Last month, I asked on social for you to share any of your photography questions. After compiling the top ones asked, here’s a look at the answers!
Your Photography Questions Answered.
Question: “How do you edit your photos all with the same “feel” ?”
The biggest key to getting photos edited the same way is batch editing with set presets. I use my Lightroom presets from the SFO and Barcelona collection which help maintain similar tones. I tend to always edit my photos with little to no highlights, a set temperature range, and de-saturated. It’s inevitable that some imagery will be different so embrace that some may not fit “the grid” in terms of color and feel.
Question: “Any tips for someone who has never photographed interiors?”
My biggest tip would be to start on a good lens like a 24-70mm and move from corner to corner in the room. I find myself inching through until I find an angle that gives a good depth of field — it takes some time. The biggest challenge is often in lighting so the time of day is important. Alternatively, a tripod helps with a slower shutter speed to capture more light.
Question: “Resources for learning how to focus on Sony A7?”
This was the toughest thing for me to figure out when I purchased my first Sony A7. We started shooting in manual with autofocus and changed two settings. The first is to set the focus mode to AF-C which stands for autofocus continuous, allowing for continuous focusing. The second setting in partnership with AF-C is to change the focus area to Flexible-spot which allows you to manually choose where in the frame you’ll focus. It will help greatly in assuring the part of the photo you want focused on is.
Question: “Which camera is best to start on?”
I always recommend getting a camera that you can grow into. Somewhere between a hybrid or a base DSLR is a great start. Take a look at this post for some ideas!
Question: “How do you handle asking your spouse to take photos of you?”
Ask kindly. Travis is easy going and has come to enjoy the shoots as it’s a chance to be creative together. Something I am really conscious about is when we are traveling for fun and not work, is to understand the right time to take photos. I don’t want to interrupt our day and try to set expectations of the imagery I have in mind.
Question: “How do you pose?”
Practice makes perfect on this. I find that I am always playing around with poses and will move around a lot. I actually don’t love to be in my photos and it’s something I’ve had to embrace over time!
Question: “How do you get photos of yourself?”
Head to this blog post for the full guide to capturing photos when you’re traveling solo.
Question: Why do you prefer Sony over Canon/Nikon?”
Mirrorless systems and incredible glass — also the weight and size of the camera is a huge factor. I love the tech behind Sony’s internal system and the greenish highlights that their sensor picks up.
Question: “Can you walk through your camera settings?”
This is a tough one to go through as it’s always changing with my current surroundings. I shoot on continuous to ensure I grab the frame I want. My goal is to always keep my ISO under 400. I max out image sizes and tend to shoot in JPEG primarily.
Question: “Do you have a favorite polarizer brand?”
Yup, love my Tiffen line!
Thank you, everyone, for sending in your questions! Head here for more photography tips on the blog.
PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Flights
Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.
2. Book Your Accommodations
Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Car
Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.
5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access
Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica