Photographer
I try to learn something new every day; learning makes me happy! Lately, I’ve spent a lot of time on some websites and I learned a lot from them. Today I want to share these wonderful web sites with you.
Noise
Remember I complained about some of my photos are quite grainy and it turned out auto-ISO has set ISO very high like 3200, or even 6400? Since I discovered that, I have set maximum ISO for auto-ISO to 200. To my surprise, even with ISO 200, I still get several grainy photos. What have I done wrong? It’s quite upsetting, let me tell you. Then, I read “Photo Noise Reduction Tutorial”.
This article helps me because: (1) it explains “noise” very well and explains in a way that I can understand. I was particularly glad that having gains on my pictures may not be my fault! (2) It discusses several ways to reduce noise. I tried one of them on my photos. Magic! I am happy.
Street Photographing
I don’t remember how I discovered Melbourne-Street-Photography (from one of you, but I don’t remember who). Anyway, on Oct. 2, he wrote about Eric Kim’s “Free Open Source Street Photography Course”. What a great course!
Yes, I followed the link because it was free. But after reading it for a while, I didn’t think I would mind paying for it. 😉 (Don’t take my words too seriously, Eric.) Not all free stuffs are good stuffs, but Eric’s course is definitely worth checking out. After watching a couple of Eric’s videos, I gained a deeper understanding of street photographing. It’s not just walking down the street and point and shoot. (I know. I know. Several of you have told me that already. I guess the difference is that Eric shows me what kind of things make street photograph interesting, so I have better ideas what I want to look for. I am as smart as I want to be.)
Thanks you, Melbourne-Street-Photography!
Speaking of Melbourne-Street-Photography, I have also spent a lot of time there and learned a lot. It has several posts titled “Vivian Maier – Composition Tips”. They are so interesting that I can’t stop reading. It used to be I know what I like or dislike. After taking Otto’s workshop, I know what I like or dislike and why (in general), but I am still not sure if I have missed any points. These posts really help me.
Photo Essay/Project
At Otto’s e-workshop, Finding Your Photographic Voice, he talked about photo essay. I asked him if he has any good example, and one of the links he gave me is Bodies-of-Work.
After reading it, I understood what makes a good project. Thanks, Otto.
So, I was busy reading – that’s why I didn’t participate a lot of photo challenges recently. Learning makes me happy. I am happy.
HHC Blog 
Thank you so much for sharing, Helen! I really need to go to these links to learn so I can make some necessary improvement, instead of keeping shooting 🙂
LikeLike
This B&W shot is really cool, Helen!
LikeLike
Thanks, Amy. I like the way you blog. It’s one kind of photo-essay, I believe. Not sure if you have noticed… I started writing a little more when I post a photo, and that is because I like yours. Thanks. 😉 Helen
LikeLike
Thank you for giving me the credit, Helen! I kinda try to avoid writing since it really is not my forte 🙂 Writing takes so much time… But, you are a writer, and you write books. I really like the stories you wrote about you father and your families.
LikeLike
Actually, I like your writing. It goes with photos well, not too much, not to little, and full of information. 😉 Helen
LikeLike
Thank you so much your compliment and never-ending support. I value our friendship, Helen. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have been reading Eric Kim’s blog for a few years. lots of great info there. It’s definitely a learning thing, street shooting
LikeLike
Hello, Lynne, I wish I have been reading Eric’s blog for a few years. Now I feel that I have so much to catch up. Still, it’s better late than never. 😉
How are you doing with the photos you have collected? Hope your project goes (went?)well. You are an inspiring person! Helen
LikeLike
Great info!
Glad you are happy 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Dawn. There are so many good blogs online, but we have so little time ;-( I am amazed at how many writing challenges you have participated. If only if I can be as efficient as you are… 😉 Helen
LikeLike
Thank you for these tips, Helen. I can still learn even with my small camera. There is so much to learn from so many different people. I love it!
LikeLike
Hello, Lois, yes, there is so much to learn from so many people. I tell myself no need to rush. Learn a little bit every day. 😉 Helen
LikeLike
I might have to check out all these links. Thanks for the great stuff. I like your shot of the photographer. 🙂
LikeLike
Good evening, Cee. You probably know all of these already. Come to think of it, as a beginner, I have some advantage. For me, everything is new and everything is fun to learn. Ha. Helen
LikeLike
Hi Helen, I’m glad you are learning and sharing with us, so I’m learning too! Thanks!
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Elizabeth. A good article always excites me, so I just have to share. 😉 Helen
LikeLiked by 1 person
A great post, Helen. I checked out the first link concerning noise reduction and it was definitely informative. I use Lightroom but have found it lacking some times. Now I’ll have to check out all the links he gives for software and the other links you’ve added in your post. There will be a lot of reading in my future, I see. All thanks to you!
LikeLike
Thank you, Emilio. Since most bloggers (including you) have more experiences than I do, I wasn’t sure how many people would benefit from this post. I am so glad you like it! Sharing makes me happy too. 😉 Helen
LikeLike
Sounds like you’re on the way to being a pro. 🙂 There’s so much to read that’s free. But remember practice and experimentation is what is truly important.
LikeLike
That is an excellent advice! Thank you. I am “almost” ready to start my 365 project – (at least) one photo a day. I have a couple more things I want to learn first.
My goal is to be able to take some good photos to make myself and my subject happy. I like candid photos, and I like giving photo to whoever in the picture. So far, I was able to give away 8 and people seemed appreciating 😉 One day I will be half as good as you are. I hope. 😉 Helen
LikeLike
Thank you very much. 🙂
And good luck with the 365 project. They can be notoriously difficult to do. Don’t let the urge to post daily overrule your desire to improve your photography.
LikeLike
Another excellent advice. Thank you! I don’t think I will post daily 😉 I think it may work better for me to have a partner and exchange photos weekly. At least that’s what I am thinking now. Thank you so much. I hope you will continue visiting and commenting. You are a great mentor. Helen
LikeLike
Thank you so much Helen for sharing the information you are learning about photography. I’ve started reading through the information about noise and plan to follow your other suggestions!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve found out that everyone is learning in a different way. I hope you’ll find these articles helpful. Helen
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you’re happy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Pam. Hope you are happy too 😉 Helen
LikeLike
Thanks for the links and suggested reading. I’m also trying to figure out how to take better photos. I appreciate you sharing the information!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Joanne, I have found out that even you know the theories, it still takes you a while to be able to execute them. 😉 Lots of patience, I guess. Helen
LikeLike
It’s that the truth!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Helen, I LOVE this post! I plan on visiting every link you suggested. Thanks so much for sharing. Learning makes me happy too 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am going through your old blogs, and I want to read your process in your experience learning photography. Thank you for organizing your blog so that your past essays are easy to find.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carol, Thanks for your kind words. I, actually, think I didn’t do a good job organizing them. I hope I will have time to learn that soon and for sure I will share with everyone what I find out, if I do find out. Ha. Helen
LikeLike