A few months ago I was given the opportunity to review the e-book Photography for Bloggers by {LBG STUDIO}.
I was so excited with the opportunity because I am now at the point where I just need to figure out how my camera works. Since I started blogging I have upgraded 3 times with my camera and each time I saw a big difference in my photos. But I am now at the point where it is either learn how to really use my camera or settle with the pictures I am getting. I shoot with a cannon rebel t3i and shot almost entirely with my kit lens 18-55mm f/3.5-5.5 before reading the e-book. I rarely used my 50mm f/1.4 lens that I had spent so much money on. I just never seemed to fully understand the lens so there it sat. I never used manual mode to shoot in and certainly never used it to focus with. I guess you could say I was completely scared of manual mode.
The first time I sat down to read the e-book Photography for Bloggers I picked up on a lot of her tips and tricks as far as photographing indoors and how to set up a scene for photographing handmade items. Then the next time I sat down to read the book I decided to finally dive into the camera settings section. I grabbed my camera and read through it more in depth. I would read a little then actually try it with my camera. Lo and behold I could actually see the differences between each photo when changing the settings. It was amazing how much I better understood my camera and its settings just by doing this. I highly recommend you doing it as well. Of course I had to read and re-read the e-book a few more times before I finally got to the point where I felt comfortable with all of the settings and remembered what they all did. In the e-book Vanessa also shares tips on editing and uploading photos to the web. Again, I played around with this a bit. I uploaded a picture how I normally would and then a picture edited and resized how she states to in the e-book and what a huge difference!
I now shoot in manual mode with my 50mm f/1.4 lens all of the time and I have seen a huge improvement in my photos. You may not have noticed as much as I have because you are not closely looking for it and critiquing them, but trust me there is a huge difference. What I love most about the book is that Vanessa writes in a way so that I can understand all of the photography terminology. Plus she shows lots of examples throughout the book on how to get the best natural lighting. She not only tells you how to use natural light and ways to reflect it, but also shows you exactly how she sets it up. For a hands-on/visual type of girl that I am seeing those pictures made a world of a difference to me. I honestly cannot tell you how much just reading the e-book has greatly improved my photographing skills…just see for yourselves. Below are two pictures. The first one was taken before reading the e-book and the second picture was taken after reading the e-book.
Picture taken before reading e-book
Picture taken after reading e-book
Big difference isn’t it? Vanessa has been kind enough to give away one copy of her Photography for Bloggers e-book to one lucky winner. To enter, just enter the Rafflecopter below. Good luck!
I have been trying to learn how to better use my camera too – manual mode is frustrating!! I took a 2-hour class but found that there was little opportunity to “practice” with what they were teaching. I am looking for a way to learn how to shoot better … an e-book (especially the way you’ve described how it has helped you!) sounds like it could be exactly what I need.
Christina, I love following your blog; you’ve got so many great tips and where you find the time and energy with 3 kids amazes me!
I am opening my etsy shop and need extra help in photography department. This book looks like just the help I need! Thanks for the opportunity!
I like how much I have improved on photography over the years, but I can always learn more! I’ve been curious about this book!
thank you so much for the great write up and for sharing the ebook with your readers! glad it helped 🙂
Always willing to learn more, curieus about the book
Oh boy do I need this. So much to learn.
Thanks for the chance…I am trying to learn how to better use my camera, but it has been a challenge. Looking for any pointers that can help!
I need to improve my photography skills and then my blogging will be better.
Thanks
Christina, I think your photos are just lovely. I really need to read the instruction booklet which came with my camera but I always put that off. It is always great to get good tips on how to take better photos.
I am so stuck in my ways! I have one spot that I *think* gives me good shots, so I only ever take photos there and if I have to venture out in the open for pics…I’m lost! I would love to learn more about setting up a scene so my photos aren’t so boring!
I know my photography is not great, but not sure how to make it better. This book would be a very welcome gift. I like how you have set up your products above- given them an extra dimension.
Would live to win this. I am a visual person as well and this enoki sounds like it would be a great help.
Oh goodness. Typing without glasses on makes for goofy reading. Meant to say I am visual as well and that the e-book would be a great help.
I just received my first SLR camera for Christmas….yeah! I have always been afraid to use anything by
“auto” mode and am just beginning to tread gently in the manual mode. I am about to create an etsy
account and I want to have a stunning banner…have already decided what it will be but have not gathered
the courage to “shoot” it yet. I would so enjoy this book and think it must have lots to offer for people like
me. I am of that generation that learned how to type in school on a manual typewriter…hence by technology
skills are considerably lacking.
we have a DSLR camera, and I just don’t know where to start to stop taking photos on auto
I’d love to win this! I need to spend more time trying to learn my camera. It’s crazy not to learn more.
Great review! I have the same camera and when I first got it I actually read the camera manual but it didn’t make much sense. One day two years ago I switched to the manual setting and have been playing around ever since. I’m sure there’s lots of room for improvement. Haha. I finally tried out my 50mm (the 1.8 not 1.4) over a year ago and I think I’ve only taken it off twice since then. Anyway I had noticed your pictures are improving and they look fantastic!
I’d love to win! I have a sorely neglected blog (my husband planted a church last December…about 2 weeks after I had a baby, so the blog has suffered) that could benefit from it! 🙂
We have so many family get togethers and I take tons of pictures with my phone. I am always wishing I had my other camera with me to take better quality photos with. I would love to read this and learn how to use my nice camera without the automatic settings and capture some wonderful family times to make memory books with.
I would like to win so that I can improve my photography skills!
Hmm it looks like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up
what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your
blog. I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole
thing. Do you have any tips and hints for inexperienced blog writers?
I’d genuinely appreciate it.