I’ve been binge watching cooking shows during the summer. Nigella, Jamie, Anthony and Man vs Food (don’t judge me) are a few of my faves. Food porn is awesome. I watch in a Homer Simpson style stupor “mmmmmm donuts….” and the great thing about these shows is I can gorge on them all summer long and still fit into my jeans at the end of it. So aside from learning how to make chocolate filled donuts using a brioche pastry (the secret to a good brioche is chilling it overnight), I also realised that many of the principles used to create amazing meals can also be applied to the way we edit our photos. 1. You can’t make a Filet Mignon with Spam I’m yet to hear Nigella, Jamie or Anthony utter the words: “just start with the cheapest ingredients, canned, packet, freeze dried is fine. Forget about the preparation,...

Photography can be an expensive hobby. But it doesn’t have to be if you make some smart buying decisions. In this episode, Gina and Valerie – who both love a bargain – discuss when you should buy new and when it’s smarter to buy secondhand. Gina reveals her negotiating tips for buying new. And provides a smart framework on which to base your decisions if you’re buying secondhand. You’ll discover: the questions to ask, how to check lenses, what to look out for and telltale signs that you’re buying a dud. #ginachallenge #bargain Click play to listen to the podcast or find it on iTunes here. If you don’t use iTunes you can get the feed here, or listen to us on Stitcher radio. Show notes Useful links Snickers Just Turned the Photoshop Fail Into an Ad Listener question From Beth Lacelle Alexander I volunteer every week at my local...

When you want to take your photography to the next level, one of your first purchases is a lighting kit. But this can be a daunting prospect. There are so many options, so many brands, and umpteen accessories to choose from. So what’s the best way to ensure you have the right lighting kit? In this episode, Gina and Valerie discuss what your first lighting purchase should be if you’re a newbie. And then the accessories you can add to this as you progress as a photographer. If you’re a pro-photographer, Gina reveals the equipment you need if you want to get serious. We outline lighting kits at $200, $400, $700, $1500, $3000 and $7000 depending on your budget and experience. #ginachallenge #seeinglight Click play to listen to the podcast or find it on iTunes here. If you don’t use iTunes you can get the feed here, or listen to...

We spend a great deal of time taking care of our lenses, camera bodies, lights and accessories but very little thought goes into taking good care on the one item that makes it possible to do our job well: our eyes. For every hour spent shooting there is usually two hours spent editing and that means spending long nights staring at a computer screen, which may lead to irreparable eye damage. I’m a huge fan of alternative health hacks and the other day I heard a fantastic interview with Dr John Dewitt who had the following tips to maintaining great eye health when spending long hours staring at a screen. Try these out next time you’re pulling an all nighter editing photos. Your eyes will love you for it. Blink 20 Did you know that when staring at a screen most people blink 66% less than they should be. This...

You love photography and you’re taking a bunch of awesome shots. But you want to showcase your images beyond your Instagram. In this episode, Gina and Valerie discuss the steps you need to take to get your photos published in magazines, newspapers and online. Gina reveals the key actions she’s taken to become a successful photographer. And Valerie, who is a former photo editor and magazine editor, reveals what editorial teams look for when choosing shots to publish. #ginachallenge #lookatme Click play to listen to the podcast or find it on iTunes here. If you don’t use iTunes you can get the feed here, or listen to us on Stitcher radio. Show notes Useful links Yongnuo LED Light A peek inside the camera bags of some of the best photographers in the world. Lightroom Book Lightroom Power User: 148 Pages of Tips & Tricks to Supercharge Your Lightroom Experience Promo...

I’m a sucker for reality music contests. Idol, X-Factor, The Voice, Romania’s Got Talent. Watching these shows makes me happy in the same way opening a fresh jar of Nutella, or spotting a Fiat 500 driving up a laneway in Sicily make me happy. The other night as I was binge watching American Idol’s final season, I realised that this is so much more than a talent show. American Idol has become my Mr Miyagi, Yoda and Oprah rolled into one. Yep, I think it’s that good. Here are a five lessons American Idol taught me about photography. 1. Passion vs Perfect “Work hard! In the end, passion and hard work beats out natural talent.” – Pete Docter If Passion and Perfect had a race, Passion would win. I have watched so many American Idol contestants step onto the audition stage and belt out pitch perfect renditions of Whitney Houston’s...

This is a cracker of an episode because it’s about getting that extra 1% into your shots. But it’s that 1% can make all the difference. Gina and Valerie discuss the hacks you can use to really give your photographs an edge. From how to do great leaping shots, to getting movement in clothes so you can really bring your image to life, you’ll discover techniques that can help all your shots. You’ll also learn how to use wind to bring movement to the hair of your subjects without making your shots look like a music video from a bad Eighties hair band. #ginachallenge #air Click play to listen to the podcast or find it on iTunes here. If you don’t use iTunes you can get the feed here, or listen to us on Stitcher radio. Show notes Gina’s new book! You can buy it from Digital Photography School Listener...

Canon 5D MK111 24-105mm L series F22 @1/640th sec ISO 400 “Don’t live the same year 75 times and call it a life.” – Robin Sharma