Show your best images to the world by posting in the Shutterbug Photo of the Day gallery. Here’s the quick and easy procedure along with some tips to help you navigate to the right place, and even some advice about composition and subject matter.

When you post to our Photo of the Day Gallery there’s a chance that your image may be featured on our homepage for all to see. The internet reaches even the most remote corners of our planet and endures essentially forever. You may even hear from friends you haven’t seen in years, after they see your photo on Shutterbug.

Get Started
It all begins with a Shutterbug account. Registering is FREE and fast, and we do not misuse your contact information. Once registered, log in and navigate to the GALLERIES tab. From there select Shutterbug Photo of the Day.

Go Directly To Upload
If you are logged into your account and want to go directly to the upload section, click on this Go To Upload link. Bookmark it so in the future you’ll be able to connect in seconds. Just remember you must be logged in to your Shutterbug account for the link to work.

You can create a persistent login (“Remember me”) event so you don’t have to log in fresh every time you visit our website. If you see the warning “You are not authorized to access this page” it means you’re not logged in.

After uploading, check and confirm that the image is visible in the gallery. If you see an entry that reads, “0kb,” something went wrong. Try again.

Specifications
Each day, one image from our Photo of the Day Gallery is featured on our homepage as a thumbnail that links to the larger version. The aspect ratio of the thumbnail image window is 16×9. If your image doesn’t match, the system will automatically crop it to make it fit. It’s not something we do; our software crops without our guidance.

The full, uncropped image is still available in the gallery, but the thumbnail that attracts viewers to click may be altered unless you make aspect ratio adjustments before you post.

Maximum file size is 5 megabytes. That’s plenty big for web viewing. Sometimes we see posts that have 0kb files size indicated. That usually means the poster tried to upload a file that was too large.

Please include explanatory details about how and where the picture was taken. Please list camera, lens, f/stop, shutter speed and ISO setting so that our readers can learn from your experience. Details about the location are always good, and if you shot on film and scanned, or used a smart phone, everyone wants to know stuff like that, too.

Common sense tells you to not reveal the name or any personal identification information about people in the picture. And while we are on that subject, we strongly emphasize that by submitting a photo that contains recognizable people, you confirm that you have unrestricted permission from the subject(s).

All Images are Reviewed
All submitted images are carefully reviewed before they are published. No advertising is allowed. And needless to say, we’re not interested in receiving any NSFW images.

Generally, the images you upload are published to the gallery after review the next day, usually before 7am Eastern. But the special Photo of the Day badge might take a little longer. The image you submit might appear as the Photo of the Day a few days after you submit it, if it’s received on the same day as a more compelling picture. So even if you upload a great shot on Monday and it’s not selected as Tuesday’s PoD, it may still be chosen later.

Inspiration & Tips
Take a look at our Photo of the Day gallery to see some truly inspiring work that covers a wide range of subjects. Bird photography is always a favorite, and we see many outstanding photos of our feathered friends. Night scenes and landscapes are likewise prominent.

Here are some valuable tips from our readers and staff.

Express yourself in color or monochrome—it’s all up to you. Show off your photo editing skills, too, and if you use a certain plug-in, be sure to tell everyone what you used.

Avoid centering the subject if you can. Feel free to break this rule when in-the-middle is the layout you prefer, but normally a photo becomes stronger when the subject is artfully positioned in the frame. Cameras tend to focus on what’s in the center, but photographers don’t have to.

Keep in mind that image thumbnail is presented small and at relatively low resolution. Use discretion when considering images that contain important details that are too tiny to identify.

Exercise your creative spirit. There are no “bad” photos aside from those that are corrupted technically (under/over exposed, blank, unintentionally grainy, blurry or out-of-focus). Share your creativity with everyone.

Try something new. Shoot monochrome, high contrast black & white, streaking lights, Cross Processed images—whatever you can imagine. Especially, experiment with any creative or special effects features built into your camera.

Photo of the Day Celebrity Linn Smith
Photographer Linn Smith has been uploading to Shutterbug’s Photo of the Day gallery for a very long time. Virtually every visitor to our website has had the pleasure of viewing at least one of Linn’s magnificent bird images. You can enjoy the same authority and attract your own followers by posting your best images.

The photo at the top of this article was submitted by Linn Smith and is used with permission. This is an image anyone would be proud to hang on their wall.

Here again is the DIRECT LINK to upload your photos. To access the upload area via this link you must have an account and be logged in. You can create a persistent login so you do not have to log in fresh every time you visit our website.

Become a Member of the Shutterbug Community
Register for a free account. Sign up for our newsletter. Spend five minutes (or less) uploading your best shots once every week or so. Potentially become a Shutterbug Photo of the Day winner. Enjoy viewing the fantastic work being done by thousands of photographers all over the world—and add your images to the enduring collection.

 

– Shutterbug Staff

By the time you read this week’s Photography News, I’ll have left the continent of Europe to be within shouting distance of the Equator. I’m spending the next two weeks in a natural paradise populated by hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers, and of course great people. Meanwhile, I have some interesting equipment to test and some new experiences to bring back. Oversight of our weekly news will pass to Spencer for the time being – I’ll see you again when I return!

Photographic models come in all sizes, genders, ages, ethnicities, education levels and personalities. Whether you’re a cute as four-week-old chipmunk or as peculiar as a blobfish, your chances of success improve immeasurably when you prepare thoroughly. The modeling game, so I am told, is very slow right now, and AI is certain to make it worse. So what? There’s no one quite like you. Go for it.

1. Avoid 4-alarm chili, undercooked squid and/or tequila shooters the night before.
Unless that’s your normal daily diet, that is. The point: avoid anything that might cause a growling tummy, bloodshot eyes or bad demeaner.

2. Be prepared to start early.
Most photographers like to start early, before the sun gets too high in the sky. Some like to work around the so-called Golden Hour much later in the day. Every photographer is different, so confirm the schedule well in advance, especially if the location requires some driving time for you or for them.

3. Don’t be alarmed if the photographer hopes for overcast weather.
Shadows are not your friend. Photographers can use reflectors, fill-flash or careful posing to sidestep high contrast lighting, but most agree that Open Shade or an overcast day is primo.

4. Makeup — DIY or pay a pro?
The flu pandemic had negative impact on the world of traveling makeup artists, at least that’s been my experience. If you must use a professional beautician, it will probably be one with a shop, and will likely be the day before the shoot. Plan accordingly.

Most amateur models do their own makeup. I state this without scientific data; this is what I have observed. If using a pro makes you feel more confident, by all means, don’t hesitate. It’s likely, however, that the face you wear every day is more than adequate. And of course, you can also do without cosmetics altogether.

Yes, photographers can use Photoshop to banish a blemish and even remove age lines if requested. But will they? Editing takes time and time is money. And there is a point at which flattering editing becomes artful deception—but that’s your business, not mine.

5. Clarify the terms, deliverables, Model Release requirements and time involved.
Don’t be shy about clarifying and confirming who pays for what and who owns the work product. The abbreviation “TFP” means “Time For Prints” or “Trade For Photos” or other phrases with a similar meaning: the photographer neither charges you nor pays you, but you get some pictures in return. Even so, find out whether you’re going to receive printed images (unlikely) or a Google link to a stash of JPEG files.

Other variables to clarify: How many images (approximately)? Edited or SFC (Straight From Camera)? File format—JPEG or Raw? Are you able to do anything with Raw images?

Model Releases are contracts that should clarify significant details and protect both the photographer and the model. If the photographer does not require a release, you can request one from them, just to safeguard your interests. If a Model Release is to be part of the deal, ask for it in advance and read it carefully. Add any language that’s important to you; for example, “Photographer agrees that the work product(s) will never be sold to stock agencies” or “The Talent’s name will not be added to the image file metadata.”

How much of your (or their) time is expected? 90 minutes is a decent starting point. Some headshot sessions can be wrapped up in a half-hour or so. Work all day if everyone wants to. The important thing is to make sure the time period to be invested is consistent with everyone’s expectations.

6. If it’s your dime, plan the shots you’re looking for and find examples.
Search the web or magazines to find examples of the “look” you’re after and share them with the photo crew as early as possible.

7. If it’s their dime, confirm exactly what the photographer is hoping to achieve.
If you are being paid for the shoot (either with image files or hard dollars) verify exactly what the photographer is expecting in terms of scenes, sets or looks, well beforehand. Needless to say, if there is anything that makes you even the least bit uncomfortable, make it known to all and (most likely) find a new photographer.

8. Wardrobe and accessories mean all the world.
No one wants five or six superb shots of themselves wearing exactly the same outfit. Even adding a hat or visor can add make a big difference. Other accessories, like a bouquet of fresh flowers, umbrella, smartphone, golf club, tennis racket or a ferocious Komodo Dragon are likewise useful. A jacket, hoodie, sweater, neck scarf or other dominant feature can help differentiate shot, even if it doesn’t match the current season.

How many wardrobe changes? It varies, and of course it depends on the time scheduled, but as a rule, no more than three. If you plan to fully change clothes, confirm the venue has a suitable facility.

9. In your long-term planning, avoid online model-search websites.
Avoid them in the short-term planning, too. I won’t name names, but there are a few out there that are total scams and some are purported to be dangerous. Instead, call a legit modeling agency. If they are not looking for new talent, ask them kindly to refer a photographer you can trust, preferably one they work with regularly. Some photographers are willing to work with new talent in exchange for usage rights to the images. (Yes, I know that technically the photographer owns the copyrights, but in the real world, everyone deserves a clear understanding and fair treatment concerning the ultimate publication of the photos.)

10. Bring a friend or bodyguard?
It’s up to the people involved, but don’t necessarily be alarmed if the photographer says, “no way.” If you’re nervous about your safely, don’t pursue the shoot. If you’re just a tad bit queasy, make sure the venue is a public place like a park. In fact, that’s a good rule to follow until and unless you know the photographer is bonafide. If you’re meeting the photographer for the first time, convene a Zoom conference beforehand. And remember, there’s no place like a busy Starbucks for the initial introductions. Order me a Flat White with a double shot of espresso, no sugar. Make it Venti.

That’s a wrap.
As stated in the opening paragraph, the modeling game, I am led to believe, is very slow right now. Unbridled use of AI is certain to make it worse. So what? There’s no one quite like you. Go for it.

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Become a Member of the Shutterbug Community
Register for a free account. Sign up for our newsletter. Spend five minutes (or less) uploading your best shots once every week or so. Potentially become a Shutterbug Photo of the Day winner. Enjoy viewing the fantastic work being done by thousands of photographers all over the world—and add your images to the enduring collection.

—Jon Sienkiewicz

Floral photography is a fun and accessible genre this time of year because there are beautiful blooms just about everywhere you look—at a local park or nature center, and even in the comfort of your own backyard. Best yet, you don’t need fancy equipment or advanced skills.

The challenge, of course, is capturing the essence of these colorful subjects with high-quality images that are far more inviting than mere snapshots. In this tutorial from the Andy H YouTube channel you’ll learn a few tricks that really deliver the goods whether you’re a beginner, an amateur, or even a pro with a different specialty.

Andy is a long-time nature photographer based in the UK with a portfolio full of compelling imagery. His goal for this episode is to help you shoot stunning flower photos that appear as though they were captured by a pro in the studio. All that’s required, apart from his expert advice, is a camera and lens, along with a couple very basic accessories.

This lesson is surprisingly comprehensive for a six-minute video, covering a variety of topics that include shooting techniques, leveraging the light, appropriate camera settings, and very helpful tips on composition. You’ll also see how simple, everyday equipment is all you really need. There’s a list of Andy’s preferred gear in the description beneath the video.

Andy employs varied techniques for different kinds of flowers, and his list of accessories is about as short and affordable as can be. He carries a couple sheets of small flexible plastic, one black and one white, to use as backgrounds, although paper cards will do just fine. He demonstrates how the position of these “backing sheets,” and their angle relative to the sun and the subject, will have a big impact on your results.

Another simple and very helpful piece of kit is the pocket-sized headlamp that Andy has in his bag in place of a more expensive and complicated flash. As you’ll see, this proves very valuable in dim conditions or when you simply want to “kiss” a flower with a bit of artificial illumination—even on bright days.

The only other “accessory” that comes into play is a water bottle that you likely already carry in the field. You may be surprised by the added impact that results from sprinkling a few water droplets on the petals of a bloom. So take a look at how Andy quickly combines these techniques and tools to create the spectacular shots that he displays as the lesson concludes.

Andy’s YouTube channel features a wide range of instructional videos on landscape photos, macro, and other outdoor subjects, so do yourself a favor and take a close look.

We also recommend watching the tutorial we posted earlier with a unique style of nature and wildlife photography from another pro who likes to keep things simple.