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Thursday, 21 May 2009

Baby Photography.

Babies can be the most challenging and rewarding portraits to take, but can also be the most frustrating.

Babies tend to sleep, eat and cry a lot and won’t pose in front of the camera but don’t let that put you off photographing them. Creating the perfect baby portrait, when done right, will certainly be rewarding.

One of the most important factors in photographing babies is patience and the way you apply child psychology when relating to the baby. Babies over six months may be shy and won’t react well to a complete stranger. This is where child psychology comes in - you must try to play with the baby, or even become a child yourself while taking the photograph. The keys of your car can be very effective. But remember, your job is to take a baby portrait; you must be able to react quickly when the infant responds to your entertainment.

Shooting a portrait of a newborn baby can be difficult. At this age the baby will not be active, so it’s better to focus on close-up headshots. Try using natural light from a bedroom window to add mood to the portrait.

Babies over a few months of age will be more alert and will have a lot more movement in them. Shooting fast is a necessity, the infant will tire quickly.

Babies seven months or older can be very tricky to shoot. The baby will bore quickly and will not want to stay in the same position.

If you are serious about baby photography and you tend to shoot from your own studio make sure you have a lot of toys to amuse the infants. A light colour background will work best and shoot the portraits in colour and black and white.

Parents may be worried about the affect of studio lights on their baby. Point out that strobe lights have no effect on kids. Try to point this out before the parent asks.

Don’t ever handle a baby without the parents consent. Most parents will be very protective and won’t react well to a stranger lifting the infant.

Watch out for the fingers - fingers in the mouth can be attractive but on most occasions they will obscure the face.

If you plan to resell the baby photograph to an agency make sure you get a release form signed from the parents. There is a large market out there for baby pictures but agencies or magazines won’t touch them without the parents consent. For baby portraits to be sellable they must be technically perfect, but the picture must illustrate the baby being active or some form of child care.

Portrait Photography : One of the Greatest Arts

Before doing any portrait photography there are some very important questions that any photographer should ask himself. What kind of light source it's going to be used? From what angle the light will fall on the subject? What film, camera and lens are best to use?

If you manage to answer all this questions before taking the photo then you will probably make quite a good portrait photography. But i know that you don't want a good portrait photography, you want a perfect one. So the best way to achieve this performance is to talk with the client trying to know him, his past, his desires. This way you can create distinctive portraits. If you want a real great portrait then you have to add a bit of the client's personality in the photo. This works very well especially when you make female portrait photography. You shouldn't look for a face that is over painted by a makeup artist. Try to surprise something that really represents the subject.

If you are wondering what to talk about with your clients then the answer is anything that will show you something distinctive for that person. Try to look for different face expressions and eye or mouth movement. When you see something beautiful keep it in mind and later capture it in your portraits. Belive me that studying the subject before making the portrait photography is the biggest secret in this art.

Meeting with the client, building rapport, knowing the client, and planning the session are essential elements. So don't do the final session at the first meeting. After you are sure that you know everything you need to know to make a perfect portrait photography choose the best location and time of day and take the session.

I advice you to always use natural light if it's possible. Choosing the background it's also very important too. If the picture is to close then the background looses any meaning, if it's to far then the background will overwhelm the subject. So try not to merge the subject with the background in an indistinguishable shape.

From my point of view making portrait photography is the greatest art. I belive this because it's very different from making landscape photography or nature photography. When you make a photo you can make the subject to react to your wills and you really can control the picture.

So, in conclusion when it comes to portrait photography it all depends on how much you want the photo to be perfect and how dedicated you are to the art and the feeling of seeing that your client is really pleased.

Preparation for Creative Photography

Many elements exist in taking great photographs and this article aims at helping you set up your camera and monitor to get the most out of the pictures you take.

More to it than Photoshop

Photoshop is a very powerful tool when it comes to photo editing and this program allows you to enhance and radically change just about any aspect of a photo. Although you can import an image into an application like Photoshop and edit it in many amazing ways to get the best results to suit your criterion, you start by taking a great picture.

Presetting your Digital Camera

Apart from a few exceptions you should always shoot in RAW format because you can always be assured there's more creative leeway in a RAW file. JPEGs lack certain information in the data that makes up the file. If shooting in JPEG format make sure you shoot at the highest possible quality.
JPEGs have their role, for example, if you have little time to work on the photos after you shoot and just want to capture a snap, or you require fast sequence shooting then shooting in JPEG format is ideal.

Understanding your Cameras ISO

Every digital camera has a sensor to capture the image, similar to a computer chip. The camera ISO is related to the sensor and by adjusting the ISO you increase or decrease the sensitivity of the sensor to allow for taking images in awkward light situations. For example, a lower ISO setting reduces the light sensitivity and is used for overly bright scenes. A high ISO setting increases the light sensitivity and is suitable for taking pictures on a cloddy day.

Be Different, Be Creative

The great thing about digital photography is that you can create really impressive photos by simply playing around with your settings and experimenting. You will often find that a photo which is abstracted in some way will show more emotion, or reveal more about the subject in question.
On occasions you will go through phases where you can't snap that great photo and everything always seems boring or lacking emotion and depth. If you hit a period like this then try one of the following:

Get High: Look around for something you can climb like a staircase, tree or step ladder.

Get Low: Look around and try taking pictures from a low angle i.e. down a flight of stairs, or an underground hatch.

Calibrate Your Monitor

The guidelines above will help you take wonderful high quality photos that are full of detail and impressive to look at. Next you will most likely want to edit these pictures using an image editor such as Adobe Photoshop to put the finishing touches to your creations but first you need to prepare your work station.

Online retailers often face issues with consumers who are using monitors that are not properly calibrated. Often what's happening is the consumer is looking at a colour on a screen which is not true to life i.e. a red t-shirt which is really a burgundy t-shirt.

Adobe Gamma is a monitor calibration tool that comes packaged with Photoshop and it allows you to correctly calibrate the colours which your monitor displays. Alternatively, you can use QuickGama which is free software provided by Eberhard Werle.

Digital Photography - What Is Stock Photography?

Stock photography has been long in the market and it has help a lot of people in performing their task. You might not be familiar what is stock photography and this article is going to show you briefly what it is all about.

Stock photography is just existing photographs that are available for specific purpose. Sometimes it is also known as picture library or photo bank and digital stock photography can just simply mean that the pictures are taken digitally.

You can see a lot of these digital stock photographs in books, magazines and websites. You might ask why the publishers don't hire professional photographers for the job. This is because the pictures in photo bank are cheaper than getting someone to do it. Plus the pictures sold in the photo bank are created with the best quality and that can save you from the frustration of fighting with the photographer over the quality of the pictures.

As good as digital stock photography may sounds, you might not have much control over the pictures you get from the library. This is especially true when the pictures you are looking for are not something popular and often you have to compromise with the second or third choices you can get.

Since stock photography is about buying and selling photographs, it provides a chance for you to make extra income for your pocket. When you are photographing for picture library, remember that you are to shoot for what your potential customers are interested instead of what you like.

And to help you make money with this process, look at what other photographers are selling and think about what else you can offer. Let's say eagle is the popular subject. Can you photograph other species of the eagle with different angle or performing other activity? You will never know whether anyone is looking for a picture of Harpy eagle resting in its nest and he might be willing to pay good money for it.

Another easy way for you to cash in with photo library is to look into the 'wanted list' in the digital stock photography agencies. Once you know what your potential customers are looking for, plan your shots so that you can bring something different to the table. As long as you can make your clients feel that your picture is their perfect solutionFree Reprint Articles, they are going to get your picture regardless of your reputation.

Submit Photos to Shutterstock and make $$$!

Surrealism in Photography

Surrealism in photography was one of the major revolutionary changes in the evolution of photography. Rather than art, photography was reviewed as a copying effort. Surrealism is the introduction of the ‘more than real’ images to the art forms.
Surrealism in photography was one of the major revolutionary changes in the evolution of photography. Rather than art, photography was reviewed as a copying effort. Surrealism is the introduction of the ‘more than real' images to the art forms.

Surrealism was a movement in the art and intellectual activities, emerged after World War I. Andre Breton, was the founder of the surrealistic concepts and he has gathered the influence from the Dande movement. Surrealism is actually the real expression of mental emotions, without any polishing. Andre Breton describes surrealism in Surrealist Manifesto, as the pure psychic automatism expressed in the real functionality of a person. Surrealistic art forms characteristically differ from the conventional forms in not having specific shape or idea. It can be the expression of basic human instinct and imaginative faculties of the unconscious mind. But, when surrealism comes to photography, the critics did not even imagine such a possibility. However, "Marquise Casati" by Man Ray, made a change to the belief, as it featured multiple eyes for the photograph. Even though, it was an accidental blurring, it proved the chances for the feasibility of surrealistic works.

Man Ray and Lee Miller are considered as legends in surrealistic photography as they were very successful to overcome the limitations of photography to create surrealistic images. Maurice Tabard is another famous surrealist, who had his own technique for surrealistic imaging. Hans Bellmer creatively used mechanical dolls to symbolize sexualized images, where as for Rene Magritte camera was the tool to make photographic equivalents of his paintings.

Surrealist photographs are described as the images, which symbolically represent dreams, night mares, intoxication, sexual ecstasy, hallucination and madness. The difficulty with photography medium is that it imbibes the reality, and often the real images cannot be sufficient to express such unconventional patterns. But, the famous surrealist photographers are able to fulfill the task since they can use the photographic techniques effectively. The ordinary snapshots, body photographs, anthropological photographs, medical photographs, movie stills, and even police photographs are manipulated to create the impression of surrealist images in the photographs.

Surrealism in photography is mainly performed using the different techniques. The differential techniques of light and lenses can itself be the primary technique for surrealism. Photomontage is one of the popular processing techniques, in which the several images are coupled together. In photogram, a photographic paper can be used instead of camera to imprint the image. The images produced by the flush of light can create amazing images that has a surrealistic look.

Multiple exposure is another technique for surrealism, in which the camera is clicked twice or more, without rolling the negative. The second image will be superimposed on the first image and the final product will be an undefined mixture of both. Cliche verre or glass negative is the surrealistic technique that uses negative coated from glass plate. Anyhow, solarization or Sabattier effect seems to be the most remarkable technique for surrealism. It produces dramatic effect of patterns through the flushing of the light on the photograph, while developing in the darkroom. It was discovered by Lee MillerFree Articles, which have selective reversal of highlights and shadows. The light and dark areas with the distinct line of reversal make it most appropriate for surrealism.

Surrealism in photography has progressed much from its primitive stages. The new technology and lenses offer immense opportunity to the new generation photographers to portray their mental emotions in the frame of cameras.

Learn Digital Photography - Introducing Digital Photography

Photography has never been so easy and fun since digital photography. Not just that, you can have full control over the pictures you take. You can now save the time to develop your picture in the dark room and you can even view your picture on TV. Drop by here to find out what digital photography can offer...
Over the years, photography has evolved from film based to fully digital. With digital photography, you can capture that special moment with far more accuracy and detail than you used to. Digital camera manufacturers have improved the camera features so that professionals and beginner photographers can enjoy the hobby.

However, these new features sometimes might not be enough to capture the essence of the photo. Maybe you frame the subject well and you got the lighting right but you forgot to include the red eye reduction setting. That is when photo editing software becomes handy. You just load your picture into the software and make the necessary adjustment.

When you really want to enjoy digital photography, you need the right tool for it. When you are beginning with the hobby, you can start with compact digital camera and if you are thinking to become a professional photographer, you must look into DSLR camera.

Always look into what you need when selecting your digital camera. If you are not a photography enthusiast, you don't need anything more than a simple point and shoot camera. On the other hand, when you want to make money with photography, you should consider a DSLR camera.

You do know you can make money with your hobby right?

You can be a wedding photographer, host a photo blog and even sell your picture online. When you do a search online, you will find more chance to earn money with digital photography.

As you already knew, photography is an art and you need to improve your skills to make it better. You can go to workshops, read blogs and buy a photography book to learn more about digital photography. But no matter what you do, remember to go out and snap more nice pictures.

Be creative when you are taking your pictures. You can take a few shots of the same subject with different settings and angles. After thatFree Articles, compare your pictures and analyze why some pictures are better than the rest. It is through research and practice that you can become a better digital photographer.

How to Take Great Flower Photos

I know that many out there want to improve their photography in one aspect. Flower photography. With gardening as popular as it is this shouldn’t be a surprise. Flower photography while looking like one of the simplest forms of photography can quickly become one of the most difficult. Here are a few tips for you. (Keeping in mind that basic good photography skills are always used.)
1. Soft diffuse light. Today it’s very overcast outside, and if there were any flowers in bloom today would be the perfect day for capturing some great images. Soft diffuse light enhances color saturation, so if you wondered how or why pro photographers flower images seem so deep in color this is one of the reasons why. (There are exceptions to this rule. I do some flower photography is bright or dappled sunlight but I’m usually trying to get an effect of light passing through the petals.)

2. Slow film speed. 200 speed or less. The slower speed films have greater detail and for flowers you’re going to need to get close anyway and you want the nice sharp detail of a slower speed of film. I use 100 speed for my flower photography.

3. Tripod. Use one for this type of photography. Set up your shot, get everything in sharp focus, and then shoot. A tripod will keep your camera from moving on you and allow you to get the sharp detail you will need.

4. Look for great colors, a flower in full bloom next to a budFind Article, and don’t shoot on windy days. Keep contrast and color in mind at all times and try different compositions each time you take a shot.

Flower photography can be a lot of fun especially if the flowers are your own.

Wednesday, 20 May 2009

Photography And The Cell Phone

Nearly every modern cell phone (telefone celular) has a camera feature. Though they are far away from modern age digital camera, cell phone cameras can still be used to produce good quality photographs.

The cell phone (telefone celular) has some additional features that are not yet available on digital cameras and so may even be able to provide some advantages. The best way to obtain quality photographs is to understand the specifications that are available on these devices, enabling you to make an informed decision when choosing your mobile product, ensuring that it meets your requirements.

The size of the cell phone (telefone celular) screen will affect the quality of viewing on your phone only. It will not affect the quality of your photograph when downloaded to your computer. However, the pixels that your cell phone camera uses will affect the quality of the image a great deal. The minimum resolution you should use is 1.0 mega pixels if photographic images are an important feature for you.

Higher resolution of 3.0 mega pixels and up is available on current cell phones (telefone celular). The higher the number of pixels, the better quality the photographic image will be when reproduced. This is because the pixels are the amount of dots used to create the image; the more that are used, the less the image will break up when enlarged.

The memory size of your device will directly affect the number of photographs that you can store. This will affect your output, and also give you less scope for getting that perfect shot. Your device will detail how much memory it contains, and this amount is usually very low, to store only a few photographic images.

However, the memory capacity can be supplemented by purchasing a memory card that is compatible with your cell phone (telefone celular). The largest currently available is as much as 2 Gigabytes, which can store large numbers of photographs. The exact number will vary as the number of pixels directly affects the amount of memory used. The settings of your picture image can often be changed also. The picture quality is better the higher the resolution you choose. Lower resolutions take up less memory and so can be useful if you just want to send images to friends and family, if are running low on space or if the quality is not of importance.

It is also important that you can store your pictures. If you purchase a cell phone memory card (telefone celular), make sure that it also be compatible with your computer or that it can be hooked up to a USB that is computer compatible. Your device should also come with a USB that you can use to download your pictures. This enables you to clear your cell phone regularly, maximising the use of the camera feature. Once stored, your photographs can be manipulated using programs such as Photoshop, as with any other photographic image.

A major advantage of a camera is that it can be used to send pictures direct to friends and family with a compatible cell phone (telefone celular). These can be sent via multi media messages, which although relatively expensive are now appearing in cell phone contracts as part of a package.

Digital photos can also be sent via email if the cell phone (telefone celular) is internet enabled. Any photographic image can be sent for free via infra red or Bluetooth to another compatible device. This is an excellent way of sharing images, without the need for downloading first, which is both fast and functional. This means cell phones do have an advantage over other photographic devices to a degree, as they do not yet have this feature.

When Photography Met Art

Have you ever thumbed through a magazine and looked at a photograph in an advertisement and thought, without the text, that would be a great picture? Framing a picture cut out from a magazine dose not always look so appealing on the wall. Luckily for all of us a trend has began that allows one to put the scissors away and go to the local art gallery, or search online to find such appealing photographs.

More and more commercial photographs, intentionally shot for advertisement, are being purchased to adorn the walls of homes and businesses. Originally the artistic minded photographer would dabble in commercial photography, but it was unusual for a commercial photographer to try to place pieces of work in galleries. That has finally all been changed for the better.

There is little difference between a photograph shot for a magazine and one shot for purpose of creating a fine art piece. Each photographer for whatever reason chooses to create an image to satisfy a underlying vision or inspiration. To most photographers there is no difference between commercial or fine art photographs. It is usually those that market the finished product that seem to draw the line on what is considered fine art and what is not. Thankfully that type of thinking is fast dissipating.

When last minute gift ideas are being sought, it may well be the time that photographic art in all genres shine. A trend of seeking gifts of value and longevity over those that gratify impulses and bring satisfaction for only a brief moment is on the rise. Truly we live in a time when photography has finally met the same plateau as traditional art in the market place.

Learning Ways To Succeed In Photography Art

There was a time when people used to depend on talented painters for getting their portraits made. These painters created magic with their brushstrokes on canvas and they were held as artworks. Thanks to the enormous growth and development of technology nowadays people can create samples of Fine Art Photography without knowing the art of Oil Paintings on Canvas.

Using computer and certain sophisticated image editing and manipulation software it is possible to create Photography Art Prints. The effects of oil painting and other brush techniques can be easily replicated in image editing software. Advent and evolution of compact digital cameras have made taking quality snaps a cakewalk for people. Most of these cameras have predefined settings ideal for taking photographs under varying light conditions and surroundings. The benefit is that these photos can be transferred to computers easily and be modified at ease. Thus the process of creating photography prints is definitely different from creating oil on canvas.

However a person needs to know the maximum size of the picture that he is going to take. This depends on the mega pixel rating of the cameras. The photos of friends and family can be easily contained in an 8 by 10 inch photo. But if a person wants to take a larger printout then he must take the photo at the highest mega pixel setting of the camera. Even the entry level digital cameras can take pictures that can take 10 MB space. The newer PCs can easily handle files of this capacity.

However for editing and adding special effects to the photos a person needs to use a machine that has sufficient amounts of RAM. Photography Art has evolved over the ages. Most of the photographers and veterans swear by the power and precision of the software Adobe Photoshop. It is considered as the de facto tool for image editing and retouching. However it comes with a steep price tag and the latest version is quite hungry on system resources.

As an alternative a person can try the lower priced image editing software available in the market. A good idea would be using the stripped down version of Photoshop named Photoshop Elements 6.0. This costs less than Photoshop Creative suite yet contains the necessary features a person needs for image manipulation. Black White Photography can be effectively modified by using this software for creating exquisite art prints.

After opening the Photo in Photoshop a person needs to check the image resolution. The default Photoshop setting is 72 dpi. This may be good for web use but way too low for large size printouts. Generally a resolution of 300 dpi suffices for print purpose. After setting the resolution it is imperative to set the print size. If a person needs to scale down a photo before taking the print he needs to maintain the proportion of the original to prevent deformation. Sometimes it might be necessary to crop the image.

After finalizing the digital adjustments a person should zoom to the full size and examine the image for any defects. The printers accept various types of file formats though TIFF is the most commonly used one.