This week in the Photo Muse, I've got a couple of great new videos for you, some Sony award-winning images, more of your questions answered and a survey to get your opinion on something we're considering doing.
Side note, what do you think of the new name for the newsletter - Photo Muse? It's a play on the word news, and the dictionary defines muse as "an inspiration" which I hope that this email is for you each week.
Videos for you to watch
Let's start with videos. Last Sunday we did a livestream that was full of great photo editing tips and inspiring images and stories from Morocco. Click the video below to watch us edit and learn more about Morocco.
Non-photography spouses and partners are welcome too, and yes American citizens CAN go to Cuba!
How to import images from your memory card directly into Luminar Neo
Do you find the process of getting images from your memory card onto your computer, and into Luminar Neo a bit daunting or confusing? Too many steps to remember?
Big shout out and thanks go to Neil S.! You inspired me to make this video because I think it will help a lot of people who may be struggling with this very same thing.
Finally, in the next livestream coming up on Sunday at 4pm EST I will be demonstrating how to edit night photos. But not just any old night photos - no sir!
You'll learn how to do some special techniques such as:
Light trails and how to stack them for a greater effect
Star trails and stacking them to get the stars in an arc
Putting together a multi-image light-painted composite image
How to do light painting with the computer
How to "turn on the lights" if the lamps aren't lit in your image
and if there's time perhaps adding a texture or bokeh overlay image
This week we received a couple of questions about a similar subject - inspiration. So thanks to Gary and Greg for submitting these answers to the question: What are you having the most trouble with in photography right now?
"I'm at a plateau, studying other people's work and hoping for inspiration."
"Just getting out the door."
Ah yes, the old photographer's or artist's block! It happens to all of us at some time, so it's perfectly natural to feel a bit stuck or even bored. Here are some ideas to help you get unstuck.
Even consider doing something entirely different and embrace the art of imperfection! Can you do it? Can you be messy or imperfect on purpose? Can you take blurry or overexposed images? I challenge you to try it and push yourself a bit.
#2 - How to compose a good image
Next up we had two comments about image composition from Robert and Michael, who said he struggles with "understanding how to use the different elements and putting them together".
Composition or how to frame your image is a topic that I could dedicate an entire course to and I'd likely still just be scratching the surface. But here are a few articles that might help get you on the right path.
That last subject, cropping, is so important. How you crop can make or break your image. But keep in mind that you can also crop in the camera when you are framing your image, which is the optimal plan. This video will give you some additional tips:
Finally, Klaus said, "For me, it is difficult to find the right pose for the person or group." No problem we got some answers for you on that subject as well!
My portrait photography posing has evolved a bit over the years. I tend to lean towards a style of more formal portraits and poses when working in the studio or a more structured environment.
But when I'm photographing outdoors my preference is a more natural approach and I let the pose flow from the subject. I will give them some directions, perhaps demonstrate a pose, and then see how they do it, only offering suggestions for small changes.
For these images, I just positioned the mom on a rock and got the little girl to stand close to her. I asked her to whisper a secret in Mom's ear and then give Mommy a big hug. This is what happened.
So don't get too hung up on perfect posing especially when kids are involved. Go for the expressions and ensure that your subject is having fun and it will all come together.
All I suggested here was to "play with the long grasses"
I have a favor to ask. If you read an article on the website that you enjoy, please share it with your photography friends. Please post it on your social media profile, or email it to anyone you think might also find it valuable.
Photography News
This week I wanted to send you a little inspiration in the form of some award-winning images. Sony just announced the winners of their World Photography Awards and they are some amazing images!
In my little corner of the world, I recently decided to join CAPA (Canadian Association for Photographic Art) and was inspired to enter some of their monthly online photography competitions. Much to my delight, I got an email yesterday with a little surprise attached.
This was taken in Havana during our last photography tour to Cuba, in January 2023.
If you want to know how I created that image, I wrote about it here:
As I mentioned at the top of this email, I would love your feedback on an idea. Something we've been thinking about for a while now is creating a custom community, a special place for you and other DPM readers and fans to interact.
The key element would be that the location is NOT on social media, so no Facebook, no Instagram, just a private, safe place to share images, thoughts, techniques, tools, etc.
Give us your thoughts on this name and others by answering the survey
Yes, there are other similar places for photographers already - but how good are they? Are you happy with the people you meet online in Facebook groups, for example? Or is there too much spam, nasty comments, and poor behavior?
We'd be extremely grateful if you could take 5 minutes of your valuable time and fill in a short survey for us. As a token of our gratitude, you will receive a coupon for $20 off when you buy anything from the DPM store (tutoring and tours not included).
