Don’t miss the HLS Session Recaps I with notes on 11 tips to a healthy life and how to eat ethical meals. On to the afternoon sessions…

Session 3: Stepping Up Your Blog Photography

I almost didn’t go to this session because I don’t have a big fancy camera and won’t pretend to be running a photography blog over here. I wouldn’t even know where to start with that. I work with a Casio Exilim S10 that I got for Christmas a few years ago, and as far as point and shoots go, I’d say it does the trick. It struggles in low lighting, but don’t all cameras?

Nicole is an amazingly talented photographer and I’ve been stalking her blog since I started mine last year. I love her. She was a wealth of knowledge (much of it over my head) about big, fancy DSLRs AND my humble point and shoot. Here’s the rundown:

• Point and shoot pros – lightweight, easy to take everywhere
• SLR pros – total control over the camera, can adjust all settings
• If you know how to work with your camera, the light and your environment, you can take great photos with a point and shoot
• Lighting is THE most important part of photography; learn to manipulate natural light
• Turn flash off unless you really need it; it washes out pictures, especially food
• Step out of direct sunlight; too much sun casts a hard shadow
• Diffuse light by placing a white sheet over the source
• Stuck in low lighting? Turn up the ISO

DSLR buttons

• Auto – does everything for you, no control
• P – basically auto, adds some control
• AV – aperture priority mod; you choose aperture and camera decides on a suitable shutter speed to match
• TV – opposite of AV; you choose shutter speed and camera decides aperture to match
• M – manual; all you baby

Point and shoot buttons

• Macro – allows you to achieve shallow depth of field, uses larger aperture
• Landscape – smaller aperture, wider depth of field, more focus
• Sports – fast shutter speed

Definitions

• Aperture – relates to the amount of light that is let into the camera; big opening = small number; controls depth of field; you set aperture by choosing F-stops
• Shutter speed – measured in seconds; important for getting a sharp photo; slow down shutter speed in low light

Composition tips

• Rule of thirds -grid with 9 sections should be filled with subject
• Shoot from different angles
• Be mindful of background
• Portrait vs. landscape, switch it up
• Use negative space

Camera recommendations: Canon G11 (point and shoot), Canon 5D Mark 2 (expensive, advanced), Canon Rebel XT or T1I

Want more camera help? Nicole recommends The Pioneer Woman’s photo page.

Session #4: The Ups and Downs of Blogging

This session was a group discussion led by Anne P with her lovely panel participants: Heather, Savvy Julie, Sana and Andrea. They answered questions submitted anonymously by other bloggers and readers. Two things I learned from this panel (and tweeted out) are that Anne has great hair and Sana should have a radio show because she has a very soothing voice.

Now for the real stuff… Note that I tried to catch most of what everyone said, but don’t consider all of these things to be exact quotes from the speakers. I did the best I could.

Q: Is it possible to gain popularity without being friends with or linked to by “big” bloggers?

Anne: Participate in community; if you have a lot in common with someone, reach out; participate in contests and movements

Julie: Check out Healthylivingblogs.com, a directory started by Sound Eats. Remember that a link from a “big” blogger will give you a spike in traffic for a day but doesn’t equate to a consistent following

Heather: Even “big” bloggers had to start somewhere. They didn’t become popular bloggers over night. Shift from writing to please someone to writing something you’re proud of.

Sana: We all have a story to share. As we’re blogging, we’re sharing our story. We are all part of a great community.

Andrea: You don’t start off running and expect to run marathons. You start small.

Julie: All the “big” bloggers are real people.

Anne: Have a lot of patience. The only one you need to worry about is yourself. Comparing yourself to others is not going to get you anywhere.

Gena (comment): Don’t make assumptions about what your readers want. Write something you feel strongly about.

Heather: It’s a process to find your blog voice. Blogs change and grow.

Do you feel pressure to be like the big bloggers who publish multiple times a day and have amazing photos?

Anne: It’s not a competition; this is a community. What works for some people might not work for you. Your blog is yours to do whatever you want. It’s yours; own it.

Julie: Figure out what works best for you.

How do you handle personal attacks or unnecessary comments?

Julie: If it’s not expressed in a respectful way, delete it. It’s your blog and you have a right to decide what is on there.

Heather: Your blog is yours and you can do what you want with it. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. If I’m more positive, negativity can’t affect me.

Sana: Remember that a sense of humor and sarcasm does not translate well online.

If someone asks you a question in your comments, should you answer it?

Anne: A resounding YES.

Julie: Download the comment reply notification widget. It emails people letting them know you answered their question.

Does blogging pressure you to be perfect?

Heather: There is no perfectly healthy.

Andrea: I do feel pressure because I used to get critical emails and I don’t post my food anymore.

Reader (comment): Honest posts about being healthy being about a lifestyle, not just a food. There are so many other aspects in your life other than the food on your plate that make you healthy. The balance is what’s key. And the human factor.

What’s the most positive thing that has happened to you as a direct result of blogging?

Anne: All the friends that I’ve made. It’s a really easy way to find people interested in things that you’re interested in.

Heather: Self definition. Through blogging and reading blogs I’ve been able to define myself more and find people who support this definition.

Julie: I felt pressure to go into a more traditional job. Through blogging, I realized it’s ok to do my own thing. I don’t have to do what was expected or more traditional.

Sana: I realized I could turn a passion into a job and a career.

Andrea: I imposed a fat girl image on myself in high school and have been running ever since then. I got inspired by blogs and started my own. I have deleted the fat girl image in my mind.

That’s it! Well, sort of. There was one final session about self-comparison and peer pressure after this led by Caitlin and Gena, but I opened it with my “How Blogging Changed My Life” story and was too full of adrenaline to take notes. Gena’s recap is here.

You can see great photos from the event (like the one above that I stole) at Arnold’s Facebook page.