This is a screen shot of a recent emailed invitation I received because I have been a long-time fan and a consumer of Nick Kelsh’s trainings. He is fantastic — so clear, simple and impactful in how he teaches you to take better photos.
Waaay back in my days with Creative Memories (late 90’s) I experienced some introductory lessons shared with our group – and they were powerful. So I have “off and on” followed him, especially when I got a DSLR (so complicated to me). But Nick made a prediction along the way that was hugely prescient.
Google tells me the first cell phone with a built-in camera was manufactured by Samsung and released in South Korea in June of 2000. The built-in digital camera could take 20 photos at 0.35-megapixels, but you had to hook it up to a computer to get your photos. The camera and the phone components were essentially separate devices housed in the same body.
Boy, have we come a LONG WAY, BABY, in the smartphone photo department !!
And that is exactly what Nick predicted – I only remember him saying it and I wish I had written down the date. I was shocked. I was learning how to manage F-Stops and ISO’s and was so glad when I got a DSLR with “auto” features that could take over for me.
But right in the middle of his training, Nick said (drum roll please) that one day our phones would take as good or better photos than our DSLR cameras ! We did the “eye roll” and “oh, sure” comment at the time – it was beyond my imagination.
Yet – here we are. And thank heavens, Nick is still doing trainings! And thank heavens, he includes both DSLR and Smartphone photo-taking. And a saving grace for me is his outstanding patience and fun sense of humor – all on top of his beautiful storytelling through photos which inspires us all.
So, I jumped in for a refresher course when he recently provided a free 5-day set of brief refreshers on top subjects. If it is still active, here is the link: https://www.howtophotographyourlife.com/clickstart-w
But since he shared it for free – and he has shared it in the past in the same generous spirit – I will give my quick summary of his greatest photo tip. I still remember him teaching it to us in that large group many years ago (and yes, it is relevant to smartphones, too).
His stated goal for the courses that I later took was the same goal in his sharing this big tip with us: To give us a taste of what it feels like to be the photographer you always wanted to be.
This tip may hopefully, as he says, change the way you take photos the rest of your life. Put it to work for yourself. Build a personal archive of personal treasures:
Get in close to your subject – then, get closer! – next, GET CLOSER!
Take a look at some of the photos in your recent collection – how many have small figures of special people which were the reason you took the photo — and you have to zoom the photo in for anyone to recognize them.
You can take multiple photos to just prove the power of this tip to yourself. Step closer with each shot until you are framing them just as you want them – they fill they frame (some may be full body, some may be a headshot).
And yes, I can zoom in the high pixel photos taken on my DSLR very easily later, but not-so-much on my smartphone or a basic camera. Even taking a very zoomed in photo on my DSLR has resulted in lower quality printed photos than just “getting closer” to my subject.
And turn off your flash!! Just find the natural light of a window or outdoors (not strong and harsh but shaded). Huge difference which Nick explains so much better than I ever could.
Nick delivers these lessons with fantastic demo pictures to illustrate the point – the one at the beginning of this blog is an example. And he explains and talks you through the whole process—plus, when NOT to get closer and why.
And although I have heard him teach this, gone through his course and learned it ever so well, I find myself failing to “get closer” when later as I look at the photo, I wish I had!
So I will give you the same assignment Nick did in his training: This week – shoot a beautiful close-up portrait of someone you love in beautiful light with the flash off (close to a window which lights subject, or a doorway, cloudy day–any non-harsh light).
As Nick says, even serious photographers spend years perfecting that formula – but you can try it out now and enjoy great results. Remember, digital photography gives you so many “tries” for no additional $ and with immediate viewing so you can correct and improve.
And stay alert to the opportunities for those photos – I cannot count the times I have said goodbye to the kids and grandkids after a fun time together, a meal or a holiday, and I slap my forehead saying “Oh, no, I didn’t take any photos!”. Aaarrgghhh! My only tip here is pull your DSLR, camera or your phone in “camera” mode out and put them in an obvious place where you can’t miss seeing and remembering “TAKE A PHOTO – AND GET CLOSER—AND TURN OFF THE FLASH—AND USE NATURAL LIGHT TO ITS FULLEST”.
And if you want more of Nick, here is his website link HERE.
Okay – hope you got inspired. Just look at that little girl’s picture above one more time.
You’ve got this – you can do it!
