100 Things About Photography

Someone emailed me this list the other day. I thought I'd share the pure awesomeness with the world!!! Feel free to add any of your tips!!



100 Things About Photography

1. Just because someone has an expensive camera doesn’t mean that they’re a good photographer.

2. Always shoot in RAW. Always.

3. Prime lenses help you learn to be a better photographer.

4. Photo editing is an art in itself.

5. The rule of thirds works 99% of the time.

6. Macro photography isn’t for everybody.

7. UV filters work just as well as lens caps.

8. Go outside and shoot photos rather than spending hours a day on photography forums.

9. Capture the beauty in the mundane and you have a winning photograph.

10. Film isn’t better than digital.

11. Digital isn’t better than film.

12. There is no “magic” camera or lens.

13. Better lenses don’t give you better photos.

14. Spend less time looking at other people’s work and more time shooting your own.

15. Don’t take your DSLR to parties.

16. Girls dig photographers.

17. Making your photos b/w doesn’t automatically make them “artsy”.

18. People will always discredit your work if you tell them you “photoshop” your images. Rather, tell them that you process them in the “digital darkroom”.

19. You don’t need to take a photo of everything.

20. Have at least 2 backups of all your images. Like they say in war, two is one, one is none.

21. Ditch the neck strap and get a handstrap.

22. Get closer when taking your photos, they often turn out better.

23. Be a part of a scene while taking a photo; not a voyeur.

24. Taking a photo crouched often make your photos look more interesting.

25. Worry less about technical aspects and focus more on compositional aspects of photography.

26. Tape up any logos on your camera with black gaffers tape- it brings a lot less attention to you.

27. Always underexpose by 2/3rds of a stop when shooting in broad daylight.

28. The more photos you take, the better you get.

29. Don’t be afraid to take several photos of the same scene at different exposures, angles, or apertures.

30. Only show your best photos.

31. A point-and-shoot is still a camera.

32. Join an online photography forum.

33. Critique the works of others.

34. Think before you shoot.

35. A good photo shouldn’t require explanation (although background information often adds to an image).

*36. Alcohol and photography do not mix well.

37. Draw inspiration from other photographers but never worship them.

38. Grain is beautiful.

39. Ditch the photo backpack and get a messenger bag. It makes getting your lenses and camera a whole lot easier.

40. Simplicity is key.

41. The definition of photography is: “painting with light.” Use light in your favor.

42. Find your style of photography and stick with it.

43. Having a second monitor is the best thing ever for photo processing.

44. Silver EFEX pro is the best b/w converter.

45. Carry your camera with you everywhere. Everywhere.

46. Never let photography get in the way of enjoying life.

47. Don’t pamper your camera. Use and abuse it.

48. Take straight photos.

49. Shoot with confidence.

50. Photography and juxtaposition are best friends.

51. Print out your photos big. They will make you happy.

52. Give your photos to friends.

53. Give them to strangers.

54. Don’t forget to frame them.

55. Costco prints are cheap and look great.

56. Go out and take photos with (a) friend(s).

57. Join a photo club or start one for yourself.

58. Photos make great presents.

59. Taking photos of strangers is thrilling.

60. Candid>Posed.

61. Natural light is the best light.

62. 35mm (on full frame) is the best “walk-around” focal length.

63. Don’t be afraid to bump up your ISO when necessary.

64. You don’t need to always bring a tripod with you everywhere you go

65. It is always better to underexpose than overexpose.

66. Shooting photos of homeless people in an attempt to be “artsy” is exploitation.

67. You will find the best photo opportunities in the least likely situations.

68. Photos are always more interesting with the human element included.

69. You can’t “Photoshop” bad images into good ones.

70. Nowadays everybody is a photographer.

71. You don’t need to fly to Paris to get good photos; the best photo opportunities are in your backyard.

72. People with DSLRS who shoot portraits with their grip pointed downwards look like morons.

Well Designed Back To The Future III Poster

I was browsing the good ol' internet tonight for some BTTF images for a Photoshop prank I'm working on and I ran across this beautifully designed Back To The Future III Poster. I give props to the designer, thanks for posting it!

Don't worry, I'll post my BTTF Photoshop prank when it's finished. I ain't "yella-bellied"! For now you'll have to feast your eyes on this "heavy" design.

I found this poster at culturepopped.blogspot.com

MORE Adobe Photoshop CS5 Content-Aware Fill Features...

Adobe really pulled all the strings this time around. I found another video of someone using the new content-aware fill feature in Adobe Photoshop CS5. This is GREAT, you MUST see this video! 


It really knocked me off my chair, too funny! Hahahahahaha

[FYI - it's just a joke! It made me have a good laugh though...]

I use Photoshop EVERY DAY!! A computer without Photoshop is useless to me. [#PSMYWorld]

Since 2002 I have been a Photoshop NUT / Fanatic. Sometimes you feel like a nut... sometimes you don't... [but I ways do] Ha ha!

There has only been a very few amount of days that I haven't used Photoshop for the past several years. Of course I use it for my job because I'm a professional Graphic Artist but I also use it for fun too! When my computer is down I feel like I'm missing my arm or leg.  It's true!  I really enjoy working on my computer using photoshop to make stuff. It's like magic in a box! They don't call it "Photoshop Magic" for nothing.

I'd have to say Photoshop is, by far, my favorite Adobe program. There are some people who favor Adobe Illustrator for their designs but I'm in love with Photoshop. There isn't really anything you cannot do in Photoshop that wont rock your socks off.

Top Ten Reasons I love Photoshop:

1. It includes the Pen tool =) I sure do enjoy my custom shapes!
2. Brushes, there are so many websites with free awesome brushes that spice your artwork up like a bowl of chili!
3. Effects, sometimes adding a drop shadow to your artwork makes a world of a difference!
4. Anything is in your hands!... You can use photoshop to do practically ANYTHING... Wanna have a photo of you riding a bear???  Yeah... I can do that in Photoshop!
5. Animations. You can make an animated gif if you need to... right there in Photoshop!
6. Website tools. You can do your layout and then cut it all out, EASY! Right there in Photoshop!
7. ACTIONS! Yeah!  I love the custom actions you can make. It's the smart way! I use this a lot for my website photos.
8. Batches. Yet another smart way to do design. Nothing like making the computer do all of the work! Time SAVER Indeed! Ha ha! It reminds me of my friend Scott [He would be sitting at his desk with his feel up while 3 computers were running a batches to resize an entire website... He commented that he WAS working].
9. Photo enhancement options. Sometimes photos come out bad and I love using photoshop to make them look beautiful. Also, you can have tons of fun with the cool effects. Who wants blue eyes??
10. Clone Stamp... AWESOME <3
11. [Sorry, one more] LIQUIFY. You cannot forget this! I LOVE the pinch tool! Good bye chunky arms or whatever! Pinch Pinch Pinch... PERFECT!

I have an entire website FULL of stuff I've made MOSTLY from photoshop. I think the artwork speaks for it's self on how brilliant of a program it is... Of course, these were my design ideas... but Photoshop helped me succeed to make them happen!

Feel Free to browse my website:
www.hkdezigner.com

HOW TO FIX - Adobe Photoshop CS4 [No Response] on Mac OS X Version 10.6.2

What a night! My photoshop decided to go haywire on me! Luckily I'm not the only one with these problems so google was a nice help! I guess it's a problem that has been going on since Apple updated their OS. I thought I'd share it on my blog incase anyone ran across my blog first. Plus, I'll have it noted on here for my reference.

Good News! There is a solution [That worked for me and other people].


SOLUTION:
Hold Command + Option + Shift down when you open Photoshop. It should give you a pop-up that asks you to delete the Adobe Photoshop Settings File [<-photo]. Click YES.

Heather Kant's Photoshop Magic...Spray!

My secrets reviled! Lets take a look behind the red curtain!

Do you ever wonder how I create such splendid graphics and designs?  Do you ever sit behind me as I work my magic and wish you could do it too? Doesn't it look easy, almost like sending a quick email? Do you ever think to yourself... Heather can fix/make it!?

Well, just like the magicians on TV I am also willing to reveille my magic tonight.  If you think I learned things in college or perhaps with 6+ years of design experience - You're wrong! CLEARLY It's a spray I use to spritz my computer monitor when nobody is looking.  Nobody can be that good...all of the time.  (tehe)

Side-note: Costo sells the spray, you can buy it in bulk if you're a member.  Enjoy! Hey... I'm just kidding. Heather's Photoshop Magic Spray isn't real.  So sorry!

Graphic Designers can stay warm while making awesome graphics! Introducing the Workie!

Join one of the latest pop-culture phenomena! Perfect for keeping designers warm while working furiously on cool designs. Order now and get a free book light!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I thought you could use a good laugh! I know I had a good laugh at this one!

Here is the thing... I’m always cold at work and my friends tease me because I use a foot heater -- in Arizona! My friend, Trevor, teased that I needed the Snuggie to keep warm one day. Then he later had the idea to call it the Workie. We had a good ol’ laugh at the name Workie.  Then I decided to take the joke one step further... I made the actual packaging for the Workie.

Let the good times roll!

Note: The Snuggie is REAL! I'm sure you've seen it on tv. Here is the official website if you are interested: www.getsnuggie.com

New Custom Business Cards Designed by Heather Kant

Pretty Exciting!! Look at those bright vibrant shades of hot pink and beautiful orange (my 2 favorite colors). I finally printed off my sweet business cards last week.  I am really pleased on how they turned out. In my opinion these cards are so me! I'm really digging the rounded corners as well! Lookout world, I'm soooo ready to pass these out! I feel very proud!!