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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.

Photography Information About Street Photography

Now I have some photography information that is about street photography. What is street photography? I can tell you that it is not about taken pictures of the streets. Actually street photography has nothing to do with the street. This just a term that stuck with people.

It would be better to describe street photography as moment photography, photos that are taken in the moment without any prep. You could also describe it as social photography, the way that people interact with others. It is about our human society,shared moments, and our environments. It is photos of people in their own habitat.

Different photographers will focus on different things. Some street photographers try to capture funny moments and others will capture people. You can take pictures of the daily lives of people. This can be from the homeless person all the way up to high society. The main thing here is that you can shoot what you want.

You will want to try and capture real everyday life. You can shoot people in public places that they go to every day. This can be the parking lot or your local store and the people that work in the store. Take shots of people using the subway or on the freeway. These type of images make for some great street photography.

As a street photographer you will need to pay attention to detail. You want to pay attention to scenes, moments that you may only recognize subconsciously. Use the camera as an extension of your eye and capture the images that you feel. You want to capture people when they are involved in what they are doing and not paying attention to you.

Street photography is deceptively simple in it's definition yet it is complex in nature. Street photography has provided some of the strongest practical purposes in photography. A lot of documentation work of lifestyles and living conditions of different societies were accomplished though street photography.

So now that you have this photography information about street photography you can grab your camera, hit the streets and capture life as it is.

Photography Studio Equipment

Photography can be an art form when it comes to capturing the greatest shots. Many variables come into play, such as the quality of camera and photographic accessories you are using and how affective you are with your knowledge of utilizing light to produce amazing high quality photos. Without the use of proper photography studio equipment, the end result is that photo's lack the definition and crispness in the image that could otherwise be publishable quality.

Backlighting for instance in a pro photography studio has the ability to either enhance a photograph or completely ruin it, depending on where the photographer positions their light stand. Backlighting is simply providing a light source that is coming from behind a person or an object that is being photographed. Experience in photography lighting comes into play with not only backlighting but with the use of other types of photography studio equipment as well. Getting working experience with setting up lighting equipment for shooting products, objects or people is usually best learned from a hands on approach.

Many photographer's may find that there lighting is simply too harsh, to neutralize this affect, they can simply reposition the stand or use a softbox or a reflector with the light source to diffuse the brightness in such a way to where it smooths away any harshness or shadowing affects. Using a soft box or a reflector at those times can be invaluable because most photographer's know, that by controlling or using the lighting conditions available, you can also control the quality of your photo's, regardless of what you are shooting. Once photographer's understand the importance of lighting and learn how to use this fundamental truth to their advantage, this gained knowledge is commensurate with the newly found higher quality photo's that they can now repeatedly produce either at home or in a studio.

Whether working from home or a pro studio, photography enthusiasts of varying calibers make good use of equipment such as chromakey backgrounds, light stands, photo umbrellas, barn doors, complete studio packages, strobe flash heads, and continuous or strobe lighting equipment among other items. Many find that the best deals on this type of photo studio equipment can be found online for a much more reasonable price than shopping at a physical store. However, some sites are simply overpriced and the items that they offer have no warranty period at all. Fortunately, most shopper's know that when it comes to studio grade photography equipment, it's actual quality can be measured by the length of it's warranty period.

Photographer's are a varied and discerning group of people, most know that if they are using substandard equipment while shooting products, portraits, weddings or a multitude of other various events. Than their photo's are likely to suffer the same fate and be substandard as well. They simply require quality photography studio equipment at a great price that will continuously deliver consistent and reliable results and will be ready to work at a moment's notice when they are.

With items such as flash light heads, chromakey backgrounds, soft boxes, reflectors, barn doors, bulbs, umbrellas and more for strobe flash, halogen and fluorescent photo lighting kits. You can find pro quality, brand name photography studio equipment for less. All products excluding bulbs come with a full one year warranty as well as a 30 day money back guarantee.

Top 10 Travel Photography Tips

1: Travel light, but travel prepared.
There is nothing worse than having too much heavy equipment to lug around and it can often get in the way and make you stand out, but worse than that is not having the equipment you need. For city shooting, carry around a wide to medium zoom for a variety of conditions, and if out shooting landscapes, a light tripod is invaluable.

2: Use your camera's P mode.
Shooting in AV, TV or Manual modes gives you the greatest deal of control and any decent photographer will rarely use anything else, however if wandering around a city, use P mode. This sets the camera to Auto for ISO, shutter speed and aperture whilst allowing you to change any settings if necessary and giving control over the flash, and when a shot comes along and you have no time to think, all you need to do is compose the shot and shoot. Better to give control to the camera than to miss the shot completely, and if you find you have longer than you thought you can flick back to one of the other modes for more shots.

3. Use a long zoom for candid shots.
I love shots of people living their lives, but as soon you whip out your camera, any naturalness goes straight out of the window. Using a long zoom can allow you to observe from a distance and capture natural shots without disrupting or being disrupted.

4. Choose your lens and stick to it.
Dust is the bain of the photographers life so when out in the field, you don't want to be changing lens and letting dust in. Pick a suitable lens for your shoot and stick with it.

5. Find a new perspective.
You can guarantee that famous landmarks and places have been photographed from every position possible. Try to look at your subject from a new perspective - climb a tree, stick out the rain - you'll find yourself with something that 99% of people wouldn't have.

6. Check your batteries before leaving home.
This sounds obvious but not checking battery life and having your camera die on you at the crucial point is a common problem. Charge your batteries, take a spare and avoid kicking yourself for such a simple mistake.

7. Be polite.
No one likes people shoving a camera in their face. If you are taking a picture of someone you don't know or of something that they might be protective over, common courtesy can go a long way. Just ask and most of the time they will say yes and you might even get an interesting conversation out of it.

8. Use a filter.
If you've spent hundreds of pounds on a lens, you want to make sure you keep it protected. For a fraction of what your lens cost you can get a filter that will save you alot of grief.

9. Get insurance.
Most travel insurance policies only cover a small amount of personal possessions so it is worth making sure you have camera insurance that covers you in the country you are in.

10. Back up your images.
The longer you travel, the greater the risk of damage or theft to your memory cards. Losing the photos you have taken is often more painful than losing the equipment itself, so make sure you back up your photos either online or on CD. Or both. You can then keep these with you or send them back to someone to keep hold of until you get back.

Night Photography Can Be Pretty Cool

There are a lot of people that are getting into photography these days. I expect that this is due to the fact that digital cameras are really simple for someone to use. You can take some great shots and you don't have to spend an arm and a leg. It is nice to know that the price of digital photography is coming down to where people can afford it.

As easy as they make it for you there are still things that you may want to know that are easy to apply. A lot of new photographers are having a hard time with night photography. One of the problems that you run across, is that a lot of digital cameras just flat out do not perform well under low light. I know a few things that can help with this, one is that when you are taking night time photos you will want to use long exposure. What long exposure will do is let more light in and by doing so it allows for the details of your subject to be captured.

Another thing that you will notice in night photography is if you are shaking, if you are shaking just slightly it will show more than if you were taking a day photo. So if this is a problem for you use a tripod and if you don't have one you will need to rest on something ,perhaps on a friends shoulder.
A fun thing that you can do when using long exposure is you can shoot moving lights and get the trails effect, such as lights on a car that is moving on down the road.

These pictures always look pretty cool. When you are using long exposure be sure to take advantage of the fact that you are not limited to still photography, you have creative options when it comes to night photography.

Digital Photography Secrets - Creating Breathtaking Landscape Photos

Landscapes can be among the most captivating photos a photographer can create. They can also be challenging, especially when using a new digital camera. With a little preparation you will be able to create beautiful digital landscape photos.

The first tip is to be prepared. Carry a tripod as well as extra memory and batteries to allow you to keep shooting. Tripods will eliminate camera shake in your photos, which is particularly noticeable when you are shooting large vistas. You will also want to find a good telephoto and wide-angle lens for landscapes. Telephoto can be used to zoom in on interesting characteristics of the environment, while you would use the wide-angle to give a panoramic feel to your pictures.

The key to good shots outdoors is the light. The best time to shoot landscapes is early in the morning as the sun is coming up, or during dusk. This way the colours don't become washed out in the harsh mid-day sunlight and shadows tend to have more character.

Don't lose yourself in the background. Find an interesting element to focus on. This will give your pictures more character as ensure that the scale of your landscape is not lost on viewers. The foreground subject could be as simple as a person, or a unique rock outcropping.

Keep your photos off-centred. Referred to as the Rule of Thirds, you want to invasion the scene as being cut into three sections. Aim slightly off centre, either along the horizontal or vertical axes, to give your pictures depth and a look of professionalism.

Find ways to guide your audience to the main feature you want to highlight. You can use anything that resembles a line running in the direction you want people to look in. It could be a river, a road, or kids running through a field, whatever. This again adds depth and scale to your photo, as well as giving it "life."

Play with black and white. Never before has it been possible for a photographer to seamlessly switch from colour to black and white photography. What used to necessitate several cameras is now as simple as the push of a button. Black and white produces drastic contrasts between light and dark and can make even a dull seeming picture more spellbinding.

Tuesday 19 May 2009

The Art of Digital Photography

Until this came along photography used to be a hassle to even the most dedicated in the trade. But now, it has breathed new life into photography showing the power of one moment captured in time.

Digital photography utilizes digital technology to make images of subjects and does not need chemical based processing. The images can be captured, displayed, stored, transmitted, manipulated and recorded with the aid of a computer.

Since the first commercially available digital camera in 1990 and the first consumer camera with liquid crystal display on the back in 1995 this camera has brought speed, accuracy, enhanced imaging and many moments of happiness for both professional photographers as well as amateurs alike.

From the linear array type of cameras at the highest end to the simple web cams at the lowest end, these devices offer many advantages to a photographer. Immediate image review, deletion, lighting and composition management are among the main plus points. Conservation of storage space and manipulation of the end product are additional advantages.

There are a few disadvantages to overcome when using digital photography. The cameras are entirely dependent on an electrical supply. Color print film possesses a bigger dynamic range than digital sensors in general. Salvaging burnt out highlights are difficult with digital cameras and image noise manifests as multicolored speckles.

In today's fast moving world digital photography has become a necessity for professional news photographers wanting the acceptable image quality. This has also given the amateur snapshot takers the ability to send images by e-mail from anywhere in the world. It is possible to view images of world events as they happen as was amply demonstrated at the presidential inauguration and the long drawn out hotel siege in Mumbai recently. Astronomers and other technicians use digital photography on a daily basis.

After the initial cost in acquiring a digital camera the operating cost of photographing through this method is cheap in the long run. This is a major factor for users of digital photography to keep using it and embrace all innovations in the field that is bound to follow with time. I for one, am keeping my digital camera close to me at all times as it may very well bag that elusive shot that I have been hankering after for many years.

Photographers Choice: Black And White - When Is It Right

We live in a world full of color and it hits us from all sides all day long. In a world that emphasizes color so much black and white has gained a new status. The timelessness and the elegance of black and white photography cannot be put into words and has to seen to be appreciated. Black and white theme is the best way to produce photographs with character, meaning and emotion. It can transform an awful color picture into a work of aft when used properly.

Most photographers who use this are passionate hobbyists or professional photographers wanting to emphasize certain qualities of the picture. Contrast and contradiction can be inserted into the same frame with character and grab the attention of the beholder. In fact, this was the way it all started out in photography and today the monochromatic image is appreciated for its inherent and deep qualities.

Practice is important with black and white photography. The mind has to be trained to pick up tone and contrast while blocking out distractions of color. With time this will come naturally to you and the decision to optimize a photograph this way can be done with ease. The secret here is to make a conscious effort and things will fall into place. The learning process cannot be replaced by anything the experienced thus gained will be the only way to achieve success in this field.

In black and white photography the spectrum is clear. It is black on one end and white on the other with all the shaded in between. What should be optimized is what the human eye picks up as the intensity of color and intensity of light. Contrasting with these to fields is a great way to compose a black and white photograph. Although a naturally contrasting photograph is great you can use many Photoshop techniques to achieve a variety of distinct looks. Burning and dodging are also highly effective in this type of picture.

Textures can be highlighted in black and white photography and is another aspect of contrast itself. Sometimes this is represented so vividly that you can almost feel the texture by just looking at it.

Digital photographers should always shoot in color and then convert the picture to a black and white using photo editing software. It is amazing to see the difference in the same picture with color compared to the black and white image. It is only then you will realize the power of this medium.

There are certain times when a black and white photograph becomes absolutely necessary to convey the full import of the picture. Very often, photographs depicting powerful emotional moments and highly dramatic events will benefit with black and white photography. This is easy to understand when we view all those black and white holocaust pictures and compare them with pictures of present day war or disasters which are in color. So, never underestimate the power of the black and white medium and what it can do for your photography.

Shoot First, Then Learn

Shoot, shoot and shoot even more. This is what a photographer should do in order to become a true professional. Photography is one of those fields where a person's work reflects his experience. This is why it is important to get as much experience as possible in working with different conditions and in all sorts of lighting conditions.

The learning process for any photographer, whether he is a professional or whether he is someone who is just doing it as a pastime, never really ends. It is a life long commitment to the art of photography that makes a student out of even the most experienced professionals. This is part of the charm for many people who opt to shoot pictures.

The whole learning process takes time and cannot be hurried. So, just relax, enjoy and meanwhile shoot as many photographs as possible. There are many steps along the way that have to be taken in order to become a photographer.

First and foremost of these steps is to understand and study the tools you would be working with. The camera and the lighting equipment are the first items that come to mind. How these work and their maintenance is important as it will be the base for your journey through photography. Then it is a matter of simply taking photographs.

The possibilities that are presented to a person behind a camera are countless. This is definitely a form of art where artistry brings out the best work. Being dedicated and committed to the art form is important. Giving it up after a few months will not get you anywhere. Even as a hobby this commitment will be the one thing that helps you to progress towards becoming a good photographer.

Never be afraid to experiment. This is one field where allsorts of experiments have paid off in the long run netting some of the most memorable photographs to their creators. Widen your horizons, go beyond your own garden and venture out into the world and you will find an amazing moments everywhere you go.

Another lesson that is important to learn early on is to take your camera with you everywhere you go. You never know when an unexpected photo opportunity presents itself. IF you are able to make taking photographs a part of your life that will lead you onto becoming one of the greats in the field, even if it is only for your own amusement.

There are many rewards for a photographer personally apart from it being an avenue of revenue. The satisfaction that is gained through a beautifully executed photograph is like that of an artist who has painted a masterpiece. You will never get tired of looking at it. So, keep on shooting, shooting and shooting even more and you will learn in the best way possible to better yourself at this art form.

Portrait Photography - What Should You Know

Portrait photography deals with pictures that capture a person or a group of people where the facial expressions, the mood of the moment and the special features of the personality of the subjects are highlighted. A portrait is a well composed image of a person or a group in a still position. Portraits generally are done to remember a date or a special occasion such as a wedding, a graduation, an anniversary or a reunion.

When it comes to portrait photography it can be done on the traditional lines or it can be done in a more innovative style which will express the mood of the moment with more eloquence. Striking portraits are remembered forever and treasured by many. Traditionally, the subjects in the portrait stare straight ahead at the camera which is positioned at eye level. However if you change the angle of the camera it will add a completely different aspect to the portrait. Shooting from up, down or up close can give an interesting perspective to the whole exercise.

The most important feature in a portrait is the subject's eyes. Looking straight down the lens is the most common and traditional way which is great for establishing a connection with the person looking at it. You can also have the subject looking off camera with the focus on something outside the frame. It is intriguing to the onlooker and created interest in the portrait. This has to be handled with care so as to keep the focus on the picture and not take it totally to the edge of it. The subject can be looking at something within the frame and this second point of interest can create its own story within the portrait.

The placement of the subject is also important to a portrait. Dead center or placing them with the use of the Rule of Thirds should be done as befits each picture that you are composing. There are no hard and fast rules about this and being imaginative will ensure a great portrait.

Another aspect of portrait photography is the lighting and how the different effects are used to highlight facial features, the body or the background. The possibilities are endless and need only be limited by your imagination. Side-lighting, backlighting and silhouetting the subject can work out perfectly for portraits. Partially obscured features at times can be very powerful in a portrait.

The traditional portrait shots have nothing to show in the way of originality. If the subject is good, the portrait is good. On the other hand if the portrait can made to look more than interesting it will really stand out. So, get the subject to do something that will involve activity and the photographs that you shoot at this time will show the subject in a more upbeat light. Less posing and more candid photographs will definitely be better. This works amazingly with children.

Focusing on a prop or a body part is another way of taking portraits. Composing the photograph can be a lot of fun when you are working with a prop or focusing on one body part. Obscuring a part of the subject in the portrait can be very powerful as this creates all sorts of emotion. One other method that can be used specially when working with children is to take a series of pictures that captures a certain movement and can be presented together as a series.

With all these tips for portrait taking you can refine your techniques even further with practice. So, experiment and learn the beat way that will suit you and make it your signature style.

Photography Tips - How to Use Lighting To Your Advantage

The recording of light rays in a way that captures it forever can be defined as photography and is heavily dependant on the lighting conditions used when shooting. Different lighting conditions are used to create all sorts of moods and pictures. Whatever lighting conditions are available you must know how to handle it in such a way it will be to your advantage. The lighting you need may not be available at a given time and you might have to wait for the ideal conditions before taking the photograph.

The light given out at different times of the day have varied effects on a photograph. Couple this with climatic conditions and you have a vast array of possibilities for shooting the best picture with the lighting conditions that you may need. A basic understanding of lighting is a must for any photographer. This can be learnt with experimentation as well as learnt from looking at other photographs. Artificial lighting and flashes are the other type of lighting that photographers work with most often. Here you have the advantage of adjusting the lighting to suit your needs unless the artificial lighting is something beyond your control such as street lighting.

Sunlight

Sunlight is often harsh and generates dark and large shadows. The shadows are positioned around a subject according to the way the light is cast. Diffused light is always better than harsh light as it casts fewer shadows although this can be used in certain photographs to achieve a definite effect. Lighting can be changed afterwards using filters and other techniques.

The best times of the day for photography is at sunrise and sunset. This allows less harsh lighting conditions to illuminate the photograph with no shadows to speak of. Diffusers and reflectors are often used to create the kind of lighting needed.

An overcast day can be a boon to a photographer as it is the same as using a giant diffuser. The same photograph can look extremely different with different lighting conditions and with time you will learn to assess the lighting conditions with accuracy. Noontime sun is good for taking landscape photographs such as the ones you will see in travel guides. And, if you want shadows in your photo this is the ideal time for it.

Other lighting conditions given to us by nature are the overcast sky, fog and mist and the sunset. All these are ideal for a variety of photographs as you can use these conditions to innovate the way they look. Some of the most beautiful photographs have been taken under these conditions.

Artificial light

An electronic flash can be used to augment the existing lighting conditions so as to give a better result. We can use multiple sources of light when photographing indoors with artificial light in order to create the exact conditions needed. Light can be manipulated in so many ways like adding color to it or subtracting one source of light while editing and the pictures that are thus created will give out totally different vibes in each case.

10 Tips For Using Adobe Photoshop

Like a brush is to a painter an essential skill in the field of graphic design is Photoshop. The software offers increased productivity as well as flexibility. The features include aspects like file browser, vanishing point tool, smart sharpen filter, noise reduction filter, smart objects, as well as camera workflow enhancements. Photoshop offers professional photo editing features, digital imaging, as well as non destructive editing.

There are so many hidden features and insights to software, that it is often impossible to know them all.

1. There is a hidden option using which you can simulate bold and italic formatting styles for fonts that do not have these options. Click the button on the type tool option to bring up the character palette. Then select text and click the arrow in the upper right hand corner of the palette menu where faux bold and italics are present. However you will not be able to warp type when formatting has been applied.

2. One can quickly flip through blend modes while trying out effects by using the keys "shift+ to change to next mode and shift- to go to the previous mode." When a painting tool is active this shortcut will change the blend mode of the painting tool. However, if anything is highlighted then the shortcut will not work. You will have press esc and then use the shortcut keys again.

3. The photomerge feature can be used to seamlessly combine multiple images to create a panorama. This feature can be accessed from the Automate menu. You can even refine the composition using tools like rotate, zoom, pan, and set vanishing point.

4. When re-sampling images one can use either Bicubic Smoother or Bicubic Sharper. You can use Bicubic smoother for up sampling and Bicubic sharper for down sampling. You can actually specify which interpolation method is to be used by going to general preferences and setting a default.

5. There are two features for printing. You can use contact sheet II or picture package. Use contact sheet when you want all images in the same size and you want to print the name below the image. Use printer package when you want different image sizes on the same page, or multiple copies of the same image, or a text overlay.

6. If you want to remove a glare on the eyeglasses of an image you should use a part of the lens that does not have a glare and use it to layer the lens with a glare. Use tools like rotate and skew and soft-tip eraser to soften the edges. Ensure the glare does not show through from below. Or, do some careful work using the clone tool.

7. The online services enable you to connect to online photo printing and sharing sites.

8. The Web Photo gallery can generate hyperlink pages that can be uploaded to a server.

9. The Picture Package option will help you prepare photos in layout with multiple size prints on one page.

10. You will never forget how you achieved a certain result because the History Log will detail every step taken by you as well as time-tracking, and a legal record. There are three choices wherein, you can create a sessions only record where, it will record only when Photoshop is opened or closed; or a concise record which will record each action including the text that appears in the history palette; or the complete editing history including the text that appears in the actions palette.

Adobe Photoshop is a dream tool for every designer and one can over time master every subtlety of the tool and crop, rotate, resize, create shapes, add layers, change text, and play with colors. It is a hands on software where the more you use it the more you will learn.

Take Better Photographs

People think that with the arrival of the digital camera, it is easy to take good photographs.

What is easy, is for us to delete the bad ones. It is still tricky to take a good photograph.

The best thing you can do is relax and not be in too much of a hurry to take a photograph. Really take time to compose your shot and make sure everything looks right before you press that shutter. Even though it easy to just delete the picture with digital, it is good practice to slow down, otherwise you could end up with 50 quickly taken photos and not a decent shot among them.

There are many ways that even the average snapper, with a few pointers, can take photographs that will actually make them money.
If you are trying to sell your work to magazines or other publications, the following tips will help you with some of the techniques needed to take a photograph that will sell.


1) Always use a tripod or monopod when shooting in bad light or when usinga slow speed. If you haven't room for either, pack a small beanbag to steady the camera.

2) To avoid camera shake, hold the camera in a comfortable position before you take the shot, squeeze the shutter gently and tuck elbows into the body to avoid camera shake.

3) Try and fill the camera frame with your subject for greater impact (unless your photois for a magazine cover in which case you need to leave room at the top for the title).

4) Look ALL AROUND the viewfinder before you press the shutter to avoid any clutter spoiling the photo or any stray branches sticking out of a subjects head!

5) When photographing kids, try to shoot them when playing and having fun for more spontaneous pictures. Don't forget to get down to their level otherwise you will end up with shots of the top of their head.

6) When taking photographs, especially landscapes, always turn around and look BEHIND you.There has been many an instance of the best photo of a shoot lurking there.

I hope these points will help you take better photos. Have fun with your camera.

Digital Cameras - What You See is Not Always What You Get

For those of us who use a compact digital camera for "casual" purposes, we've had the experience of setting up our shot, getting our subjects just where we want them, and then presto; the resulting image shows the top of the head or an arm missing from the scene.

What occurs in these instances is a frustrating phenomenon known as "parallax error". Stated simply, it is the result of the camera having one lens through which the camera focuses and records images and another lens through which the photographer views the scene to be shot. The two views are not identical and thus, the image that results is not always as we envisioned it through the viewfinder. This error is most pronounced when shooting at close range; such as in most "portrait" type shots.

Even those of us who are amateurs can avoid "parallax error" by one of just a few methods.

• Use the correction marks. Many digital cameras provide lines that can be seen through the viewfinder which approximate the border of the image being taken to visualize what the lens is truly seeing. The photographer then needs to adjust the shot as necessary. Reading the owners manual will reveal whether a given camera has this feature.

• Use the LCD to frame the shot. The LCD screen better represents the image that the picture-taking lens is seeing. There are limitations however with this method. First, the LCD screen is sometimes difficult to view in bright, outdoor light making it difficult to use in such situations. Secondly, the LCD screen on many digital cameras displays only 85% of what the lens sees which can result in more of a scene being captured versus less The final drawback is simply the extra energy required to operate the LCD. An electronic viewfinder is another option. An EVF takes the image captured by the lens and electronically transfers it onto a display screen.

• Consider the purchase of a digital camera with a TTL mechanism. The parallax error occurs with any TLR (twin lens) camera but not those with a TTL mechanism (through-the-lens). With TTL, the photographer views a scene through the same lens that records the image and is thus able to frame a scene accurately. SLR (single lens reflex) cameras use TTL. These cameras however, are considerably more expensive, bulky and complicated than a compact or traditional point and shoot type camera although for an avid amateur the additional control they offer to the photographer is a tremendous asset.

For the average consumer, a compact or point-and-shoot camera is the product of choice due to their portability and ease of use. Even with these more basic models, use of the correction marks or the LCD screen to frame shots taken at close range can help to significantly reduce any parallax error. For others who may want more creative control and don't mind a larger and more complicated camera, an SLR camera can eliminate parallax error altogether.

Nude Photography As A Profession

Many keen and experienced photographers have grown to adore nude photography after as little as one or two shoots. The human form can be wonderous and continuously changing. Equally, the industry of nude art photography does have its rogues but when you pass the the boundary of lust and wonder, you can be left with a continuing desire to improve the artform of nude photography for the rest of your life.

Of course, there are major hurdles to overcome to enter nude photography, not least of which is the need to practise technique. By its very nature there has to be at least one subject, and the big problem for the photographer here is image. To some, the image of a nude photographer is tied in with the “dirty Macintosh” brigade, with the false wig, dark glasses and dark hat.

Not everyone believes the adage that an erotic photograph, does not have to be nude, and a nude photograph is not necessarily erotic. The biggest challenge is to find a suitable model, and certainly in small town rural backwater areas, it is not the brightest propaganda move to put an advertisement in the Post Office window. It is also suspect to approach someone in the street.

Impeccable credentials help here, an image of a bona fide photographer, with a studio, and a business card with a portfolio. A professionally created business card also helps; a ripped off part of an old envelope invites suspicion. It is not necessary to have a portfolio of nudes, but it is essential as an aid of creating the feeling of trust. It can be very helpful to not tell a prospective model what you do, but show them, and depending on their responses take it from there.

A lot of nude photographers start with a self portrait an this is better than nothing in some cases. There are several other methods that can be used to find people to model. Your first option is to hire professional (glamour) models. That can be expensive, and they're not often familiar with that type of work. The second option is to hire amateur models, or perhaps even nude still life models, the problem here is that the latter will have no inhibitions taking their clothes off, and may be able to sit still and hold a specific pose for long periods of time, however they may not be the best models to animate themselves. The third option is not to pay a model at all, but find someone with a vested interest in making a portfolio work. Whilst thinking about this matter during the research for this article it occurred to me, that the ideal person, would be someone who would be prepared to model in exchange for a portfolio, or other photographic service. In other words, a model who has a reason to make the session work will undoubtedly put more effort into overcoming any technical difficulties. Perhaps you know someone who is pregnant who might want to model in exchange for the photos.

Secondly that type of model will produce better results, than some eighteen year olds with a perfect body and a bad attitude. A personal model with enthusiasm to explore different perspectives and techniques has to produce better results than a wooden, but perfect doll. It does not alter the fact that your model must be at peace with the thought of nude modelling as a whole, but a sensitive relationship with the photographer will work wonders here. The rules are no different for a photographer here than a portrait photographer, he or she must first have self confidence. If you cannot get that across to your model he or she will be reluctant to give it their best shot.

This type of photography is striving for a look that is natural, and even has a look that it has not been posed for at all. Comfort is essential not just physical comfort though that is important, but mental comfort, the model must be able to understand the concept behind what you are trying to do so that she can co-operate. You have to take the time to explain the techniques of flattering compositions, but equally the model has to work on being fluid and graceful in these motions.

A good relationship with your model built on confidence is essential when you come to evaluate and criticise the work. Your first session will create the tone for future work, but that is when a model will be her most nervous, a way of getting over this barrier might be to ask her to come accompanied, and that may make for a lighter more relaxed session.

Working with the same model over a number of sessions builds up a rapport, and helps the model learn what works in the images, and what doesn't. She has to be able to see the completed image, before this is really possible. As the model becomes more familiar with how you work and experiences the crucial processes of making an image, the model becomes better at generating poses which work for you, and on the whole, the number of successful images increases.

The locations for this type of photography is not important in terms of the finished image, but it needs to be a little circumspect, or you have to take along a person who watches for stray wanderers if it is outdoors. Lighting normally seems to be better if it is natural, but a single candle can be effective particularly with the use of an older model.

It is important to think ahead before this type of assignment and instruct a model to wear loose clothing and possibly no underwear as strap marks into the skin can take a long time to subside and will ruin the final shots.

Once you have managed to break into this type of work there are many stock libraries that specialise in this type of work.

Digital Photography Tips Help Beginner Users Make the Best Out of Their Digital Camera

If you are novice in using digital camera, then you should think learning more about digital photography tips. Digital photography tips will be profitable for you in improving your technique of capturing photos with a digital camera. You will be able to take better photos without having to be an expert, and have greater chance to take a much wider range of photos. The following is a selection for you to bear in mind.

Good Lighting Source

When capturing photos with digital photography, you should keep in mind where the light source is coming from. You do not always necessitate a brilliant sunny day for the light to ruin what would otherwise be a good photo. What you need to do is making sure that the light is behind you, and you’ll have the opportunity of taking good photos.

Another one of the best digital photography tips concerns the lack of light in an indoors setting. You should ensure that the flash is on. Nevertheless, it will be much better if you avoid taking pictures in a dark room if you can.

Be Creative with Your Settings

If there is just a few minor changes, you do not have to pay to go for the obvious setting to turn your photo into a really good one. Good digital photography tips include changing the angle, moving objects out of the way that you do not want to see and getting people to pose in slightly different ways as opposed to just standing together in a group.

Taking more than one photo at a time is also part of the digital photography tips you should always keep in mind. By taking a dozen pictures of the same scene, you can easily delete all the ones you do not like, or that do not come out that well. With the capacity of getting to see the results straightaway as opposed to having to wait, you do not have to waste any film as you’ll when using the conventional camera. That’s one of the prominent benefits of having a digital camera.

Making the Most of Still Life Photos

The more digital photography tips you know, the better photos you’ll get. You should recognize that when coming to still life photography, there are plenty of digital photography tips you can use. One of the best digital photography tips concerns the issue of composition. If you like to compose the items that you like to include in your picture, it’s suggested for you to take a unique angle. Just take your time and experiment before you even think about taking a picture. In short, you necessitate to put some time into your hobby, learn a lot more about it, and obtain the best result from it!

Monday 18 May 2009

Digital wedding photography

Digital wedding photography

Weddings are events that for many people are exceedingly significant - indeed, as not many people get married more than once, for many people weddings are truly once in a lifetime. They are thus imbued with far more importance than many other events; they are often seen as events that end one's childhood years and which welcome one to adulthood and parenthood - a transition that for many people is unmatched in significance. As a result, some people see weddings as THE main events of their lives, and spend more on their weddings than on any other single event in the course of their lives.

Since such an event is so significant, for the celebrants and guests alike, it is equally significant to keep excellent records of them. Relying on one's memory would be insufficient to do so, because people can and do forget even the most important things - and in events of this significance everything is important and nothing can be dismissed as being trivial. Therefore it is imperative that celebrants and organizers make provisions for the best digital wedding photography that is permissible given budget constraints.

Why digital wedding photography over traditional film wedding photography? The reason is that digital pictures have many inherent advantages over traditional film, such as the longevity of the images that result versus the far shorter shelf life of printed pictures (which are susceptible to the depredations of moisture, heat, light, insects, and so on and so forth); the ease of storage of a large number of such pictures versus the problematic storage of many printed pictures and printed picture albums (which can be dangerous as well, since it can constitute a fire hazard); and the fact that digital pictures can, immediately after having been taking, be distributed from their source camera to another machine and shared and enjoyed by many practically instantaneously, whereas traditional film must be developed first and copies created - a laborious, time-consuming process, and relatively more expensive to boot.

Another plus is that the equipment utilized in digital wedding photography is a very far cry from the expensive, specialized equipment needed in the old days. Excellent cameras can be had for very little these days, from dSLRs (digital short and long range cameras), which are traditionally the best cameras, to the less fancy but still extremely capable cameras - many of which can easily give dSLRs, not to mention the old-style SLRs, a definite run for their money. And even the simplest of laptops can easily handle the software needed to work with digital wedding photography and prepare the images for distribution. So those who wish to purchase their own equipment are in luck these days.

Add to this the expertise that many professional digital wedding photography experts bring to the table, which can result in many wonderful shots being taken and shared to avid viewers almost instantaneously, and you have an excellent solution for both keeping riveting records of one of the most important events of your life - if not THE most important one - and distributing them to everyone who might care to share these moments with you.

Mano Tomas M&G Production Wedding Photography Videographer http://www.mgproduction.ca

Model Behavior: Lyndsey Goodale by Kathryin Wirsing

Lyndsey Goodale is a gorgeous model with so much potential and a great imagination. With her mother agency being Commence Quest and NY agency Muse Model Management, there's no doubt you'll get to know her face. I enjoyed listening to her describe what she's passionate about and her ideas for her dream photo shoot. Take notice and read on:KW: How old are you?

LG: 23

KW: Where did you grow up?

LG: Roanoke, Virginia and Marcellus, New York

KW: How/when did you start modeling?

LG: Surprisingly it was my father who told me about an open call in the area. I went to Proscout, and received 7 callbacks in August 2006. I started modeling in January 2007. I would have started right away but my mom passed away in October 2006, and I needed time to re-adjust and take care of the family.

KW: Who is your favorite designer?

LG: Carmen Marc Valvo

KW: What's your workout/grooming routine?

LG: I drink protein shakes 2 times a day, and shower everyday!

KW: What do you consider your best and your worst feature?

LG: Best feature would be my legs. Worst feature would be my feet.

KW: How do you get yourself prepared for a shoot?

LG: I research the photographer, make a list of what I need & pack it. I make sure I have a well-rested night sleep, clear clean face & ready to shine!

KW: What kind of a photographer do you work best with?

LG: One that can work with me, & gives me direction. And also provides me with the respect I deserve!

KW: What has been your favorite shoot or show to walk in so far? Why?

LG: The presentation I did for Lorick Spring 09. She was the only one that has ever respected the models & made it fun to be there! The L'Oreal Professional for Shu Uemura runway hair show was a very strategic runway show…that made it very interesting; yet fun!

KW: I love the photography that goes along with the Lorick lines. Any fun places to party/hangout while in the city?

LG: Grand Prix New York. Racing go-karts & taking the real cars on the track (Ferraris, lotus, porches, Audi, Nissans)! Also I love The Gates: The new high cocktail lounge located on 25th & 8th ave. Very chill & relaxing spot to hang with friends & meet new people! And my favorite restaurant in the city: Les Hallies. My favorite dish there is the Gratin de Macaroni & Tableside "Bananas Flambé" for dessert. (located on 28th & Park)

KW: What's the best and worst aspect of being a model?

LG: The Worst part of modeling is when everyone thinks that you have an eating disorder. Just because I'm a model doesn't mean I don't eat! It's called a high & fast metabolism. I burn fat off faster than others. The best part of modeling is the runway. It takes so much preparation to get there but once you take the first step out, you feel your dreams have come true. It lasts for only a few moments, but it keeps you going for a few months after!

KW: What would your dream photo shoot be?

LG: One with exotic or classic cars in black & white, taken in front of some old villas in Spain or Castles in Ireland! Another dream shoot would be on a white sandy beach on a black andalusian stallion, with slight warm wind & sprays of the ocean upon your face!

KW: Very interesting answers. WhatsWear looks forward to seeing your face everywhere. Best of luck!

Creative Photography

The creative side of any photographer is what separates the good photographers from the masters. There are thousands of us who take good images but there are only a handful that are masters of the trade. Not everyone will become great - this is due to a number of factors, with the creativity factor being to the fore.

Being creative is about giving your images more impact - images that will stand out over anyone elses. These are images that you cannot stop looking at, and the more you look at them the better they seem.

To give your images more impact here are a few easy to follow steps.

Creative use of the cameras aperture and shutter will make a big difference to your images. Your choice of shutter speed will also make a huge difference to the how you photograph water in landscape photography or how you photography people playing sports. The shutter is used to isolate a subject; it is also used to freeze motion.

Your cameras aperture controls the amount of light that enters your camera. This can be used creatively for focusing.

Use filters to give your images impact. There is a large range of filters to choose from for photography. The key is to know which one to use and when to use it. Dull scenes can be brought to life with a warm up filter. Filters can be used with film or digital photography and can also be added in Photoshop. There are also a range of filters that can be used with black and white photography.

Being imaginative with your exposure is also a way of creating more dramatic images. Underexposing your image may add mystery to your photography in certain circumstances. But be careful not to go too dark. Over exposing an image very seldom works well. So my advice is to bracket your exposure so that you will be sure to get a satisfactory result.

The main key to creative imagery is to know what is needed at a scene and what to do to add a little extra. Every scene and situation is different so my best advice is to go with trial and error until you find the winning formula. This may take time, but you will certainly learn how to take great photography.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photographers live an interesting lifestyle and benefit a great deal from all the exercise, as they are constantly moving from place to place. They shoot many different subjects that are challenging, but when done well are very rewarding.

Good outdoor photographers should always keep a particular eye on the weather and be prepared to accept all the harsh elements that occur. Wildlife photographers should love hiking through the wild and be camera ready at all times. When shooting animals you will have a split second to capture the shot.

You don’t need to go to great expense to become a wildlife photographer; standard lenses should do to begin with. If you can afford it a macro lens is very handy for close-up photographs, and a telephoto lens is great for far away shots. If you tend to shoot landscape images a wide-angle lens will work best.

When you go trekking a great distance be prepared. Don’t overfill your camera bag with cameras and other equipment that will only wear you down. If animals are your outdoor interest always have your camera ready with the telephoto lens attached. For the quickest and best results set your camera to automatic mode. If you try to set your camera or focus it manually on the spot the opportunity will be gone.

To capture great wildlife images of animals you need to get up early in the morning and start shooting when the sun is low in the sky. This will add mood to your images by making them feel warm. Most professional wildlife photographers build hides, which they stay in all day waiting for creatures to come along. They completely hide themselves and place their camera on a tripod to capture razor sharp images.

With most types of photography you need to isolate your subject to get a great image. This can be done with a small f/number - f/4 or less. Another way to isolate your subject is to pick a contrasting background that will bring out the rich colours of your subject.

While you are out and about, always be on the lookout for different signs and patterns. You may come across these anywhere, but especially in water or in woodland areas. If done correctly shots like these will make excellent abstract images that can attract a fine price.

Shooting wildlife also includes flowers and insects.

Photographing insects in many ways is similar to taking pictures of flowers. You need to get in close; your focusing has to be perfect and you must also minimize motion. Don’t be afraid to use your flash - even on a bright day. This will get rid of any unwanted blur and help make your flower picture sharp.

This type of photography needs a good quality macro lens. You can also use a telephoto lens but remember to shoot at least three feet away from the subject and zoom in. Always place your camera on a tripod for close-up wildlife photography.

So do you think you have what it takes. Remember, and this is the most important rule, be prepared. Do not take risks that jeopardise your own safety.

Simplifying Photography

Human beings love to socialise. They love to spend time with their loved ones. Most of all, they love to cherish the time they spend with their near ones. Further, the introduction of the digital cameras has engendered the photography era. It is nice to have a good quality time and it is even better to have the memories of the time spent within your reach. The technological boom has indeed helped a man to have his good time preserved.

In this modern era, where each second is better than the previous one, its has become quite evident to stay in touch with the times. The digital cameras have helped a person to add magic to his finger tips. They have indeed simplified the process of photography. A digital camera can take still photographs or can record videos or both. This process is done by digitally recording the images on a light sensitive sensor.

Most of the digital cameras are affordabe as well as cheap and are capable enough to capture sound along with the moving pictures as well. These cameras are gaining commendable public recognition these days and most of them have outsold their 35 mm counterparts. Besides, these cheap digital cameras have some special features as well that the other lack in. For instance, these cameras can easily give an idea to the person taking photographs, how the final copy will look. These cameras display an image on the camera's screen immediately after it has been taken.

Moreover, the power of storing thousands of photographs on a single small memory device, the ability to record videos with sound, power to edit images and the ability to delete the images so as to allow the reuse the memory they occupied is extremely appreciable. These devices are small and portable and generally have an extremely user-friendly interface. The cheap digital cameras are easy to use, have all the advanced features and marked picture quality that it make it stand out of the crowd of numerous types of cameras available in the market.

In these cameras, there are various formats on which the images are stored. JPEG , however, is the most common. Most of these cameras have built-in flash as well which is usually of low power. These also have the power as well. The digital cameras have certainly added zing to the photography art. In fact, this has not only helped the amateurs gain perfection at it but has also prompted the ignorant ones try his hands at photography. They are a boon to every one who has interest in not only watching but also taking photographs.

Digital Photography Tips - How To Take Portrait Photography

Taking picture of people is fun. Ever thought of boosting the skills for your portrait photography? Then you should take a look here...
Ever wonder why other photographers can take such good picture with people? Don't just envy others, you too can have fun with portrait photography if you practice the following tips.

1. The right mode

This is the simplest way to improve your portrait picture. Look into your camera setting, digital cameras nowadays are often equip with the 'portrait' mode. When this is selected, your camera will automatically adjust the setting and give you the right picture.

2. Getting close

Zoom in to your subject and try to blur the background to make your subject stand out. If you don't do that, your viewers will be distracted by the background and confuse with the message you want to convey with your picture.

3. Spontaneous

You don't need to be so serious with portrait photography. What you want is to capture the special moment. So, tilt your camera, zoom in, zoom out and you can even edit the picture. You can do anything as long as you capture the expression of the person in the moment.

4. Lighting

You need to be careful with the lightings when you are taking portrait photograph. If the light source is behind your subject, your subject will become darker. Unless you purposely want to do that, if not you should see before your snap the picture.

If you are using flash, make sure you select the red eye off feature when you are photographing under dim light. You don't want your subject to look like a red eye monster in the picture.

5. Positioning

New photographers like to take portrait photography with the subject in the middle. There is nothing wrong with that but your picture might look better if you can get your subject to the side with lightly blurred background. If you can do this wellFree Articles, you will be able to show different perspective of your subject.

Learn Digital Photography - Should You Go To Any Digital Photography Course?

You can only read this article because you went to school and learn the alphabet. It goes the same to digital photography. When you want to take good picture, you are advice to go for a digital photography course and learn all the techniques about digital photography. This article shares with you why you should consider attending a digital photography course.
Unless you have started digital photography at a very young age and know how exactly what equipment to use for the shot, you are advised to take the course especially when you are going to develop your career as a professional photographer. Imagine your client hires you as the wedding photographer and your pictures look like the work of a normal photographer who uses a compact digital camera. How will your client feel? Imagine you are the client and what will you say?

Remember that as a professional photographer, your income depends on the work you show. When you display only 50% of your potential, your clients are going to pay you the same.

Please know that the digital photography courses nowadays are widely available and flexible. You can always get an online course if you have a busy schedule. You just need to talk to your tutor and see how both of you can work out the best schedule.

By the way, photography can be branched into a few categories. And to name a few, there are wedding photography, underwater photography, fashion photography and more. Although it might sound confusing to decide on which stream to flow for your photography career, you can relax because you will see your direction as you go along the course.

So, leverage on the assignments during the course and find out which branch of photography you are interested in. One key to remember here is you should keep an open mind when you receive your assignments. You might not be a nature person but maybe once you feel the fresh air and capture your own landscape picture, you will see that there are more wonders in this world that are worth your attention.

Lastly, you need to look into your budget when you are going for a digital photography course. Fortunately, these courses usually come with different level and price range. Let's say you are tight on your budget, go for the beginner course and see whether you can make any money with digital photography. Then, you will have the money to attend the higher course.

Quality Digital Cameras At Knockdown Prices

Gone are the days when you had to wait for the camera film to be developed to see your picture. Welcome to the world of digital cameras. The digital cameras give you much clearer pictures with a number of advanced options for photo enhancements. In fact you need not hire a professional photographer to capture the lively moments of your life if you own a digital camera.

If you are going to get a DigiCam for you, you must know that a wide range of inexpensive digital cameras for domestic as well as professional photography are accessible today. In the sharp contrast to the common misconception that inexpensive goods are not good in quality, the low-rate digital cameras are well adept to solve the purpose of normal photography. To know more about the inexpensive digital cameras read on the article further.

The inexpensive digital cameras are ideal for non professional purposes. Almost all the major brands such as Fuji, Kodak, Samsung, Olympus, Nikon and HP have their cameras available at cost effective prices. You can get multi Mega Pixel camera with in a range of as low as $100. If you just want to click some snap shots at home, these cameras are in fact the best pick for you. They are obtainable for as low as $20!

With in a range of $100, you get 1.3 mega pixel digital cameras. These cameras may have limited features but they are best for domestic use. The big brands like Kodak, Concord and Oregon have inexpensive digital cameras in the range of $50 to $100 for you. These cameras have 2 to 4 mega pixels.

You can get additional features like optical zoom, other enhancements and auto focus, if you make a thorough research by moving around a bit in the market. Though the net is an extensive place where you can find out some great cameras in really cheap prices.

You need to give a close look to the cameras with in a range of $100 to $200. The digital cameras available in this range are apt for training purposes as well. The amateur photographers can take full advantage of these cameras as they are compact and portable.

The cameras are so small that they can easily be slipped into the pocket. The cameras give you 3 to 5 mega pixels. Some models can exceed this range. The companies that offer you excellent digital camera with in this price limit are Konica, Minolta, Nikon, Sony and Olympus. Most of these cameras have optical zoom, multi scene, LCD and a few other useful functions.

Imagine 8 mega pixels, high resolution sensors and ultra compact body and all this with in a range of $400! Yes you can get all these features with in a price tag of $200 to $400. The ultra compact digital cameras are as small as a credit card. It is just an inch thick. You will find all the advanced features like digital zoom and LCD with them. The choice is all yours. Surely, you can order them online or buy them from a retail outlet.

Never forget to go through the prices and sale offers on the Internet. The Internet is far better than wondering around in the market for cheap camera devices. Also you will be abreast with the latest discount offers in the market via the net. You should always make the price comparisons before the final deal.

Now don't wait, rush to switch on your computer and choose the much desired digital camera at affordable prices and that too in great quality.

Portrait Photography

Let us ask ourselves a simple but intriguing question. Who is the single most important person in our life? If we are speaking the truth, the answer is very simple; ourselves. For each individual, the most important person in the world is he or she, himself or herself. This self importance is manifested in art in the form of portraits.

Previously, portraits used to be painted. Eminent personalities and distinguished figures used to sit for hours or even days for getting their portraits painted. Camera and photography have reduced the time taken to get a portrait of yourself from days to mere seconds.

Portrait photographs, or portraitures as they are also known, are, technically speaking the capture of a person or a small group of people. The face and the expressions should be the predominant features of a portrait photograph and generally the person (or the group) would be facing the camera.

There are basically three types of portrait photographs:

1. Individual portraits - As the name suggests, an individual poses for the photographs and the aim of the photographer is to capture the emotions and through them the personality of the person.

2. Group or family portraits - This refers to the portrait of a group of people. People usually prefer a family portrait although portraits of friends are also not unheard of.

3. Abstract portraits - This is the third and probably the most interesting type of portrait photography as this refers to the photograph of an individual part of the body and not necessarily the face.

Red Flair is one of the best places to is one of the best places to get a portrait for you and your family in Melbourne. They have experienced photographers who would be able to capture each and every emotion on your face and give you a portrait you can proudly display in your home.

Amazing Action Photo Tips by Gen Wright

Taking a good action shot is quite a difficult thing master the art of. First of all you have to be as close to your subject as possible. This is often difficult with sport events as you are usually quite some distance from the action, but try and get as close as possible. You should also know the sport you are trying to capture, as you will know best where to position yourself - not only for the subject itself, but also for the background, as this will have quite a big impact on your photograph, and you want the photo to focus on the subject, not the background.

Sports and action photos are all about being in the right place at the right time, and your reaction to the action! If you understand the timing of the core action that you are looking for - for example jumps in the Grand National, then you will be prepared for the most dramatic actions and shots. By knowing these moments you can anticipate the action, and you can prepare. One thing alot of people complain about with modern digital photography is that the camera seems to take the photo after the event that they were trying to photograph - it's like a delayed reaction, and it is said in photography circles 'if you see the action then you missed it'.

The reason for digital delay is that the minute you take the picture the camera has to autofocus and take an exposure measurement at the same. If you push down the shutter release button down part way it will do that ahead of time and you can then take the picture exactly when you want to. This will all come with practice. Of course, you could just set your shutter mode to 'continuous' and squirt a long burst of shots, which is fine, but just not as precise!

Generally, for a 35mm camera, each 100mm in lens focal length gets you about 9 meters in coverage. This coverage means that on a vertical format photo, a normal human will fill the frame fairly well. However, as players get closer, your lens may be too long. Another important factor is lens speed, and the faster the lens, the faster the shutter speed you can use. By speeding up the shutter speed, you can almost freeze the action and eliminate blur. Shutter lag can also be reduced by turning off any unnecessary automatic features such as red-eye reduction.

Becoming a good photographer, especially an action photographer is really all about experimentation and practice - just get out there and take lots of photos! There really is no excuse these days, as you don't even have to send them off to be printed, you can just work with your own computer. If you are interested in horse racing and want to see some quality action shots or even want to upload some of your own horse racing photos, go to www.horseracingphoto.co.uk.

Sunday 17 May 2009

All The Secrets To Art Photography

Art photography is a recently new form of art that has just started to become incredibly popular over the last couple of years as the advancements in digital photography has jumped a level or two. So what is art photography? Basically it's just a form of picture taking that is rendered in a certain way to reflect something 'arty' and that also has some kind of hidden meaning behind it that makes it more special than just a normal everyday photograph.

Many people refer art photography to pictorialism, which then intern means the method of constructing a picture keeping in mind that the picture take must be a form of art or can be turned into a art piece later using computer related technology. In fact this method of taking photos ceased to exist for quite sometime when important artists came to believe that more emphasis was being placed on design rather than on the picture.

With digital work, art photography is becoming more prevalent nowadays and, with the help of a computer, certain effects can be deliberately achieved so photographs can be made to look like an oil painting or as pastel, but this is governed mainly by the expertise of the photographer's own abilities.

Buying art photography at a gallery is relatively a simple task and with the advent of online art photography galleries, buyers can locate photographs that best suit their individual desires and tastes without the need of commuting or attending art exhibitions. Art photography is basically art that is creative, more so when it is visually aesthetic and is mostly appreciated for a having lots of imaginative and intellectual content.

There are two types of cameras that a photographer chooses to use, manual and automatic. The photos are processed by hand and only experienced printers have the ability to make sure the photo is not damaged and comes out perfect in the end.

Many photographers choose to take black and white photos for their art photography as they believe that they can play on more emotions that have the ability to affect the human psyche in a more effective manner. However those photographers who tend to use more color in their photos believe the opposite is true that in fact color has the ability to create more emotions and inevitably stir more senses in the brain that black and white could ever achieve. If you are starting out in the world of art photography than it's best to implement both(perhaps in the same photos if possible)