Photography Resources

If you're a tech savvy teen and an aspiring photographer, you've no doubt scoured the web for helpful, inspiring websites. Well here are a few that I've found. 

Teen Photo 

This is a site for teens, made by teens. Not only is it clear and easy to understand, it also frequently features young photographers with great skill and imagination from all over the world. If you want to be inspired (and refute the excuse that young age relates to lack of skill), then look at these portfolios. You'll be amazed. Another helpful feature of this website is that it gives photography opportunities for teens if you are looking to spread your name and maybe gain a bit of cash. It also help push for the creation of the Annual Teen Photo Photography Contest sponsored by Adobe, which has some really awesome prizes. Explore the site for some great information. Not ready for contests yet? Well, how about you learn the basics through the Digital Photography School! 

Digital Photography School 

A compiled wealth of information, this site has it all. From tips to buying your first camera to learning the exposure triangle to learning the ways of photoshop, it is a great help. It sponsors some good giveaways, if you are interested in free stuff, and also has good book reviews. You can make an account and join the conversation in their forum or post photos and get helpful critiques and feedback. It has tips and tutorials, answers questions about cameras and equipment and helps you find your way through the labyrinth that is post production. It also sponsors weekly themed based contests, so if you are lacking inspiration, try to take your photo's based off of their theme. 

Other helpful websites are Popular Photography which has how-to guides, videos, contests and multitudes of pictures to be inspired by. You could also subscribe to their magazine and get helpful tips in the mail every month. 

Resources specific to Hawaii are the Lighthaus Camera Store where you can buy gear without the expensive shipping fee. You can also buy film and lenses for your film cameras or rent a special lens for a week or two. Another resource in Hawaii is the Ritz Camera Store in Ala Moana, where you can have one-on-one consultations that are tailored to your specific photography questions or print your favorite photo as a high quality print. 

Dina Goldstein's "Fallen Princesses"

Dina Goldstein is a Vancouver based photographer who shoots ads and editorials for a living. However, the Fallen Princesses project is a project that Goldstein took upon herself as a personal endeavor. "In all of the images, the princess is placed in an environment that articulates her conflict," she says on her website. "The 'happily ever after' is replaced with a realistic outcome and addresses current issues." The day isn't always saved by a dashing prince, an outcome that Disney seems to steadfastly cling to. The story ends when a princess reaches her 'happily ever after' but Fallen Princesses is meant to portray what happens post happily ever after. "Life is not easy for a lot of characters. They too are struggling." Goldstein's work keeps this in mind, with a realistic look at the sugar coated tales which we are familiar with.

See more of her work here.

P.S. Goldstein is not the only photographer to shine a light on the typical Disney princess. Check out Thomas Czarnecki's stunning, albeit darker, photos here.