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Archive for the 'Popular Photography' Category
Saturday, September 6th, 2008
The nice thing about bird photography is that it can happen anywhere on our beautiful globe. The not so nice thing is that birds are small or shy, and you need to be able to get close enough with your equipment. In this article, we will be looking at the ideal equipment for bird photography. We will also be having a quick look at how to use this equipment.
Camera body
We live in the world of digital photography, and therefore we will only be discussing digital camera bodies. I am also a really big Canon fan, so I will talk Canon, and you can translate it to other manufacturers if you need to.
You will need a decent camera body that allows you to set continuous focus while shooting images in the raw image quality. The cheapest body allowing you to do this is the Canon EOS 20D. However, it is not really cheap. The reason for it being not too affordable is that it is actually a very good all-round camera body for the serious amateur or professional. You cannot go wrong with this body
Lenses
A lot of amateurs think that a really decent long zoom lens will solve all their problems. I have been there guys, and it does not. Do what the professionals do and get that long prime lens.
I used the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM for a long time, and my results were decent but not good enough. It is not the sharpest lens. If you need to use a zoom rather stick with the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM. It is pin sharp.
I now use the Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM and it is the best thing that could have happened to my photography. It is very sharp and very fast at the same time. A bit heavy at times, but I need the exercise! With this lens I mostly use a Canon Extender 1.4x II for an effective focal length of 1 120 mm with autofocus! That is plenty for any bird, and I cannot imagine getting a lot of good bird photographs with anything shorter.
By the way, do not use manual focus. Todays cameras were not built for manual focus as the viewfinders are small and do not allow you to see enough detail to manual focus effectively.
Photographing flying birds
Okay, now you have all the equipment and you are heading into the field to get that award winning photograph of a flying bird. You have to have enough light entering your lens for a fast enough shutter speed to freeze the action. You also want your camera to focus where the bird is in that split second you are going to give it before firing away. So what do you do?
Set you camera to an ISO speed of 400. In sunshine this ought to be fast enough. The reason for not using ISO 100 or 200 is that you are photographing action and you do not want anything to blur.
You must also make sure your lens is open at its maximum aperture. A Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM lens coupled with a Canon Extender 1.4x II gives a maximum aperture of 5.6, and this is what I use when photographing flying birds.
Also ensure your camera is set to continuous autofocus. Canon calls this setting AI Servo focus. This is crucial and the main reason why I am not a fan of camera bodies like the Canon EOS 350D. They do not allow you to use this focus with raw images Thanks Canon!
I also set my image stabilizer to Mode 2 for photographing moving subjects, to avoid it actually working against that sharp photo rather than for it
Now all that is left is moving that heavy lens around while the birds are flying past. Happy shooting!
Conclusion
We professionals have a way of sometime making it sound like you do not need good equipment to be a good photographer. That is utter non-sense. Get yourself decent equipment and you will see why the pros get the shot and you dont.
The other thing that makes the professionals so much better than the average amateur is patience. Go and sit somewhere where there are birds, forcing yourself not to move for three hours, and you will get the magic shots. Your patience will be rewarded.
Dries Cronje is a freelance nature photographer operating in Southern Africa. He has a passion for teaching and has dedicated one of his sites, http://www.africa-nature-photography.com, purely to helping his fellow nature photographers.
When a Digital Zoom is Needed
Youve been told that you should disregard claims of
large digital zoom ratios and have been warned that to use
a digital zoom is to ruin the picture with visible artifacts and pixels. To a certain extent, these statements are true but they dont t... Patience is a Virtue in Photography
Patience is a virtue. It always has been and always will. In photography terms, it is vital.We are so used to things happening rapidly in photography that we can sometimes feel overwhelmed and ever ready for the sudden shot or opportunity. Candids, o... Pet Photography
An area of photography that is becoming extremely popular, pet photography makes for a particularly tough challenge to any newcomer to photography, but if mastered successfully will be very rewarding for you and your customers.Most families own some ... Photography - Have a Rest!
Sometimes, however hard you try, there is simply no way you are going take that special picture. Things have a habit of getting in the way. Perhaps work, perhaps family. Perhaps during some festivity or other you are simply too busy or tied up to car... What to Look for in a Photography School
Unlike some school programs that are offered in all state universities and colleges, photography, as a full-pledged course, is not as common. In fact, only a handful of art schools have such a comprehensive program.This can be both an advantage and a... Learning About Photography By Enrolling in a Class
Using a camera is very simple. The person will just look through the lens; point it at the subject and then click on the button.The results of doing this are very different for each person when these have been developed. The individual might notice t... How Do You Identify Landscape Photo Art?
There are many different versions or styles of landscape photography not the least landscape photo art. Hopefully, I have been able to explain some of its characteristics in this topical article and it will leave you a little wiser. I have compiled o... Photography Equipment
Photography is one of the most expensive hobbies that a person can get into. In addition to the camera, one will also have to buy films and spend for the developing. And as you become more enmeshed with the activity, you will probably be adding a lis... Photographing The Young
If there were one most exciting but stressful kinds of photo shoots there isthat would be child photography. Started out as a hobby of parents who are into photos and photography, the craft has evolved into something more commercialized and a viable ... Child Photography
Child photography can bring us back to a warm feeling nothing else can. Children are the "flowers" in the vast "forest of adults." They bring the freshness that gives life joy and purpose. When we hold the new baby that is only hours old we are mo...
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Friday, September 5th, 2008
WIth the boom of the digital photography more pictures then ever are being shot
everyday. The Digital Photography allows to increase significantly the picture
production by lowering costs. But does the quality increase on the same ratio ?
Probably not.
WIth few simple tips it is possible to take more advantage of your own equipment
and increase the value of your own pictures.
1) Get closer to the Subject: 90% of the pictures are taking too far of the subject.
Just step towards your subject and ensure that it fills completely your visor. It is
never too close.
2) Use a tripod: take a light high quality tripod with you and use it! You will be able
to capture more details of your subject and increase the sharpness, specially when
taking scenics, arquitecture and landscapes.
3) Use the “Raw” mode of your digital camera: JPG pictures allows only 8 bit per
channel, this means the information per channel is restricted and you may loose
information when processing your picture later in your digital lab. RAW modes
support the full range of your digital equipment and provides highly flexibility to re-
process your pictures afterwards.
4) Use low ISO values: your digital camera is able to be setup to high ISO Values (ISO
500-1500), however the noise of the sensor will increase dramatically, needing also
an intensive post-processing, i.e. using noise reduction filters. Use higher ISO
values only when its unavoidable
5) Keep it simple: in photography less is more. Concentrate on the message you
desire to capture and try to eliminate everything else. Keep your backgrounds
simple and your main subject understandable without anything else that could
disturbe your clear message.
6) Bring profundity in your pictures. The world has three dimensions, but your
pictures only two. A subject that looks great to your eyes may appear flat in your
pictures. Play with diagonal elements crossing the picture, but with simplicity of
lines.
7) Either Fore or Background: a typical beginner error is to try to capture fore and
background on the same picture. This is the typical “tourist” picture in front of some
touristic attraction. Decide if you would like to capture the fore- or the background
and concentrate on one subject. Only by using extreme wide-angle lens and a good
composition you can have both.
 Discover hidden details: The world is infinite complex and contains innumerable
details that are waiting to be captured by your lenses. Use tele-photo lenses to
bring to the audience what only you have discovered.
9) Dont place your subject in the middle. Your pictures will be boring if everything
is symetric and the subject is exact in the middle. Apply the “golden section” of the
“rule of the thirds”. Keep your composition balanced. Of course, extreme symmetry
can be wonderful, if applied properly.
10) Unleash your creativity: once you have carefully applied the rules 1-9, forget
them and start using creative photography. Dont use tripod and move your camera
intentionally in order to get blure pictures, play with high ISO values and extreme
perspectives, extreme light situations and unusual subjects. You will be a great
photographer.
Alex Timaios is a Stock Photographer based in Germany, he is specialized in Business,
Nature and Travel photography. He runs the website http://www.alex-images.de
How to Choose The Right Digital Camera
The quality of the digital camera you choose depends on what you will be using the camera for. If youre just going to be shooting pictures of you kids birthday party or snap shots on your family vacation, then you probably do not have a need for a h... Buying a Digital Camera
When it comes to buying a digital camera, you need to ask yourself one question. What type of pictures am I looking to take? Then from that point on, try to envision the image perfectly in your mind, also how you would like then to turn out for other... There Is A Wide Array Of Digital Cameras To Choose From Today
Digital cameras have taken the market by storm over the last few years. They have become one of the most popular gadgets to own in todays world. They have more or less replaced the normal camera in many peoples homes. With their quality in pictures, ... Better Travel Photos With the Light in the Morning and Late Afternoon
You probably know the yellow "National Geographic" magazine. If you browse through its colorful pages you can see that many of the pictures are taken in the low, warm light of mornings and late afternoons or evenings.The photographers of National Geo... Digital Perfect Photography at Your fingertips
There was a time photographers had to shoot then develop the shots to find out if the right image was captured. Some photographers refer to this as the trial and error of this art form.Many photographers have now shifted from the old camera to the mo... Tips for Choosing The Right Digital Camera Lens
Selecting the right lens is critical when purchasing a digital camera. Basically, lenses can be categorized this way: fixed focal length, retractable zoom, fixed zoom and interchangeable lenses.Fixed focal length lenses are the cheapest and simplest ... Digital Point-and-Shoot Cameras Choosing The Best One For You
Kodak revolutionized picture taking with the Brownie camera. And then along came 35mm film and the small, affordable cameras. The next supposed revolution in photography was the Advatix film and camera system. But that didnt last long. Now, its d... Stock Your Kit with Digital Camera Accessories
There are a large number of digital camera accessories available in the market today. Even though you might have invested a few hundred dollars in your digital camera (although they are getting cheaper by the day), you should buy yourself a few acces... What Are Underwater Cameras?
Over seventy-five percent of the earth is covered with water, with amazing and beautiful life forms beneath the oceans. Underwater cameras are used to capture or explore this amazing life that exists below every ripple and wave. Deep- sea divers use ... The Canon Powershot s60 Software: Bundled for Imaging Power
Taking your pictures with your Canon Powershot s60 can provide you with the most crisp and vivid images of your babys first step, your sons graduation, a family picnic or whatever those special moments are. Now more power are given with the Canon Pow...
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Thursday, September 4th, 2008
Digital vs. film
(What really matters? see below)
Here is a quick breakdown (and maybe more info than you were hoping for)
Digital vs. film should be a non-factor in your decision. Both have their positives and negatives. Digital has come a long way over the last several years. I would say at least 80% or higher of major magazine photographers shoot digital in their editorial work. That being said, what is the difference?
Film (35mm and medium format 120 / 220)
In this case, we will look at 35mm and 120 / 220 film. There are many other sizes of film. The general populations, when they say film are referring to 35mm film. It is the main size sold in Target, Wal-Mart, etc.
35mm is your standard film body camera (example: Nikon F series, Cannon). These cameras allow for interchangeable lenses and shooting flexibility much like a digital in that they are easy to move around. Film is more forgiving in terms of exposure than digital. The downside to film: if you have a certain speed of film (film speed below) in your camera, you cannot take it out to change film speed in the middle of that roll. Digital allows the user to change the speed of the film or ISO from frame to frame.
Medium format is rarely used by documentary wedding photographers and is usually the choice of the portrait photographer. Compared to 35mm, medium format uses 3~4 times as much film surface. This allows for better tonality (smoother gradations), finer detail, and less apparent grain. The downside is that medium format cameras are bigger, heavier; they are not great cameras to shoot candid images.
(Note on filmspeed: This is the main division between types of films (i.e. 100, 200, 400 etc). Speed is how fast a film can capture an image when exposed to a minimal amount of light. Slower film (the lower the number, the slower the film, 25 would be considered a slow film, 100 is also fairly slow) requires a lot of light to hit it to get an image. Slower film is great for making large enlargements from a small negative it has less grain and allows for more vivid colors. Faster films (200-800) need less light but you will see substantially more grain in an image as the film speed increases.
Digital equipment has improved dramatically in the last several years. I am a digital shooter who grew up using film and very much enjoy film and working in a darkroom. I use digital for two main reasons. 1.) It better fits my workflow 2.) It allows for more creativity. I take more risks when shooting digital than film because I can see if I got the image I wanted and if not, I can re-shoot it. I believe the biggest drawback to digital is that it cost more to shoot digitally. Camera bodies are significantly more expensive and it takes much more time to edit digital than film. With film, you drop it off to your pro lab and then get the images back when they are done. With digital, the photographer edits all the work. It increases time considerably per wedding, but the creative factor outweighs all others factors, for myself at least.
WHAT REALLY MATTERS in the camera bag?
The most important items in a camera bag are the lenses. I would much rather have a 1500.00 lens on a 50.00 camera body than a 200.00 lens on a 5000.00 camera body. Glass and the individual behind the camera are the most important factors to a great image. A pro lens allows for a much shallower depth of field. They also allow for greater flexibility in low light situations.
So if you have to ask about equipment, ask about lenses. What are the primary lenses the photographer shoots with. Which is his/her favorite lens and why. This will give you some insight into how the photographer will shoot your wedding.
Craig and Andy are lifestyle and wedding documentary photographers based out of Austin and Houston, Texas where they shoot for their studio, studio563.
http://www.studio563.com
Are Expensive Wedding Photographers Really Worth The Money
Its your wedding. And out of the myriad decisions you will make in planning one of the biggest and most important days of your life, hiring the right photographer may very well be the most important. After all, the wedding cake will be eaten, the flo... How to Choose Your Wedding Photographer
Choosing your wedding photographer is probably - no scratch that - is definitely the most critical wedding decision you need to make (other than choosing your spouse!). NOTHING is more important than your wedding photography. Whys that? Well, just th... Find A Photographer: Why Photographers Should Use an Online Directory
With the ever growing use of the Web for personal and business use, the need to be found via search engines and online directories is becoming ever more crucial to the success of your business.If the mantra preached by Estate Agents is "Location, Loc... Always Get That Picture With A Compact Camera
Do you know what is best about a compact camera?Its size.For all the acclaimed faults and for all the abuse compacts endure - largely from photographers that own SLRs and believe their equipment makes them better photographers their size alone make ... Is Film Better than Digital for Weddings?
As a professional wedding photographer I get this question asked more than anything else. Rarely will somebody ask me about my wedding photography education, awards, or professional memberships. I believe the root to this question lies on misinformat... The Seven Most Popular Wedding Shots
If you plan on taking some pictures at a wedding, there are a few shots
That seem to end up in every album. If you capture all of these events,
you will be known as a great photographer.Number one is the cutting of the cake picture. The usual ... Digital Perfect Photography at Your fingertips
There was a time photographers had to shoot then develop the shots to find out if the right image was captured. Some photographers refer to this as the trial and error of this art form.Many photographers have now shifted from the old camera to the mo... Wedding Photography Business Pt. 1: Be Prepared!
Are you thinking about expanding your photography business to include weddings? If so, congratulations! You are about to embark on a whirlwind journey! Weddings can be profitable and fun, but remember, they can be a lot of work, too and arent for... Digital Photography? I Almost Spat When I Came Across The Phrase!
I had been a semi-professional photographer for some years working with my faithful film based SLR rather than enter the realms of digital photography. I knew very dial and lens and produced results that pleased the eye and when it came to wedding p... Market Your Photography Business
Setting up your own photography business it easy, you dont need office space in can be done from your own home. However this is not the easiest type of business to market, especially if you are new to the business. Quite often to market this type of ...
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Thursday, September 4th, 2008
A lens is simply a device for focussing the scene in front of you onto the cameras sensor. All cameras have lenses. Some are built in (as in compact cameras and prosumers) and some are detachable (as with SLR cameras). All of them do the same job.
There are different types of lenses. Standard lenses will cover most normal jobs portraits, simple landscapes and such like. However there are telephoto and wide angle lenses also.
Telephoto lenses basically bring far away things nearer. A wildebeest on the African plain is dangerous if you get too close, so a telephoto will get a closer image without you moving yourself.
Wide-angle lenses make you see a broader area of the scene in front of you. It will make the wildebeest look smaller and farther away but it will include a larger breadth of the scene and enable you to see the bigger picture.
Its sometimes hard to choose which lens to get but luckily there is a cunning way of making sure you have a lens for virtually every situation. Manufacturers now very kindly produce zoom lenses. These are lenses that are normal until you twist or push or pull parts of it then they become telephoto. Or, one moment they are wide-angle then they become normal again. We commonly refer to them as short zoom (going from wide-angle to normal) or long zoon (from normal to telephoto. Between them, you will hardly ever need another lens.
OK, you can get “super zoom” lenses and “super wide-ange” lenses, but these are for specialist use only or ar purchased by people with more money than sense. For most purposes you will feel entirely commfortable with a short and a long zoom. Talk to your local dealer and ask for a demonstration.
Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com
A Digital Photography Tip - The Secret Of Clear Digital Images
Recently Ive been getting a lot of questions about clarity. This leads me to the answers about lenses. You know if you do not have a good lens you do not have a good photo- generally.The reason I say that professional SLR is much better than a prosum... Photography Techniques
For most photographers the most important factor in their photography is the sharp quality of their images. To get the very best quality we need to know which lenses to use and the best time to use they. There are several lenses on the market today t... Wildlife Photography in Africa
Africa has always been known as one of the best destinations for wildlife photography, or nature photography in general. All serious professional wildlife photographers have quite a portion of their file filled with photos from Africa. Why is this? I... Tips for Choosing The Right Digital Camera Lens
Selecting the right lens is critical when purchasing a digital camera. Basically, lenses can be categorized this way: fixed focal length, retractable zoom, fixed zoom and interchangeable lenses.Fixed focal length lenses are the cheapest and simplest ... What You Need To Know About Single Lens Reflex Cameras
Most folks who buy a digital camera are just looking for an easy way to atake high quality photos of their family, friends, and special events that can be shared with others. But others are interested in other aspects of photography as well, perhaps ... Photography Equipment
Photography is one of the most expensive hobbies that a person can get into. In addition to the camera, one will also have to buy films and spend for the developing. And as you become more enmeshed with the activity, you will probably be adding a lis... Child Photography
Child photography can bring us back to a warm feeling nothing else can. Children are the "flowers" in the vast "forest of adults." They bring the freshness that gives life joy and purpose. When we hold the new baby that is only hours old we are mo... Digital Photography: Choosing Your 1st Digital SLR
Here are some basic things you have to look at when purchasing your digital camera. Purchasing a digital camera maybe be a costly expense but the need to choose one that fits your shooting style and needs will count a lot.Things to consider:1. Price... Simple Steps For Picking Your First Digital Camera
The digital camera is the single hottest item that will change the way we take photographs since the Polaroid Instamatic camera. Combined with your computer it is not only a wonderful accessory to the modern day computer set up but it is a useful too... Information On How Your Digital Camera Works
Basically, a digital camera records electronic images by focusing light through a series of lenses onto a sensor. The images are stored as binary digital data on fixed or removable devices, which can later be read by a computer. This is an extremely ...
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Thursday, September 4th, 2008
There are times when you try to take a candid photo of someone that you dont know, that you get that cold look. A look of defiance and unrest. You have been caught. That person has noticed that you are trying to snap them and they just dont like it. They may even speak to you about it.
It can feel uncomfortable for both parties.
But, at other times, even when you know the subject has seen you, you can snap away unhindered. It is even, at times, as though the subject is enjoying the attention. Or perhaps, they feel too awkward to respond and complain.
In real life, most people, I believe, would enjoy seeing images of themselves. Even at times when we feel mightily unsettled, there is something special about having a record of your image to look at in future times. Images can be very emotive reminding you of times, people and places.
But, some people can only feel this if they re in control of the process if they give permission and if they invite the photographer in. Candids, of the type described above, means that the photographer is in control in control of the taking of the image AND its disposal.
The photographer has invaded the private and personal world of the subject. Who knows what the outcome might be.
Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com.
Photography: Be Persistent
Are you hampered by your own inertia or the unwillingness of others? If so, in photography at least, you are missing out on some great opportunities,.It pays to be persistent sometimes. How many times have you come across a great opportunity only to ... How To Write Sales Letters That Deliver
Tired of sending out sales letters that generate anemic response? You could blame your list, or decide you just didnt send out a high enough volume to get the replies you were looking for. Or, you could face the truth: Your sales letter just didnt ha... How To Take Perfect People Pictures In Digital Photography
One of the things people ask me most about digital photography is how to take perfect people pictures. Digital photography is great for people because you can simply delete the ones you dont like, and show them, on the spot, what the digital photo lo... How to Photograph Children
After a wonderful day at the park with your children, you stop at the local one hour photo processor to drop off your film. You choose to do one hour because you are so excited to see how your photos will turn out.An hour later you return with excit... Utilizing the Power of Your Breath to Secure Deep Relaxation
Amazingly easy entry into the Relaxation Response is available through paying attention to the breath -- the foundation of most meditative practices.Simply watching the flow of air into your nostrils, down into your chest, then the outflow of the war... How To Learn From a Lost Sale
Everyone has experienced the sales blues, when everything seems perfect and you are confident the sale is going to close until you hear the words, sorry, were going ahead with someone else. It is important that we take the emotion out of the sales l... When a Digital Zoom is Needed
Youve been told that you should disregard claims of
large digital zoom ratios and have been warned that to use
a digital zoom is to ruin the picture with visible artifacts and pixels. To a certain extent, these statements are true but they dont t... Business Grants for Women - Skip the Loan Process and Get Free Government Grant Money!
Here are a few steps, ideas and some priceless information that could save you time and money. So lets' get started towards getting you that business grant...First and most important step - TIME IS MONEY!!! If you can invest less time or less money... Photography A - Z the Easy Way: P - Portraits
Taking portraits can be fun but if you want to get the best results you need a few pointers. Otherwise your images will end up uninteresting and jaded. Many people either snap haphazardly without any thought or take the whole process far too seriousl... Online Surveys For Cash - What Are The Most Effective Way
Online technology for faster and better online survey managementThough the fundamental survey expertise and methods of conducting surveys has not changed, there is new know-how and skills for data management and interaction with those who will respon...
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Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008
There was a time photographers had to shoot then develop the shots to find out if the right image was captured. Some photographers refer to this as the trial and error of this art form.
Many photographers have now shifted from the old camera to the model capturing a picture digitally. This will surely give the user more time to focus in taking the shots since images that are not at par with the standards of the artist can be deleted off the cameras memory.
Since the functions of the digital camera are a bit different, it is advisable to spend time getting acquainted with this new toy. The owner should then shoot a few practice shots to be able to get a hang of things.
If the person uses the camera a lot and may not have time to download the images to a computer, it will be good to invest in memory cards or those that have more space. This will surely keep the individual busy for choosing such a profession.
Individuals who use a digital camera no longer have to look at the lens to be able to get the perfect shot. This is because most models have LCD screen which will tell the person almost immediately if another shot needs to be taken.
Here are some tips that will aid the person in getting a perfect shot using digital photography.
1. Traditionally, people love to take a shot involving the full body into the background. Those that do this will realize that the image of those in the picture are too small so it is advisable to take an upper body shot or from the shoulders up.
2. If this is too difficult for the user, another way to get the shot will be to put the people on the picture on the side rather than the center. The owner should just zoom in properly in order to get both properly.
3. Lighting still plays a factor whether using the old or the digital camera. This is because an image with the sun behind the subject will turn out to be a silhouette while the same effect with the light in front will make the person squint unless there are sunglasses on.
The techniques in getting the right shot have not changed. Digital perfect photography has merely improved it by making this art form easily done by anyone.
Low Jeremy maintains http://digital-photography.articlesforreprint.com This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.
How To Take Perfect People Pictures In Digital Photography
One of the things people ask me most about digital photography is how to take perfect people pictures. Digital photography is great for people because you can simply delete the ones you dont like, and show them, on the spot, what the digital photo lo... Digital Noise Reduction Made Easy
Almost every one of us, who have digital photo camera, saw "grainy" photos at least once. Thats thanking to colored pixels (so-called grains, speckles) that are present on photos, but do not exist in the reality.There are several causes why the noise... Digital Stock Photography
The term digital photographs means photographs that can be viewed on a computer screen, mobile phones and Palmtops. Digital photographs have changed the way stock photographs are sold and distributed. Digital photographs are captured using a digital ... How To Get Better Digital Photos In Low Light Conditions Without Using A Flash
Digital photography is easy- when you have plenty of light and the conditions are ideal. But, as you may know, lighting conditions in digital photography arent always as we would like them. In digital photography its essential that we work with light... How to Choose The Right Digital Camera
The quality of the digital camera you choose depends on what you will be using the camera for. If youre just going to be shooting pictures of you kids birthday party or snap shots on your family vacation, then you probably do not have a need for a h... How To Sharpen Your Digital Photography Images
Lets start this digital photography lesson by looking at the digital camera. All digital cameras photograph images which have a normal pattern of pixels that make up this image. In some digital photography images a moir effect is created. To avoid th... Digital Photography And Depth of Field
If you want to be creative in your digital photography depth of field is one aspect you must get comfortable with. This is the distance between the nearest and farthest points that appears in acceptably sharp focus in digital photography. The range w... When a Digital Zoom is Needed
Youve been told that you should disregard claims of
large digital zoom ratios and have been warned that to use
a digital zoom is to ruin the picture with visible artifacts and pixels. To a certain extent, these statements are true but they dont t... Guidelines for Printing Great Photos at Home
So you have this great digital camera and youve taken lots of great photos. Now what? Well you could go to a store and have them print your images for you, but isnt that what you did with film? The point of all this great digital technology is that y... Pros and Cons of Disposable Digital Cameras
Want to know both the pros & cons of disposable digital cameras? If you are considering buying and using a disposable digital camera, it is most definitely a good idea to know the benefits and problems of disposable digital cameras before you buy on...
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Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
Marketing in any business is tough, and when it comes to a photography business it can also be tough. This is sometimes because of the non-commercial interest that comes in to picture when we talk of photographs adorning walls. However, despair not. You can still make your photography business a highly marketable product or indeed, service. Follow some simple rules and get off on the right track!
Decide what your photography business is going to be like
There are two kinds of photography businesses that you can set up. It can be either Assignment photography or Stock photography. In both cases, the name explains it all. Assignment photography is the kind of business where you are assigned or hired to take photographs of something. It can be any event or just someone. The event can be someones wedding. And that someone of course could be anyone.
Stock photography, on the other hand, is a business where you already have photographs in stock and you are selling them to interested parties. The stock photographs can be anything from flowers to nude women.
Therefore, you have two options to decide on. Basically, people start with the assignment photography thinking that it would give them a meagre but steady income. That is true to some extent but it will give you a very small audience.
Whereas stock photography business will help you reach a wider target market audience. Stock photography is recommended because that is where the potential of the photographer has better chances to be recognized.
Target your audience
When you are dealing with stock photography, you have a great chance of spending lot of resources without any returns. This is especially the case when you dont know who your audience is. When you are out to click those beautiful moments, make sure you know who you are going to show them to. This streamlines your clients and would also help you take photos that are relevant to your market. Try sending postcards or samples of your photos to your targeted clients and see their response. This way you can make a mark among the circles you want to feel your presence.
Give them what they want
When you do present your customers photographs, make sure youre giving them what they asked for. So many photographers dont! This is important. They have chosen you because they believed that you were going to supply them with what they wanted. If you make a volte face and give them photos they dont need, you are sure to lose them. Therefore, be very attentive to the details and give your customers what they ask for. Take notes when they tell you what they want. People rarely remember more than 7% of what theyve been told in a conversation 24 hours later so take notes. A happy customer means more business!
Be present at places that matter
- When I say be present, I am not speaking about the physical presence of the photographer. I am talking about exposure of your work. Advertise them wherever possible and thats relevant. Keep the costs in line, advertising can get out of hand. Make sure your advertising in the right places. Publish your work on the net through some of the photography sites or stock houses. This would greatly increase your client base as your photographs are showcased along with the others. The sites may take a percentage of your earnings but it is worth it as you are just building your base while you are being paid. You can always start on your own once you have a considerable presence in the right circles.
- Think about organizing an internet site and drive traffic to it.
- Advertise on adwords at Google.com and Yahoo.com (you can now target local areas through Google)
Look for local markets too
- Join your local library that may publish your photographs in their weekly or monthly journal, ezine or newsletter. Making sure that your contact details are always available. This way you can get a foothold in your own locality.
- Go to your local florist and leave some business cards with the promise of a tip if work successfully comes your way from their referral.
- Visit your local church, mosque etc. and leave your particulars. You never know when questions are asked in these circles. Reciprocate with some free services from time to time.
- There are many venues you can work with like this, just put your thinking hat on.
Accept help from your peer photographers
Knowing some other photographers can also be immensely helpful. If they are good enough, they can show some of your collections to their clients who have some specific requirements. Even if they dont showcase your photographs, they may help you with some valuable tips to market yourself and networking ideas.
No replacement for quality
No matter how much you market yourself, if the quality of your photographs is not up to the mark, you are definitely poised to face doom. The quality of your photographs should be the best you can possibly present and keep in mind that theres always room for improvement. Quality most often results in recommendation and referral. Once you have a customer, never, ever skimp on quality because its more costly to find a new customer than it is to keep an existing one.
Photography business marketing is often a case where your photographs have to be in the right place at the right time. Do not think that it is all by chance. The truth is, it is you who will make them available at the right place at the right time just by following a few commonsense marketing rules. All the best and happy marketing!
Courtesy of Roy Barker. Roy often coaches photography business marketing and is dedicated to coaching on how to start your own photography business but places strong emphasis on profitability issues & guidelines. You can also gain photography insights, help (mostly free) or even a digital photography tip or two. For brief reviews on services or equipment see http://www.profitable-photography.com/resources.php
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Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
Many photographers will consider RAW photography at some stage. It is accepted that this can give you greater contol over your images and allow you to produce finer detail and colours.
Here are some of the advantages of using RAW:
- RAW images lose less information than JPEG images
JPEG uses a lossy compression which means some of the data in the image is lost forever
- A RAW image has a greater latitude this gives better highlights and shadows
You will be able to get more highlight and shadow detail with RAW, this will enhance the depth of your image
- You can use 16-bit output rather than 8 for better images
This will result in better images after the appropriate manipulation
- You can choose to set for sRGB or Adobe RGB
Some users will welcome the greater colour range available which they can suit to their particular taste
- You dont need to worry about camera settings such as contrast and saturation. These can be adjusted later (you do need to use correct exposure and focussing)
Leave your white balance and other parameters as they are you can adjust them later. The camera data will still be there but RAW will ignore it.
- RAW images retain fine detail JPEG images lose it
RAW doesnt compress files like JPEGs and therefore very fine detail is preserved
- RAW files can be saved as TIFFs which lose less information than JPEGs
TIFFS dont compress and therefore complements RAW
Using RAW takes up more space but can be used to increase your creativity and, ultimately, the quality of your images.
Eric Hartwell oversees the worlds best home page a user-led resource - do you wish to contribute your opinions?
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Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
There are many different versions or styles of landscape photography not the least landscape photo art. Hopefully, I have been able to explain some of its characteristics in this topical article and it will leave you a little wiser. I have compiled other articles on a similar bent but none of them really cover this area of landscape photo art that well.
In my opinion, landscape photo art means creating a visual metaphor for a concept you have in mind, for a feeling within yourself. People often think that taking a landscape photo is a simple matter and that anyone can do it. But having a camera with you on a trip on the mountain and taking photos from time to time so that youll remember youve been there, has nothing to do with landscape photo art.
History indicates that its very difficult to become an artist in landscape photography. Besides the natural talent, you also need good equipment, much work and a lot of patience. Landscape photo art is not about taking photos, its about making them.
Good landscape photo equipment is quite expensive. If you cant afford buying all the proper components from the beginning, you have to prioritize your budget into the lenses, as they are the essential equipment element in landscape photo art. You need prime lenses (with fixed focal length) and high quality zooms. The camera body must have internal meter and manual setting capability, for choosing the aperture and shutter speed. There is no need to mention that it is impossible to make a quality landscape photo without using a good tripod with a ball head. However, a good photographer can take excellent photos with any camera, the good equipment will only make photos even better, while a marginal photographer will not be able to take any good photos no matter how expensive the equipment might be.
Once you get the proper equipment, as a beginner in the landscape photo art, you can start thinking about what places you want to photograph, what kind of light suits your idea best, what kind of weather you want, and many other details.
For instance, if you want to photograph a mountain landscape, you must have in your mind the message you want to portray, the feeling that you want to share with those who will look at your photo. If youre taking the photo on a bright summer day, people who the photo are much more likely to experience a pleasant feeling, or even strongly desire to go there. If you photograph the same landscape on a rainy or foggy day, the feelings you suggest are different but can sometimes lead to greater artistic license.
In order to transform just taking photos into landscape photo art, you also need to work a lot and to invest passion in what youre doing. For instance, if you want to capture a sunrise in a specific location, you have to wake up before the sunrise and go there. Time becomes a consideration. Then you have to wait until the sky changes. It is at that moment when nature seems to wake up from its sleep and it this moment will last for less than a second perhaps. You have to capture that moment in your photograph to please and impress. Of course, it is possible not to get the result you hoped for from the first attempt, and then you have to check the weather forecast and get back the next day and try it again. And maybe the next day, instead of a sunrise, you will only see clouds and rain and you will have to return some other time. The idea is that you need a lot of patience and perseverance in landscape photo art.
A simple photograph may have the power of saving or destroying a place. Imagine you manage a great photo of the most beautiful and wild landscape youve ever seen. When people see your photograph, they may also want to go there to take pictures or just visit the location, this can eventually destroy wilderness and make it just a common landscape. Sometimes you should only share the image and keep the geographic details to yourself in landscape photo art many professionals practice exactly that.
This article has been supplied courtesy of Roy Barker. Roy often works closely with Photography Business and is dedicated to coaching on how to start your own photography business but places strong emphasis on profitability issues & guidelines. You can also gain photography insights, help (mostly free) or even a Digital Photography Tip or two. For brief reviews on services or equipment see http://www.profitable-photography.com/resources.php
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Monday, September 1st, 2008
So you finally enlarged that favorite picture of yours that is so beautiful
that it almost looks like an oil painting. The cropping is perfect and the colors are true. That picture editor you used really simulates a Van Gogh and youd like to hang it in your living room.
You know how to frame it but the inkjet surface would need some protection. Regular clear glass would protect it but you would lose the oil painting look. You could coat it with acrylic clear, but that just makes it look glossy, like a photograph. In Picture publisher and Adobe Photoshop there are brushes that simulate heavy oils applied with a brush. Set the intensity at fifty percent and a brush width no larger than the width of the item you are changing. Work at an enlargement as large as possible for easier and more accurate painting.
One alternative is to have it printed on canvas. Ink jet canvas is real canvas with a coating of brighteners and layers that will accept the ink well. You could coat the canvas photograph with acrylic gloss, but it would still look like a photograph. One final step could help fool the eye into thinking that your photograph was a real oil painting by brushing on Liquitex heavy medium. This acrylic clear gel retains the texture of your brush strokes while preserving the canvas surface underneath.
Use a one half to one inch nylon brush, following the lines in the photograph and using a cross hatch or curved stroke. Work fast because the medium dries quickly. The medium is a translucent white when applied, but dries to a hard, semi glossy finish. I wont tell if you dont.
About the Author: A retired portrait and wedding photographer, I enjoy writing , how to articles, helpful articles on photography and many other subjects. My
hobbies include quartet singing, shop, bicycling and photography. Please visit my web site at http://www.photoartbyken.com [Articles, Digital Art, Poetry, Original sheet music.]
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