FAQ: for beginners

People are always asking me how they can learn to be a better photographer when they don't know much about their camera and nothing about photography in general - usually they just want to take better photos of their children, better landscapes or just better photos in general - not everyone wants to be a pro.

Im not the best photographer in the world but everyone has started somewhere so my advice is to read a lot but most importantly actually go out and take some photos - if you take one photo every six months you'll never get better because when you have finally learned something it will be forgotten the next time you go to pick up your camera.

I learned slightly differently to most, my grandmother was a photographer and her father before that. I grew up looking at photography equipment and learning the techniques behind it. I did photography at high school and absolutely immersed myself in it. When I went to university however my camera was set aside for books and computers and I didn't pick it up again...it was a lost friend that had gone on an OE, when it returned it was slightly different, the game had changed so I had to reacquaint myself.

There are a number of great and free places on the web where beginners can go to learn, I have been to each of the places below many times and picked up heaps of great tips!

Digital photography school - lots of great tips here from tips and tutorials to information on equipment to post production techniques.

Flickr - lots of people think flickr is just a place to upload and share photos, but it is much more than that. There are thousands of groups that cover everything you can think of when it comes to photography from Photoshop support to support groups for your particular camera or lenses and there's lots of knowledgable people ton help you out.

YouTube - really quite self explanatory, my only advice here is learn to weed out the good videos from the bad.

I think these are plenty to begin with, more to come later on!

Oh yeah, 2011 yeah!

Well, 2010 was an interesting year; I made some life changing decisions and really grew as a person. I rediscovered my love for photography which had somehow got buried under piles and piles of life and work and study. I made many, many new friends who I have the upmost respect and admiration for and towards the end of 2010 everything was starting to look up. I greet 2011 with excitement and I look forward to see what it will bring and all the amazing people I will get to meet.

At the moment I'm just enjoying summer, here's a list of my fave summer things;

• Going to the beach all day


• Having relaxation time over the holidays


• Shooting in the most amazing golden light


• Soy Icecream

the things that suck,

• Sunburn!


• Sand all through the car


• days when it's too hot to do anything


• Melted Soy Icecream

Happy 2011 xx

Erin and Nick | Engaged | Auckland Engagement Photographer

I had the pleasure of photographing Erin and Nick. They’re engaged, and adorable. We had a fantastic time at the Auckland Domain. Did I say they’re adorable?

 

 

 

An Amanda Weekend

I’ve totally had a ‘me’ weekend, went to the beauty therapist for some papering, went to Milly’s Kitchen to get some cupcake decorating supplies, purchased treats from the supermarket, spent some time with my camera. Bliss.

Yesterday, I made friends with a stranger at a parking meter – apparently I’m too friendly like that. I never stay in contact with people that I meet like that, they’re just the people that you meet briefly in a moment in your life and they pass you by – just like the moments, the minutes, the hours and so on. I guess that’s why I really love photography, an opportunity to capture a moment so you can keep it in a box or in a little space of your own. forever.

Today, my little dog Portia went to the groomers. They gave us back a new version of the same dog.

I just made my new website live!

*does happy dance*

Check it out! www.amandakirk.co.nz

xx Amanda

Day with Steph!

Steph agreed to be a model for me – how could I resist! I’ve been sick for the past couple of days so only got to start editing this afternoon – but here’s a look in to what I captured during my time with the beautiful Steph!

 

Hello spring, I’ve missed you.

Tomorrow I’m planning to shoot a model in the cherry blossoms, she asked me what she should wear and I told her to ‘dress like spring’. Although I love the idea of being snuggled up on the couch with a good book, a hot chocolate and the rain pounding down on the roof. It just doesn’t do it for me. So I have to say, I’m rather excited about spring! So here’s my 5 reasons why spring rocks:

1. Everyone is in a WAY better mood.
   Not sure if you’ve noticed but I certainly have – the weather is getting better, people are getting warmer, people are generally in a better mood.
2. Daylight saving starts.
   I’m all for more daylight hours; it means more time to exercise, walk the dog, SHOOT PHOTOS. Love it.
3. Asparagus and Strawberries.
   It’s the time of year when the seasonal fruit and vegetables start to come out!! I love asparagus and strawberries and mostly all of the summer fruits and vegetables.
4. More opportunities to shoot outside!
   The light in spring is beautiful; crisp and golden.
5. The sky is blue in the morning.
   I love looking out the window next to my bed when I wake up to be greeted by a pretty blue sky!

Speaking of the window next to my bed, this morning when I woke up I found, sitting beneath the window my kitty Floss playing with the power cord for my hair straightners!!

Here’s a picture I snapped of little miss innocent sitting next to the power cord in question, after I told her off.