القائمة
Complete photography system — exposure, composition, lighting, genre-specific workflows, editing, gear selection, portfolio building, and client management. From beginner to professional.
التثبيت باستخدام Codex أو Claude انسخ هذا Prompt والصقه في Codex أو Claude أو مساعد آخر ليراجع صفحة Skill ويثبّتها لك.
استنادا إلى تصنيف SOC المهني
Skill for interacting with the Lean-Claw Arena to prove math theorems using Lean 4.
"PDF to Markdown - PDF文本转Markdown工具. Use when you need pdf to markdown capabilities. Triggers on: pdf to markdown."
"Short Drama Writer. Use when you need short drama writer capabilities. Triggers on: short drama writer."
Personal knowledge base for capturing and retrieving information about people, places, restaurants, games, tech, events, media, ideas, and organizations. Use when: user mentions a person, place, restaurant, landmark, game, device, event, book/show, idea, or company. Trigger phrases: "remember", "note that", "met this person", "visited", "played", "what do I know about", etc. Brain entries take precedence over daily logs for named entities.
Analyze any GitHub repository in AI-friendly format. Convert entire repos to single markdown documents, generate architecture diagrams with Mermaid, inspect structure trees, language breakdowns, and recent activity. Includes GitHub URL tricks, API shortcuts, and advanced search techniques. Read-only analysis — never executes code from repositories. Built for AI agents — Python stdlib only, no dependencies. Use for repository analysis, code architecture review, open source research, GitHub intelligence, repo documentation, and codebase understanding.
Use this skill when users need to search academic papers, download research documents, extract citations, or gather scholarly information. Triggers include: requests to "find papers on", "search research about", "download academic articles", "get citations for", or any request involving academic databases like arXiv, PubMed, Semantic Scholar, or Google Scholar. Also use for literature reviews, bibliography generation, and research discovery. Requires OpenClawCLI installation from clawhub.ai.
| name | Photography Mastery |
| description | Complete photography system — exposure, composition, lighting, genre-specific workflows, editing, gear selection, portfolio building, and client management. From beginner to professional. |
| metadata | {"category":"creative","skills":["photography","camera","lighting","editing","composition","portrait","landscape","street","product","wedding","real-estate"]} |
From "auto mode" to professional-quality images. Zero external dependencies.
/photo-check)Rate yourself 1-5 on each. Score < 24 = focus on fundamentals first.
| Dimension | 1 (Beginner) | 3 (Intermediate) | 5 (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exposure control | Auto mode only | Manual in studio | Expose by feel, nail it first shot |
| Composition | Center everything | Rule of thirds | Break rules intentionally with impact |
| Lighting | Available light only | One flash, bounce | Multi-light setups, shape light |
| Focus technique | Auto everything | Back-button AF | Zone focus, manual in low light |
| Post-processing | Phone filters | Basic Lightroom | Color grading, frequency separation |
| Genre knowledge | Shoot everything same | 1-2 genres solid | Specialist with signature style |
| Gear understanding | Kit lens only | Know focal lengths | Choose lens for the story |
| Business/portfolio | Instagram only | Basic portfolio site | Paying clients, defined brand |
Total: ___ / 40 → <16: Phase 1-3. 16-28: Phase 4-7. 28+: Phase 8-12.
LIGHT IN = ISO × Aperture × Shutter Speed
Change one → compensate with another → same exposure, different look.
ISO — Sensor sensitivity
| ISO | Use case | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| 100-400 | Daylight, tripod, studio | Clean, no noise |
| 400-1600 | Indoor, overcast, golden hour | Slight grain, acceptable |
| 1600-6400 | Low light handheld, events | Visible noise, still usable |
| 6400+ | Emergency, concert, astro | Heavy noise, denoise in post |
Rule: Lowest ISO that allows your shutter speed. Modern cameras: ISO 3200 is fine.
Aperture — Depth of field + sharpness
| f-stop | Depth of field | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| f/1.4-2.0 | Paper thin | Headshots, subject isolation, low light |
| f/2.8-4.0 | Shallow | Portraits (full body still sharp enough) |
| f/5.6-8.0 | Medium | Groups, environmental portraits, street |
| f/8-11 | Deep | Landscapes, architecture, products |
| f/16-22 | Everything sharp | Avoid — diffraction softens image |
Sweet spot rule: Most lenses are sharpest 2-3 stops from wide open. f/1.4 lens → sharpest at f/4.
Shutter Speed — Motion control
| Speed | Effect | Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2000+ | Freeze everything | Sports, birds, splashing water |
| 1/500-1/1000 | Freeze people | Running, dancing, events |
| 1/125-1/250 | General handheld | Walking, portraits, street |
| 1/60 | Minimum handheld | With IS/VR, careful technique |
| 1/15-1/4 | Motion blur | Panning, waterfalls (tripod) |
| 1-30s | Long exposure | Night, light trails, star points |
| 30s+ (bulb) | Extended exposure | Star trails, light painting |
Handheld rule: 1/(focal length × crop factor). 50mm on APS-C (1.5×) = minimum 1/75s.
| Mode | What it reads | Use when |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluative/Matrix | Whole frame, smart weighting | Default — works 80% of time |
| Center-weighted | Middle 60% of frame | Subject fills center, ignore edges |
| Spot | 2-5% around focus point | Backlit subjects, stage performances |
| Situation | Adjustment | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Snow/white backgrounds | +1 to +2 | Camera tries to make white gray |
| Dark backgrounds/subjects | -1 to -2 | Camera tries to brighten dark |
| Backlit subject | +1 to +2 | Expose for subject, not bright background |
| Skin tones (portrait) | +1/3 to +2/3 | Slightly overexposed skin looks healthier |
Left wall = pure black (clipped shadows)
Right wall = pure white (clipped highlights)
GOAL: Data spread across range, nothing touching walls
EXCEPTION: Night shots (left-heavy OK), high-key portraits (right-heavy OK)
ETTR (Expose To The Right): Push histogram right without clipping = maximum data, minimum noise.
Best for: Landscapes, studio. Requires RAW shooting.
| Technique | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Rule of thirds | Subject at intersection points | Default starting point |
| Center + symmetry | Subject dead center, symmetric frame | Architecture, reflections, portraits with impact |
| Leading lines | Roads, fences, rivers pointing to subject | Landscapes, street, architecture |
| Frame within frame | Doorways, windows, arches around subject | Travel, architecture, environmental portraits |
| Negative space | Vast empty area, tiny subject | Minimalism, emphasis, mood |
| Diagonals | Tilt horizon or use natural diagonals | Energy, dynamism |
| Layering | Stack foreground/mid/background elements | Landscapes, street |
| Patterns + break | Repeating pattern with one disruption | Street, architecture, abstract |
| Juxtaposition | Contrasting elements in same frame | Documentary, street, conceptual |
| Fill the frame | Get close, eliminate surroundings | Portraits, macro, food |
| Odd numbers | 3 or 5 subjects | Still life, group compositions |
| Golden spiral | Fibonacci curl — leading from edge to focal point | Nature, still life |
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Horizon not level | Enable grid overlay. Fix in post if needed. Non-negotiable. |
| Mergers (pole from head) | Move 2 steps. Change angle. Check background before shooting. |
| Cutting at joints | Crop mid-limb (mid-thigh, mid-forearm) or full body. Never at knee/ankle/wrist/neck. |
| No clear subject | Ask: "What is this photo OF?" If you hesitate, simplify. |
| Too much in frame | Get closer. Zoom with feet. Fill frame with what matters. |
| Dead center without purpose | Either center with symmetry or offset with intention. |
| Tilted horizon | Landscape: always level. Portrait: tilt only if dramatic and intentional. |
| Time | Quality | Color | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden hour (sunrise/sunset ±1hr) | Soft, directional, warm | Orange/gold | Portraits, landscapes, everything |
| Blue hour (20-30 min after sunset) | Even, moody | Blue/purple | Cityscapes, mood portraits, twilight |
| Overcast | Soft, even (giant softbox) | Neutral | Portraits (no squinting), product, macro |
| Midday sun | Hard, overhead, high contrast | Neutral/warm | Use as backlight. Find open shade. Avoid for portraits. |
| Shade | Soft, directional from open sky | Slightly cool | Portraits, detail work |
| Window light | Soft directional (varies with window size) | Varies | Portraits, food, still life, product |
POSITION MAP (top-down view):
[WINDOW]
|
45° | 45°
/ | \
FILL SUBJECT CAMERA
(reflector)
Distance from window controls softness:
- Close (1-2 ft): soft wrapping light, gentle shadows
- Far (6+ ft): harder, more directional, defined shadows
- Subject facing window: flat, even (beauty light)
- Subject 45° to window: dimensional, classic portrait
- Subject 90° to window: dramatic, split lighting
White reflector opposite window fills shadows. No reflector = moody. Aluminum foil on cardboard = DIY reflector.
The #1 rule: Never fire direct flash at a person. Bounce it or diffuse it.
| Technique | How | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Bounce ceiling | Tilt flash head 45-75° up | Soft overhead light, natural look |
| Bounce wall | Tilt flash 90° toward near wall | Directional side light |
| Flash + diffuser | Dome or mini softbox on flash | Softer direct flash (still not great) |
| Off-camera flash | Flash on stand, 45° from subject | Professional dimensional light |
| Dragging shutter | Flash + slow shutter (1/15-1/30) | Sharp subject + ambient background blur |
Flash exposure compensation: Start at -1.3 stops. Blend with ambient. If you can tell flash was used, it's too much.
| Pattern | Key light position | Shadow | Mood |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rembrandt | 45° side, 45° above | Triangle on shadow cheek | Classic, moody |
| Loop | 30-45° side, slightly above | Small nose shadow loops toward cheek | Versatile, flattering |
| Butterfly | Directly above, centered | Shadow under nose (butterfly shape) | Beauty, glamour |
| Split | 90° from side | Half face in shadow | Dramatic, edgy |
| Broad | Key light on face side nearest camera | Wider lit area | Widens narrow faces |
| Situation | Mode | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Still subject (portrait, product) | Single AF (AF-S/One-Shot) | Locks focus, precise |
| Moving subject (sports, kids) | Continuous AF (AF-C/AI Servo) | Tracks movement |
| Unpredictable movement | Auto AF (AF-A) | Camera decides — last resort |
| Low light / precise work | Manual focus + magnify | AF hunts in dark, manual is reliable |
Separate focus from shutter button:
Why: Press AF-ON once = focus locks (like AF-S). Hold AF-ON = continuous tracking (like AF-C). One mode handles everything. Never accidentally refocus when pressing shutter.
Pre-shoot checklist:
portrait_prep:
gear:
lens: "85mm f/1.8 (headshot) or 35mm f/1.4 (environmental)"
reflector: "42-inch 5-in-1"
backdrop: "depends on style"
settings:
mode: "aperture priority or manual"
aperture: "f/2.0-2.8 (single), f/5.6 (group)"
iso: "lowest possible"
focus: "single point on nearest eye"
metering: "spot on face"
directing:
warm_up: "5 min casual chat before picking up camera"
posing_flow: "standing → leaning → sitting → detail shots"
expression: "tell jokes, give them something to DO not something to BE"
hands: "always doing something (pocket, hair, holding object)"
Posing quick fixes:
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Double chin | Extend chin forward and slightly down. Shoot from slightly above. |
| Awkward hands | Give them something to hold. Or one hand in pocket, other relaxed. |
| Stiff pose | Have them shift weight to back foot. Lean slightly forward. |
| Forced smile | Tell a joke. Ask them to laugh, then say "now freeze." |
| Squinting | Face away from light, turn back at last second. Or shade eyes until ready. |
Field checklist:
landscape_prep:
planning:
scout: "Google Earth + PhotoPills for sun/moon position"
time: "arrive 45 min before golden hour"
weather: "partly cloudy > clear blue (texture in sky)"
gear:
lens: "16-35mm (wide), 70-200mm (compression), 24-70mm (versatile)"
tripod: "mandatory for quality"
filters: "CPL (always), ND graduated (sky), ND 6/10 stop (long exposure)"
settings:
aperture: "f/8-f/11 (sweet spot)"
iso: "100 (always on tripod)"
focus: "manual at hyperfocal or 1/3 into scene"
bracket: "±2 stops for HDR if high dynamic range"
composition:
foreground: "MANDATORY — rocks, flowers, leading lines"
midground: "subject or connecting element"
background: "sky, mountains, context"
Hyperfocal distance (simplified):
| Focal length | f/8 | f/11 | f/16 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16mm | 1.1m | 0.8m | 0.5m |
| 24mm | 2.4m | 1.7m | 1.2m |
| 35mm | 5.1m | 3.7m | 2.5m |
| 50mm | 10.4m | 7.6m | 5.2m |
Focus at this distance → everything from half that distance to infinity is sharp.
street_settings:
mode: "aperture priority"
aperture: "f/5.6-f/8 (deep DOF for unpredictable scenes)"
iso: "auto ISO, max 6400, min shutter 1/250"
focus: "zone focus at 2-3m OR continuous AF"
lens: "35mm (classic) or 28mm (wider context)"
tips:
- "Shoot from hip if nervous — practice without looking"
- "Find the light first, then wait for subject to walk in"
- "Layers: foreground person + background action = story"
- "Rain, reflections, shadows = instant mood"
- "One location, one hour, 200+ shots → 2-3 keepers = good ratio"
- "If someone confronts you: smile, show the photo, offer to delete"
product_setup:
minimum_gear:
camera: "any with manual mode"
lens: "50mm or kit lens at 50-70mm"
light: "one window OR one continuous LED panel"
surface: "white poster board curved (seamless sweep)"
reflector: "white foam board or printer paper"
settings:
aperture: "f/8-f/11 (everything sharp)"
iso: "100"
white_balance: "manual — match light source"
focus: "manual or single point on logo/label"
tripod: "mandatory for consistency"
shooting_checklist:
- "Hero shot (3/4 angle, slightly above)"
- "Straight-on front"
- "45-degree angle"
- "Detail/texture close-up"
- "Scale shot (hand, common object for size)"
- "Lifestyle/in-use shot"
- "Flat lay (top-down for small items)"
real_estate_workflow:
gear:
lens: "ultra-wide 16-24mm (full frame)"
tripod: "mandatory"
flash: "bounce flash for interior fill"
technique:
height: "camera at 4-5 feet (counter/chest height)"
verticals: "MUST be straight — tilt-shift or fix in post"
bracketing: "3-5 exposures, merge HDR"
lights: "turn ALL lights on. Replace dead bulbs."
staging: "declutter, remove personal items, fluff pillows"
shot_list:
exterior: ["front wide", "front detail", "backyard", "pool", "garage"]
interior: ["living room 2-3 angles", "kitchen 2-3", "master bedroom", "master bath", "each additional room", "special features"]
minimum: "25-35 photos for listing"
editing:
- "Correct verticals (lens correction)"
- "Blend exposures for windows (interior + exterior visible)"
- "Color correct to neutral — no yellow casts"
- "Sky replacement if overcast (controversial but common)"
event_essentials:
gear:
bodies: "2 minimum (backup is non-negotiable)"
lenses: "24-70mm f/2.8 (workhorse) + 70-200mm f/2.8 (ceremony) + 35mm f/1.4 (reception)"
flash: "2 speedlights + off-camera trigger"
cards: "dual card slots, mirror write"
batteries: "minimum 4 charged"
settings:
ceremony: "f/2.8, ISO auto (cap 6400), shutter 1/200+"
reception: "f/2.8, ISO auto, flash bounce ceiling"
formals: "f/5.6-f/8, flash on camera bounce"
shot_list_non_negotiables:
- "Rings, dress, shoes, invitation (detail shots BEFORE ceremony)"
- "Getting ready (both parties)"
- "Walking down aisle"
- "First kiss"
- "Recessional"
- "Family formals (have LIST from client in advance)"
- "First dance, parent dances"
- "Cake cutting"
- "Speeches/toasts"
- "Venue wide shot"
rules:
- "Never run out of battery or cards during ceremony"
- "Shoot in RAW+JPEG (safety net)"
- "Second shooter for ceremony = different angles"
- "Scout venue BEFORE event day"
- "Deliver sneak peeks within 48 hours"
1. IMPORT → Backup originals to second drive FIRST
2. CULL → Rate 1-5 stars. Delete obvious rejects. Select picks.
3. GLOBAL ADJUSTMENTS (apply to all picks):
- White balance (eyedrop on neutral gray)
- Exposure correction
- Highlight recovery, shadow lift
- Lens correction profile
- Chromatic aberration removal
4. LOCAL ADJUSTMENTS (per image):
- Crop and straighten
- Dodge/burn (draw attention to subject)
- Gradient filters (darken sky, lighten foreground)
- Spot healing (blemishes, distractions)
5. COLOR GRADING:
- HSL adjustments (skin tone, sky, foliage)
- Split toning (warm highlights, cool shadows = cinematic)
- Calibration panel (subtle, powerful)
6. SHARPENING:
- Amount: 40-80 (web), 80-120 (print)
- Radius: 0.8-1.2
- Masking: hold Alt/Option while sliding — sharpen edges only
7. EXPORT:
- Web: JPEG, sRGB, 2048px long edge, quality 80-85
- Print: TIFF, AdobeRGB, full resolution
- Social: JPEG, sRGB, 1080px (IG), 2048px (FB)
| Mood | Shadows | Highlights | Tone curve |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cinematic warm | Teal/blue | Orange/gold | Slight S-curve, lifted blacks |
| Moody dark | Deep blue | Desaturated warm | Crushed blacks, low highlights |
| Clean bright | Neutral | Slight warm | Lifted shadows, bright midtones |
| Film look | Green/brown | Warm | Faded blacks (lift curve bottom-left) |
| B&W dramatic | N/A | N/A | Strong S-curve, high contrast |
| Level | What | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 — Cleanup | Remove temporary blemishes (acne, stray hairs) | Always acceptable |
| 2 — Enhancement | Even skin tone, brighten eyes, whiten teeth slightly | Standard professional |
| 3 — Reshaping | Slim face/body, change proportions | Only if client requests |
| 4 — Transformation | Unrecognizable changes | Avoid — ethical issues |
Rule: Remove temporary, keep permanent. Pimple = remove. Freckles = keep. Scar = ask client.
| Need | Camera type | Budget | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning, travel, street | Mirrorless APS-C | $500-1000 | Fuji X-S20, Sony a6700 |
| Portraits, events, pro | Mirrorless Full Frame | $1500-3000 | Sony A7IV, Nikon Z6III, Canon R6III |
| Sports, wildlife | Pro mirrorless | $2500-6500 | Sony A9III, Canon R5II, Nikon Z8 |
| Video-first hybrid | Cinema-oriented | $1500-4000 | Sony A7SIII, Panasonic S5IIX |
| Budget beginner | Used DSLR or entry mirrorless | $300-600 | Canon T7i, Nikon D5600, Sony a6100 |
| Priority | Lens | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 50mm f/1.8 | "Nifty fifty" — sharp, fast, cheap ($100-250). Portraits, street, low light. |
| 2nd | Kit zoom (18-55 or 24-70) | Versatility while learning. Already have it. |
| 3rd | 85mm f/1.8 | Portrait king. Compression + bokeh. |
| 4th | Wide zoom (16-35mm) | Landscapes, architecture, real estate. |
| 5th | 70-200mm f/2.8 | Events, sports, wildlife. The "money maker" for pros. |
| 6th | Macro lens (90-100mm) | Products, food, nature details. |
Rule: Invest in lenses, not bodies. A great lens on a cheap body > cheap lens on great body. Lenses hold value. Bodies depreciate fast.
portfolio_structure:
homepage:
hero_image: "absolute best single image — stops scrolling"
galleries: "3-5 genre galleries, 15-25 images each"
about: "short bio + professional headshot"
contact: "form + email + social links"
selection_rules:
- "Only show work you want MORE of"
- "Every image must earn its place — if you hesitate, cut it"
- "Quality >>> quantity. 40 great images > 200 okay ones."
- "First and last images in gallery = strongest. Middle = supporting."
- "Consistent editing style within each gallery"
- "Update quarterly — remove weakest, add strongest"
platforms:
free: "Adobe Portfolio (with CC), Mylio, Pixieset (limited)"
paid: "Squarespace ($16/mo), SmugMug ($13/mo), Zenfolio"
social: "Instagram (discovery), 500px (community), Flickr (archive)"
| Dimension | Weight | What to evaluate |
|---|---|---|
| Image quality | 25% | Technical excellence — exposure, focus, sharpness |
| Consistency | 20% | Cohesive editing style, color palette, mood |
| Storytelling | 20% | Each image communicates, series has narrative flow |
| Curation | 15% | Only strongest work, no filler, no near-duplicates |
| Presentation | 10% | Clean layout, proper sizing, fast loading |
| Range within genre | 10% | Shows versatility within your specialty |
Score < 60: Major rework needed. 60-80: Solid, refine edges. 80+: Professional quality.
COST OF DOING BUSINESS (CODB):
gear_depreciation: "$X/year"
software: "$X/year (Lightroom, Photoshop, etc.)"
insurance: "$X/year"
website_hosting: "$X/year"
marketing: "$X/year"
transportation: "$X/year"
education: "$X/year"
─────────────────
TOTAL ANNUAL COSTS: $______
PRICING FORMULA:
hours_per_shoot: "shooting + editing + admin + travel"
desired_annual_income: "$______"
realistic_shoots_per_year: "______ (don't overestimate)"
minimum_per_shoot = (CODB + desired_income) / shoots_per_year
THEN: Add 20-30% for taxes
THEN: Round up to psychological price point ($297, $497, $997)
1. INQUIRY → Respond within 4 hours. Send pricing guide PDF.
2. CONSULTATION → 15-30 min call. Understand needs. Send formal quote.
3. BOOKING → Contract signed + 50% deposit. Non-refundable retainer.
4. PRE-SHOOT → Location scout. Shot list. Wardrobe guidance email.
5. SHOOT DAY → Arrive early. Deliver experience, not just photos.
6. EDITING → Deliver in stated timeline (7-14 days typical).
7. DELIVERY → Online gallery with download. Remaining 50% due.
8. FOLLOW-UP → Thank you email. Request testimonial at 1 week. Ask for referral at 1 month.
| Month | Focus | Exercise | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exposure triangle | Shoot same scene at every aperture (f/2.8 → f/16). Compare. | 1 exposure comparison set |
| 2 | Composition | 100 photos using ONLY one composition technique per week | 4 best compositions |
| 3 | Natural light | Golden hour shoot 3× per week. Compare same location at different times. | 10-image light study |
| 4 | Portrait fundamentals | Photograph 5 different people. Practice directing. | 5 portrait edits |
| 5 | Flash basics | Bounce flash in 5 different rooms. Off-camera flash. | Before/after flash comparison |
| 6 | Editing mastery | Develop consistent editing style. Edit same RAW 5 ways. | 3 preset/style recipes |
| 7 | Specialization | Pick ONE genre. Shoot only that for 30 days. | 15-image genre portfolio |
| 8 | Advanced lighting | 2-3 light setups. Practice lighting patterns. | Lighting diagram + results |
| 9 | Storytelling | Photo essay: 10-15 images telling one story | Complete photo essay |
| 10 | Speed & consistency | Simulated event: 2 hours, 500 shots, cull to 50 | Consistent event set |
| 11 | Portfolio building | Curate best 40 images. Build portfolio site. | Live portfolio |
| 12 | First client | Offer free/discounted shoot. Full professional workflow. | Delivered gallery + testimonial |
practice_session:
frequency: "minimum 3× per week, 1-2 hours"
structure:
warm_up: "10 min — shoot familiar subject with constraints (one lens, one setting)"
focused_drill: "30-60 min — this month's focus area"
review: "20 min — cull, rate, identify 3 things to improve next time"
rules:
- "Set ONE learning goal per session (not 'take good photos')"
- "Shoot manual mode — learn the camera, not the auto algorithms"
- "Review your own work critically — be your harshest critic"
- "Study one photographer you admire each week — what makes their work work?"
- "1000 photos analyzed > 100 photos taken casually"
| # | Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buying gear instead of learning to see | Best camera = the one you have. Master it before upgrading. |
| 2 | Not shooting enough | Volume matters early on. 10,000 photos = start of competence. |
| 3 | Over-editing | If it looks edited, you went too far. Subtle > dramatic. |
| 4 | Not backing up | 3-2-1 rule: 3 copies, 2 different media, 1 offsite. Non-negotiable. |
| 5 | Ignoring light direction | Walk around subject. Move yourself. Light direction > light quantity. |
| 6 | Chimping (checking LCD after every shot) | Trust your settings. Check histogram periodically, not every frame. |
| 7 | No consistent style | Pick a look. Edit everything the same way. Consistency = brand. |
| 8 | Shooting at eye level only | Get low, get high, shoot through things. Unusual angles = interesting photos. |
| 9 | Not printing work | Screens lie. Print your best work. See it at size. It changes everything. |
| 10 | Comparing to others' highlights | Compare to your own work 6 months ago. That's the only benchmark that matters. |
Gear: Tripod + ND filter (6 or 10 stop) + remote shutter
Settings: f/8-11, ISO 100, Bulb mode
Timer: ND6 → multiply normal exposure × 64. ND10 → multiply × 1024.
ND FILTER EXPOSURE TABLE:
| Normal exposure | ND6 (6-stop) | ND10 (10-stop) |
|---|---|---|
| 1/250 | 1/4 | 4 sec |
| 1/125 | 1/2 | 8 sec |
| 1/60 | 1 sec | 16 sec |
| 1/30 | 2 sec | 32 sec |
| 1/15 | 4 sec | 60 sec |
1. Tripod mandatory. Manual focus.
2. Focus on nearest point. Take shot.
3. Move focus slightly deeper. Take shot.
4. Repeat until entire depth is covered (5-20 shots typical).
5. Stack in Photoshop (Auto-Align + Auto-Blend) or Helicon Focus.
Result: Razor-sharp from front to back at any aperture.
1. Tripod. Manual mode. Manual focus.
2. Meter for midtones. Take shot.
3. Underexpose -2 stops. Take shot.
4. Overexpose +2 stops. Take shot.
5. (Optional: -1 and +1 for smoother blend = 5 brackets)
6. Merge in Lightroom or Photomatix.
Rule: Natural-looking HDR only. If it looks "HDR-y", pull it back.
THE 500 RULE: Max shutter = 500 / (focal length × crop factor)
Example: 24mm on full frame = 500/24 = 20 seconds max before star trails
Settings: f/2.8 or wider, ISO 3200-6400, manual focus on bright star (magnify + adjust)
Lens: widest and fastest you own (14mm f/2.8 ideal)
Planning: Clear sky, no moon (new moon best), dark sky location (Bortle 1-4)
Apps: PhotoPills, Stellarium, Clear Outside
| Command | Action |
|---|---|
/photo-check | Run the 8-dimension quick health assessment |
Review my portfolio | Score portfolio across 6 dimensions with specific improvement actions |
Settings for [genre] | Provide camera settings, gear, and workflow for that genre |
Help me light this | Lighting setup guide based on description of scene/subject |
Critique this photo | Technical + compositional analysis with specific fixes |
What lens should I buy next? | Personalized recommendation based on current gear and goals |
Plan a shoot for [event/subject] | Complete pre-shoot checklist with shot list |
Edit this style | Color grading recipe to achieve described look |
Price my photography | CODB calculation and pricing framework |
Teach me [technique] | Step-by-step guide with practice exercises |
Build my portfolio | Architecture, selection rules, and platform recommendation |
Monthly practice plan | This month's focus area with daily exercises |
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