This is part two of the photography for writers series. If you make your living, or want to make your living, making content on the internet, then this series is for you. You’ll learn why, how, what and when to add multimedia content to your articles and books that’ll increase the value you’re offering.
Part one described why you need to engage in photography/image creation as a writer.
For part two, we’re all about the creation. What do you need to create decent photographs and images?
Photography For Writers Part Two: What You Need To Start
There are two stages that I can talk about: Free and Paid. For many years I created stuff using free software – this extended to web design graphics and the like.
Then I switched to using paid things; Photoshop, a decent camera. I’ve upgraded my camera gear now from point and shoot to DSLR. The differences are amazing.
I’ll talk firstly about creating images on a budget.
The Budget Options
To create images, you need two things. You need to capture them with a camera. You need to process them with software.
Most of you have a camera on your phone. Believe it or not, you could probably get away with creating images solely with that.
In terms of software, most people are going to use Instagram with its built-in features. If you want to actually edit your photos, there is Paint, which will allow you to do a lot of low level changes – even some graphics for social media icons and the like, and there is GIMP.
GIMP is a great software in that it functions like a Photoshop Lite. It is much more powerful than Paint.
The Paid Approach
If you’re making money with a website, you’ll probably want high quality photos. Maybe even videos. You’re going to need a bit more firepower when it comes to content creation.
The first step, before anything else, is to get Photoshop. It’s the industry leader for image creation and photo editing. If you have a website, you’ll either have to commission headers, logos and social media banners, or you’ll have to create them. The costs add up quite quickly, even if you’re going with stock photos and fiverr freelancers to make the things for you.
Photoshop allows you to do anything – above and beyond what you’ll ever need – and the learning curve is exaggerated. I first got Photoshop when I needed it for web design, and I haven’t looked back.
A lot of web developers and writers could probably stop here, without a camera at all. The things you can do on photoshop include:
Buttons
Header Graphics:
Logos:
Social Media Displays:
My Twitter. You should obviously follow me.
You can also use it to customize WordPress templates and themes.
Finally, Photoshop is aided by the fact that you can find a free tutorial for just about anything you could want to do on YouTube. All of the above, plus photo editing, book cover design and making yourself thinner, are all available to learn at no extra cost.
Camera
I never thought I’d get into photography. But I did. There are a million different things you can learn, and lots of geeky stuff you can buy.
You don’t need to though.
I bought a Nikon D3200. It’s a beginner DSLR. DSLR stands for Digital Single Lens Reflex. Essentially, it’s a camera with interchangeable lenses. My D3200 came with a lens – the 18-55. I’ve been able to do landscape shots with it:
Macro shots with it (Using a filter):
“Hello there.”
Wildlife shots:
Baby Swallows In Nest.
Accessories
There are a few things I bought with my camera which I haven’t used. There are also things that I use on a regular basis.
A Tripod
I use the tripod along with either a remote control, or the timer function. The tripod is useful because you’re going to get shaky hands at times. Also, if you’re shooting pictures with you in them, you obviously can’t be behind the camera. (Unless you’re going for the ‘traditional selfie’ – in which case use your phone.)
Remote Control
This has been great. You can set your scene, get in your scene, and make sure your camera is all in the right order if you have a remote control, because you can be anywhere when you take the photo.
Memory Cards
You’ll need memory cards. I use a 16GB Sandisk SD card. I have a couple of these, although you can probably get by on one for the most part. Day trips to the zoo ae going to require a back-up though, especially if you’re shooting in high-quality.
Back-Up Battery
This is also important. You’ll notice on this site when I have “10 Items You Need” that they’re often boring, run of the mill items. You don’t need a “Use-my-affiliate –link” $2000 lens to take your photo. A back-up battery is useful though because it’s annoying that your shooting runs out when your battery does.
Carry Bag
I ‘ve got a Vivitar carry bag. It’s simple and wasn’t expensive. However, it keeps my camera safe. I’m pretty paranoid so I couldn’t walk around with the camera around my shoulders like other people do. Also, I keep the bubble-wrap plastic bag that the D3200 was packed in, because I’m not sure that the Vivitar bag is waterproof. Again, paranoia saves your stuff.
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More Stuff
You can always go further. There are people who’ll spend thousands on camera gear, lighting, mirrors, lenses and the like. Professional YouTubers spend money on looking like real human beings in a real room as opposed to the TV stars that they actually are.
You don’t need any of that.
Why Did I Buy Nikon?
Pre-empting comments here, I’ll state why I chose the Nikon D3200. I’m going to write a more in depth review to conclude this month’s case study, but here is the #1 reason I chose Nikon:
People I know use Nikon. Particularly my sister. When it comes to camera gear, you’re going to accumulate a lot of lenses and accessories. It’s better to pool those resources, because you save money and get access to more stuff. My sister can borrow my camera gear, I can borrow hers. That’s worth a lot more than the micro-differences between the different lines of cameras.
I think I’ve covered enough for Part Two. I’ll update this if I think of any more. To summarise, in this article:
- What software you need to spend next-to-no money to get started with multimedia creation for writers.
- What software is essential for being a pro at creating good images.
- Which camera is a great choice for people like me.
- What accessories are great for when you’re getting started.
- Why you should make a camera purchase.
For a link to the complete series:
Part One: Why You Need To Learn Photography For Writers
Part Two: What You Need To Start Taking Photographs For Your Writing Project
Part Three: Technical Stuff (Challenges an Amateur Photographer Will Face)
Part Four: How To Incorporate Photography Into Your Writing
I’ll also write a review on my camera, the Nikon D3200, including what I use with it to get it to do what I want.
Then we’ll leave the rest to the readers; if you have any questions, then drop them in the comments.