Dear Reader,

I think I mentioned a few weeks ago that I'm pregnant. Things were going smoothly until very recently. I've spent a few weeks on medication and bed rest and I haven't had the time or energy to take the pregnancy photos I've wanted to snap.

But I'm doing much better now and got up this morning thinking, "Today's the day. We're taking photos!"

But nothing went right. The batteries in my digital SLR weren't charged.  I couldn't find the wireless transmitter that connects to my studio lights.

It was just one of those days. And it reminded me that, well, sometimes your equipment just doesn't cooperate. So here are a few things to keep in mind for when this happens to you...

** 1) If you upgrade your equipment from a point-and-shoot to an SLR, don't get rid of your point-and-shoot.  Most photographers have both.  And you'll be thankful when the day comes that you need a back up or otherwise lose the shot.

** 2) If you have studio lights and you can't get the results you want, try natural light.  In the picture below, for instance, I got light from the window and used both a poster board to reflect light back on me as well as the on-camera flash to light up the blocks in the foreground. (It's not perfect. But if I go into labor tomorrow, at least I have these shots for my album -- though they may not be saleable.)

** 3) Try different angles.  None of the shots I wanted to take turned out right because I didn't have the light I wanted and my selective focus capabilities were limited because you can't change lenses on the point-and-shoot camera I was using.  If you're having the same problem, get creative.  Try different angles.  You may surprise yourself.

At the end of the day, it's not likely any of the photos I took today are saleable as stock.  Without the right lighting and the right equipment, I don't think they'll meet the technical requirements you need for stock photo agencies (See: The Quick and Dirty Guide to Stock Photography)

But, if nothing else, I'll have photos for my album and a day spent being creative - and practicing -- with my camera.

Tomorrow, I've asked professional stock photographer Shelly Perry to look through the photos I took today and tell us what else could be done with so-so, shots like mine.

Stay tuned.  And have a good weekend.

-- Lori

Lori Allen
Director, AWAI Travel Division

P.S. You can learn more about selling your photos as stock with our Quick and Dirty Guide to Stock Photography. It includes a list of over 20 approachable online stock agencies, along with directions for selling your photos in each. Grab a copy here.



*******************************

The Right Way to Travel is a FREE newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Inc., available to AWAI members and friends.

(c) 2009 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
memberservices@awaionline.com

To LEARN MORE, visit:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com
http://www.thephotographerslife.com