End of Year Review

January 1st 2013: Took photos with Canon Powershot SX150 IS. Shots taken immediately in JPEG format. Did not edit as preferred a natural shot. Favourite style was Portrait.

December 31st 2013: Take photos with Nikon D3100 DSLR. Take photos in RAW formet. Edit and watermark photos in Adobe Lightroom. Favourite style is now Architectural.

Amazing what a difference 365 days can make!

For me to have reached this point with my photography is down to a number of factors and decisions I have made throughout this year.

1. Taking part in the Photo a Day Challenge 2013
I think joining this group to do this challenge is the most significant factor in my progression as a photographer. It has led to all the decisions I have made and it has given me a chance to try out styles and techniques I have never tried before. It also helped me discover my favourite style of photography as well. So I have to thank the lovely Rilly for setting up the group and coming up with briefs that pushed me to get a good shot, even if they drove me mad at times.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/190521334425331/ Click on this link if you wish to partake in the 2014 photo a day challenge.

2. Purchasing a new camera
About two months into the year (or might have been before this) I realised there was a little problem with my camera. Something had got into the lense and causing an additional orange mark to be in my photos. It was a great excuse to get a new camera (though I still intend to get it fixed at some point) and with my 30th birthday fast approaching at the time, it was an even better excuse to suck up to my husband and ask for it as my birthday present. On my 30th birthday, I unwrapped a brand new Nikon D3100 DSLR with an 18-55mm lense. I now use this camera for all the shots you see on here! Now to buy some more equipment to go with it!

3. Setting up my own photography pages
Over the past twelve months, I have set up three additional pages for my photography. Admittedly I do not have loads of followers but I have had people who I am not friends with start following one of the pages! On my pages, I don't just post my best photos, but also fun edits and the original version. I want to be able to see the differences edits can make and I want to be able to see my progress of skills and I want for everyone else to see it too! Though at the moment, due to a missing USB stick, this is on hold and will hopefully continue soon!

My Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/EllacottPhotography
My Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/EllacottPhoto
My Flickr Page: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellacottphotography/

Please feel free to follow any of those pages for more of my photos.

4. Getting the courage to finally start editing
I used to hate editing, preferring a natural look to my photos. Probably because I hated magazines that felt the need to touch up the celebs and models on their covers, making them look not their natural selves. You only have to look the number of scandals over this happening in the industry this past year. Melissa McCarthy on her movie poster with Sandra Bullock is a great example of this. But I gave in eventually realising how it can enhance a picture even if it was just simply sharpening the image. I spent most of the year using free editing software or using trials, but in December I purchased Lightroom and Photoshop on a great deal available through Adobe! My preference is Lightroom, through which all of my photos are now edited!

5. Changing the format in which I shoot photos.
For the bulk of the year, I had shot in JPEG. It meant I was able to upload immediately without the need for editing. However, I was encouraged to change to shooting in RAW. After doing some research to understand better, I discovered it was the best way to shoot due to it bringing out the colours, light etc in more natural way. It did mean the need for editing before uploading. This no longer bothers me as I now enjoy the editing process! I feel my photos now look better through shooting in RAW.




So the plan for this year:
1. Take part in the 2014 Photo a Day Challenge, which has now started.
2. Learn to use the manual settings on my DSLR.
3. Learn more about the editing software I use.
4. Buy more lenses and equipment for my DSLR.
5. Hopefully sign up to take a City and Guilds Photography course.
6. Continue to improve my skills as a photographer!