Temporarily Down for Reconstruction!

Behind The Lens is temporarily down for reconstruction.

New posts are currently on hold; please enjoy some of my previous posts in the meantime.

I apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for your patience!

Buy My Work!

All of my photos are available for purchase!
All photos are available in any size. Some sizes may require cropping.

Standard sizes (matte or luster, metalic paper add $2) and prices are:

4x6 - $15

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Other sizes, cropping required:

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All photos available as typography! Ask for samples. :)
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Photos are available in standard photo paper, greeting cards, posters, collage posters, canvas prints, and acrylic prints. Framing, matting, and other special requests available; feel free to ask! Special request pricing varies according to request. Shipping prices vary according to location. International available.
Right now when you buy one print any size, you get a second of your choice (same size or smaller) for only $5!

Here are some examples of prints available. If you have anything specific in mind thats not shown please just ask!

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All images © Lara Lee Photography

11 Photography Tips for Beginners!

Here are my top tips for beginner photographers. Feel free to leave your tips in the comments!

1) Break the rules - There are so many "rules" that you learn when youre just starting out..so my first piece of advice is dont be afraid to break those rules. Youll learn as you go that some of those things that they tell you to always (or sometimes never) do, create some really amazing photos if you do the opposite. NEVER be afraid to experiment.

2) Be aware of lighting - One of those rules you hear is "always shoot with the sun to your back" Dont listen to that. Example, how are you supposed to get those amazing sunset pictures if the sun is to your back? Different lighting situations make your images interesting and creative. Different angles create different textures and can make colors appear differently. If you dont like the way your photos are turning out, you can always change angles.

3) Composition - Another one of those rules is the "rule of thirds" They say always use the rule of thirds. Breaking that rule can lead to much more interesting and dramatic photos in some cases. Take plenty of shots at different angles, with different focus points, closer, further; play with it. You can always crop in closer, but you cant crop out further. (but remember, cropping too much will degrade image quality)

4) Timing - Play with different shutter speeds. (for longer shutter speeds you will need a nice sturdy tripod) Long exposures can create veryyy interesting, beautiful pictures. And fast shutter speeds can create very captivating exciting photos. Take a bunch of photos, and different shutter speeds. You can always delete the ones you dont like later, but sometimes you cant go back and take the same photo again.

5) Take LOTS of shots - Make sure you have a memory card that can hold a lot, because its important to take a lot of shots, you can always delete the bad ones, and it can take hundreds of tries to get that perfect photograph.

6) Stay positive - Dont expect every time to be perfect, dont expect to get perfect shots every time..but dont let that discourage you. Dont give up just because everything doesnt work out every time. Ive heard of people simply giving up because they werent confident enough in their photography..you will get better with time and practice.

7) Play with settings - You dont always have to shoot in full manuel. Its okay to use semi automatic modes, they can actually be very helpful at times. But dont depend on them, and try not to use full auto modes.

8) Dont buy the most expensive equipment right away - Just because its expensive, doesnt mean its good. And just because you have the top of the line equipment, doesnt mean your photography will automatically be better. Do your research before buying, dont be afraid to ask people for advice. You can save a lot of money by simply doing a google search before hand.

9) Take notes - Write things down. I keep a notepad with me at all times to jot down photo ideas. In my camera bag I keep a "cheat sheet" where I keep notes on settings I liked for different shoots and whatnot.

10) Think outside of the box - You dont have to go out to amazing places to get amazing shots. Be creative! Some of my favorite photos have been stuff I shot right in my bedroom! There are manyyy days I just wanna go out and shoot, but I dont always have the ability to, so I set up fun little experiments in my room, and just play around.

11) Shoot regularly - Like I said above, you cant always go out and shoot whenever you want, sometimes its raining or snowing, or whatever other reasons, its not always possible to go outside, but there are so many really cool things you can take photos of right in your home. You dont have to go to amazing places to get amazing photos, sometimes the simplest objects create the most amazing pictures.

I hope these little tips help you! And again, please feel free to leave tips in the comments! I love hearing other peoples opinions on things. And remember to follow/subscribe and share this with your friends!

:)

Think Tank Street Walker - Review

Hey guys! Today i decided to give something new a try. I decided to go ahead and make a video review! Ill also include my written review below. Keep reading to find out how to get free gear from Think Tank! Check out my video review here:

(bare with me, this is my first video review and first video editing. if i sound like im mumbling a little thats because my wisdom teeth are coming in and i cant move my mouth :( sorry.)

ThinkTank StreetWalker - $160

This, as you can see, is the Think Tank Street Walker backpack camera bag.
Designed for use in urban and crowded environments, this slim, lightweight backpack is sized as an international carry-on. It holds a DSLR and a 70-200 2.8 with hood attached and multiple DSLR cameras and lenses.

I dont have a ton of stuff yet, but this bag hold everything I need with plenty of room to fill as my collection grows.

The bag has a small pocket on the front, and straps included to carry a tripod.
The back and straps on this bag are unbelievably comfortable, very thick padding, and an airflow channel with breathable mesh liners to keep your back cool while wearing the backpack.
The whole bag is water resistant, but also comes with a removable seam sealed rain cover.
There are two zipper pockets on either side, and two stretch pockets on top of that, great for keeping snacks and water bottles for day trips or hikes. I have found, though, when you have stuff in the zipper pocket, water bottles might not fit, or fit tightly in the stretch pocket, so watch what you put in there.
The straps have D rings, shoulder harness pockets, and a sternum strap. And is compatible with camera support straps (sold separately)
On top of the bag there is a clear business card holder for quick identification.
The zipper on the outside fits together with a hole for a lock (lock not included)

There is front pocket with pen slots, mesh pocket, and zippered pocket. This pocket is great for holding memory cards, lenspens, and other little accessories.
On the inside of the bag there are two clear pockets, where I keep my spare batteries and cords.
The inside of this bag is super roomy. Theres a bunch of little dividers you can insert where ever you need to fit whatever equipment youre taking with you.
Plenty of room inside for multiple cameras and/or lenses, as well as other accessories such as flashes, battery packs, chargers, timer remotes, filters, etc.

Ive used a few different camera bags. Different brands, different price ranges, and different styles. This is by far my favorite Ive used so far. They say its great for urban environments, but I think its great for any environment for everybody - beginner to pro. I love this bag and suggest everyone go check it out!

There are two other bags in the StreetWalker line:
StreetWalker Pro - fits most 400 f2.8 lenses with pro size DSLR body attaches. Also fits a standard kit of smaller lenses and accessories. - $190
StreetWalker HardDrive - Fits DSLR and a 70-200 2.8 with hood attaches and 15" laptop. - $220

Also, with every purchase $50 or more at ThinkTankPhoto.com you get free gear! Click here to find out how!


Disclaimer: Photos: ThinkTankPhoto.com Video by me! Think Tank provided me with this product for the purpose of writing a review. This in no way effects the quality of the review provided. All opinions are my own. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for this post or review. The views expressed in this review are strictly my own opinions. All reviews provided here are the work of myself and remain completely unbiased.

Timer Remote Review.

Timer remotes are extremely helpful in so many ways. Theyre similar to cable releases, but in my opinion better. They have more uses.. A cable release is simply a shutter release button on a cord so you can press the button without having to touch your camera which can cause shake, messing up your photo. You can press and hold (while on bulb mode) for long exposures.
The timer remote also has this feature. Plus it can be pressed in and slid up to hold the button in so you dont have to manually hold it for extended periods of time. Plus you can set it to take pictures at set increments, which is great for timelapse photography.

Its been over a year since I got my timer remote, so I cant find the exact one that I got, but this is the closest I could find. It looks exactly the same, so Im sure it works the same.

You can find many different timer remotes at all different prices. I got mine for around $15. But you can find

them for as cheap as $5 or the most expensive Ive seen is $300.

I got mine on Amazon.com, and you can find really good ones on BHPhotovideo.com or Adorama.com.

You wanna make sure when youre shopping for one that youre getting one that has all the options you want. Read the reviews and specifications. Mine can be set to infinity, but some are limited to 99 hours. (not like that would really be a problem though, how many people would need to go longer?)

Make sure your cord is nice and long. If its too short you could accidentally move your camera, which can really mess up your picture. And make sure it has the right connection. My camera uses a Sub-mini connection, but some use a 3-pin connection. So be sure to check that before you buy.

Another thing to take note on is battery and on/off switch. Mine doesnt have an on/off switch. It takes 2 AAA batteries. Since it doesnt have an on/off switch I just remove the batteries when Im not using it, which isnt a big deal to me, but if it is for you check to make sure it has one. 

Read your manuel to figure out how to set it to take pictures at set intervals, theyre all pretty much the same, but setting it might be different. And Im not gonna lie, it took me a while to figure out how to set mine. Just mess with it until you get the hang of it before you try to take it out for a serious shoot.

I love my timer remote, and I use it all the time. Ive used the timer part only about 2 or 3 times. But I use the shutter release button all the time. Its one of my most used accessories, and I recommend it for EVERYONE into photography. At only around $15 theres really not much reason to not buy it. 

Here is my first (test) timelapse video using the timer remote:

Heres a few examples of pictures Ive taken using my timer remote:

Keep on shooting :)

Disclaimer: All photos are mine, unless otherwise stated. All opinions are my own. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for this post or review. All items mentioned in this review were purchased by me, for my own personal use, and not for review purposes. I am simply sharing my opinions.

iPhoneography

iPhoneography has become a huge sensation recently.. iPhone camera quality has improved soo much, and the quality of the images is unbelievable ..looking back at old flip phones and even old digital cameras, the iPhone 4/4S & 5 cameras puts them all to shame. 
So heres a few products that I think might improve your iPhoneography :)

Tripods are one of the most important things when it comes to photography, theres nothing worse than a blurry image because you cant hold the camera still..well the same goes with iPhoneography, sometimes when youre trying to get the perfect shot, it just doesnt work, because while youre taking the picture you move ever so slightly, and it completely ruins the image. So a little solution is this:

Gary Fong Flip-Cage 

A great, folding tabletop stand for your iPhone 4/4S (3GS model also available). Great for HD Videos, watching movies on iTunes, or Facetime. The iPhone mount can be removed so you can use your iPhone on any tripod. The FlipCage can also hold your favorite point-and-shoot camera.

This is a pretty cool idea, but I think the design needs a little work..

It was really hard to slide my phone into the little clip thing, and pretty hard to remove too. I thought my phone was going to get stuck in there. But after putting it on and off a few times, it seems to have loosened up a little..

It has this annoying little strapy thing on it, which I cant figure out how to remove without cutting. It kind of gets in the way and tangles around the thing.

It has these two little white things that clip onto the bottom part, which Im honestly not sure what theyre for, and I dont see them explained anywhere.

The product itself seems a little cheesy, its made from plastic.

The packaging doesnt include any sort of instructions. I know the thing is pretty self explanatory, but some people still might need a little help.

Its really cool that you can take it off of the mount and use it on any tripod, and its awesome that you can use it for your point and shoot.

This is also available for the 3GS. You can buy it from GaryFongStore.com for around $40 (on sale now for $30)

Another option for iPhone tripods is the

xshot

This is another tripod option for you iPhone. It includes a really nice case for protection, two connectors (not sure why it comes with two though), and the xshot tripod. This one can also be used on any tripod, but unlike the flipcage this one can be used in either portrait or landscape. It can also be used on other xshot products such as the camera extender.

Again, a great idea. I actually like this one better than the flipcage, it has more functions, easier to use, and I think better quality. 

The case that comes with it seems to be really great quality, its thick enough to add great protection, but not so thick that its bulky. It has all the holes to leave your buttons and speakers open. It fits great. And its this kind of rubbery texture which has great grip. I really like this case..

Like I mentioned above, it has two little connectors. Im not sure why it comes with two, I think one would be fine. There are two connection options on the case, but you can really only use one at a time. But its always nice to have a backup, so thats a plus.

The tripod that comes with it is a flex mini tripod, reminds me a little of the Joby Gorillapod, which I was super excited about. But when I strated messing with it, its not at all like that. You cant bend the legs very much, you cant wrap them around stuff, and when your phones on there if theyre not sitting right, it will fall over. If they worked on the tripod a little I think it would be perfect.

But all together its a really great product. Really nice quality, and being able to use it on any tripod or other xshot prducts is super cool.

You can find this and other xshot products at xshot.com. Retails for about $35

So out of the two tripods, I prefer the xshot. I think its nicer, better quality, cool case, and cheaper.

And now for the most exciting part of this post :)

Your camera is nothing without your lenses, right?

So it makes sense to add lenses to your iPhone, right?

RIGHT!

OlloClip

The olloclip is a quick-connect lens solution for the iPhone that includes fisheye, wide-angle and macro lenses in one small, convenient package that easily fits in your pocket. Nestled in the palm of your hand, the olloclip connects to the iPhone within seconds so you’ll be sure to capture the image you want…if you don’t see the picture you’re looking for just flip it over to switch lenses.

Such an amazing idea! And such an amazing product!

The olloclip comes in three colors. White, black, and red. And in two "sizes" for the iPhone 4/4S and for the iPhone 5.

The 4/4S one can also be used with 4th generation ipods because they come with an adapter.

You can also buy replacement caps if you lose them..which im gonna have to do cuz my bad dog chewed up mine >:(

To use the olloclip its so easy you dont even have to think. All you do it slide it right over the corner where the camera is. It has a groove cut out so it doesnt press the lock button on top.

As you can see in the picture above, theres only two lenses on there. The Fisheye and the Wide angle. To use the macro lens you just unscrew the wideangle, and viola, the macro is underneath. Making it 3-in-1.

You can take some amazing, creative pictures with these lenses. I dont find myself using the fisheye very often, but its cool to have! The wideangle is super cool, I hate when theres a landscape you wanna capture, but you cant seem to fit it all in the picture. :( And the macro is so amazing! Just looking at your fingertips through it amazes me.

To use the macro, you have to move your phone closer or further from the subject, which an be a pain if you dont have something to rest your hand on it could be difficult to focus.

Here are a few examples of some pictures Ive taken using my macro lens.

 Water drop on the tip of a tiny leaf.

 My eyeball :P

And my puppies eye.

The details this lens picks up is pretty amazing for a cellphone image. 

I absolutely LOVE my olloclip, and I hope they continue to make them for iPhones for many years, cuz I will buy one every time I get a new phone! My new #1 must have for my phone! :)

You can buy your olloclip at olloclip.com $70 for either 4/4S or 5.

Disclaimer: Photos/videos are from products site. The products in this review were provided to me for the purpose of writing a review. This in no way effects the quality of the review provided. All opinions are my own. No monetary exchange occurred in exchange for this post or review. The views expressed in this review are strictly my own opinions. All reviews provided here are the work of myself and remain completely unbiased.

Top 10 Cheap Photography Must Haves

Here is my list of must have items for beginners that wont break the bank. My top 10 accessories I keep in my camera bag that you can get for less than $25!

1. Spare battery (or battery pack)

This is essential for any photographer. Theres nothing worse than to be out at an amazing sunset, or in the middle of a shoot and finding out your battery is dead, so I always keep two spare batteries in my bag and charge them when I get done a shoot to make sure theyre all always fully charged for next time Im out. You can find batteries for $20 and under on Amazon. 

2. Spare memory card

I always have a 32 GB in my camera, but in case anything were to happen I keep a few spares in my bag at all times. Check your local adds or online to find the best deals on larger sizes. You can find 2-4 GB at Walmart for $8-$12.

3. Timer Remote/Cable Release

Timer remotes can be an amazing help when shooting with a slow shutter speed, they help eliminate shake from pressing the button on your camera. I got mine for $15 on amazon. (The only problem with mine is there is no on/off switch, but i just take my batteries out when Im not using it)

4.  LensPen

LensPens are my favorite thing to clean my lenses with, and theyre only around $10. Check out my review on them here.

5. Spare Lens Caps

Canon lens caps can be a pain in the neck sometimes, and theres been a few tomes Ive almost lost my caps, so a few spare is definitely a good idea to keep in your bag. You can find them at any camera supply store or even amazon for like $2.

6. Reflector

If you do portrait work, this is definitely a must for you. For an even cheaper, more portable and more versatile you can use an emergency blanket, the only problem with that is you cant one hand it while shooting, youll need someone to help you out.

7. Towel

I keep just a small hand towel in my bag, you never know when youll need it, and its actually come in handy for me a few times while out shooting. This will cost you nothing if you just use one you already have at home ;)

8. Hand wipes

Another one that you never know when youll need it. I like to keep a few in my bag for when I go on hikes or the beach to wipe off dirt and sticky saltwater just to prevent it from getting onto my camera. You can get WetOnes at Walmart or target for a couple bucks.

9. Rain Cover

A rain sleeve or rain cover is a must have in my opinion for outdoor photography. They help keep rain, and even dust and dirt when its windy, from getting on/in your camera. Although the LensCoat rain covers I have are a little more expensive, you can find them on amazon for as little as $5.

10. Comfortable Strap

The straps that come with SLR cameras are never comfortable, theyre always stiff and rough on your neck. So a new strap is definitely a must have for me. You can get them online for $20 and under, just be sure to check the reviews and make sure its not just gonna be the same cheapo one you have. 

So theres my top ten cheap must haves. I hope this list was helpful, and if you have any ideas please feel free to share!