I’ve attached some images just so that I can keep track of my photography development, or maybe have a reaction from someone that I want to show this to.

Obviously, I don’t want to share every single image on the internet, so I’ve made a quick selection of what I feel comfortable with showing. Spoiler alert, seems that images I am comfortable with sharing are the most boring ones… So far I’ve shot around 12.000 images, and I’ve saved only 700ish, so ~5% it is.

This page is opposed to my architecture page, since this is my interest that I do for free, in my spare time, for myself or for people that I enjoy, which usually are my two sons.

At the moment, I use NIKON D3500 together paired with AF-P 18-55 VR and AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G. Whenever I can, I try to open up Snapbridge on my Samsung Note 20 ultra for location data, and shoot some photos of my two sons. If I don’t have my camera with me, I just shoot RAW with my phone and do some postprocessing in Lightroom, be it with my camera or with my phone.

As far as color grading, most helpful video that I’ve been able to find is Secrets of color-grading in photography, by Joanna Kustra. I loved how she in a simple way compared postprocessed images with art pieces of middle century, namely Van Gogh, DaVinci, and similar. Particularly inspiring was insight into how one should approach photography and editing in regards to time management. You shouldn’t spend too much time editing photos, since photography is all about going out there and doing fun stuff in the open as opposed to sitting in front of your monitor. A lot more can be said, and since this is not a synopsis or abstract of a video, I highly recommend watching it whole way through.

Best postprocessing practice so far for me is to shoot RAW files, open them in Lightroom, crop it to 16:9 ratio (for best viewing experience on TV but sometimes I opt for 1:1 depending on image), do auto on transformations, do auto on basic tab (not on the lighting, I keep it as shot), and push clarity to to 30ish and texture to 20ish. Vibrance as pleased, depending on the situation. It takes around 3 minutes, and produces pretty neat results, it is a good since often I edit 30 images at a time. Export in 4K res. If I like image in particular, I can spend more than one hour, but that rarely happens since I just don’t have the time.

Since I use Nikon, I got free 20Gb on Nikon image space, and that is where I keep most of my images. Obviously, back everything up on my HDD.

As far as shooting techniques, there are numerous topics. Should you buy MILC or DSLR? What system? What lenses…. I will try to keep it short.

Generally, Ken Rockwell is insightful, and many more that are available on the internet, just beware of sponsored reviewers. Also, you might like charisma of Kai W. Michael the Maven did great tutorial on my camera, so find your model and appropriate videos.

During pandemic and lockdown in year 2020., I’ve spent my downtime with Nikon courses, as they gave them for free of charge for their customers. If I recall properly, I’ve studied ~100 hours of material, together with FStoppers.

As for the lenses, I try to shoot at ~f8 for my kit lens, or ~f2.4 for my 35 mm fixed prime lens. I’ve found helpful tests at DXO Mark. Shutter speed at ~320 since my kids are moving a lot. I set up ISO for 200-800, shoot maybe one or two test images, and then adjust ISO accordingly. I shoot RAW, so even if I miss exposure I fix it in Lightroom afterwards.

There is a lot to be said, this is shortened as much as possible in order to keep it structured and in one place. I will update this page as time goes by, for now I am just satisfied that I can point someone to this page as they start asking questions.

*insert what satisfaction I get from my hobby and why photography in particular, also link Instagram and similar.