this year seems to be going by faster and faster, making it hard for me to believe we are in week 12 of the bethadilly 52, let alone entering spring. for this week, our focus is on shadows. when i first began photographing, shadows were something that terrified me. i would do anything and everything to avoid them from only photographing during certain times of the day that had less shadows, to using reflectors to minimize shadows, to tirelessly editing out shadows in post processing. as all photographers do, i have come a long way on my journey with photography and have learned that shadows are something that i now love. i love the realism that they portray and i love what shadows do to one’s body, as they lighten up the skin and create depth. with my light source directly off camera left, i got into the frame this week to play around with the concept of shadows. i love the soft shadows that fall on my skin and how incorporating them within the frame depicts an entirely different, yet beautiful, tone to this self portrait.
to join in on The Bethadilly 52, where we take one photo a week using the hashtag #thebethadilly52 on instagram, check out the prompt list.
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The Bethadilly 52 Week 12 – Shadows
.jpg "The Bethadilly 52 Week 12 - Shadows | Bethadilly Photography")
this photo was achieved using : nikon d750, sigma art 24mm f/1.4 lens, and tripod.
my settings were : ISO 160 | f/2.8 | 1/40ss
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to learn more about shadows, be sure to read 5 reasons to embrace shadows in your photography.
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photographing your everyday can sometimes seem daunting. it can sometimes seem like a lot of work. not only work taking the pictures, but also in creating a surrounding in your home that is ready to be photographed. but all of these things are just minor roadblocks and shouldn’t stop us from picking up our camera to photograph the beauty that occurs throughout our everyday. as we live our lives, there will naturally be moments that jump out and beg to be photographed. there will be other moments that are worthy of a photograph, but may not be immediately obvious. as you begin to photograph the moments that make up your daily life, keep these 3 tips in mind for encouraging you to see photo opportunities.
want some help photographing your daily life. check out the game changing secret to photographing your everyday.
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Photographing Your Everyday : 3 Tips For Seeing Photo Opportunities
.jpg "Photographing Your Everyday : 3 Tips For Seeing Photo Opportunities | Bethadilly Photography")
1. Let Natural Light In
i promise you, natural light will be a game changer in helping you to see everyday opportunities to pick up your camera. when you open your window coverings and allow natural light to naturally fall within a room, you will begin to see ordinary things take on new life. for example, this laundry basket. a completely boring everyday object. but through the use of light, it became so much more interesting and compelling. never mind that outside of the frame my bed was unmade and there was additional laundry baskets full of clothes waiting to head to the laundry room.
2. Read An Everyday Guide
if photographing your everyday feels hard for you, that’s okay! it’s natural to feel uninspired with your everyday, especially if you are in a routine that makes your daily life look similar day in and day out. be sure to check out the everyday photograph: the art of seeing beauty in everyday moments. in this ebook, you will learn secrets for seeing everyday beauty, will be given a list of 100 photographs to take, and even learn how to make a list of photos that you really want to take, but aren’t sure how to achieve them just yet. this eBook has inspired so many photographers to begin taking beautiful pictures of their everyday and will inspire you too.
3. Look For Lines
lines are everywhere, you just have to look for them. lines are one of those elements that really lend themselves to a compelling photograph. whether you are using leading lines or you are incorporating lines as you frame your subject, be sure to give the natural lines of your everyday a chance. as a challenge, look around the room or place in which you are sitting right now and count the lines you see. i just tried and i already lost count; lines are everywhere. pick up your camera and find fun ways to incorporate lines within your frame.
photographing your everyday doesn’t need to be a challenge if you just be mindful of how you use natural light, read the everyday photograph, and look to lines for inspiration. out of all the things photography has taught me, learning how to see everyday beauty within ordinary moments of my everyday has been one of the best lessons. it encourages me to pick up my camera often and enjoy the little things that make up my life.
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as we took the train to new york last winter, we found ourselves so excited to experience so many things. and by the way, if you haven’t been to new york, you must. ever since we took that trip, i’ve been begging my husband to take me back. it’s phenomenal. with an agenda packed full of things to see and do, i found myself ready to photograph in a new way, with my iPhone only. truth be told, i did take my dslr, but it stayed in the hotel room the whole time. why? i was pregnant. 20 weeks to be exact, right at the halfway point. i was guilty of walking with a waddle and found that carrying my camera was either too heavy if it was in my camera bag or would keep bumping into my belly if i wore it around my neck. plus, did i mention i was pregnant? little patience for anything slowing me down when i already felt, slow. instead of worrying about my heavy dslr, i opted to try out a lensbaby mobile kit.
do you enjoy taking pictures of your everyday? be sure to check out my new ebook, the everyday photograph, to inspire your daily photography.
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A Lensbaby Mobile Kit : Why I Only Used My iPhone To Photograph New York
.jpg "A Lensbaby Mobile Kit : Why I Only Used My iPhone To Photograph New York | Bethadilly Photography")
truth be told, i’d had a lensbaby mobile kit for a couple months before actually using it. because, time. getting away to new york seemed like the perfect opportunity to try it out, especially because i was purposefully not wanting to use my dslr. from the moment i put the lens on my phone, i was hooked. having had a lensbaby composer pro sweet 35 for my dslr, i already knew that i really liked the unique effect the lensbaby offers. and before i knew it, people were literally asking me “what is that cool lens on your phone!?” everywhere we went. and because i am really happy with this lens, i am happy to spread the word.
.jpg "A Lensbaby Mobile Kit : Why I Only Used My iPhone To Photograph New York | Bethadilly Photography")
while visiting one of the cathedrals of new york, i was really inspired. because it was the week of christmas during our trip to new york, there were christmas trees everywhere and, paired with the beautiful stained glass windows, the scene was begging to be photographed. i was happy to have a lensbaby mobile kit during this outing because it created a fun effect out of the repetition of the paper birds on the tree. not to mention the stain glass and the sun flare; this is still one of my favorite images.
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for those of you who have visited new york city, you know that the scene is very busy and full of bold colors and words. everywhere you go there is color and words, making it a compelling city to photograph. i really loved using a lensbaby mobile kit for street photography because it way to create a defined focal point amongst all the visual clutter. because there are so many visuals wherever you look, it can be hard to create an image with a focal point. but using a lensbaby mobile kit really helped me achieve a focal point and drown out the remaining distracting elements with a beautiful creative blur.
.jpg "A Lensbaby Mobile Kit : Why I Only Used My iPhone To Photograph New York | Bethadilly Photography")
using a lensbaby mobile kit is a must in new york city, especially at night. when the sun goes down, the city wakes up and there are the most beautiful lights everywhere you turn. each night, my husband and i would simply stand in time square and just take in the lights. it was stunning. using a lensbaby mobile kit at night in new york city is a no brainer for creating stunning imagery. it’s also a really easy way to create bokeh towards the edges of the frame with creative blur.
having a lensbaby mobile kit is so much fun and this trip to new york city made me realize how much fun photographing with an iphone can be. if you are looking to take more interesting pictures with your iphone or if you are heading out for a vacation and want to pack light, you should definitely consider investing in a lensbaby mobile kit. the pictures are like no other and you are bound to create some beautiful art…with a phone!
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i bet you read that title and thought i was nuts to go on vacation without my camera. but really, i might be on to something here. when heading on our first family vacation with our daughter in january, my husband encouraged me to leave my camera at home. this was partly because he knew i was in need of a truly relaxing vacation and also because it can sometimes be stressful to worry about expensive gear while vacationing. (how to pack it just right, where to put it when you don’t want to bring in on an outing, how to keep it safe by the pool, and not to even mention the danger of sand near a dslr). and to be real, the thought of vacationing without my camera didn’t come natural to me. i was instantly in disagreement about leaving my camera behind but, after really thinking about it, i felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
do you want to try vacationing without your camera? see how hiring a photographer while on vacation is definitely worth the expense.
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How I Found Freedom in Vacationing Without My Camera
.jpg "How I Found Freedom in Vacationing Without My Camera | Bethadilly Photography")
i do realize that vacations are one of the biggest opportunities for photographs and, as a photographer, i always feel compelled to document our travels in pictures. while i always vacation with my dslr, this vacation was just different. it was our first getaway as a brand new family, and i was ready for a true break. for me, a true break involves putting my camera down. of course, i took my iphone and did pull it out from time to time to document certain moments of our trip. it’s only natural to want to photograph our memories, but the feeling of not having to was pure freedom.
instead of worrying about what lens to use or what angle would be best, i found that i was simple in the images i took, reacted on first instinct when i was presented with an inspiring photo opportunity, and then enjoyed my trip. because i decided to not take my nikon on our beach trip, i instead brought some fun lens attachments for my iPhone that proved to be a fun way to get interesting images without bringing along a dslr. this little aukey lens set comes with a macro, wide angle and fish eye lens attachments and i felt that the variety helped me still have fun with taking photos, but they are all small enough to fit in my pocket.
.jpg "How I Found Freedom in Vacationing Without My Camera | Bethadilly Photography")
image taken with the wide angle lens.
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image taken with the fish eye lens.
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image taken with the macro lens.
the decision of vacationing without my camera was a blessing. i was able to get some great photos with my phone, using the lens attachments, while enjoying myself and not feeling the pressure to create stunning imagery. it was the best of both worlds. i walked away with images that document the time and the unique surroundings where we vacationed, while truly having a memory of being relaxed and present. in the end, i won’t say that i will always do this, as photography truly is my passion. but vacationing without my camera showed me that not everything is about pictures. and it showed me that, while i love photographing, i love stepping away from my camera from time to time to relax. if you ever want to try vacationing without your camera, i would definitely recommend it. it’s a beautiful feeling to truly feel carefree.
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.jpg "How I Found Freedom in Vacationing Without My Camera | Bethadilly Photography")
when my husband and i took our daughter on her very first vacation this year to cabo san lucas, mexico, we were more than ready to both have some down time and to create some lasting memories with our family. whenever i get ready to travel, i get a little anxious. more specifically, i get a little overwhelmed with the idea of taking good pictures to document our travels and deciding how much or how little to bring with me, in terms of camera gear. for this vacation, my husband encouraged me to pack light. and when i mean light, i mean leave the camera at home. i had been working non-stop with photographing clients and he knew that bringing my camera would just add to the pressure of taking pictures, and that’s not a vacation. leaving my camera at home would encourage me to truly relax. at first, i thought he was nuts. and after leaving my camera at home, i thought i would regret it the moment i got on the plane. but i didn’t, it as freeing. and out of this freedom came another great idea…hiring a photographer on vacation. win win. great pictures so i won’t have regret, but ultimate relaxation on my part. if you are thinking of truly giving yourself a break from the camera and enjoying yourself on vacation, here are 5 reasons why hiring a photographer on vacation is the best idea there is.
do you enjoy photographing your family and your everyday? be sure to check out my ebook the everyday photograph for inspiration.
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Hiring A Photographer On Vacation : 5 Reasons You Should Do It
.jpg "Hiring A Photographer On Vacation : 5 Reasons You Should Do It | Bethadilly Photography")
photo credit: photos in this post were taken by a resort photographer at sunset beach resort in cabo san lucas, mexico
1. You Can Leave Your Camera At Home
listen, you may think i am absolutely nuts for leaving my camera at home when going on vacation but hear me out. for me, my camera equals work. i associate my camera with work. sure it is fun too, but when my camera is in my hand, i mean business. i stress easily with taking really great photos, to the point where i can ruin the fun in it for myself. it’s my flaw, whatever. i am working on it. leaving my camera at home meant leaving work and the stress and pressure of taking photos behind. also, it allowed me to enjoy vacation while putting my family first. i wasn’t worried about where my gear was and if it was safe. i mean, lets be real. my camera and lenses are expensive and not something i want to be babysitting when i should be relaxing
i am in no way saying that i never take my camera when vacationing, this is probably the first time in ten years that i vacationed camera-less. some of my favorite images i have were taken on vacations. but sometimes, less is more and good for the soul and it’s just time to truly vacation. obviously, i took photos with my iPhone during this trip but that was fun for me because it was an easy going, put it in your pocket, camera.
2. You Get To Be In The Photos, Too
one of the best things about hiring a photographer on vacation is that, you aren’t the photographer! you get to actually be in the pictures too. sure, you could set up your camera and jump in the frame from time to time. but, that’s work and possibility bringing extra equipment to pull it off. i really wanted to be in the photos too to document our first family vacation together and, if for only that reason alone, hiring a photographer made it worth the price. plus, i look relaxed in these photos instead of looking a little stressed because i am taking the pictures too.
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3. You Can Document A Special Place
hiring a photographer at home is amazing and totally necessary, but wouldn’t it be even more fun if the setting of your session was someplace completely different from your day to day life? you spent all this money on the travel tickets, the hotel, the outfits, so why not bring home really good memories in photographs. not only do i love the moments captured within these images, but i love the fact that they remind me of a special place we went.
.jpg "Hiring A Photographer On Vacation : 5 Reasons You Should Do It | Bethadilly Photography")
4. The Pressure Is Off
there is absolutely no pressure on you to take pictures, the pressure is off. you are handing the torch to someone else and allowing them to worry about getting good images for you. hiring a photographer on vacation is well worth it if only to remove that pressure of picture taking from you. seriously, you should try it. there is so much relief involved when you can just be, do and see.
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5. It’s A Cherished Souvenir
if the expense of hiring a photographer on vacation is making you hesitate, think of it as a souvenir. my husband knows that photos mean everything to me and he also knows that i hate buying stuff on vacation. it’s just going to end up at goodwill in a month and i am not a trinkets type of person. for me, photos are my souvenir. when considering hiring a photographer on vacation, think about how much better photos of your experience there are than things. sure, i understand that other people like shopping for physical items on vacation, to each their own, but if the investment has you worried maybe place photos into your souvenir budget and spend accordingly.
believe it or not, when we left for vacation, i didn’t even think to hire a photographer…we did in on a whim. i learned about the resort photographer once we actually arrived on vacation, making the fact that i left my camera at home even easier. (also, thank gosh i am in the habit of packing color coordinating outfits for my family, it made deciding what to wear on a moment’s notice effortless.) when wondering if it is worth it to have your photos taken while vacationing, think of the benefits to you. not only do you have memories in photographs that you are in too, but you are allowing yourself to truly enjoy yourself and your vacation. if taking pictures non stop is what you love to do, by all means go for it. but for me, it’s nice to separate the pressure of picture taking from quality family time.
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need some photography tips + inspiration? check out what posts are trending below!
.jpg "Hiring A Photographer On Vacation : 5 Reasons You Should Do It | Bethadilly Photography")