
This year, that is what I am doing. Taking things one step at a time. To have my intentions but not dwell on achieving them. I'm going to look more at my little steps. From small things big things grow. For me, it's new beginnings. I'm continuing with my location photography but also introducing a stock photography library, developing my blog and an app, and something else rather special...
So, with that. I'd like to announce the first round of my eCourse 'Better Pics for Business' (check out promo link at end of this). It's all about learning how to get better photos for your social media, newsletters and general business stuff. Of course, there is always going to be a place for a pro photographer (can I suggest myself :) ) but sometimes you just need to get some pics. We all know how important visuals are, especially with so much competing for attention in the online world. We need to stand out and be personal and unique - and grab attention to get more attention.
Instead of talking all tech and geeking out on you, we are going to go through the storytelling aspect of the photo, talk about things to think about when aiming up your camera. AND, it's not just for fancy DSLR users, you can learn with any camera or device that takes a photo. It will be fun.
Members will get homework and feedback - to make sure you learn what is taught rather than finishing up with fuzzies still going around in your head. I guess it's a bit like a mentoring group.
I realise that you can do any number of online courses, in-person worksops or learn for free via YouTube - but the thing that is missing is the feedback on your photos, unique learnings and techniques that you need. With the Better Pics for Business course, you have the opportunity to tailor what you need and get the answers.
Check it out at www.heidiwho.com/betterpicsforbusiness. Starts Tuesday 1st March. AND... as a reader of heidiwhotravels you will receive the course at nearly 50% off! To get your discounted rate make sure you use the link below - this is the only place you will find the discounted rate.DON'T FOLLOW THE LINKS IN THE SHOP PAGE - UNLESS YOU WANT TO PAY FULL PRICE. :)
Feel free to email or phone me if you have any q's - I'd love to chat.
When to hire a photographer.
Why should you invest in a professional photographer? Can you get away with not using one?
'I'll just take the photo on my iPhone. I don't need to waste that sort of money to get someone to come and get the photo for me.'
'I can't afford a photographer. Plus, my son has a big camera with lens thingy, so I'll just use that.'
'I'll just grab some images off the net. They will do.'
A photograph I took recently for Adelaide Shores of their new pool area. On shoot, I interacted with 'mum and dad' plus the two children to get the look we were after. Three different families, none had ever met each other before. None with modeling experience. I think they did well. In retouching, I had to add blue sky, lighten bodies, remove distractions etc along with all the usual adjustments ensuring colour, contrast and horizon line are all correct.
I've heard all of these statements, plus more, in my life. These can be modified for different circumstances (i.e., weddings or portraits), but essentially, mean the same. It's a lack of knowledge and power on the consumer. Perhaps they are time poor and don't do the research. Or, if they do know how important photography is, it's a lack of commitment - of leaning into the 'fear' of spending money on a photographer. After all, you can't see the product you are buying before it's taken. It's risky - or at least, you think it is. You have to commit, and then wait to see the results.
So, are these statements incorrect? Some would scream and rant 'absolutely!' But I believe there is some truth in them.
Yes, photographers can be expensive. And with anything worthwhile, you get what you pay for.
Yes, it takes an effort to hire a photographer. The right photographer.
Yes, sometimes you can stuff up and hire the wrong photographer or get the wrong results.
Yes, you can take the photos for yourself - but do you know what you are doing?
Yes, microstock is a damn lot cheaper than hiring a photographer. You could get 100 photos for the price you would pay a photographer to take a couple of you.
BUT...
Photographers have studied the craft of design, light, composition and working with people in uncomfortable (not many of us actually like sitting in front of a lens) situations. This takes years of study, application and dedication. Photography for the photographer can be a lifestyle - all consuming.
Photographers know how to get the best results. They know how to shoot into the sun and still get detail. They know how to compose for interest. They know how to look at the light. They know how to pose subjects. They know how to tell a story in a single frame. They know their camera settings and how to work their camera to its limits. 'P' on a camera doesn't stand for 'Professional'.
If you hire through a recommendation or search an organisation like AIPP (Australian Institute of Professional Photography) to find a photographer, the risk is monumentally minimised. If you get organised with ideas, what you need out of the shoot, sample images, shot list - and communicate it all with the photographer - you will (I would expect) be on the same page and get the results you want and need.
Stock photography has its place. But in the world we live in, everything is becoming more personalised. Even (or especially) online. Your customer wants to know about you. When a picture tells a thousand words, and attention span is limited, a photograph is a perfect answer.
Stock photography can't help with the 'About Us' page, events, specific items you sell or create, or tell a story of 'behind the scenes'.
Commissioning a photographer will get you these things. Yes, you invest more money but it will make your marketing dollar go further. Photography is the investment in your marketing. It is the foundation. We all know what happens when a house is built on a sloppy foundation. You don't need an earthquake to see it quickly crumble, crack and fall. The same is true with your advertisements and promotion.
Again, a bunch of people that had to act like friends for this shot for YHA Port Lincoln. I needed to know my camera limits for this shot so I could expose for outside, inside and movement. Retouching also included selective lightening and darkening of areas plus spot colour correction.
So, when to hire a photographer...
ALWAYS!!! We love our job and want to help. I want to help show off the world to the world in as many ways as possible. So feel free to contact me whenever you need.
But seriously.
For social media updates or smaller in-house projects where there is no budget or time for a photographer, perhaps you could study a short course. That way, you know the basics to get yourself out of trouble and get the best possible photograph. There is no point in putting up a photograph on social media that doesn't tell a story, is blurry, or looks ugly - nobody will pay attention.
My eCourse and mentoring program Better Pics for Business is starting in March. It's a great way of learning the basics of photography in a hands-on, personal way. Join us.
For website and print imagery, advertisements and campaigns - always speak with a photographer. They will get you the results you need to gain attention in the marketplace.
If in doubt, contact a photographer - you will soon work out what you can do. We are here to help you.
Living Well. A new shop in Glenelg town... Naturally.
You little beauty! A new shop on Jetty Road Glenelg. My kind.
I went for a wander down Glenelg the other day, taking some stock pics (which I didn't have much luck with - having to find couples and happy families), and stumbled across a friends shop that has just opened.
I love the way it feels so raw and organic, from the pallets to the chalkboard signage. And I like her products as well. There is a good variety; I could spend a fortune. Fortunate for me I didn't have the time to look through them all. Everything from lentils, grains, flour to dried fruit and cheeky treats. The kids will love it too!
Check it out. It's on the right side of Jetty Road when walking towards the beach. Take your wallet full - you will want to purchase so much.
57 Jetty Road, Glenelg.
Harvest Festival McLaren Vale sponsorship
Harvest Festival McLaren Vale - raising money for Mclaren Vale and Districts War Memorial Hospital. An event I sponsor. And it's a load of fun!
Last week I photographed the Harvest Festival in McLaren Vale. For the last three years, I have sponsored the event and have loved watching the community rally together and raise funds for The McLaren Vale and Districts War Memorial Hospital.
An art exhibition at the McLaren Vale Visitor Centre kicks the event off. The 2016 theme is "Feast of the Fleurieu". Artists explored and expressed this concept. We have some very talented artists in the area.
A scrumptious dinner on Friday night where people get to kick up their heels and enjoy conversation over yummy Chef Steele food and various local wines. Blues Royale providing the tunes.
A day in the sun - music, food, Masterclasses, chef demos, stalls and kids entertainment. All of this for a gold coin donation going to a good cause.
