Blog

Photography, much like other art forms is completely subjective in nature. As artists, we tend to view the world solely through our own eyes and rarely have the opportunity to have outsiders view our work other than family and friends.

Receiving advice and guidance for your images during a critique is invaluable. By dissecting an image, you will begin to learn not only more about the technical and creative side of photography, but you will also begin to look at your own work differently.

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​With the Fourth of July just a few days away, now’s the time to get yourself ready. Follow these  tips and you’ll be on your way to capture some memorable shots marking the celebration.

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It’s not hard taking control of our camera’s focus settings once we know what to look for.

With AUTO FOCUS, there are two settings to choose, the focus mode (HOW the camera focuses) and the focus area (WHERE the camera focuses). Controlling both will result in sharper subjects.

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Ever set your aperture to f4 or 5.6 and wonder why your background is not blurred and everything in your image seems pretty sharp? How about the opposite: you set your aperture to f16 and find you have blurriness in the background, isn’t f16 supposed to render everything sharp? Understanding the relationship between aperture, distance and lenses can easily explain this.

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As all artists know, from time to time it can be hard to get the creative juices flowing. If you’ve been feeling a bit uninspired lately we’ve compiled a list of exciting and imaginative photography exhibits in the DC region this spring and summer that are sure to help. 

Looking at other artists work and appreciating the time and effort they put in to creating something can really stoke the fires and give you the motivation you need to create your own work!

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It can be very exciting to run your own photography business. However, before you run out to pick up your first client, you need to take the time to set up your business. While it may seem like a daunting task, it is actually relatively simple if you know what to do.

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At long last, spring has sprung! We like to use the cherry blossoms as our indicator. It’s just not spring until the blossoms open and with today as the beginning of peak bloom, spring is here.

We asked some of our instructors to share their favorite tips for photographing in springtime. We think you’ll get some great ideas and some sure fired inspiration. Read on and enjoy these tidbits from Karen Messick, E. David Luria, Corey Hilz, Emily Carter Mitchell, Donna Vance and more…

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Lightroom is a powerful database and editing software program by Adobe and was designed for photographers from the ground up. Let’s take a look at some of the best reasons to use it for your image organizing and editing.

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Whether you’re new to photography or have been shooting for some time, it’s helpful to understand your camera file formats and determine which is best for you.

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WIth today’s DSLR’s, you not only have the ability to shoot better still images but you also have the capability of shooting HD video too.

The idea of shooting video can be a bit daunting at first because you are adding in the whole idea of motion. Your subject can move, you can move… it’s a whole new world. To get started with DSLR video and develop your movie-shooting skills, here are some important settings and techniques to consider using.

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With a new year ahead of us it’s good to look back and take stock but also to look ahead and plan your course. However, if you find the idea of making goals overwhelming, perhaps the 5 steps below will make it easier.

Additionally, to get you motivated we’ve included some inspiring ideas from our instructors!

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 It’s a blast to shoot the holiday lights bokeh so we wanted to give a short and sweet “How To” on just that. 

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​Get inspired to capture amazing holiday photos.

If you’re shopping for your shutterbug, find helpful gift ideas and information about a camera store near you.

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Each year at the same time, everyone in your household gets a little anxious knowing the dreaded holiday photo is coming up. You say, “Cheese!” and they stare at you blank faced from their spot on the sofa. But why not change it up this year and turn it into something fun?

As a professional photographer, I have taken countless pictures specifically for people’s holiday cards and with a few tips, you too can take photos that are picture perfect while at the same time making it an anticipated tradition.

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We’re often asked if mirrorless cameras (sometimes referred to as ILC- Interchangeable Lens Cameras) are as good as DSLR cameras. The answer of course depends on which mirrorless and which DSLR. A better question might be which is best for you and the answer to that depends on what you photograph and how you need your camera to perform for you.

Lets take a closer look at some important considerations when deciding between a mirrorless or DSLR camera.

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