Getting Started on Photography
Yay to a new series of posts! Clearly it’s going to be all about photography. But beyond that? I’m still trying to figure things out. I considered categorising this under photography tips because that’s where the idea came from — requests for me to share tips for book photography. Yet somehow that doesn’t feel right because I am not an expert photographer.
Then I thought about naming it book photography but that felt somewhat limiting. I want to bring together books and photography but things that I will share will not only be applicable to book photography, even if that will be my main focus. With that, I’m keeping things a little open-ended and will simply stick to photography.
What to Expect
Once a week I plan to share a tip that is useful for book photography. Some tips will be very specific while others will be fairly general. I definitely welcome question submissions via the contact form, comments, tweets or emails. The point is to post something useful from which everyone can learn. Even I expect to learn as I seek answers to questions I might not have answers to myself and I expect this set-up to be fairly laid-back and fun but engaging.
What Do You Think?
Before blindly plunging into this little project of mine, I’d love to hear what you think! Do you have any ideas where this feature might be headed? Is there anything you would especially like to see? I’m all ears!
Tip #1: The Best Camera to Use is the One You Have with You
You can own the most expensive camera in the world yet have no use for it if you keep it on display in a locked glass cabinet.
For the most part, if you own a smartphone, you are already equipped to take photos. Of course, some are better than others but what’s important is capturing them books. Any camera is better than none. Keep using the camera you already own to practice and develop your eye for photography. As you get better, you can consider upgrading.
Although, I do suggest you stick to using digital cameras for bookish photography. Using a film camera is probably left to more advanced photographers. Besides, the point is to share your book photography with fellow book lovers, right? In which case, digital photography is the way to go.
The reason I say it’s more important to develop photography skills before buying a more expensive camera (read DSLR), is that a higher-end camera can be very confusing. I’ve met a lot of people who use their DSLRs like very expensive point-and-shoot cameras. They have no idea what to do beyond the automatic setting, which is a great shame.
In short, make use of the camera you own and carry around to shoot photos of your favourite books because the joy ultimately lies in sharing your love for those books.
I think this is a wonderful project! :)
I’m a newborn and family photographer (when I’m not at my 9-5 job) but I love book photography and have an instagram account dedicated to just that, I have a professional camera but surprisingly I do not use it for my book photography (except for very rare cases), I mostly use my phone. I’d love to help and contribute if you’re interested, I also look forward to reading others’ contributions :)
This is my book instagram: http://instagram.com/ursula_uriarte
Fantastic new series! I always love looking at your book photos.
I totally agree with you about using the camera you own for practicing rather than going for an expensive camera. That’s mainly why I don’t own a DSLR yet because I always wanted to improve and when I have improved enough, I’ll go for one. I do own a digital cameras but I hardly every use it to take book photos. Using my HTC One is so much easier and I can see myself getting better at it. I guess it’s time to move on to my digital camera now.
Thank you, Sana! :) I love the photos you share too! The great thing about smartphone camera is that we’re almost never without them. I used to carry around point-and-shoot cameras until my last one died on me in 2012. After that my iPhone became my everyday camera.
Oohhh, I’m excited for this. I always love your Instagram :) Your account makes me wish I could make the same type of photographs, so these tips will come in handy to help me create better photo’s.
Thank you, Mel :) Most of the things I do to achieve those photos are fairly simple. I’m sure slight tweaks here and there can make a lot of difference already.
This seems like a great idea, Josephine! Personally, I hate my smart phone camera and the limitations on it. I can’t do manual focus and all the other things you could do with a DSLR. But then, who knows if could even use it properly? But then, a DSLR would be great for travel photography!
I hope you’ll find this series of posts useful :) For iPhones, you can tap on the areas you want to focus. I should think the same goes with other touchscreen smartphone models. But yeah, it doesn’t allow for that much control compared to a DSLR. Yes, DSLRs do help with shooting awe-inspiring travel photography. Only trouble is that it adds extra weight. though I’ve seen stunning travel photos taken with iPhones and you wouldn’t even guess they used nothing but their phones!
Yay! So excited for these posts, Josephine. I love stalking you on Instagram.
This is a really helpful post. I’ve always wanted a DSLR, but even if one did magically pop out of the sky, I wouldn’t know how to use it. My mom’s iPhone is fine with me. :)
Like Miss Bookiverse, I’d also like some tips on lighting. Your photos look so bright, but not to the point that they’d hurt your eyes or that they’d mess with the color of the books. Another question: Do you edit your photos? They’re so clear and yet totally not pixel-y or grainy. :)
Awww! Thank you Aimee! <3 I should that into consideration and maybe do comparative shots between my DSLR and iPhone, so I can share tips that are useful for everyone :) I do post-edit my photos for clarity and to bring out the vibrancy of the colours. That's why I like shooting with my DSLR, so I have a greater control over how the photos look like in the end.
What a loveley feature! I adore your book photography, so kind of you to share some of your experience :)
I’d really like some tips on background and lighting I think. Also on composition, how you choose certain books (by colour?) and objects you add to the photograph. A behind-the-scenes look would be so cool. Like when you take a photo of your current book and snack/beverage, how long does it take? Has your drink gone cold by the end of the photo session? ;)
Hahaha. No, my drinks don’t go cold ;) I set up everything, then brew my teas, so they remain hot by the time I drink them. I’ve noted down your requests and will see how I can work them into future posts!
I’m excited for this too! I have a terrible confession: since I’ve gotten my iPhone two years ago I use my DSLR less and less, and it makes me feel sad. I know some intermediate things about my camera but have sadly neglected super advanced study, because even though I understand aperture and try to make it work, sadly it doesn’t always seem to cooperate and the fault is most likely mine,and not the camera’s. So that being said, if you’re looking for specific topics I would really be interested in one about how to make do with the lighting you have.
Well, aperture alone isn’t good enough. You’d need to know how to balance it against the length of exposure and ISO setting. I’ve noted down lighting as something to look into for future posts :)
I am interested in this! I have a point-and-shoot. I’ve thought about getting a DSLR, but like you said, I don’t know how to do anything with it so it would be a waste of money. There’s a camera shop here that holds classes and I’ve considered taking them, but haven’t been able to fit their schedule with mine yet.
Well, you could always read up online or borrow/buy an introductory book on DSLR photography. That’s what I did. The basic principles stay with you once you manage to grasp them :) But yeah, as long as you don’t have time to find out more, make the most use out of your point-and-shoot.
YESSSSS I’m so excited for this! You speak true words. Most of the time, I reach for my phone more than my DSLR because it’s easier than lugging around the big boy.
That seems to be the general experience of DSLR owners. Hahaha. As much as we love our cameras, the thought of carrying extra weight quickly puts a damper on it. I plan to get a more handy camera bag though, so that I’ll carry mine around more.