If you are new to Photography, or new to accurate Photography, then you have probably struggled with white balance on more than enough occasions. But with the advancement of today's camera bodies, you almost have to try to get the white balance wrong. The presets on most cameras ie. indoor, sunlight, fluorescent etc. do a pretty good job at getting the it correct. Even the AWB on some cameras may be your best option if you are in a jam. Try it out to see if it's useful!
White balance becomes most challenging when mixing different light sources. Event Photographers should have the most experience in this, as they generally shoot in a mixture of incandescent and flash lighting. No matter the situation, the best way to achieve accurate white balance is by using a white balance card. WhiBal makes a great kit. Getting it right in camera will save you countless hours in post.
If you do find yourself fixing images in post, the fastest and perhaps the best place to start is in Adobe Camera Raw. View the tutorial (external site).
Unboxing videos have grown more and more popular over the past few years. On YouTube alone, some users have generated millions of views on their account just by allowing others to join in on their recent purchases. This is a great way to take advantage of all aspects of your craft. Use each element to your advantage.
A professional Photographer does not have much to offer if he or she can not reach their audience. In this age, there are so many avenues to take such as the internet, advertisements, blogs, social networks and of course word of mouth. Now, those that stand out are the ones going above and beyond. A simple unboxing video is a great way to broaden your audience and also a way to quickly put that new equipment to use.
Tips on a good unboxing video:
1) External audio. Audio is just as important as video. It is recommended to use an external audio source such as a personal recorder or a boom mic. Generally, on-board mics pic up a lot of background ambiance and offer low quality vocals at best. However, it is great to have the internal mic recording at the same time as a means for backup.
2) Keep it short. As with any visual story, it should be told in the least amount of time possible, without disregarding needed content. An unboxing video is just that, an unboxing. It does not take long and should not be weighed down with any unnecessary information. Also, if the video is too long, you may lose the interest of your viewers.
3) Video Quality. With digital prices dropping across every manufacturing line, there is no excuse to offer poor quality video. The development of "Flip" style cameras was a great launch into consumer HD, and these little gems can be had for as little as $200USD. One YouTube user that has had great success with these cameras is MysteryGuitarMan, who recently crossed over the 1,000,000 subscriber mark.
5) Keep it simple. At the end of the day, no matter what type of video you are producing, you are telling a story. Certain elements are needed to tell a story and it is your job to control those elements. An unboxing video does not need any fancy editing, just basic color correction. Don't over-think it. And as with all your work, include something in the video to let the viewers know who you are. This can be a watermark, credits or even just simple splash of personality.
Professional Photographer Magazine is a great place for the amateur and professional alike. They offer insight on business plans, tutorials and technical details to suit almost any aspect of the craft. Not only is it a great site to visit for a refresh, but they also give you the option to sign up for their newsletter, and offer a free online magazine. Click here to download this months issue. This organization should be on every Photographer's email list. For more, visit: http://www.ppmag.com/.
