Creating My Own Original Blog Images (The Journey So Far)
Photography is something I love so much, but most times the means to actually practice it is what has limited me. When I was younger, I had the opportunity to manage the blogs and websites of some people I knew, we met through Facebook.
I met their requirements, and they decided to hire me, but then I was limited in photos to use for their blogs and the fact that these websites and blogs were monetized made it even necessary for the need for original contents and images as well.
Gadgets and devices with good skills makes for good photography and in 2015, with the means I had, this was virtually difficult for me. I mean, photography was everything, it sells a website, it sold advertisement, back in the days it was even what gave young bloggers the AdSense they needed to actually monetize their blog.
My desire to better my blogging skills was when I started writing finance on leofinance and this was when I decided to stop using any form of images that is downloaded or not owned by me. But then I found Canva. Due to my college commitments, it became difficult to actually take pictures for my Leo and regular contents.
For some people, using and form of image they owned no matter the content was enough, but for me, I always wanted the image to actually interpret the blog theme to a particular extent, even if not fully. To do this, I would actually need a lot of subject.
I shouldn't remind you that in Nigeria, any form of photography that's not digital photography might be seen as a crime and what somehow warrant harassment. I have been harassed by louts before in the process of doing a market shoot.
So coupled with the challenges to get different subjects for different themes, the danger of doing open mobile device photography, and also about the gadget or the device to actually shoot a flawless photo. While I don't aim to be a professional photographer of any level, my aim is to just shoot pictures that could add more color and essence to my blogs.
However, I do not have college commitments on my hands anymore, and last September I got a new iPhone 12 to help me improve my picture taking. I must say that the iPhone itself is packed, it's pre- and post-editing capabilities is out of this world.
Many people talk about their experience with the camera quality of the Samsung Galaxy S20 series and above, and I just feel that these experiences cannot match the software capabilities that's built with the iPhone. Maybe the Samsung S22 can actually redefine this.
I explored many photos taking session during the lockdown and I discovered Snapseed and Canva. For mobile level, they're quite astonishing. Lately, or for seven months now, I've majorly utilized canva as a template for my blog images, I've run out of images, but since I write more finance these days, I'll probably explore a list of possible subjects I'll need in other to recreate or improvise on them.
Overtime, the goal is to get more exposure, not to become a professional photographer. Having this at the back of my mind will always be key. Although it'll get to a point in time when it'll probably own my own website, own a DSLR of a sort and take my photography to another level, but when I started out.
I felt photos occupying a content weren't really necessary, but this hasn't been true, overtime I've found it difficult to find free images that can 100% sell the theme of some of my posts, plus the issues with ownership and copyright.
So, it's probably advisable, if you're a content creator here, you can attain 30% more originality by aiming at using your own images. Sometimes I know it can be difficult. You want to quickly write something, scribble it down, post it and expect the rewards, but how about taking cognizance of your images?
I'll definitely encourage you to try as much as possible to attempt taking your own images, it doesn't have to be perfect or even convey the theme of the post 100%, it doesn't have to be perfectly edited, but overtime I can actually be better. Take this a challenge. As for me, it's a year I want to improvise, with the level of exposure I have, I guess I'll take it upon myself to do better.
Interested in some more of my works?
People & Assets: A Probable Investment?
Emotions: The Impressions & Expression
War-torned (An Original Poem)
Sunk Cost On Limited Resources & Time
Crypto: An Aspect Into Personal Finance
My name is @Josediccus, a young Nigerian entrepreneur who is a Vlogger, A Psychologist, Poet, Sports Writer/Analyst & Personal Finance Coach. I'm using my contents as a process to create shared meaning as well as create expressions through which people on/off hive can relate. I believe content is a process to be enjoyed and relished and I'm up for any collaborations in my field stated above. Cheers
@Josediccus, your brother-in-pen & heart
I'm hoping to reach more people who are broken at heart and spirit, so share on any platform or reblog
I completely understand this part, most times, I always hide my phone camera when taking shots. I can only take shots comfortably when I am in the company of my friends. They have a way of creating distractions for me.
However, it's great that you are putting on the hat to create original photos for your blog. It will definitely inspire us to do the same.
I am hoping that somehow you will make great connections and take that photography skill of yours to the next level
Congratulations on your new iphone.
Wow that's good for you, well, I do my shoots independently, most of my friends now live away from my city, plus, I have had college commitments for a long time so because of that I use to hurriedly do shoots without proper brainstorming and timing, but from January I'll probably take a trip to go to many states and cities to explore better, I actually love photography, I've been limited in equipments, I guess, I'll do better this year.
Hoping so too, actually I have been using my images for 8 months now, this year, I hope to make it even better, sweet photos are bae.
I noticed them especially those ones you had your image edited in
Please, do get those good equipment and run this photography race to the next level... Cheers.
I agree with you on this topic. Taking your own images improves alot of things about one's blogger, especially originality, creativity, unqiue with signature.
Taking your images this days, one has to be careful to avoid unnecessary attention and harassment.😂 Which I have experienced before but truly as we make efforts to taking our own pictures it improves our work.
Well I agree with that aspect, it can be tasking and at the same time it can be challenging because of what we might have experienced so far with taking pictures. But the vibe it gives a content or post is always on a different level, like you've rightly pointed out too, that's why i'll continue taking, editing and using my images.
Thanks for dropping, I appreciate it.
I actually try my best to use my own original photos in my post. It’s in cases where I don’t have original photos that match the theme that I settle for copyright free photos.
Truth is sometimes time, weather, scenery, and other factors like you highlighted in your post could stand in the way…
Indeed, it’s a challenge that is worth embarking on…
P.S: Abeg borrow me your iPhone 12, so I can shoot original photos. Thanks and God bless 🤣🤣🤣.
Well those factors that hinders one can be regarded to be really serious especially in Nigeria. Originally I understand that you are a very busy person and that alone can be problematic. Sometimes we actually need to spend time to brainstorm on the type of picture that we would need for a particular content, the total creative process can be tasking.
However it is a challenge and sacrifice that I would gladly embrace for the time being.
As per the iphone 12, I do believe the iPhone 8 already does a pretty job, the only difference is the software processing. Differences between the levels are the software capabilities.
This is true…
Actually the iPhone 8 does a pretty good job, I can’t even deny it
Thanks for bringing this up. I thought of this too, but most times I will be needing to edit my pictures. I sold my PC last year. I have actually been using it for about 8 years now, and I have repaired it countless of time. So I decided to let it go so as to open way for a new one. I bought an iPhone 7+ mid last year, mainly for the purposes of photography aside the fast the my formal phone was a pain in the a**.
But yet, it appeared that I barely can edit pictures to my taste on iPhone, the free apps for editing in android actually requires huge amount of subscription on apple phones.
I am planning towards getting another PC though, it will enhance me in the area of pictures and video editing not only for my blogs but for educational purposes as well
From the iPhone XR upward, I believe the capabilities of the iPhone for editing becomes even better. But I do believe that it is even the taking process of the pictures that are even more problematic. Editing is probably the most comfortable part of creating a picture.
As for your PC I guess that was a bummer for you.
Hopefully you can get to have the PC you want for what you really want to use it to do, and the creative process is not even just for blogging alone. Welldone, been a while.
Yes boss, hopefully before the end of the first quarter of the year I should have my system. Thanks for the wish.
I have been slaking a little bit towards the end of last year, but this year has been a full force jack back so far. How is the new year
I feel you my bro and for quite some time I've been through a lot of what you've just mentioned.
Around 2018/19, my love for photography began, I actually fell in love with some of the works of a friend of mine and then I just wanted to try it out.
I learnt a thing or two from him then I started taking my own pictures, then I went to youtube to learn editing, there I stumbled on canva, PicsArt and snapseed. It was great to an extent but then my phone got spoilt.
Ómo, that was a big challenge for me, borrowing phones from other people to try out some creative concept I had thought of. At some point the whole vibe just died.
For real though, images is a very important part of your blogging experience. For a while, I got tired of looking for pics that were free to use.
I'm glad you're back on track and I certainly agree with you, iphone is the best so far and it makes the experience a lot more easier. I'm looking forward to seeing some more amazing shots from you, maybe it'll ignite my passion for photography again.
Thanks for the advice ❤️✅
Well having your phone getting spoilt would personally feel tasking to some particular extent, but then, I guess it's one of those stumbling blocks that we often experience on the road of creativity.
My choice to actually do better isn't forced or determinant on rewards, I just want to be flawless and do a good job especially when it came to my contents.
I value my contents a lot, I like making an impression with my different expressions, it's probably the main reason why I've taken time to choose to make my blogging experiences even better.
Hopefully you can get back on track when you get a better device. It's always blissful. As for the path I've chosen I have no doubt that it'll eventually turn out really well.
That's true!
I try as much as possible to design the photos I use for my post's cover photos or in-post photos. I make use of Canva and a host of others mobile applications to make my unprofessional designs 🤣🤣🤣
These are some of the mobile applications I use
Although, sometimes I still go online to search for free images in order to make the design 😪 But I really wish I can take good images, even though my Samsung A12 is telling me NO NO NO 🤣🤣
Nice writeup boss
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This is something I want to do as well. Fortunately, i don't get harassed for taking pictures it's the quality and editing that's a hassle. Owning a phone with a slow processor can be frustrating. I mean even Canva seems to "reject" it. I've installed canva multiple times and uninstalled because it never opens. Well it does but all it does is load continually till i eventually run out of patience.
This is a number one goal for me though. Sometimes finding the right pictures on those free websites are just impossible. And pictures communicate a lot. The last thing we want is an off picture on our "sexy" post.
My quick opinion this is what web 3 could be teaching as dispite it having teething problems.Thank you for this post and making it so engaging. Its all about owning your share in what you have put efforts in. Being new to all this my problem is not taking pictures, but how to upload my own images without an out source link is..How do you upload you own captured images? What is the process?
To start with, your contents look like a movie to me, it relates with the present. However, taking public pictures or shooting publicly can attract harassment which I strongly agree with you. But the case of comparison of iPhone 12 and Samsung s20 series. I'll say that your preference because to me, Samsung is far better than iPhone. Now to the part you said using our own taken shot. It's quite hard on my side, the phone I use won't permit me. But I'm looking forward to getting a redmi note 10 series. I hope God helps me in achieving that. I would like to have you as my mentor sir. God bless you!
Awesome @josediccus
I've always thought and know that Samsung beats I-phone to cameras
I've not used an I-phone before but for Samsung I can testify
And Allot of times their camera quality is not over rated
But good work on your journey towards owning your blog or empire
I believe in you, with your zeal and good work you can easily get there
Keep it up, awesome content
@khingstan Cares 🤴✌️