[Pho.Talk] Share Photos with Clients the Professional Way (for FREE)

July 14, 2020 in Business of Photography

Firstly, cull shots to remove technically-flawed images, then export them as jpg format. Upload the jpgs onto Pixiset by creating a client gallery, and share the gallery with the client. The client selects their favourite shots and notifies me about it. I edit their selected shots, export them as jpg and transfer through Google Drive. I then delete the photos after 30 days after they have been made available.

[Pho.Talk] The Polite Response to Clients' Requests for Raw Files

July 07, 2020 in Business of Photography

A polite response consists of three main elements. Start by acknowledging your client’s concerns and expressing empathy. Then, explain how getting the raw files will not solve their concerns. You then go on to restate your boundaries, as it is important for the client to see that it is your business practices and this will gain you their respect. Lastly, you can counter-propose any alternative solutions to their concerns, if any.

[Pho.Snap] Can you Use a Speedlight with a Softbox? Here is How

June 23, 2020 in Camera & Gear

Some speedlights can be used with Softboxes, depending on the mount that comes with the Softbox pack. A common mount for this purpose is the Godox S-2 Bracket. To set up a softbox with Speedlights, you will need a lightstand, a speedlight and a softbox pack.

[Pho.Snap] Practical Ways to Using a Reflector Without an Assistant

June 15, 2020 in Camera & Gear

Here are two simple, cost-free ways to operate your reflector without an assistant. Firstly, press the shutter with one hand and hold the reflector in another. This requires you to be able to hold the camera steadily with one hand. Or, rest your reflector on objects found on set. This works best in locations with a considerable amount of sundries.

[Pho.Talk] First Portrait Collab Shoot: Industry Norms, FAQs, Do's and Don'ts

June 05, 2020 in Business of Photography

For those wanting to kickstart your first portrait session, it would be great to know where to find models, makeup artists and hair stylists, whether or not you pay them, how to split costs incurred, if you need a contract, how to deliver photos, and usage of the photos.

[Pho.Talk] Journey to becoming a Freelance Photojournalist

June 02, 2020 in Business of Photography

Unlike in the old days before digitisation, today, photojournalism alone won’t pay your bills, at least for a large majority of photographers. However, you can totally make it work for you by doing it freelance and shooting other jobs at the same time. To be a photojournalist, master the basic technical camera skills, be assertive in shooting close up, train your eye for remarkable scenes, and maintain a strong work ethic. Start making money by selling photos via photo agencies.

[Pho.Edits] Do Photographers Need Photoshop?

May 30, 2020 in Photography Editing

Photoshop is rather necessary for photography work done in a commercial capacity, in which photos are required for large-scale display, both digital and in print. Specifically, Photoshop is generally mandatory for genres involving close-up shots like portraits and products. This is because Photoshop helps photographers get rid of defects, retain full control over colour grading, remove backgrounds, and make targeted, partial adjustments. Despite its powerful tools, it is advised that photographers learn Lightroom first.

[Pho.Talk] How to Shoot Outdoor Fashion Photography

May 13, 2020 in Portrait Photography

In short, these are the keys to a successful outdoor fashion shoot: a unique artistic concept, well-organised logistics for the entire crew, appropriate camera settings to ensure qualify shots, creative posing ideas incorporating available props on location, and appropriate lighting techniques using both natural and artificial lights.

[Pho.Snap] Create Harsh Shadows in Photography

May 05, 2020 in Camera & Gear

Harsh shadows can be created in many ways. The factors that determine the harshness of the light are mainly the size and distance of light source. Naturally, daylight can cast excellent harsh shadows during mid afternoon time. You can also create harsh shadows using bare studio lights, with adding modifiers as an option.

[Pho.Edits] Proven Formula for Viral Tiktok Photo Hacks

May 03, 2020 in Photography Editing

In general, viral photography hack Tiktoks contain these parts: Showcase of final product with simple description, behind the scenes at the actual shoot, and editing process with concise narration. It is common to show the end product once more. The use of popular soundtracks is highly effective, and transitions are appropriately used.

[Pho.Talk] Sample Conference Shot List for Corporate Events

April 30, 2020 in Business of Photography

Here is a quick summary of the shot list. In relation to people, shots to get include opening & closing speech, keynote speakers, panel speakers, Q&A participants, poised environmental portraits, networking group shots, organiser group shots and candid shots. In relation to venue, get shots of the entire audience, entire stage with speakers, and the empty venue. In relation to details, photograph food, name cards, notebooks, banners and decoration if any.

[Pho.Talk] What to Wear for an Outdoor Photoshoot: Colour, Fit, Accessories

April 24, 2020 in Portrait Photography

In general, the colour of what you wear should correspond to the lighting conditions, the location and the mood. The fit of the clothes would depend on your vulnerabilities and logistical considerations on set. The accessories to be careful of include hats, glasses and hairbands.

[Pho.Edits] How Long does a Professional Photographer Take to Edit Photos?

April 21, 2020 in Photography Editing

The time required to edit a photo varies based on the genre of photography and requests of the client. To maintain a sustainable workflow, it generally takes around 10 minutes to edit a street, landscape or product shot, around 20 minutes for a basic portrait, 1.5 hour for a retouched portrait. For a batch of 10 photos, it can take from 2 hours up to 10 hours to do the absolute minimum. The photographer might take longer to make fine adjustments after the basic look has been achieved.

[Pho.Talk] Collaborate with Brands as a Photographer with Real Example II

April 20, 2020 in Business of Photography

Briefly, here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to start your collabs:

Decide on your scope of work
Build a crew (Instagram DM, Modelling Agencies)
Location Scout
Pre-shoot communication with crew

[Pho.Talk] Collaborate with Brands as a Photographer with Real Example I

April 20, 2020 in Business of Photography

Briefly, here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to start your collabs:

Prospect potential collaborators (Google, Instagram Explore, Industry-specific Organisations etc.)
Send tailored cold messages on Instagram
Streamline ideal collaborator avatar
Build an Inspiration Library

[Pho.Snap] Fake a Professional Headshot at Home

April 13, 2020 in Portrait Photography

Here is the absolute basic set-up in shooting professional headshots at home:

A camera/ phone
Access to diffused natural light
A white, reflective flat surface
An artificial light source (eg. phone flash light, camera flash)
A plain background
An extra pair of hands (optional)

[Pho.Edits] Essential Steps in Editing Urban Portraits

April 10, 2020 in Photography Editing

Here are the 5 main steps in editing urban portraits:

Slightly lift blacks
Blast highlights
Preserve skin tones
Create color contrast
Cool down overall tones

[Pho.Talk] How you can Make your Photo Unique with Examples

April 07, 2020 in Photography Inspiration

Using concrete examples, I will share with you things that you can do to achieve a unique look in your photos:

Fight the temptation to copy
Borrow concepts, not contexts
Combine interesting concepts
Change one thing about a trend
Stick to your editing style

[Pho.Edit] Selecting your Best Shots: What to Keep vs Delete?

April 05, 2020 in Street Photography

Here is how to select your best shots:

Compare the colours across the photos and keep the one which has the most interesting colour combination.
Look for direct eye contact from your subject to the camera, as it elicits more powerful feelings in the viewer.
Decide on how well interactions between the subjects are depicted. The photo that does this more effectively should be kept.

[Pho.Talk] Beginner's Guide: What is Freelance Photography?

April 03, 2020 in Business of Photography

Freelance Photographers are legally self-employed, hired by various clients on a project, contractual basis. A wide range of clients and work can be involved, including weddings, fashion, products, events, and food etc. The photographer will be in charge of marketing his services, customer management, as well as administrative matters, alongside photography.