Announcing “Craft with a Creative” Workshops by Noel Photo. and Design!

Though against my nature, I’ve been waiting patiently to announce yet another branch of my business. But the wait is over!

That’s right – I have added yet another side called “Craft with a Creative,” and let me tell you I’m pretty stoked about this. Those who follow the blog and know me personally, know I have creativity coming out of my ears. So when my studio finally opened how could I just stop at graphic design and photography?! I mean there’s so much room for activities!

Now you’re hopefully wondering WHAT IS “Craft with a Creative?” Well…

Public Domain Image

How many times have you browsed through Pinterest and other sites thinking “Wow, I wish I knew how to dive into that project?!” Well if your answer is, “All. The. Time.” that’s what Craft with a Creative is meant to do:

Take your doubt away and let your creative side play!

Noel Photography and Design will host “Craft with a Creative” sessions throughout the year, featuring a new creative project each time. It will be a time for friends to hang out, learn a new artsy craft, and maybe even get a bit messy.

Included with a varying, small fee for each session will be tasty refreshments, the instruction of an artist (yours truly,) and all the supplies you need for the project. You only need to bring your friends, occasionally special items to personalize your project, and YOURSELF! It’s that easy.

Workshops will typically take place at the studio in downtown Hebron, NE and will have an average run time of 1-2 hours. However, to keep things crafty each project will differ in time and difficulty. Participants will need to sign up and make their session payments by the deadline given with each project.

Craft with a Creative © Noel Photography and Design

So, are you ready to get crafty!? Good, because the first workshop is coming up in December and I’d love to get enough people to get started! Find out what we’re making and sign up to reserve your spot by visiting me in store {Tues. – Friday between 12p and 5pm} OR by CLICKING HERE.

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Thanks for reading and please drop me any questions or comments you have about Craft with a Creative! I look forward to crafting with you, but until then: Follow me here on WordPress by blog or email, and give the Facebook page a LIKE.

Happy Creating!

Noel

5 Reasons Professionals Should Shoot Manual Always

 

1. Manual Settings make Photos Look More Professional

The first obvious reason to shoot in manual is because you can! Any one can photograph with automatic settings, (which is often what most “non-professional” photo takers will do.) However, as a trained professional, we have the knowledge and ability to utilize the camera’s full functions. Having the skills to alter how we photograph is one of our perks, and what sets us apart from others who are not as experienced. Don’t waste the potential because it’s inconvenient or scary! By using the manual functions you will be able to create emotional, crisp, stunning and PROFESSIONAL looking images, you otherwise wouldn’t get with auto.

 

2. An Educated Guess vs. An Experienced Decision

When a camera is on automatic the “computer technology” is now in charge of several functions responsible for image quality. While this sounds like a fantastic way to get image results, in this case, your experience outranks technology. Remember, the camera is only taking an educated guess on what settings to use. Meaning, it will typically have a “go to” setting for specific scenarios. A few examples may include having a “go to” setting for high, low and no light. That means it’s choosing ONE option out of hundreds of settings! While this will usually produce a usable image, it doesn’t create a high quality one. Believe it or not, your experience of knowing how the image should look, and knowledge of what settings to use to achieve that, will always turn out better than the camera’s “educated guess.”

 

3. Controlling Light & Color.

In addition to a few obvious components, such as composition and subject matter, good photography is strongly based on lighting and exposure. In a nutshell:

Bad lighting =  Bad image.

One huge problem with auto is that it usually makes colors dull. (As shown in the first two images.) On top of bland colors, if a pop-up flash is automated in low light, it prevents shadows and highlights necessary for eye pleasing contrast. In addition, a lack of shadows tend to make images look “flat.” (As shown in the third image by Kai Jai Photography.)

Typically a “usable” picture can be achieved with automatic. However, as mentioned before, that usable image is going to appear unprofessional. But there’s good news! By simply switching to manual, photographers can alter the mood, feel and overall quality of a photograph with the different settings that effect light. (ie. ISO, aperture and exposure time.)

Auto vs. Manual 1. © Noel Photography

Color Difference on Auto vs. Manual 2. Photo Example by Gibson Photography – Google Search

Pop-up Flash vs. Manual\External Flash. Photo Example by Kai Jai Photography – Google Search

 

4. Manual Makes Evening and Night Photos Possible

One of my favorite times to photograph is at night. Obviously meaning there is a very little light source. If a subject has low or focused light at night, it is IMPOSSIBLE to capture a good shot on *automatic. Literally impossible! Take a look at these images to see the potential manual brings to low light shooting! [*When I say, “Impossible to capture a night shot with automatic,” here is what I am referring to: Most cameras with only a “general automatic” setting, cannot capture night photos accurately. However, there are some cameras that have an “automatic night shooting” function, but again, while this setting can produce a “usable” image, it still is not an ideal night photo.]

 

Manual Night Shooting 1. © Noel Photography

Manual Night Shooting 2. © Noel Photography

 

5. Opportunity Awaits

There are so many techniques that can not be done on automatic. Therefore, by taking the manual plunge, you broaden the types of photography you can do. One great technique includes long (or short) exposures. Whether done at night or during the day, adjusting exposures can create amazing effects! Capture water drops in mid air, or make the water appear to be flowing. Even create “light paintings” with mobile light sources! Options are endless when using manual exposure. {Below are examples of long exposures in light painting photographs created by Jonathan Swift. These images are copyright of Jonathan Swift.}

Light Painting Photography | Images are © Jonathan Swift

Light Painting Photography | Images are © Jonathan Swift

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Thanks for reading and hopefully you are ready for the manual plunge, if you haven’t started already!

Be sure to follow Noel Photography & Design on Facebook, WordPress, or sign up for email subscriptions.

Happy Creating! 🙂

Noel