Focus

Hello everyone,

Well, it's almost Christmas/New Years time and I've decided to add another blog before things get hectic. While most of everyones "focus" is on the holidays and all that comes with that, some people will be receiving cameras as gifts and will be photographing everything from the family Christmas tree to the kids opening their presents. Undoubtedly, some may have issues with focus, hopefully this may help a bit.

In order to get high quality tack sharp photos, I recommend starting by using the Automatic Focus on your camera lens and in your camera menu. This will give you a good starting point before switching to Manual Focus. Use the "small red dots" in your viewfinder to see where the camera wants to focus. When you depress the shutter button lightly, you will notice the focal points beeping and moving around inside your viewfinder each time before you take the photo. Make sure you are shooting at at least 1/30 of a second shutter speed (use a faster shutter speed if possible.) Then, depress the shutter again lightly when you are satisfied on where the focal points are and finish taking the photo by pressing harder on the shutter button until it clicks.

Here are a few simple tips to improve your focus for photos you will be creating during the holidays. 

-STAY STEADY! Keep the camera as still as possible just before taking the photo. If you have a wall to lean against, a table to sit the camera on, or a tripod, USE IT!

-Depress the shutter completely when you see 1 or more of the focus points on an individuals eye. By focusing on the eye, you will usually capture most of the face in focus as well. Plus, there is an old saying "the eyes are the window to the soul" that may help you remember when creating portraits. I, personally, try to focus on the eye for almost every portrait I do.

-If your camera does not focus properly, it may be too dark for the sensor to pick up where to focus. Use a light, lamp, or even the flashlight on your cellphone to introduce a little additional light to the scene. This should help the focus in most cases. 

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about how to improve their photography techniques, as always contact me anytime. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!    

Composition

Hi everyone,

As per my last blog, I've decided to share a little about how to improve your photography through some simple basic steps and procedures. However, reading and writing about how to improve ones' photography is much different than actually taking a hands on approach and having a professional walk you through the process. I highly suggest hiring an instructor/professor/ or trained professional to show you how to improve your photography through physical trial and error.

There are many elements that can be utilized to improve a persons art or photography. In art, line, shape, texture, form, color and space (among others) all help to bring a work of visual art to life. We'll touch on these another time. In photography, I truly believe there are 3 important aspects that lead to a wonderfully aesthetic photograph, or make an uninteresting one. The big 3 are: Composition, Focus, and Exposure. 

Lets concentrate on Composition today. Composition is difficult to "define" which is why I suggested a hands on approach above. The most simple way to improve your photography is to use the viewfinder to decide where in the image to lay your subject. This part of the photographic process can make or break a great photo. Composition MAY be the most important aspect in your photography. There are "rules" that will help you starting out, one of these is the rule of thirds. This consists of placing your subject in 1/3 of the frame, hence putting emphasis on that subject in your frame. This rule of thirds is a pretty basic way to get you thinking about how and where the most interesting part of your photograph should be in the frame. It is merely a suggestion rather than a rule (as I ALWAYS believe rules can be broken to an extent) but will dramatically improve the aesthetic of your image with practice. Lots of practice! 

If you or someone else you may know would like to learn more about how to improve your photography, feel free to contact me anytime. Have a wonderful holiday season!       

Camera Training Sessions

Hi all,

I've decided to do a regular blog that will help readers understand better ways to photograph with their own cameras. Part of my business includes camera training sessions with my clients. For $50/ hour, I will sit down one on one (or with a group) and better explain the functions and best operating techniques to help you create higher quality photographs.

This week I'll start with the basics, manual operation. When you choose to use your camera in full manual mode you choose to override the automatic settings and capture a scene or subject the way your own eyes see it, not how a camera sensor sees it. Personally, I use manual mode in EVERY situation that I shoot. I'm not even sure I have ever even put my own camera on automatic. When I take a photograph (and this is one BIG reason I got into this business) I want the image to turn out the way I see it, or the way that I want it to be seen. This takes the control away from the camera and allows me to adjust to how I want it. Of course, initially, it is a lot more difficult as you will need to learn a little about ISO, exposure, and shutter speeds, but by practicing and having someone patiently teach you it is 

much more fulfilling and will improve your photography exponentially.

If you or someone you know would like to learn more about their camera and how to begin to improve their images feel free to contact me anytime. Until next time...Cheers!   

Bushy Run Battlefield Images-Fall

Hello good people of the blog,

I've found a rare free few minutes to share another project that I am working on. Yes, I have many irons in many different fires, some are roaring blazes, and others are just small campfires. With that, I am sharing a few images of Bushy Run Battlefield in Harrison City, PA. This has been a locale that I have used for many photo shoots since moving out this way in October. It is close to home, has a natural beauty, and important historical significance to our area. So...why not make a photo book of it?!

Here are a few sneak seasonal photographs of the Battlefield, in fall, that I very well may use in the book. My overall goal is to capture the landscape, historically significant structures, and other interesting aspects of Bushy Run throughout the seasonal changes in the upcoming months. The book is still in it's conception, but if this may interest you or someone you know, please feel free to contact me anytime, bobby@drakulicphotography.com and as always thanks for reading!

Some Family Fun

Well, hello all!

For this blog, I decided to throw out just a few images from the many Family Portraiture shoots that I've done back in the fall. 

The first is a silhouette of a father-son, and mother-daughter, that I felt best represented the great connection of the bonds shared by one another. Next up is a wonderful outdoorsy type of family, and the historical Bushy Run Battlefield served as a perfect locale for their shoot. It meshed very well with their patriotic and hard working personalities. The final family was actually about 3 family shoots combined! These were shot at Hartwood Acres, a spectacular location that I FINALLY got a chance to see and shoot at. I've heard many people talking about the place, but I'd never had the opportunity to visit. I'm sure more photos will be coming from there in future blogs! 

All of the families here are 2nd and 3rd time clients so I wanted to represent them in this blog. What an honor for me to be the photographer that they choose annually! Thanks!