By Decio Fernandes
Many people that have just started taking photographs have no knowledge that, when taking pictures of snow, the properties in their cameras are set to counterbalance the abundance in light that is reflected in the snow. Because of that, snow is captured as gray or blue instead of white. Fortunately, there are two solutions for this simple problem that frequently happen in the winter. You can change the setting to "beach" or "snow" mode and the camera will self-adapt to the bright light and fix the issue. The other solution is to manually manipulate the camera to recognize the snow as it should, while observing the effects through the LCD screen.
At the same time it is not easy photographing snow because of all the bright light, once you realize what you can do to overcome that problem, you are instantly blessed with breathtaking and exclusive images that you cannot obtain in any other season. There is usually such a striking difference in colors that make winter pictures unique and extremely attractive.
Whenever taking photos outside, photographers are usually confronted by some difficulties. One of them is when the picture ends up being too dark because the camera tries to compensate for the intensity of light. In this case, most people use the flash to help with the lighting. You can also choose the "action" mode to make sure that any moving subject is captured precisely.
There is such a wide variety of photographs that can be seen in winter photography. All the contrast and textures of nature are simply infinite.
Take your photos to the next level! To learn more tips visit Digital Photography Tips
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Photo Restoration
By Julievive Empasis
Photo Restoration is very useful now a days, several walk-in establishments in malls offer this service in order to restore weather-beaten photographs into the same condition it was first taken. With the help of technology, digital photo restoration is made possible and restoring old photos is far more convenient compared to its non-digital counterpart.
All photo restoration and retouching work is done by hand through the use an photo editing software. Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw and GIMP are usually the software that are typically used for photo restoration. Blemishes are removed from the photograph manually, by intricately painting or cloning over the damaged area. Tears, scratches, and creases can be repaired through the same procedure. Unwanted color casts are removed by altering the images contrast or sharpness in an attempt to restore some of the contrast range or detail that is believed to be in the original image. Skin tone and texture can be improved, and facial features can be enhanced as well.
There's a lot of service provider for photo restoration that can provide the customers with the highest quality. The usual work flow these establishments undertake are
(a.) scanning a photograph (b.) performing the restoration or retouching using the photo editing software, and (c.) printing out the photograph that now looks all shiny and new.
Photo restoration existed long before the digital world. Although digital photo restoration is quite popular, traditional photo restoration, is to some extent, performed by skilled traditional photo specialists in their darkrooms today. Their tools include artist brushes, retouching dyes, fixers, toners and other chemicals, mixing pallets, baths, enlargers, film tanks and other darkroom equipment. They do retouching by hand with artist brushes and dyes, and they use enlargers for adding and subtracting exposure to prints like dodging and burning, and filters for adjusting contrast.
LazyMask ( http://www.lazymask.com) - Clipping Path, Image Masking, Photoshop Masking, Image Clipping, Image Outlining in Photoshop
Photo Restoration is very useful now a days, several walk-in establishments in malls offer this service in order to restore weather-beaten photographs into the same condition it was first taken. With the help of technology, digital photo restoration is made possible and restoring old photos is far more convenient compared to its non-digital counterpart.
All photo restoration and retouching work is done by hand through the use an photo editing software. Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw and GIMP are usually the software that are typically used for photo restoration. Blemishes are removed from the photograph manually, by intricately painting or cloning over the damaged area. Tears, scratches, and creases can be repaired through the same procedure. Unwanted color casts are removed by altering the images contrast or sharpness in an attempt to restore some of the contrast range or detail that is believed to be in the original image. Skin tone and texture can be improved, and facial features can be enhanced as well.
There's a lot of service provider for photo restoration that can provide the customers with the highest quality. The usual work flow these establishments undertake are
(a.) scanning a photograph (b.) performing the restoration or retouching using the photo editing software, and (c.) printing out the photograph that now looks all shiny and new.
Photo restoration existed long before the digital world. Although digital photo restoration is quite popular, traditional photo restoration, is to some extent, performed by skilled traditional photo specialists in their darkrooms today. Their tools include artist brushes, retouching dyes, fixers, toners and other chemicals, mixing pallets, baths, enlargers, film tanks and other darkroom equipment. They do retouching by hand with artist brushes and dyes, and they use enlargers for adding and subtracting exposure to prints like dodging and burning, and filters for adjusting contrast.
LazyMask ( http://www.lazymask.com) - Clipping Path, Image Masking, Photoshop Masking, Image Clipping, Image Outlining in Photoshop
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Get Paid to Take Pictures - How to Make Money Online As a Photographer
By Ricky Lim
Do you know you can get paid to take pictures online? Digital cameras and their low cost have made photography a popular hobby. No longer do you neAed expensive equipment and many years experience to make money taking photos.
If you are interested to get paid to take photos, here is some basic information you should take note.
Investing in Camera Equipment
The right photography equipment can bring out the best pictures even if you are an amateur. Try to get a bigger resolution digital camera, preferably those with 5 megapixel and above.
You should base your camera on the price alone. Look for the best value digital camera and deals that most electronic stores have from time to time. Besides a digital camera, you also need a photo editing software and a computer. Most digital cameras do bundle with a suite of photo editing software as well.
Have a Photo Portfolio
In order to show potential customers some proof of their photography expertise, you will need to take some sample photographs and references as well. Put it online on your website or on a free blog such as blogger so you can refer potential clients to check out your photo portfolio.
Market Your Business
Learning how to sell your photographs isn't that difficult actually. Look for online classified where you can post your ad. You can also visit online photography forums where sometimes photographer jobs are available.
You can also sell your photos to online stock photography websites. Some will offer to pay a one time fee for your photos while others are sold on a per commission basis. That is when a customer pay for your photo posted on such sites, you get a commission, typically about 60 to 70 percent.
You can also visit webmaster forums where there is always a constant need of photos for their websites.
You can get also get paid a lot more for your photos if you can find a magazine photographer job. These typically pay a lot more for each photo.
If you want to learn how to get paid to take pictures, I recommend Brian Moore Camera Dollars. Click here to learn more about how to get paid to take pictures online with the Camera Dollar system.
Do you know you can get paid to take pictures online? Digital cameras and their low cost have made photography a popular hobby. No longer do you neAed expensive equipment and many years experience to make money taking photos.
If you are interested to get paid to take photos, here is some basic information you should take note.
Investing in Camera Equipment
The right photography equipment can bring out the best pictures even if you are an amateur. Try to get a bigger resolution digital camera, preferably those with 5 megapixel and above.
You should base your camera on the price alone. Look for the best value digital camera and deals that most electronic stores have from time to time. Besides a digital camera, you also need a photo editing software and a computer. Most digital cameras do bundle with a suite of photo editing software as well.
Have a Photo Portfolio
In order to show potential customers some proof of their photography expertise, you will need to take some sample photographs and references as well. Put it online on your website or on a free blog such as blogger so you can refer potential clients to check out your photo portfolio.
Market Your Business
Learning how to sell your photographs isn't that difficult actually. Look for online classified where you can post your ad. You can also visit online photography forums where sometimes photographer jobs are available.
You can also sell your photos to online stock photography websites. Some will offer to pay a one time fee for your photos while others are sold on a per commission basis. That is when a customer pay for your photo posted on such sites, you get a commission, typically about 60 to 70 percent.
You can also visit webmaster forums where there is always a constant need of photos for their websites.
You can get also get paid a lot more for your photos if you can find a magazine photographer job. These typically pay a lot more for each photo.
If you want to learn how to get paid to take pictures, I recommend Brian Moore Camera Dollars. Click here to learn more about how to get paid to take pictures online with the Camera Dollar system.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Photography With Natural Light
By Richard Haan
Being a good photographer, you will find that the weather can be to your advantage as well as a disadvantage. While it is impossible to control the weather, you may not have ideal conditions all the time for your shots, however you can make the most of what conditions you have. So no matter if it is sunny, rainy or even cloudy, you can still use the landscape to create beautiful shots.
There are really two ideal hours of the day that photographers just love to shot. The first of these two occurs right after sunrise and the other is, you guest it, just before sunset, and are generally longer during the summer and shorter during the winter. You may be wondering why these two hours are the ideal hours for shooting, during the early morning and late afternoon the sun is positioned for dramatic lighting, but will not create harsh shadows or blazes of light, especially when it comes to taking pictures of people.
There are three possible problems that can occur with shooting pictures of people in the late morning. The first, your subject is trying not to squint in the direct sunlight, this can cause a poor shots. Second, your subject can turn out to dark with them standing with the sun behind them this will cause a silhouette effect. Third, your subjects face and features can look distorted if they are standing with the sun at their side, which will create awkward shadows. These three possibilities can and will make for poor shots.
During the noon time hours, all the shadows will be disappear, which then will give your photos a flat appearance.
This is why shooting just after sunrise and just before sunset, will provide just the right kind of lighting and shadows, which in turn makes for a beautiful photographic opportunity because of the breath taking natural colors the sky has to offer.
Take advantage of cloudy or overcast days, for these will give you great shots as well.
More outdoor wedding pictures are taken on cloudy days, than bright sunny days. The reason being is the photographer is taking advantage of the earth's natural filter, the clouds. I am not referring to a heavy cloudy day, but rather a mild overcast day. The clouds will diffuse the bright light so that your subject is illuminated with natural filtered light, and the shadows are gone. You may still need a flash if the clouds are too heavy, but if this is the case than the possible solution is to also shoot in black and white.
Believe it or not you can still get great shots even on rainy days. The rain can add an interesting element to the image and you will still get a great shot. Extra care is needed on rainy days as not to let your equipment lay on the wet ground, and additional person will be needed on these days of shooting. The use of an umbrella and a water proof case will be very helpful as well. Thunder and lightning and rain make for great pictures, but caution is need when taking these shots as well.
So Use Nature To Your Advantage, and Happy Shooting.
My name is Richard Haan, I am the owner of http://www.rmhdigitalcameras.com
Being a good photographer, you will find that the weather can be to your advantage as well as a disadvantage. While it is impossible to control the weather, you may not have ideal conditions all the time for your shots, however you can make the most of what conditions you have. So no matter if it is sunny, rainy or even cloudy, you can still use the landscape to create beautiful shots.
There are really two ideal hours of the day that photographers just love to shot. The first of these two occurs right after sunrise and the other is, you guest it, just before sunset, and are generally longer during the summer and shorter during the winter. You may be wondering why these two hours are the ideal hours for shooting, during the early morning and late afternoon the sun is positioned for dramatic lighting, but will not create harsh shadows or blazes of light, especially when it comes to taking pictures of people.
There are three possible problems that can occur with shooting pictures of people in the late morning. The first, your subject is trying not to squint in the direct sunlight, this can cause a poor shots. Second, your subject can turn out to dark with them standing with the sun behind them this will cause a silhouette effect. Third, your subjects face and features can look distorted if they are standing with the sun at their side, which will create awkward shadows. These three possibilities can and will make for poor shots.
During the noon time hours, all the shadows will be disappear, which then will give your photos a flat appearance.
This is why shooting just after sunrise and just before sunset, will provide just the right kind of lighting and shadows, which in turn makes for a beautiful photographic opportunity because of the breath taking natural colors the sky has to offer.
Take advantage of cloudy or overcast days, for these will give you great shots as well.
More outdoor wedding pictures are taken on cloudy days, than bright sunny days. The reason being is the photographer is taking advantage of the earth's natural filter, the clouds. I am not referring to a heavy cloudy day, but rather a mild overcast day. The clouds will diffuse the bright light so that your subject is illuminated with natural filtered light, and the shadows are gone. You may still need a flash if the clouds are too heavy, but if this is the case than the possible solution is to also shoot in black and white.
Believe it or not you can still get great shots even on rainy days. The rain can add an interesting element to the image and you will still get a great shot. Extra care is needed on rainy days as not to let your equipment lay on the wet ground, and additional person will be needed on these days of shooting. The use of an umbrella and a water proof case will be very helpful as well. Thunder and lightning and rain make for great pictures, but caution is need when taking these shots as well.
So Use Nature To Your Advantage, and Happy Shooting.
My name is Richard Haan, I am the owner of http://www.rmhdigitalcameras.com
Monday, December 22, 2008
How to Use Photoshop to Remove Red Eye
By Rodrigo Manguba
This is a problem that occurs ever too often. You've taken some great shots of your new baby and want to show them off, but the red eye on them disappoints you greatly. Something from a scary movie your precious child looks like a demon .This problem is often called "red eye". The flash reflects off of the retina at the rear of the eye, causing red eye.
Low light causes the eye's iris to grow, providing for more area that could become red in photos. The flash, unfortunately, is required mostly during low light conditions.
Thanks to the emergence of digital pictures, red eye is becoming a bigger and bigger issue. Digicams don't need the same internal mechanics or space for film as do their counterparts, meaning they can continue to shrink in size. It implies that the flash and the lens are pretty close to each other.In most new point-and-shoot digicams, the flash sits right over the lens.
Here's the issue. A flash which is closer to the lens enters the iris directly and reflects straight back, causing red eye. Most digicams have a built-in feature, causing a flash immediately before exposure, which is designed to reduce red eye.
This makes the iris shrink for the actual image. Sadly, this function almost never completely removes red eye from pictures. Most point-and-shoot digicams don't have a method allowing the photographer to add a second flash; as a result, red eye has to be fixed after the fact.
Are you worried about Photoshop being too complicated that would not prove to be easy to master? Do not be. Adobe Photoshop is so simple to master that a person with zero experience could easily learn to fix red eye in very little time. This is where Photoshop grows useful. With Photoshop, even the worst case of red eye can be corrected.
Rodrigo Manguba is a professional Photographer and specializes in portrait and wedding photography. He maintains a blog about Photography Tips & Techniques. http://www.cameraviewpoint.com/
This is a problem that occurs ever too often. You've taken some great shots of your new baby and want to show them off, but the red eye on them disappoints you greatly. Something from a scary movie your precious child looks like a demon .This problem is often called "red eye". The flash reflects off of the retina at the rear of the eye, causing red eye.
Low light causes the eye's iris to grow, providing for more area that could become red in photos. The flash, unfortunately, is required mostly during low light conditions.
Thanks to the emergence of digital pictures, red eye is becoming a bigger and bigger issue. Digicams don't need the same internal mechanics or space for film as do their counterparts, meaning they can continue to shrink in size. It implies that the flash and the lens are pretty close to each other.In most new point-and-shoot digicams, the flash sits right over the lens.
Here's the issue. A flash which is closer to the lens enters the iris directly and reflects straight back, causing red eye. Most digicams have a built-in feature, causing a flash immediately before exposure, which is designed to reduce red eye.
This makes the iris shrink for the actual image. Sadly, this function almost never completely removes red eye from pictures. Most point-and-shoot digicams don't have a method allowing the photographer to add a second flash; as a result, red eye has to be fixed after the fact.
Are you worried about Photoshop being too complicated that would not prove to be easy to master? Do not be. Adobe Photoshop is so simple to master that a person with zero experience could easily learn to fix red eye in very little time. This is where Photoshop grows useful. With Photoshop, even the worst case of red eye can be corrected.
Rodrigo Manguba is a professional Photographer and specializes in portrait and wedding photography. He maintains a blog about Photography Tips & Techniques. http://www.cameraviewpoint.com/
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Photo Filters - What They Are, and How They're Used
By Wendy Addams
A photo filter is basically a camera accessory which allows the photographer to better control the outcome of their photos. Some filters create only subtle effects while others can completely change the way a photo looks. The downside to using filters is that if the filter is scratched or dirty, it will reflect on the image. So if you are going to be using filters on your camera, make sure they are always clean and free from scratches.
There are numerous types of photo filters available:
-Clear Filters are completely transparent and do not affect the outcome of the photo. They are mainly used to protect the camera lens.
-UV Filters are used to reduce the haze caused by certain types of light
-Color Correction filters are used to better balance the colors that are captured in photos. These are not as common since digital photography has become popular, since digital cameras generally balance colors automatically within the camera itself.
-Color Subtraction filters are used to block a certain color from a photo, but leaving the rest of the colors intact
-Contrast Enhancement filters are normally used in black and white photography to adjust the contrast of the photo. For instance, if you were taking a photo of the sky in black and white and you wanted to enhance contrast, you may use a yellow or orange filter which would brighten the clouds, and cause the sky behind them to seem darker.
-Polarizing filters can be used to darken skies that are too bright, and can even reduce reflected sunlight. These filters are also used to minimize reflections such as those from windows.
-Neutral Density filters are commonly used to reduce light. This is particularly handy when using longer exposure times.
-Diffusion Filters are used to give a softer appearance of a photo and are often used in portraits.
Filters are usually made from glass, resin, polyester, polycarbonate, and sometimes acetate. They come in all sizes and varieties, only a few of which I described above. Using filters can add a lot of variety to your photography, and create some effects that would not otherwise be possible.
Wendy Addams has enjoyed photography for many years and has learned a lot along the way. Please visit http://www.pic-tips.com for more photography information and to learn some tips and tricks.
A photo filter is basically a camera accessory which allows the photographer to better control the outcome of their photos. Some filters create only subtle effects while others can completely change the way a photo looks. The downside to using filters is that if the filter is scratched or dirty, it will reflect on the image. So if you are going to be using filters on your camera, make sure they are always clean and free from scratches.
There are numerous types of photo filters available:
-Clear Filters are completely transparent and do not affect the outcome of the photo. They are mainly used to protect the camera lens.
-UV Filters are used to reduce the haze caused by certain types of light
-Color Correction filters are used to better balance the colors that are captured in photos. These are not as common since digital photography has become popular, since digital cameras generally balance colors automatically within the camera itself.
-Color Subtraction filters are used to block a certain color from a photo, but leaving the rest of the colors intact
-Contrast Enhancement filters are normally used in black and white photography to adjust the contrast of the photo. For instance, if you were taking a photo of the sky in black and white and you wanted to enhance contrast, you may use a yellow or orange filter which would brighten the clouds, and cause the sky behind them to seem darker.
-Polarizing filters can be used to darken skies that are too bright, and can even reduce reflected sunlight. These filters are also used to minimize reflections such as those from windows.
-Neutral Density filters are commonly used to reduce light. This is particularly handy when using longer exposure times.
-Diffusion Filters are used to give a softer appearance of a photo and are often used in portraits.
Filters are usually made from glass, resin, polyester, polycarbonate, and sometimes acetate. They come in all sizes and varieties, only a few of which I described above. Using filters can add a lot of variety to your photography, and create some effects that would not otherwise be possible.
Wendy Addams has enjoyed photography for many years and has learned a lot along the way. Please visit http://www.pic-tips.com for more photography information and to learn some tips and tricks.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Photoshop is a Must Have Software Package
By Debbie Ray
I consider myself to be a pretty serious photographer, who learned about film speed, focal length, exposure value and shutter speeds the "old fashioned way" by using an old adjustable film camera and a handheld light meter that was handed down to me by my dad.
Many of my prize photos were printed in a makeshift darkroom and hung to dry on temporary lines set up in a small bathroom. So my technical and aesthetic training in photography and darkroom skills was solid and strong, right from the beginning.
Over the years, I watched the photography scene change quickly from conventional film use to an instantaneous digital format. My first experience with a digital camera had me hooked. And then I discovered Photoshop, a software package that essentially replaced all my darkroom equipment and chemicals with computer-based film processing, enlarging and special effects. There was no turning back for me.
Photoshop CS4 or Photoshop Elements 7 (the newest versions) are definitely must-have software packages for both the amateur and professional photographer. Created and distributed by Adobe, the Photoshop software helps turns ordinary digital photographs into exceptional masterpieces. It acts as a virtual darkroom on your computer, providing countless combinations of settings, manipulations, filters and effects in a highly sophisticated package.
Photoshop Elements 7 is an excellent choice to get started. It's the top-selling software for enhancing photos and making memorable photographic creations that will last a lifetime and be part of your family's pictorial history for years to come. It is a must-have companion for any digital photography enthusiast. Bring your digital photos into Photoshop and you will have them come out with a brightness and a clarity that you never thought possible.
Photoshop also allows you to scan old photographs and fix up any imperfections. The sophisticated tools that are built into the software can actually help eliminate cracks and lines in old photos, perk up colors, brighten the lighting and contrast and make corrections in just a few moments.
Photoshop has a myriad of tools that will help you sort and arrange photos on your computer so they are easily retrievable. Although there may be a steep learning curve for some people, there are several useful tutorials and many user groups available online that can help. If you're a photographer - even a casual photographer, then you need Photoshop to help turn your photos into masterpieces!
Curious about learning Photoshop yourself? Get Photoshop now at a great price - what are you waiting for?
I consider myself to be a pretty serious photographer, who learned about film speed, focal length, exposure value and shutter speeds the "old fashioned way" by using an old adjustable film camera and a handheld light meter that was handed down to me by my dad.
Many of my prize photos were printed in a makeshift darkroom and hung to dry on temporary lines set up in a small bathroom. So my technical and aesthetic training in photography and darkroom skills was solid and strong, right from the beginning.
Over the years, I watched the photography scene change quickly from conventional film use to an instantaneous digital format. My first experience with a digital camera had me hooked. And then I discovered Photoshop, a software package that essentially replaced all my darkroom equipment and chemicals with computer-based film processing, enlarging and special effects. There was no turning back for me.
Photoshop CS4 or Photoshop Elements 7 (the newest versions) are definitely must-have software packages for both the amateur and professional photographer. Created and distributed by Adobe, the Photoshop software helps turns ordinary digital photographs into exceptional masterpieces. It acts as a virtual darkroom on your computer, providing countless combinations of settings, manipulations, filters and effects in a highly sophisticated package.
Photoshop Elements 7 is an excellent choice to get started. It's the top-selling software for enhancing photos and making memorable photographic creations that will last a lifetime and be part of your family's pictorial history for years to come. It is a must-have companion for any digital photography enthusiast. Bring your digital photos into Photoshop and you will have them come out with a brightness and a clarity that you never thought possible.
Photoshop also allows you to scan old photographs and fix up any imperfections. The sophisticated tools that are built into the software can actually help eliminate cracks and lines in old photos, perk up colors, brighten the lighting and contrast and make corrections in just a few moments.
Photoshop has a myriad of tools that will help you sort and arrange photos on your computer so they are easily retrievable. Although there may be a steep learning curve for some people, there are several useful tutorials and many user groups available online that can help. If you're a photographer - even a casual photographer, then you need Photoshop to help turn your photos into masterpieces!
Curious about learning Photoshop yourself? Get Photoshop now at a great price - what are you waiting for?
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Dynamic Photography is Exciting
By Mary Sutton
Some of the best pictures are described as being dynamic. Photography is always open to interpretation. But photos that are lively will always get attention. Taking pictures that have moving subjects is difficult but not impossible. If you are interested in taking this kind of photo then there are certain subjects that are better than others. You could take photographs of sportsmen and women in action. Most of us are sports crazy and love looking at these kinds of pictures. This kind of action pic shows up all sorts of muscular and facial expressions that are one in a million. The chance of getting the same or similar photo of a specific sports personality is almost impossible. Of course, if you are a parent or grandparent shooting at your pride and joy's school sport's day it's just as memorable.
Dynamic photography is really what you make of it. There are people who are interested in cars and planes. They have gained the skill of taking photographs of moving cars and planes. The results can be absolutely awesome. We've all seen those glorious pictures of planes moving against a bright blue sky. Who doesn't enjoy looking at a picture of a very red, very fast sports car moving at breakneck speed on a winding road? These pictures are truly unforgettable and have a spirit of freedom and excitement.
Another moving subject that is becoming very popular is the steam engine. Did you know there are people who travel all around the world to see these metal giants? Photographing these machines from the past is a natural evolvement driven by a hobby. Photos could show a fast moving engine with the steam streaming behind. Or a one that is puffing hazy steam like a dragon in the early morning light. The opportunities for dynamic photography are endless. All you need is your digital camera and your imagination.
Mary Sutton is the director of the popular blog ThePhotographyClass.Com. She is an expert on digital photography and her blog contains stacks of information on things likeAnsel Adams' photography and much more.
Some of the best pictures are described as being dynamic. Photography is always open to interpretation. But photos that are lively will always get attention. Taking pictures that have moving subjects is difficult but not impossible. If you are interested in taking this kind of photo then there are certain subjects that are better than others. You could take photographs of sportsmen and women in action. Most of us are sports crazy and love looking at these kinds of pictures. This kind of action pic shows up all sorts of muscular and facial expressions that are one in a million. The chance of getting the same or similar photo of a specific sports personality is almost impossible. Of course, if you are a parent or grandparent shooting at your pride and joy's school sport's day it's just as memorable.
Dynamic photography is really what you make of it. There are people who are interested in cars and planes. They have gained the skill of taking photographs of moving cars and planes. The results can be absolutely awesome. We've all seen those glorious pictures of planes moving against a bright blue sky. Who doesn't enjoy looking at a picture of a very red, very fast sports car moving at breakneck speed on a winding road? These pictures are truly unforgettable and have a spirit of freedom and excitement.
Another moving subject that is becoming very popular is the steam engine. Did you know there are people who travel all around the world to see these metal giants? Photographing these machines from the past is a natural evolvement driven by a hobby. Photos could show a fast moving engine with the steam streaming behind. Or a one that is puffing hazy steam like a dragon in the early morning light. The opportunities for dynamic photography are endless. All you need is your digital camera and your imagination.
Mary Sutton is the director of the popular blog ThePhotographyClass.Com. She is an expert on digital photography and her blog contains stacks of information on things likeAnsel Adams' photography and much more.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Studio Lighting Or Lounge Illuminations
By John P Wood
I started off with a couple of 500 cool light soft boxes and reflector but found I was limited on the speed and often produced perfectly focussed but blurred shots - I had thought that models would stand still, but the girls i was shooting wanted to jump around!
So i progress on to an umbrella with and SB800, a SB600 and a couple of old Vivitars on remotes which all work great usually! The flash umbrella certainly stopped the motion but sent light everywhere and I struggled to light the background separately.
I found using the D300 menu to control the flashes was cumbersome and now use the Commander unit which sits on the hotshoe and is much quicker to use.
So to to stop sending light everywhere, I now I have a soft box attachment for the SB800 and find i can control the direction of the light a lot better.
I liked the umbrella when shooting teenagers who wanted to bop around. It seemed to light them pretty well no matter what angle they were at, combined with a flash, high up behind them.
I have also added a pringles tube covered in black tape as a snoot, and foam cards to act as flags.
With all this kit I have enough to experiment with and am constantly learning. It is beginning to amaze me just how tilting a light this way or that really affects how the photographs look. I have read a lot but doing it in practise is where i am learning what i read.
What I would really like now is a room big enough to use the equipment!
I am not sure at what stage I would need to progress to studio lighting, I have not hit any limits in my lounge so far.
John P Wood
Wedding and Portrait Photographer - Ascot, Berks, UK
WebSite: John Wood Photography
I started off with a couple of 500 cool light soft boxes and reflector but found I was limited on the speed and often produced perfectly focussed but blurred shots - I had thought that models would stand still, but the girls i was shooting wanted to jump around!
So i progress on to an umbrella with and SB800, a SB600 and a couple of old Vivitars on remotes which all work great usually! The flash umbrella certainly stopped the motion but sent light everywhere and I struggled to light the background separately.
I found using the D300 menu to control the flashes was cumbersome and now use the Commander unit which sits on the hotshoe and is much quicker to use.
So to to stop sending light everywhere, I now I have a soft box attachment for the SB800 and find i can control the direction of the light a lot better.
I liked the umbrella when shooting teenagers who wanted to bop around. It seemed to light them pretty well no matter what angle they were at, combined with a flash, high up behind them.
I have also added a pringles tube covered in black tape as a snoot, and foam cards to act as flags.
With all this kit I have enough to experiment with and am constantly learning. It is beginning to amaze me just how tilting a light this way or that really affects how the photographs look. I have read a lot but doing it in practise is where i am learning what i read.
What I would really like now is a room big enough to use the equipment!
I am not sure at what stage I would need to progress to studio lighting, I have not hit any limits in my lounge so far.
John P Wood
Wedding and Portrait Photographer - Ascot, Berks, UK
WebSite: John Wood Photography
Monday, December 8, 2008
Macro, Micro and Close Up Photography - Are They All the Same?
By Shereena Vysakh
Macro simply means big, micro means small now are they both the same thing ? In fact yes the two words point to the same realm of photography. Even close up photography is the same thing. That is getting small things to fill up the whole photograph. Now the scale of working is what differentiates them.
Macro and Micro are used interchangeably for the realm of photography which aim at getting the object that is in the photograph to be the same size as the sensor. That is on a aps-c canon sensor the object would be of an area of 22.2x14.8mm. Let me get the idea a bit more clear, here we are talking about the sensor and not the photo. The sensor which is 22.2x14.8 (in our example) will be capturing a macro when the image falling on the sensor is of an area that is also 22.2mm x 14.8 mm. If you want to get an idea of what this size would be take a piece of paper draw a rectangle that is 22.2mm long and 14.8mm wide. Now cut along the rectangle to produce a paper with a hole. Now you are taking macro's when you are capturing the area of the rectangle in the whole photograph, now we are talking in terms of photograph and not the sensor.
Why the two words macro and micro?
This came out from the convention used by major brands. Nikon and some other brands use the word micro with lens that are true macro lens and Canon and many other brands use the word macro on lens that are true macro's(1:1 or more). For convenience from now on we will use the word macro.
Canon Macro 100mm F2.8
Canon Macro 100mm F2.8
Nikkor 60mm Micro
Nikkor 60mm Micro
The above images show a Macro model from Canon and a Micro model from Nikon.
So is macro only 1:1?
No, technically macro is 1:1 or more that is it can be 1:1 or 2:1 or 3:1 and so on. Usually we refer to anything above 2:1 as super macro photography.
3:1 super macro of a flower
3:1 super macro of a flower
Then what are close ups ?
Magnified photo or photos that are not 1:1 but have high magnification ratios are called close up photos. Also some photographers refer to portraits as close ups. That is not part of the discussion on this article. Using diopters to achieve macro like effects on non macro lens can also be referred to as macro photography, but using reversed lens or bellows are actual macros and not close ups. Some diopters or close up filters do allow 1:1 macros but most are not 1:1 and thus this group of photographs also fall into close ups.
Point and Shoots and macro
Many point and shoot camera have the so called macro mode. These are actually close ups , most p&s(point and shoot) cameras have tiny sensors and their lens systems are made to be cheap than to be performers. So essentially it is impossible to achieve 1:! on a point and shoot or even a bridge. The reason being that the optics are not good enough and the sensor is too small. Even those cameras that can focus at distances less than 1 cm are not taking macros. So putting it simply P&S have close up modes and not macro modes. They call it macro because it resemble , a very vague resembles at that, to a macro.
Also point and shoot cameras have a lot of mega pixels cramped onto a tiny sensor thus the quality of each pixel is very low compared to a sensor in a DSLR. Therefore the results that one can expect from the P&S's so called macro mode is limited. This mode is good for the starting hobbyist who is not yet into wasting his whole salary on photographic equipment.
Is there anything else called Micro photography?
Yes there is a realm of photography that attaches a camera to a microscope and then photographs of what is being seen in the viewfinder is taken. This is widely used in making textbooks and the like. There are some artists who make brilliant photographs using this technique.
So next time your friend says his new point and shoot camera has Macro photography you know that he is talking about close up photography. Also when you see an image of an insect with brilliant details you can understand that it is a macro or a super macro photograph.
Remember reading only gives you ideas going out and clicking pictures will make your pictures better.
Visit the Link: http://www.randomequations.com/2008/11/18/macromicro-and-close-up-photography-are-they-all-the-same/
Shereena Vysakh is a Pro Photography Hobbiest Blogging at http://RandomEquations.com
Macro simply means big, micro means small now are they both the same thing ? In fact yes the two words point to the same realm of photography. Even close up photography is the same thing. That is getting small things to fill up the whole photograph. Now the scale of working is what differentiates them.
Macro and Micro are used interchangeably for the realm of photography which aim at getting the object that is in the photograph to be the same size as the sensor. That is on a aps-c canon sensor the object would be of an area of 22.2x14.8mm. Let me get the idea a bit more clear, here we are talking about the sensor and not the photo. The sensor which is 22.2x14.8 (in our example) will be capturing a macro when the image falling on the sensor is of an area that is also 22.2mm x 14.8 mm. If you want to get an idea of what this size would be take a piece of paper draw a rectangle that is 22.2mm long and 14.8mm wide. Now cut along the rectangle to produce a paper with a hole. Now you are taking macro's when you are capturing the area of the rectangle in the whole photograph, now we are talking in terms of photograph and not the sensor.
Why the two words macro and micro?
This came out from the convention used by major brands. Nikon and some other brands use the word micro with lens that are true macro lens and Canon and many other brands use the word macro on lens that are true macro's(1:1 or more). For convenience from now on we will use the word macro.
Canon Macro 100mm F2.8
Canon Macro 100mm F2.8
Nikkor 60mm Micro
Nikkor 60mm Micro
The above images show a Macro model from Canon and a Micro model from Nikon.
So is macro only 1:1?
No, technically macro is 1:1 or more that is it can be 1:1 or 2:1 or 3:1 and so on. Usually we refer to anything above 2:1 as super macro photography.
3:1 super macro of a flower
3:1 super macro of a flower
Then what are close ups ?
Magnified photo or photos that are not 1:1 but have high magnification ratios are called close up photos. Also some photographers refer to portraits as close ups. That is not part of the discussion on this article. Using diopters to achieve macro like effects on non macro lens can also be referred to as macro photography, but using reversed lens or bellows are actual macros and not close ups. Some diopters or close up filters do allow 1:1 macros but most are not 1:1 and thus this group of photographs also fall into close ups.
Point and Shoots and macro
Many point and shoot camera have the so called macro mode. These are actually close ups , most p&s(point and shoot) cameras have tiny sensors and their lens systems are made to be cheap than to be performers. So essentially it is impossible to achieve 1:! on a point and shoot or even a bridge. The reason being that the optics are not good enough and the sensor is too small. Even those cameras that can focus at distances less than 1 cm are not taking macros. So putting it simply P&S have close up modes and not macro modes. They call it macro because it resemble , a very vague resembles at that, to a macro.
Also point and shoot cameras have a lot of mega pixels cramped onto a tiny sensor thus the quality of each pixel is very low compared to a sensor in a DSLR. Therefore the results that one can expect from the P&S's so called macro mode is limited. This mode is good for the starting hobbyist who is not yet into wasting his whole salary on photographic equipment.
Is there anything else called Micro photography?
Yes there is a realm of photography that attaches a camera to a microscope and then photographs of what is being seen in the viewfinder is taken. This is widely used in making textbooks and the like. There are some artists who make brilliant photographs using this technique.
So next time your friend says his new point and shoot camera has Macro photography you know that he is talking about close up photography. Also when you see an image of an insect with brilliant details you can understand that it is a macro or a super macro photograph.
Remember reading only gives you ideas going out and clicking pictures will make your pictures better.
Visit the Link: http://www.randomequations.com/2008/11/18/macromicro-and-close-up-photography-are-they-all-the-same/
Shereena Vysakh is a Pro Photography Hobbiest Blogging at http://RandomEquations.com
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Career Choices Using Photography and the Skills Needed to Succeed
By John Huegel
There are many different jobs which involve photography, including:
-Portrait/studio/wedding - focusing on images of people and selling images to families and individuals
-Sports - action photos, from childrens' leagues up to professional and olympic levels
-Commercial/product photography - every ad has images taken by someone. Jewelry, food, automotive, and fashion photography are some examples.
-Artistic/landscape - scenic or artistically oriented images, often sold as artwork, postcards or tourist items
-Architectural - photos of buildings and other constructed items
-Forensic - used in police/detective work. Crime scene and related photography.
-Journalism - un-staged real-life images for newspaper and magazines
-School/event - school pictures, sports teams, church and other groups where high volume is typical.
-Stock photography - images taken that other people will buy and use for advertising and other purposes
There other other specialties such as astrophtography and microphotography.
Frequently Asked Questions about careers in Photography
1) What skills do I need to be successful as a photographer?
-Conceptual- the ability to understand your clients' needs and communicate with them
-Technical - the ability to identify, configure and use camera, lighting, and props to make images
-Editing - the ability to process captured images and edit them to meet the customers' needs
-Marketing - the ability to get your name out and to connect you and your business to your potential customer base
-Selling - the ability to earn money from your profession. Includes pricing, negotiating, meeting with customers, producing their final products
-Managing - Taking care of the day-to-day needs of a business or professional, including buying things, paying bills, covering insurance, taxes, permits, etc.
-Leading - Building and or working in a business environment where you need to create visions, define goals and actions, and implement them to grow the business
-Serving - Contacting and growing your customer base, measuring customer satisfaction, resolving customer issues.
You can see that only the Technical and Editing skills fall into traditional Photography/Computer skills. However, because photography involves a high degree of interpersonal communication and subjective needs of the customer base, you need to develop and posses good people skills - listening, documenting, creativity, follow-through, etc.
2) What education do I need to be successful in photography?
You will need to learn or be taught the technical aspects of photography - lighting, composition, camera science, image editing and production. Some people can learn this as they go. Others pursue a special degree or certificate from certain schools, or you can get a 4-year degree in arts/photography from a university. To be very well prepared, you should consider a minor in business or marketing or a minor in your chosen specialty field such as criminal justice, sports or journalism. This will give you an edge over any candidates who do not have this education.
3) What type of experience is required?
To be employable, you need to demonstrate competence in not just the technical areas of photography, but also the soft skills. I recommend building and growing a portfolio of your own images to show your technical and artistic development and skills. A demonstrated track record in any service industry (food service, retail, etc.) will demonstrate that you can work with people and satisfy their needs. Using your photo skills in volunteer areas will also grow your skills and breadth of experience.
You can often get work as a "second shooter" or assistant to professionals in your town. Your ability to take on the dirty work and learn on the job will increase your odds of success in finding entry level work.
4) What are the job duties of a photographer?
They vary highly from the job areas and the size of the business, but these are the general duties:
- Prepare marketing plans to advertise and promote your products and services
- Interact with customers on proposals to secure the job
- Prepare for photo sessions - logistics/planning, coordinating equipment, props, models, permits, etc.
- Conduct the photo session
- Edit and backup the images
- Publish and/or make the images available for customer review
- Interact with customers to develop the images into their ideal products
- Transact the sale and collect the payment
- Manage the business accounts - keep the office running
5) What is the outlook for this type of career?
There are good jobs in all of these areas. The development of high quality digital cameras has given the average person the ability to create very good images at a reasonable cost, but the professional photographer will have the training, talent, tools and motivation to make better images. Price pressure will continue to force professionals to be more cost effective.
John Huegel is a photographer in the Erie, Pennsylvania area who specializes in Seniors, Dance Studio, Families and other groups. He is active in many charitable and volunteer activities in the Erie area. His work can be seen at http://jhphotomusic.com
There are many different jobs which involve photography, including:
-Portrait/studio/wedding - focusing on images of people and selling images to families and individuals
-Sports - action photos, from childrens' leagues up to professional and olympic levels
-Commercial/product photography - every ad has images taken by someone. Jewelry, food, automotive, and fashion photography are some examples.
-Artistic/landscape - scenic or artistically oriented images, often sold as artwork, postcards or tourist items
-Architectural - photos of buildings and other constructed items
-Forensic - used in police/detective work. Crime scene and related photography.
-Journalism - un-staged real-life images for newspaper and magazines
-School/event - school pictures, sports teams, church and other groups where high volume is typical.
-Stock photography - images taken that other people will buy and use for advertising and other purposes
There other other specialties such as astrophtography and microphotography.
Frequently Asked Questions about careers in Photography
1) What skills do I need to be successful as a photographer?
-Conceptual- the ability to understand your clients' needs and communicate with them
-Technical - the ability to identify, configure and use camera, lighting, and props to make images
-Editing - the ability to process captured images and edit them to meet the customers' needs
-Marketing - the ability to get your name out and to connect you and your business to your potential customer base
-Selling - the ability to earn money from your profession. Includes pricing, negotiating, meeting with customers, producing their final products
-Managing - Taking care of the day-to-day needs of a business or professional, including buying things, paying bills, covering insurance, taxes, permits, etc.
-Leading - Building and or working in a business environment where you need to create visions, define goals and actions, and implement them to grow the business
-Serving - Contacting and growing your customer base, measuring customer satisfaction, resolving customer issues.
You can see that only the Technical and Editing skills fall into traditional Photography/Computer skills. However, because photography involves a high degree of interpersonal communication and subjective needs of the customer base, you need to develop and posses good people skills - listening, documenting, creativity, follow-through, etc.
2) What education do I need to be successful in photography?
You will need to learn or be taught the technical aspects of photography - lighting, composition, camera science, image editing and production. Some people can learn this as they go. Others pursue a special degree or certificate from certain schools, or you can get a 4-year degree in arts/photography from a university. To be very well prepared, you should consider a minor in business or marketing or a minor in your chosen specialty field such as criminal justice, sports or journalism. This will give you an edge over any candidates who do not have this education.
3) What type of experience is required?
To be employable, you need to demonstrate competence in not just the technical areas of photography, but also the soft skills. I recommend building and growing a portfolio of your own images to show your technical and artistic development and skills. A demonstrated track record in any service industry (food service, retail, etc.) will demonstrate that you can work with people and satisfy their needs. Using your photo skills in volunteer areas will also grow your skills and breadth of experience.
You can often get work as a "second shooter" or assistant to professionals in your town. Your ability to take on the dirty work and learn on the job will increase your odds of success in finding entry level work.
4) What are the job duties of a photographer?
They vary highly from the job areas and the size of the business, but these are the general duties:
- Prepare marketing plans to advertise and promote your products and services
- Interact with customers on proposals to secure the job
- Prepare for photo sessions - logistics/planning, coordinating equipment, props, models, permits, etc.
- Conduct the photo session
- Edit and backup the images
- Publish and/or make the images available for customer review
- Interact with customers to develop the images into their ideal products
- Transact the sale and collect the payment
- Manage the business accounts - keep the office running
5) What is the outlook for this type of career?
There are good jobs in all of these areas. The development of high quality digital cameras has given the average person the ability to create very good images at a reasonable cost, but the professional photographer will have the training, talent, tools and motivation to make better images. Price pressure will continue to force professionals to be more cost effective.
John Huegel is a photographer in the Erie, Pennsylvania area who specializes in Seniors, Dance Studio, Families and other groups. He is active in many charitable and volunteer activities in the Erie area. His work can be seen at http://jhphotomusic.com
Friday, December 5, 2008
How to Edit Photos - Easy Ways to Enhance Your Photos
By Susan Schlenger
Some people are just pro's at taking great pictures. But most people just take average pictures. If you are one of them, you can edit photos in very easy ways and improve them dramatically.
Sure, you can have a good or great digital camera, adjust the settings as you are supposed to, and even produce a good picture. But sometimes it just doesn't look quite as good as it could.
And even if it does look pretty good...pretty darn good...I would venture to say that with some simple photo editing, your picture can be great.
Here are the main types ways to edit photos which can greatly improve your images:
1. Saturation
2. Lightness and Darkness
3. Sharpening
Do you have to do all of them? Maybe. And maybe not. You can try each one to see if it enhances your image or not.
Saturation
This adjustment will make colors more vivid. How about making the sky in your landscape just a bit bluer and the grass a bit greener?
Most photo editing programs will adjust, or saturate, all elements in the photo. However, some of the more sophisticated ones will let you select areas to manipulate while leaving the rest of the picture alone. It all depends on which software you are using.
Be careful not to over do it, as your goal is to enhance it while still keeping it real looking. Saturate just a little bit at a time, and increase it if you feel it could use some more. You can always reverse your editing.
Brightness and Contrast
Sometimes a picture might come out too dark. By using this adjustment, you can lighten it up and make it brighter. Likewise, there are some images that need to darkened, or toned down. These manipulations can make a big difference in the quality of the photo. By adjusting the contrast, you can make a photo softer or more vivid.
Sharpening
This is something I try to be careful with. If you over sharpen, things can start to look jagged. In addition, sometimes a softer look can be very nice. You can sharpen slightly to see if this improves the image or not.
When editing, I like to use software that let you see the before and after images side by side. This helps in judging whether the picture is improved with each subsequent edit.
There are many free photo editing software programs that will work and be simple to use. If you want to really get involved in photo editing, you might also try one of the more sophisticated programs. They offer many more types of photo manipulations.
Some have a steep learning curve if you want to learn the more intricate manipulations. However, most of them let you start out in a simple way. If you find one that you feel you might like, see if they have a trial period so that you can try it out. Once again, many photo editing programs are free.
If you want to consider additional types of photo editing, here are a few you will find in most programs:
* Cropping
* Red-eye Removal
* Resizing
* Sepia
* Highlights and Shadows - more sophisticated software
* Exposure - more sophisticated software
Susan Schlenger is a professional landscape designer and has been working with digital photography online for 10 years. You can read more about editing digital photos at Edit Photos.
Some people are just pro's at taking great pictures. But most people just take average pictures. If you are one of them, you can edit photos in very easy ways and improve them dramatically.
Sure, you can have a good or great digital camera, adjust the settings as you are supposed to, and even produce a good picture. But sometimes it just doesn't look quite as good as it could.
And even if it does look pretty good...pretty darn good...I would venture to say that with some simple photo editing, your picture can be great.
Here are the main types ways to edit photos which can greatly improve your images:
1. Saturation
2. Lightness and Darkness
3. Sharpening
Do you have to do all of them? Maybe. And maybe not. You can try each one to see if it enhances your image or not.
Saturation
This adjustment will make colors more vivid. How about making the sky in your landscape just a bit bluer and the grass a bit greener?
Most photo editing programs will adjust, or saturate, all elements in the photo. However, some of the more sophisticated ones will let you select areas to manipulate while leaving the rest of the picture alone. It all depends on which software you are using.
Be careful not to over do it, as your goal is to enhance it while still keeping it real looking. Saturate just a little bit at a time, and increase it if you feel it could use some more. You can always reverse your editing.
Brightness and Contrast
Sometimes a picture might come out too dark. By using this adjustment, you can lighten it up and make it brighter. Likewise, there are some images that need to darkened, or toned down. These manipulations can make a big difference in the quality of the photo. By adjusting the contrast, you can make a photo softer or more vivid.
Sharpening
This is something I try to be careful with. If you over sharpen, things can start to look jagged. In addition, sometimes a softer look can be very nice. You can sharpen slightly to see if this improves the image or not.
When editing, I like to use software that let you see the before and after images side by side. This helps in judging whether the picture is improved with each subsequent edit.
There are many free photo editing software programs that will work and be simple to use. If you want to really get involved in photo editing, you might also try one of the more sophisticated programs. They offer many more types of photo manipulations.
Some have a steep learning curve if you want to learn the more intricate manipulations. However, most of them let you start out in a simple way. If you find one that you feel you might like, see if they have a trial period so that you can try it out. Once again, many photo editing programs are free.
If you want to consider additional types of photo editing, here are a few you will find in most programs:
* Cropping
* Red-eye Removal
* Resizing
* Sepia
* Highlights and Shadows - more sophisticated software
* Exposure - more sophisticated software
Susan Schlenger is a professional landscape designer and has been working with digital photography online for 10 years. You can read more about editing digital photos at Edit Photos.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Face it - Tips on Having an Awesome Headshot
By Lynn M. Scheurell
We humans think in pictures. And your profile photo, or headshot, captures your essence so anyone who sees it can see your story in a moment. A good headshot will illuminate your inner light, show your personality and give a peek into your life. In a professional context, this is vital to activate sharing your innate message with the world (who you are) as well as create a connection point with your potential and current clients.
A long time ago, in another land far away, I was a Glamour Shots photographer - yes, it's true. And now, by using the ancient art of Chinese face reading with my clients, I have seen A LOT of profile photos! Without further ado, here are a few tips from what I have seen that can make all the difference in you having an awesome headshot.
1. No distractions! If you are in a social environment, or a friend casually snaps your photo while the guy in the background is reaching for a soda, or you're in front of an art exhibit, you are competing with your environment for a good headshot. Let the background be neutral to really show YOU off!
2. No lopping off friends! I see it time and time again... people are hanging with their friends, arm in arm, and they like how they look, so they simply chop off anyone else in the picture. Not only is that not healthy energetically, it's a disservice to you because people are relating to you relating to that person in the photo vs. the person looking at your headshot. That is two completely different relationships, obviously... if you're looking to attract business, don't use a shot where you're hangin' with your homies!
3. No body shots! A headshot on a web page is already small, so if you decide to use that photo of yourself dressed up in full, you are taking valuable "real estate" away from your headshot. Your head ends up being smaller than a postage stamp, and it's really not enough for people to get the feel of your energy. A headshot is just that... a HEADshot!
4. Good lighting! If your headshot has funny shadows, harsh lighting (which will age you), you're squinty in the sun, or your face is looming in from a dark background (as in, your picture being taken at a social club), it's not working for you. Natural lighting is great, or a professional photographer will know how to use light to complement your features. It's all about the lighting!!!
5. The eyes are the windows to the soul! This is the connection place between you and the person seeing your headshot - this is how you engage people when you're not there. If you are friendly, approachable, and/or playful, it's likely people will want to connect with you. Eye contact shows whether you are open to relationship in some manner or if you are closed for business. If you're doing a stare-down, not looking at the camera, or wearing sunglasses, you're not giving your people the opportunity to engage with your light. Eye contact is a key to your emotional being and is just as important in a headshot as it is in person.
6. Creativity wins! If you want to do a profile shot with a quick look at the camera, or catch yourself in the middle of a good laugh, or want to wear something that is "you", do it! A picture paints a thousand words... and in business, your headshot can attract you thousands of dollars. Your headshot shows what is important to you, so capture your personality in the moment. Let your headshot reflect who you are - after all, that's who people want to know.
7. Supermodels are out! A good headshot isn't about being glammed up to the point where people in your world wouldn't recognize you. This is about you being you, comfortable in your skin and inviting people to come play (and do business) with you. There is no need to glob on the make-up or wear clothes that you wouldn't normally wear. It's vital that you be your natural self that happens to be getting a picture taken because THAT is the most attractive quality you have - YOU!
It doesn't take much to have a great headshot - a little attention to detail, some decent lighting, allowing your personality to shine through and you've got great face! So get out there and share those baby blues and pearly whites with the world - we're waiting for you!!!
Lynn Scheurell, Creative Catalyst, works with soul-driven entrepreneurs to create a livelihood from their true purpose. This type of business development requires extreme personal clarity in combination with innovation and active implementation of proven business practices. Download a free report to learn "The Seven Deadly Mistakes That Keep Soul-Driven Business Owners from Making Money" at http://www.mycreativecatalyst.com
We humans think in pictures. And your profile photo, or headshot, captures your essence so anyone who sees it can see your story in a moment. A good headshot will illuminate your inner light, show your personality and give a peek into your life. In a professional context, this is vital to activate sharing your innate message with the world (who you are) as well as create a connection point with your potential and current clients.
A long time ago, in another land far away, I was a Glamour Shots photographer - yes, it's true. And now, by using the ancient art of Chinese face reading with my clients, I have seen A LOT of profile photos! Without further ado, here are a few tips from what I have seen that can make all the difference in you having an awesome headshot.
1. No distractions! If you are in a social environment, or a friend casually snaps your photo while the guy in the background is reaching for a soda, or you're in front of an art exhibit, you are competing with your environment for a good headshot. Let the background be neutral to really show YOU off!
2. No lopping off friends! I see it time and time again... people are hanging with their friends, arm in arm, and they like how they look, so they simply chop off anyone else in the picture. Not only is that not healthy energetically, it's a disservice to you because people are relating to you relating to that person in the photo vs. the person looking at your headshot. That is two completely different relationships, obviously... if you're looking to attract business, don't use a shot where you're hangin' with your homies!
3. No body shots! A headshot on a web page is already small, so if you decide to use that photo of yourself dressed up in full, you are taking valuable "real estate" away from your headshot. Your head ends up being smaller than a postage stamp, and it's really not enough for people to get the feel of your energy. A headshot is just that... a HEADshot!
4. Good lighting! If your headshot has funny shadows, harsh lighting (which will age you), you're squinty in the sun, or your face is looming in from a dark background (as in, your picture being taken at a social club), it's not working for you. Natural lighting is great, or a professional photographer will know how to use light to complement your features. It's all about the lighting!!!
5. The eyes are the windows to the soul! This is the connection place between you and the person seeing your headshot - this is how you engage people when you're not there. If you are friendly, approachable, and/or playful, it's likely people will want to connect with you. Eye contact shows whether you are open to relationship in some manner or if you are closed for business. If you're doing a stare-down, not looking at the camera, or wearing sunglasses, you're not giving your people the opportunity to engage with your light. Eye contact is a key to your emotional being and is just as important in a headshot as it is in person.
6. Creativity wins! If you want to do a profile shot with a quick look at the camera, or catch yourself in the middle of a good laugh, or want to wear something that is "you", do it! A picture paints a thousand words... and in business, your headshot can attract you thousands of dollars. Your headshot shows what is important to you, so capture your personality in the moment. Let your headshot reflect who you are - after all, that's who people want to know.
7. Supermodels are out! A good headshot isn't about being glammed up to the point where people in your world wouldn't recognize you. This is about you being you, comfortable in your skin and inviting people to come play (and do business) with you. There is no need to glob on the make-up or wear clothes that you wouldn't normally wear. It's vital that you be your natural self that happens to be getting a picture taken because THAT is the most attractive quality you have - YOU!
It doesn't take much to have a great headshot - a little attention to detail, some decent lighting, allowing your personality to shine through and you've got great face! So get out there and share those baby blues and pearly whites with the world - we're waiting for you!!!
Lynn Scheurell, Creative Catalyst, works with soul-driven entrepreneurs to create a livelihood from their true purpose. This type of business development requires extreme personal clarity in combination with innovation and active implementation of proven business practices. Download a free report to learn "The Seven Deadly Mistakes That Keep Soul-Driven Business Owners from Making Money" at http://www.mycreativecatalyst.com
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Lowest Price Digital Camera - How to Get It
By Marcus Roundout
These days, the digital camera has become the more popular choice for those seeking to make a brand new camera purchase. Lower prices over the past few years have enabled camera buffs of all ages and abilities to indulge in purchasing a digital camera. Without the need to constantly purchases a stock of film and then pay again for the developing, digital cameras have led to people being able to practice their art of photography to their hearts content without in becoming a financial burden. If you are on a budget, simply seek the lowest price. Digital camera technology enables the absolute beginner to snap a perfect shot following little instruction.
The variety available when seeking a new camera is rapidly increasing. Whether you search for the brand Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Casio, Kodak, Sony, Fuji or Panasonic, all these digital cameras can be obtained in both store sales and online for the lowest price. Digital camera purchasing may now offer a few too many choices rather than too few.
Sometimes the style of camera model may be the clincher when selecting a digital camera, even when searching only for a camera of the lowest price. Digital camera shape, color, size, or function can all play a part in the purchase decision, but sometimes the look alone can make the final decision. Perhaps you are looking for a sleek black compact model, or maybe a silver feature-filled style of camera fits your purpose better. You may alternatively prefer a red or green modern design.
Some of the features you may be concerned with include the zoom and megapixel counts. Zoom comes in both optical and digital zoon, and frequently a combination of the two is offered. The megapixel count may be of importance to you, the better models of digital camera having the higher rating if you have a choice between models of the lowest price. Digital camera features also include various sizes of on-screen display. If you want to ensure the optimum photograph before taking it, a larger display screen will offer extra detail.
Some purchasers of the lowest price digital camera may make their choice based on the battery. There are two main styles of battery, the easily inserted and often rechargeable AA size regular camera battery and the smaller watch-like batteries made from materials such as lithium-ion. These also are rechargeable, and some camera packages offer a free recharger among their contents. Cheap priced battery chargers for digital camera batteries are also purchasable from most camera stores, both online and off.
The higher classed models available on the market often come with a variety of detachable lenses. These may add to the zoom capacity, or simple alter the photographic image. Some lenses allow for fisheye shots, others cater for distortions or microscopic imaging. These tend to appeal most to the camera buff seeking something new in their images, or the expert, professional photographer who needs to cover a wide range of options for their occupational use of the digital camera.
Some of the more expensive brands and styles of digital camera can still be purchased at a lower rate during sales and other opportunities to buy at the lowest price. Digital camera sales increase at sales time accordingly. However, this can also happen when a camera store sells off former stock to make way for new models, at which time many fantastic bargains are obtainable, allowing for purchasers to buy a better model with their money than they expected.
If you are simply searching for an everyday digital camera at a great price, many of the features will be irrelevant and you simply need to ensure that all necessary items are included to save further purchases later on. The essentials generally include batteries, a battery recharger, a camera case, and a memory card or USB attachment, the latter two enabling you to transfer your pictures from camera to computer or printed photograph. These complete camera packages can be located online or in sale for the lowest price. Digital camera use is now within everyone's budget.
If you want to find the best source for the Lowest Price Digital Camera, then your search has ended.
You will also find thousands and thousands of the lowest priced consumer electronics at Consumer Home Electronics
These days, the digital camera has become the more popular choice for those seeking to make a brand new camera purchase. Lower prices over the past few years have enabled camera buffs of all ages and abilities to indulge in purchasing a digital camera. Without the need to constantly purchases a stock of film and then pay again for the developing, digital cameras have led to people being able to practice their art of photography to their hearts content without in becoming a financial burden. If you are on a budget, simply seek the lowest price. Digital camera technology enables the absolute beginner to snap a perfect shot following little instruction.
The variety available when seeking a new camera is rapidly increasing. Whether you search for the brand Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Casio, Kodak, Sony, Fuji or Panasonic, all these digital cameras can be obtained in both store sales and online for the lowest price. Digital camera purchasing may now offer a few too many choices rather than too few.
Sometimes the style of camera model may be the clincher when selecting a digital camera, even when searching only for a camera of the lowest price. Digital camera shape, color, size, or function can all play a part in the purchase decision, but sometimes the look alone can make the final decision. Perhaps you are looking for a sleek black compact model, or maybe a silver feature-filled style of camera fits your purpose better. You may alternatively prefer a red or green modern design.
Some of the features you may be concerned with include the zoom and megapixel counts. Zoom comes in both optical and digital zoon, and frequently a combination of the two is offered. The megapixel count may be of importance to you, the better models of digital camera having the higher rating if you have a choice between models of the lowest price. Digital camera features also include various sizes of on-screen display. If you want to ensure the optimum photograph before taking it, a larger display screen will offer extra detail.
Some purchasers of the lowest price digital camera may make their choice based on the battery. There are two main styles of battery, the easily inserted and often rechargeable AA size regular camera battery and the smaller watch-like batteries made from materials such as lithium-ion. These also are rechargeable, and some camera packages offer a free recharger among their contents. Cheap priced battery chargers for digital camera batteries are also purchasable from most camera stores, both online and off.
The higher classed models available on the market often come with a variety of detachable lenses. These may add to the zoom capacity, or simple alter the photographic image. Some lenses allow for fisheye shots, others cater for distortions or microscopic imaging. These tend to appeal most to the camera buff seeking something new in their images, or the expert, professional photographer who needs to cover a wide range of options for their occupational use of the digital camera.
Some of the more expensive brands and styles of digital camera can still be purchased at a lower rate during sales and other opportunities to buy at the lowest price. Digital camera sales increase at sales time accordingly. However, this can also happen when a camera store sells off former stock to make way for new models, at which time many fantastic bargains are obtainable, allowing for purchasers to buy a better model with their money than they expected.
If you are simply searching for an everyday digital camera at a great price, many of the features will be irrelevant and you simply need to ensure that all necessary items are included to save further purchases later on. The essentials generally include batteries, a battery recharger, a camera case, and a memory card or USB attachment, the latter two enabling you to transfer your pictures from camera to computer or printed photograph. These complete camera packages can be located online or in sale for the lowest price. Digital camera use is now within everyone's budget.
If you want to find the best source for the Lowest Price Digital Camera, then your search has ended.
You will also find thousands and thousands of the lowest priced consumer electronics at Consumer Home Electronics
Monday, December 1, 2008
Digital Photography Tips - What's Wrong With This Picture? Part I
By Martin Hurley
What's wrong with this picture? Hey, what's wrong with your pictures? Look, I've got news for you if you're a photographer trying to sell your photos online. There's some things you really NEED to do in order to sell more photos. So read this article. It's about to give you a few digital photography tips on how to tweak your photos just right so that buyers absolutely love them...
Firstly, if you've already been shooting some pictures, I want you to take a good hard look at them. Then I want you to visit some of the top stock photo websites and see what type of images are popular. Keep your mind open to ideas here. The stock photo world is HUGE... And there's always a need for good 'art photography' as there is for travel, close up, people, animal photography, etc.
Now as you observe some of the more popular stock photographs, you'll see that the photographer not only captures a stunning image, but often there's a lot of 'use-able space' in the image. What I mean is that, more often than not, a good stock photo is composed of not only a beautiful image, but also enough space so that a photo buyer, or art director, can add some specific text or a headline to the image.
In fact, try this. Go to Cnn.com or Time.com and look at the photo based advertisements that run on these sites. See how a lot of the photo advertising uses words (headline or text, inside the photo) to explain the story further? The photo gets your attention... and the words 'pull' you in. So, when you go to shoot stock photos, not only do you want to capture a great image, but you want to leave some 'space' in there so your photo is attractive for advertisers too!
Thus you discover that many of the good stock photos have a careful composition to them. Think about the photo buyer for a minute. Think about how your photo can help 'sell' or promote their product. Are you creating photos with enough space or room to move? Study this stuff. It's one photography tip you can take to the bank, believe me!
Martin Hurley's http://photomarketeers.com site will show you how to sell your photos online, how to set up a profitable photo website and how to easily get marketing your photography. Download a free guide to creating a stunning WordPress blog and uncover amazing digital photography tips while you're at it!
(c) Martin Hurley 2008
What's wrong with this picture? Hey, what's wrong with your pictures? Look, I've got news for you if you're a photographer trying to sell your photos online. There's some things you really NEED to do in order to sell more photos. So read this article. It's about to give you a few digital photography tips on how to tweak your photos just right so that buyers absolutely love them...
Firstly, if you've already been shooting some pictures, I want you to take a good hard look at them. Then I want you to visit some of the top stock photo websites and see what type of images are popular. Keep your mind open to ideas here. The stock photo world is HUGE... And there's always a need for good 'art photography' as there is for travel, close up, people, animal photography, etc.
Now as you observe some of the more popular stock photographs, you'll see that the photographer not only captures a stunning image, but often there's a lot of 'use-able space' in the image. What I mean is that, more often than not, a good stock photo is composed of not only a beautiful image, but also enough space so that a photo buyer, or art director, can add some specific text or a headline to the image.
In fact, try this. Go to Cnn.com or Time.com and look at the photo based advertisements that run on these sites. See how a lot of the photo advertising uses words (headline or text, inside the photo) to explain the story further? The photo gets your attention... and the words 'pull' you in. So, when you go to shoot stock photos, not only do you want to capture a great image, but you want to leave some 'space' in there so your photo is attractive for advertisers too!
Thus you discover that many of the good stock photos have a careful composition to them. Think about the photo buyer for a minute. Think about how your photo can help 'sell' or promote their product. Are you creating photos with enough space or room to move? Study this stuff. It's one photography tip you can take to the bank, believe me!
Martin Hurley's http://photomarketeers.com site will show you how to sell your photos online, how to set up a profitable photo website and how to easily get marketing your photography. Download a free guide to creating a stunning WordPress blog and uncover amazing digital photography tips while you're at it!
(c) Martin Hurley 2008
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