Perfectionists, Websites, & Flash

Episode 167 - Are you a perfectionist struggling to get started? Your best website options and Flash.

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Transcript

Hey, how’s it going? I’m Andy Jones, and this is episode 166 of the Photography Side Hustle podcast.

You might be wondering why I didn’t post an episode last week. Well, it was our moving week. I spent the week packing the house up, and that included all my computer and audio gear. 

We moved in on Saturday and went without an internet connection for 4 days. I really hate moving house. It turns my brain to mush. Anyway, I’ve unpacked some bare essentials, and I’m trying to get back to normal. 

Okay, this week, I have three questions I want to answer.

Two people asked, in a round-a-bout way, “What should I do next?” They both said they had a website with a portfolio and were stuck. Should they spend some money on Facebook or Instagram ads? Which accounting software should they use? 

The answer I gave to both of them was don’t worry about that. Just take photos and make some money. Stop worrying about the small stuff. Get started, accept you are going to make mistakes, and know that every mistake is a lesson. 

Perfectionists want everything in place before they take the first step. If that sounds like you, I feel for you. It must be hard to get anything started.

I frequently get asked about something I said in an episode from over a year ago. The first thing is I can’t remember what I did yesterday, never mind a year ago. Second, don’t expect everything I suggest to work for you. I put out as many options as I could think of at the time of recording. 

What works for one photographer might not work for another. 

Right then, question two is from Veronica …
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Okay, thanks for that, Veronica.

So, I’m going to break this down into three options …

The first one is DIY; do it yourself. This is how I make websites. It’s cheaper, requires way more input, and isn’t the way to go if you don’t know how.

The second, which I think is the best option, is to use one of the platforms made for photographers.

There are lots of them now, such as Smug Mug, Pixieset, Zenfolio, ShootProof, plus many more.

These platforms give photographers everything they need: a website with a portfolio and galleries through which to sell their work. It takes all the pain out of setting it up. 

Now to the third option.

This is how my daughter is set up. Her website is on WIX, which I think is expensive, but she likes the look of her site, so who am I to question her? For galleries, she uses Pixieset, and they look great. I don’t know if it’s free or if she pays for it. 

You could do the same and make your own website with galleries somewhere else. But I think it’s way easier to use Pixieset or Zenfolio and keep everything in one place. 

Okay, question three is from Ruby, who asked a question in the last episode.

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Right, there are actually a few questions.

Let’s start with the sun's position and the angle of the lights. The best times to shoot outdoors are sunrise and sunset. When the sun is high in the sky, the light will be at its harshest. Harsh light produces harsh shadows, and you want to avoid that. 

The angle of your lights depends on the effect you want to produce, which is done using the flash off-camera. 

Ruby asked where you bounce the light off when shooting outdoors. Well, you don’t. You shoot the flash through a diffuser, like a translucent umbrella or softbox. 

If the flash is mounted on-camera, you can use a small diffuser over the end of the flash. Search for “on-camera flash diffuser,” B&H has Vello diffusers for under $10.

Next, she mentioned using window light and flash.

Well, most people use the light coming through a window without a flash. But you could add a little flash if the light coming through the window isn’t enough.

If it’s dark and overcast outside, you could put a flash outside the window to simulate sunlight.

In the past, some photographers used to say they used flash to overpower the sun. But that isn’t correct.

Let’s say you are taking a portrait at sunset. The sun is setting behind your subject.

Think about all the portraits you’ve taken where the subject is perfect, but the background is blown out, and the sky has no detail. By using a flash, you can capture the sky and your subject perfectly.

To do that, you turn your flash off. Take a photo and under-expose the meter until the sky and background are perfect and the subject is dark. 

Then, turn the flash on and take a shot. The flash will light the subject, and the sky and background will also be perfectly lit. It might take a couple of test shots to get the amount of flash just right. 

I promise you will love the results.

Okay, thanks to Ruby, Veronica, and the unnamed perfectionists for those questions.

Remember, the best photographers in the world were once at exactly the same stage you are right now.

Right, I’m off to empty some more boxes.

I’ll talk to you soon, bye.