What Happens When You Procrastinate

It is literally 6:00am on September 26 as I am writing this. Due to this situation, this blog post will remain pretty brief, but I will do what I can with the time that I have! Now this post might sound angry, but I assure you, it is not. I hope it brings inspiration to those of you who read it!

Clearly, I have been procrastinating a bit this week. Some of it is due to unforeseen circumstances in my life, but it’s mostly because I didn’t put the time in.  

When you procrastinate, you’re not only holding others back, you’re holding yourself back. That isn’t fair to anybody. 

Life is going to kick you over, knock you down and push you around, but you can’t let it stop you from focusing on your goals. You can blame other people or situations for your failures and shortcomings, but it’s nobody’s fault but your own.  

“Wow, Abbi, that’s kind of harsh, isn’t it?” 

Yeah, it is. There are tough realities in life, but you have to prove that you can overcome them. Some are easier to overcome than others, but sooner or later, you can conquer anything.

 ∆ Abbi

6 Things to Consider Before You Buy a Camera

Whether you are a serious photographer or a casual one, choosing a camera can be tricky. There are so many things to know and consider when making that important decision. Hopefully, these 6 things can help you make the right choice for you!

Point and Shoot vs. DSLR

The question you need to ask yourself is: What kind of photos are you looking to shoot? For many people, a point and shoot is all you need. But in many other cases, you might want to bring your photography to the next level. If you are opting for the more simple option, you may want to consider a point and shoot. However, phone cameras these days are becoming more and more advanced.

If you have a smart phone, that might be all you need, but you can find other point and shoot cameras that have the ability to zoom farther and possibly achieve higher quality photos. If you’re looking for higher quality, though, you might want to consider getting a DSLR, or Digital Single Lens Reflex camera. These cameras allow you to change lenses and manually choose exposure and focus settings at a completely different level.

If you are looking to purchase a DSLR, keep reading!

Brand

There are plenty of brands to choose from, which can be a blessing and a curse. Of course there are the typical two rivals, Nikon and Canon, but there are a lot of other contenders such as Sony, Fujifilm, Pentax, Olympus, Leica, etc.

Traditionally, Nikon is known for doing better with still photographs, while Canon is known to be better with video, but truthfully, you can achieve great photos and video with both brands. Sony, too, is moving up in the game and plenty of people are switching to Sony.

Personally, I use Nikon because it is what I started with and it is what I am used to. I have been completely satisfied with Nikon so far, so I would definitely recommend it! That being said though, it’s really all about preference.

There are plenty of places that will rent out cameras (and lenses) so you can try them out before you buy them. If you want to try different brands without the commitment, renting is a great option!

Price Range

Are you a beginner photographer? Advanced? Professional? There is a camera for every level. If you are a beginner, I definitely recommend getting a beginner camera until you learn the more technical skills involved with photography. The higher quality cameras can allow you to create higher quality images, but you won’t be able to get those images until you know more about how to use the camera.

Some great beginner DSLR cameras I would recommend are the Nikon D3200 or D3400 or the Canon T5i or T6i. Once you feel like you are being limited by your equipment, instead of the other way around, that’s when it’s time to upgrade!

Features and Specifications

What kinds of things will you be taking photos of? The features and specifications of the camera are important when answering that question. For example, if you will be using your camera in dark situations, like at concerts, a dimly-lit wedding venue or the night sky, you will want a camera that can perform well in these specific circumstances.

You want to look for a camera that maintains quality photographs at a high ISO, or International Organization of Standardization. The ISO determines how sensitive the camera’s sensor is to the light. The higher you set your ISO, the more you compromise the quality of the image, so it’s important to choose a camera that is designed to perform better in low light.

Look for cameras with a higher range in ISO. Ranges start at 100 ISO but can go to anywhere from 6,400 (in the Nikon D3200, a beginner camera) all the way up to 102,400 (in the Nikon D5, a professional camera).

Other specifications you need to look at are sensor sizes, aperture, focus points and shutter speeds. But you’re a beginner, you will do best getting a beginner camera and learning the importance of these things in a hands-on way. There are too many details on this subject to cover in this post alone, so I will come back to this subject another time!

Ergonomics and Size

If you plan on carrying your camera around for long periods of time, it’s important to make sure it is comfortable. This may not be a significant factor to some people, but it’s definitely something to consider. Do you travel a lot? It might be a good idea to find something more compact. Of course, you can travel with a big camera, it just depends on what you are willing to manage.

User Interface

If you’re new to DSLR cameras, there will be a bit of a learning curve when navigating the menu and settings. Since each brand is different, each has its own style of user interface. If you want to get a taste for what each brand has to offer, you can try out cameras at an electronics store or, again, you can rent a couple different cameras and see what works best for you! It’s important to be able to navigate your camera efficiently so don’t miss that once-in-a-lifetime shot!

There are definitely more things that you can consider, but these are the six main things that I personally take into consideration before I buy a new camera. If you have a camera that you love and are comfortable with, it will show in your photography!

What are the things you look for in a camera? What aspects did I leave out? Let me know in the comments!

∆ Abbi

San Diego 2018 Video

Visiting San Diego was genuinely one of the most incredible experiences I have ever had. Here is a video of the highlights! I’d love to hear what you think! Enjoy!

∆ Abbi

Music: bensound.com

A Different Perspective - Part 2

A few weeks ago, I discussed how my brother encouraged me to change my lens when I was feeling uninspired. This week, I'll show how a literal change in perspective can provide an opportunity to tell a story. 

Before I start, I would like to thank McKenize for being my model for this demonstration!

Below, I have four photos shown. Each photo is closer to my subject than the last, as you can see.

In the first two photos, she is far away which shows how small she is compared to her surroundings. I think this effect can be really cool, however, the photos on their own might not make sense because you can't really see her face. This can be really interesting if pieced together in a story!

The last two photos allow you to see her personality and mood, but the surroundings become more compromised. 

That is why I think it's so important to capture a diverse set of photos. If you're a photographer, don't be afraid to experiment with angles and the distances of your subject. You never know what will give you an unbelievable shot! 

To me, photography isn't just about getting a picture, it's about knowing your subject and pulling a story out of them. 

∆ Abbi

How To Choose a Photographer

The occasion is coming: A wedding, your kid's senior portraits, a new baby, or even capturing photos of your furry friend. Whatever the event might be, you need a photographer.

"But there are so many photographers out there, how in the heck am I supposed to choose one?"

Don't worry! You can narrow it down. There are a few major things you need to take into consideration when choosing a photographer for your special event. The three categories I will talk about will be your budget, the photographer's style, and your compatibility with the photographer. All three of these things (in my opinion) are crucial to having a great experience when it comes to hiring a photographer.

Budget

Obviously, the budget is important to you as a consumer. You will be the one paying for the service, so having a budget range in mind is crucial when searching around for a photographer. Make sure you are honest with your photographer when it comes to your budget, because many of us will do what we can to work with you. Some photographers offer their pricing on their website, but some don't. If you like a photographer's work, but they don't list their prices or you have questions about it, don't be afraid to reach out to them! 

Photographer's Style

Every photographer is different, which means every photographer will shoot and edit their images differently. Keep their style in mind and picture yourself in their shots. When you go to their websites, ask yourself some questions. Do you like the color of their photographs? Are their photos consistent? Do you like the composition? How does the photographer's work make you feel? Can you imagine yourself in these pictures? How would these pictures look on your wall? 

Compatibility

Lastly, you need to be able to get along well with your photographer. Everyone has a different personality and you need to make sure your photographer will be somebody you actually want to work with. If you don't like your photographer, it possible that it could show in the images. Plus, you could leave feeling like it wasn't worth it. When you talk to a potential photographer on the phone or meet up with them in person, make sure they make you feel comfortable and at ease. Again, if you feel uneasy or confused, it could show in your photographs. A good photographer will know how to give you not only great photos, but a great experience as well.

What I'm trying to say is, do what feels right. Don't stress out too much and trust your photographer! Making photographs should be fun for both parties! 

∆ Abbi