FreshBooks Interview with Dan Abramovici – Tips for the Photography DIY-ers
The following is an excerpt from an article by FreshBooks in interview with Dan Abramovici. You can read the full article HERE.
4 Tips for the Photography DIY-ers
If you don’t have the budget for a professional photo shoot, all is not lost. There are lots of ways you can make your amateur photos pop.
PHOTOGRAPHY RULE #1: AVOID THE LOW-RES IPHONE SHOT
We’re all tempted to use that flattering photo of ourselves at a party—you know, the one where you look really good but you have to get creative to crop out your friend/partner/sister. Abramovici tells it to us straight: “It’s a common mistake… and it looks really cheap.” Ouch. Not exactly what we’re trying to convey as a professional entrepreneur.
A quick phone photo of a work-in-progress is okay to post on social media, but if you’re looking to take photos regularly to share with followers or your blog, invest in a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex, FYI) and take a basic photography class or online tutorial. You want the quality of your photographs to reflect the quality of your work.
PHOTOGRAPHY RULE #2: USE THE RULE OF THIRDS
A basic photography composition tip is the rule of thirds. Here’s how it works:
Most DSLR cameras will have an option to show you their grid. That’s nine even squares—three horizontal and three vertical. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t want to position your subject in the middle pane.
According to Digital Photo Secrets, “If your subject is in the middle of the image, it’s considered static. Your eye is drawn to it then has nowhere to go from there because the object is equal distance from all sides… when your subject is positioned closer to one of the edges, it forces your eye to follow it… This allows the viewer to linger on your image longer. It makes for a more captivating photo because it’s almost interactive. Like a conversation going on between the photo and you.”
They use this before-and-after example (via) of a to illustrate the rule.
“It’s good to have an eye for composition—or at least train yourself to have one,” said Abramovici.
PHOTOGRAPHY RULE #3: THINK SLICE OF LIFE
Want to give your clients a taste of what it’s like to use your services? Say it in photos.
“If you have a social media strategy, you’ll want to be constantly posting photos of you doing business. Casual, slice-of-life photos are great to show off your personality and approach to your work,” said Abramovici. “You can brand the photos by putting graphics or fonts over the images to take them to the next level.”
PHOTOGRAPHY RULE #4: MAKE USE OF NATURAL LIGHTING
Another popular misconception is that sunny days are the time to head outside for a photo shoot. “On a sunny day, when you point a camera in front of someone’s face, nine times out of 10 it will look bad,” said Abramovici. “Their nose will cast a shadow on their lips and their forehead will be bright and overexposed.”
Overcast days are better for photographing because the light is softer and more diffused. “You want to be in a place where the light is coming from the front and not all around you. There should be some contrast where the light is framing your face correctly to see bone structure and shape where there should be shape.”
Tunnels, alleyways and under bridges are popular locations for professional photographers because they act as natural light filters. Look for ways to reproduce those conditions.
In our increasingly visual world, a DSLR quick intro-to-photography class could be considered wise expenses for your business. Posting regular photographs of you, your service and your work demonstrate that you’re an engaged entrepreneur who’s proud of your business. We can think of worse reasons to take a selfie!
Like what you’ve read? You can find the full article HERE.