What old-school photographers such as myself learned about Instagram

I don’t mind being called old-school, or old for that matter. It just means I’ve seen more, and I have more experience in the field that I’m passionate about, which is photography. And yes, I’ve seen a lot of things pass by over the years. So many trends have come and gone. But one trend looks to have become a permanent fixture in photography, and that is technology. 

Image Source: streetfeatphotography.com

Today, digital photography has made it possible for us to upload all our photos onto the internet, which is a big deal. Gone are the days when you’d have to pass developed film around different publications just to get yourself noticed as a photographer. 

In this day and age of social media, it’s quite easy to get yourself discovered, as many of us old-school photographers have learned. You can build an online profile and post it on sites. One site, in particular, stands out – Instagram. Instagram has changed the way photographers, amateur and professional alike, have gone about their passion. 

Instagram has several features that let all photographers alter images on the spot, and before the internet came along, that was unheard of. The good part about this is, with a bit of creativity and perseverance, people can come out with quality images. The downside is that many photography techniques have been brushed aside.

Instagram has made it possible for people to produce high-quality images without “taking” them. This is something many of us old-school photographers, who’ve studied and honed our skills, lament.   

Image Source: newscult.com

Chris Halajian is a retired photographer from New York who now spends most of his time either with his family or traveling. For more on photography, check out this blog.

Essential gear for travel photographers

Travel photography often requires a bunch of equipment; those professionals we regularly see on nature TV channels lug around huge, state-of-the art gear. But you don’t have to figuratively bring the kitchen sink with you. We’ve listed down the most essential ones for the beginning travel photographer. 

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A DSLR camera with lenses 

Whatever brand you prefer for a DLSR, you’d still need to ensure that you capture those memorable scenes and moments with a good camera. We suggest both a 50mm lens for good depth of field, alongside the stock one. Of course, you’d need to make sure that the you have the kit-provided battery, memory cards, and spare, depending on how long you’d be in the field. Eventually you’d need to invest in a more powerful zoom lens, but that can wait. 

Tripod 

There was a time when these accessories were heavy and a total pain to carry around, but not anymore. Tripods are key to taking sharp, stable pictures and getting the right exposure. These are crucial when taking close ups, pictures of sunsets, and night shots. 

DSLR Remote 

It’s hard to get those pictures of yourself with majestic backdrops when traveling on your own. It’s not fun (and it looks silly) to simply rely on the camera’s timer function and have you run back and forth to the waiting camera until you find that desired pose. A camera remote adds so much convenience (and poise) to these photo ops. 

Image source: gregorychong.com

Hello there. The name’s Chris Halajian from New York. I’m a retired election photographer. I can say that my career with the camera was fruitful and rewarding, allowing me to buy an estate my family can enjoy for years. Visit this website for more of my writings.

A Voter’s Guide To Reading a Politician’s Body Language

As an election campaign photographer, I've realized over the years that a politician's nonverbal language speaks volumes about his or her authenticity as a leader. This is why many candidates work on their postures and gestures to the point that some of these people become overly conscious about each move they make. If you're a voter, here's how to spot if your candidate can be trusted:

Image source: Pixabay.com

Open palm gestures There are people who have a habit of pointing fingers without meaning to disrespect anyone. However, our brains are wired to be more accepting of people whose hands are "open". Our minds make us think that these people are unarmed and can be trusted. In many cases, open palm gestures show a person's spontaneity and confidence especially when talking. It also makes them look more welcoming. Showing a clenched fist, on the other hand, gives the impression that a person is too guarded.

Micro-expressions According to experts, these micro-expressions are important in portraying a leader's real thoughts and even state of mind. Perhaps you'll notice this when they are being asked tough questions and they start to smirk or make a small smile. These micro-expressions are their unrehearsed facial expressions that could come up during unguarded moments. When the expression of their eyes somewhat contradict their smiles, it could be a sign that they're doubting their statement.

Image source: Pixabay.com

Crossed arms and legs Many politicians try their best to change their habit of crossing their arms or legs. It's because voters could misinterpret this pose as being withdrawn or boastful. This is why during conversations and interviews, you won't see a politician doing these. In other cultures, crossing your legs when seated means showing that you of a higher stature than the person you are meeting with. Next time you see a politician, take note of these points to see if they're being true to their promises. It might help your decision to vote.

Hello! I'm Chris Halajian, a retired photographer currently based in New York. These days I spend most of my time hanging out with my family and traveling. For more photography-related posts, visit this page.