Katin Images Travel Photography

Travel Photos, Travel Photography Tips and Software

Category: How to

  • How to take an ‘awesome’ selfie

    How to take an ‘awesome’ selfie

    In Why You Need a Professional Selfie I talked about having the need to have a decent self-portrait or ‘selfie’ on your website, social media or publication to show the human face.

    Maybe you’ve decided to get this done but don’t want to use a professional photographer or Uncle Eric who has a good camera.

    In which case read on.

    So just to refresh. In Why You Need a Professional Selfie I suggested that you need to

    Decide what sort of self-portrait you think represents your brand best

    A financial adviser or lawyer may want a more conservative head shot.

    Or they may want a full-length portrait with business like clothes like jacket and trousers.

    A social media site may wish to convey a trendy relaxed image. So, it may decide that, rather than have a headshot, an image of its employees being active may be better.

    Whilst I have concentrated on websites and maybe social media you may also wish to use it for some printed marketing material or even billboards.

    And that’s when the capability of the camera and printing become important

    The four most crucial factors to getting a professional self portrait

    1. Equipment

    I’m going to show you on a smartphone but any camera should do the job provided it works 🙂

    1. Light

    Light is everything. If the light is dull or too bright the image can be too dark or ‘blown out’

    (a term for images that have the highlights way too bright).

    1. A way of mounting the camera.

    How to take a selfie

    A tripod is undoubtable the best way if someone e.g. an employee, is not taking it for you

    1. Staging

    Make sure you select the correct pose. You may have to take several different images at different angles to get one you want to use.

    Incidentally there is no rule that says you must use the same image across the all platforms and marketing material.

    Set the camera up;

    1. Regardless of what the use is, make sure you have the biggest resolution. Much better to size down that attempt to upsize.

    On the Samsung S series smartphone cameras for example you will find picture size next to the settings icon.

    Select 16M or 12M or whatever the largest number is.

    The resolution on the IPhone is set to maximum and has no adjustment from that except with the use of a third-party app.

    Some other brands only give you the option to select large or high

    Note: The front camera usually has a much smaller resolution than the main camera so avoid using it for this application

    1. Find the timer and set it to 10 seconds
    1. You can usually just leave the camera on auto if the light is pretty good. But you can change the settings on some smartphones. The only ones I recommend is possibly the ISO or exposure compensation.
    1. Mount the camera on a tripod or any other way you can find to mount.

    I use the Joby Grip Tight Micro Stand a great little find that has a mini stand. It can also be fitted to a standard tripod head.

    Set the scene

    1. Find a well-lit position. You can be creative by sitting or standing near a window and allow the light to be strongest on one side.

    Alternatively, if you want to light up both sides, use a whiteboard on the side away from the light.

    1. Think about the background. Make sure it’s not cluttered and distracting to the eye.

    Again, a whiteboard is handy. White (or off white) backgrounds are always the best way.

    1. Think about your position. Ideally you want to be slightly lower than the camera if possible to avoid unflattering distortion.
    1. Now comes the tricky bit. Unless you have someone else helping, you are going to have to focus the camera on your final position, be it a full length or head shot.

    The easiest way to do this is to put something in that position and then focus on it.

    1. Just press the shutter button and then get into position.
    1. Take plenty of images trying different poses and maybe different locations. You can’t take too many!

    How to take a good selfie

     

    Review

    1. Review on your phone and add a filter if you wish. There’s plenty of them out there.
    1. Load the images onto your computer.
    1. Look for softness (slightly blurry), unwanted distractions or items and light
    1. Crop if required. You may need to crop for different applications.
    1. Upload to your website, social media or another platform.
    1. Discuss requirements with your printer if you are using hard copy marketing material.

    Finally

    Rinse and repeat if need be.

    You may think you’ve got it right but there’s always room to improve.

     

    Is there anything else you want to know? Did you give it a go?

    I’d be really interested in any results that you wish to share.

    Let me know in the comments below.

     

     

     

     

  • 10 Vital Facts about Camera Aperture

    10 Vital Facts about Camera Aperture

    10 Vital Facts about Camera Aperture

    The aperture of a camera is the centre of the photographic universe.
    Well maybe, the other centre as some would argue, is the shutter.

    No matter, let’s continue as if we haven’t heard Mr ‘some would say’ and show you 10 Vital Facts about Camera Aperture.

    The Aperture and the Heart

    The aperture is pretty much like the human heart, not at a lot goes on in the body without it.

    With your heart, almost everything you do relies on the heart beating at all. Then it needs to beat the correct rhythm to ensure what you want to do can be done.

    It’s often how fast your heart beats that will determine how quickly you can run/walk/cycle up that hill for example.

    So, it is with the aperture.

    If that’s not set properly then the image you get is not what you were expecting.
    Therefore that you won’t be happy with the end result. Especially if the subject you may never get the opportunity to photograph again. 

    So, what’s the 10 Vital Facts about Camera Aperture?

    1. The aperture is hole that allows light into the camera sensor that dictates the end result.
    2. It’s adjustable. You increase or decrease the hole size to get the effect you want.
    3. The amount of light the aperture lets in affects your ability to keep the camera still enough to get a crisp shot.
    4. Contrary to the general belief it’s the aperture not the auto or manual focus that is a major factor in what is in focus and what is not
    5. Aperture is measured in f stops. Confusingly for anyone just getting acquainted with it the lower the number the bigger the hole or opening.
    6. Each f stop doubles the size of the aperture when reduced or halves it when increased.
    7. Depth of field (DOF) is controlled by the Aperture
    8. A large DOF F22 reduces the aperture opening and puts everything in focus from the point of focus to infinity
    9. A small DOF F1.8 increases the aperture opening and just puts the closest item focused on in focus.
    10. The lens you use affects the lowest aperture setting. You may have one lens that will have a minimum setting of f1.8 whilst another could be f4.5

    So why do you need to worry about those 10 Vital Facts about Camera Aperture?

    Well if you are using auto on your camera, you don’t!

    But if you want just a small degree of control then adjusting the aperture is a good place to start.
    Of course, there are filters (and apps for the smartphone users) that you can use to give you some basic creative control.
    But even the best don’t offer the sort of creative control that you can get by understanding how aperture works.


     

    For example

    This shot of a toy soldier was taken with a large aperture (small f-stop).
    The shot just below was taken with a small aperture (large f-stop).

    If we look at the uses for a small DOF (refer to no 9 above), then you could take an image of, say, someone you came across in your travels. Or it can be anything from a piece of Jewellery to food in the market place.

    The main pool at dusk at the Capital Coast Resort in Cyprus

    On the other hand, you could take a wide angle shot with a large DOF (no 8 above) of a building or a landscape with everything in focus with a small aperture.

     

    Hope you enjoyed reading this post and found it useful

    Please share if you did. Subscribe to nickkatin.com to get my weekly newsletter for exclusive content and to keep[ up to date.

    You’ll get a free e-book for just entering your email on the form below

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    Let me know if you want me to expand or clarify anything.
    For some further reading check out:
    Understanding the 3 points of the exposure triangle
    and
    Learn how to use aperture priority in 15 minutes

    What other challenges do you have with photography and marketing?

    Leave your comments below.

     

  • 8 reasons to post your Travel Images online

    8 reasons to post your Travel Images online

    8 reasons to post Travel Images online

    *Imagine no internet, I wonder if you can.

    I wonder if John Lennon was to write Imagine today whether this wouldn’t be an extra verse.

    When I first started photography the only Travel images in the public domain was either in print or as part of a TV or Movie.

    Photographers like me lugged around a portfolio of printed travel images to various companies and people hoping that they would like our images.

    Nowadays there are so many places that you can post travel images online, that it’s almost mind boggling!

    And there’s lies the problem.

    The real consumption of travel images is happening on line.

    So why post your Travel Images online?

    Well let me give you 8 reasons on why you need to post your Travel Images online.

    1. Huge Market

    Last year there were 3.2 Billion Internet users.

    Let me say that again, 3.2 Billion.

    That means 40% of the world’s population have an internet connection!

    Over 80% of the population of developed countries have an internet connection.

    So if you are looking to get some exposure for your travel images to any of those countries then you have to be online.

    2. With the right strategies you can get in front of potential admirers using various electronic forms such as email or social media.

    As much as doomsayers tell us that Facebook or twitter or any other form of social media is dead.

    It’s not.

    It’s never been more popular. Sure the up take has slowed which is normal.

    Social media uptake is dwindling not because of unpopularity but because they are running out of people who aren’t already on it.

    8 reasons to post Images and Visual Content online
    Man looking at Smartphone, in Central Perth, Western Australia.

     

    Social media is here to stay in its different forms

    3. 85% of customers expect business’s and everyone else to be active on line.

    Everyone jumps on facebook or a website to see the latest posts.
    And there’s nothing like a great travel image to attract their attention.

    4. With smartphones users can look up destinations and search for images whilst walking past  a travel agent.

    So if you’ve got some great travel photos and you’re not posting your Travel Images online you’re missing out?

    Of course you still need to have some great travel images.

    You also need to ensure that you update regularly, otherwise people looking at your site will get bored and move on.

    And it goes without saying that your site should also be mobile friendly.

    5. 46% of people say a business website’s design is number one for gauging the credibility of a company.

    By that I mean not fancy but just easy!

    This is BIG!.

    Why not approach a business that needs travel images of the destinations you’ve been to.
    You never know where it may lead.

    If you have your own site make sure it’s quick and easy to load.
    And make sure your site is easy to navigate and works well on Apple, Windows and Android operating systems.

    I’m sure you’ve come across a site that is not easy to navigate on your iPad but easy on a PC or Windows laptop or vice versa.

    6. 90% of information transmitted to the brain is visual. We humans process visuals 60,000 times faster than text.

    Thanks to our evolution over millions of years of, we are genetically wired to respond differently to visuals than we are to text.

    It’s important that words, concepts and ideas are hooked onto an image, otherwise they will go in one ear, and go out the other.

    Words are processed by our short-term memory where we can only retain small bits of information.

    Images, on the other hand, go directly into long-term memory where they are indelibly etched.

    7. Good visual content is often shared around amongst friends and acquaintances.

    Like a visual word of mouth. Take a look at Instagram and see how many followers some travel photographers have.

    Whilst there’s no guarantee that these images will be have been shared, you’ve got to be in it to win it, as they say.

    8. Creates engagement with others especially through groups and forums.

    8 reasons to post Images and Visual Content online

    Some of the best ways to grab people’s attention is by posting an image on a forum such as Reddit (via a link) or Quora.

    The travel industry has lots of other forums some created by travellers othere by magazines and travel companies.

     

    So what about your experience in the online world? Do you post your Travel Images online?

    If not what’s the number one obstacle stopping you posting travel images online.

    I’d really like to know. So please leave your answers in the comments below.

    For more on travel photography you may like to go to: 

    Displaying your Travel Photos

    Or

    Travel Photography

    If you liked this article then you may want to drop your name and email in the box below to get updates and for your trouble you’ll get a free e-book.

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    PS: *John Lennon actually wrote “Imagine no possessions, I wonder if you can” and then goes on to say “No need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man”

    Those words are as relevant today as they were in 1971

     

    “8 reasons to post your Travel Images online” is locked 8 reasons to post your Travel Images online

  • 20 easy ways to find time to learn photography (or anything else!)

    20 easy ways to find time to learn photography (or anything else!)

    I often hear the complaint of “I don’t have time to learn how to take better pictures of my product or service”

    Of course we live in a busy world where there are lots to things to grab our attention and pull us this way and that.
    I’m no different.
    It’s easy to be distracted by the emails, texts, people, facebook, twitter, I can go on and on.
    It much easier to do something that is going to give instant gratification than work on something that doesn’t give you that instant hit of achievement
    So over the years I’ve learned several techniques which allow me the time to do what I need and should do.
    I’ll share them with you today:

    1. Develop a ritual:

    I have a plan mapped out every day of the week that begins when I awake and finishes when I go to sleep.

    For instance, I stretch for 10 minutes at 5.50AM then exercise at 6.00AM. The exercise varies according to the day for example Mondays and Wednesdays are days I go for a run.

    From 2.30 – 3.15PM I make at least 10 phone calls that are likely to lead to promotion or sales of my business

    1. Establishing the best use of your time.

    Ask yourself on a regular basis, even hourly:
    “is what I’m doing now the best use of my time”
    “Is this going to lead to me achieving my goals”.

    1. Establish yearly goals

    Most of us have a to do list. A to do list are your mini goals for the day and more often than not we over estimate what we can get done in a day.

    What we also do is underestimate is what we can do in a year.

    Start first with your goals for the year and then work backwards.
    Then you can define what you should be doing on a daily basis and set up your ritual (see no 1)

    1. Turn off all notifications

    There are notifications everywhere these days, on your phone, your PC or Mac, your tablet, watch etc.
    Turn off any notifications that tell you that have mail, text, messenger, skype etc.

    There are always notifications you need like calendar and maybe reminders for your next client phone call. But in the main the rest can be turned off.

    Start by putting your phone on silent for half an hour at first, then an hour, then as long as you your business will allow. You’ll actually be surprised that no one missed you.

    1. To do lists

    There’s a theory that’s gaining momentum about the little old to do list.
    Basically you shouldn’t use a daily list but have a continual list. Having a daily to do list just exerts extra pressure and the reality is that most of us never tick off everything on there. So items you didn’t get around to, roll over to the next day and then the next day and the next day and so on.

    Better to have permanent list that gets added and subtracted to and then schedule time to do this in your calendar.

    1. Calendar scheduling

    Speaking of scheduling there’s a saying what doesn’t get scheduled gets doesn’t get done. You could turn that around and say whatever get scheduled gets done. But you get the point. Whichever calendar you use whether it be Google, Outlook or Apple you can easily schedule time to do certain tasks, if not all of them and add reminders.

    1. Unsubscribe, do, delete or delegate

    We spend so much time in our inbox these days. There are countless apps and theories on how to manage your inbox. Trouble is working them out is almost as much work as it to actually process your inbox.

    It’s easier to either unsubscribe, delete, delegate or just do it.

    In getting things done by David Allen, he advocates only acting on an email if it it’s going to take a small amount of time

    Anything more and if you’ve decided it still needs action by you, then decide when.

    1. Use a Voice Recorder or Smartphone App to take notes on the go

    Inspiration often comes from outside the workplace, so make a habit of recording your ideas whenever they pop into your head.

    I use a voice recorder and a note-taking app on my phone, and carry around a notepad

    1. Research on your Phone during downtime

    Use your smartphone to research when you find yourself waiting around.

    That might be waiting in shopping lines, riding public transport, or anywhere else you find yourself waiting

    1. Audiobooks and Podcasts

    Audiobooks and podcasts that help your business and your professional development are great to listen to whilst travelling.

    Extra tip: Try speeding it up to 1.3-1.5. Our brains are capable of handling speech at faster speed than normal speed.

    1. The 80/20 Principle

    Also known as the Pareto Principle, the 80/20 principle is the idea that 80% of your output will come from 20% of your effort. Start by eliminating or delegating non-essential tasks that don’t impact results.

    The more you focus on things that will affect your business, the more you’ll get done with less effort.

    1. Delegate

    If someone else can do a task 80% as well as you can, and you don’t have time to do it yourself, consider handing it off to another team member.

    1. Hiring Help

    Don’t have time to do everything yourself? Consider hiring freelance help if you can.

    1. The Pomodoro Technique

    Try using the Pomodoro technique throughout your workday.

    It’s a productivity method where you work in 25-minute bursts, separated by 5-minute break periods.

    There’s a free app available called, surprisingly, “Pomodoro”

    1. Don’t multitasking

    Studies show you’ll get much more done, faster if you focus on one task at a time rather than try to multi-task.

    1. Checklists

    Create task checklists to keep yourself on track for your projects. Checklists are an effective tool for getting things done. And it feels good to check them off as done.

    1. Never start a meeting without an agenda

    Meetings are a pet hate of mine! Plan your meetings and set timers. Never go into a meeting without an agenda or a goal that the meeting is going to help achieve.

    1. Only Use Tools That Show Real Benefits

    With the many tools and software services that are available, we often end up with non-productive tools. Get rid of them! That saves time and money all in one fell swoop.

    1. Take On Your Toughest Task First Thing In The Morning

    Do your most IMPORTANT task first thing in the morning, to free up mental space to take on the rest of your day.

    1. Sleep

      Asleep on the job
      Asleep on the job

    Get a good night’s sleep. Some say 7-8 hours per night. The more you get the more you’ll get done and with less effort, if you’re well rested. Working when you are tired leads to less energy as the day progresses.

    There’s many more but I’d really like to hear from you any additional tips or tricks that you have.

    You may be using some of the above but have adapted it for your own use. Great! Please share what you do.

    So please leave your comments in the box below.

    While you are at it why not subscribe for future updates here.
    You’ll get my free guide “Eleven easy ways to improve your marketing photography”.

  • The essential feature to have on your camera

    The essential feature to have on your camera

    This follows on from my previous post Why selecting a new camera is like selecting a new date (or TV).

    Over the next few weeks I’m going to suggest some essential features you need to consider having when you are in the market for a new camera or even mobile phone with a camera.

    At the end of each feature I’ll give a rating out of 10 – 10 being must have.

    At the end of the series if you haven’t had time to read them all then you can scroll to the bottom of the last in the series and get all four in a PDF.

    When we were in the market for a new TV, we discussed all the different features and benefits with retailers and become absolutely confused by salespeople in different shops telling us something different about the same TV.

    For example, one would say this TV doesn’t have Freeview plus whilst another would say that it does.

    In the end I researched on each manufacturers website and even rang them to ensure that the information I had gathered was accurate.

    After doing that we went and bought the TV we wanted.

    So what about the features and benefits of a new camera?
    Well compared to TV’s I think there way more things to think about and personally I believe that there are too many features that are just not needed!

    So over the next few weeks I’m going to suggest some essential features you need to consider having when you are in the market for a new camera or even mobile phone.

    At the end of each feature I’ll give a rating out of 10 – 10 being must have.

    At the end of the series a free cheat sheet for will be available for you to have on hand when you need it.

    So let’s start with absolute must!!

    Mechanical Exposure controls
    Usually on most cameras there are a P, A, S and M modes.

    However, on small compacts there usually is only a P mode and on smartphone cameras, even the best ones, they don’t yet have the option to adjust the exposure the “old fashioned way”.

    So what’s with the “old fashioned way”? Well without going into a great deal of details on how a camera works, I’ll explain:

    All cameras have an aperture and a shutter. Both allow light into the sensor but differently. The aperture allows in light by changing the size of its hole, the shutter allows in light by the speed of its movement.

    Having the option of being able to control both or at least one of these is one of the keys to getting great photography.

    So what do all these letters mean?

    P stands for program and is basically a slightly more sophisticated way of shooting in auto.
    The camera decides which aperture and shutter speed to use but you can also weigh in by using what’s called in the industry “shift”.

    A stands for aperture priority and S stands for shutter priority.
    In both these modes you control one whilst the other one is controlled by the camera. Most pro photographers depending on their specialisation will shoot in aperture priority.

    M is where you have complete control you set both the aperture and the shutter speed and is not something a beginner would dabble in until they have goCamera_0216_017t some experience with the other modes.

    Confused?

    Let’s simplify. Basically if you want to take a photo of a product with all the background blurred than you would need to adjust the aperture.

    If on the other hand you want to take a photo of movement, say one of your dance students practicing or performing then you would more than likely want to adjust the shutter to capture the type of movement you want.

    So It’s really handy to have that degree of control.

    What’s that you say?

    You’re only beginning so you just need auto.

    That’s fine however I would suggest that if you really want to create images that represent your brand then at some time in the future you will need a greater degree of control.

    One additional control that goes hand in hand with exposure is ISO adjustment.

    In fact the aperture, shutter speed and ISO are called the exposure triangle.

    That is to say that adjustment of one affects the other two.

    With each camera manufacturer trying to outdo each other, the ISO on a top end DSLR can now be adjusted to over 400,000 which is crazy, as now the camera can take pictures in the dark!

    When you change your ISO setting, you’re adjusting your camera’s sensitivity to light.

    ISO settings are normally anywhere from 100 to 10,000 (or higher), and these numbers have a direct relationship with the device’s sensitivity and therefore the aperture and shutter speed, so a lower setting means you need more light whilst a high setting needs less.

    Rating: A or S is 10/10

    So did you understand all that? I’m happy to clarify anything you’re not sure of.
    Just post in the comments section below. Don’t be shy.
    While you are at it why not subscribe for future updates here.
    You’ll get my free guide “Eleven easy ways to improve your marketing photography”.

  • Why selecting a new camera is like selecting a new date (or TV)

    Why selecting a new camera is like selecting a new date (or TV)

    I’m in the market for a new TV at the moment. We went to a couple of stores and there are countless products with different and arguably the same features.

    Trying to get the showroom staff to give you accurate info is a challenge.
    Like moths changing direction to fly to the light so the sales staff change their song as you look like you are favouring one brand or TV over another. In the end Mr Google helped me clarify what I needed to know. But it’s a confusing experience!

    That got me thinking about buying a camera and it’s as bad or maybe even worse. The thing is, like TV’s and many other products today, there are many cameras of all shapes and sizes. So it’s no wonder we don’t know which one to buy.

    Do I get a DSLR, a Mirrorless, or a top end compact? Which make? Which model? What features do I need….?
    What about lens, filters, bags —- the list is endless.

    And then we’re fed this BS that it’s all about the camera

    “You must have a great camera to get that shot”, I hear all the time. So the pressure is on us to buy the best we can with what we can afford.

    Is it really about the gear?

    Well yes and no!

    gridYou certainly wouldn’t say to a chef that they must have a great kitchen or cooking equipment after eating a terrific meal at their 5 star restaurant.

    And if you did look in their kitchen would the meal been any the less terrific if you found the same tools as anyone else, even those you find in a domestic kitchen.

    Are drivers of Rolls Royce or Porsche cars any better drivers than you or me (assuming you are not one of them)?

    If you’ve only got one device with you that is capable to taking photos whether it’s a phone or a DSLR – then that’s what you’ve got – period.

    You can take great images with pretty much anything provided you know how.

    Having an expensive camera is not directly proportional to the quality of the image.

    In fact cameras of all shapes and sizes are all good. You just cannot buy a bad brand new camera!

    I’ve heard it said amongst winemakers that you can make bad wine from great fruit but you can’t make a great wine from poor fruit regardless of the shiny expensive equipment you might have in the winery.

    However you can make great wine from great fruit without necessarily having the latest, greatest and most expensive equipment.

    Well the same applies to a camera if you have good technique, a good eye and skill then you can make great images with any camera.

    The reality is that even for photographers, who rely on their cameras for their income, e.g. Weddings, Portraits etc. there’s plenty of smaller options than the traditional DSLR.
    So for the vast majority a simple, usable and light camera is more than enough when you know how to use it properly.

    So how to choose the camera you need?

    Well that’s where ‘selecting a new date’ comes in (you were wondering what the connection was weren’t you!)

    You see when you select a new date you’re looking for a good fit, in the dating sense its commonality and probably visual cues. Basically you want to be comfortable in their presence

    Well it’s the same for buying a new camera. When you pick it up it needs to feel comfortable (the camera that is, not the date).

    Does the grip feel good?
    Is it easy to turn to portrait or vertical mode?Your camera takes really nice pictures

    Does the weight seem too heavy, too light or just right?

    If it has a viewfinder, does that fit comfortably against your eye?

    Is the rear screen easy to see? How easy is it to see when you are holding it?

    How easy is it to adjust the dials and access the menu/s?

    This is what you need to look for in a new camera.

    Of course before that you will need to decide on features and benefits, or do you.

    As I said before, it’s not the camera that take the images but you. All features and benefits do is give you more options a lot of which you will never use or use once or twice a year at best. More on features in the next post in this series.

    So a short cut is to decide how much you are prepared to spend, go into a shop and test drive those within your budget, decide on the most comfortable and buy it.

    Now I know some of you will try before you buy in the shop and then jump on the web and buy from the cheapest online outlet. But just remember you wouldn’t be able to test drive it if the shop didn’t exist.

    By all means shop around online but a least give the shop an opportunity to match it or at least get into the ball park.

    So that’s my take on it. What about you?
    Have you purchased a camera recently?
    Feel free to add your tips and opinions below. I would really like to hear them.

    While you are at it why not subscribe for future updates here.
    You’ll get my free guide “Eleven easy ways to improve your marketing photography”.