"Better Beach Photography"

Welcome to August's newsletter. Schooooool's out for summer! Well, it is for some of us. And it might just involve a trip to the beach at some point. It's the ideal time therefore to share a few beach photography tips. protect your camera correct camera settings getting the best light keeping kids busy! Beach photography tips The first thing to do is make sure you carry your camera with you the beach. But I sense a feeling of hesitation...all that sand, water - recipe for disaster! Cameras and sand do not go well together. Nor do cameras and water - unless you have a waterproof camera. As for the rest of us, what do you do to protect your camera? Here's my first tip - look after your camera on the beach. Get hold of a ziplok bag (the type you might put your sandwiches in) and keep your camera in it unless you're actually taking photos. When you're about to take a few photos take your camera out of the bag and zip up the bag again - this stops sand getting in whilst you're snapping away. Retun your camera as soon as you're finished. return to top Second tip - select the right camera setting, or overexpose the shot if you can. Your camera is set up assuming everything it photographs should have average light levels. By the sea things are brighter and your camera compensates by underexposing the scene in order to achieve those average levels. This is why beach photographs look dull when you view them later on. You probably use the same camera setting for all your photos, but if your camera has a beach setting don't forget to use it (this will force your camera to make a better exposure). return to top Final tip - back to lighting again - try to make use of the late afternoon light rather than taking photos in the middle of the day. At midday the light is strong and shadows appear harsh. The late afternoon light is much softer and will give your beach photography a nice warm glow! return to top Final, final tip if you have kids, and are facing weeks off of school, this is for you... If you're stuck for things to do this holiday season I can highly recommend this downloadable and printable children's activity pack. I bought it myself and now the holidays are here it's proving its worth! Plenty to keep the little ones happily entertained AND learn as they go! Download the activity pack here - it comes with a 100% money back guarantee and might just be the best $49 you ever spend! Happy holidays and see you next month, Darrell.

"Kids Keep Busy With Photography"

In the Northern Hemisphere it's nearly time for school summer holidays. If you're a photographer and a parent you are presented with a wonderful opportunity to not only get out taking photos, but also entertain the kids too. And if you're not a parent, but get called upon to take on the parenting duties at some point over the holidays this is for you too! Summer holiday kids tips The first thing to do is either buy a cheap digital camera for the children to use, or find an old one that you don't use anymore and don't mind them having. I wouldn't advise getting a camera specifically for kids. These tend to be expensive. A simple digital is not only a real camera (which they will probably appreciate) but it's also cheaper! The next step is to come up with a theme or idea. Kids love stories, so to keep them involved you could get them to photograph a story of some sort. Some story ideas for you: Get them to photograph things that go with a favourite story of theirs (let's say it's the Gruffalo - they could photograph a tree (the deep dark wood), a nut (the hazel nut), toy animals (representing the animals in the story)... Make a photo diary of a day out - photos of everyone getting ready, photos en-route, some activities of the day and then the return journey. Make a photo recipe. Let's say you're going to do some cake making with them. They photograph all the ingredients, the mixing, the baking, the finished cake and of course the eating! If you keep in mind the concept of a start, middle and end you will be able to come up with plenty of ideas. It's the start middle and end part that keeps kids interested - as I said before, kids love stories! To finish it all off you could print some of the photos out, get hold of a scrap book, and they can stick the photos in and make their very own story book. Finally, the photo at the top of this newsletter is of me, the wife and our youngest enjoying a day out - one of many taken that day by our 5 year old son. It's not the most perfect shot in the world, but does go to show what a five year old can do. If you're stuck for things to do this holiday season, apart from photography, I can highly recommend this downloadable and printable children's activity pack. It's bursting with ideas (literally hundreds) to keep the little ones happily entertained. They learn as they go too - bonus! Download the activity pack here - it comes with a 100% money back guarantee and might just be the best $49 you ever spend! See you next month, Darrell.