“Wow! I love your picture! You must have a really nice camera!”
If I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard a phrase like this, I would have… a lot of nickels!
I’m Eric Pearce, a professional photographer in the United Kingdom. I’m not British, however, I am Dan’s little brother! Do you remember the competitive ‘Bro-Downs’ we’ve had here on SDL? Well I’m the ‘bro’.
My initial interest in photography came after Dan’s did, but I was the first to sport the mohawk hair! I am also husband to Leanne and father to two; 3 year old Amelia and 2 week old Hugo.
Dan has heard similar phrases to the one I wrote above, and believes it to be as common a misunderstanding as I do. I like to compare it to Michelangelo and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Would you say; “Hey Mike, that is an awesome painting! You must have really nice brushes!?” While having a nice camera does help, it is a means to an end. The end being your awesome photo! That is why we are joining forces to bring you a weekly photography blog with oodles of easy tips and tricks. We will help you to unlock the potential of your camera, and unleash the potential of your creativity.
Something else I have noticed is a growing number of people who are getting their hands on entry level DSLRs (such as the Canon Rebel or the Nikon D3100) and could really use a few pointers to get the most out of their investments. I have several friends with these cameras and am often asked for a bit of advice. After the quick tips I give them, their response usually goes something like this: “WOW! I had no idea I could do that. That was so easy! I’ve really got to figure out how to use this thing!”
I completely understand the feeling because I’ve been there too!
So, in order to give you a flavour of me, allow me to share a few examples of my work. Professionally I am a photographer of portraits, weddings and events, but one of the great things about photography, is the lack of definitive boundaries! The same kit I use for my people photography, works for my landscape and nature shots, as well as my wildlife shots and fine art. Throw an underwater bag on my camera and ‘Presto!’, nowhere is out of reach for me and my trigger-finger.
I love landscape photography. I call this photo ‘Bedruthan Morn’. The Bedruthan Steps are one of my favorite places to visit on the Cornish coast. There’s nothing like tooting one’s own horn… This shot also won the Microsoft Bing ‘Natural Britain’ award out of over 8,000 entries. (Thank you to all of you who voted for it here at SDL!)
Another passion is wildlife photography. I snapped this little wild English badger cub sniffing a bluebell a few weeks ago.
I have a soft spot for the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. I call this piece ‘Consider The Lilly.’
I love creating fine art photography out of our everyday world. I call this category of work ‘Vantage Point’. This piece is called Taba Staircase III (taken from the top of a staircase while on holiday in Taba Egypt).
Now for some examples of the work I do every day!
The great thing about being a professional photographer in my arena is I’m invited along into the special moments of people’s lives and get to artistically record those moments for them.
Weddings are great to photograph because of this very reason.
Have you heard the saying “never work with children or pets!”? To that, in the true way of the Brits, I say, “rubbish!” It’s actually what I love shooting most. As a big kid myself, I love working with children and creating not just a picture, but an emotive piece of art for their family!
And then, there are the babies. I cannot get enough of a good baby photo shoot! I am a big sucker for the heart-melting shots!
And I also love creating baby fine art!
Finally, on a completely different end of the spectrum from cute babies, I photograph MMA Fighting Competitions too. Not for the weak stomached…(or face)!
All of these photos are just the beginning of what we can do. Every Wednesday I will share easy photography tips and tricks that will turn your photos into amazing photography!
We will cover common but poignant questions like; “How do I photograph my child who refuses to smile or runs around like a headless chicken?” And, “I keep getting out of focus shots…what do I do?”
We’ll also simplify all the technical jargon and find out what words like ‘aperture‘, ‘macro’ ‘HDR’ and ‘ISO‘ mean and how you can get the most out of them? How does ‘juxtaposition’ work? How does the ‘rule of thirds’ work?
We’ll also take the photos into the digital dark room to learn the easy ways to get those cool effects on our photo with affordable photo editing software.
So… Let’s get shooting and kick our cameras into gear! Join the fun and sooner than you think, you won’t be able to remember the last time you used your camera in full automatic mode!
Do you know someone who will really benefit from our weekly photography tips and tricks? Please share this post with them. Also, I would love to hear about your photography conundrums so that I can cover the topics that will help you the most. In the words of Danoah, “We have a lot of fun around here!” I’m confident that will be the case.
Eric Pearce, Brother of Single Dad Laughing
Note from Dan: If you’re in England, and you need an affordable and incredible photographer… my brother is definitely your man! Visit his website at www.espphotographic.com or contact him here or follow him on Twitter.
To subscribe to the RSS feed for this photography series, click here.
To subscribe to this photography series via email, click here.
Dan, As a photogrpher who is just starting to get on her feet recieving a free copy of this photoshop elements would put me one step closer to mylife long dream of helping people capture their memories that will last them a life time. Start up costs as you know for this line of work and trying to become your own boss is financially draining, I would love to have a tool like this to help in creating images that will speak to my clientel. I enjoy capturing moment for people so thet will have a storybook of their lives together, something they can share and passdown through future generations. Hope I get this chance to add an amazing tool to work. Look forward to learning wirh you also
I can't wait to read all your (what I'm sure will be) excellent advice. My husband bought a Pentax K200 because he wants to be able to take some great shots, then he passed it to me and said teach me what it can do. I have no idea so I'm turning to you. He also bought a long lens that brings things much closer. I find it a pain in the butt to change lenses but I suppose it's part of the deal. I have no specific questions right now but since you've already put up your second posting, I do want to mention that you only ever use two kinds of cameras (like, you'll say, "if you have a Nikon, do this or if you have a can't remember the other kind, do that) when you're explaining stuff. I look at my camera and hope to find the same letter you used on one of your examples. Will that work for me?
Also, (this from someone with no specific questions, heheh) you explained what f-stop IS but how do I change them? Will you be going into more detail about stuff like that. Same thing applies about aperture and the other thing... sorry, short memory. I love that you're doing this. Thank you. A BIG thank you! :)
@Cheryl49
Hi Cheryl, I'm glad you're joining in and thanks for the questions. I refer in my posts to Nikon and Canon cameras because they are the two most common brands. I did an image search for the Pentax mode dial and it looks most similar to the Canon modes. There is an extra mode that I don't recognize though called Sv. You'll have to check that one out in the manual.
I will be delving deeper into ISO, Shutter Speed and Aperture in their own dedicated posts. In those posts, I'll tell you the best ways to change the setting and what that will actually do to your photos. The best advice I can give is to keep your manual handy for the first little while. Then, when we're talking about something, you can figure out how it applies best to your camera. Also, experiment experiment experiment! We're lucky with digital that is doesn't cost anything to try different things.
Lenses can definitely be a pain to change on the fly, but I'll share a post soon about the great effects you can get with long lenses!
Oh, yay! Now I can quit waiting for you to be here to bug you with all my questions... Your photography is the bomb-diggety, little bro.
This is way exciting. I'm looking forward to learning how to be a better photographer.
I can't wait! I just recently bought a Canon Rebel, (nothing super complex) to get pictures of my 3rd baby...my old camera was horrible and always got the picture after the fact! I haven't had a lot of time to experiment with the camera, but so far it's amazing! I love it:D I always see other people's pics and want to learn how to give the effects to my pics, so I will be tuning in every Wednesday for sure. ps hahaha I see your brother has the funny gene in him too!
I can't wait! I just recently bought a Canon Rebel, (nothing super complex) to get pictures of my 3rd baby...my old camera was horrible and always got the picture after the fact! I haven't had a lot of time to experiment with the camera, but so far it's amazing! I love it:D I always see other people's pics and want to learn how to give the effects to my pics, so I will be tuning in every Wednesday for sure. ps hahaha I see your brother has the funny gene in him too!
fantastic ! i can't wait to start learning something new
I so need this, especially from the start of the blog. I always feel when I read some blogs or watch some you tube videos that I've always missed something! Can't wait!
I so need this, especially from the start of the blog. I always feel when I read some blogs or watch some you tube videos that I've always missed something! Can't wait!
Cheri, nope, but we look a lot alike!
I have an old Cannon EOS 5D 35mm, will a lot of the things your sharing relate also to film photography (At least as far as the camera and settings go), or are DSLR's that much different than a good old 35mm SLR? I need to get the shutter cleaned but I've been wanting to get back into photography but can't justify upgrading to a DSLR when I've got a pretty nice EOS as it is. Love Dan's blog, and am excited to see what photo tips the "bro" can bring!
@MichaelCGuarneri
Hi Michael. Most of the tips and tricks we'll go over will apply to film and digital photography. We won't be talking much about developing photos, but more about the digital editing of them. That can still work for you if you scan your images into digital files. Whether using film or digital, both cameras use aperture and shutterspeed.(DSLRs tend to have a few more bells and whistles) When we talk about ISO though, you can just replace that with 'film speed'.
Thanks for the comment.
@ESPphotographic Sounds great! Looking forwards to the tips, I have a Digital Photography course coming up this semester for my Digital Film major at uni (which is mostly film-making, but the one class deals with stills). Any tips for Film? Or are you just a still photographer. Either way I love the shots, you've definitely got the eye.
@MichaelCGuarneri
Good luck with your course. I deal with still photography on the whole, but I do like to dabble with Film.
Thanks for the compliment on my photography!
Wow, that was a terrific meal. You must own a great oven.
Are you guys twins? Cause you sure look alotta like. If not, then your parents must have used the same recipe both times.
Have any of your other readers experienced problems with your mobile version if the blog? I own an android phone, and each time I try to access the mobile sure, it freezes my phone completely. Any ideas why?
Yeah!!!
Yay! Can't wait!
Are you guys twins? Cause you sure look alotta like. If not, then your parents must have used the same recipe.
@SourCandyFan As Dan and Eric's older sister, I can assure you that you're not the only one who thinks so! Even *I* get asked all the time if they're twins.
@SourCandyFan
We have a cookie-cutter kid family!
@ESPphotographic Cute. Great photography too, BTW. I shared your link with my youngest daughter. She's the artist and photographer of the fam.
I recently did a job with a family where a person had early onset alzheimer's, who is quickly slipping away from her family. As I post processing the day, I got a few shots of that person giving her grandchildren REAL looks and one where she and her husband had exchanged a true moment. THAT is what I LOVE about photography. Capturing the soul, the moment, the heart. Best job ever.
Of course, I do HATE it when my camera walks away and takes some amazing photos! Man, I wish it would teach me how to do it! ;-)
@CourtneyFitzgerald
I have an affinity for working with clients with special needs. The work is a hundred times harder but ten-hundred times more rewarding!
@ESPphotographic That's actually really interesting. It's something I never thought about really, but I have a little boy with autism and I have a heck of a time getting good pictures of him. Just about every picture of him since he learned to walk is in the high chair or stroller to keep him still and he's usually looking at something else with his mouth hanging open. He does some super cute stuff until I get out the camera! I'm definitely learning on my feet. I know it's kind of specialized, but I would love any ideas you have on this particular topic. Looking forward to reading your posts!
@laughingmom
I am planning a post eventually that is all about getting great photos of people with special needs. I'm really looking forward to that one! See you there!
Good photography is running around after your one your old cousins squatting and kneeling from crazy angles just to get the perfect shot.
Good photography is running around after your one your old cousins squatting and kneeling from crazy angles just to get the perfect shot.
Thank you for doing this, I have no photography skills and definitely could use some help. Looking forward to reading more.
@RyanCarter1
Absolutely! See you every Wednesday!
I can DEFINITELY get a lot out of this Blog feature! Thanks, bros!
Thank you for doing this! I'm really excited!!!!!
Thank you for doing this! I'm really excited!!!!!
Great timing, looking forward to it...I'm expecting a baby any minute now and want to get back into my DSLR this summer. Congrats to your brother on his new little one!
Great timing, looking forward to it...I'm expecting a baby any minute now and want to get back into my DSLR this summer. Congrats to your brother on his new little one!
YAY!!! Just in time for me to move to the best state in the country, UTAH, and start getting back into photography in a gorgeous place :D
YAY!!! Just in time for me to move to the best state in the country, UTAH, and start getting back into photography in a gorgeous place :D
YAY!!! Just in time for me to move to the best state in the country, UTAH, and start getting back into photography in a gorgeous place :D
Thank you!
Thank you!
This is awesome! I'll be tuning in with my D3000. Never would have known you were brothers. :)
This is awesome! I'll be tuning in with my D3000. Never would have known you were brothers. :)
Awesome! Just started shooting my fiancee's "big camera" as I like to call it, so these tips will definitely come in handy!
@RadiantReality
Big Camera indeed! I remember making my first switch to a DSLR which was a Nikon D40. At the time it felt monsterous. Now I have a Canon Mark II which is quite a bit heftier and when I hold my D40 it feels tiny!
@ESPphotographic We have a Nikon Cool pix (or something like that) that I normally use. It does the job pretty well, but my fiancee also has a big Olympus with a bunch of lenses that I just started to pick up because it has just been sitting there. I've actually managed to get some really good pictures over the past few days. Everything is on Automatic though, so I would really like to learn lenses and how to do things manually.
Can't wait to read these!
@NicoleLane
Oh boy...I'm under pressure now! Ha ha, I'm excited too!
So excited about this becuz i bought a canon rebel in February of this year and would love to learn more about my camera so I can take really awesome picture. I really think I take good pictures now but I still don't have the confidence to do more then just have it as a hobby... I would love to be more of an professional at taking pictures can't wait to learn more and share pictures
@KristyHarmonBrimm
Hi Kristy! We will be covering tips and tricks about taking your photography to the next level as well. Thanks for the comment!