If you’re thinking of writing articles you can earn a lot more if you supply your own photos. You may also have a greater chance of acceptance if you supply them yourself as it saves the editor time. You have to take every opportunity you can to make the editor choose your article as opposed to another submitted without photos. I like learning new things and I like them explained simply and clearly. If I want to study something in more depth then I’ll move on but there’s nothing like getting the basics right before you go on to the next stage. Time is precious and the people who can explain things clearly get my vote.
I’ve just finished reading Photography for Writers by Simon Whaley and can highly recommend it. It covers camera basics, how it works, composition, storing and cataloging, sending photos out to editors. Everything a writer needs to know to get started with Photography is in this short book. I tried putting some of the suggestions into practice the following morning while walking my dog, using my iPhone and the techniques Simon suggests. I can honestly say it made a difference to how I thought about the photo and how approached the shot.
When I loaded the images to my laptop and started looking at them in more detail I was surprised how taking small things into consideration can make such huge difference. I knew where to stand for the light, to consider the horizon, to take the shot in both landscape and portrait. I’ve become more aware of my surroundings as I walk along, every vista a potential shot. It’s been quite addictive but in a good way.
The information in the book is also supported by a website here.
So if you have a present to buy for the writer in your family – or as a gift to yourself 🙂 I’d invest in Simon’s book. Off to take some photos. See you later!
Any books reviewed on this blog are from my own reading and enjoyment.