grey scaleca

Men Who Change Lives!

2012-02-18T01:56:00.000-08:00

Photographing children, families and high school seniors are the norm in portrait studios The male subject is a rare thing indeed. Recently I read an article about a project that I thought was a greatu idea: photographing the men we run across in our everyday lives.

The idea was this, periodically photograph a male that one has met in life - it may be the cobbler down the street or the restaurateur across the railroad or the minister you just met or well, it could be anyone. But the importance of this project would be to photograph them in a way that reflects who they are - as You see them. Spend some time talking to them and find out their story, then photograph them and post it on your blog.It is a great creative exercise.

It sounds easy doesn't it? Just find a man, spend some time with him, photograph him and then get permission to post his visual story on my blog... Yeah Right!- it will not be easy.

Men are one of the hardest subjects to convince to be photographed. They will talk about themselves for days but put them in front of a camera and something happens. Sometimes good things happen and sometimes not so good things happen.

It's going to be a task to help them feel comfortable in front of your camera and to share their life with you and your - the audience.But what a wonderful creative exercise for you and your subject.

This may also give you a different perspective the next time you have the opportunity to photograph someone. Don't just take a picture - find out a little about them and then attempt to have that reflect in your image.

This is storytelling of a different nature. All the great artworks have a story behind them and the Masters who created them knew the story before they ever picked up the first brush. It was their vision. As artist we have the ability to open up a whole new world to the viewer, simply by getting to know our subjects better before we capture their image.

And exercise like this will help you to create something lasting, something full of life. Creating an image using this method will have your fingerprint on it for generations to enjoy.

I think I see my next subject now - it's the mailman - let me see if I can deliver something unique of him.

Rights Managed Clips or Royalty Free? Understanding Stock Footage Usage

2012-02-18T01:49:00.001-08:00

If you use stock footage quite often, or are relatively new to it, two phrases must have crossed your path more than once now- rights-managed clips and royalty free footage. What do they mean and how do they differ is discussed below.

Using stock footage is a hassle free, less expensive and really fast way to complete your video production project. But before you set out to buy that shot you need, you must know the difference between rights managed footage and royalty free footage. Understanding this difference will allow you to make the right choice that suits your budget too.

Rights managed footage is footage owned by someone or some organization. Also, the owner of the content reserves all rights to it. They choose who they will sell the license to use the content on an individual basis. The sale price also depends on the intended use of the content, encompassing the exposure and the timeframe of the clip's usage. This means that if the buyer intends to use the clip only once and that too for an in-house presentation, the seller and owner of the footage will charge a lesser amount. But if the clip will be used for a commercial purpose- such as if it will be a part of a DVD being put up for sale, or it will be broadcasted on television, the price of the footage will increase. The timeframe and frequency of the usage also dictates the pricing of stock footage. In other words, if the clip is made available to a large audience for a longer time and is being sold in various formats as well as being shown at a variety of venues; the license will be more expensive.

Every rights managed clip is given out with a unique license. The license has clear details outlining the exact usage and exposure a clip can receive for the given fee. So, if you get a rights managed footage, you have to compensate the owner or the authorized licensor every time you use the footage. Since the footage is often rare or is of very high quality it is generally quite expensive.

Most video makers go for the other option when buying stock footage- which is royalty free footage. This is a hassle free and relatively more affordable option of buying stock footage. When you get a royalty-free license it is like making a one-time payment. All you have to do is use the clip within the terms of the specific copyright holder's (or authorized licensor's) agreement and you can use it in whatever way you like. So whether you are buying stock clip for a noncommercial one-time presentation or whether you plan to use the footage in a commercial DVD, you will pay the same price (provided commercial distribution is allowed in the general terms of the license). So, with every royalty-free license you get a unique set of stock footage usage restrictions and freedoms. Different royalty free footage providers offer several types of royalty-free license agreements for their footage. But with royalty free footage, there is a much more flexibility in usage terms. In most cases, once you have paid the initial license fee, you can use the clip for in house production, or a worldwide television broadcast, or even in a movie at no additional costs.

grey scaleca

2012-02-13T00:06:00.001-08:00

grey scaleca

Use Your Photos To Create Unique Valentines Gifts

2012-02-12T01:20:00.000-08:00

Choosing valentine's gifts can be much more difficult than choosing birthday or Christmas presents because of the weight of symbolism attached to them. Rather than just being an object or item which you think the other person will enjoy, they are deliberately selected to purvey a message of love and affection. Rather than going through the stress and turmoil of trying to find a gift which perfectly fits the bill, why not create your own in the form of a bespoke photo book.

The art of choosing suitable Valentine's Day gift ideas lies in selecting something which is clearly deeply personal in nature. On this day more than any other it's not about the amount of money you spend or the size and lavishness of the gift, it's a question of putting in enough time and thought to give something which is perfectly suited to the recipient and to the sentiment which you wish to express. After all, Valentine's gifts are given with the express purpose of letting your other half know exactly how much you feel for them, and so have to be romantic and personal in nature. Whilst the right piece of jewellery or a favourite box of chocolates may seem nice, they are also somewhat clichéd and demonstrate that you've tended to opt for the first thing you thought of, rather than really weighing up just what the other person means to you.

Of course, Valentine's gifts for him are likely to be different to Valentine's gifts for her, since a man's idea of a romantic gift might be somewhat different from a woman's. It's a sweeping generalisation, but most men would probably prefer a gift which, as well as being attractive and meaningful is also somewhat practical in nature. In both cases, however, the most valued and touching gifts will be those which are deeply personal in nature, which reflect both your own personality and that of the person you're giving it to. One way to ensure this personal touch would be to fashion your own gift, but many people balk at this suggestion on the grounds that nothing they could make would be of sufficiently high quality. Indeed, unless you are a trained a qualified craftsman of some sort, the chances of being able to make something which matches the manufacturing standards of a gift you'd buy in the valentines shop are pretty slim. There's a way around this problem, however, and it's a path which has been opened up by the widespread take up of digital photography.

Digital images, once they've been captured, can be turned into many different objects, from key rings to canvas prints. These objects will all be personal on account of the image which is featured, whilst still being put together to the highest possible standard using top of the range materials. A photo book is a perfect example of a gift which is both highly personal but also of luxurious quality.

Take a look at the photo books on sale in a bookshop and you'll instantly note the excellence of the way they're put together: rich, glossy photographic paper, state of the art printing and expensive binding combine to produce an item which is of genuinely high quality. The same is true of a book which you put together using your own digital images. When you want to give a gift which sends a message of love and affection, what could be better than a volume which chronicles your relationship in images or, if you're in the early stages of wooing someone, a book which features images of the places and things you'd like to share with them.

Making such a book is easy - simply upload your images and then take advantage of the fact that the software has been designed to make laying the pages out incredibly easy. Choose the number of pages, the size and shape of the book and the images, if any, which you wish to adorn the front and back covers. Once you've got a book which looks precisely right, you can decide if you want to add any words of love to go alongside the images.

A beautifully made photo book, showcasing the images of your choice in a professional manner, would stand out clearly amongst all the other Valentine's gifts. Personal yet luxurious, unique whilst being genuinely touching, it would say 'I Love You' in a way which would keep on putting this message across for many years to come.

Tips on How to Choose the Right Background for Your Photo Shoot - Noise and Conflicting Messages

2012-02-10T01:48:00.000-08:00

Many photographers spend a lot of time in selecting the right model, discuss her wardrobe, hairstyle, makeup and what have you. Yet, they tend to overlook a very important aspect; the background. This is a vital part of any photographic set up and needs the proper attention. It can make or break the composition, feel and dynamics of a photograph. Are you still not sure about the importance in choosing the right background? In following article, I want to bring to your attention two important factors that we tend to fail to notice when choosing a background. These can apply for both outdoor and indoor photo shoots, though since most of my work is done outdoors, I will focus mainly on outdoor situations.

Excessive Background Noise

From my experience, I have learned that the simpler a photograph is the better. By this I mean, when shooting a model you aim to have a background that compliments your model not compete with it. Let us consider a scenario in which you are to shoot a model in a cowboy costume. To complement the model you decide to shoot the session on a farm. You are faced up with two choices. In your first option, the model poses inside an old barn, with bails of straw and a couple of tools in the background. As a second choice, the model sits on a tractor with horses grazing in the backdrop.

You can realize that in the second instance there are too many things going on. The massiveness of the tractor and the moving horses are likely to overpower your model. On the contrary, inside the barn the background is not stealing the viewer's attention but rather it directs it towards the model.

Always keep in mind that your choice of background never overshadows your main subject; your model.

Conflicting Messages

Have you ever tried to convey a message through your photos but the results said otherwise? One evening I received a call from a friend telling me that he had some great pictures that wanted to share with me. He said he had found this 'great' shooting location.

Upon seeing the photos I was terrified. The location looked more like a damping site than the country side he was trying to portrait. To be fair there was a beautiful pond surrounded by fantastic weeping willow trees, but the copious amount of damp scattered all over the area was a shame.

Do you sincerely thing that a glamorous shoot can be done in such a location? Such a situation could be termed as juxtaposition, meaning that the message conveyed would say that the model and the whole set is purely rubbish.

This kind of situation is observed in my magazines and newspapers, sometimes intentionally other times out of neglect or lack of knowledge. Keep your eyes wide open for these kinds of circumstances.

Conclusion

As you can see, in choosing the right background there is more than just colours, shapes and shades. It is a complex scenario in which conflicting details and complementary elements all play a part in your final product.

Why Choose Photography As a Hobby?

2012-02-07T01:45:00.000-08:00

It's surprising how some people today have decided to forgo photography as a hobby; some assume it's too expensive while others assume that there is just too much to learn about it in order for it to be worthwhile. In addition, there are some who may find it a just a bit slow in favor of the most fast-paced hobbies of video games and the like. However, if you really understand the "ins and outs" of the hobby of photography, you may find that it really is one of the best and most exciting hobbies you've ever tried. This article can give you some of those quick tips and hints in order for you to enjoy your endeavor all the more.

A Hobby or a Business?

Are you considering taking up photography just as a hobby or do you imagine turning this into an actual business? Some people don't really need a studio outside their home in order to take pictures for a living; many portraits or product shoots can be done in a basement or spare room. Some have found that they start out with photography as a hobby and then grow it into a business after their friends and family ask them to take certain shots. You personally may also realize how easy and lucrative it is to do product shots for businesses. For instance, if you have a friend that is starting an online store for clothes or wedding favors or anything else, they may ask you to do some shots for them, and there you go - you have a business! But if you're just looking for a hobby, photography is relaxing and fun.

Equipment Needed

If you're doing photos in your home for a business, you will of course need some standard spotlights, a tripod, reflectors, and some basic stands or furniture for the products themselves. However, if you're pursuing photography strictly as a hobby, the equipment needed will depend on where you plan on taking your pictures. A variety of lenses will be necessary if you want to take outdoor photographs; wide angle lenses are needed for landscapes while telephoto lenses, which work like binoculars, will be needed for wildlife. You should also get a filter for the front of your lenses; if you were to ever drop your camera or smack it against something, that filter will protect that delicate lens.

Of course a good flash will be needed for indoor photography; again, this depends on why and when you're taking pictures. If you just want to take better family portraits, then you probably won't need that wide angle lens but will be lost without a good flash.

Improving Photos

You would be surprised how just common sense tips can improve your photography. Make sure the light is in front of your subjects; don't let them pose in front of a window. If everyone's wearing black, you won't see anything. Just use your common sense and practice, and you'll find that photography isn't as hard as you thought it was!

The Future of Photography

2012-02-02T01:44:00.000-08:00

The Photography world is a prime example of technology's ability to advance itself exponentially year after year. The very first image ever produced was in 1826, soon after people were standing still for long exposure photographs being taken by big cameras with bellows under black clothes.

When I started my pursuit in photography, in 2000, digital existed, but nobody liked it. Film still had digital on quality, therefore I learned my craft on a film camera, I'd develop my own film and print my own photographs in a lab. Fast forward 12 years and we're existing the era of point and shoot camera, digital cameras and we're taking all the photos we need on our phones. My phone has more megapixels than my first digital camera did 7 years ago that I paid over about $1,000 for.

Where is photography going? Good question. As a professional photographer I've often found myself wondering if my job would become obsolete in the future. If photographs will start to come from video clips, they'll just freeze a frame and it will be so high quality that there won't be a need to separate the genres any longer. This is certainly a likely possibility.

A recent announcement from Adobe, "undo photo blur" will be a huge game changer. We will soon have the ability to take an image that is out of focus, and turn it into a sharp, usable image. The digital advances have already blurred the line between consumer, prosumer and professional. The photography world is now filled with novices who buy DSLR cameras with kit lenses and advertise on Craigslist selling images burned onto CD. This has cut into the profits of actual trained, or self taught professionals who spend years perfecting their skills and selling their product for industry standards, and now with the advances in post processing, images may not even have to be in focus to be usable.

I'm sure photographers who have 20 years on me had similar fears and thoughts when the first wave of digital cameras came onto the scene. It's only normal to fear that your career choice will somehow be rendered useless in the decades to come. While more people than ever have access to nearly professional grade equipment, it's what they do or don't do with them that counts. The professional look of studio lighting will always have it's place in portraiture, advertising and commercial genres. The internet alone is a mecca of modern day imagery, so while photos can literally come from anywhere now, a phone, a computer, a keychain, more photos are being seen on a global basis than ever before. The future of photography will be interesting to watch unfold in the years to come.

Professional Photographers Guide To Buying Printed USB Flash Drives

2012-01-27T01:43:00.000-08:00

If you're a professional photographer who is considering abandoning CD and DVD's in favour of USB Flash Drives then there are some basic facts you need to be aware of before you commit to buying flash drives printed that are printed with your brand or logo:

1. Most companies that supply USB flash drives printed with a company brand or logo are principally supplying then as giveaway promotional products - the sort of thing that you pick from a company booth at trade and retail shows. Typically these flash drives won't get a huge amount of usage and the demands the drives need to support in terms of read/write speed are pretty light.

Typical read/write speeds of a "standard" promotional USB flash drive are going to be around 4MB per second (write) and 10MB per second (read). This is more than adequate if all you're doing with the drive is loading up a couple of sales brochures maybe the odd short media file and links to your company web site but, if you're a professional photographer or wedding video company you may (depending on what you are doing with the drives) need to specify certain minimum requirements - read/write speeds, grade of memory chip etc.

2. If you buy standard promotional USB Flash drives and you then start to load very large video files or wedding portfolios onto them then you'll immediately notice that they're not the quickest of products. If you've been used to working on Apple Mac's and you use top end Memory Cards with fast read/write speeds, or perhaps you use Firewire to move data around then by comparison a promotional USB flash drive is going to be a "horse and cart".

For example top end SD cards or CF cards have a read/write speed of around 40MB per second - X10 times the speed of standard promotional USB flash drives.

3. Top end, high performance USB flash drives typically have read/writes speeds of 20MB (ish) per second, significantly faster than promotional versions but still not as fast as High Speed SD or CF cards. These high performance USB sticks also carry a significant price premium.

4. If speed of data transfer is an issue for you then you might want to consider getting quotes on printed USB Flash Drives that work to the new USB 3.0 standard - these have read write speed of around 50MB - 100MB per second so they are blisteringly quick! Again, the downside is cost (they're new so they're going to be expensive) and you need a PC or Mac that is equipped with USB 3.0 USB ports to take advantage of the speed improvements. They'll still work on USB 2.0 PC's but only at USB 2.0 speeds! Still at least if you have USB 3.0 and you buy USB 3.0 sticks you can dramatically reduce your own data-loading times - your customer won't notice any speed improvements until they upgrade to USB 3.0.

5. A sensible compromise if you're looking for decent data transfer speeds it to ask your supplier to quote for upgraded USB 2.0 flash drives - they'll be a little more expensive but you should get something that has a longer warranty period and better performance with speeds closer to the High performance products sold by brands like Kingston and Lacie. Remember if you don't ask for this you will just get "standard" promotional USB flash drives which are fine they're just slow!

6. Apart from speed the aesthetic of the USB flash drive will be important but there are lots of different models to choose from and the internal components of all of them can be upgraded to include High Speed, High Performance controller chips and flash memory modules.

7. Ideally talk to your supplier about what you plan to use your USB flash drives for and get them to recommend a solution. If you've chosen your supplier well and they know their industry they should not only be aware of the issues but they should be able to put forward a range of different solutions.

Stay At Home Income Through Photography

2012-01-18T01:40:00.000-08:00

In today's fragile economy, with the unemployment rate at a record high, there are many start-up ideas for stay at home income. It seems everywhere you turn another home based business is popping up. One of the most popular these days is a home based photographer. This allows you to be at home most of the time, set a flexible schedule, and still make a substantial income.

Have you had people tell you that you take great photos? Do you think you have the eye for design and flair for the artistic that makes a photographer stand out? Do you enjoy capturing memories (for yourself and for others) through the camera lens? If you can say "yes!" then photography might be a very valid career opportunity for you! Here's some things someone needs to know about starting a photography business.

Think about a client base. Are babies and children the main subjects you want to photo? Or do you want to put the focus more on events like weddings or family reunions? Would you be open to shooting all different stages and groups? As your confidence grows as a photographer, you can tailor your services to best fit your skills. Once you've decided what you want to specialize in, start spreading the word to family and friends about your desire to have stay at home income through photography. Offer to use them as models with a discounted (or free) session to help build a portfolio or website gallery.

Pricing, pricing, pricing. Do some research in your area, and see what the going rate is for different types of photography sessions, and packaging options include for a certain price. One of the things people are often willing to pay dearly for is a good photography session. However, offering a competitive, yet affordable pricing package will not just benefit the customer, but it will also benefit the photographer. people will pass along a name of someone they feel is talented, but they will really feel compelled to pass along contact information for someone who is good at what they do, but also easy on the checkbook!

Package your services with the client in mind. For example, one photographer I have used offers a "Baby's First Year" package that starts with a maternity session before the baby is born, then sessions for the baby as a newborn, then again at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and one year. The package is one set price, and you get a print from each session and a collage print after the one year session is completed. Some photographers also offer a la carte sheets and items you can purchase in addition to their package deals.

Finally, before starting any kind of business, you should always consult an accountant to figure out the correct tax laws and regulations for stay at home income. Keep excellent records of all business related expenses that are incurred as part of your stay at home income, and you'll be in great shape when tax time rolls around.

IF you decided that stay at home income through photography is for you - no doubt you will have many ups and downs as you start your own business. But don't give up, hard work often brings the best successes!

Find Out How Easy It Is To Make Your Own Photo Calendar

2012-01-13T01:39:00.000-08:00

Personalised photo gifts are often amongst the most gratefully received you'll ever give. This is not because they're particularly expensive or lavish. In many cases, they're not. It's because they meet the old adage about it being 'the thought that counts'. A gift which you've put together using your very own images is one which gives a piece of your personality as well as the gift itself. A photo calendar, for example, may seem like a fairly prosaic gift in its own terms, but if you choose to design one based around images which you know will mean a lot to the recipient then it suddenly becomes a heartfelt and precious item.

Personalised photo gifts offer an excellent answer to the conundrum of exactly what to buy when you're out shopping for Valentines Day gifts. More than almost any other type of gift, this is one which you want to make sure is absolutely perfect. Whether you are in a long-term relationship and just seeking to reaffirm exactly how much your partner means to you, or are hoping to persuade someone to take your friendship to the next level, getting the gift exactly right will be a key to success. The main thing you will wish to impress upon the recipient is the amount of thought you've put into the gift. At this time of year above all others, it's not about spending vast sums and making extravagant gestures, it is a question of taking the time and trouble to think about the other person and what would really make them happy.

Valentines gifts are about making just the right gesture, and personalised photo calendars are just such a gesture. In the past, a photo calendar hanging on a wall would probably be seen as a fairly prosaic item and certainly not the kind of thing that you'd hand over as a token of love and affection. When you design it yourself, using your own photographs, however, the exact opposite is true. Imagine, for example, collecting your favourite photographs from your first twelve months together. You could select one or more of them for each month, and decide exactly how you set them out. It doe not end there, however. You could have the calendar printed so that those special dates in your relationship are already highlighted. Things like the day you met, your first kiss, when you moved in together. Whichever days are special to the two of you could be marked out, making this a deeply romantic as well as still useful item.

It may sound like something which sounds difficult to do, but this couldn't be any further from the truth. The technology has developed to the point where the software will do all of the work for you. Simply upload your special selection of romantic photographs and then set about designing your calendar. It does not matter if you have never designed anything visual before, since you'll just be taken through it as a simple step by step process, at the end of which you will have a calendar which is absolutely perfect for the person you love. From obvious things like the size and shape, to features such as the layout of images - whether you have one dramatic image per page or a mosaic of smaller photographs - all the way to radical touches such as the fact that the calendar doesn't have to start in January and can come with important dates pre-printed, everything is in your hands.

Personalised photo gifts are perfect for giving on Valentine's Day since they contain a reflection of your personality which it simply wouldn't be possible to find elsewhere. A photo calendar you design yourself is not merely a calendar, it's a heartfelt token of love, and one which will be there as a reminder of the way you feel every single day of the year.

Understanding the Basic Elements in a Photographic Background for a Perfect Photo Shoot

2012-01-08T01:36:00.000-08:00

You had everything planned. The model is putting on her last accessories and her makeup looks great. Reflectors are properly set and your photographic gear is in optimal working condition. All is set and ready, still something is not right.

Did you ever find yourself in such situation? I bet you did. It is quite amazing how many photographers tend to give little importance to the background available at hand. I am referring in particular to outdoor scenic backgrounds. But, what are those elements that play an important part in a perfect background?

Colour Harmony and Contrasts

Recently, I was going through a number of photos from a photo shoot done during summer time. I could not stop noticing the impact that particular backgrounds had when matched with specific clothing items.

By this I am not referring to colours harmonizing together or contrasting with each other, but rather the vibe, energy and character portrait.

It is important that when picking clothing attires and backgrounds we see beyond the obvious visual impact. Think about the mood and feeling that you want to transmit to your viewers.

Fluid versus Constant Backgrounds

Shooting outdoor is quite challenging in itself. Shooting outdoor with a flowing background is a quest.

I remember during my early days doing a shoot on this particular beach. The background was simple, open crystal clear blue waters matched with a cloudless sky. I could not ask for more. But what was meant to be a straight forward shoot, turned out to be a rather challenging one.

Half way through our photo shoot a numerous amount of sailing boats glided over the water materialized out of nowhere. The composition of the whole set up was changing constantly. The backdrop was too crowded with elements. To make things worse, the background light was adjusting according to the height and width of those brilliant white sails. At that point we decided to have a break and watch the sailing boats pass by.

Later on I learned that the local sailing club was celebrating its 50th anniversary. As a side note, always know about local activities taking place on the day.

Protecting Your Gear

Though this might be obvious for many, for some of you is not. Working in different outdoor environments, particularly locations with harsh environmental conditions can be stressful to your photographic gear.

It is imperative that you take the necessary precautions in order to maintain you gear in good condition. You might need a specific gear for unique photo shoots. If you are not sure on how to handle these challenging environments I suggest you leave these types of background settings out of your repertory. No matter how badly you yearn for such set ups, I suggest you avoid them at this stage. Such challenging places can be windy coastal areas, excessive desert heat or thick foggy mornings.

The importance of being in control of your background, whenever possible, is extremely vital. In taking all these aspects into account, you are paving your way in the right direction to produce outstanding work. Harmonizing your model with your natural, wisely selected background is a winning ticket for fantastic results.

Do you want to acquire a handful of posing secrets so that you too can master the art of posing and directing a model? If yes, I invite you to follow my site at http://michaelabela.weebly.com in order to manage to move from one style to another with ease like a pro.

Furthermore, you will find indispensable tips and guides on how to start you online photographic business in order to turn your photos into money. Make the most of your photographic work by taking advantage of free material available on site.

Lighting Photography Techniques

2012-01-03T01:34:00.000-08:00

Lighting techniques determine the overall result of your image and plays a critical role in revealing the texture and form of the subject. Understanding where the source come from is critical in photography. For photographers, natural and artificial (studio) light are two available sources.

In outdoor photography, light changes constantly. Always consider the angle and intensity of the source as well as its distance to the subject. A thorough understanding of natural light will help you control the brightness in your images. Moreover, understanding this important element in photography helps to create and recreate many different effects in a studio environment.

Most photographers are interested in portrait lighting but do not understand how to do it. Same concepts can be used with flash unites, however you will not be able to see the effect until after shooting it. In order for you to control the harshness of the light, you need to practice. Wrong technique will result in narrow or round face. There are four main styles of lighting namely, broad, short, butterfly and Rembrandt lighting.

The Importance of Temperature In Photography

A photographer must also understand the sun's color scale (color temperature) which is the actual colors that human eye can see. Color temperature defines visible light. It is measured in Kelvin (K) degrees. Yellow to red are called warm colors, blue to white are called cool colors (see Color temperature).

If you observe carefully, the sun evokes hues in the morning and neutral colors during the afternoon. These neutral colors occupy a part of the definition you'd like to include in your photographs. Afternoon offers warmer tones with reds and yellows.

The Importance of Angle

The sun is the source of all daylight. The angle or its direction can bring plenty of shadows or remove them. The day light changes throughout the day creating two main light effects: hard and soft light. These two sources are also used in studio photography.

Hard Light

Simply means director bright sunlight. It is equivalent to the brightest time during the day when the sky is clear. It is harsh and could be used for amazing effects. This method is used for contrast as it results in more definition and shadow. The angle of this technique determines the overall effects.

Above are just a brief explanation about lighting photography techniques. Whats more important is constant practice as well as basic understanding of how it works.

Wedding Photography Should Be Magical!

2011-12-27T01:31:00.000-08:00

Every bride and groom deserve to have beautiful wedding photographs to remember their magical day. The first step is finding the right wedding photographer for you, but before you start shopping around, you need to understand a bit about wedding photography and have a bit of an idea of what a photographer can do to create your magical wedding album.

Stunning wedding photos are all about striking a delicate balance. Ideally your posed shots should look as natural as they can, and your candid moments should be captured stylishly. This actually covers the two main styles of wedding photography: traditional and reportage.

Traditional - this basically means a posed shot, but can be anything from the classic group photos of all your friends and family outside your venue, to more contemporary bride and groom shots.

Reportage, or journalistic photography - this is all about catching people unawares! Taken paparazzi styles, reportage photos are candid, taken with the subject acting completely natural. These types of shots are perfect for placing in a wedding album next to the posed photos to give a real sense of your special day, and bring all the moments you might have missed as a busy bride and groom.

So how does a wedding photographer make your photos magical? Well they need to know what makes you tick! Any wedding photographer that you contact about potentially working at your wedding should offer a consultation. This is your opportunity to see if you get on with your photographer, as well as tell them all about your wedding and what you want from your photography. They should show you some wedding albums from their portfolio so you can see what kind of photographs they take. You can ask them how they work and, if they have any experience with your venue, you can ask what ideas they have for your wedding.

Once you have decided on your wedding photographer and discussed any particular shots you know what you want, you can sit back and wait for your big day. On the day itself, your wedding photographer should take care of everything to make your wedding photoshoot run as smoothly and beautifully as possible. They can photograph your preparations; all the special little details of your dress, your flowers and your rings. A good photographer will slip into the background, quietly snapping up all those intimate images during your ceremony and reception. They will organise your bridal party for posed shots without being intrusive, and add some magic to your bride and groom photos. If you're worried about 'posing' for photographs, your photographer will be able to coach you and your guests to create wonderfully natural shots.

The final magic is added after you come back from your honeymoon. You'll get the opportunity to look over all your prints, choose your favourites and how you want to display them. Then just wait to see that touch of magic in your wedding album!

A Few Excellent Backdrop Suggestions for Beauty Photographers in Leeds

2011-12-25T01:29:00.000-08:00

A beauty photographer is always in search of outstanding backdrops that add value to the pictures he takes through his camera. The importance of an exotic backdrop cannot be neglected as a beautiful photo shot is not just the photograph of the primary object; it is the combination of both primary object and the backdrop. If you take the picture of the most beautiful model or film star in a very clumsy backdrop, it will not make an impression irrespective of how gorgeous the model is. Hence, a good photographer always takes care of what is behind the main object and how it presents an exquisite combination of colors and textures.

Leeds is of one of the oldest cities in the United Kingdom that has very beautiful places to serve as excellent backdrop for photography. This beautiful city has many historical places dating back from BC era to 19th century, a large number of lovely parks, beautiful roundabouts and squares, great halls, and prodigious churches presenting grandeur of architecture of old as well as modern times. All these places can make excellent backdrops for photography.

Suggested Location for Photography in Leeds

1. Middleton Park

This park has old woodlands that date back to seventeenth century. It is one of the oldest places in and around the city of Leeds. This park has great scenes to become excellent backdrops, for example, giant oak trees, fresh water ponds, and many other scenes that fit well in all types of photographs.

2. Leeds City Square

Leeds City Square is an open area in the mid of the city. It was created in 1899. The main building is very exquisitely built, which can serve as an exotic backdrop in pictures. Besides this, there are many places outside the main building that can be used for backdrop of pictures, for example, the fountain, the statue of Black Prince on horseback made of bronze, and many other statues.

3. Clarence Dock

This dock is located at River Aire beside Royal Armories Museum on Leeds city center. Originally, it was constructed for the transport of various goods to and from Leeds city center, using the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the Aire and Calder Navigation. However, later, in 2008, this dock was officially opened as a place for shopping, living, and as the home of the Royal Armories Museum.

The beautiful scenic presentation of this dock also makes an excellent backdrop for photography in the evening. The waterfront presents an exquisite view between high-rise buildings if shot after sunset. The museum is also a beautiful place, which also becomes a good backdrop if the places are chosen carefully by the beauty photographer you choose for taking your shots in Leeds.

4. Parish Church of Saint Peter

This church represents old architecture of seventeenth century. It is an excellent place for wedding photography in Leeds. This church is an architectural exhibition constructed with ashlar stone. The church was built many times after its first building; hence, it represents architectures of various periods. The roof is made of slate. Both indoors and outdoors of this church are worth capturing and make an outstanding backdrop for photographs.

Besides the places suggested above, there are many other places in Leeds that a beauty photographer can use as background in the shots, and can create admirable pictures.

Restoring Old Photographs in Photoshop

2011-12-22T01:27:00.000-08:00

Most people I know have albums full of old photos which they've amassed over the years. Many times, some the old photos might be showing more than a little wear and tear. Often, the photographs could be crumpled. The colors might have faded because of the passing years. When the photographs are of special sentimental value, the question is then asked, if the images can be restored. Especially if you would not wish to lose your greatly treasured memories represented by the pictures.

Until quite recently, restoring old pictures was to get a professional photograph restorer to do it for you. Those days are over, and nowadays, thanks to the miracle of digital imaging, you might be surprised to learn you can very easily do the work yourself. The essential tool which you require to do this job, is Adobe Photoshop.

You probably have already heard that Photoshop is the leading software tool for manipulating digital photographs and graphics. In the case of photo restoration, the most important difference from many of its lesser-known rivals is the fact that Adobe Photoshop contains a broad range of tools for working with numerous types of digital image problems, rather than making do with a one size fits all approach which may not be right for repairing all images.

The other reason in using Adobe Photoshop instead of other software, is that Photoshop includes tools for working in layers. The power of layers is that its allows you to very simply split apart each group of your edits, and if you discover that you've made a mistake, it is straightforward to undo just that miss-step without destroying all the other edits which you have done to the photograph.

One thing that sometimes deters people from getting started with Adobe Photoshop is that Photoshop has the reputation of being a complicated program, that people expect to be complicated and exceedingly difficult to make best use of. Nothing could be further from the truth, modern versions of Photoshop are both powerful and straightforward to use. In addition, there are numerous inexpensive tutorials which will show how to master Adobe's software. Some of the top tutorials are even video-based which makes learning to use the software fast.

To summarize, if you have a collection of old damaged photos, why don't you have a go at restoring them? I can't deny that photograph restoration requires some patience and attention to detail, but by simply using right tool - Photoshop - and with the help of online training materials, I have no doubt that you'll be pleased at the quality of your photo restorations.

Studio Lighting on Location

2011-12-18T01:26:00.000-08:00

Without light, photography isn't possible. With light, many qualities of photography exist. Quality of light truly dictates the emotion in a photograph. Subjects that are outside in the middle of the day with the sun beaming down on them tend to have harsh shadows whereas subjects in the studio with a relatively large light source close by tend to have a diffused look. Wouldn't it be nice to have studio quality photographs taken outside with natural elements in the photograph? Here's a few tips of how to achieve just that...

The most important thing to have is a light meter. This tool is indispensable because it allows you to measure the intensity of various light sources within a scene and expose your photograph accurately. Sekonic makes great light meters that are extremely durable and provide accurate results each and every time. And of course to obtain studio-like light quality outdoors you will need to have a portable lighting kit with diffusers.

Profoto's AcuteB 600R portable pack with an Acute 2 D4 flash head is a relatively expensive kit to own, but the quality and consistency of the light output is well worth the cost. Various diffusers can be attached to the Acute 2 D4 flash head - softboxes, beauty dishes and umbrellas are the most common items used with professional strobes. A 3x4' softbox is ideal for individual portraits, ranging from a head shot to full body. If you're photographing a small group you may need to use a bigger softbox or have a kit with two lights, or a way to bounce some light onto the subjects.

An important factor in obtaining soft light is proximity of the light source to your subject. The bigger the light source, and the closer you are to your subject, the softer the light will be. Generally, the smaller the light source and the further away your subject is from the light source, the harsher the light will become. This is not always true. Take the sun for example, on a sunny day the shadows on one's face is harsh. On a cloudy day the shadows on one's face is soft. The sun is the same distance away, but clouds act as a huge light diffuser, spreading the intensity of the sun's light across a larger area.

Once you've mastered the light meter and learned your equipment, you will be well on your way to creating awesome environmental portraits on location, day or night, rain or shine.

Be a Photoshop Pro, One Click at a Time

2011-12-15T01:23:00.000-08:00

Photoshop is really on a rampage these days. From the average person to the corporate graphic design world, this application has been used widely and extensively. There are a lot of pictures being modified with cool Photoshop effects to create something spectacular that will keep the online world abuzz for days.

You can download and install the application to your computer, either by buying the full version or simply installing the trial version to get you started. There will be simple yet cool Photoshop effects you can start with such as devil eye modifications, bubble effect or creating water reflections. There will be entry-level visual effects you can add by playing around with the available tools within the application.

If you do not know where to start, there are available online tutorials that will help you manipulate the tools available to achieve cool Photoshop effects to your photos. You can browse them and follow their instructions on what options you need to click and adjust to achieve the effect on your photo. Most online tutorials will offer screenshots to guide you in the entire process. However, be careful with the version being used with the tutorials as they may be using older versions than the one you have.

The application is not only available for common folks but also to the professionals such as graphic artists, photojournalists and even web site designers. The professional world really entails a huge demand for more advanced Photoshop effects to create more graphically intensive scenes, backdrops or even texts on the design. Graphic design will be less difficult to materialize with the use of Photoshop. With the right tutorial to help you, you can put amazing and cool Photoshop effects to your design. One thing to note is that achieving these professional-level cool Photoshop effects on your design may entail more effort and time spent to perfect them.

Even if you are not a graphic or web designer, you can still follow these online guides to help you create eye-popping details to your photos. There are tutorials that will help you create impressive photo effects, abstract watercolor effects and fantasy photo manipulation with specific themes. Some online tutorials even offer steps on how to manipulate your photos to have movie-like effects.

Photoshop can be very daunting in terms of the available tools and options you can tinker within the application. Familiarizing yourself with the available options and tools will do wonder for you as it will make it easier for you to add cool Photoshop effects on your design. With great courage and online tutorials to help you, you can master this great application in no time.

Photographing Handmade Pens - The Keys to Success

2011-12-10T01:19:00.000-08:00

A hidden treasure is just that - hidden. In order to fully appreciate a work of art, it must be seen by those who can appreciate it. Traditionally, art galleries, high-end shops and other fine retail stores were the outlets where an artist could get their work to the public. Today, there are other options, but all depend upon having a picture that does your work justice.

Back to Basics

Since photography was invented, there have been a few basic concepts that are central to success, that have stood the test of time. A great subject, great composition, and great lighting make the picture. When photographing objects (such as hand crafted pens or other wooden gifts), these three concepts are the most important.

A Great Subject

Having a great subject is a good start. Your picture will most likely be a close up shot of the product, so your work of art will come under intense scrutiny. Many people take pictures that are low resolution, or under poor conditions, just to hide their poor workmanship. A great product, with quality workmanship, are essential to having a great picture.

Great Composition

The difference between a good picture and a great picture often is composition. The composition of the picture can be as simple as ensuring that your product or piece of art is shown in its natural environment. Composition of the picture needs to show the art in a form where it is central to the picture, but still has other elements that help compliment it in its surroundings.

Great Lighting

Of all the elements involved in taking a picture, lighting is the most important. In fact, the entire point of taking a picture, is to capture the light that reflects off a subject. So, without great lighting, why bother taking the picture.

Fortunately, for taking pictures of products or small pieces of art, the lighting requirements can be simplified. Taking a great picture of a piece of art, usually requires light that is essentially diffused and comes from all sides evenly. This is similar to the light on a cloudy day, where there are no hard shadows cast on the subject. This allows the product to show well, and minimizes distractions. This can be accomplished with a light box, where two or three small lights surround the object and are diffused through a cloth.

Necessary Equipment

To take a great picture of a product, such as a handmade pen, you don't need fancy equipment. In fact, most any modern camera can be used. This includes everything from the best Digital SLR camera, down to an inexpensive point and shoot cameras. The key to a great shot is a tripod and good lighting.

The tripod is a key element as it keeps the camera steady during the picture. It allows for you to take the picture, and not pay attention to whether the shutter speed is slow or fast. This allows you to concentrate on the depth-of-field, which is what gives you that nice looking, blurry background.

The equipment that you will need includes a light box, two or three lights, a camera, tripod, digital software & a computer. Although you can spend more, do more and experiment more, the above process will work very well and produce great results.

Editing the Picture

After you have taken your picture, it is often useful to edit the picture on a computer. There are many things you can do with the picture. You can crop the image to make it more centered. You can correct the overall color, should the camera not capture it correctly. You can adjust the brightness of the image to make it more consistent. You can add text, subtext or titles to your picture. But, do not alter the image by making changes which would mislead someone as to what the product looks like. Remember, you are taking a picture of the art, so do not alter it. That would be misleading to your audience.

With a few simple steps, you can significantly improve the quality of your pictures. This allows your art to shine through and represents your work in its best light.

Photography And Video: Outdoor Lighting

2011-12-05T01:17:00.000-08:00

Here's four types of light you'll commonly find outdoors:

Front Lighting

Side Lighting

Top lighting

Twilight

Front lighting, the light coming over your shoulder and falling on the subject, is flat. It hurts the dimensionality of the subject and makes them seem lifeless. You need fill light here just like you will side lighting.

Side lighting, coming from 45 to 90 degrees of the subject is good for landscapes, where medium to heavy shadows sculpt the view and give depth and sense of scale. But it's cruel to people. The light needs to softened when you use it. You'll need fill light. A reflector should do the trick. A number things work well as reflectors in this type of light. A sheet of printer paper, a sheet of construction paper, a sheet of cardboard will bounce back a warmer light. Aluminum foil, the shinny side or the dull side, crinkled or flat.

Top light out of doors is around noon. The worst time to shoot is between 10 am and 2 pm because of this type of lighting. This light casts the eyes in dark shadows and the mouth hides in the shade of the nose. Plus everything else in the scene is two dimensional and uninteresting. Don't bother. This is perfect time for planning, and a three martini lunch.

When it was common to shoot on film each roll came with a spec sheet giving the characteristics of the film. It also included a simple guide to light.

My favorite outdoor light was called Cloudy-Bright. When the sky was lightly overcast. The sun was still visible but diffuse, It's visible in the sky but you could look at it without hurting your eyes. It lit subjects evenly with shadows of light to medium density. You could see into the shadows and even make out some of the detail. The next time there's a day like this go outside and look around. This is normal photographic lighting, the lighting you're trying to achieve, both indoors and outdoors.

Twilight is good time to shoot too, the light has a mysterious and romantic quality and scenes are easily imbued with emotion. But here, as in most cases, you'll need fill light for your subject. The big difference is that twilight is cold light. The light shifts toward the blue end of the spectrum. The blue end is considered cold, the red end, the opposite end, is considered warm. So you may want your fill light to be reddish. There's a Vimeo lesson where they used a glass of whiskey in front of the flash to make the light look warmer. That's a great idea. What other things can you think of to soften light? Gauze or other fabrics? Cellophane, plastic food wrap? These things can go over the light or the lens. It's up to you, but know the rules.

When you're taking light readings many times you will find the range of light is too great. A simple rule is to expose for the highlights and let the shadows take care of themselves.

Macro Photography With The Canon Rebel T3i

2011-12-02T01:16:00.000-08:00

Close up photography is a powerful medium. It holds plenty of drama and OMG moments.

The intention of this article is to give you a few T3i photography tips specific to macro work.

With the Canon Rebel T3i, the photographer has more than one option for getting these amazing shots.

The first way is the standard method. There is a selection on the mode dial for macro. It is an icon that looks like a tulip flower. When you select this position on the mode dial, you just point and shoot. This is good, right?

Most of the time this is true, but there is at least one situation that is not so good. When the light is not sufficient for getting a shot without the automatic flash taking over, you will have to settle for that flash, because you cannot disable it. The reason this may not be the most desirable of options is that if you are really close to the subject (which is exactly what you want in a macro shot), there will be a dark shadow at the bottom of your image due to the flash being too close to the lens, thus causing a "flash shadow."

The second way to get those amazing macro shots is to go for a different mode dial setting. Go on the "creative" side of the mode dial. You can choose either P or Av to get a great result. Even if the light is not as bright as you need it to get a shutter speed fast enough to prevent blur, you don't have to rely on the flash. Instead, you can try raising the ISO, or you can use a tripod to steady the camera.

When you select P, or Program mode, the camera will select the correct shutter speed and aperture for a decent exposure. When you select AV, or aperture priority, you get to choose an aperture that will give you the right amount of detail. This is the setting that will give you the most control as a photographer. Of course, you will want to practice quite a bit so that you know how the camera will act. The more you practice, the more confident you will be when it is time to get the shot.

Don't be afraid to experiment. Take lots of shots at different settings. You will be surprised at how much difference there is when you change one of the settings. You will make some discoveries that will change the way you approach macro photography.

A couple of things to keep in mind when shooting macro with your Canon Rebel T3i.

First, get as close as you can and still get good focus.

Second, use a tripod if the light is low. The closer you get to a subject, the more a little shake will ruin your shot. Keeping the camera steady is one of the keys to great macro shots.

Third, if using a zoom lens, use the long end of the zoom. After all, you want to be able to fill the frame with your subject. While you can indeed shoot close-ups with a wide-angle lens, the longer focal lengths are what you want.

The Canon Rebel T3i has another fantastic feature that makes using it for macro photography special. Only one or two other cameras have. It is the ability to use Live View with digital zoom in order to get the focus "spot on." It is perhaps the strongest reason to get into close up photography with your Rebel.

Six Tips For Taking Good Digital Photos

2011-11-25T01:15:00.000-08:00

Taking great digital photos isn't about the camera you use, it all has to do with the photographer. So, how do you learn to get the best shots possible with a digital camera? Follow these great tips:

1. Get to know your camera.

Even the most basic digital point-and-shoot cameras have a range of modes and features to help you get great shots. You'll want to thumb through your camera's user manual to help you find everything, but the best way to get to know your camera is to simply experiment. Take pictures in different lighting conditions, on different settings, with different modes, and both staged and candid, to get a feel for how your camera performs in certain situations. Take lots of photos and toy around for a while. Photography is a tactile art, so you have to learn by doing.

2. Always use the best lighting possible.

Natural light can greatly enhance your digital photos without you ever doing a thing, but it's not always available. If you're shooting outdoors, try to avoid times when there will be harsh shadows or lots of glare, unless you're specifically going for that effect. Indoors, use lots of white light if you can use natural light. Lighting can make or break a photo whether you use a digital or analog camera.

3. Be prepared for anything!

No one wants to run out of battery life or memory just before the perfect shot shows up. To avoid this, carry an extra memory card and fresh batteries wherever you take your camera. Staying informed and prepared will help prevent missed shots.

4. Experiment.

Once you know all the settings to your camera, it's time to experiment. Take photos of everything, from people to buildings to bugs, at all kinds of angles and in different lights. You never know what great digital photos you'll end up with, and you may also discover a love of certain techniques you never imagined. Also, look at professional photos. Study the angles, the lighting, the subject and background, and try to emulate the methods you love best.

5. Keep your camera steady.

Too many amateur photographers hold their cameras the wrong way, leading to blurry photos and bad angles. You should hold your camera with both hands, steadying yourself on something solid, like a fence, desk or wall, to get clear shots. If necessary, use a tripod to keep your camera from jiggling while you take photos.

6. Take as many photos as you can!

Even pros take hundreds of shots when they only need a few great ones. The more digital photos you take, the more likely you are the get that perfect one, because there are always flukes no matter how well you set the shot. It will take time, but eventually you'll start to get a feel for how many photos you need to take of each subject.

There is no secret to good digital photography. Like everything else, just keep practicing. Eventually, your hard work will pay off with beautiful and well-shot digital photo!

Sony Digital Picture Frame - Uncompromising Quality at a Sensible Price

2011-11-20T01:13:00.000-08:00

Photos are the best way to keep your memories alive. They represent the good times and stay with you forever. The picture frames add beauty to these memories by keeping them in front of your eyes. Sony, the world renowned company has introduced its new Sony electronic picture frame range to give a individual touch to your beautiful memories. It has been designed in an ingenuous way with a perfect blend of functionality and style. Thus, it helps to bring your memories to realistic world through its technology and places them in front of your eyes where they can be easily visible to you. Sony electronic picture frames (S-Frame) can be used to display slideshow of the images with calendar or clock functions or display single still images. Its slim and spectacular design allows it to fit anywhere in office near your desktop or in your house. Moreover, Sony has provided this technology with uncompromising quality at a very affordable price.

The electronic image frames from Sony have number of build-in features, some of the models have a number of options for playback which lends flexibility in displaying your pictures as single still images which can be used for viewing on a full screen, as thumbnails for convenient finding of the images, or as a slideshow for multiple images. These can also be placed horizontally or vertically according to your requirement. To accommodate this feature, the image frame includes a sensor with auto orientation which helps to rotate the pictures as per the displaying format as and when use switch the frame's placement. it also includes calendar and clock features. These have LCD display, with plug and play, adjustable internal storage capacity, remote control, and can store numerous pictures automatically. The Sony Digital Picture Frame provides all these features with best quality at a very affordable price.

Sony Photo Frame is out there in varied models which are equipped with numerous features that provide best quality and charge a reasonable price for all these features. Its DPF-D70 has a 7" frame with auto image rotational sensor for displaying the pictures as and when the frame is rotated, 15:9 aspect ratio LCD to display bright and vibrant colors and saves up to 500 images in its 256 MB memory card. It also includes clock and calendar modes and memory card.

Sony DPF-D810 has a 8" (20.3cm) SVGA LCD screen frame which helps to display the panorama of your memories in its elegant and masterfully designed frame. It is can showcase the displaying of the pictures in 10 patterns of slideshow for viewing. Along with a numerous modes of slideshow viewing, it also includes easier search options for your pictures in the form of thumbnails. Its 12 MB of internal memory validates the storage of up to 150 pictures in the frame. Besides these, it has multiple direct card slots and auto orientation accessible in it.

One more model to notice is Sony DPF-XR100, 10.2" LCD frame with 16:10 aspect ratio is a new inclusion in the models of Sony electronic picture frame range which has abundant features included in it. It has TruBlack display which increases the color visibility in dark areas. it has 2 GB memory card which helps in storing 4000 images. It also includes AVCHD/MP4 which will allow you to watch the movies on it. Besides this, it includes alarm clock, index and calendar mode, clock, PC connection, LED back-light, auto image rotation, memory card slot and AV USB slot and viewing in a wide angle as well.

Then we have got the Sony DPF-VR100, another 10.2" LCD frame with 16:10 aspect ratio and saves up to 4,000 images in its 2 GB memory card. It also has an alarm clock, index and calendar modes, LED back light, auto image rotation, memory card slot, USB slot and AVCHD/MP4 video support. It is also available at a very affordable price.

Sony DPF-D830 is a 8" LCD frame With an aspect ratio of 4:3. it has a 2 GB memory card which helps in the storage of images up to 4,000. It also includes features like index and calendar mode, clock, battery operated, auto image rotation, memory card slots and USB input.

Sony electronic image frames definitely have an uncompromising quality but are available at really affordable prices, considering the value for money they offer.

Photography And Video: The Camera And The Eye, Looking Versus Seeing

2011-11-18T01:11:00.000-08:00

The camera doesn't see what the eye sees. Of the two of you the camera is the one without the brain (we hope). But it's also the one without the loves, hates, desires, needs, bias', prejudices, pre-conceived ideas-whatever you want to call them. Those things that make your images or scenes come out different than you thought they would. It's up to you to teach your camera to look, right after you learn how.

So, what are we talking about here? We're talking about composition. Why is composition so difficult? We look at something and it looks the way we want it to look. We shoot it and it looks like something else, something not like what we thought. Why? Because when you look, you are looking not at images but ideas, concepts, stuff all mixed up with what you are seeing and what you are thinking. In short, you are not looking, you are seeing. On the other hand, when your camera looks it looks only at images. Notice I didn't say it SEES only images-it doesn't see, it only looks. Why is composition even more difficult when it comes to photo and video? One of the reasons I think it is, or, way to say it, is, other arts are additive, photography and video is subtractive. Here's what that means. A painter starts with a blank canvas, a writer starts with a blank page, a sculptor with a lump of clay. They proceed by adding elements to the medium, the canvas, the page, the clay. Imagine a writer having to start with the page already full of random words and then having to eliminate the unwanted ones to get the desired result. If you know what a collage is, it's a pasting together of seemingly random things to arrive at a meaning, a kind of gestalt that didn't exist in the original. Photo and video are a kind of reverse collage, removing the unwanted, the random, the meaningless.

Digital imaging gives you the greatest amount of freedom ever experienced in the history of the medium. Cameras are smaller and lighter than ever before. The giant advantage is you can shoot almost endlessly without having to process film of wait for the results. Meticulous pre-planning to save on the cost of film and processing, and, to be sure you got the desired result the first time, now seems unnecessary. It turns out this giant advantage is also its biggest disadvantage. Pre-planning is still needed. Lucky accidents only come along once in a while and not often enough.

Here's Three things to do to improve seeing what you are looking at:

Squint. It makes you concentrate on the overall scene so when you un-squint you notice the clutter more clearly.

Scan. When you look at your view screen or view finder, look in the corners not just the center. Actively look. Move your eye around the screen, looking into each corner. Avoid tunnel vision by avoiding locking in on the center.

Square. Cut a square hole in a piece of cardboard about a 1x1.5 inch opening. Carry it with you and use it to examine the world around you. Without your camera you will take more time to consider what you're looking at, and you'll be better prepared for the next time you're using your camera.

Tips For Taking Family Portraits

2011-11-16T01:10:00.000-08:00

Family Portraits fall into three main categories; traditional family portraits, candid family portraits and lifestyle family portraits.

Most families have had their picture taken, but few have had a chance to have their portrait shot, because of the difference between the two. One is a quick snap, with little attention given to the technical aspects of the image; the other has more consideration given to how the final result should look.

It's often said that a good portrait captures the personality of the subject(s), and that's true, but what it also does is record the subject(s) in a way that's different from other pictures they've had taken of themselves. By using a couple of simple techniques - anyone can move from the realm of 'snapshots' to discovering how to deliver distinctive family portraits.

Capturing Expressions

An essential for a successful family portrait? Expression. Capturing expressions portrays emotion and adds dynamics to the photograph. Portraits can be left feeling incomplete without capturing the expressions that make the image more engaging. While traditional family portraits are posed (think school pictures), I feel expressions are best captured 'un-posed' in a candid portrait setting.

Some great tips on how to do this include avoiding using flash when possible and shooting from a distance. This isn't to say that all successful family portraits are shot on a whim. It simply means that developing a rapport is important. Actively involve yourself in directing the subject(s) to pose naturally and comfortably - and you'll find it can achieve a great deal!

Creating a Candid Look When Posing Subjects

Whether taking individual portraits or group photos, creating a candid look is a great way to create a different type of image. Get them laughing - engaging people in a friendly, open manner will get you those shots where the subjects have stopped being self conscious!

Another easy way to achieve a great looking candid shot that has been posed is to have your subject(s) look away from the camera. This type of 'casual candid' posing can also be used in larger group shots. Having everyone look at each other can create a unified mood to the photograph, a connection that the viewer can sense.

Photographing Children:

Props are also a great tool to utilize when photographing children. A child's honest reactions to their immediate environment make them the very best candid portrait subjects. Even when aware of the camera's attention - candid shots from children shine!

Try another Perspective

The general rule for family portraits is focus on the eyes and set a wide aperture to throw the background out of focus while keeping the faces/subjects sharp. While this is standard in the context of photography, consider occasionally photographing the subject from various angles and viewpoints. Sometimes changing your view helps emphasize mood and can help set the 'expression' of the photograph. Try photographing a family from behind, walking away. Perhaps a lifestyle type shot of everyone's bare feet in the sand etc.

Change Your Framing

Many people think of portraits as a vertical photograph. Instead, try taking holding your camera horizontally and offset you're subject to one side rather than the middle. Being conscious of switching from one framing style to the other can provide some pleasing results from the same pose.

Most photography generally insists that the horizon be a straight line. The same is not always necessarily true in portrait photography! Using the horizon line to add creativity and a fun 'mood' to the image can be a great way to step out of the box!

Photography And Video: The Single Source Of Light

2011-11-13T01:06:00.000-08:00

The way humans are used to seeing other humans, and all the other things in the world around them, is with those people and things lighted by a single source of light: the sun. One of the first, if not the first, thing we do is to identify the source of the light on the thing we are looking at. It's so natural we don't even know we are doing it. This is one of the main things that makes lighting a challenge, because we feel it should be a natural talent we're born with.

When a painter looks at a canvas or a sketchbook and then up at the subject the first question they try to answer is where is the principle source of light coming from? It's a primary skill they must learn: where is the light coming from? what effect does it have on the subject? Viewing paintings in a gallery, or photographs in a book, or images on a movie screen, our eyes instinctively find the source of light and follow it to the subject.

We so expect the single source of light to be true that we may find arguments like this one to be silly. But without the ability to manipulate light the photographer or video maker is handicapped. The first step in being able to manipulate light is training yourself to see it. The second handicap is to make several lights, placed in different locations on a set, or bounced in by reflectors, appear to be a single source of light. Failing that, not be able to create the illusion of a single source of light, your believability is damaged. Viewers know something is wrong. Most likely they won't be able to tell what's wrong or why it's wrong but they will know it's wrong. That isn't a fault in your audience. It's up to you to look purposefully at the light and what it's doing. It hard to tell what's wrong with the lighting when all the lights are turned on. Always start a set with only the Key Light turned on. Then each time you turn on another light you'll be able to see it effect.

Here are 3 Key Things To Avoid:

Flat lighting. Light falling directly on the subject, like the sun coming over your shoulder. Use extra lighting or reflectors to soften the shadow but never use them to remove the shadow completely. You're already working in 2D and flat lighting will only make it worse.

In close-ups, don't have more than one light window That point of light that shows up in the eye from the light source. There should be only one.

There's nothing that casts more than one shadow, except for bad lighting.

Of course with light windows and multiple shadows if they are not in the frame, visible in the shot, does it matter? You'll probably get by with it but you have to be on the look-out for their effect on what is in the frame. You'll be surprised what you see when you look, really look.

When Photos Just Aren't Photos

2011-10-11T01:05:00.000-07:00

Since time immemorial, we have always wanted to stand out from the rest - whether artistically, intellectually, physically or socially. It is just somehow very important to have your personal stamp on things, especially with stuff you own. Because you know very well that other people may also own the exact same shirt or the exact same bag, you want to make sure that everyone knows that bag or shirt, despite the existence of many of its kind, is yours and yours alone.

However, going beyond bags and shirts, people can also be territorial about the very walls of their rooms at home or in the office, giving a whole new meaning to personal space. Everything about the rooms we occupy are connected to our well-being, which is why people go to extra lengths to personalize their space. Some people consider hanging paintings by their favorite masters or putting up photo collages of their friends and relatives and posters of their favorite movie stars or those with witty sayings. After all, you can't get any more personal with posters and pictures right?

Today's generation is all about creating a relaxing, personal space, where you can be yourself and just chill. Yes, posters and pictures can actually get more personal, especially if your pictures are your posters. This is all done through the skillful use of printing equipment and software plus a limitless imagination and boundless creativity equals what is known as photo printing which in turn creates photo art.

The thing about pictures is that you take them to preserve a special moment or moments in your life. Somehow, the standard sized photo of your best friend falling accidentally into the pool during your 16th birthday party or that dashing photo of you in a tux on your wedding day is perhaps too special to just stay stuck in a photo album for posterity. Turning them into photo art magnifies the meaning of the moment and really says special in more ways than one. You just don't take photos to record the moment, you take them because it's your time to get creative - a focal point in any outing, activity or event, to give you a sense of perspective. Photo printing lets you turn these bursts of creativity into a memorial of sorts to your moments of spontaneity.

And now, these moments of spontaneity can be either hung or stuck on your walls, not just to personalize your space but also to make your room, or any room for that matter, look great. These days, you can have your photos turn into digital works of art simply by having them printed on high quality photographic paper and blown up to poster size. Many companies online offer a lot of options, laminating your picture posters with a high quality film that resists scratches and protects against fading brought about by sun exposure and humidity. You can also have your photo art customized to fit your home's décor and you can make it big, beautiful and gorgeous as well.

They say a photo is worth a thousand words. Well, this may be one case where you can say a lot more than that and let the whole world know who you are and yes, stand out.

Scott Collier Gives Some Fighting Talk

2011-01-02T01:33:00.000-08:00

The Ministry of Sound was the UK's first club to hold a twenty four hour dance license, it was also Mayfair photographer S.C.'s old stomping ground in the early nineties.

Even with its strict door policies, S.C. would always manage to charm his way to the front of the queue. Our Mayfair photographer could often be seen on a Saturday night, throwing shapes on the dance floor till the wee hours, then stumbling out into the cruel light of day and the birds singing, he would begin the walk of shame home.

Housed in a disused bus garage in Elephant and Castle, The Ministry of Sound remains at the forefront of the global dance music scene.

So when S.C. was commissioned to photograph a series White Collar boxing matches at The Ministry (as it was referred to in his day), he jumped at the chance.

White collar boxing originated in New York in the late eighties. The first contest was held between a lawyer and an English Lit Professor. Since then the activity has been the fastest growing corporate contact sport in the world, spreading as far as Asia.

Throughout the evening, The Ministry showcased several White Collar boxing matches in various weight levels.

S.C. images express the blood, sweat and tears of the evenings highly charged atmosphere, succinctly capturing the feelings going through the mind of a boxer just before a fight - excitement, exhilaration and sheer terror.

The man behind the lens is none other than photographer Scott Collier, who is also the face of Snappy Snaps Mayfair London.

There is no such thing as a normal day at number 49 Hertford Street. The hive of activity which is Snappy Snaps Mayfair is a prominent hub for locals and tourists inhabiting Shepherds Market. The staff are a colourful bunch, and elaborate and eccentric personalities need only apply.

More recently, force majeure dealt a blow to the shop. S.C. looked up from his counter one day, to witness a car crashing through the side of his shop and pinning him to the inside of his own front door, The whole store took a pounding and the windows were a write-off, but thankfully all involved were unhurt.

To brighten everyone's day, S.C. decided the only thing for it was to erect a larger than life sized photo of himself to cover the cracks. Now passersby have the pleasure of seeing just who the man behind the lens is.

An exception to the gender rule, S.C. is a master at multi tasking. Juggling the phone and a rapidly forming queue of customers, he calmly mentions that he has a shoot at 4.00, a meeting at 6.00, and drinks with a client at the Dorchester afterwards.

Recently reportage photographer Mark Carey, friend, collaborator and partner in crime, decided to document a day at Snappy Snaps Mayfair, capturing what is a very extraordinary corner shop.