shutter speed | tuesday tip

When I first got mtg camera, shutter speed was the one thing that confused me the most. I didn't even bother to learn about it because I set my camera to Aperture Priority and my shutter speed was chosen for me. But I wouldn't always get the best images, some would be too dark, some would be blown out and too bright, so I knew I had to learn how to shoot in Manual Mode so I had all of the control. 

It really wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to shoot in manual, there is just a lot of things to consider. ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed are a few of the important things to always consider. If you change one, it will effect them all. 

But I just wanted to talk a little about shutter speed. I took my camera and these beautiful peonies outside and just played around and just kept changing my shutter speed. A slower shutter speed will let in more light, as in the picture below. 

f/1.8, iso 250, 1/60

When I have such a blown out picture, I need to speed up my shutter speed so that it wont let in as much light. I turned it to 1/320 and this is the picture I got!

f/1.8, iso 250, 1/320

f/1.8, iso 250, 1/500

It is really much easier to practice on something that wont move. Shutter speed also will affect how sharp or how blurry an image is and if you have a fast moving object (like a child) in low light, you wont be able to slow down your shutter speed as much or else he will become a blur.

This is an example of my shutter speed being too fast and not letting enough light in the camera, resulting in a dark image.

f/1.8, iso 100, 1/4000

 I adjusted my shutter speed and made sure it would be slow enough to brighten the picture but fast enough to freeze most of his movement.

f/1.8, iso 100, 1/800

And another example of how this photo is a little darker then I wanted, so I just slowed down my shutter speed a bit and got a much brighter image.

f/1.8, iso 100, 1/2000

 f/1.8, iso 100, 1/1250

packaging and gift ideas || tuesday tip

Last week I did a guest blog post about creative packaging ideas and I thought I would share it on here too! I have been working like mad to get my website finished and my blog updated (have you noticed a few new things?) It has been so much work, but I am so excited to finally be done and show everyone! So make sure you keep checking back so you wont miss anything. 

What I love about my business (besides taking photos) is packaging. I love getting all of my prints and products ready for my clients to see them and I always hope that they are as excited as I am when they see them!I am always giving photos as gifts, for birthdays, mother's day, christmas and every holiday in between. Everybody loves photos and it really does make the best gift for any occasion. But no matter what, it can always look really fun and extra special with just a few easy embellishments. 

Making sure I tell my clients how much I appreciate them is very important to me. This is a thank you card I made with just scrapbook paper and a stamp. Very simple, but very cute! 

landscape photography tips || tuesday tips

I have such a passion to shoot anything and everything with my camera. As many times as I have been to the city, I still love finding new and interesting ways to photograph it and improve my images. 

A few things that I keep in mind when I go out shooting is to always have some kind of focus point in the shot. The eye needs something to focus on and it helps the photo be more interesting and creative.

Remember the setting in your camera. The light will be constantly changing when you are walking around the city and you need to remember to change your shutter speed, and ISO.

Look for contrast! Having high contrast in your photos will create an interesting image. So look for a bright sky and dark buildings, or lots of sun and shadow. If you are shooting in RAW, you will have more flexibility in post processing to add contrast and highlights. 

why I love lifestyle photography | tuesday tip

I love lifestyle photography because it is all about personality. My biggest goal, when I pick up my camera is to capture the connections, and all the little natural pieces of life. I find so much joy in the little things and the honest and simple moments together. These photos celebrate my baby and his life and all the simple greatness.

To me, it's about remembering what is here today and gone tomorrow.

Here are a few tips to help you capture those incredible honest moments in your life:
Capture what you and your kids love.
Remember the special routines that make up a big part of your daily life.
Focus on the details
And try to capture the emotion, no matter what emotion it is (happy, sad, upset, silly, etc.) Those photos will mean the most to you for years to come!

what to do with your instagram photos // tuesday tip

I love Instagram. Most of my photos of Patrick are all on Instagram. It is so much fun and it is so easy. Since so many memories are on Instagram, I made an Instagram scrapbook for my sister. All I did was print off her pictures and made a cute little chipboard book with paper and embellishments.

follow me @leslieleavitt

12 things happy people do differently / tuesday tip

I am always up way late, because I can't sleep. My husband says that I can't sleep because I am on Pinterest. But I tell him that I am only on Pinterest because I can't sleep. Anyways... I found this really cool article about what people do to find happiness. As I have started my business, I have been through a roller coaster of emotions. I have highs and I have lows and sometimes I drown myself in my lows. It is so easy to be critical and not give yourself enough credit. I have noticed that when I am not having as much success in my business, it is only because of ME!

1: Express Gratitude
2: Cultivate Optimism
3: Avoid Over-Thinking and Social Comparison
4: Practice Kindness
5: Nurture Social Relationships
6: Develop Strategies for Coping
7: Learn to Forgive
8: Increase Flow Experience
9: Savor Life's Joys
10: Commit To Your Goals
11: Practice Spirituality
12: Take Care of Your Body

The one that I am most guilty of doing, or not doing, is number three. I am constantly over-thinking everything, and comparing myself to other photographers and other business owners. I would compare my one year of experience to someone else's five years of experience and that would give me such self doubt but when I realize that the only person I should be comparing myself to was myself, I was able to grow in areas that I really wanted too.
Number seven was another one that I work hard to do. And it's not so much forgiving others, as it is learning to forgive myself. I have made many mistakes and when I let myself to forgive and forget, I can push on to the next thing without anything holding me back.



source: Mark and Angel