show episodes
 
A photography show to help photographers become better visual storytellers so they can take better photos to share, sell and remember. Welcome to our photography podcast, The Photo Flunky Show, hosted by William & Lee Beem. Photography offers limitless options and there are plenty of voices in the field. Our weekly show emphasizes the importance of story and creativity to help you visualize the photo in your head before you ever click the shutter, as well as helping you understand your gear ...
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show series
 
Every photo needs post-processing, even if it's only to sharpen the photo. The biggest problem we see in post-processing is the tendency to overdo your editing. In this episode, we'll offer 10 tips to help you achieve your post-processing goals with as little effort as possible. The post 10 Secrets About Post Processing appeared first on William Be…
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We discuss photography etiquette to help you understand the Dos and Don'ts of different photography situations. Recognize the signs and know which boundaries to push and when to let go. The post 10 Secrets about Photography Etiquette appeared first on William Beem Photography. Visit the show notes at: https://williambeem.com/episode276…
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Everyone needs photography training. The problem is that not all photography training is equal, or even good. We'll give you 10 things to understand when choosing your training. Attending a course by one of your favorite photographers may be great or it could cause you to lose faith. Not every great photographer is a great teacher. The post 10 Secr…
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We share 10 creative photography secrets in this episode. If you're technically minded, but struggling with creativity, we can help you break through the mindset to learn how to be creative. Creative difficulty comes from a lack of experience and possibly a lack of confidence. Don't worry. We've all been there. In this episode, we'll break down the…
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Lenses in photography have a dramatic impact on your results. They determine your composition, depth, and image quality more than any other component. We'll help you understand what's important for your photography. Do you need prime or zoom lenses? Is the most expensive lens always the best? We'll discuss those issues and more in this episode. The…
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Without light in photography, there is no photography. One of the easiest ways to create better photos and evoke emotion is to learn how to control the light in your photos. This episode is part of a larger series of 101 secrets for emerging photographers so it won't take you as long to learn things as I spent figuring it out. The post 10 Secrets A…
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We share 10 secrets about cameras that beginners need to know because those camera vendor ads mislead your expectations. We'll share the truth. You'll learn what things to consider before you spend money on a camera and how to get the best value for your style of photography. The post 10 Secrets About Cameras Beginners Need to Know appeared first o…
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Our 10 secrets for beginning photographers help you eliminate some of the obstacles and confusion that many new photographers have to overcome. These aren't tips about Rule of Thirds or anything like that. Instead, we discuss some of the things you need to understand as an artist and a beginner. You'll learn how to avoid some of the bad advise you'…
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There are things I wish I knew before starting photography. I could've achieved better results, faster. Also, I could've saved money. Learn from my mistakes. You get a lot of advice from photography forums and other well-meaning photographers. Most of it is crap, though. You can't buy your way to success. The post Things I Wish I Knew Before Starti…
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Learn how to photograph a sunrise or sunset with our 6 tips and years of experience. We'll give you ideas that work for beginners and advanced photographers to create something your audience loves. Getting a good photograph of a sunrise or sunset isn't about the sun as your subject. We'll help you understand how you can choose which time of day to …
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We share 7 ways to develop your creative eye in photography. Learn how to pay attention to things you love and get ideas from other types of art so you can become a better photographer. The post 7 Ways to Develop Your CREATIVE Eye appeared first on William Beem Photography. Visit the show notes at: https://williambeem.com/episode267…
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You can take the best travel photos with your smart phone. All you need are the 5 tips we have to share and your eye for storytelling. Smart phone cameras are getting excellent results with newer models constantly improving and adding new features. You can immediately share your photos and also create an instant Cloud backup so you never lose your …
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Should you make money from your photography? Who doesn't want more cash? Of course, going into business is very different from being a photographer. Listen to learn the pros and cons. #photography #business #showmethemoney The post Should You MAKE MONEY from Photography? appeared first on William Beem Photography. Visit the show notes at: https://w…
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Do photographs need post processing? If so, how much? We discuss how your story dictates the needs of your post processing and some ideas how to make the right choices. Different file formats come with post processing from the camera, and others absolutely require some help to get the result you desire. The post Do Photographs NEED Post Processing?…
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We've waited a long time and now we want to visit our ultimate travel photography destinations. We'll let you know where we want to go, why, and our plan for storytelling photos. Whether you want to travel near or far, there are elements of your destination that can appeal to the photos you want to create and the experience you want to have. Come t…
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Successful photographers have one powerful trait in common. They don't let other people hold them back. You're kind of a big deal, but only if you allow yourself the freedom of being one. In this episode, we'll share some tips for you to identify who you want to be as a photographer, identify what's holding you back, and warn you of the biggest ene…
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Are you more creative in camera or in post processing? A good photo is a good photo, so there's no right or wrong. It's important to know your strengths. I don't care how you make your photo as long as I like the result, so don't worry about which way you prefer to craft a photo. Play up your strengths to greatness, rather than build up your weakne…
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We have 10 photography mistakes to avoid in this episode. These are the things that are easy to fix before you click the shutter, but not so much afterward. Keep these problems in mind before you compose. If you make a mistake, it's not the end of the world. People who've taken photos for decades occasionally make these same mistakes. With luck, yo…
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We share 10 photography ideas for outdoors to help you practice with your gear and composition, so you can become a stronger photographer. It's Springtime when we recorded this and we've been shut inside for too long. Get your gear, head outside and find out what happens when you try our 10 photography ideas to use when you're outdoors. The post 10…
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Still locked down? We have 10 photography ideas at home to help you practice and sharpen your skills. Practice is essential for growth. We have a list of 10 ideas that can help you develop essential photography skills and techniques on the days when you're stuck at home. The post 10 Photography Ideas at Home appeared first on William Beem Photograp…
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The perfect camera bag may not be out there, but there sure are a lot of duds. We have 10 factors you should consider before buying your next camera bag. How many camera bags do you need? You'll possibly end up buying more than you need, at least until you find out what matters to you in a camera bag. That's why having a checklist like our 10 facto…
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Is your photography experience social or private? One of the things that changed photography for many of us during the lockdowns is the absence of social interaction that we got from photography. Do you gain creativity from working with others, or do you need to be alone to concentrate on your photography? The post What's Your Photography Experienc…
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The best way to organize Lightroom Classic is to use the method that makes the most sense to you. Many Lightroom Classic trainers ignore this basic truth and go on to teach their way, without giving any path or options for people who just think about things differently. We'll show you a resource that can help you learn how to organize, find and sha…
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We share 5 ways to get tack sharp photos in this episode, and it's easier than you think. If you aren't getting the sharpness an detail you need, check out our episode. We'll tell you why your photos need to be sharp, and where you need sharpness. Then we'll go into the 5 different techniques you can use to ensure that you capture and share tack sh…
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We'll share 5 reasons visual storytelling is something you need to incorporate in your photography. People are wired to consume stories. Give yourself an unfair advantage in your next photo. People engage with visual information much faster than text, and we're infatuated with stories. We'll help you understand why and how to engage your audience w…
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I asked Lee to give me her objections to use off-camera flash in her photography, and she gave me 5 answers...and more. Check out why some folks don't like OCF. Let's be fair, some of her reasons are about convenience and some are about a lack of experience. Does that mean she should embrace off-camera flash, or is she doing just fine with her phot…
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Want to know the best way to organize your photos in Lightroom Classic? It's the method that makes sense to you, and we'll help you create a strategy to organize your photos. It's frustrating to keep wasting your time searching for photos in Lightroom Classic. A little organization isn't that hard, if only you know what tools to use and had a strat…
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Learn 5 reasons why no one likes your photos. it's not just a matter of skill, but also about taste and style. You can learn all the technical skills that you want, but what really matters comes from your heart & soul, and it only appeals to a specific audience. You can never be all things to all people, but you can learn what your audience wants f…
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If you want to create superior photos, there's one rule you need to keep in mind. It's not one you were taught, like the Rule of Thirds. We'll explain the single most important rule in photography. Once you understand this rule, everything else falls into place. It helps you understand the reason why you create photos and how to keep them from suck…
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Creative photography is the objective, not merely documenting some person, place or thing. We'll tell you why adhering to photography rules doesn't lead to creativity. If everyone does the same thing by following the same rules, how do you break out to get noticed? We'll share why it's good to break the photography rules so you can stand out of the…
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Break the photography rules you've always been taught if you ever want to escape mediocrity. Nothing great ever came from following the rules. In this episode, we'll explain when and why photography rules are important to follow. Then we'll tell you why you should break the rules to learn more about your creativity and style. The post Break the Pho…
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Tired of getting blank expressions? Learn how to direct your portrait subjects with one simple technique. We'll also discuss which poses to avoid. In this episode, we discuss: * Get the expression you want * The importance of gesture * How to direct your subjects The post How Do I Direct My Portrait Subjects? appeared first on William Beem Photogra…
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Lens choice can be a tough decision. We'll help you understand how different aspects of your lenses can work for your photography. Sometimes the most expensive lens isn't the best choice. Even if you only have a kit lens, don't dismiss it and think you need to spend more money on an expensive or "pro" lens. A lens is just a tool, and your style of …
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If you want to spend on gear, make sure you get value for your money. There are a lot of cool things on the market, but you probably don't need most of them to make great photos. Take it from a man who got caught up in Gear Acquisition Syndrome and learned which items are really important based upon the type of photography you like. In this episode…
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Never give all your photos away. Your reputation is at stake, and people who ask for all the photos in a session often have a misunderstanding of what you offer. We can help you clear up that issue. There are always photography groups where someone asks what to do when a client asks for all the photos. By then, it's usually too late. You should hav…
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Your reputation as a photographer, or what people think about you, can be the difference between getting someone to hire or collaborate with you or not. Like it or not, everything you say and do impacts your brand as a photographer. Even if you aren't in business, you still want to collaborate, work or share with other people. In this episode, we'l…
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Were talking about how to photograph cities in this episode. There are many approaches you can take, including architectural, cultural, shooting for color and more. You don't have to photograph an entire city in one visit. In fact, it's best to narrow your focus and concentrate on one aspect of city life. As we like to say, think like a coffee tabl…
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Learn how to photograph holidays and family events without ruining the day. You'll capture photos that tell stories for your family for years to come. We'll teach you how to look for moments, stories, emotions and colors that add to your memories. We'll also review how to structure those photos to tell the story of your family gathering. The post H…
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If you want to know how to photograph strangers, we'll share our experiences and advice. You'll get tips about when to get candid photos or posed shots, and how to ethically photograph strangers. Photographing strangers is a great way to share how people live and work in their environment. It's also a great way to remember people you meet and inter…
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Knowing how to photograph kids helps you capture those family moments, yet still get something better than snapshots with Aunt Edna's knee in the photo. We'll help you get the right results. The trick isn't to pose or take over your family gathering and turn it into a photo session. Instead, we'll teach you how to plan and prepare for events to unf…
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AI is a growing trend in photography software, but is AI photography software killing creativity by changing the way we work? The trend for AI powered photography workflow saves time, but it also eliminates a lot of decision points to process a photo. Is this a creativity killer, or just a natural evolution with new technology? The post Is AI Photo…
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Have you tried using creative photography exercises to improve your photos? Photography is like anything else. You gotta do your drills to improve your weak spots. If you play sports, you do drills to build muscles and reactions to events in your game. Creative photography exercises help you automatically react to find the best opportunities for ph…
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Color photography should't include random colors that lack harmony. In this episode, we'll help you organize your color photography to make an impact. You'll learn how to choose colors that work together using color harmonies, themes and mood. As a bonus, Lee shares a tip to enhance your colors quickly and easily in Lightroom or other post processi…
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