Thursday, September 19, 2013

Why you don't need a pro camera to take amazing photos...

I know you all are thinking I am the last person on the earth to give advice about photography.


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And you would be right in thinking that. But, I hope you have noticed a big change in the photos I'm sharing. I will spare you the agony of before shots and just give you some pretty after shots:-) These are all near our house.


Luis and I went to a workshop with a professional photographer, Deborah Scannell,  that we just love. A retired interior designer and architectural photographer, she now mostly does landscapes and is a phenomenal teacher. Please go visit her site HERE to see her amazing work. I think the photos show what we learned. 



This was my first shot at the Soco Falls workshop...getting the water silky smooth. I was so nervous, I didn't realize the camera was not securely attached to the tripod and almost lost the camera. This was taken with a Canon Rebel T3 and a stock 18-55mm lens. 


Luis took most of these shots with a Nikon D5100


This is the creek in front of our house...


...my mom's flowers she grew from stray seedlings. 







Although the workshop was outdoors, we learned some indoor techniques also... 




These were taken with the Nikon D5100 and a 55-200mm lens.




Hopefully, you can see a big huge difference. We learned a lot of technical things, but the biggest thing is simply getting as much as possible out of the cameras and lenses we have, which means getting out the manual, watching videos and finding what settings work for what. Luis also found a French photographer he has been following and learning even more about squeezing everything possible out of what we have. 

I'm really excited as we re-shoot everything in the house. I think the biggest satisfaction I am getting is the ability to show people that you don't have to have the biggest house with the biggest budget and expensive pro-camera gear to show that you have a great space. Hoping people *get* that:-)

Follow Far Above Rubies on facebook for more photos and interaction.

Anita

I'll be joining:

Feathered Nest Friday
Fabulously Creative Friday
Inspire Me Tuesday
Wow Us Wednesday




21 comments:

  1. Your photos are wonderful! I definitely need some classes, I feel like I'm just "guessing" most of the time. I'm a visual learner and I'm just not the best at print instruction.

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  2. Shenita @ Embellishments by SLRSeptember 19, 2013 at 8:04 AM

    Anita, your photos are beautiful! I keep saying that I need to take a class. This might just be the motivation that I need!

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  3. Your photography is wonderful and amazing!! I really need to take the time to take a class, also. I'm good with photos, but I need to know how to use my really nice cameras' settings, etc., too, in order to get the best possible shots. Thank you for such an encouraging post! Have a wonderful day!!

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  4. I could tell a difference and have been loving looking at all of your photos with a new look! Especially your kitchen with the blue walls and all of the wood...absolutely beautiful together! If I had more time, I'd do more with my camera...and yes...it's all about editing and knowing what to do.

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  5. Gosh...those are beautiful pics of nature!
    Beautiful.
    So glad u shared,
    d

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  6. Your photos are just gorgeous, Anita and Luis. (I have to include your sweet hubby as he took some pics too) I need a bit better camera and also some basic lessons hands on. I don't like to read pamphlets to learn. I need someone with me showing me step by step. One of these days.... Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos. Pamela

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  7. Your photos are beautiful! Looks like the class was worth it.

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  8. I have been meaning to tell you how much I am enjoying your pictures! Your landscapes are just gorgeous and yes... the camera plays a big part, but the person holding it plays an even bigger part! Looks like your lessons paid off! Now you need to have one of these gorgeous prints blown up and hung up somewhere! CGPro Prints has amazing prices on their canvases!

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  9. Amazingly amazing photography Anita, I simply cant believe that you did all that with that simple equipment... they are truly superb and can be great for framing... Print them on canvas and you will be an artist ... YOU ARE :)
    with Love
    Farah
    http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/

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  10. ❁Velma ~Down Our Country Road❁September 20, 2013 at 9:52 AM

    Wow!! Not that your past photos were bad but these are absolutely breathtaking!! You and Luis learned well. I'd say your time spent in that class was well worth it!

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  11. Great images and great post.. I always love to hear folks reinforce that fact that it's what you do with your equipment that counts. So many photographs are in the arms race - constantly upgrading and buying the latest gear, yet they forget the art of photography and the power of the eye.

    If you ever feel like doing some guest blogging for us, we'd LOVE to have you on board! http://www.vintageshopper.com

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  12. Pam - @diy Design FanaticSeptember 20, 2013 at 2:16 PM

    Wow Anita! Your landscape photos are so gorgeous! The marigolds pics are great too. Awesome that you were able to go to a great class to learn so much.

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  13. Hi, I posted here about your photos ...and I believed I asked you a question??? I'm 73 yrs old and forgetful what the question might have been. I do not see my post here...Do you recall it? And don't laugh about my forgetfulness...LOL...it gets worse as I age.

    Warmly, Mary,The Old Elf

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  14. you are truly in Gods country...so blessed to be waking up to that view everyday!!!

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  15. you are truly in Gods country....and so blessed to be waking up to that view everyday. I would love to have that view haning in my home.

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  16. I actually came over from your post on my Email ... and was going to comment on the "Rooster" pics!!!! Much to my surprise.... I end up reading your post ( that I somehow missed) about the camera!!! So..... with all that said... the pictures of the Rooster and his lady..... are GORGEOUS!!! Just beautiful..... The rooster is gorgeous.... full of pride... but BEAUTIFUL NONE THE LESS!!! LOLOL... have a blessed day.............................

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  17. Beautiful photos... can't wait to see your new pictures from your re-shoot.

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  18. Michele @ The Nest at Finch RestSeptember 24, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    My problem is general laziness more than anything, and I horrible memory once I do learn.

    Sigh.

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  19. Entertaining WomenSeptember 28, 2013 at 12:22 PM

    Inspirational. I love the water shots, but the one of the sink and faucet really caught my eye. What settings were used? And was it shot with the canon or the Nikon? Thanks for inviting us for a peak. Cherry Kay

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    1. Cherry Kay, we used the Nikon D 5100 with a 50mm f 1.8 prime lens for that photo and a technique called "bracketing" where the camera takes three photos at different exposures, then they are blended together later in Adobe Lightroom for the best shot. A lot of architectural photographers use bracketing especially when light is an issue.

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