Saturday, December 25, 2021

12 Days of DSLR: roundup

Last year we kicked off the holiday season and new year with a series called The 12 Days of DSLR. This year you don't have to wait - you can read all 12 posts immediately!

We revisited and updated 12 of our most popular posts to give you the jumpstart on making the most of your DSLR camera. This series is aimed at first-time DSLR owners as well as those who want a little more guidance for how the make the most out of shooting with a DSLR.

Day 12: At-Home Photography


Find endless photography inspiration at home! Day 12: At-home photography contains ideas sorted by whether any planning (or supplies) are required, from no-prep, minimal prep, and some advanced planning required. Everyone can find something new to try. 






Want to learn more? Boost Your Photography: Learn Your DSLR is available from Amazon. Get the most out of your camera with practical advice about the technical and creative aspects of DSLR photography that will have you taking beautiful pictures right away.

Saturday, December 18, 2021

A Year Ago on BYP: December

A Year Ago on Boost Your Photography is a twice-monthly post rounding up all the great content available on BYP that has been published during this same time of year, across the years. It's a quick way to catch up on content you may have missed, including seasonal and time-sensitive photography tips and ideas.



    • Favorite Photography Books and Authors: part 1. This first post on my favorite photography books and authors focuses on authors who explore the bigger picture of photography and will inspire you will ideas for composition, design, and more.

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    Saturday, December 4, 2021

    A Year Ago on BYP: December

    A Year Ago on Boost Your Photography is a twice-monthly post rounding up all the great content available on BYP that has been published during this same time of year, across the years. It's a quick way to catch up on content you may have missed, including seasonal and time-sensitive photography tips and ideas.

    • All about Bokeh. Bokeh is an incredible effect from lights and blur, and the holiday season is a perfect time to experiment with bokeh. This post will walk you through how to create fabulous natural bokeh shots.
    • Shaped Bokeh. The next step in bokeh photography is to create shaped bokeh. This post will walk you through this simple DIY hack for shaped bokeh photographs. 


    • Shooting Modes part 1: program mode. Learn how to use all the different modes your camera provides during this month-long series. This first post starts from the beginning by getting you off of Auto mode and into Program mode.
    • Holiday and Photoshop Posts over at Craftsy. This next post features a collection of posts over at Craftsy including advice about how to photograph your holidays (without going insane) and how to use exposure compensation for perfect holiday lights.
    • Yes, You Need a 50mm Lens. A 50mm lens is a major upgrade from your kit lenses, and this post lays out a series of arguments (and photographs) to show you what you might be missing. Plus, at around $100 USD, a 50mm lens is also a steal! 


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      Saturday, November 20, 2021

      A Year Ago on BYP: November

      A Year Ago on Boost Your Photography is a twice-monthly post rounding up all the great content available on BYP that has been published during this same time of year, across the years. It's a quick way to catch up on content you may have missed, including seasonal and time-sensitive photography tips and ideas.



      • Great Gifts for Photographers (and Yourself). Treat yourself or the photographer in your life with something special this holiday season. This post offers a collection of must have and super-useful photography gifts and accessories at a variety of price points. 



      • Photography Gifts for the Holidays. Now is the time to start planning for holiday gift-giving. This post offers a wide-range of ideas and possibilities for how to use your photography to create lasting, memorable gifts. Check out the post for some great ideas!
      • Where to Order Photography Gifts. Part 2 helps you answer the question of where to order those photography gifts. Read on for a detailed comparison of three popular online photography retailers: Cafe Press, Snapfish, and Shutterfly. 
      • Thankful for Food Photography. Thanksgiving got me thinking about food photography. This collection of quick tips will help you with the settings, strategies, and stylings to make a big difference in your food photography.
      • Shoot Successful Self-Portraits. Selfies may be all the range among millennials, but any one can get in on the action with these helpful tips! Strategies for self-portraits as well as some ideas and inspiration - even for the camera shy.

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      Saturday, November 6, 2021

      A Year Ago on BYP: November

      A Year Ago on Boost Your Photography is a twice-monthly post rounding up all the great content available on BYP that has been published during this same time of year, across the years. It's a quick way to catch up on content you may have missed, including seasonal and time-sensitive photography tips and ideas.


      • The Line: elements of visual design, part 1. This month-long series explores different elements of visual design, beginning with the most basic: the line. Read on to find out how to use lines to improve your photography.
      • Shape: elements of visual design, part 2. This post moves the conversation about visual design from the one-dimensional line to two-dimensional shapes. See examples of translating images and scenes into their component shapes.

      • Photography Collages: start a collection A collage can be a great way to display and share your photography. Think about a common topic, theme, or style that can unite your collage. This post includes further details and examples to inspire you.
      • Photography Is .... What does photography mean to you? Read my reflection on how photography is timing, patience, and luck. 
      • Find Time for Photo Books. Now is the time to get started turning all those incredible photographs into permanent, printed books! This post will help you over the hurdles of beginning, planning, and arranging to move you towards completion. Holidays gifts, here you come!

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      Saturday, August 28, 2021

      A Year Ago on BYP: August

      A Year Ago on Boost Your Photography is a twice-monthly post rounding up all the great content available on BYP that has been published during this same time of year, across the years. It's a quick way to catch up on content you may have missed, including seasonal and time-sensitive photography tips and ideas.


      • Blue Hour Photography. The blue hour, right after sunset or right before sunrise, is an incredible time for photography. Find out how to make the most of the blue hour with these tips and examples.

      • Summer Round Up. A quick summary of all the posts from the summer of 2014. A great resource for great photography.
      • Zooming vs. Cropping: Perspective in Photography. Zooming with your lens is not the same as cropping a photograph. This post discusses the important role of perspective in photography and lays out exactly how "zooming with your feet" differs from simply cropping an image. (This post was written in honor of my beloved 15-year-old Mazda who was retired shortly after this photoshoot.)
      • Panning in Photography. Panning is a fun photographic technique for rendering a moving subject. The trick to panning is moving your camera at the same relative speed as your subject. Read the full article for all the details.
      • Window on the World. Windows are a fascinating photography subject, but one that need careful consideration when shooting. This post provides tips for shooting through windows, as well as a series of examples that will make you start thinking more about windows, especially when you are traveling.

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      Saturday, August 7, 2021

      A Year Ago on BYP: August

      A Year Ago on Boost Your Photography is a twice-monthly post rounding up all the great content available on BYP that has been published during this same time of year, across the years. It's a quick way to catch up on content you may have missed, including seasonal and time-sensitive photography tips and ideas.


      • Top Tips for Better Back to School Photos. Don't wait until the morning of the first day of school to think about how to capture a shot of your child's big day! With a little planning and the tips in this post, you can get incredible, personal shots of that back to school excitement.


      • Analyze to Improve Your Landscape Photographs. Knowing what to look for in a landscape photograph can greatly improve your images. Find out how to look back at your own shots and find ways to make them even better your next time shooting.

      A group of photographers, via Flickr and 365Project, joined together to do a month-long Book Club of Freeman Patterson's Photography and the Art of Seeing.
      • Summer Roundup. A quick look back to all the posts from last summer on Boost Your Photography, all in one place!

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