:: The visual notepad ::
“ Twelve significant photographs in any one year is a good crop – Ansel Adams
Things to learn
Here is a list of things I’d like to learn in 2012. I’ll be more than happy if I’ll manage to accomplish even only one of these tasks.
- Learn to use my on camera flash (have been trying to do this several times, but always ended up giving up the whole thing).
- Learn to edit my images ‘manually’, that is, avoiding to rely on actions and plugins too much.
- Start building up a portfolio of images to submit to Arcangel Images. This sounds pretty fun. Need to create moody images, LOTS of them. Arcangel mainly sells to mystery book publishers. On the learning side, I think this will force me to setup shots in my home using my light tent and my tungsten lights – or even my external flash… We’ll see.
Books to read:
- Ed Verosky’s 100% Reliable Flash Photography ebook. Looks really ‘to the bone’ and that’s ok with me. I have (almost) no clue on how to use my external flash…
- Neil Van Niekerk’s book On Camera Flash Techniques for Digital Wedding and Portrait Photography.
- At least one of David duChemin ebooks.
Well, that’s all for now. I will post updates on the blog. Wish me luck! 
5 Comments on “Things to learn”
Your thoughts?
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I'm Silvia and I'm an Italian self-taught photographer.
I started this blog because I needed a place to jot down photography related thoughts, discoveries and achievements for 2012.
Hope you'll like what you'll find here and start following me!
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HI SIl..As far as using the flash, I really knew very little about it until I bought an off-camera flash (Nikon SB 700). I then forced myself to learn how to use it by pouring over the internet and watched TONS of flash and “Strobist” videos. I spent time setting up my kids dolls and taking pictures of them with different light settings as well as other exercises to practice the things I saw online. It has made a HUGE difference in my flash skills. Ciao for now.
Hi Gregory!
Many thanks for your visit and comment. I own a Nikon sb600 flash and I’m planning to learn how to use it. I’ve found Neil van Niekerk’s site really useful. I’m just starting out, trying to read as much as I can on the topic. Trying to find the time too
Do you own any kind of flash diffuser? Ciao from Italy 
It came with a clip-on diffuser, which I found to be a big help. I also liked to take it off the camera and hold it up high with my left hand to get a more pleasing light/shadow (less harsh)
Thanks so much for your reply
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