Take3: The Sunny 16 Rule, Lenses, and Free Photoshop Actions!

January 11, 2012

Posted 09/12

I took a few semesters of photography in college, and we went over darkroom, aperture, lenses and lighting, etc. However, since we got our new camera last year, I have yet to sit down and read the manuel on how to work a DSLR. Its a whole new world I need to master.

{Pinterest via Just Kissing}

{via redbubble}

I am definately a visual learner so this image immediately caught my attention. Its an easy way to translate what f-stop your camera should be on when you are snapping your subject.

{via Kevin and Amanda}

Also for those of you looking to take your photography to the next step, this is a great post on how to choose a lens for your camera.

{via The Pioneer Woman}

Also, I get a lot of questions on what I do to my photos. I use photoshop actions from a range of places. The pioneer Woman’s set was the very first I ever started using. They are fantastic! You can download them here for free. Its an instant way to improve your photo. She has many other helpful tips to check out!

I think that is all I will give you for now:) You can check out more photography tips I posted here and here. I have a lot to learn myself. My husband is the one who takes most of the photos here on the blog and I do the photoshop editing. Lucky for me he is more skilled than I am…

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seriouslysassymama.com says:

January 11, 2012 at 2:43 pm

I wish I could afford photoshop. I use picnik to tweek my pics. I am also a visual learner and I love that chart.

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Tiffany @ Savor Home says:

January 11, 2012 at 2:46 pm

I love this! I took a class when I first got my DSLR and it was so worth it! That chart is perfect. I got Photoshop Elements for Christmas and I wish I could find a class for that, too!

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Fashion, Art and other fancies says:

January 11, 2012 at 2:46 pm

I am thinking of purchasing a better quality camera ( though the current one is quite good ).

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Klare Family says:

January 11, 2012 at 3:23 pm

just got my new cam for christmas and it is WAY more intimidating than i imagined. I for sure have no clue what i am doing and will probably need to take a few classes. thanks for the tips!!! Your pics always look Stellar!

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Paislea Elyse says:

January 11, 2012 at 3:26 pm

great post!! i took a few semesters of photography in high school and completely fell in love with it! i had a wonderful teacher who was a ton of fun and knew her stuff. it was so much fun to be able to process your own pictures in the dark room.. it’s sad to say, that i have a decent camera and i just don’t use it. i need to get back into it.

thanks for the great references!!

allister bee blog

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katie [the bright life] says:

January 11, 2012 at 3:31 pm

Great tips, Anna! I’m dying to get a DSLR, but it’s just not in the budget yet. I’ll definitely be using those actions, though! Xo, Katie

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carissa at lowercase letters says:

January 11, 2012 at 3:32 pm

i use those actions all the time. love em!!!

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simplyvonne says:

January 11, 2012 at 3:40 pm

really love the second photo. I am myself just learning about my camera and reading the manuel is always the key!!!

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Dana {Southern Inspired} says:

January 11, 2012 at 3:41 pm

Thanks so much for these Anna! I don’t have a fancy camera yet, but we are looking to buy one this year for sure. Do you have a Canon? We’ve heard Canon over Nikon, but I’m just trying to get opinions because I have no idea ha! 🙂

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Julie says:

January 11, 2012 at 4:01 pm

great post Anna! something I most definitely needed!

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David Caron says:

January 11, 2012 at 4:14 pm

It’s alway nice to have little tips and tricks to refer back to.

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Nicole says:

January 11, 2012 at 4:30 pm

I love that Sunny 16 rule! Thanks for posting the graphic! I tend to be a visual learner so seeing that graphic really helps me out. Especially since I have just recently been learning about aperture, iso, and all of that other good stuff!

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sherri lynn says:

January 11, 2012 at 5:22 pm

I like that Sunny 16 visual rule! Great tips! 🙂

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A Casa da Vá says:

January 11, 2012 at 5:23 pm

I have so much fun playing with my camera – but also have lots to learn!

xoxo from Florida,
http://acasadava.blogspot.com/

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xoxo says:

January 11, 2012 at 5:23 pm

I love photography!
Looking at it not doing it though. I don’t have the patience.
Xoxo

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Lauren says:

January 11, 2012 at 6:52 pm

This is really helpful. I have Photoshop but have been slightly overwhelmed as to how and where to start. Starting to use Photoshop is actually one of my blog resolutions. This is so kind of you to share this with us. I’m definitely going to follow The Pioneer Woman too. Thanks again.

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stephanie says:

January 11, 2012 at 7:01 pm

this is SO helpful! i have no idea what i’m doing with my DSLR. i want to get photoshop but it’s so stinking expensive!

and the foundation i get is just from sephora! i’m really liking it! xo

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Martina says:

January 11, 2012 at 7:43 pm

I’m relly an amateur in photography, but since i blog, i have more and more fun with it. Thanks for your tipps here!

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Jenna says:

January 11, 2012 at 7:52 pm

I really want to take a photography 101 class at some point – words like aperture, exposure, etc are like a whole other language to me – I’m totally clueless!

xxx
Jenna

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Daisy says:

January 11, 2012 at 8:02 pm

I want to take a class since I just got a new camera for Christmas.

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Bad Joan says:

January 11, 2012 at 8:49 pm

Fantastic tips!

GTBB,
http://badjoan.blogspot.com
http://cookingjoan.blogspot.com

GIVEAWAY GOING ON NOW!

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Alexa says:

January 11, 2012 at 10:04 pm

Thanks for the tips Anna…I’m always looking to improve my photos!

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Alena: Oh, It's Just Perfect! says:

January 12, 2012 at 2:03 am

So many fabulous tips! I definitely need to take a camera class.

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The Demoiselle says:

January 12, 2012 at 2:07 am

fantastic roundup!! I’m in the middle of my photography class and it’s SUCH a learning curve.

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{The Perfect Palette} says:

January 12, 2012 at 2:30 am

Thanks for sharing these tips! I needed this.

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AB HOME Interiors says:

January 12, 2012 at 2:42 am

Great tips. Just sold my camera because I never knew how to use it!

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Lea says:

January 12, 2012 at 3:09 am

It’s been since high school since I took a real photography class. I have a nice camera, I know (generally) what to do—I just have to start lugging it around with me.

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Tamra says:

January 12, 2012 at 4:10 am

Thank you for sharing, I really needed some simple tips for my slr! xo

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Julia @ Boredom Abounds says:

January 12, 2012 at 4:30 am

Great post – I’m bookmarking this for when I purchase a DLSR in the next month or so.

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Melissa at bubbyandbean.com says:

January 12, 2012 at 4:44 am

These are awesome tips! And thanks for the link to the Photoshop actions!

xo,
melissa

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