We live and breathe photography at 3226 Online.  Here are four quick tips from us that might help you improve yours!

1. Lighting is key – and mid-day isn’t the only time to take photos

The importance of lighting in photography can never be overstated. It’s truly one of the most crucial components for an outstanding photo. Practical tip: whenever you’re taking a photo, always take a second to see if you’re using the light to your advantage. Avoid shadows when they take away from what you’re trying to capture. Also, taking photos in the morning and evening will lead to different pictures compared to those at noon. Experiment with taking photos at different times of the day to get a feel for how different times affect your images.

2. Avoiding complex backgrounds when they’re unnecessary

The right background for a photo isn’t just important – it’s absolutely vital. Complex backgrounds can often times be very distracting and can negatively take away from the object you’re trying to capture. A good tip is to take advantage of plain backgrounds.

3. Don’t always center your objects

Many people have a tendency to want to center the object they’re photographing. Think about it…have you ever seen a photo from someone’s trip to Mexico, and in it they’ve got a majestic, full-of-history Mayan ruin right smack dab in the middle of the photo? Nearly everyone does that. Instead, a great practice is to see if positioning the object more towards the edges of your frame can create a more telling and revealing photo of the moment.
Positioning an object this way will empower you to capture more of the scene.

4. Snap, Smile, Repeat.

It’s so cliché, but it’s our favorite tip. Any great photographer will tell you the key to creating not just great but absolutely incredible photography is to have a blast doing it. Having fun will foster your passion for capturing truly spectacular art and your results will show it!

Got a great tip you’d like to share? Leave a comment and let us know!

[This article relates to our Bound By Sara Collection, an array of fantastically hand-crafted, personalized, leather-bound books. You can check out the collection anytime at 3226 Online Bound By Sara Collection]

Does the book featured (below) look different than most books, particularly the spine? That’s because it is…and it’s created using a special binding method called coptic binding.

What is Coptic binding?

First, a quick history lesson – coptic binding was used by early Christians in Egypt (the Copts) dating way back to the second century AD. It’s actually tied to the early spread of Christianity (pun intended). Specifically, coptic bindings are books that have sections of paper that are sewn together through the folds of the book. The sections are attached to each other by a chain of stitch “linkings” that tie at the spine.

How is this book made?

This Coptic-bound book has two wooden covers that are made with walnut. The covers are planed down to very specific depths, and the wood is then covered with handmade paper that’s crafted using the finest fibers. To make the paper, fibers are loaded into a Hollander beater that’s equipped with a washer wheel. The wheel then uses its cycles to tense the fibers. To give the paper its unique coloring, natural pigments are used.

Once the paper has set, it’s utilized as both an internal cover (first and last sheet in book) as well as a cover for the spine. The paper is cut to the perfect size and is set to the wooden covers. Next, they are coated with multiple layers of colored milk paint.  The moment the paint has dried, the wooden covers are then sanded down to expose the creases in the paper, giving the wood a unique, crackled effect. Finally, the wooden covers are then hand-beveled, polished, and drilled.  Once all of this is done, the book is finally ready to be bound!

I want one! What do I do?

All of our Coptic bindings are personalized and made-to-order! If you’re interested in getting this amazing type of book or if you just want to learn more, feel free to give us a call at 770.715.2136! You can see more of our Bound By Sara Collection at 3226 Online Bound By Sara Collection