Posts

Tips on using patterns in photography

Image
I mage source: pixabay.com Everywhere you look, you can spot patterns. But not all photographers are wired to see them, says <a href=" https://www.pinterest.ph/janiquegoffmadison/ "> Janique Goff Madison</a>. That’s because people can be more inclined to take a shot of more obvious subjects, like people, animals, and landscape. But if you learn how to incorporate patterns into your photography, it can result in more visually captivating images.   Discussed in this blog post are some tips on how to use patterns in photography.   <b>Actively search for patterns</b> No matter what place you are in, there are patterns around you. Simply scanning your surrounding can lead to the observation of patterns around you. Some common examples of patterns that can serve as photographic subjects are floor tiles, a wall of bricks, or a row of windows. On the other hand, uncommon patterns include trays of eggs. By getting used to consciously seeing patterns, ...

Climate change anxiety: How should people protect their mental health?

Image
Image source: Unsplash.com There's no denying that changes in the environment affect people's wellbeing, including their mental health.    But how should people watch over this aspect of their health?   Janique Goff Madison shares what people can do to reduce their anxiety about climate change.   For many people, the term "climate change" brings to mind images of drought and flooding that lead to starvation, disease, and environmental destruction.   While climate change has these potential consequences, it can also have subtler effects on mental health.   For example, noticing changes in the environment such as extreme weather conditions and worsening air quality have triggered anxiety. First, it's important to acknowledge that climate change anxiety is real.     It's normal to feel anxious when faced with overwhelming problems like climate change that can affect your future.     Second, Janique Goff Madison says tha...

High and low temperatures as climate change indicators

Image
Image source: oceanservice.noaa.gov Over the recent years, scientists have researched and confirmed that global warming is man-made. There are clear signs that man is responsible for the changes experienced in weather, temperature, and climate. The planet has experienced an increase in temperature in the last four decades. In this blog post, Janique Goff Madison shares the how high and low temperatures indicate climate change. There are two types of heat: warm and deadly. The first comes from sun, fire or anything that's light-based like electricity; the second type is earth-related such as soil moisture which melts snow into water to create streams running downhill towards oceans where saltwater flowing outwards creates a current, creating tides in all sea habitats around it too! In the last three decades, the surface temperature of the sea has increased from primary discoveries. Image source: insideclimatenews.org Sea surface temperature is a key attribute of the oceans...

Explaining climate change to kids

Image
Image source: nytimes.com The way children think about the world is changing. But they're not just seeing it through rose-colored glasses anymore. Each day carries new challenges and opportunities that make understanding climate change more important for their generation. In this blog post, Janique Goff Madison discusses climate change in a manner that children will understand. NASA defines climate change as the change in average conditions in a particular region over an extended period. NASA scientists have observed and discovered that Earth's surface has started getting warmer throughout the years, with many of the recorded warmest periods happening in the last two decades. To understand climate change better, one must know the difference between climate and weather. Weather refers to the conditions outside, at present, in a particular area. Climate refers to the conditions in a certain region that are anticipated during particular seasons or moments in a year. Image so...

Is it still possible to stop the effects of climate change?

Image
Image source: Pexels.com Everyone has contributed to climate change. More people are becoming conscious of their potentially harmful ways and how it has affected the world we live in, many still need to be made aware of the extreme environmental changes that are happening. Janique Goff Madison explains that while climate change is happening now, there are still ways to lessen its negative effects with the right changes. One of the ways to slow down the destruction caused by increasing temperatures is to lessen one's carbon footprint. Governments and large-scale companies are also responsible for creating solutions that will encourage individuals to do their part in saving the environment. Decreasing food, chemical, and technological waste might not entirely stop the effects of climate change overnight, but it can reduce the damages, especially for high-risk areas. Another way to stop the effects of climate change is to switch to green energy by reducing oil and gas, which c...

How to help people who work in animal shelters

Image
Image source: Pixabay.com According to animal shelter volunteer Janique Goff Madison , animal shelters are very busy and understaffed. As a result, these places require volunteers and full-time workers to multitask. The work is not just about playing with pets. Some of the tasks involve giving medication to some of the ailing animals, preparing their food, cleaning their spaces, and interviewing potential owners. On that note, Janique Goff Madison shares ways to help the people who work in animal shelters. Adopt from the shelter. The best gift that supporters and visitors can give shelter workers is adopting one of the pets. For shelter workers, there's nothing quite like the joy of seeing pets find a new owner who will care for them for a long time. As they've taken care of these animals for a long time, they also appreciate photo updates and occasional visits from these pets and their owners. Image source: Pixabay.com Support events. Animal shelters usu...

What are this year's best entry-level DSLR cameras?

Image
  Janique Goff Madison encourages new photographers to invest in a good DSLR camera. While it can be a bit pricey, a quality camera will help a beginner master the skills in a short amount of time. A good model will also last for years. Here are some of the best entry-level DSLR cameras for 2021: Image source: Unsplash.com Canon EOS 850D Canon has always been trusted by photographers. Whether it's with the camera models or equipment, many await the brand's new releases. This new unit in the Rebel series is a nice match for beginners as it is fast and reliable. Aside from being a good camera for taking still images, it also has a 4K video mode that is just as good. Easy to carry and navigate, it will allow photographers to enjoy learning and exploring the craft. The long battery life is also a plus. Image source: Unsplash.com Nikon D5600 While this is quite an older model, it is still a good investment for the year 2021. Nikon cameras are known for being sturdy a...

Essential skills beginning photographers must develop

Image
  Many think it is easy to break into the world of professional photography. Some consider equipment to be the sole basis of being a professional photographer—it could not be further from the truth. And stroke of luck won’t bring one too far. Professional photography requires exceptional skills and more, including qualities that are not necessarily exclusive to the artform. Image source: pexels.com Image source: pexels.com Technical skills are undoubtedly the most important weapon a photographer can possess. Beginning photographers must note that their ability to shoot relies heavily on their attention to detail, composition, and understanding of lighting. It is also important for one to be adept with using their own camera. Being familiar with one’s gear enables them to shoot comfortably and swiftly no matter how much conditions change, says San Diego-based student photographer Janique Goff Madison. Being artistic and creative affords one the capacity to create shots that a...

Amazing tips for dog owners everywhere

Image
  The common misconception of people who haven’t owned a pet about owning a pet is that it’s easy. It’s not. Owning a pet is a big responsibility. And like every worthwhile and fulfilling endeavor in life, it’ll take a lot of time and effort. Fortunately, there are ways to make things easier. Image source: lifehack.org On that note, here are some life hacks dog owners can use to have it easier. page . Make dog food at home instead of buying outside. Dog food is expensive enough. To cut down on this expense, owners can make their own doggie treats. To make homemade pill pockets, all you need is milk, crunchy peanut butter, and flour. There are a lot more recipes online. Janique Goff Madison Turn old furniture into doggie furniture. Image source: lifehack.org A lot of first-time pet owners discover they lack space for their bed or a place where they can rest. A simple solution to this is to repurpose old furniture to fit these doggie amenities, such as convertin...

Knowing the best times for outdoor photos

Image
  Janique Goff Madison , a photography student, advises that to develop our skills in photography, we should be flexible or adaptive to any given situation, especially when taking outdoor pictures. For beginners, he suggests the following times of the day as a starting point for creativity. Image source: borrowlenses.com Dusk and dawn This is twilight in simple terms, says Janique Goff Madison. Often referred to as the blue hour, twilight is when the sky has a blue tint before it gets completely dark. Because of the low and soft light at this period, a higher ISO, a slow shutter speed, and wider aperture is particularly needed. Golden Hour This is the short period of time after sunrise and then before sunset. Janique Goff Madison says that this only lasts for about 15 minutes. It is when the sun is near the horizon, casting off warm and soft light. You may also need a higher ISO, slower shutter speed, and wider aperture than in midday. Pointing the camera toward the su...

More pet photography ideas for stay-at-home photographers

Image
It's still safer to stay at home. During these times, photographers need a creative outlet that will allow them to upgrade their skills even if they can't go out of the house often. Photography enthusiast and pet lover Janique Goff Madison shares some ideas for photo projects that will keep furry friends and their owners occupied indoors. Image source: Unsplash.com A day in the life Showing what a pet does the entire day can be a good creative exercise. Instead of shooting from the human's point-of-view, it would be better to use the animal's perspective to make things look funny and interesting. One can capture their pets taking a bath, grooming themselves, eating, playing, sleeping, or hanging out with their owners. Focusing on their expressions will also add to the storytelling, says Janique Goff Madison . Image source: Unsplash.com Bring the pets closer to nature No need to go to the park for this activity. Photographers can just take their pets to the bac...

Post-processing tips and tricks for the newbie photographer

Image
Image source: neilpatel.com  Not all photographers are keen to use post-processing software on their computers to enhance the images they capture. Sure, most of the work still has to depend on how one composes images through their lenses. However, a little help from editing can make one a better photographer. See photos on a larger screen for instant feedback on one’s own work, says Janique Goff Madison . Getting images on the editing software helps a photographer check the potential in photos. Straighten and resize images for a more professional look . It's important to ensure that the horizon is straight to prevent viewers from noticing something off with the scene. Avoid thinking of post-processing to alter the reality of the photo, rather a way to become a better photographer. When photographers are not mindful of their camera's white balance settings, a distorted subject caused by bad lighting conditions is often the outcome. Shoot in RAW to quickly correct the...

Kids and photography: Building their interest in the discipline

Image
  Photography has become largely accessible to children of all ages, all thanks to the advanced camera technology present in smartphones. While photography is within their reach, true love and appreciation for the discipline may take some time to develop in a child’s consciousness. Image source: sharpshotsphotoclub.co.uk One way to kindle a child’s interest in photography is by surrounding them with great photography, shares Janique Goff Madison. Kids are generally intrigued by animal photos, which makes it a good starting point. Once a child is familiar with the concept of taking images, encourage them to take their own photos and explore. Take it slow the techniques and methods. Allow them to discover the discipline on their own. Following their own exploration, teach the child about background and foreground. Framing starts with scanning the surroundings of the subject. Image source: claremurthy.com Teach them the proper way to handle all kinds of cameras. Kids these ar...

Why good photography matters in animal rescue

Image
  Animals in shelters badly need new fur-rever homes, but it’s never easy to find the best for them. In many cases, the characteristics and qualities of animals in shelter are not captured well, causing prospective adoptive parents to take a step back to reconsider until they totally let go of the rescues.  Image source: petapixel.com Good photography is important when it comes to animal rescue, says San Diego-based student and photography fan Janique Goff Madison. Any composition with bad lighting is ultimately a bad photo. When rescue animals have their photos taken in a relaxed, fun, warm, and well-lit environment, their loving and cuddly sides can be seen. It would be a disservice to rescue animals just to post photos of them that look frightened, hostile, and injured when they possess the total opposite of those qualities.  Image source: boredpanda.com Most prospective pet parents first meet an animal through a social media post by an animal shelter. Such posts...

Guidelines for photographing national parks

Image
  Janique Goff Madison is a photography student who enjoys visiting national parks. Going to these places allow her to hone her skills. To truly make the most of a trip to these places, here are some guidelines worth remembering.  Image source: Unsplash.com Respect the wildlife Photographers should keep a safe distance from the animals. They should also avoid feeding and petting the animals for their own safety. While it's alright to take photos, one should avoid using flash as much as possible as it can scare or distract the animals. It’s also important to note that respecting wildlife involves preserving their habitat and keeping it clean.  Seek permission when working with models and sets According to Janique Goff Madison, photographers don't need to get a permit if they're just going on a photowalk or touring the parks on their own. However, if they're going to work with models or build sets, they need to get a permit from park authorities especially if the ...

Best life hacks for dog owners

Image
  Pets like dogs can be a handful regardless of their size. They can be big, bulky, and clumsy or small, feisty, and the destroyer of all socks and shoes. But thanks to countless online communities of dog owners sharing their stories on social media, pet owners like Janique Goff Madison learn new tricks that make living with dogs a lot easier. Here are some life hacks dog owners can use to have it easier.  Image source: lifehack.org Make home-made dog treats instead While dog food is expensive enough, buying doggie treats for snacks can push you over your budget. One way to cut down on this expense is to make your own doggie treat. To make homemade pill pockets, all you need is milk, crunchy peanut butter, and flour. Repurpose old furniture If you just brought home a pet but discovered that you lack space for their bed or a place where they can rest, why not repurpose old furniture to fit these doggie amenities? Convert an old TV cabinet to a display case on top a...

Tips for the beginner wedding photographer

Image
  Wedding photography is the bread and butter of many photographers when they’re not pursuing their favorite subject matters. What’s not to love about photographing weddings? They’re a great place to hone your sense of timing, shot planning, and equipment management aside from earning a good amount of money. Here’s what you need to know to start doing wedding photography. Image source: photographytalk.com If you’re still just gaining your sea legs in terms of wedding photography, your best course of action is to work under another wedding photographer before setting up on your own. You will need a lot of weddings under your belt in order to capture the essence of two lives intertwining to become one. A mentor will prepare you and give you insights about capturing the special m oments in a wedding according to Janique Goff Madison . Before anything else, you will need to plan how you’re going to conduct the shoot. Aside from planning the shots, you will need to visit the ch...

Action shots: Taking pictures of moving objects

Image
  In many ways, taking pictures of moving objects is more challenging than still-life photography. That said, some tips can make action shots much easier and more striking. Here they are, listed below. Janique Goff Madison .  Image Source: improvephotography.com 1. Preparation is key. Like any endeavor in life, photography requires preparation, and action photography even more so. Photographers have to take into account factors such as location, lighting, subjects, and more. They need to know ahead of time what kind of shot they want to take and what the final image would look like. Another key point in preparation is knowing which equipment to bring and the right settings to take action shots. Janique Goff Madison . 2. Spend time with trial shots. Spending time experimenting with trial shots before the actual shoot is something a lot of photographers sadly take for granted. The result is that many of them are overwhelmed by the speed at which these subje...

How to tell when a dog is in distress

Image
Telling if a dog is in distress can be tricky to the untrained eye, shares Janique Goff Madison . People who claim that they care about dogs, especially strays, need to be aware of some common signs in distressed dogs if they want to make a difference in the lives of humanity's most loved animals. Here are a few of them.   Image source: dogtime.com Image source: twitter.com 1. Incontinence When a dog cannot stop itself from leaking, especially if it happens for no apparent reason, this could well mean that the animal is in distress. There could be various reasons behind the stressor. Some dogs have been known to behave in this manner when they get into contact with humans. This could also be a physical issue, too. 2. Mood swings Sometimes an animal is lethargic one moment and excitable in the next. If the dog seems to be exhibiting behaviors that run along with extremes, this is a classic sign that the animal is in distress. Observe the dog for a few days and try t...

Storage tips for digital cameras

Image
For many photographers, staying at home means less opportunities to cover events, capture the beauty of nature, document people's reactions, and more. But while waiting for the chance to freely go out and enjoy the outdoors, photographers might need to keep their cameras for the time being. Janique Goff Madison shares some storage tips to keep these precious items safe. Image source: Pixabay.com Image source: Pixabay.com Remove the batteries and memory card Sometimes photographers accidentally turn on their cameras when it's not in use which can drain the battery. To preserve battery life and prevent potential hazards, one should always remember to power off the camera and remove the batteries. The memory card should also be removed especially if the camera won't be used for more than a month. Keep the lens cap Janique Goff Madison explains that the lens is a fragile part of the camera. Whether the camera is using a built-in lens or a det...