Digital Photography Secrets - Creating Breathtaking Landscape Photos

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Geoff White

Get more help on taking digital photography landscapes and other ways to get the best from your digital camera.

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

Top Camera Brands - Shopping Guide

Looking among the top camera brands and can't decide which one to choose? Maybe this article can help you there. For example, choosing between a Canon and a Kodak camera might seem difficult because they're both well known manufacturers. If you want to do stage photography, you should probably go with Kodak cameras, but if you need pictures during sporting events or outdoors, Canon might be a better choice for you. There are a lot more Kodak digital cameras sold every year, but the cameras of choice for professional photographers are either Canons or Nikon.

A little known fact among consumers is that Canon cameras will always be better than Kodaks. As a former sales person in the camera business, I can tell you that Kodak cameras have a bigger rate of returns than Canon models do, and they also feel a bit cheap when you look at them closely. On the other hand, when you use a Canon, you never get that cheap feeling and the return rate is very small. Not to mention the better features that come with their digital cameras. Both my parents and a good friend of mine chose Canon cameras based on my advice and they absolutely love it and they're happy with their choice. If you think about it, there really isn't a competition. It's enough to take a look at the cameras used by professionals. They know what they're doing, and if they're spending their money on Canon digital cameras, so should you. And, it's better to buy a cheaper and older model from Canon than to spend your money on a new Kodak, since chances are that the Canon will still have better features.

If you're not convinced with Canon, go with Nikon digital cameras, but avoid Kodak since there are much better brands out there. However, if you can, pick Canon. You can adapt any kit lens to a Canon camera, even if it wasn't designed for them.

Consider all the experience that Canon has with providing digital SLR cameras for professional photographers and think how easy it is for them to adapt the latest technologies and bring them to digital cameras made especially for regular consumers.

Whenever you choose a digital camera, don't look just at the name of the manufacturer. Make sure you check the online reviews and you learn what each features does, so you make conscious decisions. Spending a few hundred dollars on a camera is not a joke so it shouldn't be a spur of the moment decision.

By Chris Campbell

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

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

Boudoir Photography

p align="justify">In the 1700's, the term "boudoir" referred to the dressing and bathing room of a woman, complete with romantic furniture, floral arrangements and beautiful fragrances; the boudoir was a place for women to pamper themselves and indulge in feminine luxuries. Today, boudoir, a term derived from a French verb, meaning, "to pout," has become one of the most popular forms of personal glamour photography.

Wardrobe:

Boudoir photography describes a style of romantic photography that implies nudity, without the subject actually being nude. The boudoir client is most typically wearing lingerie or sexy under garments, or could even be fully dressed, somewhat scantily. Some boudoir subjects are draped in a robe or soft, sometimes sheer wrap, just enough to silhouette her shapely figure. The most important thing to remember is that boudoir photography is not about nudity; it is more about sensuality and romance.

Pose:

To capture the interest and imagination of the viewer, the subject's pose is just as important as her wardrobe. This is where the experience and expertise of the photographer is demonstrated. In composing a boudoir photo shoot, the creativity and imagination of the photographer plays an important role in the success of the shoot. An experienced boudoir photographer knows lighting affects the shot, and can visualize the many different angles to shoot their subject, for the utmost sensual, and sexy shot. Another important fact to keep in mind is that in most instances, the boudoir client is not a professional model, so the photographer should have the uncanny ability to make the subject comfortable and at ease, while at the same time, making her feel sexy and sensual.

The Set:

Most boudoir sets are staged with natural and soft lights and resemble a romantic, sometimes Victorian-styled bedroom. A beautiful set, with soft colors and lighting helps the subject to relax. Creating a "dreamy" atmosphere helps the subject feel more sensual and beautiful, which ensures the success of the photo shoot. Music is also a powerful tool in making a subject more comfortable in their surroundings. If you chose to have music playing in the background, pick something that is soothing and romantic, possibly classical music. This will subconsciously help the subject relax and be more at ease with the photo shoot.

The premises of boudoir photography are love, affection, romance, and giving. Female Boudoir Photography is almost always done tastefully and using classy props to enhance the feeling of romance and richness; it is a collaboration between the subject and the photographer, and the more prepared both are, the more your subject will be able to enjoy her day of romance.

Boudoir studio shoots makes a great sexy gift for someone you are romantically involved with. Many women, perhaps trying to rekindle the romance, get boudoir photos as a gift for their lovers. Others just want to give a fun and sexy present, either for birthday or anniversary.

By Tony Mandarich

Tony Mandarich, along with his wife Char, own and operate Mandarich Models , the edgy, dynamic glamour division of Mandarich Photography, specializing in boudoir photography.

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

Have Fun With Photos and Puzzles

Everyone loves photos and most people enjoy doing puzzles, but until now there was no way to combine these two interests into one meaningful, unique and memorable item.

It is now possible to send your favorite photos to a web based service that can organize them and design them on to a puzzle board that contains real puzzle pieces. Called a photo montage or photo collage puzzle, these jigsaws are extremely fun to put together more so than any other type of puzzle, because you are actually putting the pieces of your life together!

You can choose any type of photos or theme for your puzzles, including:

• family photos

• children's photos

• photos of pets

• work related photos

• a photo history of someone growing up from childhood to adulthood

• fun and cheeky photos

• your professional photography portfolio

As you can see, there really is no limit to what you can achieve with a photo collage puzzle. It is easy to gather together a collection of pictures and send them in to be put together as a single image collage, and then printed on to a photo.

What To Do With Photo Collage Puzzles
You can give them away as gifts, as they are a highly unique and personalized present idea. Some ideas of when and who would enjoy a photo puzzle as a gift includes:

• The retiree

• Your parents for their wedding anniversary

• Someone's 21st, 50th or other iconic birthday

• The new mother

• A wedding

• Christmas gift

• Someone who is leaving to go overseas for a long period

These are just some of the situations where a gift of a puzzle photo collage would be appreciated and treasured. The collage can be put together to represent the life of the gift recipient and you can also add a personal message or a poem to the collage. The first time the puzzle is put together it will reveal the kind words and the images and will absolutely astound the person who received the gift!

You can really have fun with photos and puzzles thanks to photo collage jigsaw puzzles. Just tracking down your very favorite photos and including them in the collage can result in a fantastic gift for someone, or just something to keep for yourself. It truly is an item that will last forever and provide a lifetime of memories and joy.

By Colin Southwell

For a unique gift that is sure to delight your family and friends, visit Jigsaw2order.com to discover how easy it is to order a photo collage jigsaw puzzle.

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

Photo Collage Ideas - 6 Good Reasons to Create a Photo Collage

Have you ever wanted to be an artist but can't draw more than a stick figure? I'm just one of those kinds of people but there are now alternatives to canvas and paint. Using a computer, it is now possible to create art in the form of a Photo Collage. You can create a collages of almost anything but the most popular choices are from photos of your family and friends, or to celebrate an event. You can put as many pictures together in the same frame as you want, blend them, resize them or highlight them. If this all sounds a bit too technical, then give the job to a professional collage designer to create a unique layout for you. A professionally created photo collage can be a beautiful thing!

But don't stop there, professional photo puzzle websites will not only design your collage layout but turn it into a Jigsaw Puzzle for you. This makes an amazing gift for someone close to you or a keepsake to hang on the wall. There are so many things you can do these days to preserve and display photos but a well designed collage of your favorite photos must be at the top of the list.

These Photo Collages have become popular for many reasons, here are six of them:

1. People today have access to more and more photos, either in a digital or hard copy print format. Whether your photos are Polaroid or Digital, from 1979 or 2009, a picture as they say speaks a thousand words. A picture collage puzzle not only gives a great way to display your photos but also interact with them bringing back fond memories.

2. A collage puzzle can be fun to put together for any age. What other way of presenting your photos can give so much fun to any age group from grandparents to parents to grandchildren at the same time. The Photo Collage puzzle is truly ageless when it comes to entertainment.

3. Add a gorgeous frame and the picture that is now a puzzle becomes a portrait, a tribute to the photos you want to display and the people or places in them. The time it takes to assemble them brings a family together and framing the artwork makes it even more beautiful.

4. A collage designed from your holiday photos is a great way to remember your vacation. If you are like me, you come back from holiday with hundreds of photos - most of which never see the light of day. A picture collage is a great way to bring these vacation memories to life and relive the moments while making the puzzle.

5. No one need get left out in a well-made picture collage. Unless you want them left out. And that's up to you. You pick the design, the photos, words and everything else.

6. With a photo collage, you have many preserved memories together in one. My son's fourth grade teacher made a collage of her entire class and gave them out at the end of the year. The children all signed the back. It was such an interesting idea and my son will be forever grateful for the memory that his teacher created for him.

A photo collage, especially one made into a jigsaw puzzle, is a wonderful keepsake for any family member or friend. Imagine what a professional company could do with your favorite photos, with all the options available in digital software these days. Add your favorite color background to your hand-picked variety of favorite photos to make a beautiful collage. Us this layout to create a puzzle and you have made your favorite memories more fun than ever.

By Colin Southwell

Would your like a Photo Collage Jigsaw Puzzle made from your photos? To discover more about making a unique Photo Collage Puzzle, visit Jigsaw2order.com

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

Understanding Digital Camera Filters

There are so many features of digital cameras that make them unique in comparison to the traditional cameras. One such feature is digital camera filter. The filters function for the digital photography in the same way as they do in the traditional cameras. The filters can adjust the light entering into the digital camera in many different and favorable ways. It works in a way that post processing cannot be duplicated easily.

The digital camera filters are the devices for pre-processing the image. In the post-processing, the optical filters foster the maximum visual impact, maximum photo realism and various things in between. The mounted filter adds to the risk of burn, among a few other downsides that are not unique to the digital cameras. But it does not come to anything more serious when you will see any photographic challenge being nicely addressed by a digital camera filter. When you will compare the cost and benefit factors of the digital camera filters, it amounts to be much favorable. Indeed, it is not uncommon for the filters to make things difficult.

The working of the filters is pretty much the same with both the film and digital cameras. There are some digital cameras that are more liable to blow out high lights as compared to the traditional film cameras. The filters, in this case, reduce the excess contrast and greatly help on the side of digital. Still, most of the digital cameras are less UV-sensitive. The ordinary UV filters rarely deliver some worth to the added risk of flare. The infrared filters are considered to be much easier in use on the digital side. The users can actually enjoy working with them.

Many filters that are commonly used are handed out to match the recording and working functions of the digital cameras. the UV cut, neutral density, polarizing, close-up filters all fall into the more or less same category. The UV and IR pass filters serve to extend to the reach of digital photographer away from the visible spectrum. The effects of the camera are difficult to further duplicate in the post-processing activities.

There are different types of filters available in the market. Creative filters alter the light directly to make the images warm, accent, soft, green, red and so on. Many effects of the creative filters can be duplicated comfortably in the post-processing activities. The protective filters are widely used to safeguard the expensive or replaceable camera optics.

It is also important for you to learn how to mount and size the filters on digital cameras. It is often seen that anyone who buys the filters for a digital camera faces problem on practical issues sooner or later. There are some technical things that you must think beforehand. The two practical issues can be solved by knowing well about the mounting method and the size. Well they can be different from one camera to the other. Camera variations can still be inevitable, but it is important to know about the basic working of the digital camera filter.

By Danny Feildman

Did you enjoy this article? Interested in Dominating Digital Photography? Well now you can by reading this Digital Photography Blog...what are you waiting for?

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

Learning Basic Digital Photography

How to take a perfect photo? Grab a camera, look through it's small window to view your subject, and press the button; and there you have it, picture perfect!

We all wish photography is as easy as this. However, there is so much to take note of and so many to consider before one can learn beginning photography. Before the mention of the complicated terms like focus, aperture, or shutter speed, it pays to know the very basics-the basic components of a camera.

A camera has a number of components by the way; but as a beginner, we can start familiarizing ourselves with the simplest ones. And when we say simple, we exclude digital photography first.

Number one component to familiarize on is the viewfinder. It is the small window we use to view our subjects. Every photographer looks through the viewfinder to take a photo perfect.

Number two is the shutter release. This is the button we press to take our photos. This button releases the shutter mechanism.

Number three, of course, is the shutter. The shutter controls the amount of time the light exposes the film, thus imprinting the image we wanted to capture.

Our number four then should be the lens. This component generally draws light in to the camera.

And lastly, number five, is the camera body. This is basically the entire casing that holds all the camera parts.

Even with just these basic information in mind, we can be much more confident the next time we bring our camera with us. We can easily answer and even identify when a friend asks basic questions about our camera and its parts. However, it is very important that we should not stop here. We should progress and even more familiarize ourselves with all the components. We should learn everything that we can to make us appreciate more the beauty of photography, the beauty no other art forms can capture.

By Benjo Castillo

To learn more about "Basic Digital Photography", visit: http://www.photographyenhanced.com
About Benjo Castillo:
Benjo Castillo is an Engineer, a freelance Photographer and the owner of http://www.photographyenhanced.com Taking up photography as a hobby, and for pleasure, he quickly develops a passion for the art.

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

Shoot Like a Pro - Macro Photography Equipment

Macro photography is an exciting segment of photography and can be very rewarding if done properly. Below, I've listed a few things you will need to get started with notes about each one.

1. Macro Lens. Many cameras let you set your focus so that you are very close to your subject, a macro lens lets you focus much closer, and should let you get to a 1:1 ratio where your subject is exactly the same size as your image. Most lens manufacturers produce Macro lenses in a 100mm or 105mm length, and some also make 150mm or 200mm lenses. The advantage of the longer lens is that you don't need to be as close to your subject in order to get the 1:1 ration. This can be advantageous when shooting wildlife or subjects that move. Most underwater housings have ports for 100/105mm lenses.

2. Tripod. Because you are focused so close to your subject, your depth of field will be very small. To help counter this, you will need to shoot at f16 or higher which means your shutter speed will be very slow. This mandates a tripod. A tripod will also help when setting up your shot. Removing any center columns and mounting your head as close to the tripod collar will help you get as low to the ground as possible. Some tripods let you invert the center column and lower the camera all the way to the ground. This is helpful, but can be awkward because your camera is upside down. Some tripods are designed so that their legs will extend out flat, which is perfect for macro photography.

3. Flash. With a small depth of field and large aperture, you will need to add in as much light as possible to your image, and this is where your flash comes in. You can use a normal flash that sits on top of your camera, or a ring flash that attaches to your lens and gives you light from all angles. Alternatively, you can also find a bar that enables you to use two flashes (one on each side of your camera),

4. Remote Cord for Your Flash. Attach one end of the cord to your hot shoe on your camera, and the other to your flash, and voila! You can now move your flash where you like. Try using your flash at different angles and power settings to produce different effects.

5. Reflectors. Reflectors are flexible, coated discs that are usually colored and can be aimed to reflect light where you want it. I usually carry at least one small one in my bag specifically for macro. They fold up into almost nothing and lie flat for easy packing. I like one with a 'soft gold' coating and often place it under flowers to reflect light up underneath the flower. This usually brings light onto the stem and base of the flower adding depth. It is a subtle thing, and can bring your images to that next level.

6. Flash Diffuser. These soften the light from your flash, which can help give your images a more natural look. Most diffusers are white, but you can also put colored film over your flash to bring specific colors into your image.

7. Remote Cord for Your Camera. Some cameras use a cable release while others use a wireless remote. Either one will let you trigger the shutter without moving the camera. Given the very slow shutter speeds, these will help to reduce motion blur. Alternatively, Some cameras have a 2 sec timer, which can also be used to help eliminate camera movement.

8. Extension Rings or Tubes. These are rings of varying thickness that you attach between your lens and the camera. They don't have any glass in them, but should have electronic connectors. They let you focus even closer than your lens normally would.

9. Macro Focusing Rail. As you focus the lens, the magnification changes. In some cases it may be best to set the focus and move the camera until you have the desired subject in focus. Mount your camera on the focusing rail, then mount the rail onto your tripod. The rail enables you to move the camera in very small increments to bring your subject into focus.

This may sound like a lot, but once you have some of this equipment in your bag, you will find yourself reaching for it all of the time. It may take some practice to coordinate the tripod, flash and reflector, but once you have it down, you will see your macro images improve dramatically.

By Colin A McNulty

Colin McNulty has worked as a Natural History Guide and Professional Photographer for over 18 years. He now operates an Adventure Travel site where he offers natural history expeditions to remote destinations around the world. For more information on photography and exciting destinations, visit http://www.rosmaru.com Colin offers regularly updated photo tips on his site http://www.rosmaru.com/photography

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

Underwater Cameras - How to Choose the Right One

Underwater photography can be an exciting adventure. Choosing your underwater camera is the first step. But how do you pick from the dozens of choices out there? Here are some pointers to help you choose a camera for underwater photography.

Buy a camera and housing separate or together?

I recommend you buy a camera that will perform well underwater and above water. Check the reviews of the camera on dpreview, or on another camera review site. All cameras will need a plastic case called a waterproof housing, which will keep your camera waterproof up to at least 100ft. Some companies, like Sea & Sea and Sealife, sell housings and cameras as one package. If you are considering one of these, make sure you know what the actual brand of the camera is, and check the reviews on it. If you can't find out who actually makes the camera, that's not a good sign.

Underwater Housing Manufacturers

If you purchase a camera and underwater housing separately, I would look at housings from Canon, Fuji, Olympus or Ikelite. An underwater housing will cost at least $150.

How many Megapixels?

I would not worry too much about Megapixels, 6 megapixels is usually more than enough for most purposes.

Full manual controls

If you think you will ever want to take more than snapshots with your camera underwater, I'd recommend looking for a camera with full manual controls. This will definitely narrow your search down dramatically.

Manual white balance

When shooting underwater without a flash, having the ability to set your white balance manually is an important feature, and it much more accurate than an "underwater mode" that some cameras provide.

My favorite brands

Canon, Fuji, Nikon, Olympus, and Sea & Sea all make good cameras or sell camera/housing combinations that perform well underwater. You probably will not go wrong with any of these choices. Before buying a camera, make sure there is an underwater housing available - a quick good search will give you the answer.

By Scott Gietler

Scott Gietler is an experienced underwater photographer who lives in Los Angeles, California. He runs the web site Underwater Photography Guide, where you can find information on underwater photography equipment, settings, composition and technique for beginners and advanced photographers, and is the author of 60 Underwater Photography Tips.

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

Photography Tips From a Pro on Shooting in Low Light

Focus is critical, pixels are cheap

If you are shooting wide open, which is at the camera's largest aperture, your depth of field will be correspondingly shallow. That means your focus is going to be even more critical than otherwise. Pick a point that needs to be sharp and really pay attention to keeping that point sharp. Generally, if you are shooting people, the most important thing to keep sharp is the eyes. When I am shooting people I focus on the eyes, shoot, re-focus and shoot again...and then do it all over again. I can't tell you how much I hate to be editing and find that I have a potentially great shot, but out of focus eyes ruin the picture. I have found that if I am worried about an image not being sharp, I am usually right. Pixels are cheap...shoot enough to make sure you have your shot!

Shooting for stock, know your equipment, know your agency

If you are shooting with a stock agency in mind it is good to know just how high you can push your ISO before you reach the point where the agency is going to reject the image. That means you have to know both your own equipment and the standards of the agency. I was once shooting from the interior of a jeep on a mountain road in China. The scene, road-building equipment clearing a landslide, was lit by the headlights of the cars waiting for the road to be cleared. I shot the scene, hand held, but braced against the head-rest, at an ISO of 1600 with a Canon 1ds. Man did I work on that image in post (processing the digital files)! They accepted it too. With the newer cameras I have no qualms about shooting at 400, I am comfortable shooting at 800 and don't think 1600 would really be such a stretch. But don't take my word for it... do some testing!

Exposure and more

RAW (the file format native to the camera) has been talked to death, but keep in mind that it is more akin to negative film than transparency film and I personally find that I can safely get another stop to a stop-and-a-half in post-shoot processing. Shoot RAW, not jpeg! As far as exposure, keep your histogram as far to the right as possible without clipping (going off the edge). If you loose your highlights (which are on the right hand side of the histogram) you probably can't get them back. I guess in that way a digital file is like transparency film.

I am not a big user of on-camera flash, but it can be a real life-saver. I suggest a good starting point is to set your flash to under expose by two-thirds of a stop. That can help bring out details without overpowering the image...and looking like you used on-camera flash! If you do use on-camera flash it is generally a good idea to bounce it or at least put some sort of diffuser over it.

Use movement to your advantage

Another thing to keep in mind is that a little movement in your image isn't necessarily an image killer. Sometimes you can make it work to your advantage. A year ago I was shooting in the train station in Mumbai, India. The station is indoors and while it wasn't exactly gloomy, it still qualifies as low light. I put the camera over my head as high as I could hold it and fired off a half-dozen frames at an eighth of a second. I only shot six frames because at that point a machine gun carrying police officer politely but firmly informed me that photography in the train station was forbidden. That image, in which everything has movement, even the lamp posts, has already sold a number of times as a stock picture with Getty Images (1377). Sometimes movement can make an image more dynamic and help it convey a mood or message.

By John M Lund

Stock Photos of cute puppies, cats, cows, elephants happy people, ethnic people etc.: John Lund Stock Photos Animal stock photos, Fine Art Prints, and printed gift merchandise.

Visit John Lund's Blog Creative Stock Photography Concept stock photos, Fine Art Prints, and printed gift merchandise.

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

Organic Photography, Or Why Studio Portraits Aren't For Everyone

A supermarket tomato looks like a tomato until you taste it at which time it reveals what it is: a verisimilitude tomato, not a tomato. Whatever the goods or services, there will always be a point beyond which operational efficiencies destroy the essence of what attracted you to them.

Studio photography is operationally efficient. The background is controlled, a coloured drop sheet. Unlike a person's home, this background tells you nothing about the person. Studio lighting is controlled, spot lights stand in for the sun and if photography is the study of light then the use of studio lights may be akin to photocopying.
How does a person in a photography studio behave? This depends on whether it is their working environment or not. A photographic model will be comfortable because this is their milieu but for the normal person, it is an alien environment with an anonymous setting, harsh lighting and time pressure. The normal person does their best and smiles at the camera when told. But just as you can't buy happiness, you can't force smiles.

Since true photographic portraiture is about revealing a person's humanity, by its very nature it is operationally slow. A person is not a light, turning on instantly at the flick of a switch. Instead, a person must feel acknowledged as a human before they can be themselves and this requires engagement. Cups of tea and a chat helps! Once engaged, the portrait photographer can then reveal the person.

Portrait photography is a continuum with passport photography at one end and a lengthy photo essay over weeks or months at the other end. Unfortunately, studio photography is too close to passport photography since it is operationally efficient to the point where it is unlikely to reveal a person's character. For this reason, location photographic portraiture, which may take several hours, should always prevail if someone wants a true portrait of themselves.

Like most things in life, with photography you get what you pay for. If you are happy with the supermarket tomato, the more expensive organic tomato would be a waste of money. Similarly with photography, location portrait photography is not for everyone but for those that value it, they and their family will have an exceptional memento. As my granny used to say, quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

By John Slaytor

John Slaytor's portraiture may be found at http://www.johnslaytor.com.au/portraits.html

About John Slaytor

I am a professional photographer who finds it difficult to narrow my photographic interest. My range of work includes Macedonian Weddings and Christenings, Nigerian 21st Birthday parties, Presbyterian and Catholic funerals, Indian and Greek family portraits, Chinese and Ghanaian football supporters, Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps and Sydney Opera House.

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

Photography - Five Tips to Better Digital Photographs

With the new age of digital cameras, taking pictures has never been so much fun and easy to do. Best of all if you take a photo you don't like you simply delete and move on or try again. However one thing remains and that is photography is an art and like anything else requires practice to get better at it. Here are some basic tips that can make major improvements to your skills.

Get Close
Don't be afraid (unless of course you are photographing a wild animal) to move in close to your subject. Most of us don't have high powered zoom lenses so you can only zoom in so much. Move in close and try to get the object you are taking a picture of to take up more of the photo area.

Know your Flash
Ok, well, know the range of your flash. If you are standing too far away from your subject the flash won't do you any good. If you have a basic digital camera like me, you need to get in closer so the flash has a positive effect on your photo. With that said, do not get too close if you are using a flash because then it will make your subject too bright.

Organize
Don't just take a picture of your family for the sake of taking a picture. Organize your picture a lot better. Make sure you get everyone in the right position (usually height etc.), make sure you get the best background for what you are trying to accomplish, and basically arrange your photo just like a professional would if you were at a studio. I can't tell you how many times I have done this, to make sure the kids were in the right spot so I can get that background of the lighthouse or the castle in Disneyworld.

Eye to Eye
If you like taking nature photos, photos of animals, or like me you have small children, when you go to take their photos you need to get down on their level. When you take a photo from your height down to theirs it makes it look a bit distorted. However, when you get down on the level, you become eye to eye with them and it makes the picture look so much better. This tip alone will make those pictures of your kids look a lot better.

Photoshop
I splurged to purchase Photoshop. Sure it was expensive but once I learned its ins and outs I have been able to touch up photos to really get them to look professional. If you are just a passive photo enthusiast the $300 price tag for Adobe's Photoshop might be a bit much, you can look into a lighter version for far less money, but if you are a serious photographer (or want to be like me), the price is well worth it.

I can't say that these tips will make your subject sit still for very long or turn you into the next Ansel Adams, but they will help improve any novice photographer's basic skill set.

By Bruce A. Tucker

About the Author
Bruce Tucker is a contributing writer to Mike's How-To Blog, a blog that covers a wide variety of topics and how to do them. You can also follow him on Twitter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_A._Tucker

Steps That a Photographer Can Take to Be Prepared For a Photoshoot

A photographer needs to demonstrate competence. Demonstrating competence will result in repeat business and higher orders. One way to show competence is to be well prepared at every photo shoot taken. This article describes steps a photographer can take to be well prepared.

1. Know the location in which you will be shooting. There are different levels of effort required for accomplishing this task. If a photographer has shot in a location many times in the past, performing this test can be quick. Just arrive a few minuets early so you can see where the best lighting is given the time of day and weather. If you have never been to the location before and you know the location is not one that is usually used for photography, go to the location at least a day before the shoot and plan where and how you will setup your portraits. You want to identify where there is sufficient shade to provide good lighting and where the best back drops can be found.

2. Chat with the client about their expectations the shoot. If it is a wedding you are shooting you will want to know a number of details including who should not be shot with whom. families are complicated and there are usually a few in the extended families that do not want to be with each other. In addition, the bride usually has friends and family that she wants to make sure is photographed with her.

3. Make sure you equipment is ready. Make sure you have at least one spare camera available. Make sure you your flash cards are empty and ready to take another shoot. Make sure your camera has sufficient batteries.

4. If you are bringing an assistant, prep him/her on the game plan for the shoot a day or so before the shoot.

5. Send out a form offering some suggestions as to how the subjects should dress and what they should expect during the shoot.

6. Bring duplicate equipment. Bring at least two cameras. You should also have back up lenses. While doing this is always important, it is particularly important for weddings. Often modeling pictures can be shot again; however a once a wedding is over, it's over. It's essential you are ready for any mechanical malfunctions which may arise.

Being prepared for all of your photo shoots will make things run more smoothly and inspire confidence in your clients of your abilities.

By Vanessa Honda and Stephen Honda

Vanessa Honda is an OC Wedding Photographer serving Temecula, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach and Huntington Beach.

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

Top 10 Mistakes of Beginning Photographers

While the instant feedback gives the impression that digital photography is easy, here are some very common beginner mistakes:

1. Not reading the owners' manual

2. Thinking the only way to get a certain picture is to buy special equipment

3. Not opening a picture on a computer and viewing it at 100%

4. Deleting pictures based on LCD monitor on back of camera

5. Shooting everything in Program or Auto Exposure mode

6. Buying too much camera for your level of experience

7. Not backing up pictures before deleting images on memory card

8. Not buying enough memory cards

9. Not buying enough batteries

10. Not researching computer to determine post production capability

Owners' Manual

Admittedly, this isn't easy to do. The writing on most electronic manuals are very dry and not very user-friendly. Not surprisingly there are so many authors who write manuals on how to use these cameras

Equipment

Your tool should fit the job you are doing. If you're just looking to put something on eBay, you don't need a digital SLR unless you need extreme closeups like jewelry. Most of the time, those point and shoots should work.

Relying on the LCD or preview screen

In case you haven't been burned by this, just know everything looks sharp when it's viewed on a tiny LCD monitor on the back of your camera. To be sure, always open up the image on your computer using a graphic program or photoshop and view it at 100%

Don't Edit on your camera

Resist the urge to edit your images on your camera. Sure there are instances when it's obvious when you've accidentally taken a picture of the ground or something. But if you have enough memory cards, you should never delete until you get back to you computer.

Use Manual Mode

When you're learning, the best you can do is to learn to adjust the settings on manual. That way you can figure out what you did wrong. Shooting on auto will not tell you much when you're trying to troubleshoot. Programs that can read exif information which record shutter speed, ISO, aperture, White Balance are revealed when a picture is taken on Manual Mode but not so in Auto.

Buying a camera that's too complicated

Most folks know don't realize that digital cameras have a lot of artificial intelligence in them. So it takes quite a bit of reading before you can learn the ins and outs of the camera. If you don't plan to invest the time and take a class or buy a book, then stick with simple point and shoot cameras. Too many folks see that the price of digital SLRs are becoming so close to point and shoot models that they assume the learning curve will be similar.

Always backup images before deleting

This might be obvious but too many people don't realize that once erased, the images are often gone. Though there are file recovery programs that might salvage pictures, those are not reliable.

Not Buying Enough Memory Cards

Memory cards used to be so expensive but no longer. The more you have the better. Having a good supply of these cards mean you can always shoot at your camera's highest resolution that will guarantee you will have the best results even if you have to crop.

Not Buying Enough Batteries

Without power, your camera is just a paper weight. Some paperweights are heavier than others of course. You should try to get models that allow you to use AA batteries. Proprietary batteries are okay but make sure to have enough for a spare. Always use a card reader to transfer your images instead of connecting the camera to the computer. Doing so conserves your battery life.

Researching your hardware

Before you purchase a camera, always check and see if your computer will run the software you will use to edit your images. In the long run you will be saving yourself a ton of grief. Each year as more cameras shoot with higher megapixels, your computer's CPU will be taxed more and more all things being equal. That's why you'll see a drastic slow down if you use a computer that is old. It may be able to do the work but it will crawl along.

By Peter Phun

Peter Phun teaches photography at Riverside City College. He does portraits, weddings and editorial work. He writes about photography, Macs and the internet. He also designs websites and is a stay-at-home dad.

Previously, Peter worked as a staff photographer for 18 years at The Press-Enterprise, Southern California's 4th largest daily newspaper. He is the webmaster for the Mac user group in the Inland Empire. For more information about this Riverside based photographer, visit http://www.peterphun.com

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

Learn the Secrets on How to Sell Your Digital Photographs Online

When you learn the secrets to selling your digital photographs on line, you can be making a few extra hundred dollars every month without investing much time and effort. With the proper knowledge and a little more time invested, you can make a full time income selling your digital images online. Many people have come to the realization that selling their pictures online is easier than they originally thought.

The market for everyday type photographs such as, children at play, people in the work place, and a multitude of different categories, provides a great opportunity for anyone interested in selling their digital photographs. This concept is becoming more and more popular but is very hard to break into without the right resources and information. You need to find the hot marketplaces, and good sources to sell your work. However, there are people out there making a very good living selling their photographs. I am lucky to say I am one of them.

I've been a full time Professional Photographer for over 30 years. In the last several years I decided to start selling my photographs online, as full-time job, after realizing how much income potential there is in this market. You don't need expensive equipment or a great deal of knowledge about photography to get started. The digital age has made all of this much easier than it used to be. Even inexpensive cameras can produce salable images.

I am not saying everyone should try to make a full living selling pictures online, but it certainly will not hurt you if you decided to spend an hour or two a week, doing something you enjoy.Taking great photographs can be both fun and lucrative.

How many pictures do you think you can take a week? Even if you only take a couple of pictures a week, at the end of a year you will have over one hundred images online, ready to be bought by someone in need of that type of photograph. Now here is the good part. After you submit your photos to the internet they stay there. If they don't sell immediately it is not that big of a deal. They don't vanish, in fact I have photographs that are several years old that are still bringing in a steady income. Not bad for a few minutes work. Now I have a residual income from something that started out as a hobby.

I'm sure you are asking, would buy your pictures? Well, believe it or not, lots of people. Realtors, website owners, magazines, or regular people just like yourself.They would all prefer to pay a few dollars to you than a few hundred dollars to a professional photographer. The buyer sees the work before he buys it. When a professional photographer is commissioned to do the work, the buyer is at the mercy of the photographer to read his mind. Assuming the buyer can find a photograph that has already been taken, he is saving a lot of time and money.

You can relax and enjoy your job. You won't have to talk to a lot of people. Your photographs will do the talking. You just need to know how to get started, in order to get your pictures sold. You will submit your photographs to specialized websites. They facilitate the transactions between you and your buyers. If you have a digital camera and a little imagination, you could easily turn this into a profitable part-time job, and possibly a full time profession. If you are excited about photography, why not get paid to sell your digital photographs online?

By Terry Day

Terry Day is a International Hall of Fame Photographer. visit his website at
http://www.howtosellmydigitalphotos.com
Want to get some great photography tips advice visit.
http://www.photographylessoncenter.com

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

Tips a Photographer Can Use For Working Effectively With an Assistant

A photographer, like any other employer, can follow simple steps to work effectively with the assistant or associate photographer that he employs. This article presents some ideas on how a professional photographer can build and maintain these teams and relationships.

1. Teach and develop your assistants and associate photographers. Let's face it; most people enter the photography profession because they have a passion for the work. The photography profession demands as long of hours as other jobs that pay far more. Hence, if you have a dependable, reliable assistant he is likely with you to learn and do what he loves. This mentoring does not need to take a lot of time. Drive home from a wedding together and explain to your assistant your techniques and concepts. Listen to his ideas. Not only will your listening to his ideas improve his work satisfaction, you will also get a unique and useful perspective on your work.

2. As your assistants develop their abilities, look for opportunities that will all your assistants to utilize their emerging talents and improve your bottom line. For example, you may find an assistant who has an interest and talent for newborn photography. Your brand however is family portraits. You may consider creating a new line of products devoted to newborns and granting your associate photographer creative leeway for developing that new brand. If you associate is talented and dedicated, this may be just the opportunity that convinces him to stay with you. You may hear the counter argument that if I allow a photographer to develop a new brand he will just go off and start his own business and compete with me. That scenario may be true. However, he is more likely to stay with you longer if you provide him with opportunity. Keep in mind that the running of a photography business is not for everyone. Arguably, those who work for someone else have the opportunity to spend more of their time in creative pursuits than does the owner of a photography business. The owner has to spend a major portion of his time running a business. Hence there are good reasons for a talented photographer to stay with you even as you develop his talents sufficiently to own his own business.

Like any employer, a professional photographer has the opportunity to influence, in a positive, way those whom he employs. The above suggestions are simple ways to do this while not compromising the bottom line.

By Vanessa Honda and Stephen Honda

Vanessa and Stephen shoot portrait, senior, engagement, pet, wedding, and family photography. They are available to shoot in all Southern California locations.

Vanessa is a Orange County Wedding Photographer who also shoots in San Diego, Riverside and Temecula.

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

Canon 24-70mm Versus 24-105mm

In 2005 Canon released their new Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS lens with Image Stabilization which created quite a difficult purchase decision for anyone looking for a professional standard range zoom lens. Before the release of the 24-105mm, the Canon 24-70mm f/2.8L was the obvious choice for photographers looking for a versatile portrait, indoor and walkabout lens. The 24-70mm produces the best images in its class and has been praised by professional photographers for years. As good as the 24-70mm may be, there is one thing that was always missing - Image Stabilization. This feature ensures sharp images when taking photos from a hand held stance as well as sharp images in lower light conditions. Until Image Stabilization is added to the 24-70mmf/2.8L, heated discussions will take place as these two lenses are fairly similar, both producing very high quality images, but with important differences.

The Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L lens has an advantage of one f-stop over the 24-105mm f/4 and therefore prevents object movement in low light conditions. Also, the additional f-stop can make a significant difference in the isolation of the subject by defocusing the background.

The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS has built in Image Stabilization which effectively adds 3 f-stops and prevents camera shake in low light conditions and normal conditions. The Image Stabilization definitely makes this lens more versatile in lower light and indoor conditions such as weddings. Another important factor for some photographers is that the 24-105mm lens weighs 10 ounces less (at 23.6 oz) versus the rather heavy 33oz 24-70mm.

Although some photographers report that the 24-70mm produces better images, other reports say that the difference in image quality is negligible, so unless one compares the very finest details of images, for all practical purposes there is not a real difference.

Both these lenses fulfill very specific needs, while both are quite versatile everyday lenses. Although an excellent standard zoom lens, the 24-70mm should be more applicable to very specific photographers with a need to do photography in low light conditions and/or photographers with no need for a longer focal length. The 24-105mm with the longer focal length, IS and good quality is a more versatile lens and useful in a wider range of conditions.

By Jaco Muller

To read more about the 24-70mm and the 24-105mm, click here. To see a more in-depth comparison of the lenses, click here.

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