Dexter Yarbrough: Avoiding photography clichés

For professional shutterbugs such as Dexter Yarbrough, the digitalization of photography really increased the popularity of the craft. The heightened accessibility of digital cameras and other photography tools continues to encourage people to try out photography. However, not all of them meet success. Some, if not many, find themselves failing because they continue to commit photography clichés such as the following:

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• Capturing flowers, pets, and sunsets. In photography, choosing a subject can basically make or break the appeal of the final photo. With this said, most amateurs are tempted to use flowers, pets, and sunsets as their subjects primarily because of their innate beauty and charm. However, photography experts, such as Dexter Yarbrough, advise people to not overuse these subjects. Yes, they may be beautiful, but capturing a photo of an unpleasant sight and turning it into an artistically attractive scene is much more rewarding in a photographer’s point of view.

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• Mindless black and white shots. Another photography cliché that people should avoid is turning almost all of their photos into black and white. Black and white photos are effective if the photographers want to emphasize form or contrast, but beyond that, they should consider embracing the different colors around them and taking shots of the beauty they bring.

At the end of the day, photography is not entirely about shutter speeds and apertures but about thinking outside of the box to tell a story that photographers want to share with the world. If photographers take this to heart, they will be able to avoid clichés and truly start making their mark in the competitive yet rewarding industry.

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Visit www.djyphotography.com to learn more about Dexter Yarbrough and photography.

Dexter Yarbrough: Taking landscape shots

For photographers like Dexter Yarbrough, one of the greatest challenges in the profession is taking landscape photos. With nature offering so much beauty, it seems so easy to just take the camera outdoors and shoot. But the real test for any photographer is to capture nature’s beauty in its purest form.

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The following are some tips on how to get that breathtaking landscape shot.

1. After composing the image in mind, walk or drive closer to the subject and try again. Proximity to the subject can change the view dramatically.

2. When your subject is of indeterminate size, a mountain for example, add a sense of scale by including something of known size, such as a person, a car, a tree, or an animal. Seasoned photographers like Dexter Yarbrough believe this helps viewers understand what they’re looking at.

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3. The best building shots balance light from three different sources: skylight, streetlights, and lights from within the building.

4. Nighttime photographs almost always require long exposures. This means using a tripod to hold the camera perfectly still while the shutter is open.

5. Look at the scene through different lenses, from wide-angle to telephoto, and think about how each lens affects it.

Perhaps, the best advice for photographers when taking landscape photos is to take time to explore. Part of the joy of landscape photography is communing with nature. Wander around and get a sense of the place. It will take time to discover the best way to show what makes nature simply captivating.

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For more information about Dexter Yarbrough and landscape photography, visit www.djyphotography.com.

Dexter Yarbrough: Keeping images simple and gorgeous

Simplicity in composition is a potent but overlooked aspect in taking good photographs. While a little variety is acceptable—even desirable—in some cases, professional photographers, like Dexter Yarbrough often strive to keep their photographic subjects simple to focus on capturing the essence of their subject better. Whether commercial or amateur, single-subject photos can display beauty in simplicity, regardless of the backdrop.

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To achieve simplicity, the subject of an image does not need to be the only image in the picture. However, in these cases, there is only one subject—an object, group of objects, or interaction—that dominates the picture. This single subject, when taking place in the crowd, should be isolated through lighting or focus when taking place in areas like the outdoors where excessive detail could draw attention away from the subject.
 

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For photographers, like Dexter Yarbrough, who try to achieve simplicity in a photograph, capturing the right amount of detail is the key. The details captured of objects other than the subject would ideally be minimal or would stand in stark contrast to the subject. It takes a trained eye and a lot of skill to achieve this in events, but once achieved, the results are stunning.
 

Dexter Yarbrough Photo Credit: circuitmag.net

Gorgeous photography subjects can come from the simplest of arrangements. Following a simple composition can help photographers create better images.

Read more about Dexter Yarbrough and his services at DJYPhotography.com.

Making moments: Dexter Yarbrough and wedding photography

Dexter Yarbrough. Photo credit: WeddingFresno.org

Photographs can help preserve the best moments in life. Events photographers like Dexter Yarbrough are tasked with making each moment preserved the best they could be to ensure that the memories captured by each photo would be fondly remembered by the happy couple and their loved ones for years to come.

Dexter Yarbrough. Photo credit: OceanHawaiianWeddings.com

Wedding photography—and, indeed, event photography—need to follow the event as it plays through. Photographers have to be alert to where the events would take place and to ensure that their cameras are geared for most of the shots. In most cases, multiple photographers may need a director to fully and creatively cover the entire event.

When done properly the results can be stunning.

Dexter Yarbrough and other photographers from DJY Photography offer a unique, creative, and professional approach to capturing the essence of the event itself. DJY Photography and Video has behind it over 15 years of experience in event coverage, and provides customizable packages that include engagement portraits, rehearsal dinner coverage, wedding story photo book, flush mount album, DVD slideshows, online gallery and print orders, airbrushing, and the like.

Dexter Yarbrough. Photo credit: SahuaritaWeddingPhotographer.com

Dexter Yarbrough and the team at DJY Photography are passionate about photography and have a range of experience in portraiture, landscapes, special events, weddings, and other occasions. The team is also adept in using photo enhancement software to enhance the appearance of photos based on the clients’ liking. More information can be accessed at DJYPhotography.com.

Dexter Yarbrough: Characteristics that make a good photographer

Simply said, a photographer cannot prosper through skills alone. This Dexter Yarbrough blog will enumerate some of the characteristics that constitute a good photographer.

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Someone once said that the best part of a camera is the thing that lies behind it, which is, to say, the photographer who handles it. In this sense, people can perceive photography as an art that revolves around attitude. Without a responsible photographer to operate the camera, no matter how advance the equipment may be, no appealing photos will ever arise.


With this said, here are some traits that make up an efficient photographer:


• Has a clear vision. Being a good photographer is, in a manner, akin to being a good storyteller. Seasoned photographers like Dexter Yarbrough advise amateur shutterbugs to plan ahead before partaking in any shooting session. Just like storytellers, photographers should have a vivid vision of the story they want to share with their audience. But instead of words, they have images as their medium.

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• Passion is key. Many agree that utmost dedication to the craft of photography is far more important than any skill in the profession. When people are dedicated to do something, they are willing to give their time and effort just to improve. As many experts say, a good photographer need not be an expert, but a person who is dedicated to becoming an expert.

Photography can be hard at times, especially for beginners. But with the right attitude and perspective, simple photography enthusiasts can become experts in their own right, no matter how long it takes.

Dexter Yarbrough Photo Credit: circuitmag.net

See Dexter Yarbrough’s portfolio by visiting www.djyphotography.com.

Dexter Yarbrough on the history of landscape photography

Dexter Yarbrough photo credit: seancameronmckee.com

Landscape photography is a favored genre of many photographers, including the award-winning Dexter Yarbrough of the Chicago-based DJY photography. Read on to explore the history of this beloved photographic genre.

Landscape, as an art, has been around since ancient times. The Greeks and Romans were known for their landscape artworks that were painted on walls. In photography, landscape was as early as the first camera. After all, the first photograph was taken from a window by French inventor Nicéphore Niépce in 1826. Soon after the commercialization of the camera, many photographers have taken shots of numerous landscapes, such as deserts, rivers, oceans, mountains, and many others.

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Landscape photography was further promoted when Dr. Peter Henry Emerson promoted naturalism in photography in 1889. Over the years, techniques in taking landscapes have proliferated, which basically include light, design, and symbolic references. Based on Dexter Yarbrough’s experiences as a professional photographer, ambient lights are important in landscape photography. Photographers rely on natural lights and colors to depict the mood they want to express.

Today, landscape photography is considered as a way for photographers to express their relationship with the environment, a reflection of how they respond to external stimuli. Photographers look for the perfect angle, moment, and light to capture an entrancing scene from nature.

Landscape photography has gone a long way from the first primitive camera to today’s digitally saturated industry. Nevertheless, taking landscape shots has never been easy. Landscape photographers must have the experience and mastery of a plethora of techniques to truly capture a work of art.

From Dexter Yarbrough

If you’re looking for a professional for a landscape photo session, visit Dexter Yarbrough at his website, www.dexteryarbroughphotography.com.

Capturing precious smiles: Dexter Yarbrough and baby photography

Fleeting moments captured in pixels inspire photographers like Dexter Yarbrough to maintain their passion and excellence on the job.


Moments of new beginnings, for example, are just too good to pass up, and newborns best symbolize them. Add to these the baby’s gradual growing-up activities -- the first smile, first head turn, first arm and feet movement, and many other firsts that are worthy of every shutter count – and parents become wont to seek a professional photographer's help in capturing such special moments.

Dexter Yarbrough Photo Credit: Smashinghub.com

Taking photographs of kids aged 0-2


There are various ways to treat subjects of baby photography according to age:


• For newborns, photographers prefer to use minimal props. Locations are not the primary concern since the baby can be focused on even with an empty background.

Dexter Yarbrough Photo Credit: Ourbabynews.com

• Professional photographers, like Dexter Yarbrough, also take note of the difference between subjects who can stand, pose, and smile by themselves and those who are not aware they’re being photographed. Therefore, they suggest that the session be held when the baby is fast asleep, so as to avoid crying and other cases of baby emergencies.

• Moreover, the shoot should be fun and spontaneous, and the main attraction should be the precious little one. The photographers should also be keen with light settings and use minimal flash to avoid distracting the kids.

Dexter Yarbrough Photo Credit: More4kids.info

Dexter Yarbrough is a member of the Professional Photographers of America. To view his works, you may visit his website.

Dexter Yarbrough: Be a street smart photographer

Photography enthusiasts often find themselves saying, "What a scene! I wish I brought my camera!"


DJY Photography founder Dexter Yarbrough advices amateur photographers to avoid such a bummer by arming themselves with cameras all the time. This should be the case especially when exploring familiar territories.

From Dexter Yarbrough

Photographers are mostly likely to take for granted the details that a familiar street or town offer. What seems to be ordinary should not be the case for photographers with a knack for creativity. With ordinary moments comes a wide spectrum of opportunities for an artistic capture. For example, a man resting on a bench, people running for covers when rain suddenly falls, children playing in the park, and a bus driver interacting with passengers are great photo opportunities.


Dexter Yarbrough notes that an excellent photo has editorial value, that is, it tells a story with a touch of drama in it. Photographers have to be always ready when taking fleeting moments like these.

From Dexter Yarbrough

Scouring for new locations is not necessary when taking unique shots. The scenes that are happening at the moment may be totally different from those that occurred an hour ago.


Close up shots have great dramatic appeal especially when shooting portraits of old people. The creases and lines on their faces tell stories of their old age.


Lastly, taking as much photos of one subject as possible will be an advantage. This is a good way of making sure to have the chance to get that perfect photo.

From Dexter Yarbrough

View Dexter Yarbrough’s online gallery at www.djyphotography.com.