Suggest a topic, get a gift!

I'm thinking of starting a blog about the very basics of photography, perhaps some photo manipulation, etc. To get such a thing going, and to keep it going, I need to add articles to it a few times a week. I have an issue with being able to think up topics for writing, so I'm turning to the good people of TCS. I will give a gift or ribbon (your choice ) for every (legitimate and photography related) idea for:

*topic for an article

*questions you have about basic photography

*areas of photography you would find interesting

*potential name for the blog

*helpful suggestions

I really would like to make this an active and useful blog, so all legitimate suggestions are welcome!

well, I know one thing I always struggle with while taking pics of my kitties is lighting, I never seem to have enough light!!

and I really don't need the gift, I swear, thank you though!

*areas of photography you would find interesting- Photographing bugs and other small animals.

*potential name for the blog- Shutterbug

*helpful suggestions- When taking a picture outside, make sure the sun is behind you. If you take a picture facing the sun your photo will come out dark or have a big glare.

How about naming the blog the "clixpixfix"?

I don't need any gifts, either, but if you want, you can donate a ribbon to someone who needs it..:

~KK~

How about black and white versus color in film or in digital?

Camera and photography basics and terms. ie "Get to Know Your Camera!" or "Which End is Up?"<- for beginners. Maybe something more exciting sounding would be better...

Photographing things that move - children and pets.

Review new cameras and lenses. What's best for what. What comes built in.

Lighting and how to find a good subject/focal point for work and how to keep it interesting.

Nature and people/events - what makes for good or even dramatic photos.


Not really any questions I have, but suggestions on what to write about. No gifts wanted or needed, if I've been helpful at all that's enough.
If you can share some ideas for possible articles you've already thought of people may be able to come up with really good titles for them. There are a lot of crazy and creative people here, they just need the idea to run with.

With my camera I always wonder:

Why do my pictures come out blurring sometimes?? How do you not make them blurry?? Is it possible to take moving pictures that turn out?? When is the flash needed?? Is digital better than film? If so why??

I would probably blog about the daily experiences of taking pictures of things! How it went, what you captured, stuff like that!

I dont know if thats any help to you, those are just things I wonder about!

Digital Photography - getting started faq: what does megapixel have to do with it, when to flash (hah!), why zoom, when zooming goes wrong (blurry, out of focus)

Title...hmm...:
Pix that Click
In Focus
The Daily Flash


no need for a gift (if any of the above is of use)

Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

when to flash (hah!)

Click to expand...

or a close call, I choked on my drink. That's a good one, I hope it can be used.

i love that idea Tiff, call the blog Clixpix and do just that, let the bloggers, pick every week some new topic, to discuss, photograph, etc. click on their picks!! when you decide on the topic of th e week, everyone goes out and does their best photos on the subject and at the end of the week or day , post the results, than compare and discuss the differences, especially how each photographer can take the same subject and come out with totally different views of it!! everyone's will be different that is what makes it interesting!!! someone might have used one kind of lens, and the other a flash? heck I don't know! But I mean the idea is to draw out so to speak, the "artist" in each photographer! Make them use their brain, be creative! etc.
Monique

*topic for an article

• Lighting a subject: Direct, diffused and beyond.
• The basics of Shutter priority mode.
• The basics of Aperture priority mode.
• The importance of the histogram.
• Basic editing: Levels, contrast and sharpening.
• How best to save a photo. File types to use and to avoid.
• Do not fear RAW files. Software you'll need to convert the files and why RAW is better.
• Pixels, DPI and PPI explained.
• How to avoid getting ripped off buying cameras and accessories over the internet. How to find a good on-line photo retailer.

*questions you have about basic photography

• How many megapixels is enough? More pixels vs. bigger & better pixels.
• What type of camera is best for me? Point-and-shoot, or dSLR?
• dSLR lenses. Basic differences and selection to go beyond the "kit" lens that came with my new camera.
• How to go beyond full-automatic mode with my new camera?
• How best to set up and light my subject?
• How do aperture, shutter and ISO setting relate to each other?
• How best to get the images off my camera and into my computer?
• What are the differences between basic editing software like Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Elements and the bigger packages like PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom and Aperture?
• Can my computer handle photo editing? What do I need?
• What is the difference between optical image stabilization and software-based image stabilization?

*areas of photography you would find interesting

• Macro.
• Portraiture.
• Basic composition of a photo - rule of thirds.
• Artificial lighting.

Originally Posted by Bikeman

*topic for an article

• Lighting a subject: Direct, diffused and beyond.
• The basics of Shutter priority mode.
• The basics of Aperture priority mode.
• The importance of the histogram.
• Basic editing: Levels, contrast and sharpening.
• How best to save a photo. File types to use and to avoid.
• Do not fear RAW files. Software you'll need to convert the files and why RAW is better.
• Pixels, DPI and PPI explained.
• How to avoid getting ripped off buying cameras and accessories over the internet. How to find a good on-line photo retailer.

*questions you have about basic photography

• How many megapixels is enough? More pixels vs. bigger & better pixels.
• What type of camera is best for me? Point-and-shoot, or dSLR?
• dSLR lenses. Basic differences and selection to go beyond the "kit" lens that came with my new camera.
• How to go beyond full-automatic mode with my new camera?
• How best to set up and light my subject?
• How do aperture, shutter and ISO setting relate to each other?
• How best to get the images off my camera and into my computer?
• What are the differences between basic editing software like Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Elements and the bigger packages like PhotoShop CS3, Lightroom and Aperture?
• Can my computer handle photo editing? What do I need?
• What is the difference between optical image stabilization and software-based image stabilization?

*areas of photography you would find interesting

• Macro.
• Portraiture.
• Basic composition of a photo - rule of thirds.
• Artificial lighting.

Click to expand...

Wow! I think there are several great topics here, but all about digital.
The most important knowledge of photography is understanding its origin and development from. Digital is a great benefit but cheat of true photography, the need to understand how light, subject, materials, and camera work together to produce art is essential before raw talent is shown through digital.

Some topics I would find interesting......

Since I do landscaping I would like to have suggestions on taking before and after pictures for my photo portfolio for potential clients.
Also taking pictures of individual plants (including trees, shrubs, all perennials, annual etc)
to show potential clients.

I was always curious on how to actually develop the film.

Suggestions for getting started. All of the info about aperture, shutter speed, white balance are useful, but can be overwhelming to someone just starting out. But how does one start using them.

Wow! Thanks everyone! Those are great so far!

I'll have to give gifts later...the vplaza is out of stock, but I will give them, especially since you all have such great ideas!

How do you make cats not move when trying to take pics of them?

I kid of course (but seriously, if you know, tell me)



Good luck with your blog!!

A blog is a great idea!

Originally Posted by carwashcats

.....everyone goes out and does their best photos on the subject and at the end of the week or day , post the results, than compare and discuss the differences.........

Click to expand...

I've seen this idea on other forums and it's great. It's kind of like a virtual photography club. If you want high levels of participation, that's the way to do it. It is one thing to read suggestions/advice and another thing to act on them. I think you would get a great learning curve this way. Not sure if you want that sort of participation or you want to stick to question/answer/article type blog.

Originally Posted by clixpix

*areas of photography you would find interesting

Click to expand...

Insect boogers ....ahem....I mean macro photography.

Also, I'd be interested in where to buy good used and new photography equipment on the internet (so many sellers don't ship to Canada). Maybe get people's recommendations on sellers or other little known sources for hard to find items.

No gifts needed for my insect booger suggestion.

I've always liked pictures of nature. Take pictures of real upclose flowers, bugs, leaves, etc...