My PhotoWeek 2013: May 19 - May 25, 2013

Gaah! I didn't have anything for May 12-18. I've been too caught up with the paperwork of turning my photography business into an entity. But that's good.

1) 20 Tips Every Travel Photographer Must Know - Oded Wagenstein, Digital Photography School
2) Photography And The Law - John Corcoran, HerView Photography

My PhotoWeek 2013: Apr 28 - May 4, 2013

1) 10 Shortcuts for Lightroom 4 - Digital Photography School

My PhotoWeek 2013: Mar 31 - Apr 6, 2013

1) Fashion,Glamour, Modeling, Posing, and Lighting Photography Tutorial - Tony Northrup
2) Create Spotlight Effect In Photoshop - Klaus Herrmann (Farbspiel Photography)
3) BTS: Cafeteria Lunch - David Hobby (Strobist)

My PhotoWeek 2013: Mar 24 - Mar 30, 2013

1) Classical Posing and Portrait Lighting - Frank Dispensa
2) Free Photo Guides - Photoshelter.com
3) Breaking Down The Silvertide Concert - Jared Polin / FroKnowsPhoto

Monitor Calibration

There is really no substitute for hardware-based calibration when calibrating your monitor if you're serious about your photography. If you're in the business of selling prints, it's a must. The printing house that I use highly recommends either the i1Display Pro or the ColorMunki Display1.

In any case, some type of calibration is better than no calibration at all so if you're in a very tight budget or you just can't justify the additional expense for your personal purposes, I found a few sites that explain and walk you through the process on how to do it using software and/or your eyes.

1) The Lagom LCD Monitor Test Pages
2) WikiHow's How To Calibrate Your Monitor
3) Calibrize 2.0 Free Software
4) TFT Central's Calibration Guide

However, there is one thing to remember... color is subjective. Each individual view color differently and to compound the matter, not everyone owns the exact same monitor or printer. While you can control how you view images in your own "domain", once that image goes beyond your borders, there's no telling how it will turn out so don't beat yourself too much about it.

My PhotoWeek 2013: Mar 10 - Mar 16, 2013

1) Posing Tips - Michelle Phan
2) DIY $5 Fogger - Household Hacker
3) The Human Condition - Joel Grimes
4) Build A Better Portfolio - Jasmine DeFoore

My PhotoWeek 2013: Mar 3 - Mar 9, 2013

1) Madamme Spooky Retouch, Part 3 - Glyn Dewis
2) HDR in Lightroom using LR/Enfuse plugin - Serge Ramelli
3) Cheap Camera Challenge - Vincent Laforet
4) Photography Tips - Joe McNally
5) Three Ways to Get Sharper Close-Ups - Digital Photography School

Posing Subjects

As much as I hate asking someone to pose for the camera, these basic tips from the book,  Mastering Digital Photography, Second Edition  might come in handy, especially on a paid gig.

• For starters, "clip" photos of your favorite poses from magazines,  other printed materials or the internet, to use as a reference until you're more comfortable using poses of your own.

• Eyes are the most important component of any portrait as they will always be the center of attention. They must be sharp and lively even if you're going for a softer look in the rest of the portrait.

• The edges of hands are more attractive than the backs and palms of hands.

• The bottoms of feet are downright ugly but side views of feet may be acceptable if they're young enough and there are other things to look at in the photo.

• If subject is bald and sensitive about it, elevate the chin and lower the camera slightly.