Having Fun With Photography

Digital Photography Software

2009-03-02T21:53:00.000-08:00

Digital Photography Software Options

Digital photography has exploded the possibilities available for capturing, sharing and manipulating photos. The increased attention has peaked the interest of many amateur photographers and the market is responding accordingly. There are many software products available for download as well as purchase. These products offer various ways to edit and organize your photos as well as provide instruction. I offer the following review of products that I found to be of good quality.

Kodak Gallery is a free online site for editing and storing photos. They also offer a number of services including gift ideas, personalized products and online tutorials. Shutterfly and Winkflash are very similar to Kodak Gallery offering a number of products such as greeting cards, calendars, mouse pads, etc. that can be personalized using your enhanced digital photos! These sites offer printing services and allow you to create a slide show to be shared via email. You are able to set various controls such as whether or not the recipients can view, print and or order any photos. It is always recommended regardless of which site you use that photos be back up on a disc in case of any server problems.

Before we move on to reviews of software products that have a variety of features that cover the photo taking process from start to finish. I can not resist mentioning, Tourist Remover Software. In the same way that HDR photos can take all the best bits from multiple exposures of the same subject and combine them into a single photo, FutureLAB's cleverly named Tourist Remover Software can remove tourists your travel photos. Simply snap a few shots of a building, statue, etc., happy tourists and all. Their software will combine all of the un-touristed sections of each picture into a single tourist-free photo.

Many software products are being offered that have camera control and recovery tools. I suggest the following software as I find it to be reasonably priced and of good quality.

Digital Camera Photography Professional Edition by Tradetouch Inc.

Features include:

Camera Control Tool which shows the user how to set capture time, control a remote camera, reduce the camera's shudder etc.

Photo Management Tool allows you to classify your photos, record the time, and present them in an album or other format.

Advise and Teach Skills such as adjusting light, choosing shooting time, and managing instruments.

Photo Edit Tool will help you cut or add something fun to photos, change color, compile several photos into one etc.

Recover Tool allows you to recover deleted photos from your PC's disc or camera's RAM.

Drivers for your camera are included with this software.

No Installation or Hard Disk space used, Browser based interface is extremely fast.

Digital Photos by Atari

Digital Photos is interactive software for editing, printing, and organizing your digital photos. The popular series is available for your computer. This is user friendly software that can help you with your everyday computing digital photo needs. Features include:

Educational Features will help you take superior photos by showing you how to adjust the ISO, focus manually or use auto focus, balance your white and colors and catch a moving target.

Printing Tips such as advice on what printers and paper are best for photo printing.

Photo Enhancement Tools which include instruction on how to avoid over compression and how to use the best formats when saving photos for different uses.

Automatic Storage of your photos, simply plug your digital camera into your computer and the software automatically transfers, classifies, and saves your photos.

Creating Fun Keepsakes using your software's wizards, you can create your own digital photo albums and put your albums on Web sites. You also can add transitions and music and turn your pics into slide shows. Or you can print your photos and design your own gifts.

Specialty software is also available! For example;

Secrets to Kids' Photography by Select Soft Publishing

This software introduces professional secrets that can mean the difference between taking an ordinary snapshot and capturing an incredible photo. An instructional video guides you through a real shoot. The user learns about different kinds of poses, how to give instructions, composition, creating a work area, equipment and props, high-key lighting etc.

Secrets to Fashion Photography by ARC Media

Allows you to follow along with the instructional video as experienced top fashion photographer Desmond Williams guides you through a real fashion shoot covering a wide range of assignment types. Learn about working with models, creating poses, makeup, equipment, lighting effects, marketing etc.

By Allison Merlino

Source : Ezinearticles

Wedding Photography

2009-02-10T22:54:00.000-08:00

Wedding Photographer - How To Be Professional And Keep Your Clients Pleased

Photography, requires some amount of visual aesthetic sense and an artistic outlook of life on the whole. Take your photography seriously, to rise quickly from the amateurish level. Be well-versed with the technicalities of photography, for they not only make your task easier but also enhance your work quality, processing and the deliverables. Essentially, the know-how of photographic techniques is what often differentiates a good wedding photographer from an average one.
Sit down with your clients and discuss the plans carefully. Discuss the costs and assure them of your abilities, as a budding professional wedding photographer. Needless to say, you must have the sense of aesthetically pleasing backgrounds. Gather ideas, clarify doubts, if any, ask questions and any concerns that you might have.

Executive Summary of wedding Photography by Dennis John

How to Photograph a Wedding – Groups

Many wedding photographers avoid taking large groups. You should never refuse to shoot a large group, there is always a demand for groups if you pose them correctly.
Most photographers who say there is little money to made with large groups, usually do not have the creativity to pose the groups.
You often see wedding photography where the photographer has posed the group in a long straight line. The effect of walking backwards to make the group fit the frame is that you end up with lots of sky, lots of ground and an unattractive looking group somewhere across the middle of the frame.
There are two methods I advise you to use when shooting big groups.
The first is to shoot from a high angle, for example from a first floor window above the group.

Executive Summary of wedding Photography by Bobby Jones

Child Photography

2009-02-09T23:37:00.000-08:00

The Art Of Child Photography

Child Photography is one of the most exciting opportunities to capture expressions, attitudes and individual uniqueness. The secret of child photography is to understand children and what children do, how they act and behave. Children are fun and exciting to work. An experienced photographer will understand child photography. It’s important that the photographer allows children to be children and have fun, remain uninhibited, playful and natural – after all, it’s all about capturing your children’s nature and uniqueness. Child Photography should be spontaneous and relaxed allowing for natural composition to evolve. To create the best results the child photographer should take many images so that the best moments are captured.

It’s very important that your photographer provides a relaxed environment where your children are encouraged to relax and be themselves. You want to make sure the photographer is using high quality digital equipment, which ensures high definition images.

Child Photography requires special props and clothing.

An expert in Child Photography will endeavour to capture any unique features of your children.

Posing, placing and positioning for Child Photography is very important as is image design and style. You want their choices of settings and backgrounds to benefit and highlight your children’s personality and uniqueness.

Lighting is essential when it comes to child photography.

Spontaneity, mood and feelings is what child photography is all about.

Many photographers offer an extensive range of album presentations and framing to enhance your Child photography. Images are timeless, powerful and beautiful.

Executive Summary about Child Photography by Vittorio Natoli

The Passion Of A Great Child Portrait

Inspired to create your own child portrait? Children hold such wonderful
qualities, a simple innocence and a profound simplicity, beauty and awe about
them.
Have fun, be playful. That's how you'll reach children.
You want to cherish that
unique spark of brightness in a child's life.
Like I mentioned, children are at a level of refined sensitivity and openness. It can take time.
Getting a good child portrait is not that difficult. Child activity happens fast. Carrying the tools of trade (camera) is going to create some action, responses and performance. What you want to achieve with your child portrait? You might want to stand way
back, relax and shoot with long lens and focus in as the children play. Keep it fun. You're after moments. The
moments are the precious stuff. Stuff that feels right, is right.

Executive Summary about Child Photography by Martin Hurley

Photo Tip - It's All in Black and White

2009-02-04T22:00:00.000-08:00

Executive summary about black & white photography by Bob Pardue

Many of the young ladies in the modeling world love color images but there are times, especially if you are a model who works with artistic photographers, it's nice to have the contrast and distinctiveness black and white delivers.
I believe that augmenting black and white photos throughout the pages of my model photo gallery produces the diversified effect I want.
Benefits of Using Black and White Photos

Black and white is stark. Not so with black and white. Black and White for Plain Backgrounds
Black and white still works great in this situation because of the contrasting lines. You don't need color to show off the eyes.

The Artistic Side of Black and White

Figure models are women who work in a more "artistic" atmosphere.

Toning and Colorization of Black & White

Another idea for black and white photos is to leave some color in the images. With a little help from a photo program like Photoshop a photographer can create extraordinary works through adding a little color in different parts of a black and white photograph. So if you want to focus on the eyes of your model, you could still have the definitive, clean look of black and white pictures while still enhancing the light blue color of her eyes.

Changing Color Images to Black and White

It is remarkably simple to change digital color photos to black and white in your digital darkroom.

Black and White Photography Tips

Executive summary about black & white photography by Mark Pommet

I thought I'd share five pretty random Black and White Photography Tips.

Shoot in RAW

always shoot in RAW mode to get high quality of the image

Shoot in Color

If your camera doesn't allow you to shoot in RAW (or you choose not to) - shoot in color and do your conversion to black and white later on your computer.
(read more on the choice between shooting in black and white or post production conversion).
When shooting in RAW and switching to Black and White mode you see your results in the LCD in black and white but the camera actually records all of the information (including color) - the best of both worlds. But if you're shooting in JPEG - shoot in color and do the conversion later. Shoot with the lowest possible ISO possible.

When to Shoot

Many digital photographers actually prefer to shoot images for Black and White in low contrast situations. So next time you find yourself with a dark and gloomy day - shoot some black and white shots.

Subject

Some subjects that look interesting in color look dull in black-and-white. Photographs of people look especially good in black-and-white. Black-and-white photographs of couples on honeymoon or on vacation can be equally captivating. Black-and-white photographs of children and babies are also very beautiful and sentimental. Buildings, landscapes, and other scenes are also valuable subjects in black-and-white photography. You could say that light and shadow are all there is to black-and-white photographs.

Wedding Photography Tips - Only the Very Brave Will Attempt It

2009-02-04T21:46:00.000-08:00

Executive summary about wedding photography tips by Lance Carr

Hire a professional. No? Then read on, reckless fool...

Emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and photographically. You'll need extra memory sticks, extra batteries, a flash outfit, a tripod and a zoom/wide-angle lens. You'll also need a decent photo editing program to produce the finished product in an acceptable form.

ALWAYS shoot for the bride. 99.9% of men don't care.

Get a list of wanted shots. Weddings have about 4 phases: getting dressed, the ceremony, after the ceremony (relaxed shots with the new couple), the reception including the cake and groups of guests.

Shoot a lot. Get the groups. Groups are important but watch out here because semi-inebriated guests will want to be photographed with pot-plants, the foxy waitress, each other, maybe the bride and groom, and towards the end of the evening fascinating cloud formations.

Get the proofs to the bride as fast as possible. Definitely before the divorce.

Get your shots first and party later if anyone is left to party with. Your reputation can be destroyed by a handful of misaimed shots of the bride or her friends. If it sucks delete it. Better safe than sorry.

Helpful Tips in Creating Beautiful Pictures in Your Private Wedding Photography Session

Executive summary about wedding photography tips by Juhlin Youlien

The Phoenix wedding preparations are all set. Wedding vendors are already booked ahead of time including the wedding photography in Phoenix. Do you still need to have a private wedding photography session with you wedding photographer?

Most couples consider hiring a professional for the wedding photos as expensive. The photographer can use different approaches and gentle persuasion so the couple will be more relaxed. Here are a few tips to create wonderful wedding photos that will surely last a lifetime.

• The most important task is to hire a professional wedding photographer that you are comfortable with.

• Plan your photo session in the most flattering time of day.

• It is also advised that you hire the same photographer for the wedding and the photo session so he will be familiar on your best angles.

• Time is the most essential part of a private wedding photo session. If you want to achieve stunning shots, then allot at least an hour for the photo shoot. When looking through samples of the photojournalistic work of the photographer, be aware of your preferences and priorities for the private photo session.

Learn Digital Photography - Using Your Digital Camera the First Time

2009-02-04T19:53:00.000-08:00

Digital photography guide.

Consumers have gone digital ever since the technology improved and became cheaper. Nowadays, digital cameras

are build to be affordable and user friendly. Gone are the days when we buy specific ISO films for specific occasion.

Still, you need to learn about digital photography before you start using your camera.

1. Understand the features

Do you know how wide your camera lens is? Do you know the smaller the lens size (mm) the more you can fit into your picture? How much is the optical zoom of your camera? Do you know optical zoom is more important than digital zoom when you are taking a picture?

Besides, cameras nowadays don't just take photos. Cameras like compact digital cameras are capable of taking video too. Can you benefit from this feature?

Digital camera

is just a tool to the vast world of photography. If you really want to learn digital photography, you need to realize the potential of your camera.

2. Read the manual

Unless you are really into photography, a lot of consumers didn't read the manual. If you are one of them, probably you have even misplaced the manual now.

But the fact is, your untouched manual is a very good guide for your digital photography hobby. It often surprises the consumers because their camera can do a lot more than they think.

3. Learn the basics

The basic of using a digital camera is to look at the subject from the LCD screen or eyepiece, focus on the subject manually or automatically, snap the picture and view it on TV or PC.

You will only know how to make your pictures unique after you master the basics.

4. Experiment

One of the best ways to understand the potential of your digital camera is to experiment with it.

Capture the subject with different mode and compare which of them is better. Sometimes capturing a picture under dim light with flash off is better than setting the flash on.

Since your pictures are stored digitally, you don't need to worry about spending money on film. The maximum wastage can only be battery power which is also rechargeable.

article source : http://www.articlesbase.com/digital-photography-articles/learn-digital-photography-using-your-digital-camera-the-first-time-644796.html

Photoshop Tutorial - How to get Great Skintones with your Digital Photography

2009-02-04T01:08:00.000-08:00

Photoshop Tutorial - How to get Great Skintones with your Digital Photography

By Robert Provencher

Good skintones. The search for the holy grail of digital photography. I have been banging our heads against the wall for years trying to perfect "THE ONE SIZE FITS ALL" solution to working with skintones and I'm talking about capturing, workflow, output, the whole nine yards. What I've figured out so far is that skintones are somewhat subjective. The procedures that ultimately create good skintones are as follows:

Good capture:
When you capture the image 99% of your job is done. If your exposures are off and your colorbalance is off, then your skintones will be off. Of course this means your lightmeter will be your best friend (second to your dog). Be on top of your exposures like dirt on a pig. Know your histograms and image tones. Don't just use your LCD as a reference. Your LCD brightness varies, and is not 100% reliable to use on it's own, however it is an integral tool that works with everything else. Never get lazy here, always check your exposure, know your exposures and keep it accurate. Make this a part of your mind set and workflow. And don't forget to test new stuff, never assume....

Colorbalance:
I like to shoot a greycard under the lighting conditions we are shooting in as a custom whitebalance setting. For some reason a greycard seems to work better for us than a whitecard. What can I say. I get images that are neutral, I can warm them up later if I choose. However, for many digital photographers, using a white card to create their custom white balance weems to work just fine.

Workflow:
I like to get an idea of what a good skintone is by using the colorpicker. Now remember, skintones are subjective, so it's purely arbitrary but you will get used to it in time. So, as a rule of thumb, using the color picker, depending on the actual pigmentation of the subject we find the reds are about 20% higher than the green and about 30 - 40% higher than the blue. Since during the capture the tone has been turned off (in camera parameters), I can add more to the skintone by using colorbalance and saturation.

Assuming that you have good capture, (exposure/whitebalance), there are several ways to acquire or enhance skintones. One of the best ways is by using the selective color (IMAGE/ADJUSTMENTS/SELECTIVE COLOR, or ALT-I-A-S). I have been using this for a little while now, and so far it's rendered me outstanding skintones. Here's how it works.

Simply reduce the amount of cyan in the reds. Usually about 40-50%. I could go more, but I hold off. Why? Because when I adjust the contrast later it will bring out more tones in the image, thus giving me more red in the skin. There is al lot or red in the skin, especially caucasians, so by doing this technique you will give most people more warmth and glow to their skin tone- but be careful!! Do not over do it.

The thing I like about using the selective color this way, is that I am only working with the red tones. If I didn't want to affect any other reds (like the reds in her coat) I can simply do several things:

1. make a selection around her face and then perform the adjustments.

2. after the adjustments simply use the history brush and erase the areas I don't wish affected.

That's it. Simple isn't it, when you get down to the basics.

Robert Provencher has been a professional portrait and wedding photographer for over 25 years. He has trained hundreds of professional photographers throughout North America in live workshops and through his online forum. Robert has authored several manuals on digital photography and photogaphy marketing. http://www.nobsphotosuccess.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Provencher

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Photography Technique :Tips to Improve Your Digital Photography

2009-02-04T00:56:00.000-08:00

Tips to Improve Your Digital Photography

by Cindy Bracken

Watch your background

Keep it simple
Be on the lookout for objects directly behind your subject
Keep major distractions out of the frame
Keep the focus on your subject

Experiment with angles

Try shots both horizontally and vertically
Try some diagonal shots for that “off kilter” look
Don’t be afraid to experiment

Move in closer

Fill the frame with your subject for more impact
Move physically closer or use your camera’s zoom
Sharp close ups of small objects will require a macro lens

Get down to your subject’s level

Especially when photographing children or pets
Get down to their eye level
This will allow their personality to show through
It will also allow you to capture better expressions

Don’t be afraid to use your flash outdoors

fill flash will go a long way to brighten up shadows on both cloudy and sunny days

Watch your lighting

Avoid harsh overhead sunlight and shadows
Cloudy days are best for outdoor portrait photography
Use reflectors and diffusers for best results
Avoid bright light behind your subject

Don’t always center your subject

moving your subject out of the center of the frame will give your photos more impact

Lock your focus

Put your subject in the center of the frame and lock your focus
Then position the frame where you want it, but be sure to keep the focus locked before clicking the shutter
This will ensure that your subject remains in focus, even if they are not in the center of the frame

source : http://www.shuttermom.com/tips%20to%20improve%20your%20digital%20photography.htm

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Wedding Photography: How to Become a Successful Wedding Photographer

2009-02-04T00:29:00.000-08:00

Wedding Photography: How to Become a Successful Wedding Photographer
By Juan Carlos Torres

Once in while I receive e-mails or phone calls from aspiring or beginner wedding photographers asking me for advise on how to become successful in the wedding field. My first question is always what their motivation is to become a wedding photographer. Some will reply that they heard from somebody that it is easy money, or that they got a cool camera that takes great photos or that they would like to make some money on the side etc. While it is true that wedding photography can be a very profitable business achieving success in the wedding industry is not just a matter of getting a camera and start shooting. Wedding photography involves artistic talent, human sense, complete mastery of photographic techniques, business knowledge, and a strong desire to learn and deliver the best to the wedding couple.

Here I have summarized some points that I believe will guide beginner wedding photographers:

1. Learn photography before anything else. A wedding photographer is expected to be a master of the craft. You will be in charge of capturing people's most precious life moments. The wedding day is not the place to learn photography.

2. Just because you got a brand new camera it does not automatically make you an effective and reliable photographer. Photography goes beyond cool toys and gadgets. Learn composition and develop a unique artistic vision. Some of the great photographs of all time were taken with manual cameras.

3. Master the digital workflow, including color management, digital image processing, file management and image correction and enhancement.

4. Learn to love photography more than anything else. Don't come to the wedding photography field with just dreams of making money. It is true that there are many successful wedding photographers that make a lot of money. However according to the Professional Photographers of America the average photographer in America makes about $24,000 a year.

5. Focus on delivering quality more than quantity. Seek with all your heart to capture unique photographs.

6. Develop a style that is recognizable and unique. Don't try to be like somebody else. Clients look for unique photographers, with a unique vision.

7. Give wedding photography all your heart and effort. Long when you are gone your photographs will last forever. It is a great way to be remembered.

8. Open your heart and your mind and great photos will happen. Concentrate on the human aspect of weddings, the details, and emotions and be ready to capture them. Let the camera become an extension of you.

9. Share your technical knowledge and make connections with other wedding photographers.

10. Participate in wedding photography image competitions. It will give you the opportunity to have your work evaluated by peers and the motivation to improve your work quality.

11. Learn something new everyday. Take advantage of professional photography organizations such as Professional Photographers of America (PPA), WPPI, etc. Attend their seminars, workshops. Participate in Internet wedding photography forums and learn and share tips, tools and techniques.

12. Don't neglect the business aspect of wedding photography. Learn to manage your business effectively. Take business courses and seminars.

Juan Carlos Torres is a very respected and awarded wedding photographer in Oregon. He has a Masters Degree in Remote Sensing with a strong background in digital image processing and photography. He is a member of the several professional photographer organizations including the Professional Photographers of America, the Professional Photographers of Oregon, the Wedding Photojournalist Association,and the Oregon Wedding Photo Guild. His wedding photographs are unique and very artistic and have been featured in national and international magazines. For a sample of his works please visit Portland Oregon Wedding Photographer and Eugene Oregon Wedding Photographer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Juan_Carlos_Torres

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The Ins & Outs of DSLR Cameras

2009-02-02T19:53:00.000-08:00

It can be hard choosing a DSLR camera that will fit all your needs, in whatever occasion. Think about what types of photographs you will take in most cases and select the DSLR camera based on what your needs will be. If you know the type of photography that you'll be concentrating on, choosing the right camera for you will be much easier.

For example, concentrating on taking photos of the nature means that you should take into consideration digital SLR cameras that come with a bigger optical zoom and possibly combining the camera with a scope. This will insure that you can take the best photos when it comes to nature, even if the subject is at a longer range.

If your pleasure is doing sport photography, then you should concentrate on a digital SLR that comes with a fast shutter speed, good focal length and a motor drive that is speedy. You need speed if you want to be able to take fast photos. In sports, speed is very important, since otherwise you risk missing the moment by the time you take that photo.

If you prefer going on trips and taking photos of architecture, you should buy a digital camera that has lenses as wide as possible, so you can avoid the keystone effect and provide you with some extra space near the building you're photographing. This effect will make the photo appear like the building is going to fall. Some digital SLR cameras will have extra options, like shift or tilt control lenses that will fix this issue.

The case is different if you're looking to do underwater photography. In this case you will need some obvious choices: camera housing that works underwater and digital SLR cameras that are waterproof. In some cases, the price of a camera that works underwater will be smaller than a normal digital camera. The downside is that underwater digital cameras will have a smaller resolution. While you can save more photos if the quality is lower, it also means that you can't zoom in or do as many things with those photos.

Finally, take into consideration your own demands from a digital SLR camera. Pick the model that will do everything you need from it and purchase it.

Getting the perfect DSLR camera, is never an easy thing, due to the constantly changing technology. Fortunately, there are plenty of helpful websites online, that can narrow down your search and help you find the camera with all the features important to you

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Campbell

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Pregnancy Photography - Tips For The Belly!

2009-02-02T00:58:00.000-08:00

by: Heather Hart

These tips have been provided by Heather Hart of A La Mode Photo who specializes in natural environment, pregnancy, family and pet photography.

1. Find a friend.

Since you are the model, you need someone who has a few hours to dedicate to you and your Belly!

2. Try using a camera with real film and not digital. Go to a camera store and ask for professional black and white film - avoid going to the local market or drugstore for your film - there is a big difference! Ask for 125 speed film - there is less grain. And everyone always looks so much better in black and white - try it, you may like it!

3. Wear natural make-up - a little base and accent your eyes! Since you're shooting outdoors, keep it light!

4. Choose a place outside! A local park with trees always works nicely. Make sure that the background where you are shooting is also nice. Be careful of trash cans and other items in the background that might detract from your focus.

5. Go to a local fabric store and buy 6 yards of chiffon material. Black, grey, white - any color is fine! Use this to wrap around you and make a great skirt. This will accentuate your Belly just perfectly! Bring safety pins - they will be your new best friend.

source : http://www.premierphotographer.com/photoarticle_6.html

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Wild Life Photography Tips - South Africa

2009-02-02T00:47:00.000-08:00

by: Gerald Crawford

It's important to know the behavior of the animals you're trying to photograph. By understanding their behavior you will have a better chance of finding them and you will be able to predict their actions.

By reading up on animal behavior you will learn the different kinds of terrain the various animals prefer. You can combine that knowledge with that of your qualified guide to plan the best African game drives and bush walks, where you will have the opportunity to take some amazing photo's.

Security is very important, so make sure that you don't put yourself in danger. Also never interfere with the natural behavior of the animals in order to take a better photo!

Some part of all trips will involve meeting people from local tribes and with cultural backgrounds different from ours. Please be courteous when taking pictures. It is always a good idea to build rapport with your subjects first and then ask them if it is OK to take their picture. Tribal folk can be very suspicious of cameras and vocal and demonstrative with people who shoot first and make friends after.

The following tips should help you to take memorable photos while on your African safari:

When taking close-up pictures, focus on the animal's eyes. This guarantees that most of the animal's face will be in focus. Be prepared and ready with your camera at all times, as animals may suddenly appear and disappear just as quickly.

Range your subject. For example, when taking photos of an Elephant, take a portrait shot; include one more with the general habitat in context to the subject, then another with close-up detail, such as horns and face.

Utilise low contrast film when the sun is intense and high contrast film when it is overcast or dull. Take different pictures in vertical and horizontal approaches. Take photographs from different levels when you are on a game viewing activity. Pictures taken at the animal's eye-level will appear more sensational.

Do not centre all your shots; leave room in your subject for the animal to move into. This will prevent lifeless composition and give an imitate portrayal of your subject. A good starting point for wildlife photography is a lens with a 300 mm in focal length. Bird photography will require a 500 mm lens. When the subject is in motion, use a shutter speed of at least 1/125, except if you are using a panning method. Birds in flight necessitate speeds of 1/500 or more. Why not share some of your best images of Africa with us.

Film Requirements:

You will find incredible photographic opportunities on your safari. There are no limitations on the amount of film you can bring to any of the countries of Southern Africa, so bring plenty! Film is expensive and can be hard to find once in Africa. If you are interested in A PHOTOFRAPHIC JOURNAL of your safari, bring at least 1 roll (36 exposures) per day; it doesn't hurt to bring more.

We recommend Kodachrome 64 (slide film) or Fujichrome 100 for most daylight shots in open territory. With longer lenses, which admit less light, or for low light situations around dawn and dusk, 400 ASA (or higher) are also recommended. A flash unit is a useful addition when taking pictures of dark subjects in low light conditions, or evening camp fire scenes. Stow your film in a lead foil bag to protect it from heat, moisture and airport X-ray machines. There are two types available, one rated up to 400 ASA and one to 3200 ASA. The 3200 ASA bag is virtually impenetrable to X-rays and is worth the extra cost.

Lenses:

A 200 or 300 mm lens (or 80-300 zoom) is good for most wildlife photography from vehicles or boats. A 400-500 mm lens will work well in many situations, especially if you are a keen bird photographer.

A standard 50 mm or wide angle lens is good for scenery and people shots. If you are an avid photographer you may want to bring two SLR camera bodies (of the same type) so you will not have to constantly change lenses. With two cameras you will spend more time looking at the wildlife and composing shots than fumbling in your camera bag, getting dust in your one camera body, and missing the action!

source : http://www.premierphotographer.com/photoarticle_3.html

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Digital VS Film

2009-02-01T20:35:00.000-08:00

Which Camera; Digital or Film?

For over one hundred and fifty years the medium of photography has used light sensitive emulsions to create images. Digital imaging has been in existence for only a small percentage of that time. It is only in the past few years that it has become a serious contender to conventional film photography. Many people will be faced with a choice; do they invest in a film or digital camera? This photo tips article was originally written in Dec 2001 and has been updated for Nov 2003. Let us now review the options again.

Just two years ago this article quoted "One of the main problems of this question (digital or film?) is of course that the future can't be predicted. Some experts will say that digital cameras will completely take over the photographic market within the next decade. Others say that it will only ever be another format e.g. slide, print, black & white and digital." Sales figures for this year (2003) show that for the first time, digital cameras have outsold film cameras. So people are starting to vote with their cash. The digital medium, despite some of its shortfalls, is being embraced not only by the consumer, but even by professional photographers who have previously opted for the high quality imaging of medium format cameras.

This article also quoted "At the moment and for the foreseeable future it is best to start with a film camera outfit." This frame of mind has also changed in just two years. Not only has the image quality of digital cameras improved, but many of the creative features (such as manual exposure mode) have been introduced into many affordable compact digital cameras. Many of these compact cameras have all the features of an SLR camera. The beginner no longer needs to spend a vast sum of money for a digital SLR of equivalent film SLR specification that would be a fraction of the price.

Another reason for using a film camera discussed in this original article is "Using a film camera with full manual control will force the beginner to learn the basic principles and workings of a camera through practise and trial and error." First of all find a new camera on the market today that has only manual functions...can't? True, manual functions are still available but all consumer and many professional film cameras now have some form of automation in both exposure and focusing. So what's to stop the beginner using these just like they would on a digital camera? Also trial and error is a lot cheaper for the beginner with a digital camera as they don't have to pay for processing, just delete the bad pictures!

Lets look at the next reason for using film: "Yet another good reason for starting out with a film camera is that it offers a wider variety of display mediums. The photographer can choose between prints, slides, black & white or even convert the images to digital at a later stage." All of the above are possible with a digital image file. Converting color images to black & white is effortless. Some commercial digital processors have the capacity to convert digital images to slide. Besides this even digital projectors are coming down in price.

Another quote from our original article: "For the serious amateur photographer, a digital camera with totally manual control can be up to three times the price of a film camera of equal specification." Digital cameras with total manual control are on average still more expensive than a film camera with manual control, but the gap has narrowed considerably.

Digital Cameras, the plus points

Digital cameras are still more expensive than film cameras but they do have a long term economical factor. Film can work out quite costly to use. It may take days before you see any results. Then when you start weeding out - lets just say - "weak images", you may if your lucky, have two or three strong images. Once you have a digital camera and one or two memory cards, the cost of producing images is next to nothing. Also the instant you take the shot, it can be viewed for inspection. If it isn't right, it can be deleted and attempted again.

The digital image opens up many new doors for the photographer. Internet and email capabilities allows the possibilities for the photographer to display their work, for whatever reason, further and faster to a wider audience then the conventional printed image.

Digital Cameras, the negative points

In our original article we quoted "...there is a delay between pressing the shutter and the digital camera finally deciding to take the picture, you can miss a lot of action shots." This factor is true for some models of digital cameras. However most new models have improved on this fact immensely, especially those that use an optical viewfinder. Some digital cameras using an electronic "through the lens" viewfinder may still have this problem.

Digital photography does not suit everyone and this is where film will always have a place. If a person has no experience with computers and no desire to learn, then digital photography isn't really an option. Even though many camera models can now produce prints straight from a printer without a computer, this option is more costly than film processing. Without proper editing via a software program, the full potential of the images can never be realised.

One factor about digital cameras will always be present...battery dependency. Though nearly all film cameras now use batteries, digital cameras are much heavier and require frequent changes or charging. This is one area camera manufacturers have pretty much ignored in producing and promoting film cameras. Rather than making film cameras less battery dependent to compete with the digital market, they are making them more dependent on batteries. There are many photographic practices that demand cameras with a long battery life such as shooting in remote locations. Though there are a few cameras on the market that only require a battery to operate the light meter, they tend to be much more expensive.

The final negative point regarding digital media is still Resolution. Image sensors have grown in size steadily and continue to grow even in budget digital compact cameras. However the resolution found in high quality professional digital cameras still comes no where near the resolution of film. For the consumer market resolution is now adequate for the average sized prints generally produced by consumers. For serious photographic amateurs and many professional markets, the digital SLR cameras now have suitable resolutions. However for some practices where large prints and accurate rendition of detail is necessary, film is still very much the preferred option.

In some ways a lot has changed in the past two years and in others they haven't. Our summation four years ago was that film was still king. Digital would only be another medium for taking and displaying images. It will be interesting to look at this article again in another two years to see what has developed in this rapidly changing world of photography. The latest technology to come about is the digital single use (disposable) camera. Will this be the final straw for film?

source: http://www.schoolofphotography.com/if/infocus18.html

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Landscape Photography

2009-02-01T20:25:00.000-08:00

What's in a Landscape?

Landscapes are probably the most popular subjects to photograph. The reason for this is probably because they are pleasant and are always there for us. The problem is that because of their popularity, it is very difficult to make a particular land

scape image stand out!

You could be forgiven for thinking that landscape images are strictly pictures of natural scenery such as mountains, seaside's, forests and valleys. These subjects are landscape but don't forget the 'manmade' landscapes. In some cases urban landscapes may not be considered 'landscape' photography but an excellently taken cityscape can be as striking as any other such as the image above taken in Cork City, Ireland.

When to Shoot

Lighting and the quality of lighting is an extremely important factor in all subjects in photography, landscape is no different. The advantage the studio photographer has is that he/she can create the lighting effects they desire. The landscape photographer is at the mercy of the lighting conditions that are present at the time of the shoot. There is no way to alter lighting in landscape photography.

It is generally agreed amongst landscape photographers that early morning or late evening lighting is best. This is when the sun is at an angle. This gives shadow detail that creates depth in an image. Also sunlight can change in color at very early morning or late evening to give a more dramatic effect. Mid day sunlight tends not to bring up great detail in a landscape causing the image to look flat and lacking in vibrancy.

What Format?

With landscapes in order to render detail to its limit, the bigger the image area (digital sensor or negative) the better. Most professional landscape photographers will use medium or large format film cameras. The large film format allows for sharper, more defined image quality.

The resolution of digital cameras is now as good as most film cameras. Some digital cameras would be perfectly suitable for taking landscape images for certain purposes.

source : http://www.schoolofphotography.com/if/infocus11.html

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Shooting Animals

2009-02-01T20:19:00.000-08:00

Animals come in all shapes and sizes from rodents like mice to large mammals like elephants. Animals can make very eye catching subjects to photograph whether wild or domesticated. However there is a distinct difference between a wild animal and a domesticated one. This will dictate how the subject will be approached.

Wild animals are those found in their natural habitat and are surviving without any sort of aid, with the exception of zoos and preserves. Domesticated animals are those who exist with the assistance of man. Pets like cats and dogs are immediately identified as domesticated but farm animals would also fall under this category.

PETS

A family or friends pet is probably the easiest animal subject to get access to. Many of you probably have a pet such as a cat or even of course man's best friend, a dog. Some people have more exotic pets like mice, snakes, turtles and the odd big cat or monkey. Whatever the pet, they are probably the best animal subjects to get a hold of, as they are easily accessible and familiar to you.

fig 1 The creative approach

An image of a hamster in a cage will not win any awards. An image that shows a bit of thought and imagination like this one in fig 1 will definitely stand out.

We all have the typical "Rover on the couch" photo. These are images of our pets lying in their bed or on somebody's favourite chair. These photos are a nice record images for personal use but will not have the impact to stand out when presented to impress, particularly in a competition, exhibit or in a portfolio.

The trick to a good pet photo is to capture the pet's personality. This can be achieved by communicating with the animal, such as simple commands to a dog. Another way is to put it through a favourite routine like a dog catching a Frisbee. Whatever the pet, they all have their "party pieces" that keep you amused. In most cases these acts can be captured on a still image.

Domesticated Animals

We often think of pets as only domesticated but this title covers a much greater variety of animal. Farm animals are a typical example of a domesticated animal. Sheep, cows, pigs and horses, naming a few, would fall in this category.

fig 2 Domesticated birds

City dwellers may not have much access to this type of animal but they should by no means be ignored. Though these animals do not show much in the way of personality, images of them in their surroundings can be quite serene and picturesque.

Horses for example make good subjects either in stables or out galloping through open fields. Pigs can make for humorous images as they muck about in their pens.

The places to find these animals are most likely farms and ranches. These are not commonplace of course in urban areas but there are many farms and ranches that are open to the public, usually nearer to you then you think. Check out your local press or tourist information outlets.

This photo shown in fig 2 was taken at a petting farm where the animals (and birds) aren't so timid toward strangers. One good image of a bird is worth two cats in a bush!?! hmmmm...

Animals in Captivity

For most of us the only way we will ever see a wild animal such as a lion, elephant or gorilla is in a zoo or park. In many cases the surroundings do not lend themselves to natural or even pleasing images. Animals in captivity after all are not generally the happiest. There are some that go out of their way to perform though and great images are there for the taking.

The advantage of photographing animals in zoos is their close proximity. In some cases it would not be difficult to fill the frame with the portrait of an animal with a standard lens. The disadvantage of course is bars and fencing can get in the way. One way to overcome fencing is to get right up to it and use the widest aperture your lens will allow. Once focused on the subject the fencing would be so out of focus that it would "disappear" from view in the image.

Animals in the Wild

fig 3 Wild Animals

Shots like this one in fig 3 of a fox in the wild can be hard to come by but are magnificent if they are captured well.

It is hard to appreciate the difficulty in taking wildlife photographs until you actually try it. We take for granted the wildlife images that we see on television or in books and magazines and it all seems so easy. In reality there is much more involved in photographing wildlife then just going out on a whim and taking a few shots. Successful wildlife photography takes careful planning, determination and much patience. Much of the time taken in wildlife photography is planning where to shoot and waiting quietly and patiently in a hide for that shot.

Many wild animals are extremely fast, especially small ones. Once the opportunity to shoot the little critters arises, there is no time to waste; the camera must be at the ready. Fast shutter speeds are essential for most wildlife images to avoid blur in an image from the subject's movement. Long lenses are also needed to fill the frame with a subject that may be some distance away. Because fast shutter speeds are difficult to come by with long lenses, fast lenses combined with fast film is also a requirement.

Wild animals are not always found in the deepest jungles, you may see them in your own backyard. Small creatures like squirrels, hedgehogs, badgers and foxes are considered wild and often dare to roam near human habitation.

Do not under any circumstances jeopardise an animals safety or force them by whatever means to do what they do not want to do. Animal cruelty comes in many forms and should not be used to contrive any sort of an animal image.

source : http://www.schoolofphotography.com/if/infocus08.html

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InFocus Photography Tips - Sports Photography

2009-02-01T20:04:00.000-08:00

The most important element in sports and action photography is speed. Speed of the eye to capture the moment and speed of the equipment and settings to capture the image sharply. Most good sports images are taken when the subject is moving. Therefore quick reaction and close attention to shutter speeds are always essential.

This doesn't necessarily mean that a fast shutter speed has to be employed. Careful use of slower shutter speeds can introduce selective subject movement, enhancing the feeling of action in the image. One popular technique is 'panning the subject' which incorporates a slow shutter speed while tracking the action. This keeps the main subject sharp while blurring other detail in the image.

In order to get those breathtaking action photos, reaction and speed are only half of what is needed by the photographer. The other element is knowledge. The photographer has to know the sport or game he/she is photographing and know it well. With a familiarity to a sport, just like most subjects, the photographer develops the instinct of knowing what will happen next and where it may happen.

With some sports like motor racing, the subject will pass a certain point at regular intervals. This gives the photographer the chance not only to get a good sharp image, but also to use various techniques on the same subject as it comes back around. These could include panning and selective subject movement.

Motorcycle Racing

This image was taken at a motorcycle race which takes place on a track. The sense of action and speed is depicted very well in this image by background blur. What makes the image a success is that despite the blur caused by movement, the motorcycle and rider is sharp.

The technique used to create this image is called Panning. It is very commonly used in track sports where the subject will be passing a predetermined point. The advantage of this technique is the shutter speed needed doesn't have to be very fast, so it can be used in low lighting conditions with medium ISO speed.

With many other sports, particularly those played on a field, it can be much harder to determine where and when the action will happen. Techniques such as follow-focus or pre-focusing are as essential as a fast shutter speed. This usually means using a fast ISO rating as well to help to get an acceptable amount of depth of field, which can be a problem when using a fast shutter speed in poor light.

Football

Football is a fast moving game where the ball and players could turn from one direction to the next in a split second.

The photographer has to predict the best vantage points from which good action images can be obtained. Predicting the type of play, whether it is run or pass, will give the photographer a good idea of where to position his or herself.

Different sports require different approaches to obtaining good images. How to determine what way to photograph a particular sport, a very familiar knowledge of the sport, the players and sometimes the location is necessary.

source : http://www.schoolofphotography.com/if/infocus22.html

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How to Pose People For Portraits - Tips to Get the Best Portraits Possible

2009-02-01T04:16:00.000-08:00

There's absolutely nothing quite like picking up a camera and taking a stunning photograph. It is even more fulfilling when that photograph is a portrait. Most of us want to know exactly how to take our own portraits. The reasoning behind it may be different, perhaps you want to save money taking your kids' pictures yourself or you have your heart set on a family portrait to send out during the holidays. The most common concern expressed when it comes to taking a good picture is how to pose people for portraits. If you understand the basics of how to get a good portrait, you'll always end up with a wonderful picture and memory once the experience is over.

The backdrop is crucial when it comes to understanding the best way to pose people for portraits. You may think a busy background will help create a more stunning picture, but in reality it may just take away from your subject or subjects. Choose a color and texture that is complementary to your subjects. If you are doing the portrait sitting outdoors make sure that the lighting is good and that the wind isn't going to wreak havoc with anyone's hairstyle. Keep it as simple as possible. Let the natural light guide you and you'll end up with a portrait that becomes a keepsake.

You should also try and make your subject feel at ease. Most of us aren't comfortable having our picture taken and when the focus is solely on us, we start to feel a little self-conscious. If that happens, the person you are photographing may appear stiff and their smile will be forced. You don't want that at all. Take a little time beforehand to talk to them and make them feel relaxed. You'll end up with a much better picture.

Anyone can learn how to take studio quality portraits at home. With just a few basic hints, you can create portraits that are stunning. Learn more tips on how to improve the look of the portraits you take of your family and friends.

Whether you want to take portraits for fun or profit, it's essential to understand how to approach the experience the same way professional photographers do. With a camera and insight into how to take a perfect portrait you'll become the photographer you always wished you could be.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Crusie

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The Art of Portrait Photography

2009-01-30T22:21:00.000-08:00

Portrait photography is usually used at functions such as birthdays, graduations and weddings and is used to hang decoratively on the wall in a way to look good and to intrigue people. These prints are normally blown up for a better effect and put in lovely looking frames to make the best of the photos.

As a general rule, portrait photography focuses mostly on the face of the model, but can involve the shoulders and even more of the body if requested from the photography professional. Portrait photography is a great way to capture the mood and emotion of a particular moment and provide great memories that can be remembered and looked at over and over again.

Unlike some of the other types of photography like landscape and wildlife, portrait photography became very popular when the camera was first discovered as people enjoyed taking lots of photos of their family and loved ones. It was a way of remembering and capturing the pure love and emotion of one single moment forever. They could also be hung on the wall in frames or put into photo albums so that other people that were visiting could admire the prints as well.

Back in this time, however, the portrait photography was just black and white and not in colour, which is what we have got used to in modern times. However, for a better and more effective style of portrait photography, the photography professional is very often asked to take photos that are in black and white, and these look great when hung on a wall or placed in a photo frame. It is a very effective look, but unfortunately, not as forgiving for errors as colour photos tend to be.
As portrait photography grew more and more popular, the art of taking photos became more individual, leading to photography professionals creating their own personal styles. Different types of photography grew in popularity as well, leading to prints of landscapes and wildlife and other such things to make more modern and stylish wall hangings. People started to desire more dramatic backdrops for their portrait photography, and also different poses as well.
Any photography professional that is any good will know that people have different tastes and different styles and should accommodate for this when taking the photos.

They are there to serve the people ordering the prints and should do exactly what is requested from them. Portrait photography has grown massively, and now there is a demand for photos for weddings, new babies, family portraits, graduations and suchlike.
These prints do not have to be massively expensive, but you will have to pay for the services that you get, so the more prints you want and the better you want them, as well as the size that you request will make the rate for your payment, and it is worth thinking of this when you decide on exactly what it is that you want.

Portrait photography makes for wonderful gifts for family and loved ones and should be thought about in the coming up of special occasions like birthdays, Christmas, wedding anniversaries and such like.

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Macro Nature Photography - Up Close

2008-11-13T22:05:00.000-08:00

As a photographer getting close up to nature is a very important part of my life. It allows a far greater appreciation of the beauty and a clearer understanding of the natural world in which we live. Take for example a clear cold winters day with crispness so sharp it is breathtaking. When we start to look for close ups in nature in these conditions we are immediately drawn to magical patterns in the snow, frosted ivy leaves and shimmering icicles. Ice patterns are one of my favourite winter photography subjects as they offer such diversity and literally capture a moment frozen in time. Some offer gracefully smooth curves whilst others display harsh jagged lines depending on the prevailing weather conditions. So even something as simple as a puddle icing over is heavily influenced by its immediate surroundings.

Light quality will also play a significant part in our close up photography allowing us to fully appreciation the finer details of these shapes and textures, if it is too harsh then the increase in contrast will actually block out the very detail we are trying to see and photograph. It is far better to have the diffused light that occurs with high thin cloud cover. This provides a much softer light allowing all the detail, texture and nuances to be so clearly seen and recorded in our photography. Subject colour will also influence our interpretation of the subject, for example vibrant colours like reds and yellows suggest dominance and power, whereas muted shades like grey and browns portray more tranquil, earthy and basic feelings.

Early morning is often a fine time to appreciate a wide range of close up photography subjects and a stroll in the garden will pay dividends. Flowers and grasses, for example when covered with dew or fine rain make fascinating photographic studies, the fine hairs hold onto droplets of water so that they almost defy gravity. If the conditions are right there may be insects that have become encrusted with minute droplets of water following a nights inactivity. Butterflies in particular look stunning covered in dew as it makes them sparkle as though covered with a myriad of jewels making them rewarding close up photography subjects.

So, with renewed vision and childlike wonder the natural world is without doubt a beautiful place that only requires a little time and an inquisitive mind to fully appreciate. Satisfaction and contentment can be provided by the simplest of things and with this comes harmony and hopefully inner peace.

By: Phil Mac

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Having Fun With Food Photography

2008-11-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

Imagine that you are looking at picture of a scrumptious pork fillet, mouth watering steak and a glass of iced cold grape juice. How do you feel? Hungry?

That is what successful food photographers can do. They can trigger your hunger by just looking at their pictures. Isn't it amazing when you can do the same? Let's start by looking at the tips below:

1. Lighting

Lighting is very important in food photography. When you have the right lighting, it will seem like the dish is asking the viewers to feast on it. So, it is very important that you look at the surrounding and experiment your picture with as much natural light as possible.

There will be time that the surrounding light can't really illuminate the dish. When that happens, you will want to consider using a flash. Then, you need to control the intensity of the flash. Remember that you want to highlight the essence of the dish and get your viewers hungry instead of disgust them with an all brighten up dish.

2. Presentation

Imagine a plate of pork chop with its broccoli scattered around and the sauce flooding the plate. Do you still have the intention to dig into it? Most likely you will wonder how a chef can present that for dining.

So, take your time to arrange your dish. It must be visually attracting before someone will actually have the desire to eat it. When you are photographing a burger, you will want to get the stuffing out of the bun and that is how the fast food chains advertise and get you to visit them.

And when you are photographing a dish, experiment your picture with and without the cutlery. How does that feel? Sometime, the cutlery will enhance your picture and sometime not.

3. Out of focus

Creating shallow depth of field on your dish will keep your food in focus while the background blurred. Your viewers will automatically pay attention to the food and it would trigger their urge to eat.

However, the compact digital cameras in the market now are unable to adjust the depth of field. It is true that you can create the effect with photo editing software later. Still, the picture will not look as natural as when you are using a DSLR camera to capture the picture.

As much fun as talking about food photography, you will start to feel hungry. Unfortunately, that is the side effect of looking into this interesting topic.

By: Michael Wong

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