When you are coming up with a design for a client, have you ever had that wonderful moment of inspiration, where you think of the perfect image for the piece? Or perhaps you work backwards by cruising through a stock photography website, searching for an image to inspire your design.
Either way, it can be extremely difficult or nearly impossible for graphic designers to find the perfect photograph for a project. Sometimes it can be more cost effective and efficient to take the shot yourself!
I know you may be thinking, “I am a designer, not a photographer,” but if you have any interest in photography or any photo equipment at home, then Do It Yourself (D.I.Y.) may be an idea worth exploring.
There are several benefits to dabbling in photography. You can become a one-stop-shop for your client, who won’t have to purchase the images from a third-party vendor. Plus, you will get more creative control over the design and maybe even another source of income, if you can successfully sell your images to clients or to stock photography companies.
If D.I.Y. photography sounds like an enticing idea, then check out the four related links below, which are websites and individual blog posts dealing with topics in D.I.Y. photography:
At-home tabletop photography sites
A tabletop photography studio is a small setup that you can use in your home to achieve the right kind of background and lighting to accent small objects. This ehow.com article gives a quick overview of the items you’ll need and how to set-up and test a D.I.Y. tabletop photography studio. Also check out the site Tabletopstudio.com, which has tips, workshops and product information for at-home tabletop photographers.
General D.I.Y. photography sites
Diyphotography.net is dedicated to helping regular photographers take professional-grade pictures. The site offers very detailed tips and tutorials, and features a lot of reader submitted content and input. On lifehacker.com, there is a blog post, 10 D.I.Y. Photography Tools, which offers very specific and useful tips for those who want to get outside and shoot artful and inspired pictures. On Flickr.com, you can also find helpful groups and discussions, such as the New & Learning Group, where you can share ideas and learn from thousands of other new photographers like yourself!
