By Jennifer Quirk
If you're wondering what present you should ask for this Christmas you may want to consider one of the up to date digital cameras on the market at the moment. They're all small enough and light enough to comfortably fit into a bag and in most cases a pocket, come in a variety of colours and look very shiny and glamorous.
With large colour screens showing you exactly what your photograph will look like once it's taken you can take the perfect picture. The qualities of the screens are impressive and brightly coloured, and in some cases even touch sensitive. With novice friendly software such as a "face finder" (seeks out the faces of all within frame to ensure focus) and "auto filter" (the camera will automatically choose the best lighting filter and flash to obtain the best photograph) you'll struggle to not have some great quality pictures.
With technology in tiny computer chips and memory now readily available these dainty cameras can store huge chunks of data in the form of photographs and video meaning your little camera can double as a quality camcorder.
There are lots of features to help you get a professional photograph effortlessly such as automatic shutter times and options to affect the steadiness of the camera for taking photographs while you're on the move. You'll even be able to do some editing using your cameras menus, such as removing red eyes, adding clip art and colour tones.
So if you're in need of an updated camera a trendy but packed with a punch digital camera could be the perfect solution for you. They come in a long range of prices so there should be something to suit most, and with the technology always improving you'll be guaranteed quality even in the low end models. You'll certainly have no excuse for not having picture perfect memories of this year's adventures during the Christmas party!
Why not get a Canon Digital Camera for xmas? Both Sony Digital Camera and Panasonic Digital Camera have all the latest features.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Video Production Lighting Basics
By Lorraine Grula
For many novice video producers, lighting causes lots of worry and seems very complicated. Lighting for video production CAN be complicated, but it certainly doesn't HAVE to be.
I specialize in making video as easy as possible while still maintaining a professional look. I can sum up everything you need to know about lighting in just three bullet points:
1. Direct Light = Harsh
2. Diffused Light = Soft
3. What DIRECTION is the light coming from?
If you learn the meaning of these three concepts, I promise your lighting efforts will improve tremendously.
We'll start with the first two points. They are related.
Light comes in two forms, direct and diffused. Direct light is harsh and scary looking while diffused light is soft and flattering to the face.
If you remember elementary school physics, light rays always travel in a straight line. Imagine yourself outside at night with a flashlight. You can see the entire beam of light and it is straight. If you want to illuminate an object, you have to shine the flashlight directly on it. This is an example of direct light It travels in one direction, straight as an arrow.
Diffused light is when the straight light beams hit something reflective and then bounce off it. They bounce in straight lines but usually there are so many straight lines bouncing around that the effect is to have light rays bouncing around every-which-way.
A standard, incandescent light bulb is painted white on the inside in order to diffuse the light The light beams hit the white paint and bounce.
Another prime example of direct and diffused light is to think about being outside on a cloudy day or a sunny day. On a bright, sunny day you have direct light There are lots of deep shadows and the shadows have distinct edges.
On a cloudy day, the clouds diffuse the light If it's cloudy enough, there will not be any shadows at all. Since the light is bouncing around every-which-way, any potential shadow is filled in by the bouncing light and eliminated.
Generally speaking, you want DIFFUSED light in video production. Unless you are doing a monster movie, diffused light will look best.
Most of the gadgets that come in a professional light kit exist for the sole purpose of diffusing the light If you do not have a professional lighting kit, you can achieved a diffused effect by pointing your light toward the ceiling or wall and bouncing it. Do not point it at the on-camera talent. They will thank you for it. Not only will it make them look better, but it will keep them from squinting and being dreadfully uncomfortable.
Now let's talk about the third bullet point. What DIRECTION is the light coming from?
Is the source of light in front of your on-camera person? Behind them? To the side? Behind? What direction the light is coming from will have a huge impact on how it looks.
Generally speaking, you want the light source to be in front of, or to the side, of your on-camera talent. You do NOT want it behind them unless you are trying to hide their identity. Light coming from behind will create a silhouette. Video producers usually reserve that technique for sleazebags who want to remain anonymous.
This is a mistake I see frequently. People will stand right in front of the window thinking that the light coming from the window will add enough light to make their shot look good. It probably would, IF the on-camera person stands so the light falls on their face and not on their back.
There you have it, the basics of lighting for video production.
Lorraine Grula has been a well-respected award winning video professional for over twenty-five years. (Yeah, that makes her kind of old.) Lorraine has done virtually every kind of video production imaginable and now shares her expertise on the web. Her blog, http://www.VideoProductionTips.com is full of free information and video tutorials.
For many novice video producers, lighting causes lots of worry and seems very complicated. Lighting for video production CAN be complicated, but it certainly doesn't HAVE to be.
I specialize in making video as easy as possible while still maintaining a professional look. I can sum up everything you need to know about lighting in just three bullet points:
1. Direct Light = Harsh
2. Diffused Light = Soft
3. What DIRECTION is the light coming from?
If you learn the meaning of these three concepts, I promise your lighting efforts will improve tremendously.
We'll start with the first two points. They are related.
Light comes in two forms, direct and diffused. Direct light is harsh and scary looking while diffused light is soft and flattering to the face.
If you remember elementary school physics, light rays always travel in a straight line. Imagine yourself outside at night with a flashlight. You can see the entire beam of light and it is straight. If you want to illuminate an object, you have to shine the flashlight directly on it. This is an example of direct light It travels in one direction, straight as an arrow.
Diffused light is when the straight light beams hit something reflective and then bounce off it. They bounce in straight lines but usually there are so many straight lines bouncing around that the effect is to have light rays bouncing around every-which-way.
A standard, incandescent light bulb is painted white on the inside in order to diffuse the light The light beams hit the white paint and bounce.
Another prime example of direct and diffused light is to think about being outside on a cloudy day or a sunny day. On a bright, sunny day you have direct light There are lots of deep shadows and the shadows have distinct edges.
On a cloudy day, the clouds diffuse the light If it's cloudy enough, there will not be any shadows at all. Since the light is bouncing around every-which-way, any potential shadow is filled in by the bouncing light and eliminated.
Generally speaking, you want DIFFUSED light in video production. Unless you are doing a monster movie, diffused light will look best.
Most of the gadgets that come in a professional light kit exist for the sole purpose of diffusing the light If you do not have a professional lighting kit, you can achieved a diffused effect by pointing your light toward the ceiling or wall and bouncing it. Do not point it at the on-camera talent. They will thank you for it. Not only will it make them look better, but it will keep them from squinting and being dreadfully uncomfortable.
Now let's talk about the third bullet point. What DIRECTION is the light coming from?
Is the source of light in front of your on-camera person? Behind them? To the side? Behind? What direction the light is coming from will have a huge impact on how it looks.
Generally speaking, you want the light source to be in front of, or to the side, of your on-camera talent. You do NOT want it behind them unless you are trying to hide their identity. Light coming from behind will create a silhouette. Video producers usually reserve that technique for sleazebags who want to remain anonymous.
This is a mistake I see frequently. People will stand right in front of the window thinking that the light coming from the window will add enough light to make their shot look good. It probably would, IF the on-camera person stands so the light falls on their face and not on their back.
There you have it, the basics of lighting for video production.
Lorraine Grula has been a well-respected award winning video professional for over twenty-five years. (Yeah, that makes her kind of old.) Lorraine has done virtually every kind of video production imaginable and now shares her expertise on the web. Her blog, http://www.VideoProductionTips.com is full of free information and video tutorials.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
10 Affordable Gift Ideas For Photographers
By Kevin Downs
While photography equipment is known for being pricey, there are some great gift ideas for individuals who want to buy a nice gift for a photographer without breaking the bank. We have compiled a list of items to make your shopping as easy as possible.
1. Magazine Subscription - Outdoor Photographer is just one of the many photography magazines available, but is a good choice if the photographer enjoys taking picture of nature and landscape. The magazine offers gear reviews, tips for improving your knowledge in both photography and post processing, and provides insight on locations and workshops available. Retail $19.99
2. External Hard Drives - Too many photographers depend on their notebook or desktop to store their files. Not only does this slow down the computer, but it also prevents them from accessing the files if the hard drive fails. An external hard drive will allow you to work faster while providing you with a peace of mind knowing your files are safer. Retail Price $99-$250
3. Flashpoint 42-Inch 5 in 1 Collapsible Disk Reflector - This product is great for adding fill light to your subjects and contains translucent, white, silver, black, and soft gold. This product is easy to breakdown and carry in the field. Retail Price $45
4. Photography Books- There are some great books on photography available at reasonable prices. Pick books that relate to type of photography they enjoy. Also find out if they use Photoshop or another photo editor and see what books are available. John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide should be on the bookshelf of every nature photographer. Retail Price $17-$25
5. Digital Photo Frame - The prices have dropped substantially recently without a decrease in quality. We have not found it worth the extra price in most cases to purchase the wireless frame as opposed to one that accepts memory cards or a USB slot. Retail Price $99-$150
6. Memory Cards - It seems every year larger and faster memory cards or available at a fraction of the cost of last year's models. Most photographers always want to upgrade their memory cards for both size and speed. This will require you knowing what kind of memory card their camera utilizes. Retail Price $29-59
7. Photomatix - This software is used to produce High Dynamic Range photography. You can now capture high contract scenes without blowing out the highlights. While there are other programs that do this, Photomatix is the best we have tested to date. Retail Price $99
8. Filters - While most photographers have circular polarizer and ND Grad Filters, some do not carry warming filters or special effect filters. Cokin offers some affordable specialty filters for warming, cooling, and sunsets. It is also important to include a carrying case to prevent the filters from scratches and damage. The Cokin holder isn't necessary as you can simply hold the filter over the lens to achieve the effect you desire.($29-49)
9. Photography Vest - I went through several photography cases before finally settling for a photography vest. It was actually a gift from a friend of mine that is a photographer. I am more efficient now since I can easily have everything organized and accessible. No more forgetting to put something in your camera bag.
10. Subscription to photo.net - While this site is free, a paid membership allows members unlimited gallery uploads, additional photo critique request, a personal imagePRO website, and a favorite image gallery. It is a great way to show off your work and get advice on your pictures. Retail Price $25
Kevin Downs
http://timeoutdoors.blogspot.com/
http://hiking411.blogspot.com/
While photography equipment is known for being pricey, there are some great gift ideas for individuals who want to buy a nice gift for a photographer without breaking the bank. We have compiled a list of items to make your shopping as easy as possible.
1. Magazine Subscription - Outdoor Photographer is just one of the many photography magazines available, but is a good choice if the photographer enjoys taking picture of nature and landscape. The magazine offers gear reviews, tips for improving your knowledge in both photography and post processing, and provides insight on locations and workshops available. Retail $19.99
2. External Hard Drives - Too many photographers depend on their notebook or desktop to store their files. Not only does this slow down the computer, but it also prevents them from accessing the files if the hard drive fails. An external hard drive will allow you to work faster while providing you with a peace of mind knowing your files are safer. Retail Price $99-$250
3. Flashpoint 42-Inch 5 in 1 Collapsible Disk Reflector - This product is great for adding fill light to your subjects and contains translucent, white, silver, black, and soft gold. This product is easy to breakdown and carry in the field. Retail Price $45
4. Photography Books- There are some great books on photography available at reasonable prices. Pick books that relate to type of photography they enjoy. Also find out if they use Photoshop or another photo editor and see what books are available. John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide should be on the bookshelf of every nature photographer. Retail Price $17-$25
5. Digital Photo Frame - The prices have dropped substantially recently without a decrease in quality. We have not found it worth the extra price in most cases to purchase the wireless frame as opposed to one that accepts memory cards or a USB slot. Retail Price $99-$150
6. Memory Cards - It seems every year larger and faster memory cards or available at a fraction of the cost of last year's models. Most photographers always want to upgrade their memory cards for both size and speed. This will require you knowing what kind of memory card their camera utilizes. Retail Price $29-59
7. Photomatix - This software is used to produce High Dynamic Range photography. You can now capture high contract scenes without blowing out the highlights. While there are other programs that do this, Photomatix is the best we have tested to date. Retail Price $99
8. Filters - While most photographers have circular polarizer and ND Grad Filters, some do not carry warming filters or special effect filters. Cokin offers some affordable specialty filters for warming, cooling, and sunsets. It is also important to include a carrying case to prevent the filters from scratches and damage. The Cokin holder isn't necessary as you can simply hold the filter over the lens to achieve the effect you desire.($29-49)
9. Photography Vest - I went through several photography cases before finally settling for a photography vest. It was actually a gift from a friend of mine that is a photographer. I am more efficient now since I can easily have everything organized and accessible. No more forgetting to put something in your camera bag.
10. Subscription to photo.net - While this site is free, a paid membership allows members unlimited gallery uploads, additional photo critique request, a personal imagePRO website, and a favorite image gallery. It is a great way to show off your work and get advice on your pictures. Retail Price $25
Kevin Downs
http://timeoutdoors.blogspot.com/
http://hiking411.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Basics on Digital Photography and Photo Editing
By David Urmann
Digital photography has a number of benefits over film photography. For one, images produced by digital cameras can be viewed right away and can be uploaded, edited, emailed, and reproduced immediately. Digital photography encourages trial-and-error because there is no need for a film.
Megapixel grading measures the image quality. Digital cameras that have high megapixels can capture bigger images with greater details. These images look sharper when printed.
How to Shoot Quality Pictures
Shooting with a digital camera is just like using a film camera. A digital camera only differs by producing digital photos instead of retrieving them from films.
Simple approaches for beginners:
• Start with auto focus. Simply press the shutter button at once. Manual focus is for more advanced users. Pushing the shutter halfway first to focus on the image, then full press to shoot.
• Flash should only be applied when extremely needed. Natural light is best. Use external flash if really necessary.
• Maximize the viewfinder. Using the viewfinder in place of the LCD monitor helps conserve batteries.
• Moderate image quality. Large uncondensed images appear impressive but cause system lag. Large images are unnecessary when not to be printed large-scale.
• Lower the quality settings if taking action shots.
How to Use Photo Editing Software
A number of editing software packages is available in the market. Buying high-end digital cameras usually come with these packages.
The photo editing software can crop, edit, merge, and alter the color balance of digital images. Experiment on the many tools of the editing software.
Here are some tips in editing digital images:
A. Always save the original, unedited digital photograph as a separate file prior to editing. This will permit you to experiment with various textures and treatments on the image as much as you can without the risk of deleting the unedited one.
B. Modify color contrast and color concentration. This produces a sharper image. If your unedited image appears pale, intensifying the saturation grades and modifying color levels.
C. Crop and rotate images. Cropping centers an image, or deletes undesirable objects.
There is seemingly unlimited possibilities you can do with your image if you study the editing software extensively. You can rotate images at an angle, give it a sepia look, a crumpled look or wet look. Digital photography and photo editing go hand in hand.
For more information on Teach Yourself Visually and Teach Yourself Tips please visit our website.
Digital photography has a number of benefits over film photography. For one, images produced by digital cameras can be viewed right away and can be uploaded, edited, emailed, and reproduced immediately. Digital photography encourages trial-and-error because there is no need for a film.
Megapixel grading measures the image quality. Digital cameras that have high megapixels can capture bigger images with greater details. These images look sharper when printed.
How to Shoot Quality Pictures
Shooting with a digital camera is just like using a film camera. A digital camera only differs by producing digital photos instead of retrieving them from films.
Simple approaches for beginners:
• Start with auto focus. Simply press the shutter button at once. Manual focus is for more advanced users. Pushing the shutter halfway first to focus on the image, then full press to shoot.
• Flash should only be applied when extremely needed. Natural light is best. Use external flash if really necessary.
• Maximize the viewfinder. Using the viewfinder in place of the LCD monitor helps conserve batteries.
• Moderate image quality. Large uncondensed images appear impressive but cause system lag. Large images are unnecessary when not to be printed large-scale.
• Lower the quality settings if taking action shots.
How to Use Photo Editing Software
A number of editing software packages is available in the market. Buying high-end digital cameras usually come with these packages.
The photo editing software can crop, edit, merge, and alter the color balance of digital images. Experiment on the many tools of the editing software.
Here are some tips in editing digital images:
A. Always save the original, unedited digital photograph as a separate file prior to editing. This will permit you to experiment with various textures and treatments on the image as much as you can without the risk of deleting the unedited one.
B. Modify color contrast and color concentration. This produces a sharper image. If your unedited image appears pale, intensifying the saturation grades and modifying color levels.
C. Crop and rotate images. Cropping centers an image, or deletes undesirable objects.
There is seemingly unlimited possibilities you can do with your image if you study the editing software extensively. You can rotate images at an angle, give it a sepia look, a crumpled look or wet look. Digital photography and photo editing go hand in hand.
For more information on Teach Yourself Visually and Teach Yourself Tips please visit our website.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Small Business Investment Ideas - Becoming a Portrait Photographer
By Richard Blaine
The best small business investment ideas focus on buying things that will not only work for your business but that you'll be able to enjoy as well. If you're able to do something for a living that you are really passionate about, it won't even feel like work and you'll have a much higher possibility of success.
One idea that's worked for a friend of mine is becoming a portrait photographer. He started out by investing in a top of the line camera. He took his time and did his research to ensure that he was really getting the best camera for his needs. Once he had picked out and purchased his camera, he took a small class at a local camera studio. He was sure to focus on a class with a small teacher-to-instructor ratio so that he could get help in the specific area he was looking for.
After taking his class he felt very confident that he knew how to use his camera and that he had the basics down on how to take portraits. All he needed was a portfolio. He started out by offering free sittings for his friends and family. He was then able to use their shots in his portfolio to show to new clients. When he was first looking for clients, he offered his sitting fee free of charge. His clients only had to pay for each picture they wanted to purchase. This helped them to feel comfortable that even if he didn't do a great job, they wouldn't be out any money.
He did a great job though, and now his portrait taking company has really taken off. By focusing his small business investment on a camera that he really loves, he's made a great living for himself.
If you need money now, like I mean in the next hour, try what I did. I am making more money now than in my old business and you can too, read the amazing, true story, in the link below. When I joined I was skeptical for just ten seconds before I realized what this was. I was smiling from ear to ear and you will too.
Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program. Quickest-way-to-make-money-on-earth.com
The best small business investment ideas focus on buying things that will not only work for your business but that you'll be able to enjoy as well. If you're able to do something for a living that you are really passionate about, it won't even feel like work and you'll have a much higher possibility of success.
One idea that's worked for a friend of mine is becoming a portrait photographer. He started out by investing in a top of the line camera. He took his time and did his research to ensure that he was really getting the best camera for his needs. Once he had picked out and purchased his camera, he took a small class at a local camera studio. He was sure to focus on a class with a small teacher-to-instructor ratio so that he could get help in the specific area he was looking for.
After taking his class he felt very confident that he knew how to use his camera and that he had the basics down on how to take portraits. All he needed was a portfolio. He started out by offering free sittings for his friends and family. He was then able to use their shots in his portfolio to show to new clients. When he was first looking for clients, he offered his sitting fee free of charge. His clients only had to pay for each picture they wanted to purchase. This helped them to feel comfortable that even if he didn't do a great job, they wouldn't be out any money.
He did a great job though, and now his portrait taking company has really taken off. By focusing his small business investment on a camera that he really loves, he's made a great living for himself.
If you need money now, like I mean in the next hour, try what I did. I am making more money now than in my old business and you can too, read the amazing, true story, in the link below. When I joined I was skeptical for just ten seconds before I realized what this was. I was smiling from ear to ear and you will too.
Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program. Quickest-way-to-make-money-on-earth.com
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A Picture's Worth a 1000 Words, a Smile is Worth a Fortune
By Samuel Austin
Picture prices at all of the photography stores are ridiculous. You have to pretty much take out a loan to be able to afford pictures of your children. A lot of people are forced to go without memories of their children because they can't spend that kind of money on the pictures. I have a friend, that was always a self proclaimed photographer. She was good, she was constantly shooting at friends weddings and giving them her pictures as gifts. Between the weddings and taking pictures of nature she was content.
It wasn't until one days she saw a woman with two small children, standing outside a photo place crying that the business aspect of photography came to her. Unable to walk away from the sad woman, she asked her what was wrong, the woman told her that all she wanted was pictures of her kid but there was no way she could pay those prices. My friend immediately took the chance to make the woman smile again. She did an outside photo shoot for the woman and gave her the pictures for free. Seeing the woman smile is what put the business plan in motion.
Three months later, my friend had her own studio, she did pictures at one third the cost of all the competition. Now everyone had the option of having family pictures taken. The first year, the business was open my friend made enough money to pay her old salary six times over. Making money with you hobby is incredibly rewarding.
If you need money now, like I mean in the next hour, try what I did. I am making more money now than in my old business and you can too, read the amazing, true story, in the link below. When I joined I was skeptical for just ten seconds before I realized what this was. I was smiling from ear to ear and you will too.
Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program. Quickest-way-to-make-money-on-earth.com
Picture prices at all of the photography stores are ridiculous. You have to pretty much take out a loan to be able to afford pictures of your children. A lot of people are forced to go without memories of their children because they can't spend that kind of money on the pictures. I have a friend, that was always a self proclaimed photographer. She was good, she was constantly shooting at friends weddings and giving them her pictures as gifts. Between the weddings and taking pictures of nature she was content.
It wasn't until one days she saw a woman with two small children, standing outside a photo place crying that the business aspect of photography came to her. Unable to walk away from the sad woman, she asked her what was wrong, the woman told her that all she wanted was pictures of her kid but there was no way she could pay those prices. My friend immediately took the chance to make the woman smile again. She did an outside photo shoot for the woman and gave her the pictures for free. Seeing the woman smile is what put the business plan in motion.
Three months later, my friend had her own studio, she did pictures at one third the cost of all the competition. Now everyone had the option of having family pictures taken. The first year, the business was open my friend made enough money to pay her old salary six times over. Making money with you hobby is incredibly rewarding.
If you need money now, like I mean in the next hour, try what I did. I am making more money now than in my old business and you can too, read the amazing, true story, in the link below. When I joined I was skeptical for just ten seconds before I realized what this was. I was smiling from ear to ear and you will too.
Imagine doubling your money every week with no or little risk! To discover a verified list of Million Dollar Corporations offering you their products at 75% commission to you. Click the link below to learn HOW you will begin compounding your capital towards your first Million Dollars at the easy corporate money program. Quickest-way-to-make-money-on-earth.com
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
The Engagement Session
By Michelle Noel
Ahhhh the engagement session.
To sum it up this should be a time of the two of you enjoying each other in a fun and relaxed setting. Your photographer should know a few prime locations to shoot an exceptional engagement session.
As an Orange County and Los Angeles wedding photographer, I have shot many weddings around Southern California. There is a feel and an expectation and/or an anticipation to what would or should take place in the timeline of photojournalistic photography within the wedding atmosphere. The engagement session however has a different feel. There is no need to fight the clock, or gather the families together, or make certain that a particular formality was not missed. The engagement session is different. It is relaxed, it is fun, it is natural. The bride and groom to be should be spontaneous, playful and even a little intimate. This makes for a quality photo session. By the way, be prepared to get your clothes wet. Engagement sessions in Orange County and Los Angeles are commonly (although not always) done coastal at the beach which certainly makes for a pleasant natural backdrop.
As for the benefits of the engagement session here they are. Many couples tend to use the photos for save the date cards or gifts for the family. They can also be used for the guest book at the wedding and of course the pictures look quite nice on the wall or table in your home.
Quite possibly even more importantly than these, the engagement session allows you to test drive your photographer. THIS IS HUGE! It is so important that you are comfortable with your wedding photographer. I love doing engagement sessions for this reason. It allows both the bride, groom and myself as a professional wedding photographer to meet and be comfortable with each other. This should put the couple at ease when it is game day. Finally, It also gives the couple a chance to view the work of the wedding photographer before hand.
The engagement session serves more than one purpose and really is a fun time for the both of you. I highly recommend it.
Until Again,
- Michelle Noel
Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California.
© Michelle Noel. You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included with link. Michelle Noel is a a 6 year veteran wedding photgrapher in Orange County California and can be found online at http://www.michellenoelphoto.com
Michelle has experience in all formats and styles of wedding photography and frequently write about weddings and wedding photography on her blog at http://www.ocwedding-photographer.com
Ahhhh the engagement session.
To sum it up this should be a time of the two of you enjoying each other in a fun and relaxed setting. Your photographer should know a few prime locations to shoot an exceptional engagement session.
As an Orange County and Los Angeles wedding photographer, I have shot many weddings around Southern California. There is a feel and an expectation and/or an anticipation to what would or should take place in the timeline of photojournalistic photography within the wedding atmosphere. The engagement session however has a different feel. There is no need to fight the clock, or gather the families together, or make certain that a particular formality was not missed. The engagement session is different. It is relaxed, it is fun, it is natural. The bride and groom to be should be spontaneous, playful and even a little intimate. This makes for a quality photo session. By the way, be prepared to get your clothes wet. Engagement sessions in Orange County and Los Angeles are commonly (although not always) done coastal at the beach which certainly makes for a pleasant natural backdrop.
As for the benefits of the engagement session here they are. Many couples tend to use the photos for save the date cards or gifts for the family. They can also be used for the guest book at the wedding and of course the pictures look quite nice on the wall or table in your home.
Quite possibly even more importantly than these, the engagement session allows you to test drive your photographer. THIS IS HUGE! It is so important that you are comfortable with your wedding photographer. I love doing engagement sessions for this reason. It allows both the bride, groom and myself as a professional wedding photographer to meet and be comfortable with each other. This should put the couple at ease when it is game day. Finally, It also gives the couple a chance to view the work of the wedding photographer before hand.
The engagement session serves more than one purpose and really is a fun time for the both of you. I highly recommend it.
Until Again,
- Michelle Noel
Michelle Noel Photography provides wedding photography in Orange County, wedding photography in Los Angeles, and throughout Southern California.
© Michelle Noel. You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included with link. Michelle Noel is a a 6 year veteran wedding photgrapher in Orange County California and can be found online at http://www.michellenoelphoto.com
Michelle has experience in all formats and styles of wedding photography and frequently write about weddings and wedding photography on her blog at http://www.ocwedding-photographer.com
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Food Photography Brings Food to Life
By Chuck R Stewart
I was given the opportunity by a client of mine to work with a photographer who specialize in photographing food. Initially I thought the couple of days we had planned together would suffer for excitement. I was wrong when I found myself fascinated by how hard it is to make food look good enough to want a consumer to purchase it and how much difference a quality photograph can name in providing mouth watering spectacle.
My visit was to Cooke Studio, managed by commercial photographer Colin Cooke, who specializes in food photography. Interested parties can find a series of commercial, editorial, and still life portfolios on the website for a general sample of the studio's work. It certainly takes talent to be a commercial photographer, but even more to make food photography look so good. Cooke Studio has had such high profile clients like Häagen-Daas, Dove, Healthy Choice, Ecco Domani, Dannon, and Renaissance.
As a commercial photographer, Colin Cooke has had to use the typical tools of the trade - lighting, angles, real and digital enhancements that every commercial photographer needs to know. Food photography is much like shooting a still life, except a commercial photographer has two goals: the first is to make each final product a work of art. The second is to sell the item. For food photography, this means that a commercial photographer must make the food look as edible and mouth-watering as possible. Of course, in this instance, food photography is different from most other kinds of commercial photography because its subjects tend to go bad. As a result, a commercial food photographer has to either take a great picture quickly or have many of the commercial items on hand. Or a professional food photographer can delve into his bag of tricks.
One of the tricks within food photography, aside from the usual photography tools, includes using a brush to spread vegetable oil or glycerin on the commercial item to create shine. Some commercial photographers in the food photography industry make steam come off meals that are supposed to be hot - one of the methods is to warm wet cotton balls in the microwave and put the steaming cotton balls behind the bowl or plate. Sometimes photographed ice cream is not ice cream at all, but colored mashed potatoes to give it that just-scooped look that won't melt. In place of whipped cream, shaving cream is used. For any sort of liquid shot, like pouring liquid into ripples, some commercial photographers will use a thicker substance that pours more slowly so that it can be photographed more easily. Meat in food photos are usually partially cooked in order to prevent them from drying out and shrinking - instead, they stay plump. PVA often replaces milk in a shot of cereal because soggy cereal does not look appetizing. The ice cubes you see in food advertising are usually plastic with a little bit of water sprayed on for that sheen. Even fruit gets the star treatment - some food photographers enhance a strawberry's color with lipstick.
All very interesting ways to avoid the pitfalls of food photography or to enhance the photography experience. In the end, the subterfuge yields tasty results.
Colin Cooke at Cooke Studio is prepared for any food photography challenge, whether it's M&Ms or shrimp or forks rolled in a ball, chocolate literally dripping from a chocolate bar, glistening fruits and vegetables, a glass of wine or two, or freshly scooped ice cream.
Chuck R Stewart recently spent time with a commercial photography expert whose area of expertise is that of a food photographer.
I was given the opportunity by a client of mine to work with a photographer who specialize in photographing food. Initially I thought the couple of days we had planned together would suffer for excitement. I was wrong when I found myself fascinated by how hard it is to make food look good enough to want a consumer to purchase it and how much difference a quality photograph can name in providing mouth watering spectacle.
My visit was to Cooke Studio, managed by commercial photographer Colin Cooke, who specializes in food photography. Interested parties can find a series of commercial, editorial, and still life portfolios on the website for a general sample of the studio's work. It certainly takes talent to be a commercial photographer, but even more to make food photography look so good. Cooke Studio has had such high profile clients like Häagen-Daas, Dove, Healthy Choice, Ecco Domani, Dannon, and Renaissance.
As a commercial photographer, Colin Cooke has had to use the typical tools of the trade - lighting, angles, real and digital enhancements that every commercial photographer needs to know. Food photography is much like shooting a still life, except a commercial photographer has two goals: the first is to make each final product a work of art. The second is to sell the item. For food photography, this means that a commercial photographer must make the food look as edible and mouth-watering as possible. Of course, in this instance, food photography is different from most other kinds of commercial photography because its subjects tend to go bad. As a result, a commercial food photographer has to either take a great picture quickly or have many of the commercial items on hand. Or a professional food photographer can delve into his bag of tricks.
One of the tricks within food photography, aside from the usual photography tools, includes using a brush to spread vegetable oil or glycerin on the commercial item to create shine. Some commercial photographers in the food photography industry make steam come off meals that are supposed to be hot - one of the methods is to warm wet cotton balls in the microwave and put the steaming cotton balls behind the bowl or plate. Sometimes photographed ice cream is not ice cream at all, but colored mashed potatoes to give it that just-scooped look that won't melt. In place of whipped cream, shaving cream is used. For any sort of liquid shot, like pouring liquid into ripples, some commercial photographers will use a thicker substance that pours more slowly so that it can be photographed more easily. Meat in food photos are usually partially cooked in order to prevent them from drying out and shrinking - instead, they stay plump. PVA often replaces milk in a shot of cereal because soggy cereal does not look appetizing. The ice cubes you see in food advertising are usually plastic with a little bit of water sprayed on for that sheen. Even fruit gets the star treatment - some food photographers enhance a strawberry's color with lipstick.
All very interesting ways to avoid the pitfalls of food photography or to enhance the photography experience. In the end, the subterfuge yields tasty results.
Colin Cooke at Cooke Studio is prepared for any food photography challenge, whether it's M&Ms or shrimp or forks rolled in a ball, chocolate literally dripping from a chocolate bar, glistening fruits and vegetables, a glass of wine or two, or freshly scooped ice cream.
Chuck R Stewart recently spent time with a commercial photography expert whose area of expertise is that of a food photographer.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Can Anyone Become a Freelance Photographer?
By Michael J Kryzer
Anyone can become a freelance photographer. But you will need to have a good digital camera, the skills to take very good photographs, and a strong determination to work hard in order to build up a successful freelance photography business.
If you decide to work as a freelance digital photographer you will get to be your own boss and will spend your time taking and selling digital photos - both online and offline. Sometimes you might work on assignment for large organizations or even for popular magazines. You might even get some all expenses paid trips. Freelance photography is certainly never a boring career choice.
If you don't already have good photography skills then you can still acquire the knowledge and skills required to be a good photographer.
You will probably need to read some good photography books, or study further at web sites that cover professional photography techniques. And you should consider taking a photography class in your local area. Many community colleges offer digital photography courses at very reasonable rates.
Don't forget that nothing is better for improving your photography than actually getting out there, taking some photos, experimenting with different camera and composition techniques, and gaining valuable experience shooting behind the camera lens.
These days, thanks to the World Wide Web, there are so many freelance digital photography opportunities that are predominantly digital and online. You can take your pictures with a digital camera and then upload your photos directly to the Internet where you can sell them!
To find out more about how to sell your photos visit CameraCareer. We have a great Freelance Photography FAQ and you can learn exactly how to get started as a freelance photographer. http://www.CameraCareer.com
Anyone can become a freelance photographer. But you will need to have a good digital camera, the skills to take very good photographs, and a strong determination to work hard in order to build up a successful freelance photography business.
If you decide to work as a freelance digital photographer you will get to be your own boss and will spend your time taking and selling digital photos - both online and offline. Sometimes you might work on assignment for large organizations or even for popular magazines. You might even get some all expenses paid trips. Freelance photography is certainly never a boring career choice.
If you don't already have good photography skills then you can still acquire the knowledge and skills required to be a good photographer.
You will probably need to read some good photography books, or study further at web sites that cover professional photography techniques. And you should consider taking a photography class in your local area. Many community colleges offer digital photography courses at very reasonable rates.
Don't forget that nothing is better for improving your photography than actually getting out there, taking some photos, experimenting with different camera and composition techniques, and gaining valuable experience shooting behind the camera lens.
These days, thanks to the World Wide Web, there are so many freelance digital photography opportunities that are predominantly digital and online. You can take your pictures with a digital camera and then upload your photos directly to the Internet where you can sell them!
To find out more about how to sell your photos visit CameraCareer. We have a great Freelance Photography FAQ and you can learn exactly how to get started as a freelance photographer. http://www.CameraCareer.com
Friday, November 14, 2008
Keeping Your Free Online Photo Storage Organized
By MJ Johnston
One of the great things about free online photo storage is that you can arrange your photos however you'd like. This lets you have photo albums online where you can share your images with friends and family in just a few simple clicks. The question is, will your photo album meaningful to them? Many people just throw their pictures together without much thought in the arrangement. You don't want to make the mistake of taking away from that family vacation, or the funny thing your cat did the other day. There's certain tricks to making your album presentable and meaningful not only to you but anyone who views it.
Tell a Story
If you're using a free online photo storage site and you want to share the photos that represent events of your life you should tell a story. You don't even need words. Pictures of your events will tell the story for you simply by arranging them in just the right way. Free online photo storage sites have basic tools to let you rearrange your images and occasionally edit them so that even if a person doesn't know the story, they'll understand just from your album.
The best way to tell a story with your images is to put the pictures in the order that they happened. Leave out images that don't relate or have flaws to them such as blurry images. The pictures that do relate to the story should flow well together. If you're telling a story about a beach, perhaps a picture of the beach itself as the first picture in the album and a different picture of the same beach at the end of the album would work as an beginning and a good closing.
Passion for Your Free Online Photo Storage
Not passion for the photo storage itself, but rather the images you want to share with everyone else. If you share pictures that don't mean anything to you, there's a good chance they won't mean much to anyone else either. When you tell a story with your pictures that you aren't passionate about then you won't put the effort into making the story stand out. Don't save or share your pictures just because you took them. Make sure any pictures you keep are pictures you actually enjoy, especially if you want to share them with others.
You don't just have to share your great holidays either. Any story that stands out in your life can mean something to others. Free online photo storage has room for thousands of pictures which means you can share as much as you'd like. Tell people about the time when your cat tried to jump out the closed window with the images of the event. Let your friends know how hard you worked on their awesome birthday cake with pictures of the entire process. Tell any story you want because you won't have to worry about not having the space to do it with free online photo storage.
MJ Johnston writes for a variety of websites, including Free-printable-calendars.org, a photo site that offers advice on the quickest and easiest way to create a free online photo calendar.
One of the great things about free online photo storage is that you can arrange your photos however you'd like. This lets you have photo albums online where you can share your images with friends and family in just a few simple clicks. The question is, will your photo album meaningful to them? Many people just throw their pictures together without much thought in the arrangement. You don't want to make the mistake of taking away from that family vacation, or the funny thing your cat did the other day. There's certain tricks to making your album presentable and meaningful not only to you but anyone who views it.
Tell a Story
If you're using a free online photo storage site and you want to share the photos that represent events of your life you should tell a story. You don't even need words. Pictures of your events will tell the story for you simply by arranging them in just the right way. Free online photo storage sites have basic tools to let you rearrange your images and occasionally edit them so that even if a person doesn't know the story, they'll understand just from your album.
The best way to tell a story with your images is to put the pictures in the order that they happened. Leave out images that don't relate or have flaws to them such as blurry images. The pictures that do relate to the story should flow well together. If you're telling a story about a beach, perhaps a picture of the beach itself as the first picture in the album and a different picture of the same beach at the end of the album would work as an beginning and a good closing.
Passion for Your Free Online Photo Storage
Not passion for the photo storage itself, but rather the images you want to share with everyone else. If you share pictures that don't mean anything to you, there's a good chance they won't mean much to anyone else either. When you tell a story with your pictures that you aren't passionate about then you won't put the effort into making the story stand out. Don't save or share your pictures just because you took them. Make sure any pictures you keep are pictures you actually enjoy, especially if you want to share them with others.
You don't just have to share your great holidays either. Any story that stands out in your life can mean something to others. Free online photo storage has room for thousands of pictures which means you can share as much as you'd like. Tell people about the time when your cat tried to jump out the closed window with the images of the event. Let your friends know how hard you worked on their awesome birthday cake with pictures of the entire process. Tell any story you want because you won't have to worry about not having the space to do it with free online photo storage.
MJ Johnston writes for a variety of websites, including Free-printable-calendars.org, a photo site that offers advice on the quickest and easiest way to create a free online photo calendar.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Education and the Online Photo Album
By MJ Johnston
Modern technology has allowed us to embark on a world education never before dreamed of. Years ago, if one had the desire to educate the world about endangered species, global warming, and a host of other problems that plague our planet, he or she was required to first write a book and then seek a publisher. Once the book is published it can take years for sales to reach an adequate number of people. However, the advent of the online photo album has revolutionized the world of education.
Teachers and students alike will appreciate the innovative tools available through free online photo album forums. A vast percentage of people in the United States are considered visual learners. That said, an online photo album can be considered an excellent education tool. What's better, a teacher can construct an online photo album at home in her free time and later used as a tool in the classroom.
For example, if a class is studying history, social studies, science, even math, Norman photo album can be displayed via projector screen hooked to a laptop to provide students with powerful visual aids to accompany any lesson. This technique could be extremely beneficial for students who have difficulty with with retaining information after it's been merely read.
Unfortunately, in the United States today the literacy rating is not as high as we hope for. For this reason, many teachers of administrators have had to turn to creative means for educating the classroom. What could be more creative and utilizing a free online photo album to promote and educate today's youth.
On one photo albums can also be used in other areas of the education system. Free online photo albums are a great way to promote school activities and extracurriculars like football games, drama and theater recitals, and even upcoming teacher administration meetings. Schools can link their homepage to a specific online photo album to promote school spirit and student unity.
Remember, online photo albums aren't just for standard education. This technology can be used in a variety of technical schools as well as continuing education programs. Many cities and towns offer adult education in a variety of different subjects. The use of a free online photo album may be the perfect way to engage students in this atmosphere. Aside from being visually pleasing, online photo albums are a great way to address the class that would otherwise contain boring content.
Consider promoting natural childbirth, a real estate program, even HVAC courses, through the use of free online photo albums. Provide links to your photo album in any site and even on hard copy flyers that you put in the mail. Get the word out about you were educational event, or any school related activity, with the simple addition of an online photo album to your educational repertoire.
If you're part of the education system, and you've never considered the use of an online photo album in your curriculum, or elsewhere within your school system, there's no time like the present. Consider promoting this idea to the other faculty your school and be sure and let the budget committee know that most online photo albums are completely free of charge!
MJ Johnston writes for a variety of websites, including Hoorray, a photo sharing site that offers the quickest and easiest way to create photo greeting cards and a digital photo album.
Modern technology has allowed us to embark on a world education never before dreamed of. Years ago, if one had the desire to educate the world about endangered species, global warming, and a host of other problems that plague our planet, he or she was required to first write a book and then seek a publisher. Once the book is published it can take years for sales to reach an adequate number of people. However, the advent of the online photo album has revolutionized the world of education.
Teachers and students alike will appreciate the innovative tools available through free online photo album forums. A vast percentage of people in the United States are considered visual learners. That said, an online photo album can be considered an excellent education tool. What's better, a teacher can construct an online photo album at home in her free time and later used as a tool in the classroom.
For example, if a class is studying history, social studies, science, even math, Norman photo album can be displayed via projector screen hooked to a laptop to provide students with powerful visual aids to accompany any lesson. This technique could be extremely beneficial for students who have difficulty with with retaining information after it's been merely read.
Unfortunately, in the United States today the literacy rating is not as high as we hope for. For this reason, many teachers of administrators have had to turn to creative means for educating the classroom. What could be more creative and utilizing a free online photo album to promote and educate today's youth.
On one photo albums can also be used in other areas of the education system. Free online photo albums are a great way to promote school activities and extracurriculars like football games, drama and theater recitals, and even upcoming teacher administration meetings. Schools can link their homepage to a specific online photo album to promote school spirit and student unity.
Remember, online photo albums aren't just for standard education. This technology can be used in a variety of technical schools as well as continuing education programs. Many cities and towns offer adult education in a variety of different subjects. The use of a free online photo album may be the perfect way to engage students in this atmosphere. Aside from being visually pleasing, online photo albums are a great way to address the class that would otherwise contain boring content.
Consider promoting natural childbirth, a real estate program, even HVAC courses, through the use of free online photo albums. Provide links to your photo album in any site and even on hard copy flyers that you put in the mail. Get the word out about you were educational event, or any school related activity, with the simple addition of an online photo album to your educational repertoire.
If you're part of the education system, and you've never considered the use of an online photo album in your curriculum, or elsewhere within your school system, there's no time like the present. Consider promoting this idea to the other faculty your school and be sure and let the budget committee know that most online photo albums are completely free of charge!
MJ Johnston writes for a variety of websites, including Hoorray, a photo sharing site that offers the quickest and easiest way to create photo greeting cards and a digital photo album.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wildlife Photography
By Peter Gitundu
Those of us who love watching wild animals have a tendency to capture them in photos and this in itself is a great form of art that forms a large part of our picture collections. The photos are a good thing to use on post cards that we send to people when we want to send season or greeting cards.
Wildlife photography is the name given to this art that refers to taking photo shoots of real and live animals in the wild or in game parks. In a way, it connects us with and brings us closer to nature in a way that can only be termed as mysterious. With the invention of the modern-day digital cameras, it is actually easier and more fascinating to capture the wild animals in pictures.
Wildlife photography may not be as easy as this extract may seem to put it. It requires extra caution especially when dealing with large carnivores. You do not want to end up being the center of the photos as journalists take your photos as they report that you were killed by these fierce animals as you did your photo shoots. You will need good skills too if you are to produce quality work. Though necessary, good skills combined with good equipment will ensure success in your photo shooting.
There is so much opportunity in wildlife photography for capturing some very good pictures. Do not get upset when you lose a god shoot because the animals will never stand still waiting for you to take pictures. In any case you are an intruder to you and they may just want to speed you off. Patience pays.
Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Photography. For More Information on Wildlife photography, Visit His Site at WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY You Can Also Post Your Views About Wildlife photography On My Blog Here WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
Those of us who love watching wild animals have a tendency to capture them in photos and this in itself is a great form of art that forms a large part of our picture collections. The photos are a good thing to use on post cards that we send to people when we want to send season or greeting cards.
Wildlife photography is the name given to this art that refers to taking photo shoots of real and live animals in the wild or in game parks. In a way, it connects us with and brings us closer to nature in a way that can only be termed as mysterious. With the invention of the modern-day digital cameras, it is actually easier and more fascinating to capture the wild animals in pictures.
Wildlife photography may not be as easy as this extract may seem to put it. It requires extra caution especially when dealing with large carnivores. You do not want to end up being the center of the photos as journalists take your photos as they report that you were killed by these fierce animals as you did your photo shoots. You will need good skills too if you are to produce quality work. Though necessary, good skills combined with good equipment will ensure success in your photo shooting.
There is so much opportunity in wildlife photography for capturing some very good pictures. Do not get upset when you lose a god shoot because the animals will never stand still waiting for you to take pictures. In any case you are an intruder to you and they may just want to speed you off. Patience pays.
Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Photography. For More Information on Wildlife photography, Visit His Site at WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY You Can Also Post Your Views About Wildlife photography On My Blog Here WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY
Monday, November 10, 2008
Bring That Camera Outside, and See What Can Happen!
By Georgia Woodward
Do you enjoy taking pictures? Do you long for more time to get outside and enjoy nature? Are you a priority in your life? Can you imagine including one hour each week to do something as self-indulgent as making an appointment with nature? It involves stepping out of your day to day routine, and experiencing living in the moment. Pick a season, bring a camera, and focus on one aspect of nature that you find interesting, exciting or peaks your imagination. I take myself to the beach on a regular basis. Why? No matter what the season, the ocean offers a timeless display of simplicity, and movement at it's best. The rhythm of the waves lapping at the shore; the tides moving in and out make a beautiful spectacle of themselves in every season.
In the winter, the ocean is moved and kicked up by the wind, and currents. There are white caps on the tips of the waves, and the sand is pristine and hardly touched by human encounters. Fragments of shells, and driftwood arrange themselves in no particular display around the shoreline.
Get out of your car, get out of your routine, and by all means get out of the every day. Push yourself into the beauty, and single momentary experience of nature.
It could be a walk in the woods, or a stroll on the beach. It could be a walk around your city block. There you might find a bit of a tree in a golden striation of change; peaking through the concrete trying to be noticed, waiting for you to come and snap that once in a lifetime photo. Every moment of every day invites us to switch up our routine, and walk into a different possibility. There is a handiwork of color and creation just outside our doorsteps. It could be only a short drive away. Even man-made creations co-mingled with nature offers something striking for us to see. The silhouette of a bridge casting it's structure by linking one shore to another. By zooming in on the specific image, whether it be the sun setting, or the contrast of the sky. It can be a truly amazing sight. It could be a butterfly alighting on a flower, or a woodpecker gracing your bird feeder in your own backyard. You might be the one person lucky enough to capture that image, at just the right hour, of a just the right day.
Do you need help with a writing assignment or task? I am a freelance writer who can be found at http://www.awriterslifenow.com
Do you enjoy taking pictures? Do you long for more time to get outside and enjoy nature? Are you a priority in your life? Can you imagine including one hour each week to do something as self-indulgent as making an appointment with nature? It involves stepping out of your day to day routine, and experiencing living in the moment. Pick a season, bring a camera, and focus on one aspect of nature that you find interesting, exciting or peaks your imagination. I take myself to the beach on a regular basis. Why? No matter what the season, the ocean offers a timeless display of simplicity, and movement at it's best. The rhythm of the waves lapping at the shore; the tides moving in and out make a beautiful spectacle of themselves in every season.
In the winter, the ocean is moved and kicked up by the wind, and currents. There are white caps on the tips of the waves, and the sand is pristine and hardly touched by human encounters. Fragments of shells, and driftwood arrange themselves in no particular display around the shoreline.
Get out of your car, get out of your routine, and by all means get out of the every day. Push yourself into the beauty, and single momentary experience of nature.
It could be a walk in the woods, or a stroll on the beach. It could be a walk around your city block. There you might find a bit of a tree in a golden striation of change; peaking through the concrete trying to be noticed, waiting for you to come and snap that once in a lifetime photo. Every moment of every day invites us to switch up our routine, and walk into a different possibility. There is a handiwork of color and creation just outside our doorsteps. It could be only a short drive away. Even man-made creations co-mingled with nature offers something striking for us to see. The silhouette of a bridge casting it's structure by linking one shore to another. By zooming in on the specific image, whether it be the sun setting, or the contrast of the sky. It can be a truly amazing sight. It could be a butterfly alighting on a flower, or a woodpecker gracing your bird feeder in your own backyard. You might be the one person lucky enough to capture that image, at just the right hour, of a just the right day.
Do you need help with a writing assignment or task? I am a freelance writer who can be found at http://www.awriterslifenow.com
Friday, November 7, 2008
How to Get Good Perspective and Depth of Field With a Digital Camera
By Alex Don
Out of the many features that a digital camera comes with, one that we particularly take into account is the power and quality of the lens. However, not everyone understands what is it that can be achieved by using a lens to its best. The difference between telephoto and wide angle lenses is not just about magnification. To use your lenses in the best way possible, you need to know how the influence perspective and depth of field.
It is common knowledge that a telephoto lens enlarges all the objects in the photo. However, when you use the telephoto lens, you also reduce depth of field by removing the background. This is a good way to eliminate any source of distraction from the subject. There are two results of using a telephoto lens: you minimize the amount of background by narrowing the field and you get a small depth of field, ensuring that the background is out of focus. So when you take photos of people or animals, the best option is to use the telephoto lens or zoom in with the zoom lens. You will get a three dimensional impression, making the subject emerge sharply and clearly from the blurred background. A wide-angle lens, on the other hand, does the complete opposite. It not only makes everything look smaller, but has a much wider angle, as the name says, and the depth of field is much increased. You will not only see more background, but it will be a lot more focused. This is why this lens is not a good option for portraits, as the background will distract the viewer's attention from the subject. Instead, it works great for landscape photos, especially if you have objects both in the background and foreground that you want to focus on.
The other thing you take into account when choosing the lens is perspective. The concept is very hard to explain without images, but let's give it a shot. Imagine watching a cricket game on TV. In a close-up image of the batsman, the wicket-keeper seems right behind him while the crowd is just a little further back. On a side-on view, you notice that the wicket-keeper is actually about 10 meters away from the batsman and the viewers are approx. 60 meters further back. This happens because the telephoto lens makes subjects look much closer to one another, compressing the natural perspective. The same thing will happen if you take a landscape shot. Imagine that you are photographing a tree and a mountain range further away. If you use the telephoto lens and take the shot from distance, the tree will seem very close to the mountains, because the lens also enlarges the mountains. If you take the same photo with a wide angle lens standing closer, the tree will take up the same amount of space, but when you reduce the scene so that the tree fits in the frame, the background also appears smaller... and therefore further away. So the wide-angle lens has the opposite effect of the telephoto lens, augmenting perspective and making the objects appear further apart.
In simple terms, the outputs of these two lenses is this: the wide-angle lens makes the foreground more prominent, reducing the background and making it seem more distant. The telephoto lens makes the background more prominent and larger. So just changing your lens can deeply affect the impact of your pictures. You can control not only the way the viewer views the subject, but also the surroundings. You cannot get the whole idea without photos, so why not try these things out right now?
Alex D. has been writing on picture resizer software applications for Reshade. The business specializes in online photo enlargement and makes available an online image resizer application. Also it makes available a photo resizing software.
Out of the many features that a digital camera comes with, one that we particularly take into account is the power and quality of the lens. However, not everyone understands what is it that can be achieved by using a lens to its best. The difference between telephoto and wide angle lenses is not just about magnification. To use your lenses in the best way possible, you need to know how the influence perspective and depth of field.
It is common knowledge that a telephoto lens enlarges all the objects in the photo. However, when you use the telephoto lens, you also reduce depth of field by removing the background. This is a good way to eliminate any source of distraction from the subject. There are two results of using a telephoto lens: you minimize the amount of background by narrowing the field and you get a small depth of field, ensuring that the background is out of focus. So when you take photos of people or animals, the best option is to use the telephoto lens or zoom in with the zoom lens. You will get a three dimensional impression, making the subject emerge sharply and clearly from the blurred background. A wide-angle lens, on the other hand, does the complete opposite. It not only makes everything look smaller, but has a much wider angle, as the name says, and the depth of field is much increased. You will not only see more background, but it will be a lot more focused. This is why this lens is not a good option for portraits, as the background will distract the viewer's attention from the subject. Instead, it works great for landscape photos, especially if you have objects both in the background and foreground that you want to focus on.
The other thing you take into account when choosing the lens is perspective. The concept is very hard to explain without images, but let's give it a shot. Imagine watching a cricket game on TV. In a close-up image of the batsman, the wicket-keeper seems right behind him while the crowd is just a little further back. On a side-on view, you notice that the wicket-keeper is actually about 10 meters away from the batsman and the viewers are approx. 60 meters further back. This happens because the telephoto lens makes subjects look much closer to one another, compressing the natural perspective. The same thing will happen if you take a landscape shot. Imagine that you are photographing a tree and a mountain range further away. If you use the telephoto lens and take the shot from distance, the tree will seem very close to the mountains, because the lens also enlarges the mountains. If you take the same photo with a wide angle lens standing closer, the tree will take up the same amount of space, but when you reduce the scene so that the tree fits in the frame, the background also appears smaller... and therefore further away. So the wide-angle lens has the opposite effect of the telephoto lens, augmenting perspective and making the objects appear further apart.
In simple terms, the outputs of these two lenses is this: the wide-angle lens makes the foreground more prominent, reducing the background and making it seem more distant. The telephoto lens makes the background more prominent and larger. So just changing your lens can deeply affect the impact of your pictures. You can control not only the way the viewer views the subject, but also the surroundings. You cannot get the whole idea without photos, so why not try these things out right now?
Alex D. has been writing on picture resizer software applications for Reshade. The business specializes in online photo enlargement and makes available an online image resizer application. Also it makes available a photo resizing software.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Making Large Prints With Online Photo Printing
By MJ Johnston
By now, you are probably aware that you can order prints of photos that you have uploaded into online galleries through the online gallery website. Maybe you're also aware that the quality of these prints is outstanding. But were you aware that you can print LARGE using online photo printing? It's true. Different online gallery websites have different printing sizes, but most offer at least an 8x12 printing option. From an aesthetic point of view, it's worth remembering that just because online photo printing gives you the option to print large, that doesn't mean you should always print that large. Large prints are a specialized application and you must take the nature of the image into account when deciding to print large. There are also some technical considerations.
Most people are aware of 'megapixels.' Megapixels give you an idea of the resolution of the photos that your camera takes. But did you know that megapixels don't tell the whole story? Indeed, megapixels are a quite overrated. Chances are you can't tell the difference between an 8-megapixel photo and the same image shot at 12 megapixel with your naked eye unless you enlarge the image to a massive size. Paradoxically, the higher megapixel image might be blurrier due to cramming so many megapixels onto such a small image sensor. The nature of the image matters. An image where tiny details are essential needs to be higher resolution. However, something like a cityscape-where the broad sweep and scope f the shapes and colors and dark and light of the picture matter more than niggling little details-is an outstanding candidate for large size online photo printing.
Another consideration when using online photo printing to make an image large is the viewing distance. How far away do you expect people to be when they look at the image? The greater the viewing distance, the less detail you need. The closer your viewer, the more detail. Thus an image that is large and designed to be seen from close up requires a really high resolution file, whereas a billboard, perhaps counter-intuitively, wouldn't require a very large file at all.
Online photo printing from online galleries is a great options for top quality printing. These printers are designed to print at a quality almost indistinguishable from actual photos The better online printers use Kodak photo paper, just like the paper used for printing enlargements from film negatives optically (the old fashioned way). They use very good quality photo printers to get vibrant, clear, accurate color. Most services offer a variety of sizes to suit your printing needs as well. Compare printers to get the size you need. You may find that you are quite satisfied with 8x10, or you may want something larger. Shop around. Prints can be ordered in either glossy or matte, with an easy online form. If you're in a hurry, many online galleries offer express shipping. Of course, the larger you print, the more expensive the shipping.
MJ Johnston writes for a variety of websites, including Hoorray, a photo sharing site that offers the quickest and easiest way to build a free online photo album, as well as free online photo storage.
By now, you are probably aware that you can order prints of photos that you have uploaded into online galleries through the online gallery website. Maybe you're also aware that the quality of these prints is outstanding. But were you aware that you can print LARGE using online photo printing? It's true. Different online gallery websites have different printing sizes, but most offer at least an 8x12 printing option. From an aesthetic point of view, it's worth remembering that just because online photo printing gives you the option to print large, that doesn't mean you should always print that large. Large prints are a specialized application and you must take the nature of the image into account when deciding to print large. There are also some technical considerations.
Most people are aware of 'megapixels.' Megapixels give you an idea of the resolution of the photos that your camera takes. But did you know that megapixels don't tell the whole story? Indeed, megapixels are a quite overrated. Chances are you can't tell the difference between an 8-megapixel photo and the same image shot at 12 megapixel with your naked eye unless you enlarge the image to a massive size. Paradoxically, the higher megapixel image might be blurrier due to cramming so many megapixels onto such a small image sensor. The nature of the image matters. An image where tiny details are essential needs to be higher resolution. However, something like a cityscape-where the broad sweep and scope f the shapes and colors and dark and light of the picture matter more than niggling little details-is an outstanding candidate for large size online photo printing.
Another consideration when using online photo printing to make an image large is the viewing distance. How far away do you expect people to be when they look at the image? The greater the viewing distance, the less detail you need. The closer your viewer, the more detail. Thus an image that is large and designed to be seen from close up requires a really high resolution file, whereas a billboard, perhaps counter-intuitively, wouldn't require a very large file at all.
Online photo printing from online galleries is a great options for top quality printing. These printers are designed to print at a quality almost indistinguishable from actual photos The better online printers use Kodak photo paper, just like the paper used for printing enlargements from film negatives optically (the old fashioned way). They use very good quality photo printers to get vibrant, clear, accurate color. Most services offer a variety of sizes to suit your printing needs as well. Compare printers to get the size you need. You may find that you are quite satisfied with 8x10, or you may want something larger. Shop around. Prints can be ordered in either glossy or matte, with an easy online form. If you're in a hurry, many online galleries offer express shipping. Of course, the larger you print, the more expensive the shipping.
MJ Johnston writes for a variety of websites, including Hoorray, a photo sharing site that offers the quickest and easiest way to build a free online photo album, as well as free online photo storage.
Monday, November 3, 2008
High Resolution Cameras - Facts & Myths
By Alex Don
Anyone who intends to purchase a digital camera may fall for the myth of high resolution. The resolution is the number of mega pixels the camera can produce and it is said that the higher the resolution, the better your photos will turn out like. This is indeed true for certain situations, such as when pictures are printed out on larger size paper. The truth is that for plenty of camera users the advantages of a high resolution camera are close to zero.
Let's start by understanding what a mega pixel means. Literally, it means one million pixels. A pixel is the tiniest part of a digital picture. If you have an application that you can use to zoom into an image you can really see those pixels - they look like the 'pixellated' effect you've seen on TV which hides people's faces. Each digital image, including your PC screen, is a rectangular made of pixels: the larger it is, the more pixels it has. You can find out how many pixels your monitor has in the display settings. For example, a 1024 (horizontal) x 768 (vertical) screen has 1024x768 pixels, meaning 786,432. This means a little less than 0.8 mega pixels. So if you look at an image with a higher resolution, the rest of the pixels just don't fit your screen and they are lost. You have to remember that you can never see more pixels than the screen can display. A 10 mega pixel image would be much resized to fit the computer screen and the remaining pixels would be lost. If your computer didn't do that, you could only see a small section of the picture and would have to scroll up and down to see the rest. When an image is zoomed out, the number of pixels is decreased. Viewed on the computer screen, an image which only has 0.8MP and needs no zooming out has the exact same level of detail with one of 12MP which has been zoomed out. To see for yourself, open two images of small and high resolution on your computer screen and see how they look like.
Many people never print their digital photos. They share them with friends and then store them on the computer to view them later. Most cameras found on the market nowadays are over 4MP, which is more than enough for your computer screen. If you buy a 12MP camera and only view the photos on the computer, the extra pixels are just lost. Moreover, higher resolution images take up more space on the memory card so you can hold fewer pictures. Not to mention the hassle to resize them when posting them on a website or sending them by e-mail. However, if you have a high resolution camera, you can adjust its resolution settings to take most of the pictures at lower resolution.The settings are either numbers or high, medium or low levels. If you choose a low resolution, you will be able to view your photos easier and upload them faster.
Alex D. usually writes on the theme of photo resizing technology at Reshade. Reshade.com works in the domain of online picture resizing providing a free online picture resizer application. And also it makes available a image enlargement application.
Anyone who intends to purchase a digital camera may fall for the myth of high resolution. The resolution is the number of mega pixels the camera can produce and it is said that the higher the resolution, the better your photos will turn out like. This is indeed true for certain situations, such as when pictures are printed out on larger size paper. The truth is that for plenty of camera users the advantages of a high resolution camera are close to zero.
Let's start by understanding what a mega pixel means. Literally, it means one million pixels. A pixel is the tiniest part of a digital picture. If you have an application that you can use to zoom into an image you can really see those pixels - they look like the 'pixellated' effect you've seen on TV which hides people's faces. Each digital image, including your PC screen, is a rectangular made of pixels: the larger it is, the more pixels it has. You can find out how many pixels your monitor has in the display settings. For example, a 1024 (horizontal) x 768 (vertical) screen has 1024x768 pixels, meaning 786,432. This means a little less than 0.8 mega pixels. So if you look at an image with a higher resolution, the rest of the pixels just don't fit your screen and they are lost. You have to remember that you can never see more pixels than the screen can display. A 10 mega pixel image would be much resized to fit the computer screen and the remaining pixels would be lost. If your computer didn't do that, you could only see a small section of the picture and would have to scroll up and down to see the rest. When an image is zoomed out, the number of pixels is decreased. Viewed on the computer screen, an image which only has 0.8MP and needs no zooming out has the exact same level of detail with one of 12MP which has been zoomed out. To see for yourself, open two images of small and high resolution on your computer screen and see how they look like.
Many people never print their digital photos. They share them with friends and then store them on the computer to view them later. Most cameras found on the market nowadays are over 4MP, which is more than enough for your computer screen. If you buy a 12MP camera and only view the photos on the computer, the extra pixels are just lost. Moreover, higher resolution images take up more space on the memory card so you can hold fewer pictures. Not to mention the hassle to resize them when posting them on a website or sending them by e-mail. However, if you have a high resolution camera, you can adjust its resolution settings to take most of the pictures at lower resolution.The settings are either numbers or high, medium or low levels. If you choose a low resolution, you will be able to view your photos easier and upload them faster.
Alex D. usually writes on the theme of photo resizing technology at Reshade. Reshade.com works in the domain of online picture resizing providing a free online picture resizer application. And also it makes available a image enlargement application.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
5 Great Online Photography Classes
By Ian Pennington
Are you interested in learning about photography, but are not sure where to begin? Are you limited for time, and want to find a class that will fit your busy schedule? What if I tell you that there are several online photography classes available for you that will allow you to learn on your own time and fit your budget.
If you are really looking to learn photography, here are 5 of the best courses available to you:
1. BetterPhoto
Whether you are looking to become a professional photographer or just looking to take better pictures, you will find whatever you need at BetterPhoto. Classes are taught by professionals and allow you to get as involved and experienced as you would like. Learn everything from the fundamentals to how to create the right composition and find just the right lighting for your images. Courses are available in 4 or 8-week sessions and divided into different skill levels.
2. Not Your Normal Photography
If you are looking for something a little more flexible, Not Your Normal Photography offers a free E-Book and free 6-day E-course. You can learn how to find the right markets for your photos while developing your own style of photography. The online photography classes available to you can provide not only real experience, but also help provide a great second income.
3. New York Institute of Photography
If you are serious about learning photography in order to become a professional, check out the New York Institute of Photography. Begun in 1910, it is one of the oldest and largest schools of photography and now offers virtual classes. Even listen to some lectures on podcast. No matter what you are looking for, the New York Institute has the experience to help you achieve your dreams. They have helped thousands of students develop their individual potential.
4. Picture Perfect School of Photography
Digital Film/Photography Courses are available in 4 or 8-week sessions. Classes are available in Wildlife Photography, Portraits, Lighting, Color Usage and many other subjects. Learn how to take pictures of food, flowers, pets and numerous other subjects. You will only be limited by your imagination once you learn the secrets of great photography. Even learn how to develop your own photos in a darkroom.
5. Photography Institute
If you are looking for a professional course with an economical price, check out the Photography Institute. You can receive your own diploma in photography with experience in new cutting-edge styles and designs. For under $1000 you can have professional training and learn a field which can provide you with an income for the rest of your life.
If you truly have a passion for photography, you owe it to yourself to check out these online photography classes! The only thing holding you back is you!
Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about online photography classes, please visit Photography Made Simple for current articles and discussions.
Are you interested in learning about photography, but are not sure where to begin? Are you limited for time, and want to find a class that will fit your busy schedule? What if I tell you that there are several online photography classes available for you that will allow you to learn on your own time and fit your budget.
If you are really looking to learn photography, here are 5 of the best courses available to you:
1. BetterPhoto
Whether you are looking to become a professional photographer or just looking to take better pictures, you will find whatever you need at BetterPhoto. Classes are taught by professionals and allow you to get as involved and experienced as you would like. Learn everything from the fundamentals to how to create the right composition and find just the right lighting for your images. Courses are available in 4 or 8-week sessions and divided into different skill levels.
2. Not Your Normal Photography
If you are looking for something a little more flexible, Not Your Normal Photography offers a free E-Book and free 6-day E-course. You can learn how to find the right markets for your photos while developing your own style of photography. The online photography classes available to you can provide not only real experience, but also help provide a great second income.
3. New York Institute of Photography
If you are serious about learning photography in order to become a professional, check out the New York Institute of Photography. Begun in 1910, it is one of the oldest and largest schools of photography and now offers virtual classes. Even listen to some lectures on podcast. No matter what you are looking for, the New York Institute has the experience to help you achieve your dreams. They have helped thousands of students develop their individual potential.
4. Picture Perfect School of Photography
Digital Film/Photography Courses are available in 4 or 8-week sessions. Classes are available in Wildlife Photography, Portraits, Lighting, Color Usage and many other subjects. Learn how to take pictures of food, flowers, pets and numerous other subjects. You will only be limited by your imagination once you learn the secrets of great photography. Even learn how to develop your own photos in a darkroom.
5. Photography Institute
If you are looking for a professional course with an economical price, check out the Photography Institute. You can receive your own diploma in photography with experience in new cutting-edge styles and designs. For under $1000 you can have professional training and learn a field which can provide you with an income for the rest of your life.
If you truly have a passion for photography, you owe it to yourself to check out these online photography classes! The only thing holding you back is you!
Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about online photography classes, please visit Photography Made Simple for current articles and discussions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
