Welcome! I am so excited that you are here and eager to learn more about photography! I want to share with you everything I have learned over the past several of years and help you along your journey. Whether you just got your first DSLR or you have been shooting for years, we have something for everyone.
I am a huge advocate of shooting in manual mode. You will be amazed at how much your images improve once you take complete control over all your settings. Manual mode may seem scary at first but I challenge you to put your camera on “M” for two weeks. You may surprise yourself.
-
My favorite part of the website is its ongoing motivation and inspiration to put into practice what you've learned.
Phyllis EberhardBakersfield, CA -
Amazing teacher! Amazing advice from cameras, lenses, equipment, lighting, subjects and so much more. Thank you!
Meghan Harte -
I get asked frequently from people how they can learn to shoot in manual mode and I always refer them to Click It Up a Notch.
Tish O'ConnorHarrisburg, Pa -
I was completely lost when it came to manual mode and all things photography until I stumbled upon Click It Up A Notch!
Crystal AndersonSalt Lake City, Utah -
This is the blog I've been waiting for! Someone who started out just like you or I and remembers what it was like to be at the beginning of trying to figure their camera out.
Lisa MontogneseAlgonquin, IL -
Click it Up a Notch is not only extremely informative, it is so fun to read! I have learned more from this site than any other, while feeling a part of a very cool community.
Alexandria MenteWaukesha, WI -
I get asked all the time how my pictures are so beautiful and I always say, "Everything I learned is from Click it up a Notch."
Tressa Maciag
-
2009
-
2009
-
2010
-
2010
-
2011
-
2012
-
2013
-
2014
You recently got your first DSLR and yes, it is super confusing but you will get there.
Manual mode seems like a daunting and confusing new language that you do not understand.
Take your time.
You will get there.
You will be amazed that you will eventually be able to change your shutter speed, ISO, and aperture without even thinking about it. Your fingers will do the work for you.
You know that yellowish look your photos have when shooting inside that drives you batty and you don’t know how to fix it. That is called white balance.
There are going to be days where you are going to yell and get beyond frustrated when trying to take a photo of your kids.
They are trying to listen. Be patient.
When you find yourself losing it with the kids over photography, take a deep breath, walk away, and think why are you doing this. You are doing it to capture their childhood.
Each and every shot does not have to be perfect.
Let it go. Let it go when the kids don’t want to look at the camera, tilt their head just so, look out the window, look at you, look at their sibling, look down.
If you stay patient and keep the experience fun than the kids won’t get burnt out and run away from the camera.
Those blurry backgrounds you love? Yeah, you can get those with your 50mm 1.8 by shooting wide open. Don’t go crazy shooting wide open because you will miss the focus more times than I would like to admit.
Get in front of the camera. You will eventually figure out how to get yourself in focus in those shots.
Edit daily.
You will have ups and downs. You will have months where you feel like your photos aren’t good enough. Stop looking at other photographers’ work.
Don’t compare yourself.
Your journey is your journey.
There will be photographers who start after you and pass you in skill. That is ok. Don’t let it get you down.
The only photographer you should compare yourself to is yourself.
Keep clicking.
Love,
A photographer who was once in your shoes
