1. Make sure that your cameraʼs autofocus is actually in focus.

Most autofocus cameras require that you press the shutter button down halfway to focus the camera. If you just press the shutter button all the way down, the camera may not have time to achieve sharp focus. Most cameras have an illuminated dot in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen that indicates whether or not the camera is in focus. A red dot or blinking dot while the shutter button is pressed halfway means that the camera is not focussed. You might be too close to your subject or your subject may not have enough contrast in it for the camera to determine where to set the focus.

2. Donʼt use the built-in flash (unless you have to).

On-camera flash is harsh and very unflattering. The on-camera flash casts dark shadows which look bad and unprofessional. Instead, turn on all the lights in the room or bring your subject into a well lit area.

3. Donʼt put peoplesʼ heads in the center of the picture.

Aiming the camera so that a subjectʼs head is in the center of the picture leaves a lot of space above the head. This empty space draws oneʼs
attention away from the person and is distracting. Compose the picture (aim the camera) so that the personʼs head is near the top of the picture.

4. Fill the picture frame with your subject.

Many people take all their pictures with the subject (a person, pet or object) occupying only a small area of the picture. Move in closer or use the zoom so that your subject fills the picture area.

5. Be proactive.

Great shots are usually made, not simply taken. Arrange people and props to make more interesting photos. Take some posed shots and some candid shots. If youʼre not getting great candid shots, be proactive. Get the people together talking or doing some activity in a well lit area. Get yourself into a good position to get the great candid photos.

Photography Classes

Did you know I teach photography classes in Clearwater, FL? I am running a holiday special: buy 1 photography class, get 2nd 50% off! If you’re getting someone a camera as a gift, they could also use a lesson to learn how to really use it.

The Designing with Art Showcase is an exhibit we created to highlight the work of 11 interior designers and give insight into how they use art in their spaces. To celebrate the last day of this event, we’re hosting a party at Menaul Fine Art and everyone is invited. We are going to have an expert mixologist supplying drinks out of his book on all natural party drinks. (Non-alcoholic drinks will be available too, of course.) We’re also doing art and crafts, sculpting Christmas ornaments. $20 gets you in the door with a drink in one hand and Sculpey clay in the other. My studio is also an official Toys for Tots drop-off spot so please bring some gifts for kids that could use a happy holiday!

This Saturday, October 2, 2010, my gallery is hosting the bronze sculptures of Nina Winters and the handmade glass jewelry of Leslie Belcher. The doors open at 6:30pm and the official unveiling of new artwork is at 8:00pm. I feel honored to get to house this exhibit in my art gallery. Nina’s sculptures are striking, bold and fun. Leslie’s fine glass jewelry is beautiful, elegant and unique. Their works both contrast with and compliment each other.

We will be hosting more Clearwater art events throughout October and the rest of the year and I will keep you posted!

Working with clients, I have seen how challenging it can be to bring order to a house and design and decorate it. It’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to coordinate all the elements at once–paint colors, flooring, curtains, furniture, etc. Often I am brought in to create art as the final piece to a total redesign that has been going on for 3-4 years.

Knowing that home decorating and design is such a large issue people, it makes me proud to announce a new site I have been helping create. Art-Decorating-Ideas.com is a resource for people tackling their own redesign projects. The site aims to lead a beginner up through the basics of design and color theory and give helpful tips and tricks about every aspect of home decorating.

The site has just launched but you can expect upcoming articles from professional interior designers and decorators, so keep an eye on it!

How to hang a triptych (three art pieces) in a straight line. This technique can be used for precisely positioning and hanging any wall artwork. Created by Menaul Fine Art.

Tony’s runs the blog Indietrak with SEO and marketing tips for musicians trying to make it on their own. He has decades of experience as a record producer and marketer and he has been serious about utilizing the internet since 1995 when he created the online community Cybertown that grew to over 1 million members.

He’ll be doing three seminars covering all aspects of SEO and social media marketing. The next two are “Secrets of Making Great Money with Niche Affiliate Marketing” and “Social Media for Artists.”

Call me at 727-726-7411 and I’ll get you signed up! You can prepay through Paypal too.

Pre-pay for the seminars

1 Seminar $25.00 2 Seminars – 10% Off – $45.00 3 Seminars – 15% Off – $63.75

Menaul Art Printing in Clearwater, FL is an art gallery that offers a variety of services from custom abstract artwork to art/photo reproduction for other artists and photo retouching and restoration.

View high resolution on HDRCreme.com

The “New Visions” exhibit features amazing shots and everyone should check it out!