What Camera Strap To Get - My Favorite

Camera straps are super important, but how do you know which one to get? Well today I am going to chat a little bit about camera straps and also share my favorites.

So What Camera Strap to Get:

Wrist Straps:

So I just started checking these out. I typically hold my camera with no strap while I'm out on a shoot, but I started to think of how bit of a bummer it would be if I accidentally dropped it. Then I was talking to a fellow photographer, Danyelle Dee, and she was saying that she stepped on a bee during a shoot, got stung, and dropped her camera; however, she had a strap which saved everything! Then and there, I figured I needed to purchase one, so I ended up getting the Peak Design Wrist Strap: I will let you know what I think of it as I use it more. I chose the peak design one because of how easy they are to switch back and forth with their clipping system. There are also some leather Ona Wrist Straps that I saw which look pretty neat.

Traditional Camera Straps:

So there are a bagillion different camera straps out there, so how do you decide? For me, I like them to be a bit wider of a strap. I have found that the smaller, thinner straps seem to dig in to my shoulder and neck too much . Another think I like is if there is a little bit of a cushion on the shoulder area. My favorite so far is this peak design camera strap. I love the color options, how thin and light they are, and how easy they are to switch between cameras. Another option are these beautiful leather camera straps by Ona. I have heard great things. The only con to buying leather is taht it will stretch overtime.

Harnesses:

These are awesome if you are a wedding or portrait photographer. They have the option of holding two cameras, one on each side. I haven't ever tried them; however, I have seen them in action and they are amazing!

 

Clips:

Ok not really a camera strap but a clip is totally an option and something I use for all my backpacking adventures. I absolutely love the Peak Design Clip.

 

Do you have a favorite camera strap? Leave a comment below and let me know :) I am always on the look out for good things :)

Wishing you the best,

Bessie

p.s. like this post? Check these out:

How To Use Leading Lines - Tips for Better Composition - Photography Tips and Tricks

How To Use Leading Lines - Tips For Better Composition by Bessie Young Photography.jpg

How To Use Leading Lines

Tips for Better Composition

Photography Tips and Tricks

There are so many different rules of composition, but leading lines is one of my favorites. So, what is a leading line and how do we use it to create a beautiful jaw dropping image?

So what are leading lines?

Leading lines are one of the most simple composition tips yet one of the most powerful. They grab the viewers eye and bring it into the image to a main point of focus.  Basically they are a line that leads some where, hence where it got it's name. The world is full of leading lines. Thing of things such as rivers, piers, railroad tracks, roads, foam on a beach, so on and so forth.

So what is the key to using them?

It is best if the lines flow into your images. This creates a visual pathway and ends at the main point of focus in your image. In order to successfully use leading lines, you have to position yourself in the correct place. You need to move your feet!

Find your key subject and then position yourself to point the lines to that key subject. Make sure to avoid straight vertical or horizontal lines because that is going to split your image into 2 and also cause your viewers eye to flow off your image.

Here are some examples of How to Use Leading Lines for Better Composition:

Really study the image. Pay attention to what the line is doing, where it is going, and how your eye follows the line through the image.

Now go out there and try this rule. Pay attention to the lines that the world creates and think about how to use them to create a jaw dropping image.

Leave a comment below and let me know what your favorite rules of composition are. Don't forget to share this with all your shutter bug friends!

Wishing you nothing but a beautiful day!

Bessie

How To Use Leading Lines - Tips for Better Composition by Bessie Young Photography - Photography Tips and Tricks

 

 

P.S. Did you love this post? Want to see more photography tips and tricks? Check this out here:

How To Clean Your Camera Sensor

How To Clean Your Sensor by Bessie Young Photography.jpg

How To Clean Your Camera Sensor

The One Tool You Need

So I wanted to let you in on a little secret of mine and that is a tool that I use on a regular basis. When I switched to a mirrorless camera I was coming across the issue of constantly having dust on my sensor. Now, this rarely happened with my Canon DLSR camera so I wasn't sure what to do.

Now, with a mirrorless camera everytime you change out a lens you expose your sensor to the wide open world. This allows all the tiny little dust bunnies to attach to your sensor in a heart beat. No matter what I did to try to protect my sensor from dust, it seemed as though it always collected dust when I changed a lens.

You don't notice the dust while you are out on location. You look at your LCD screen, think the shot is amazing, and move on. Then you get your images in home and notice all the tiny little dust spots scattered throughout your image completely ruining it. Talk about incredibly frustrating!

I was doing quite a bit of research and I found what is known as the Rocket Blower! OMGEEEE you guys this changed

E V E R Y T H I N G!

How To Clean Your Sensor by Bessie Young Photography Photography Tips and Tricks

It actually has enough force to clear the sensor of the majority, if not all, dust and better yet it does it with out having to touch your sensor!

Now, how did I not know about this before, don't ask me. I guess I just never really needed it, but with a mirrorless camera you need this in your life! You seriously need this in your life! Like right now! Plus it is only $12 so it is a no brainer ; )

Alot of you might be like, DUH Bessie, but I figured that if I didn't know about it, some of you didn't know about it as well. If I can help at least one of you to save the frustration and the ruined images then I did my job.

Let me know what you use to clean your sensor in the comments below.

Wishing you a beautiful day and dust free photos!

Bessie

 

 

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Essential Filters for Landscape Photography

Essential Filters for Landscape Photography

What Filters I use

Oh Filters how I love you...

3 Essential Filters for Landscape Photography tips and tricks by Bessie Young Photography tips and tricks - 4 Minute Friday - Learn Photography.jpg

Camera filters are truly an amazing thing. They help you really create a photo in the field rather than create the photo in your post processing. There is something about creating the photo at the moment that you took it. As you know, I am not a huge fan when it comes to post processing. I want to create the image in camera rather than add different effects in post processing. My goal is to reduce my time at the computer and increase my time taking pretty pictures ;)

So, here are a few filters that I have and love:

1. Heliopan Circular Polarizer

This is my go to filter for everything Landscape Photography! I love this filter and a filter I consider a must for any landscape photographer.

2. 10 Stop ND Filter

This filter has truly allowed me to get some amazing shots during the middle of the day. It is like sunglasses for your camera.

3. UV Filter

This filter is a must to protect your gear! That is pretty much all I have to say about this. If you end up dropping your lens, you will crack your UV filter rather than your lens glass. These UV filters are insanely expensive, but worth it in the long run. A lens can be thousands upon thousands of dollars. It is worth the extra $100 for that just in case... it is a security blanket in my opinion.

 

Leave a comment below and let me know what your essential go to apps are. I am always looking for awesome apps when it comes to photography and adventure.

Wishing you the best,

Bessie

 

 

p.s. like this post? Check these out:

2 Essential Apps for Landscape Photography

2 Essential Apps for Landscape Photography

 

2 Essential Apps for Landscape Photography by Bessie Young Photography - Photography tips and tricks

Let's get real here for a minute. There are so many dang terrible Apps out there to download. The struggle is real! It seems as though there are more bad, not helpful, clunky apps than there are good ones. Now I have downloaded, played with, and unistalled more apps than I can count. I'm talking probably over 100. I have been looking and searching for helpful Apps for Landscape Photography and I have finally found 2 really awesome ones!

2 Essential Apps for Landscape Photography:

1. Photo Pills

This App is awesome! It is everything you need to schedule your landscape photography trips. It will tell you when sunset is, when sunrise is, where the galaxies are in the sky, what the moon is going to do, so on and so forth.

It is a one time payment of $10, but it is totally worth it. This app is what made this image possible:

2. Backcountry Navigator

This app is definitely for navigation and safety. It is always a must to be able to know where you are at any given moment. When you are out in the wilderness you never know what the wild is going to through at you. There is no reception, no internet, no nothing so you need to make sure you have all the right equipment.

Backcountry Navigator is a must! You can download quad maps, topo maps, aerial images, and so much more. This app will show you where you are and help you navigate your way to your destination, or your way to safety. I love this app. It is another app that costs $10 one time, but its necessary.

 

Leave a comment below and let me know what your essential go to apps are. I am always looking for awesome apps when it comes to photography and adventure.

Wishing you the best,

Bessie

p.s. like this post? Check these out:

Batis 18mm Lens vs Sony 16-35mm Lens

Batis 18mm Lens vs Sony 16-35mm Lens

Photography Gear

I switched lenses! Yep, I sure did! So ultimately why did I choose the Batis?

  1. Weight Savings (saved about a half a pound)

  2. Wider Aperture (f2.8)

  3. Cheaper (saved about $1100)

Weight Savings:

As you all know I do a bit of adventuring where I have alot of weight on my back. During the summer days you can find me on road trips, hiking long trails, or backpacking. I love being outside and being out in the high country is where I get some of my best landscape images.

Wider Aperture:

Ever since I started getting into astro photography, I wanted to get a wide angle lens with a wider aperture than what the Sony 16-35 mm has. The Sony is an F4 and I wanted to get an F2.8. So the research began.

Price:

The Sony 16-35mm F2.8 came out and man it is drool worthy; however, it is expensive  coming in at $2100+ and a heavy pig. Then there is the Batis 18mm F2.8. This one comes in at about $1400 plus it is significantly lighter than both Sony lenses. See specs below.

One day I was in my local camera shop and there just so happened to be a Batis in the used gear section. Hmm.... do I buy a used lens? So I asked about the history of the lens and it just so happened that this lens was like brand new. The guy started out with... "well, funny story". You always know you are in for a treat when that is the very first comment. This lens was bought and returned within a few months due to its size hahaha! So, I was basically going to get a new lens for a used price..... SOLD!

Just for kicks... here are a few specs of each lens:

Filter ThreadFront: 77 mm

Dimensions (DxL)Approx: 3.94 x 3.15"

Weight: 11.64 oz

Price: $1400

 

Sony 16-35mm G Master F2.8

Filter ThreadFront: 82 mm

Dimensions (DxL)Approx.: 3.48 x 4.79"

Weight: 1 lb 8 oz

Price: $2200

 

Sony 16-35mm F4

Filter ThreadFront: 72 mm

Dimensions (DxL)Approx. 3.07 x 3.88"

Weight: 1lb 2oz

Price: $1250

So that is it! I am excited to begin sharing images that come from this lens, and am equally excited for how light my entire set up is! Yay!

What lens is your favorite? Leave a comment below. I would love to chat!

Wishing you a beautiful day!

Bessie

P.S. Did you love this post? Want to see more photography tips and tricks? Check this out here:

4 Things All Great Photos Have in Common - Photography Tips and Tricks

4 Things All Great Photos Have in Common

Photography Tips and Tricks

 

Have you ever wondered why your photos aren't as good as the 'Pro's'? Have you ever just felt a little down about your images knowing that you can do better, you just don't understand why the image didn't turn out the way you wanted? Well, then this blog is for you!

Here are 4 things all great photos have in common:

1. Interesting Subject

You have to love your subject. If you don't like your subject then that is going to reflect in your image.

2. Good Composition

You need to show off your subject using good composition . Stop, take a look around, and figure out what you think is neat in the scene and then compose your image to show that off. There are many different tips on composition such as leading lines, the rule of thirds, and so forth.

3. Good Technique

Figure out what the most important part of your scene is. Then use good technique to emphasize that. You will need to learn manual mode and be able to tweak your shutter speed, aperature, and ISO to be able to accentuate what you like in the scene.

4. Good Light

Basically I love shooting during golden hour. This creates some beautiful soft light, no harsh shadows, and the images are just dreamy.

If you are stuggling with figuring out what is good light, I would suggest looking at other photographers images. Really study the image and the light. Where is the light coming from, what time of day was it taken, how did they use light to get the final result?

I hope you all enjoyed this one. Make sure to share it with all your buddies :)

Wishing you a beautiful day!

Bessie

4 Things All Great Photos Phave In Common By Bessie Young Photography - Photography Tips and Tricks - 4 Minute Fridays

 

P.S. Did you love this post? Want to see more photography tips and tricks? Check this out here:

Sony A7riii Review - 2 Things No One Tells You

Sony A7riii Review

2 Things No One Tells You

Sony A7riii Review - 2 Things No One Tells You by Bessie Young Photography

So as you all know I got the Sony A7riii. I take forever to decide on actually purchase new gear. I research it, ask around, and then research it some more. Let me tell you, I looked everywhere (or so I thought) on the internet to see if the Sony A7riii was something that was going to be a good purchase for my photography and my business.

Every site that I found had raving reviews. It has faster burst mode, longer battery life, better LCD screen, recognizes skin tone better, better continuous focus mode, so on and so forth. Everything sounded beyond amazing.

I thought I knew exactly what I was getting; however, there were 2 things that no one ever talked about. These two things were a pretty big deal in my opinion.

1. No More PlayMemories!

This is no joke. All the apps you purchased for your previous cameras, you cannot use any more.

I opened up my camera, inserted the battery, and began looking through the menu. It looked different, but that is expected since it is a new camera. As I started to change my settings and preferences the thought popped in my head 'oh I need to download my apps! How do I do that? Where is the symbol?"

The symbol was no where to be found. No Where! I thought that it must be in a different part of the menu, so I headed to trusty ole Google to see how to get my apps on my camera. Low and behold.... there is no PlayMemories App. Let me tell you, I was in disbelief. Seriously. Why would Sony decide to remove the PlayMemories? What is the purpose?

So, what I gathered is that Sony asked it's Professional Photographer users and the result was that the professionals do not use the Apps as a whole so Sony decided to remove the feature. To me this is just silly. I would think that the majority of Sony users are Amateur photographers. Wouldn't they want to cater to the majority of their customers?

For me, the two Apps that I used the most were the smart phone remote and the time laps app. Sony did create a smart phone remote feature in the menu so we are good to go there. There is also a work around for the time laps as well, so even though you don't get the goodness of the app you can at least still get a little bit of a time laps.

Now you are warned. All the apps that you purchased previously you cannot use on your new A7riii.

2. Your Desktop Lightroom Does Not Work!

This is such a big deal! Ok, so what am I talking about....

Adobe has indicated there will be no more updates for Lightroom 6. This means that Adobe will not be adding any additional camera's to the list of recognizable camera files. It just so happens that the Sony A7riii is not on the list. You read that right. So now what?

You will have to upgrade to Lightroom 7. The only way that you can upgrade to Lightroom 7 is by purchasing the Creative Cloud subscription. So now you will be renting Lightroom by the month.

 

Even though these two things are pretty big things, I still would have eventually purchased the Sony A7riii, but I might have had to think about it for quite a bit longer than I did.

Hopefully this article helps you with you decisions.

Wishing you nothing but the best,

Bessie

 

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Four Minute Fridays are Here!! Photography Tips and Tricks

Four Minute Fridays are Here!!

Photography Tips and Tricks

Four Minute Fridays are here! Wait what is that even a thing?
Heck yes it is, I just made it up 😂.

Ok on a serious note... I made a YouTube video all about it to kick off 4 Minute Fridays! Go check it out.


This year I decided I wanted to add more how to tips and tricks videos for this YouTube channel. I put out a poll on my social media both Instagram and Facebook. That pole was asking if people would be interested in 4 minute Fridays and every single person voted yes.

Ok so what the heck am I talking about? Four minute Fridays are going to be a series of how-to videos. Each video is going to be under four minutes long and get straight to the point. I will be posting these videos every other Friday throughout this year and if I get crazy I will post them every Friday.

Now don't worry I'm still going to be sharing my behind the scenes and how I got the shot videos along with my Adventures. The Four Minute Friday series is only going to be an addition to my landscape photography. I hope you guys are as excited as I am for this series of videos. I can't wait to begin sharing all the things that I have for you in this upcoming year.

So until next Friday I hope you guys have an amazing day.

Bessie

 

Hey Photogs! Wanna know what gear I use? Check these out:

Camera Gear

Electronic Gear

 

To see photography tips and tricks:

Top 3 Questions Photographer’s Are Asking

There are so many questions that I get asked from photographers or aspiring photographers. Many of them are the same, and I always have the same answer. This post is to answer the top 3 questions photographers are asking:

 

I’m brand new, where do I start?

Q: "I'm new, like I just bought my camera kind of new. I don't really know how to use it, I don't have any clients or a portfolio. What should my first step be? Where do I start?

A: Let me tell you Friend, I have been there. When I first started I had an old Canon T2i and a kit lens. I only had pictures of my family as my portfolio. I typically shot in auto while dabbling in manual mode.  I focused on the business side of things and worked hard on setting up systems that would be not only sustainable but profitable.

Starting a photography business isn't all about photography or how good you really are. WHAAATTTTTT? Yes, I said it, a photography business isn't all about the pictures. Weird right? The truth is, you have to know how to run a business or you will most likely not be able to make a living being a photographer. So, honestly, and I know it isn't what you want to hear, but you are going to have to learn the business side of things. Invest in this.

As a photographer the art is our passion. We want to be better, we challenge ourselves as artists, and we are always motivated to improve because it is what we love. Learning the strategies that keep your business afloat is the difficult part and a place that you need to focus your energy on.

Now with all that being said, have you gotten your FREE photography basics cheat sheet? Make sure to head on over to my Freebie section and download yours for free today.

How can I build my confidence up?

Q: "How do I build my skills and my portfolio so I can feel confident in charging money, running my business, and pursuing my dream? Do I really have what it takes?”

A: Fear is taking over your thoughts. You need to allow your self to pursue your passion. Listen to that little voice inside your head, your intuition. The voice is telling you a photography business IS possible; therefore, it is! Make it happen!

When I first started my business I only a handful of family portraits. Yes, these family portraits were of my sisters and their families. That is it. Now, with that being said, the experience you create is just as important. You want to make the people you are serving feel important and valued. I know that I am not the best photographer out there, but I treat my customers like they are the absolute top priority for me (because they are and always should be!).

Don't let your fear and what you think is 'rational reasoning' to stop you from starting your dream. Just start it. You have to start somewhere right? A few things I did when first starting out is I reached out to a few friends and family, set up a few styled shoots, and began building my portfolio. I even did a few shoots for free in order to build up my portfolio. Create work you are proud of and that will build your confidence. Also, let go of all your worries and stop stopping yourself.

I’m afraid to put myself out there…

Q: I am afraid to put myself out there. I don't want to be rejected and I don't want people to judge me. I want to reach my ideal customer, but when I put up my images I feel like a fraud, like I'm not a 'real photographer'. I feel stuck...

A: This is where the pep talk comes in! In order for people to love your work, they have to love you. Your work is your art, and there are so many photographers out there it is unbelievable, but there is only one you in this world and that is your power. Don't believe the lie that you are "just another photographer, and oh all those photographers are just the same, just pick the cheapest one." NO! Let me say it again, there is only one you in this world and that is your POWER. You need to share a bit about yourself before people can trust you. You need to be present in your business, and not just show your portfolio. People need to learn more about you, and get to know you before they can trust you.

So my question to you, is are you showing up on your feed? Can I find a picture of you? The more people can connect with you, the more they will know, like and trust you. Once you get this, then you can focus on serving and then providing content.

Before you post something anywhere (blog, social media, email, etc ) make sure to ask these questions...

1. Who is this serving? Is it my client?

2. How are you telling the story with the image? You want to be personable.

3. Does this sound like me, or am I hiding behind the image. Would people know that this is me talking, or just a robot? Does it others connect with me?

Hopefully this helps a little bit with addressing your fears.

Now Go Get Em!

Bessie

What do you need? How can I help you?

Please take just one minute for me, because this is for you....

I am working on creating a few Freebies for my website! One of my main goals in my Landscape photography is to help you! I want to serve you, but first I need to know exactly what you need.

What are you wanting? What are you needing? Where are you stalling on? What questions do you have? How can I help?
So, I have a few ideas on Freebies to offer, but first I wanted to see what all your thoughts were. Please vote!


Survey: What do you need? How can I help with a free gift?

These are just some of my ideas that I think would help you. Please make sure to leave a comment to let me know what exactly you need :) Thank you so so much for participating!




Thank you so so very much for taking the time to participate in this quick survey. I truly appreciate it!

Also, don't forget to sign up for my newsletter to be the first to know about new freebies when they come out!

Wishing you nothing but beautiful days and fun adventures!

Bessie

 

 

How Can I Help You in Learning Photography by Bessie Young.jpg

How To Take A Panoramic Picture | Minaret Summit | Landscape Photography

How To Take A Panoramic Picture

on location at the Minaret Summit

Mammoth Lakes, California

 

 

After my adventure to find fall throughout Montana, Utah, and California, I ended up in Mammoth Lakes. While searching around Mammoth for fall colors I stumbled upon this beautiful lookout, the Minaret Summit. When I saw the amazing views this lookout had to offer, the first thing that came to my mind was I need to get a Panorama! I mean, what better spot to take a panoramic picture than when your staring at one of the most iconic ranges in the Sierra?!

I decided that this was also the perfect spot to talk a bit about how I take panoramic pictures :) So....

How to take the perfect panoramic picture:

Step 1:

  1. Set up your tripod.
  2. Level your tripod.
    • This is key! Make sure that the bubbles on your tripod are spot on.
  3. Point your camera to the left side of your scene. This will be your first image.
    • Make sure to add a little extra space to each side of your panorama as you will loose a little bit in post processing.
  4. Lock your tripods adjustments in place.
  5. Double check your camera settings and fine tune the focus.
  6. Put your camera on at least a 2 second timer for an ultra clear shot.
  7. Take the picture.

Step 2:

  1. Unlock your pan on your tripod.
  2. Pan to the right about a third of the way from your previous frame.
    • This means you want to have approximately two thirds of your previous image in your second image.
    • Why? This way your images have enough data for stitching them together in post processing and will guarantee a clear image with no seams.
  3. Lock your tripods adjustments in place.
  4. Take the picture.

Step 3:

  1. Repeat step 2 until you pan across your entire scene. I have found that I typically take 4-5 frames.

Hopefully this helps you to capture those beautiful panoramic pictures that you have always dreamed of!

Wishing you nothing but the best!

Bessie

P.S. Wondering what gear I used? Check out my gear list here.

 

 

20 Inspiring Photography Quotes

20 Inspiring Photography Quotes

by Bessie Young

There are so many famous photographers throughout history that have provided some amazing images; however, it wasn't just their images that were inspiring... it was their actions, the way that they looked at life, and the way that they spoke about it. Their insights into the creative process have guided generations of photographers and guided the way for how we see photography today.

Many creatives get stuck in a creative void. Their inspiration leaves them one night while they are sleeping. When they wake up... they find a black hole. An empty spot in their mind and belly. Something that could last for days, weeks, or even years. This can be a fear of many creatives. Something that comes naturally to them vanishes at the blink of an eye. We, as creatives, have to feed the fire that burns inside us. If we don't feed it, we end up going a little bit crazy. We lose our sense of being... our sense of life... our sense of value.  I have had this happen to me, but luckily it only lasted just a few days. During that time, I felt a little lost. What do I do? Where do I go from here? When I begin to feel this way with photography there are a few things that I do to bring the inspiration, the fire, back:

  • I head out into nature
  • I schedule a creative shoot
  • I review other peoples gorgeous photos (photography forums, facebook groups, and of course Pinterest :)
  • I read quotes!

Some of the above ideas are easy to do, but finding inspiring quotes... not so much. I wanted to provide an easy page to provide some inspiration, some quotes that will help you get your creative mind back. It took a bit of research to find inspiring quotes. There are so many quotes out there, but most don't resonate with you. Most are some odd thing that someone said at a moment in their life. But to find a truly inspiring quote can get you back into action. Here are 20 inspiring quotes that I have documented throughout my creative luls:

20 Inspiring Photography Quotes by Bessie Young.jpg

1. It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter - Alfred Eisenstaedt

2. Wherever there is light, one can photograph - Alfred Stieglitz

3. The best images are the ones that retain their strength and impact over the years, regardless of the number of times they are viewed - Ann Geddes (1956)

4. You don't take a photograph, you make it - Ansel Adams (1902 - 1984)

5. There are always two people in every picture: the photographer and the viewer - Ansel Adams (1902 - 1984)

6. A good photograph is knowing where to stand - Ansel Adams

7. Photography helps people see - Berenice Abbott (1898-1991)

8. Photography is a love affair with life - Burk Uzzle (1938)

9. Photography for me is not looking, it is feeling. If you can't feel what you are looking at, then you are never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures - Don McCullin (1935)

10. Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still - Dorothea Lange

One should really use the camera as though tomorrow you’d be stricken blind - Dorothea Lange

12. A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera - Dorothea Lange

13. A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it - Edward Steichen (1879-1973)

14. There are only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are - Ernst Haas

15. Which of my photographs is my favorite? The one I am going to take tomorrow - Imogen Cunningham

It’s one thing to make a picture of what a person looks like, it’s another thing to make a portrait of who they are - Philip Jones Griffiths

17. The eye should learn to listen before it looks - Robert Frank (1924)

18. Photographs open doors into the past, but they also allow a look into the future 0 Sally Mann (1951)

19. Only photograph what you love - Tim Walker - 1970

20. When you photograph people in color you photograph their clothes, but when you photograph people in black and white, you photograph their souls - Ted Grant

And one of my absolute all time favorites:

When you take a photograph of someone, you take a portrait of their soul - Winna Efendi, Refrain

I hope that some of these quotes inspired you to get back out there and take pictures.

Wishing you nothing but inspiration and creativeness

Bessie

photography quote by bessie young photography.jpg

 

Some of these quotes were found on petapixel.com

and Brainy Quotes

Photography Tips and Tricks | Introducing Light | Learn to shoot manual mode

Hey Guys! This is the first video and blog in my fundamentals of light series in order to help you learn to shoot manual mode. Within this series we will be discussing Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO. With this series I also created a super handy Photo Basics Cheat Sheet! You can find it off to the right of this page. All you have to do is enter your information and the cheat sheet will be available for instant download. Super neat right?! This is all free and will help you along your journey in learning photography.  For this first post I want to introduce light and exposure. After all what is photography without perfect light?

Every photo has a story. In order to create that story many elements have to come together. One of the key elements is light. it sets the mood, creates depth, or highlights your subject. Light can make or break a photo. So what are the fundamentals of seeing light? There is exposure, quality, direction, and then there is shadows and highlights.

Exposure is the amount of light that falls on the sensor of your camera resulting in the overall brightness of your image. In photography it is very common to hear exposure refered to as a stop of light. The difference between one stop can be significant. Here is an example:

Exposure-example-by-Bessie-Young-Photography-250x88.jpg

This image goes from three stops under exposed to three stops over exposed. So how do you get the correct exposure? Exposure is controlled by three elements called the 'holy trinity' of exposure. These elements are Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO. I will explain these three elements in three future blog posts. This way we can dive deep into each element.

If you are wanting to learn photography I am on a mission to make photography easy to understand and help teach as many people as I can. Make sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel or to my blog in order to get updates when I post something new.

Wishing you all a wonderful day and beautiful photos,

Bessie

P.S. wanna know what gear I used? Check it out here:
Kit Used:
Camera: Sony A7Rii: http://amzn.to/1taGpAu
Favorite Lens: Sony FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master: http://amzn.to/2n747NJ
Best Wide Angle: Sony 16-35mm lens: http://amzn.to/1UBjBDW
Vanguard Tripod: http://amzn.to/2aoI5ku

Filming:
LG G3 Smart Phone

Editing & Processing:
Bulk editing: Adobe Lightroom: http://amzn.to/1WB7Jnc
Fine tuning: Adobe Photoshop : http://amzn.to/1WB7YPh
Viva Video Pro for combining videos

 

 

Unboxing the Sony A6500 | I finally got one!

I am beyond excited about finally getting the Sony A6500 (if you watched the video, you could probably tell by how many times I said it). This past week, I finally bit the bullet and decided that in order to really up my video game I needed to use something other than my smart phone. I also decided that it would be a good idea to have a second camera for those needed or unexpected moments.

unboxing the Sony A6500 by Bessie Young.jpeg

 

This camera is going to allow me to get some awesome video and behind the scene shots for my adventuring and 'how I got the shot' videos. I can't wait to take this out and give it a try. So why did I choose this one? Why didn't I get another Sony A7rii, A7, or A6000? Well alot of factors went into this decision. I have been putting this purchase off for quite some time as I wanted to make sure I made the right decision. Basically, the deciding factors were the size, the fact that it would use all my lenses, the price tag, the burst mode capability, and the video capability. I wanted to mainly use this camera for my videos and then having a backup camera is much needed. It is slightly smaller than the A7rii, my main camera.

Is there a down side? Yes. This camera is a cropped sensor camera where as my main camera is a full frame. I thought about getting another A7rii, but did I NEED another full frame camera? At this moment in time, I decided that this camera will be the next big step and I am absolutely thrilled!!

So, I just wanted to give you all an update on what I have been up to and the thoughts behind expanding my photography business.

I hope you all enjoyed this small update. If you want to follow along on my crazy life, business adventure, learn photography, and so forth make sure to subscribe to my blog. This way you will get an update on when I post some fun and exciting news :)

Also, don't forget about the photography cheat sheet! You can find it to the right of your screen, or the bottom if you are on a phone. Download it for free!

Wishing you all a beautiful day,

Bessie

P.S wanna know what gear I used? Check it out here:

Unboxing-Sony-A6500.jpg


Kit Used:


Camera: Sony A7Rii: http://amzn.to/1taGpAu
Backup Camera and Video: Sony A6500: http://amzn.to/2rEEh63
Favorite Lens: Sony FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master: http://amzn.to/2n747NJ
Best Wide Angle: Sony 16-35mm lens: http://amzn.to/1UBjBDW
Vanguard Tripod: http://amzn.to/2aoI5ku

Filming:
Samsung Note 4 Smart Phone: http://amzn.to/2rxq2yd
Sony A6500: http://amzn.to/2rEEh63

Editing & Processing:
Bulk editing: Adobe Lightroom: http://amzn.to/1WB7Jnc
Fine tuning: Adobe Photoshop : http://amzn.to/1WB7YPh
Viva Video Pro for combining videos

 

 

Common Mistakes in Landscape Photography

Remember growing up and having your parents get mad at your sibling for something? Let's just say I am the youngest of 4 girls so I got to watch my older siblings get in trouble. Yes there were lots of tears in a house of 4 girls (actually 5 when you count my mama). After watching the frustration, pain, sadness, and all around bad feelings happen when someone makes a mistake you learned that you wouldn't do that same thing or else you would get in trouble too, and go through those same feelings!

If you see someone make a mistake you most likely won't make the same mistake that they did.  So, lets discuss common mistakes in landscape photography. I wanted to talk about this subject in order to show you the mistake in hopes that it would help you not make the same one.

Here are the common mistakes that I have seen, and made myself, while on my journey in Landscape Photography:

  1. Lazy field work

    • Get the picture right in the field.
    • Move your feet to where they need to be. Get the random object out of your frame. Don't fix your lazy field work in your editing. Get it right in the field.
  2. Over complicating your image

    • Simplicity is key.
  3. Bad lighting

    • Shoot during sunrise or sunset.
    • Choose natural light.
  4. Bad Exposure

    • Stop looking at the back of your camera and start paying attention to your histogram.
    • Get the exposure right in the field not in your post processing (editing).

Watching the video is going to be the best and most detailed.

I hope you guys enjoyed this one. Please leave a comment and let me know common mistakes that you have seen in the field. If you have a question, or would like me to post a video about something specific make sure to let me know!

Wishing you nothing but beautiful images,

Bessie

Common mistakes in landscape photography by Bessie Young.png

 

P.S. wanna know what gear I used? Check it out here:


Kit Used:


Camera: Sony A7Rii: http://amzn.to/1taGpAu
Favorite Lens: Sony FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master: http://amzn.to/2n747NJ
Best Wide Angle: Sony 16-35mm lens: http://amzn.to/1UBjBDW
Vanguard Tripod: http://amzn.to/2aoI5ku

Filming:
LG G3 Smart Phone

Editing & Processing:
Bulk editing: Adobe Lightroom: http://amzn.to/1WB7Jnc
Fine tuning: Adobe Photoshop : http://amzn.to/1WB7YPh
Viva Video Pro for combining videos

My Landscape images are for sale here
 

Essentials for Landscape Photography

Essentials for Landscape Photography

Photography Tips and Tricks

by Bessie Young

Getting started in photography can be quite overwhelming. Don't fret, I am here to help :) If you are looking to get started in photography and wondering where exactly to start, what exactly you need to get started, then this post and video is for you :) This one is all about the Essentials for Landscape Photography.

Many people think that you need a plethora of things to begin taking pictures, but the truth is, you don't need as much as you may think.

So, without further adieu here are the

Bare essentials for landscape photography:

1. A Camera

Now this is somewhat of a duh thing, but what I mean by this is that you need a camera that you can shoot in manual mode. This is where you can adjust the aperture, shutter, ISO, and white balance.

2. A Wide Angle Lens

Most landscape photographs are shot with a wide angle lens. In landscape you want to get the majority of the scene. In order to do so you will need to have the widest lens possible.

Wide lenses are in the lower ranges such as a 16-35mm.

Mid range lenses are best for portraits. These will be in the 50mm - 85mm range.

Long lenses, telephoto, are best for wildlife. This will be 100mm and above.

3. A Tripod

Yes this is a must. A tripod will allow you to get those crisp, clear shots. It will also allow you to use a slow shutter speed in order to get smooth water, night skies, etc.

THAT'S IT!

I hope this helps un-complicate things and inspires you to get out and start taking photos.

Wishing you nothing but the best!

Bessie

P.S. wanna know what gear I used? Check it out here:


Kit Used:


Camera: Sony A7Rii: http://amzn.to/1taGpAu
Favorite Lens: Sony FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master: http://amzn.to/2n747NJ
Best Wide Angle: Sony 16-35mm lens: http://amzn.to/1UBjBDW
Vanguard Tripod: http://amzn.to/2aoI5ku

Filming:
LG G3 Smart Phone

Editing & Processing:
Bulk editing: Adobe Lightroom: http://amzn.to/1WB7Jnc
Fine tuning: Adobe Photoshop : http://amzn.to/1WB7YPh
Viva Video Pro for combining videos

My Landscape images are for sale here:
http://bessieyoung.photography/produc...

 

 

3 Tips to Instantly up your Photo Game

 

3 Tips to Instantly up your Photo Game

Photography Tips and Tricks

by Bessie Young Photography

Are you struggling with your photography and getting those pictures just right? Well, whether you use an Iphone or a DSLR camera here are 3 tips and tricks to instantly up your photo game:

1. Angles -

Try something different. Take about 10 seconds to move your feet and try a different angle.

Ideas would be to take the picture from:

  • Above
  • Below
  • Lying down
  • 45 degree angle

2. Shoot through something -

This is probably my most favorite. This creates some of the most amazing pictures.

  • Ideas would be to shoot through:
  • Leaves
  • Branches
  • Flowers
  • Rocks

3. Lighting -

This is the most important one of all. Natural light is the absolute best (in my opinion)

Think about where the light is and go to it. Ideas would be:

  • Stand next to a window
  • Go outside
  • Shoot during golden hour.

 

If you guys enjoyed this one make sure to head on over to my Youtube channel to subscribe. I am going to be posting a how to video once a week :)

Wishing you all nothing but fun adventures and beautiful photographs!

Bessie

P.S. wanna know what gear I used? Check it out here:


Kit Used:


Camera: Sony A7Rii: http://amzn.to/1taGpAu
Favorite Lens: Sony FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master: http://amzn.to/2n747NJ
Best Wide Angle: Sony 16-35mm lens: http://amzn.to/1UBjBDW
Vanguard Tripod: http://amzn.to/2aoI5ku

Filming:
LG G3 Smart Phone

Editing & Processing:
Bulk editing: Adobe Lightroom: http://amzn.to/1WB7Jnc
Fine tuning: Adobe Photoshop : http://amzn.to/1WB7YPh
Viva Video Pro for combining videos

My Landscape images are for sale here:
http://bessieyoung.photography/produc...

3 Tips to Instantly Up Your Photo Game by Bessie Young.jpg