It’s been a while since I last wrote about finding daily photography inspiration on the web through photo blogs.  Since that initial post, a number of other high quality sites have come across my radar and I’d like to share them with you.  This list contains blogs that provide a daily photo and have an RSS/Email feed for easy ingestion.  I personally like them because they can be grouped together and scanned when I’m looking for something different to get me out shooting.

Click on the site name to be taken directly to each RSS/Email feed.  Internet Explorer may not display some feeds well, but copying the link into your favorite feed reader works without a hitch.

WhyGo

WhyGo is a member of the BootsnAll Travel Network and, …

You want to get your name into the community. You want to build relationships. You want to display your work in an unconventional way.

Perhaps you ought to consider the possibilities of on location product shooting.

On location product shooting looks something like this: You go into a storefront, use the available and supplemental lighting to feature the pieces best, shoot to highlight the store offerings and other unique aspects, and present to the store owner for use and possible display.

While a generally simple process, follow these few tips and you will be sure to have a successful shoot.

1. Choose a storefront that holds your interest. Makeup technician. Clothes designer. Jewellery artist. Coffee shop. Anything you like or are drawn to may give you a more interesting perspective for shooting.

2. Evaluate the light: Your best hours …

Photo H@Ru

Earlier in the week I had the chance to sit down with a photographer whose specialty is photographing flowers. As I tend to do with pro photographers – picked his brain as we chatted and took as many notes as I could. Here’s what I gleaned from him and his flower photography experience:

By the way – he also recommended two flower photography books – Photographing Flowers: Inspiration*Equipment*Technique by Sue Bishop and Field Guide To Photographing Flowers by Rokach

Preparation is key

Getting your gear together and in working order, choosing the right lens, having a tripod set up and then preparing to take the image. Pause and examine your subject before pressing the shutter. Some questions to ask:

• how to crop it – get in close or take a wider angle shot?
• what is the focal point/point of interest? Insect, stem, colour, texture, shape etc?
• what angle will you shoot from to get the best perspective?
• how much depth of field do you want?
• how is the subject lit?
• which flower is the best specimen for your photo?
• what distractions are there in the background and foreground?
• which is the best format to shoot in? (horizontal or vertical)

As an artist, you have the ability to powerfully affect others. Your artwork can touch people in ways you don’t even realize and with the holidays just around the corner, now is the time to start thinking about how you can give back and reach your community with the gift of art.

Whether you want to invest a good amount of time in a project, or simply give a print, the opportunities to use your art for the good of the community are endless! Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Host an Art Fundraiser: Pick a nonprofit that regularly affects your community, and ask if you can sponsor a Art Fundraiser. Have the organization print invitations and send out email invites to their donors. Bring together a group of local artists who may be willing to contribute by …

All too often photographers engage with Photoshop and come away over-awed, frustrated and disappointed. The blame, if there is any, can be laid at the feet of the application’s complexity.

One way of dealing with the software is to work initially with the multitude of plug-ins available and deal with specific tasks to gain confidence.

Zuckerman and Stulberg’s book, ‘Digital Photographer’s New Guide to Photoshop Plug-Ins‘, suggests you revisit your earlier images and revitalise them with the aid of specific plug-ins.