GeekSugar

Shutterbug: How to Photograph Your Family at Home

Rebecca M Gruber — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 05:48:14 PST

Grab your camera and get ready to shoot! After baby's born, many mamas fashion themselves into the family photographer, but how much do you really know about capturing the perfect shot? With DSLR cameras on the top of many moms' wish lists, I turned to an expert to get a crash course in recording a family's daily activities - and doing it well! Fort Collins, CO-based Jennifer Little started Sugar Photography (no relation) with the goal of capturing the connection between people and their moments. Keep reading to see her tips for doing the same on your own, as well as beautiful examples of her work!

All photos courtesy of: Jennifer Little | Sugar Photography

61 Photo Tips, Tools, Apps, and Insights For Better Mobile Photos

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:12:47 PST

We carry our camera-equipped smartphones around everywhere and have become obsessed with mobile photography. If you've hopped on the iPhoneography train for the long haul, check out these 61 tips, tricks, apps, and tools that will help you take your mobile photos to the next level.

Have any tips of your own to share? Leave them in the comments, tweet them at us, or share them on Facebook!

Playing Around With the Photojojo Wide/Macro Phone Lens

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:23:31 PST

For me, iPhoneography is becoming an obsession, so of course, I'd want to load up on apps and tools to help me take better pics. First up, the Wide/Macro Phone Lens ($20) from Photojojo.

The lens is easy to install onto any phone - just apply the included metal sticker ring around your phone lens (there are several that fit just about any phone, including those with flash), and your macro lens will grip with ease, thanks to a strong magnetic pull. The lens works like a charm and really does improve the look of your close-ups. One note - your pics may turn out darker than normal in low light, so be sure to compensate with a light source.

Want to see some sample images before you buy? Check out the gallery!

Macworld 2012 Recap: Photo and Tech Tips From the Pros

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:12:27 PST

Apple hasn't had a presence at Macworld since 2009, but the show must go on. And go on it did this year at the Moscone center in San Francisco. Though the expo was smaller than years past, there were a number of tech talks and expert panels that focused on life with Macs and the amazing art you can create from them. Get a quick recap on everything we learned while sitting in on the panels - from photography must-haves to Twitter secrets - from one of our favorite geeks.

9 Quick Tips For Better iPhoneongraphy

Kristy Korcz — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 09:20:39 PST

After sitting in on the photography session at Macworld, I'm even more committed to following through on my New Year's resolution to take better photos. This includes iPhoneography. If you've become obsessed with capturing images on your mobile phone, here are nine quick tips from Stephanie Roberts to maximize your shooting style, efficiency, and effectiveness.

Discover your go-to shooting app and keep it within thumb reach on your home screen.
Get comfortable shooting with one hand.
Play with lighting and exposure effects by tapping on different areas of the screen.
If the image is well composed, don't delete it! You can work wonders with apps!
Capture different patterns and textures and consider using them as layers in various apps.
Few apps meet all your creative needs. Use multiple apps to create your own personal style.
Back up your photos often and keep your apps up to date!
Go to "Settings" to adjust photo app settings for maximum image quality on capture and save.
Keep a charger or battery pack handy. Taking photos and editing in multiple apps is taxing on the battery.

Source: Instagram user KristyKorcz

iPhoneography Tips From the Pros: Stephanie Roberts

Kristy Korcz — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:03:26 PST

We headed out to Macworld earlier today to sit in on an interesting and informative tech talk that featured Stephanie Roberts, founder of Lens on Life Foundation and author of The Art of iPhoneography: A Guide to Mobile Creativity, who shared some helpful tips on mobile digital photography and some of her favorite apps for the craft.

The iPhone is now the most popular camera in the world, partly thanks to its small, portable, and discreet form. While you don't have much fine-tune control while you're shooting, you have lots of options when it comes to postprocessing apps to tweak and share your photos on the go. Below, a few ways you can use iPhoneography to your artful advantage, and some apps to download now.

Let your creative instincts guide you - Think of iPhoneography as a daily practice. Keep shooting and keep perfecting your craft. Since you'll want to be shooting throughout the day, collect moments that move you - whether it's colors, images, shapes, or scenes. Then, study your work over a period of time to find your true vision. It's also a great way to document your daily life and keep you connected to the practice of photography.

Craft your toolkit - Don't be shy about loading up your iPhone with photography apps. Learn about some of Stephanie's favorite apps after the break.

8 Photography Tips From Top Instagrammers

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:15:18 PST

Rather than just snapping drunken shenanigans with pals, some Instagram users are creating mind-blowing pics with just a few taps on their iPhone. Want to know how some of the most popular users do it? We've scoured Instagram's interview series and found eight easy expert tips you can use the next time your fire up the app. Check them out (along with their fantastic photos) and get ready to take your Instagram feed to the next level.

Photography Lessons Learned From Eve Arnold

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:01:01 PST

American photojournalist Eve Arnold passed away last week at the age of 99. A Philadelphia native, Arnold spent her life traveling, bringing back images from remote and dangerous parts of the world for Life magazine (among others), which earned her the title of the first woman to join famed Magnum Photos agency in 1955. Arnold didn't want to be known as a "woman photographer" though, and just as well, she may be most renowned for building quite the rapport with her subjects. She told BBC in a 2002 interview that "if you're careful with people and if you respect their privacy, they will offer part of themselves that you can use." It's this attitude that helped her capture some of the most intimate images of Marilyn Monroe to date, which she compiled into a book dedicated to the actress.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a photography novice, Eve Arnold is an amazing inspiration. Here, three quotes collected from her 50-year career, that can stoke the creative fire and help you capture better images of your own after the break.

44 Tips For Taking Great Photos in 2012

GeekSugar — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:29:55 PST

Is one of your New Year's Resolutions to take better photos? We've got you covered. Check out some of our favorite tried-and-true tips to help your photos pop this year. Have any secrets of your own? Share them in the comments, on Facebook, or on Twitter!

Photography Tips For Your Holiday Greeting Cards

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 06:30:39 PST

Capturing fabulous family photos for your holiday cards isn't always easy, especially if you're wrangling little ones and pets for a sit-down photo session. You don't have to drop a fortune on professional sessions - you can DIY your holiday cards this year, save a bundle, and have some fun in the process. Make your family photo shoot go a little smoother by preparing your setting and camera equipment ahead of time, and get a handle on these basic photo tips and tricks before you begin.

Setting it up - Make sure your setting is well-lit to capture the best images. Natural lighting is best, but if you must use artificial light, bring in a few extra lamps and place them around your camera to prevent shadows and dark spots.
Use a tripod - A prerequisite to self portraits, a tripod will keep your image steady and blur-free.
Using the rule of thirds - Having been used since the 1700s, it's widely accepted that adhering to the rule of thirds helps to make your photographs, paintings, and videos more visually interesting and evoke feeling from the viewer. If you were to look into your camera's viewfinder, and imagine that there are nine lines running across the entirety of your image - three vertical and three horizontal - the rule of thirds states that your main focal point should be aligned with one of the linear intersections.
On looking good - You don't have to overdo it for photos. Keep your hair and makeup natural to prevent dating yourself, and check the duckface at the door. Since most people blink from the anticipation and shock of bright light and flash bulbs in their eyes, take two to three photos in a row to get used to the light. Additionally, use your flash if you're outside to prevent sun shadows on your pretty faces. Finally, shoot at eye level or above - shooting from below isn't flattering for anyone.
Keeping pets happy - Although you should clear the area of unwanted clutter, you'll want to keep your pet's favorite toy or treat handy for when it's time to snap the pic. A little coaxing goes a long way.
Have fun! - Posed images are nice, but your friends and family want to see the real you. Take plenty of images, and even consider using some funny outtakes to show your family's silly side.

Source: Flickr user Wolfgang Lonien