Advice

Much like urban exploring Las Vegas Casinos present rich vista of stunning visual opportunities. WARNING: be prepared to be escorted off the casinos premises or barred by unfriendly security personal as Nevada gambling establishments take a dim view of budding photographers.

Is it legal to take photos in a casino’s gaming area?

All casinos have a no photography policy for the gaming area; so you need to go into this knowing you’re going to be breaking the rules.  However, it is not illegal, contrary to what casino staff will sometimes say so don’t worry about it from that perspective; the worst thing that can happen is they ask you to stop, to leave and/or to see and delete the photo(s) you just took.

Note that I said “ask”, not “require,” because they have no legal right to take your camera, inspect your camera or ask/make you delete any photos.  Keep in mind that most of the time you’ll only get hassled if the cashier cage is in the direction your lens is pointing; so avoid that and you’ll typically avoid trouble.

Do not ask if you can take pictures; just do it!  Since you already know it’s not allowed, no reason to ask; if you ask, they’ll often tell you no and it’s a lot less likely to cause problems if you just do it versus being told no and then doing it anyway.

Some of the most exciting moments captured on camera are when we win prizes and big money, so you’d imagine that pictures on a casino floor would be brimming with personality. Unfortunately, most bricks and mortar casinos take a dim view of photography on the casino floor.

On the strip In Las Vegas, for example, it is not technically illegal or against the rules to do so, but you will find that many pit bosses will be very quick to tell you to put away cameras and any other photography equipment if they see that you’re getting snap-happy in the gaming areas.

So how do you get around this? It’s important to note that in Vegas, they can’t physically confiscate your camera, nor are they legally allowed to demand that they check the pictures you’ve already taken on your phone of the gaming areas. Put simply, with a little subtlety and planning you should be able to get away with it by adhering to the following tips:

Top tips for taking photos in Vegas casinos

• Use the smallest, most discrete camera equipment possible
  It goes without saying that if you head straight into a casino with your biggest camera lens and equipment draped over you, you’re likely to arouse suspicion from the moment you walk through the casino entrance. Take your smallest camera possible in order to keep a low profile.
• Snap stills but don’t push your luck with video!
  Photo stills tend to be less of an issue with casino pit bosses than lengthy videos – probably because a video showcases more of the casino and its gaming action than a single still could possibly manage. However, it’s frowned upon to even take photo stills of your casino winnings.
• Get rid of the flash
  Another sure-fire way to be detected taking pics in a casino is to use a booming flash. Most casinos have light enough anyway for a good shot, so switch off the flash from the first snap and you’ll be good to go.
• Stay on the move at all times
  You’ll be surprised just how easy it is to discretely take some photos of the casino action, providing you move around the pit floor briskly. Linger too long and spend too much time photographing a particular area and you’re likely to be caught on the casino CCTV and accosted by the pit staff.
• Don’t arouse suspicion by snapping other players and guests
  Worse still than lingering, you’ll drag too much attention to yourself if you opt to take pictures with other players and guests at the casino. Don’t try and involve table dealers etc as this won’t go down well with the pit bosses who want the games to run smoothly!

Of course, if you’re not close enough to a land-based casino to take some decent shots of the action, you can always get a friend to head online to play that type of game at home or on mobile, so you can take some snaps of their reactions mid-game! There’s a list from here that you can use to find a casino that accepts Canada-based casino players as well as those based in the UK and Europe.

Most of the sites offer free bonus money upon sign-up so your friend can find a site that allows them some free game time whilst allowing you to take snaps of today’s state-of-the-art 3D slot games developed by pioneering iGaming developers such as Microgaming, Playtech and NetEnt.

When starting out as a budding photographer, experimenting with shots is essential to discovering what your preferred style is. Photos can promote different feelings in their audiences based on the angle, focus or topic involved. Yet, whilst you might get to the stage of realising your photographic style, there is at least one more question that still needs to be addressed. What about colour?

Of course, colour is an integral part of any photographer’s work, but the palette you choose may develop from what you find yourself photographing. Once you have entered the world of photography and practised with your camera, you will soon be able to tell where your innate flair lies. That may be nature, architecture, portraits or whatever subject best showcases you and your photography.

Depending on the theme you are drawn to, you will come to encounter certain colours that frequent that environment. In nature, greens and browns are a common occurrence, whereas buildings may have reddish tones from brickwork or grey from concrete. Deciding how best to represent colours is not easy, as different shades can symbolise different emotions, and these feelings can change depending on what combination of colours are used.

So how does colour affect your photography?

An important thing to remember is that when your photography is starting to obtain a recognisable style, will it appeal to potential clients? It is all well and good liking particular shades, but if the colour suggests something negative to customers, then the photos are less likely to sell. If your business is in the early stages, then your marketing strategy is key. Advertising your images online or on flyers will only bring interest if people feel something positive towards your photos, so getting a feel for how colours are being used by businesses is vital.

Look to the modern age

These days, you can increasingly find what you want online, whether that is on your phone, tablet or laptop. It is worth paying attention to both the colours used for the gadgets which allow you to have online access and for successful bands on the internet. The likes of Apple and Samsung employ whites and metallics as primary colours on their devices. White is long associated with purity and wholeness, therefore satisfying customers, whilst metallic shades are thought of as very futuristic and sophisticated at the moment.

Colour in marketing such as the logos and branding for a business is interesting to look at, especially if you sell stock photographs or want your photography to be used for a website. A case in point can be made by the ever-rising gaming industry, where the number of brands competing ensures that at least the leading brands have been giving palette choice a lot of thought. Comparing different brand logos for the same industry will give you some insight not only into the choice of colours the industry tends to go for, but also what sets the leading brands apart in terms of palette choices. For example, you can look at how new bingo sites approach branding in a very competitive industry, or do the same for online payment methods or e-commerce websites.

You’ll find that pink is considering calming and reassuring, but also a sign of hope, ideal for playing games of chance. Pink, which is calming and reassuring has been used across the world to signify hope and femininity, for causes such as fighting cancer. Pastel shades have also recently been brought into the limelight through online ventures like blogging, being deemed stylish and minimalist. Some brands will choose to go for more vibrant colours, which signify a bolder statement. In colour psychology, blue shows trustworthiness, whilst orange is friendly and yellow is positive. In this case, the shades chosen create a good mixture of feelings, ideal for online gaming.

Colour Symbolism

This philosophy about the symbolism of colours can be seen further afield too. From health organisations like the NHS and Nuffield, the latter having a green colour scheme to represent health, to supermarkets being trustworthy and friendly through their branding, it is easy to see why colours are so important in not only the photos you take, but how you market your photography business. Whilst using more than one colour or shade is accepted, just try not to go over the top. Three or four colours can be used together very effectively, but once you keep adding new colours, your photos and branding might get to busy for people to cope with. Do not worry if you make these misjudgments early on in your photography career, as there will be room for improvement.

The fruits of such research will allow you to not only see which colours appeal to people and why, but also develop an understanding of the feelings associated with each. All you need to do is look at the world around you to get the answers. With such knowledge, you’ll be able to find the right balance, if that’s what you’re going for, or challenge expectations and perceptions if you prefer. At the end of the day, practice makes perfect.

Candid photography is all about capturing the beauty of a spontaneous moment within a relaxed, casual environment. The subject is shown in their most natural state. The goal is for someone to be filled with emotions as they look at the pictures of people happy, laughing, and having fun – or the opposite, but making sure all these emotions are genuine and not staged.

While they may not look as refined compared to still portraits, taking candid photographs is not as easy as it may seem. It takes a lot of patience and skilled technique to seize the perfect shot. It also is much easier to start with happy subjects, as they’re more likely to react positively to you taking their pictures. If you are an amateur photographer seeking ways to successfully take inspiring photos of people during joyous moments, here are a few tips:

Get to Know Your Subjects Well

It is important to know your subjects well enough that you are able to anticipate their next move. Watch them carefully and always have your camera ready. Set the ISO, aperture and shutter speed ahead of time so you won’t have to stop in the middle of shooting.

Blend in with the Crowd

If you want to capture genuine smiles and laughter in your photos, you need to go unnoticed. Be quiet, blend in, and try not to draw attention to yourself. For practice, choose a setting that allows for subjects who don’t move often and have frequent emotional reactions. Visit gaming spot like a local bingo hall where you can capture the different reactions of people as they win – excitement, surprise, and accomplishment.

Don’t Hesitate to Get Closer

There will be times when you might feel that you are intruding the personal space of those you are photographing – don’t. The most amazing shots are those where you are close enough to capture the emotions that looking at the picture would make you feel like you are actually there. If you need to, you can practise with a friend at home. The trick is to give them something to do so they forget they’re being photographed. For example, you can invite them to play online bingo and document their reactions as they play. Similar to the bingo hall idea above, the unpredictable nature of the online game will mean that their facial expressions will change with the action. Or you can try having them watch some viral videos online, trying to capture the slight changes in their face as they respond – think “Elders react” series, only with a photo camera instead of a video camera.

Seize the Moment

It is not just about taking pictures of people laughing. It is about clicking that camera at the right time – when a woman tries to hold back her tears as she sees the love of her life get down on his knee with a ring or as the father of the bride lovingly smiles at her daughter as they dance. Photos that capture the emotions so when your subjects looks at them, they are taken back to that time and feel the exact sentiments all over again.

Find a Flattering Angle

One of the challenges of taking candid photos is being able to get the right angle so your subject would look great while you capture their emotion. Timing is also crucial. For instance, when you subject bursts into laughter, there are a few seconds when they would look great and beaming with happiness while the rest of it would simply be awkward. Of course, you would not know when the awkward and the glorious stages will happen, so it will be best to shoot throughout the entire laugh.

Keep Moving

During candid photography, your subjects cannot be manipulated into moving for you to get a better shot. The point is to capture them in their most genuine happy disposition and so it will be you who will need to move to get a good composition. So, get up and walk around your subjects so you can get them in the right position then start shooting and keep on moving as you shoot.

Shoot in Burst Mode

You only get one chance to capture the moment and you can never predict what happens next, so go ahead and shoot in burst mode to increase your chance of getting that perfect shot. Burst or continuous high speed is a shooting mode in still cameras that allows you to shoot ten frames or more per second. After you have shot a bunch of photos in burst mode, you can then choose the best ones.

As mentioned earlier, candid photography is not easy. These tips are here to help amateur photographers take better shots of people enjoying life, but to be really good at this, it will take lots and lots of practice. So, get started and don’t forget to have fun while doing it!

If you have done some research on how to sell your home fast and without stress, then you have probably come across this tip: Take great photos of your property and if possible, hire a professional photographer. The reason is simple. We are moved by what we see. Take purchases you make online for instance. The pictures you see are the first representation of the item you want to buy. As such, the pictures have to appeal to you mostly before you go through with the purchase, and a poorly taken photograph misrepresents the item which has a huge influence on your decision to buy or not to buy.

The case is the same when buying a home, except that it is a bigger purchase. This means that when you are looking to sell your home, you have to get the best photographs that will be enough to strike an interest in prospective buyers who are likely to first see the picture of your home, before visiting the property. Given that images are important in this respect, how then do you ensure that you get the best photographs? Here are some tips that help:

Use the Right Equipment

Go to the website of any real estate agency, and the pictures you are likely to find when you visit their site look great. This largely depends on the type of equipment used. Usually, an SLR camera with a wide-angle lens and a tripod, which helps to keep the camera steady while shots are taken, are ideal for property photography. Since it is a digital camera, you can get great pictures and enhance them with the help of photo editing software. Shooting in high resolution also improves the quality of the images that you get. In addition, you may want to focus on catchy features of the property such as a fireplace, and so on.

Lighting is Everything

Getting the best photographs of your home takes some effort, but it is an investment that is worth it. You may want to engage the services of a professional property photographer, in which case, you can be sure of high quality and enhanced images captured using state-of-the-art equipment. On the other hand, if you decide to do it yourself, one thing you should be conscious about is the lighting. You may need to turn on all the house lights and even use lighting equipment to enhance your images. This also includes taking note of the time of the day as the way natural light hits your house at different times of the day or year, affects the exterior appearance of your home.

Get the Setting Right

You need to get the interior setting of your home right as well, to project a certain homely ambience that can be reflected in the photographs you are looking to take. You could get creative and add props to give a bit of character while taking away insignificant details. Take care to clean the rooms in the house with Kwik Sweep services of and focus on getting the right angle that can help you correctly represent your property, or take the help of Cleaners of London to clean your entire apartment.

As a portrait photographer, you need to have a thorough understanding of your subject, whoever it is, to get the best results on camera. Women are particularly tricky – they’re probably the most self-critical people you can ever have the pleasure of taking photographs of. And a photo shoot should be a pleasure, never a torture, for both the photographer and your female client.

However, this is exactly where the problem lies. How many women do you know who hate having their picture taken, who don’t like at least some aspect of their physical shape and appearance, who think they’re just not photogenic? Leaving aside the younger #selfie generation who is much more practised (and therefore confident) at taking pictures of themselves for posting all over social media, the vast majority of women over, say, 30 years of age will tell you that they always look bad in photos.

It’s not even so much the actual photoshoot that they’re afraid of – it’s the results! Little wonder when you consider the albums full of unflattering holiday snaps, awkward portraits in unfavourable poses, with bad lighting, wrong clothes and no camera direction, that everyone has at home.

The challenge this presents for the photographer is not to be underestimated. Of course, a consummate professional should be able to make any woman, regardless of age, size or appearance, look fabulous on film, but success with women depends as much on getting into your model’s psyche as it does on your technical abilities, if not more so.

If you want to get great results from a photo shoot with a female client, here Dakota Murphey working alongside award winning photographer Boggio Studios, has given 4 key things you should consider.

Build a Relationship

Prepare your subject mentally and emotionally before the day of the shoot. For your lady client to feel comfortable, you need to develop a rapport with her, gain her trust and confidence and make her feel comfortable about the experience to come. Schedule a meeting beforehand and/or talk to her on the phone to find out what she wants and get on the same wavelength.

Be sympathetic to any body issues she may have; these are very real to her and must not be brushed aside. If your client hates her arms, teeth, size etc, she is bound to be self-conscious about exposing her ‘bad bits’ to the camera. It’s up to you to relax her in a way that takes her concerns into consideration, while boosting her confidence by complimenting her on the ‘good bits’ she probably doesn’t even realise she has.

Outfits

Treat her photoshoot as her own personal fashion shoot and spend some time talking about the best outfits for the photoshoots, and give helpful advice on the sorts of clothes, colours and styles that will really flatter her shape.

Agree on clothes that are not too tight, as this won’t look good when she is in a seated position, regardless of her size. Choose tops that cover her arms, perhaps pushing up the sleeves to make the arms look slimmer and longer. Bear in mind that V-necked tops elongate the neck and are more flattering that round or polo neck tops. A white top under a jacket is a good way to reflect more light onto the face, while black clothing has the opposite effect.

Be In Control

Taking great photos is much more than having the subject stand in front of you and hoping they will know how to pose or just look good how they are. She won’t have a clue what to do – you need to TELL her. Take control of the photoshoot and give constant direction. Your model will rely on you to tell her what to do, how to move, where to look, and how to position herself so that you can get the best shots.

Positioning is crucial. Sit her down on a chair or on the floor and have her move around to see what looks best. Experiment with standing poses or have her lie on the floor. Make her legs look good by moving a foot out slightly or by turning her knees. Ask her to turn her arms or shoulders to create a better silhouette. Ask her to stretch or lean forward. Get her to position her face by putting her chin down and forwards, elicit a slight smile, a smize or a full-on laugh.

Make sure you change your camera angle all the time to get the greatest variety of shots without her having to move too much. Don’t forget to shoot from above too, with her looking straight into the camera; no-one ever looks good pictured from below. And don’t even think about full length shots if you know that she’s not happy with her weight.

Location

Studio shoots allow you to choose the most flattering lighting and background, but location shoots can be a great way to obtain fun and spontaneous pictures. Again, you will need to use the ‘softly softly’ approach to first build her confidence for posing outside or even in a public place.

Maybe start off in a ‘safe space’ indoors until you’ve built up a good rapport and your subject feels relaxed before you move into a doorway or porch and then, finally, outside.

Most photographers are familiar with the hydra-headed monster that is called time management. You have to balance the demands of meeting clients’ needs (which could involve travels), process images and getting them ready, sourcing for new clients as well as seeking new tips and inspiration to improve your photography skills. Throw in the demands of family and it is easy to see why many photographers default on delivery times. This piece takes a look at trusted tips that can help you to better manage projects overall.

Designate Business Hours

This is important for both part-time and full-time photographers. When you have business hours, you will be able to achieve more during these times. Clients can contact you during this period and you would work on delivering photography projects at this time. This removes the possibility of distractions or working at periods that are less than optimal (translates to shoddy jobs or procrastination).

Never Take on More than Necessary

If you have 20 hours free in a week, divide projects across these times in the most efficient way possible. Think about grouping projects in one location on the same day and back-to-back. Always factor in travel time before accepting any photography projects. Consider presenting the option of bringing the photoshoot to your location and do not take on a project before you have carefully considered the time implications. You won’t magically have spare time!

Delegate Tasks Where Necessary

As your photography business grows, you have no option but to delegate tasks if you need to improve efficiency. Think of delegating tasks like your graphic design needs and hiring people to help with setting up shooting sessions and editing. This allows you to contribute your quota to the growth of young careers whilst keeping your sanity and using your time for the things that matter, which is offering your clients top quality work.

Stay Organised

When you are not organised, you can end up forgetting schedules, clients you are supposed to contact or where you are with projects.  If you are having problems with staying organised and remembering everything you need to do, use external solutions like Team Week to manage your time and duties. Such applications can allow you to schedule tasks by order of priority, including expected completion time. If you are able to quickly see what you are supposed to do at a time in a glance, there is a higher chance of delivering on schedule. You will no longer feel choked.

Specialise or Increase Prices

Every photographer knows when they are at this stage. You have done all that you can but it simply doesn’t look like you are making any headway in trying to keep up with balancing work and life. At this point, consider specialising in either being a wedding photographer, fashion photographer, a photographer for seniors or other options. If specialisation isn’t viable, consider increasing your prices. Shooting less and getting paid the same amount or more should be your goal when increasing your prices.

With these tips, you can begin to see improvements in your project management.

Do you want to be a photographer? These days, it is no longer enough to be good at what you do and spend all of your time honing your craft and taking beautiful pictures. Now more than ever, photographers need to be thinking outside of the box when it comes to creating a successful career; competition is fierce, and a good business strategy is a must.

Taking Action: Turning Photography Into A Career

Before we go any further, stop comparing yourself to other photographers like David Dooley , regardless of how similar their style is or how well they’re doing. Photography is an incredibly personal pastime, and the shots that you take matter to you for any number of reasons. If you’re disheartened by a perceived lack of success or by the wealth and success of others, it is time to do something about it. While shouldering your way through the competition and putting yourself out there might seem like huge steps, they are necessary ones if you want to have any hope of turning your passion into a successful career. It’s time to approach your photography career from an entirely different angle.

Get Creative

As a photographer, this first tip will probably be music to your ears. Do you need any more excuse to embrace your creative side? Passion for your craft is infectious, and it can inspire potential clients to choose you over anyone else. Don’t just take pictures; project a little of your personality into each one. Once you have worked out who your photography appeals to and created your brand, remain true to yourself.

Don’t Wait For Clients To Come To You

Sorry, introverts, but you’re going to have to put yourself out there if you want to attract clients and earn a decent living from your images. While you could spend hours setting up a website, writing a blog, and honing your craft, little good will come from your efforts if no one is checking in. Use special promotions and discount codes to create a buzz around your business, and ensure that clients know they’ll be paying for an experience rather than a handful of half-hearted shots. It is important to let your images do the talking, but don’t be afraid to sell yourself.

Make Your Photography Accessible

Unless you intend to create niche photography, it’s important to make your work accessible, which means thinking carefully about branding and marketing, creating a clean website that is easy to navigate, and maintaining an up-to-date portfolio that demonstrates your capabilities. Consider the benefits of an online booking system and contact form. Clients are far more likely to approach you if they are able to do so at a time and pace that suits them. Now might also be a good time to think about invoicing, as you’ll want every aspect of your business approach to reflect your brand. You can get a free invoice template from a professional site such as invoicehome.com, which will remove any stress from the business side of your photography venture.

Embrace Social Media

Social media is a vital part of everyday life, whether people are using it for personal or business use. In fact, there is a good chance that hundreds of your potential clients are logging on and checking their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts as we speak. You need to make such platforms work for you. Social media is the modern equivalent of word of mouth, so engage with clients and encourage them to like, share, and comment on your posts. You will also want to get to grips with tagging, regularly posting relevant content, and responding to comments. Could you run a competition for your clients? Consider offering a free photo shoot to the winner, with discounts for all entrants.

Take The Professional Approach

You love taking photographs and capturing moments, but you’re going to need to embrace the administrative aspects if you want to attract clients and make money. Consider your brand and invest in professional business cards, a website, and email address that will reflect your photographic approach and style. Do you already have a website? While it may be utterly gorgeous and a true reflection of your talents as a photographer, do you know how to make that site work for you? Search Engine Optimisation, or SEO, is vital for those fighting their corner in a saturated market, so be sure to seek the advice of an online marketing specialist.

Keep Your Contacts Close

The people we meet and the interactions we experience go a long way toward shaping the kind of business we operate and our successes or failures. It’s not enough to meet a client once any more; make sure their details are always close at hand for follow-up promotions and opportunities. You will also want to explore the avenues of collaboration, introducing yourself to businesses that might require your services. Where are your potential clients likely to notice you? How can you and other local businesses help one another?

Your approach to your photography business should be as personal as the shots you take. While we can offer extensive guidance regarding the ways you can attract clients and earn money, it’s up to you how you handle such advice. After all, potential clients are going to see straight through you if your heart is not really in it. Choose a few of these ideas that appeal to you, and aim to integrate them with your existing business plan if you have one. Photography is a rewarding career if you’re prepared to put the work in, but don’t ever lose that passion.

As an aspiring photographer, the question you’ll often ask yourself at various stages of your career is: should I focus on a variety of subjects or should I become a specialist? Although the term “jack of all trades” carries with it some negative connotations, the reality is that spreading your interest across a range of genres and mediums is never a bad thing.

Indeed, as a beginner, it’s often advisable to shoot as many different topics and angles as possible. Only by exploring the patience it takes to capture the perfect nature shot or working on the perfect angle to show a model in the best light can you know where your strengths lie. However, when you’ve dabbled and found a niche, should you stick to it? Do the best of the best really narrow their focus to such a point they reject anything that doesn’t fit into their chosen subject matter?

Show People What You Want them to See

Well, if we look at the world of business for some inspiration, there are plenty of examples of companies that have taken a singular approach and been extremely successful. Apple, for example, has not only set the benchmark in terms of mobile technology, but it’s done so on its own terms. Founder Steve Jobs was famously quoted as saying: “A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them”.

This strategy allowed Jobs to build the first Mac not for consumers, but for themselves. Today, Apple still operates on the same ethos with much of its software either being produced in-house or exclusively for the brand. Although fans of Android mobiles will argue that this has made iPhones and iPads too restricted and limited, the numbers don’t lie. In 2016 fiscal year, Apple made £178 billion. Despite being a 9% drop on 2015’s takings, the company is still one of the biggest money-makers in the world.

When there’s One Option, People Either Love It or Hate It

Similar to Apple, Bitcoin casino operator BitCasino.io has taken a similar approach. Eschewing the industry norm of offering multiple deposit options across a range of standard currencies, BitCasino only accepts Bitcoin. Although it does provide a selection of ways to make a deposit (Visa, MasterCard, Neteller etc), they all end up at the same point: as Bitcoins. Essentially, if you were to visit now and play, everything from blackjack to Money Farm slots would require a Bitcoin stake.

In each example, the people in charge have decided to home in on something particular (i.e. preparatory mobile technology and a single deposit currency) in order to make their product the best it can be. Naturally, this approach does have its drawbacks. If a consumer doesn’t like the angle you’ve taken, they won’t buy into your product. However, if you do things right, you’ll win over people and, more importantly, have a stronger brand and a truly unique selling point.

One Shot at Glory Can Pay Dividends

Indeed, there’s a reason everyone in the world knows who Usain Bolt is and not Ashton Eaton. Although both men won gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Bolt is a specialist in the 100 metres (although he’s quick at the 200 metres as well) while Eaton was a decathlete. Because Bolt has a singular focus on one event, he’s the best in the world and it’s easier for people recognise that. Although Eaton is the best all-rounder in the world, he isn’t a master of one discipline and, for casual fans, that doesn’t seem as inspiring.

Essentially, if you’re going to specialise and put all of your eggs in one basket, you run the risk of falling short. In contrast, if you fire enough shots at multiple targets, you might hit one or two. However, when you do make those shots, they won’t be nearly as impressive as the person who took just one and hit the bull’s eye.

If you’re interested in making a steady living from photography, then it’s probably best to spread your interests. But, if you want to become the best at what you do and, potentially, earn critical acclaim for your work, then you have to narrow your focus and become a specialist. The best of both worlds is probably the safest approach: if you’re new, start off by exploring various niches, but once you’ve found what you have an aptitude for, stick with it and you’ll be rewarded.

The look and interface of any website has a lot of impact on the interest of every person who visits the site. Using photos and pictures that match the brand can make a massive impact on how people perceive your site. It’s impossible to ignore the first impression effects on human beings. The first impression, whether good or bad, decides whether you decide that you are interested in staying in a given website or not. When looking to capture more visitors through creating a good visual impression, you should have the following in your considerations:

Location

The simplicity of locating information in any given website is important in creating a good interface. A website that offers flowing instructions and a step-by-step explanation will most likely interest the visitors. You should ensure that you maintain your focus by linking previous details with the current so that readers can easily catch up. For instance, you can create links that redirect readers to a previous article that they may have missed.

Maintaining Focus

Instead of mixing information, it’s important to handle every task individually to the end. Avoid handling multiple tasks together because it will create confusion to your audience. Once you concentrate on a specific task, make sure you work on it to the end before you can embark on another one. This will also ensure that people follow what is relevant to them by focusing on specific information. Good pictures can really focus attention and ensure people feel connected to the website.

Language

Language is the main means of communication between the writer and the reader. How well the writer articulates and delivers the information determines what impact the text will have on the reader. When providing guidelines to your audience, you need to use a language that is clear and easy to understand. Offering ambiguous and complicated explanations might make you lose your audience.

Suggestions

The best way to identify what clients or visitors to a website want is by getting their point of view. Welcoming interface suggestions from the website users will make things easier when it comes to meeting user expectations. Once these expectations are met, it will be easy for people to return to the website in the near future. It will also improve engagement on your website.

Collaboration

Working with other developers will help you gain more knowledge in creating the right interface. Ask questions from those who are more experienced to know what works for them. This will reduce the time taken to achieve your goals, and it will also narrow the possibility of making mistakes.

Metaphors

You need to apply elements that have already been applied in other interfaces. People will identify easily with things they have used in the past in comparison to newer ones. When using commonly known elements, you will reduce the struggle of trying to know the preference of your audience. Again the pictures you use can have a massive effect on how people perceive your site.

Feelings

Try to capture people’s attention by considering things that affect their feelings. Focus on things and messages that will increase happiness and reduce anger to the audience. Users who are satisfied about an interface will most likely play a big part of improving your brand.

Reduce the Mistakes

One of the most important roles of the interface is reducing mistakes. Use past data to correct errors and improve your website.

With cameras on every device and easy access to editing software and online display platforms, it is easy to catch the photography bug these days -but what do you do when you realise you want to take this hobby further?

If you have been snapping away with exciting results and have received positive feedback from others, you may now be considering how to make your photographic pastime your future profession – so what are the routes to take to become a professional photographer?

While there is no set path that all professional photographers follow, there are a number of key elements that can help to prepare an amateur photographer for the world of work – building skills and confidence until you are ready to begin to charge people for your services.

Purchasing equipment and taking a photography course

One of the best ways to progress from amateur photography to a more focused practice of this visual art is by investing in both your photographic equipment and artistic education.

If you are planning on taking a photography class it is a good idea to see what the course equipment requirements are before you make any investment, so take the time to speak to the tutor in charge of the programme and see what they would recommend if you have not already purchased any professional grade equipment.

Photographers looking to grow their skillset can choose from a range of photography courses. With everything from weekend and evening photography classes to degrees in the visual arts on offer at the places like University of Bolton, art schools and many other UK educational establishments. Choose a photography course that suits the level of time and effort you are able to dedicate to this new career goal.

Courses in photography will help you to gain an understanding of a number of elements that are important to professional photographers. Composition and framing, lighting, shutter speeds, exposure and post production work – teaching you tricks of the trade that professional photographers use to achieve the amazing effects and results that we see displayed to us in the media every day.

Gaining experience as a professional photographer

While you are learning about the art and working towards photographic qualifications, you should also consider how you would go about gaining experience in your chosen field. Being able to demonstrate how you have used your talents in a professional setting is likely to give you an edge over competitors when it comes to landing professional gigs in the future.

Offering to work free as an intern or work experience is one good way to gain valuable experience as well as helping to add a range of shots to your portfolio. Contact local newspapers and offer your skills for free, offer up and coming local bands free photography at their gigs or even step up to capture the big day for friends who are getting married on a tight budget – but make it clear they you want to use some of the images as examples of your work in return for your efforts.

Alternatively, you may wish to contact a local photographer and offer to work in their studio in return for tips and advice on how to become a professional photographer – even the famous David Bailey started out as a general dogsbody in another photographer’s studio so, with dedication, who knows where this move could take you?