big announcement!

I'm so excited to announce that my camera workshops (yes, that is plural!) are now available online! I've recently launched TWO courses on Skillshare:

The How To Work It Series

This course is designed to teach the beginner how to shoot their camera in manual mode and truly understand how to work it!

Here's a little preview:

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- AND -

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The Workflow Like a Pro Series

This course takes you through my workflow in Adobe Lightroom and shows you how I organize files and edit them.

Here's a preview of this class:

Both of these classes include 4 video lessons, PDF notes and my heart and soul :) 

If you've never used Skillshare before, they are currently doing a promotion where you can get 2 months for FREE! Yes, that is right- you can go through my entire course for FREE for the next two months. It's kind of wonderful.

Click below to get signed up!

camera myths • what camera should you buy?

It's one of the questions I get asked the most:

“I want to buy a nice camera that takes great pictures. Which one should I buy?”

There are MANY great options on the market- but I have to say- you're asking the wrong question....because my answer is:

It really doesn't matter. 

As long as you buy a new-ish (made in the past 5 years or so) DSLR (one that can change lenses) camera made by a major brand (i.e. Canon or Nikon), you're good. Any camera that has been made that recently will be more than capable of taking the photos you desire. 

Trust me, I know- my first real, professional Nikon was a 2 megapixel camera. TWO MEGAPIXELS. I made HUGE prints from those image files...and now my iPhone shoots images triple that size!

In fact, if you are eBay savvy, you can get some great deals buying cameras used! That's right- I buy most all of my equipment used or refurbished. Of course, I do have my equipment serviced yearly by the Nikon factory to be sure it is in great working shape. 

You can also rent a camera from places like The Lens Depot or Borrow Lenses so that you can have a test drive before you buy.

If you still need to be told the EXACT camera you should buy, check out Recommended Cameras on KenRockwell.com. I have loved Ken's reviews and found them to be accurate throughout my career.

What DOES matter- is the lens you're putting on that camera. 

Your lens is essentially the "eye" of your camera, and your camera body is the brain. If your eyes can't see well, they won't be able to help the brain create a very good image. 

So, if you're the average DSLR hobbyist or just starting out- get a good camera body- and then choose to really invest in great lenses. 

More info in this video, and some helpful links for you below:

P.S. This is the lens I recommend for your first lens purchase! It doesn't do everything, but it packs a punch for it's small size and price! ----> Nikon  Canon

Here's a great article on a crop sensor vs. full frame sensor. 

PHOTO WORKSHOPS

Lissa Anglin loves to teach beginners how to use their DSLR cameras. She offers e-courses, free tips and tricks on how to shoot better photos from a Mom and a professional photographer's perspective.

my favorite camera lens + the new how to work it workshop!

A week or so ago, I asked my Facebook friends what camera or photography-related questions they had- any question at all! It was so much fun to get a conversation started on the topic I geek out on. :)

Several people wanted to know what my favorite lens was- and here is the answer:

So there you go! 

Also, did you notice the little slide at the end of the video?!? It's something I'm kind of excited about- a dream I've been working on for quite some time- the NEW How to Work It Workshop!

I've been teaching in-person camera classes for a while now, but the more kids we add, the less time I have to make the workshops happen! I've also seen an increase in the amount of people that want to take the course that aren't able to make it to Lubbock. SOOOO......it's going online!

We are still working out some tweaks, but registration should open in the next few weeks!

IF YOU WANT TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE WORKSHOP GOES LIVE, CLICK HERE!

Hope this video was helpful!

Kids in the Sprinklers

After eating at one of our favorite local spots for dinner last night, we got home and it was already 30 min past bedtime. Despite the fact that the kids probably needed to be in bed, we all ended up on the front lawn- the sprinklers were running and that gorgeous golden light was perfect. I don't think Liv had ever really played with the sprinklers, so it was fun to see her explore that and I'm glad I got my "real" camera out to photograph an everyday moment with my kids. 

I really am so thankful that this is our everyday. We are truly blessed!

I thought I'd share my camera settings for you guys who may be interested. I recently purchased a Nikkor 28-70 2.8 lens and I LOVE it. It's not as expensive as it's newer, fancier version, but it's perfect for what I need. I love my prime lenses, but I had a feeling I was missing out on some crucial moments while I spent time changing lenses. So, this lens was the perfect solution. I recently shot an entire wedding with JUST this lens. (Shawn was still working our "usual" lenses the whole time, though). So, I might be a little obsessed. :)

ALL IMAGES:

Nikon Df, Nikkor 28-70 2.8 lens, ISO 400

I shoot in RAW all the time, and had to bring up the exposure in Lightroom at least one stop, so I should have had a higher ISO to begin with- 800 or 1000 would have been a safe place to start, considering all the movement I was capturing and the setting sun.

I also used the VSCO Kodak Gold 100 for the color images and my own B&W Preset for Lightroom on all of these.

Photo info is below each image. :)

65mm, 3.5 1/160, ISO 400

48mm, 3.5, 1/160, ISO 400

28mm, 3.5, 1/160, ISO 400

50mm, 3.5, 1/250, ISO 400

70mm, 3.5, 1/250, ISO 400

56mm, 3.5, 1/200, ISO 400

52mm, 3.5, 1/200, ISO 400

28mm, 3.5m 1/200, ISO 400

50mm, 3.5, 1/200, ISO 400

35mm, 3.5, 1/200, ISO 400

So what do you think? Did you like seeing my camera settings? Have any questions? Let me know in the comments!

i'm doing a workshop! • the experience

I can hardly believe this is actually happening- but I am planning a workshop this winter! I have always wanted to be about the business of helping other photographers like I have been helped myself, and this is that dream. Save the date!

This workshop will be limited to a small number of attendees to ensure that each are able to get an in-depth, personal experience. If you would like to get on the workshop mailing list and be notified when registration is open (and get an early registration discount!), please email me at lissa.anglin@me.com, or use the contact form in the menu bar.