During photography‘s entire history, the amateur and the professional have represented distinct and often contrary approaches to photography, each battling for supremacy. Has the digital revolution tilted the field of battle irrevocably in the amateur’s favour? Or has it swept this traditional rivalry into the dustbin? Can anyone say? For the 19th-century practitioner, photography was fraught with personal and technical adversity. The darkroom environment was equally challenging: space was constrained, and in smaller field tents the photographer had to kneel or lie down to work. Ventilation was poor or non-existent, and lightproofing faulty. Digital photography is starting to become accessible to the average consumer. Camera prices are falling and image quality is improving. Compared to conventional 35-mm photography, there is no film or processing costs, and results are immediately viewable so a re-shoot can be made quickly if needed. Plus there are more and more applications where digital images are more convenient and cost effective.
If you use a flash in a dark environment, you often get a red eye effect. This is because the light of the flash is reflecting from the retina, which is covered with tiny blood vessels. The more open the pupils are, the redder eye effect you get in your photos. Red eye is more pronounced in people with light eye color. It is also more pronounced in people with blond or light-red hair and in children. Many cameras have a built-in red-eye reduction pre-flash that helps reduce the incidence of red eye. Red-eye reduction works by having the flash shine a light into the eyes of the subject prior to taking the picture. This causes the pupil to contract. However, you have to make sure the subject is looking at the camera. If not, this technique won’t work. Also be wary of using red-eye reduction feature when not necessary, because it may cause your subject to blink.
Understanding how your camera focuses will help you get better pictures. Just about all digital cameras these days have autofocus with two-step shutter release. In dark lighting, you will notice that when you press the button halfway down, a red light appears for a moment, but not in areas that are lighter. Then, when you press the button down fully, there is a flash. When you hold down the button halfway, that focuses the image, and when you depress it fully, the camera takes the focused image. If you want the subject of your photograph not to be in the center but still focused, first center them in the middle of the picture and focus the frame by pressing down halfway. Without removing your finger, reframe the picture with your subject in the right position, and take the picture. Your subject will still be focused. One aspect of taking a pleasing photograph is depth of field. When you look at a picture, you will notice that all the area surrounding the focused subject is also focused. This area is called depth of field. In order to change the way the depth of field in a picture is seen, focused, and lit, you must change the width of your lens. The wider the lens is, the smaller the depth of field will be. To decrease the depth of field you can also move closer to your subject. To increase it, you can use a smaller lens or move further away from your subject.
Color laser printers, once the stuff of dreams (or professional print shops); have rapidly become both more economical and more photo-friendly. The latest and greatest color laser printers cost under $300, produce high-quality color output, and features like PictBridge (that allows direct connection to many digital cameras) are starting to appear in this class. It’s looking like color laser printers may finally start to break into the huge home-office market, partly on their photo-printing strengths. Even without going to specialized photo paper, you can improve the quality of your printer’s output by careful paper choice. 24lb weight paper is best for most photo printing, though more expensive than normal 20lb paper, used for most printing. Lower weights will often bleed through too much ink; higher paper weights can cause reliability problems in typical home office printers.
Ironically, while cold prolongs the life of the battery, the cold, “slow” battery isn’t much good for use – the same process that slows the natural discharge of the battery slows the normal discharge during use, allowing the voltage to drop below usable levels even quicker. So, for batteries that are about to be used, warm storage (for example in a shirt pocket as opposed to a camera bag) speeds up the “metabolism” of the battery and keeps voltage higher longer – giving you more battery life. Common rechargeable batteries that lose a little power a day (often self-discharging in a month) can hold over 90% of their charge for several months if kept frozen. So, long-term cold, short-term warm: Just don’t give in to temptation when pulling those batteries from the freezer at the last moment and microwave them to get them in shape – that’s a story with a sad, sad ending, as if you’re very lucky the battery’s chemical storage mechanism will be broken down and the battery ruined. If you’re not lucky, you could burn your house down when the battery explodes. You may have recalled hearing somewhere about recharging batteries with microwaves – NASA has worked on exotic batteries recharged by directed microwaves, but both the battery and the microwave are very different from what you have at home.
Explore different camera angles: Small kids have some interesting facial features. They have cute button noses, big eyes and cherry lips. Experiment with different points of view. Don’t be afraid to turn everything on its head to find the perfect way to express the moment. Take tons of pictures: Children change so quickly. Both in the long term and the short. They are so dynamic and can offer you tons of amazing opportunities for great pictures and incredible headaches. With this said, you can use this to your advantage if you just take tons of pictures. If not, you can expect hours of frustration caused by just missing or rushing the perfect shot.
These days in news photography you could be selecting that career. This is probably one of the most exciting careers a beginner photographer could embark on. These photographers bring in photos that are current and stay with today’s flow of news. The picture should have power and capture the reader’s attention. It is difficult to just start being a news photographer, it is better to have some experience in the field. It takes a lot of trial and error to become really good at this field. Here are a couple really good tips: You have to master the art of holding the perfect shot. You have to make sure that you hold the shot longer. You should know how to create intervals for every shot that you take. You should know the story and listen well in your interviews. Ask your reporter for instructions so that you can follow his insight on where he would like to go with the story. Always use a tripod in capturing shots. Many believe that a video camera should be held steadily in place. However, some photographers want to move freely in capturing their shots.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Lighting Tips For Better Photos
Have you ever taken photos that look dull and flat? And even after using photo editing software you still can get the look you were going for?
The number one reason for this is usually lighting. The secret for perfect pictures is to do it right the first time, so that you don’t have to use photo editing software. To achieve this you simply have to understand how light can effect your images.
Using the latest digital camera will not guarantee a good photo if you are not making use of the right strategies.
Professional digital photographers have come to realize that the digital camera is just one element. Another important element is lighting, which once learned can be used to maximize the impact of your photos.
Below are some tips for digital photography lighting:
1. During Sunrise and Sunset.
It is during these times that color is at its peak for taking photos. The colors that appears in the sky during these times adds a deeper dimension to the colors that your digital camera is capable of producing. Shooting at during sunrise and sunset will add another element of brilliant colors.
2. Sunlight.
You can use Sunlight to your advantage once you know how to modify your shots. Trying different angles and see if they look perfect once frozen.
When you learn to use the nuances of light your photos will take on a deeper and richer element, which will result in not needing to use too many tools or steps to clean up your shots in photo editing software.
The number one reason for this is usually lighting. The secret for perfect pictures is to do it right the first time, so that you don’t have to use photo editing software. To achieve this you simply have to understand how light can effect your images.
Using the latest digital camera will not guarantee a good photo if you are not making use of the right strategies.
Professional digital photographers have come to realize that the digital camera is just one element. Another important element is lighting, which once learned can be used to maximize the impact of your photos.
Below are some tips for digital photography lighting:
1. During Sunrise and Sunset.
It is during these times that color is at its peak for taking photos. The colors that appears in the sky during these times adds a deeper dimension to the colors that your digital camera is capable of producing. Shooting at during sunrise and sunset will add another element of brilliant colors.
2. Sunlight.
You can use Sunlight to your advantage once you know how to modify your shots. Trying different angles and see if they look perfect once frozen.
When you learn to use the nuances of light your photos will take on a deeper and richer element, which will result in not needing to use too many tools or steps to clean up your shots in photo editing software.
The Long-Term Value of a Photobuyer…Cultivate Them for Future Profits
No contest, right? Yet most stock photographers resort to the second scenario, or even a third: they wait by the phone and hope someone will call them.
In the early days of the California Gold Rush, the ’49ers who proved most successful were those that panned the creeks first to locate the gold, but then took one more important step. They followed the gold back to the source and then spent their time in the mine.
Too often, stock photographers will sell a photo to a buyer and consider the sale and relationship done. The photographer goes on to look for “gold” elsewhere.
FUTURE WORTH
Successful stock photographers, on the other hand, learn how to “mine their lode.” That is, they calculate the future net worth of each photobuyer (and the market he/she represents) and put the buyer into their marketing program, which includes systematic promotion. A buyer soon forgets a photo and a photographer unless you remind the buyer regularly of your work.
You can cultivate long-term working relationships with photobuyers at markets whose photo needs match your strong coverage areas.
Determining the future net worth of an editor or photobuyer is not difficult to do. Based on photobuyers at other, similar, markets, be it a book or magazine publisher, a corporation, etc., the photographer estimates the jobs, sales, and other revenue that can be obtained from the photobuyer over two to three years, and then projects what potential revenues will come in. Past experience shows that each buyer represents certain predictable variables: per-picture rate of pay, average number of pictures bought per transaction, frequency of purchase per year, spin-off to other photobuyers in the same publishing house/ad agency/ corporation. From this, it’s possible for the stock photographer to determine a fairly accurate future net worth of their new photobuyer.
The future net worth over a ten-year period of a typical low-budget buyer would be approximately $5,000. A mid-range buyer would be approximately $25,000, and a high range would be about $75,000. By the way, we have found ten years is an average length of time you can expect to remain with a buyer in the publishing industry.
PROMOTION
The critical factor is promotion.
If the stock photographer does not set up a regular and consistent plan of promotion, the new photobuyer could very easily be lost.
What does it cost to promote? If your costs to promote were just 10% of the expected gross revenue, it’s easy to see that promotion costs are irrelevant. The critical factor is to know who you should spend your promotional dollars on.
Which brings us to how to get good leads worth your promotion dollars (panning for gold along the creek). Obviously, the leads in your marketletter (PhotoDaily, PhotoLetter, or PhotoStockNotes/Plus) are the most cost-effective for you. If you spend $330 per year on a marketletter service, and obtain 10 excellent mid-range leads during that one year, you have a gold mine: 10 x $25,000 = $250,000 future net worth–at a cost of only $330, plus 10% to promote to them over a ten-year period. There are not many businesses that can realize that kind of cost-effective marketing strategy.
Begin today. Follow up with the photobuyers you’ve cultivated in the past. Start mining this hidden asset of yours.
In the early days of the California Gold Rush, the ’49ers who proved most successful were those that panned the creeks first to locate the gold, but then took one more important step. They followed the gold back to the source and then spent their time in the mine.
Too often, stock photographers will sell a photo to a buyer and consider the sale and relationship done. The photographer goes on to look for “gold” elsewhere.
FUTURE WORTH
Successful stock photographers, on the other hand, learn how to “mine their lode.” That is, they calculate the future net worth of each photobuyer (and the market he/she represents) and put the buyer into their marketing program, which includes systematic promotion. A buyer soon forgets a photo and a photographer unless you remind the buyer regularly of your work.
You can cultivate long-term working relationships with photobuyers at markets whose photo needs match your strong coverage areas.
Determining the future net worth of an editor or photobuyer is not difficult to do. Based on photobuyers at other, similar, markets, be it a book or magazine publisher, a corporation, etc., the photographer estimates the jobs, sales, and other revenue that can be obtained from the photobuyer over two to three years, and then projects what potential revenues will come in. Past experience shows that each buyer represents certain predictable variables: per-picture rate of pay, average number of pictures bought per transaction, frequency of purchase per year, spin-off to other photobuyers in the same publishing house/ad agency/ corporation. From this, it’s possible for the stock photographer to determine a fairly accurate future net worth of their new photobuyer.
The future net worth over a ten-year period of a typical low-budget buyer would be approximately $5,000. A mid-range buyer would be approximately $25,000, and a high range would be about $75,000. By the way, we have found ten years is an average length of time you can expect to remain with a buyer in the publishing industry.
PROMOTION
The critical factor is promotion.
If the stock photographer does not set up a regular and consistent plan of promotion, the new photobuyer could very easily be lost.
What does it cost to promote? If your costs to promote were just 10% of the expected gross revenue, it’s easy to see that promotion costs are irrelevant. The critical factor is to know who you should spend your promotional dollars on.
Which brings us to how to get good leads worth your promotion dollars (panning for gold along the creek). Obviously, the leads in your marketletter (PhotoDaily, PhotoLetter, or PhotoStockNotes/Plus) are the most cost-effective for you. If you spend $330 per year on a marketletter service, and obtain 10 excellent mid-range leads during that one year, you have a gold mine: 10 x $25,000 = $250,000 future net worth–at a cost of only $330, plus 10% to promote to them over a ten-year period. There are not many businesses that can realize that kind of cost-effective marketing strategy.
Begin today. Follow up with the photobuyers you’ve cultivated in the past. Start mining this hidden asset of yours.
Tips for Enhanced Digital Photos
Just bought a new camera ?? And very excited to start taking photos with your new gadget??
But Alas, why does the picture not look as good as you wanted to !! Fret no more, stay tuned below for 4 new tricks to taking more interesting and memorable photos.
Trick #1 – Try out different camera exposure settings
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By exploring the exposure settings of your camera, you could have pictures looking more brilliant with 0.5 to 2 stops underexposed in bright surroundings, and scenes appearing more clear with some overexposure. Just by simple tuning of the exposure level, you can create pictures which can bring out different moods from people viewing it. Thats why the quote “A Picture Says A Thousand Words” is very true indeed ! For newbies, try out bracketing (i.e: Take the same photos with different exposure levels) and take your favorite pick from them.
Trick #2 – Bring out some creative blur in photos
—————————————————
By introducing some well-planned blur in photos, you can bring across certain important features, while using the rest as good complement, providing an overall nice touch. This can be done in 2 basic types.
First type is depth-of-field blur. Varying the lens aperture between 0.4 to 1.4 can create a lovely, soft background blur which bring sharp focus to the subject in the foreground.
Second type is movement blur. Done by setting the camera exposure on shutter priority, and keep it slow so as to capture interesting streaks as the subject moves in front of the camera.
Trick #3 – Create something out of nothing !!
—————————————————
What does it means? This exercise encourages you to take a step back and rethink how you can take wonderful pictures with things you already encountered on a daily basis.
One approach is to create your shot around the common elements around you such as lines, space and patterns. This can mean anything from the roads to the bridges, the trees, the railings, etc.. You start to see more possibilities and room for creativity.
Trick #4 – Take Unique Photos !!
————————————–
Try to avoid taking photos from already popular places where everyone else has taken before, it will not be fresh, and the excitement is also much diminished. Try out new extreme photography (for example: underwater photography), or it could be as easy as shooting through thick glasses for that extra 3D feel, or shooting reflections of objects in water or other reflective objects.
But Alas, why does the picture not look as good as you wanted to !! Fret no more, stay tuned below for 4 new tricks to taking more interesting and memorable photos.
Trick #1 – Try out different camera exposure settings
—————————————————
By exploring the exposure settings of your camera, you could have pictures looking more brilliant with 0.5 to 2 stops underexposed in bright surroundings, and scenes appearing more clear with some overexposure. Just by simple tuning of the exposure level, you can create pictures which can bring out different moods from people viewing it. Thats why the quote “A Picture Says A Thousand Words” is very true indeed ! For newbies, try out bracketing (i.e: Take the same photos with different exposure levels) and take your favorite pick from them.
Trick #2 – Bring out some creative blur in photos
—————————————————
By introducing some well-planned blur in photos, you can bring across certain important features, while using the rest as good complement, providing an overall nice touch. This can be done in 2 basic types.
First type is depth-of-field blur. Varying the lens aperture between 0.4 to 1.4 can create a lovely, soft background blur which bring sharp focus to the subject in the foreground.
Second type is movement blur. Done by setting the camera exposure on shutter priority, and keep it slow so as to capture interesting streaks as the subject moves in front of the camera.
Trick #3 – Create something out of nothing !!
—————————————————
What does it means? This exercise encourages you to take a step back and rethink how you can take wonderful pictures with things you already encountered on a daily basis.
One approach is to create your shot around the common elements around you such as lines, space and patterns. This can mean anything from the roads to the bridges, the trees, the railings, etc.. You start to see more possibilities and room for creativity.
Trick #4 – Take Unique Photos !!
————————————–
Try to avoid taking photos from already popular places where everyone else has taken before, it will not be fresh, and the excitement is also much diminished. Try out new extreme photography (for example: underwater photography), or it could be as easy as shooting through thick glasses for that extra 3D feel, or shooting reflections of objects in water or other reflective objects.
The Nature Photographer and the Travel Writer
A nature photographer and a journalist worked together for the first time on a magazine article. The article was very popular, and after publication they sat down for a drink together. “You know,” the journalist said, “you took some really good photos. You must have a great camera”
“Thanks,” said the photographer. “And that was some terrific creative writing. You must have a great typewriter.”
If you get this joke, you are probably a photographer who puts up with ridiculous comments every day. If you don’t get it…read on, my friend, and learn.
If you eat a great meal at a restaurant, you don’t compliment the chef on the quality of his saucepans. When we appreciate a great painting, we don’t automatically think about the brand of paintbrush. When you hear your favourite song…well, you can see where I am going with this. So why is it that so many people think that good photography is all about how much money you spend on your camera?
A camera is simply the tool a photographer uses for their craft. There are dozens of brands and models available, with myriad minor features that sound good in a camera shop. But really good photography, just like it always has, requires only the basic features found on almost every camera: shutter speed, aperture, and a good quality lens.
In the days of film, these features were only available on SLR and larger format cameras, so it could be argued that they belonged to the realm of ‘serious’ photographers. However, in the digital age, these essential features are available on almost any camera, should the owner take the time to learn how to use them.
Regardless of what type of camera they have, a photographer uses an appreciation of light, a unique flair for composition, and a sense of timing, to capture their subject in a way that satisfies their vision. These skills are the product of experience and creativity, and have nothing to do with technology.
I was guest speaker at a camera club once, where a member brought a whole suitcase full of expensive camera gear to the meeting. There was no reason to bring cameras to that particular meeting, and by all reports he wasn’t much of a photographer, but he wanted everyone to see how much gear he had. What he did not seem to grasp was that cameras don’t earn you respect as a photographer – photos do.
If you want to improve your photography, never assume it will automatically happen with a better camera. Instead, settle for the camera you can afford, and learn to use the camera you have. Remember; aperture, shutter speed, a decent lens and a flair for composition and light. Master these and you will get results no matter what sort of camera you have.
Don’t be intimidated by photographers with thousands of dollars worth of equipment. Instead, intimidate them with your photography…in the end, only results matter.
“Thanks,” said the photographer. “And that was some terrific creative writing. You must have a great typewriter.”
If you get this joke, you are probably a photographer who puts up with ridiculous comments every day. If you don’t get it…read on, my friend, and learn.
If you eat a great meal at a restaurant, you don’t compliment the chef on the quality of his saucepans. When we appreciate a great painting, we don’t automatically think about the brand of paintbrush. When you hear your favourite song…well, you can see where I am going with this. So why is it that so many people think that good photography is all about how much money you spend on your camera?
A camera is simply the tool a photographer uses for their craft. There are dozens of brands and models available, with myriad minor features that sound good in a camera shop. But really good photography, just like it always has, requires only the basic features found on almost every camera: shutter speed, aperture, and a good quality lens.
In the days of film, these features were only available on SLR and larger format cameras, so it could be argued that they belonged to the realm of ‘serious’ photographers. However, in the digital age, these essential features are available on almost any camera, should the owner take the time to learn how to use them.
Regardless of what type of camera they have, a photographer uses an appreciation of light, a unique flair for composition, and a sense of timing, to capture their subject in a way that satisfies their vision. These skills are the product of experience and creativity, and have nothing to do with technology.
I was guest speaker at a camera club once, where a member brought a whole suitcase full of expensive camera gear to the meeting. There was no reason to bring cameras to that particular meeting, and by all reports he wasn’t much of a photographer, but he wanted everyone to see how much gear he had. What he did not seem to grasp was that cameras don’t earn you respect as a photographer – photos do.
If you want to improve your photography, never assume it will automatically happen with a better camera. Instead, settle for the camera you can afford, and learn to use the camera you have. Remember; aperture, shutter speed, a decent lens and a flair for composition and light. Master these and you will get results no matter what sort of camera you have.
Don’t be intimidated by photographers with thousands of dollars worth of equipment. Instead, intimidate them with your photography…in the end, only results matter.
Buying A Digital Camera
The different variety of cameras that are in use these days, range from the normal manual camera, to the automatic camera and to the digital camera. And the best place to find all of these is in the range of Canon digital camera models which are available on the market today. .
Canon is constantly updating its products and you have a wide range of styles and features available when you go in for a Canon digital camera. These features can be found in many different digital cameras like that of the Canon Digital SD550, the Canon Digital PowerShot S2, and others of its ilk.
The features to be found on the different canon digital cameras can range from a larger than average LCD display, to stereo sound recording, to low image noise resolution and others. To see what the various features are for the different camera models you might have to compare them as you go when you shop around.
For instance you will find that the Canon digital camera PowerShot S2 has a 5 Mega pixel CCD, and a new Night Display which allows your LCD and EVH to become brighter in low light. You will also find movie options in this Canon digital camera like mic level, and a wind filter which you will not find on the earlier models.
With the Canon digital camera SD500 features like a continuous shooting mode can be found, as well as a redeye reduction option which has been designed into the camera via a built-in illuminator. This Canon digital camera also has a 1.8 low temperature LCD, a Flash Exposure Lock function to help you in your photography.
Some of the features to be found in these more expensive Canon digital cameras can also be found in the less expensive digital compact cameras. This diversity in features and models is also reflected in the price of the many Canon Digital cameras as they can start from about $100 and go upwards.
The actual price of the cameras should be looked into at the time you are thinking of buying your camera, as the prices will be subject to fluctuation and advances in technology.
When you’re looking at the range of Canon digital cameras besides finding out what are the various functions and features you might also want to find out what accessories are part of the camera, and which ones you’ll have to buy separately.
These accessories for the Canon digital cameras include things like a telephoto lens, a wide angle lens, a battery charger or kit, an A/C power adaptor, external flash, and a carrying case amongst other things.
As you can see from the number of options available to you, buying a camera isn’t what it used to be fifty years ago, there are a number of things that you will want to look into first before buying your camera. But with the Canon digital camera range the world can be at your fingertips as you can choose the perfect camera to suit you.
Canon is constantly updating its products and you have a wide range of styles and features available when you go in for a Canon digital camera. These features can be found in many different digital cameras like that of the Canon Digital SD550, the Canon Digital PowerShot S2, and others of its ilk.
The features to be found on the different canon digital cameras can range from a larger than average LCD display, to stereo sound recording, to low image noise resolution and others. To see what the various features are for the different camera models you might have to compare them as you go when you shop around.
For instance you will find that the Canon digital camera PowerShot S2 has a 5 Mega pixel CCD, and a new Night Display which allows your LCD and EVH to become brighter in low light. You will also find movie options in this Canon digital camera like mic level, and a wind filter which you will not find on the earlier models.
With the Canon digital camera SD500 features like a continuous shooting mode can be found, as well as a redeye reduction option which has been designed into the camera via a built-in illuminator. This Canon digital camera also has a 1.8 low temperature LCD, a Flash Exposure Lock function to help you in your photography.
Some of the features to be found in these more expensive Canon digital cameras can also be found in the less expensive digital compact cameras. This diversity in features and models is also reflected in the price of the many Canon Digital cameras as they can start from about $100 and go upwards.
The actual price of the cameras should be looked into at the time you are thinking of buying your camera, as the prices will be subject to fluctuation and advances in technology.
When you’re looking at the range of Canon digital cameras besides finding out what are the various functions and features you might also want to find out what accessories are part of the camera, and which ones you’ll have to buy separately.
These accessories for the Canon digital cameras include things like a telephoto lens, a wide angle lens, a battery charger or kit, an A/C power adaptor, external flash, and a carrying case amongst other things.
As you can see from the number of options available to you, buying a camera isn’t what it used to be fifty years ago, there are a number of things that you will want to look into first before buying your camera. But with the Canon digital camera range the world can be at your fingertips as you can choose the perfect camera to suit you.
Finding Photography Mount Board
When photographic images are raised to the level of art, there is nothing better for framing than wood picture frames. Like wood floors and furniture, wood picture frames have a warmth, a luster and a connection to simpler times that sterile metal frames cannot match.
Get Started Right
Photography itself may be art, but framing such art properly is a science. Even with the best photo framing supplies, if this isn’t done correctly, the best photographic print will look cheap and tawdry – and may even suffer an early demise from acids, humidity, or ultraviolet light.
In addition to a good selection of custom wood picture frames in the appropriate sizes, here’s a list of what you’ll need:
– mount board
– backing material for the print
– “hinge tissue” or other adhesive, and/or “photo corners”
– photo mat board (bainbridge mat board is preferable)
– glazing
Bainbridge mat board is of the highest quality, acid-free materials. This is important, because acids from low-quality photo mat board will eventually result in “mat burn,” which produces unsightly stains on the image. In addition, high quality photo mat board is treated with an alkaline buffering agent in order to raise the pH level and present such damage from occurring.
You’ll also need enough mat board to make both a back mat and a window mat, for reasons that are described next.
Putting It Together
The purpose of the mount board or backing board is to hold the photograph rigid in the frame and prevent it from warping, or “bowing.” There are several kinds available, but whatever kind is chosen, you’ll need some kind of barrier between this mount board and the photo mat board. This is especially important when using wood picture frames, which are organic and porous; the idea is to minimize the possibility of the effects of humidity and environmental contaminants that could destroy the print.
Paper hinges are preferable to other adhesives for affixing the print to the mat board itself. These are similar to “double stick” tape that is specially formulated for use with photographic paper. Alternatively, you may wish to use “photo corners,” which will not require that any adhesive be applied to the photo itself.
The “window mat” is placed atop the print itself to prevent direct contact between the glazing material (glass or acrylic – plastic should be avoided) and the surface of the photograph, which otherwise could become stuck to the image.
The Finished Product…
Artistic photographs deserve the best photography frames you can afford, and fine wood picture frames are the most attractive in virtually any setting. However, keep the appearance of the display area in mind when selecting frames; if the rooms accents are primarily of one kind of wood stained and finished in a particular color, you’ll want to make sure that your wood picture frames complement, and not detract from the decor.
Get Started Right
Photography itself may be art, but framing such art properly is a science. Even with the best photo framing supplies, if this isn’t done correctly, the best photographic print will look cheap and tawdry – and may even suffer an early demise from acids, humidity, or ultraviolet light.
In addition to a good selection of custom wood picture frames in the appropriate sizes, here’s a list of what you’ll need:
– mount board
– backing material for the print
– “hinge tissue” or other adhesive, and/or “photo corners”
– photo mat board (bainbridge mat board is preferable)
– glazing
Bainbridge mat board is of the highest quality, acid-free materials. This is important, because acids from low-quality photo mat board will eventually result in “mat burn,” which produces unsightly stains on the image. In addition, high quality photo mat board is treated with an alkaline buffering agent in order to raise the pH level and present such damage from occurring.
You’ll also need enough mat board to make both a back mat and a window mat, for reasons that are described next.
Putting It Together
The purpose of the mount board or backing board is to hold the photograph rigid in the frame and prevent it from warping, or “bowing.” There are several kinds available, but whatever kind is chosen, you’ll need some kind of barrier between this mount board and the photo mat board. This is especially important when using wood picture frames, which are organic and porous; the idea is to minimize the possibility of the effects of humidity and environmental contaminants that could destroy the print.
Paper hinges are preferable to other adhesives for affixing the print to the mat board itself. These are similar to “double stick” tape that is specially formulated for use with photographic paper. Alternatively, you may wish to use “photo corners,” which will not require that any adhesive be applied to the photo itself.
The “window mat” is placed atop the print itself to prevent direct contact between the glazing material (glass or acrylic – plastic should be avoided) and the surface of the photograph, which otherwise could become stuck to the image.
The Finished Product…
Artistic photographs deserve the best photography frames you can afford, and fine wood picture frames are the most attractive in virtually any setting. However, keep the appearance of the display area in mind when selecting frames; if the rooms accents are primarily of one kind of wood stained and finished in a particular color, you’ll want to make sure that your wood picture frames complement, and not detract from the decor.
Pictures on canvas
In the recent world of technological advancements, the need of the hour is creativity and an imaginary mind could think in a unique way. Selection of best canvas art prints or photos onto canvas is something that can be cherished for a longer period in life. There are lots of websites which helps to print pictures on canvas. It is required by the buyer to analyze the market and choose the right place. Though it may be a bit expensive, money spent a little above the budget would render good quality products and sparkling results.
If one is bored with seeing the ordinary photos, such photos can be printed on the canvas by re-crafting them. This gives an artistic look to the pictures and interesting within a few minutes. So, canvas prints have the power to bring life to the objects as well as the pictures. Time and places can metaphorically be captured on to the pictures on canvas and this signifies that, it is not only made for the recent pictures, but also for those of the older times it can be put on to canvas that in turn can be saved for ages. In fact, there are many ways where the canvas prints can be used. For example, these can be interesting gifts for several occasions like birthdays, anniversary, thanks giving, wedding etc. If these prints are opted as gifts, then the celebrities’ pictures can be canvassed on to them. This would indeed be a good idea for people who are crazy of their favorite star or rock musicians.
They can be the best gifts for a wedding when the bride and groom’s moments are captured on to the canvas and showed to them. Also, it helps in preserving the family heritage by placing the pictures of the ancestors so that the succeeding generation gains idea of their family in an artistic way. Canvas prints have the ability to transform the average photo in to a masterpiece. It ideally converts pictures into remarkable mementos which last for a longer time. However, these pictures could be weird and funny looking making one to laugh whenever the person sees. They can even be printed in the form of greeting cards and posters. This is the reason why the process of photos onto canvas and photographs on canvas had gained its popularity not only among the adults but also to the younger generation as well. Even the pet animals could be a part of photo canvassing where people like to take artistic photos of their pets like cats, dogs, birds etc.
The first important thing to be followed during the purchase is to measure one’s wall space keeping in mind the shape of the photo and informing the client the size which is expected. The shops may contain huge collection of sizes of standard pictures for quick delivery. They would be in fact satisfied to accommodate with whatever custom size that is ordered for. Contact needs to be made for the size requirements. There may exist sizes that could be turned around nearly 30% than a created-to-measure canvas. These sizes could be listed in their standard print sizes page and one could also check if their photo is apt for a larger size canvas print. Or else, the buyers have the option to order and obtain a free sample print on a bit of canvas to find out the quality of the products.
There can be images printed on the high level canvas which is later stretched professionally over a pine stretcher bar frame. Then the images are wrapped for gallery around the stretcher sides to the back of the frame finally ready to be hung. The durability of pictures and photos on to canvas lasts long when the canvases are chosen out of the best quality. However, depending on one’s comfort level it could be purchased, but a better quality can be compensated when a person is ready to spend a higher price for their product.
If one is bored with seeing the ordinary photos, such photos can be printed on the canvas by re-crafting them. This gives an artistic look to the pictures and interesting within a few minutes. So, canvas prints have the power to bring life to the objects as well as the pictures. Time and places can metaphorically be captured on to the pictures on canvas and this signifies that, it is not only made for the recent pictures, but also for those of the older times it can be put on to canvas that in turn can be saved for ages. In fact, there are many ways where the canvas prints can be used. For example, these can be interesting gifts for several occasions like birthdays, anniversary, thanks giving, wedding etc. If these prints are opted as gifts, then the celebrities’ pictures can be canvassed on to them. This would indeed be a good idea for people who are crazy of their favorite star or rock musicians.
They can be the best gifts for a wedding when the bride and groom’s moments are captured on to the canvas and showed to them. Also, it helps in preserving the family heritage by placing the pictures of the ancestors so that the succeeding generation gains idea of their family in an artistic way. Canvas prints have the ability to transform the average photo in to a masterpiece. It ideally converts pictures into remarkable mementos which last for a longer time. However, these pictures could be weird and funny looking making one to laugh whenever the person sees. They can even be printed in the form of greeting cards and posters. This is the reason why the process of photos onto canvas and photographs on canvas had gained its popularity not only among the adults but also to the younger generation as well. Even the pet animals could be a part of photo canvassing where people like to take artistic photos of their pets like cats, dogs, birds etc.
The first important thing to be followed during the purchase is to measure one’s wall space keeping in mind the shape of the photo and informing the client the size which is expected. The shops may contain huge collection of sizes of standard pictures for quick delivery. They would be in fact satisfied to accommodate with whatever custom size that is ordered for. Contact needs to be made for the size requirements. There may exist sizes that could be turned around nearly 30% than a created-to-measure canvas. These sizes could be listed in their standard print sizes page and one could also check if their photo is apt for a larger size canvas print. Or else, the buyers have the option to order and obtain a free sample print on a bit of canvas to find out the quality of the products.
There can be images printed on the high level canvas which is later stretched professionally over a pine stretcher bar frame. Then the images are wrapped for gallery around the stretcher sides to the back of the frame finally ready to be hung. The durability of pictures and photos on to canvas lasts long when the canvases are chosen out of the best quality. However, depending on one’s comfort level it could be purchased, but a better quality can be compensated when a person is ready to spend a higher price for their product.
Beginning in Photography: Focus
It seems a simple concept: make sure the thing you’re taking a photo of is sharp. But there is much more to the simple act of focusing on your subject. Used selectively, focus is a great tool for getting your message across within an image.
Story telling
Whether you are taking snaps of your kids at the beach, or on a professional assignment photographing African tribes for a magazine, you are telling a story with your photos. Knowing what the story is before you start shooting helps you choose what to photograph and how. For example, if you want to tell the story about your kid’s day at the beach you might choose to focus on the smiles on their faces, the sandcastles they build, or the ice creams they manage to get all over their faces. Or you might decide to tell the story of the beach itself. The white sands, the beach huts nearby or the boats on the water. In either case you will come away with very different images. Remember the saying “think before you speak”? Well this is the visual equivalent.
Focal length
Ok, so we’ve decided on what story to tell. But what does this have to do with focusing? It’s about taking your story and making it stand out from all that is going on around it. Let’s say that you have decided to make a record of your kids first day at the beach and there are lots of opportunities for close ups of smiling faces. The way to make those faces stand out from the background is to use a short focal length, or wide aperture. Focusing on your child’s face and using a short focal length will blur the background, making your child and their joy the story. An example of long focal lengths in story telling is if you have decided your intention is to show the beach itself and the area surrounding, you might use a long focal length to describe the length of the beach, or how busy the beach was by showing acres of people sunning themselves on the sand. In short, a shorter focal length is most useful for a single narrative while a longer focal length lends well to telling a broader story, or giving a wider picture.
Avoiding confusion
Knowing what you want to say before you say it, or thinking before you speak, avoids jumbling your words. Similarly, knowing what your story is before you start taking pictures also avoids confusion. Having intention in your images leaves the viewer in no doubt over what the photo is actually of. Ever seen those pictures people take of their day at the beach where there was so much going on in a photo that you couldn’t tell what it was about? Then they point out that it is actually a picture of their child whose head you could just see in the bottom right hand corner. This is what I call a confusing photograph, and is to be avoided at all costs. Keep it simple. If you want to take a photo of your child, make them prominent in the shot and make them stand out using focal length.
Story telling
Whether you are taking snaps of your kids at the beach, or on a professional assignment photographing African tribes for a magazine, you are telling a story with your photos. Knowing what the story is before you start shooting helps you choose what to photograph and how. For example, if you want to tell the story about your kid’s day at the beach you might choose to focus on the smiles on their faces, the sandcastles they build, or the ice creams they manage to get all over their faces. Or you might decide to tell the story of the beach itself. The white sands, the beach huts nearby or the boats on the water. In either case you will come away with very different images. Remember the saying “think before you speak”? Well this is the visual equivalent.
Focal length
Ok, so we’ve decided on what story to tell. But what does this have to do with focusing? It’s about taking your story and making it stand out from all that is going on around it. Let’s say that you have decided to make a record of your kids first day at the beach and there are lots of opportunities for close ups of smiling faces. The way to make those faces stand out from the background is to use a short focal length, or wide aperture. Focusing on your child’s face and using a short focal length will blur the background, making your child and their joy the story. An example of long focal lengths in story telling is if you have decided your intention is to show the beach itself and the area surrounding, you might use a long focal length to describe the length of the beach, or how busy the beach was by showing acres of people sunning themselves on the sand. In short, a shorter focal length is most useful for a single narrative while a longer focal length lends well to telling a broader story, or giving a wider picture.
Avoiding confusion
Knowing what you want to say before you say it, or thinking before you speak, avoids jumbling your words. Similarly, knowing what your story is before you start taking pictures also avoids confusion. Having intention in your images leaves the viewer in no doubt over what the photo is actually of. Ever seen those pictures people take of their day at the beach where there was so much going on in a photo that you couldn’t tell what it was about? Then they point out that it is actually a picture of their child whose head you could just see in the bottom right hand corner. This is what I call a confusing photograph, and is to be avoided at all costs. Keep it simple. If you want to take a photo of your child, make them prominent in the shot and make them stand out using focal length.
Tips To Taking Better Photos
When you take a picture you are framing everything within the border of your picture in a particular way. How you frame your photo is going to determine how it looks when you review it. Now, sometimes all you have to do is move the camera a few inches to the left or right to get a better shots. Other times, you may have to get 5 feet closer or even 100 feet farther away.
Moving Your Camera A Little…
When you are taking a picture of a subject, first ask yourself this question: Is the subject dead center? If your subject is then just move your camera a little so the subject isn’t in the middle. Place the subject on one of the sides of the photo. Most likely your photo will look much better.
Splitting It Like An Orange
Have you ever noticed how when you cut an orange in half both sides look identical? Well, this is symmetry and you can use this in your photos too. Now, both sides don’t have to be equal like the orange. For example, you could have two people shaking hands. They won’t be identical people but their shape and form is the same….most likely. You could use the differences also in an interesting way. For example, have a very skinny person shaking hands with a very large person.
Practicing Like an Athlete
When athletes want to get stronger, what do they do? They practice! So you’re going to want to do the same thing with photography. Exercise those photography muscles. But be sure to rest a little or else you’ll get burned out and can quit.
Moving Your Camera A Little…
When you are taking a picture of a subject, first ask yourself this question: Is the subject dead center? If your subject is then just move your camera a little so the subject isn’t in the middle. Place the subject on one of the sides of the photo. Most likely your photo will look much better.
Splitting It Like An Orange
Have you ever noticed how when you cut an orange in half both sides look identical? Well, this is symmetry and you can use this in your photos too. Now, both sides don’t have to be equal like the orange. For example, you could have two people shaking hands. They won’t be identical people but their shape and form is the same….most likely. You could use the differences also in an interesting way. For example, have a very skinny person shaking hands with a very large person.
Practicing Like an Athlete
When athletes want to get stronger, what do they do? They practice! So you’re going to want to do the same thing with photography. Exercise those photography muscles. But be sure to rest a little or else you’ll get burned out and can quit.
How To Become A Fashion Photographer
In today’s world we are saturated with images. All around us there are images of thin women dressed in the latest fashion. They are on TV, in magazines and all over the internet. But who brings these images to us? Who captures these photographs that command our attention, these photographs that exude style and character while highlighting the clothing to enhance its elegance? These people spend years practicing the art of capturing light and colour perfectly with a camera. They spend years studying composition to make their images achieve the most impact. These people are fashion photographers.
Photographers like Mario Testino are just as celebrated as models and designers in the realm of fashion. They present high-fashion to the public and have the responsibility of representing it in its best light.
Money and fame may be the dream of any aspiring young newcomer, but entry to this exclusive universe is as difficult as it is desirable. To reach the golden heights that many hunger for, one must extraordinary ambition and persistence. With every successful fashion photographer, there are thousands left in the gutter promoting their work in hope of being picked up.
To get started in this competitive field you must obsessively study your craft. You can never stop learning, so keep absorbing everything you find, especially in fashion magazines. There are fantastic resources on the internet. You can find books on the subject at Amazon.com. The basic equipment you will need to start out is a good camera, some standard lighting equipment and a tripod. On any shoot, make sure you have extra film so you don’t have to interrupt your flow. Research the different types of cameras and the unique looks they produce, as your choice of camera will affect the look of your work.
Having a great portfolio to show off your work is vital to success. Have at least 20 photos in it to give you room to show off your skill in producing a range of styles. Developing photographs in the 4×5″ format is the best way to display your work. If your work is in a publication, use that as well. If you are having trouble getting any of these, a good quality 8×10″ will suffice. Make sure you show your ability to take photographs of different aspects of the human figure. A full figure photo with character will take you a long way.
Fashion is about accessories too so a close-up partial body shot can make a great photo- say an image of a watch on a young woman’s wrist. When you apply for a job be aware that you may have to leave your portfolio there for a couple of weeks. To deal with this you should make copies of your portfolio so that you can apply for more than one job at the same time.
Having an online presence is becoming an important part of fashion photography. Setting up a website with your portfolio on it could be the key to your success. Research ways to promote your website, such as entering online competitions and participating in online fashion forums.
What fashion editors are really looking for is a unique character in your photographs. Every photographer captures different images. It is a good idea to learn about your art to improve your technical skills. This will give you greater freedom to express your vision. To succeed at this, you must be persistent, so don’t give up if this is your dream and never stop learning.
Photographers like Mario Testino are just as celebrated as models and designers in the realm of fashion. They present high-fashion to the public and have the responsibility of representing it in its best light.
Money and fame may be the dream of any aspiring young newcomer, but entry to this exclusive universe is as difficult as it is desirable. To reach the golden heights that many hunger for, one must extraordinary ambition and persistence. With every successful fashion photographer, there are thousands left in the gutter promoting their work in hope of being picked up.
To get started in this competitive field you must obsessively study your craft. You can never stop learning, so keep absorbing everything you find, especially in fashion magazines. There are fantastic resources on the internet. You can find books on the subject at Amazon.com. The basic equipment you will need to start out is a good camera, some standard lighting equipment and a tripod. On any shoot, make sure you have extra film so you don’t have to interrupt your flow. Research the different types of cameras and the unique looks they produce, as your choice of camera will affect the look of your work.
Having a great portfolio to show off your work is vital to success. Have at least 20 photos in it to give you room to show off your skill in producing a range of styles. Developing photographs in the 4×5″ format is the best way to display your work. If your work is in a publication, use that as well. If you are having trouble getting any of these, a good quality 8×10″ will suffice. Make sure you show your ability to take photographs of different aspects of the human figure. A full figure photo with character will take you a long way.
Fashion is about accessories too so a close-up partial body shot can make a great photo- say an image of a watch on a young woman’s wrist. When you apply for a job be aware that you may have to leave your portfolio there for a couple of weeks. To deal with this you should make copies of your portfolio so that you can apply for more than one job at the same time.
Having an online presence is becoming an important part of fashion photography. Setting up a website with your portfolio on it could be the key to your success. Research ways to promote your website, such as entering online competitions and participating in online fashion forums.
What fashion editors are really looking for is a unique character in your photographs. Every photographer captures different images. It is a good idea to learn about your art to improve your technical skills. This will give you greater freedom to express your vision. To succeed at this, you must be persistent, so don’t give up if this is your dream and never stop learning.
Photography Business
If your images are a very good standard and you are making a few quid from a few jobs on the side, maybe its time to consider taking the plunge of entering the world of the professional. Before you start you need to take a look at what is involved in running your own business and learn how to promote it properly.
If no one knows about you no one will give you work as a photographer and no one will buy your images. The following article is a guide to setting up a photography business and the promotion that will be needed to succeed.
For any individual or group setting up a photography business the first and most important area to cover is promotion and marketing. This is the key to success and the more marketing you do the higher the chance that you will succeed.
Once you have set up a business with your accountant, the first thing needed is to create business cards and promotional material. This material should have all your photography details and the services that you offer. Place as much promotional material as possible in local businesses.
Local businesses will nearly always help if you are not competing with them. This is a great form of free advertisement. Many supermarkets have notice boards and allow local businesses to use them. Libraries will always let you put up some type of advertisement. And, of course the web is an escalating place for self-promotion.
Most businesses have a website and your business will look more professional with one. Your website does not have to be too large, five or six pages may be large enough but do have the following pages: contact page, services page, and a portfolio page.
Depending on the type of photography you do, I would advise that you hold regular galleries if you sell prints. This will lead to sales and may also give you free advertisement in your local press.
Many new businesses today advertise in their local newspaper. My advice to you is that if you are using this medium be careful, as it is a costly means of marketing and you could spend a lot with very little in return.
It is very important to keep records of every thing you do. Try to find out from clients where they heard about you. This will help you to understand what type of marketing work best.
Don’t ever take on a job that you cannot do. This will give you a bad name and harm your business. Word of mouth will help your business and in some cases this could be the best means of getting work.
Every business needs to make a profit. One of the most important items to work out with a new photography business are the rates that you are going to charge. If you are too expensive you won’t get work. If you are too cheap your business may struggle. Before you do a job you must take everything into account, and make sure that you are charging enough to cover costs, have a wage, and make some profit.
If no one knows about you no one will give you work as a photographer and no one will buy your images. The following article is a guide to setting up a photography business and the promotion that will be needed to succeed.
For any individual or group setting up a photography business the first and most important area to cover is promotion and marketing. This is the key to success and the more marketing you do the higher the chance that you will succeed.
Once you have set up a business with your accountant, the first thing needed is to create business cards and promotional material. This material should have all your photography details and the services that you offer. Place as much promotional material as possible in local businesses.
Local businesses will nearly always help if you are not competing with them. This is a great form of free advertisement. Many supermarkets have notice boards and allow local businesses to use them. Libraries will always let you put up some type of advertisement. And, of course the web is an escalating place for self-promotion.
Most businesses have a website and your business will look more professional with one. Your website does not have to be too large, five or six pages may be large enough but do have the following pages: contact page, services page, and a portfolio page.
Depending on the type of photography you do, I would advise that you hold regular galleries if you sell prints. This will lead to sales and may also give you free advertisement in your local press.
Many new businesses today advertise in their local newspaper. My advice to you is that if you are using this medium be careful, as it is a costly means of marketing and you could spend a lot with very little in return.
It is very important to keep records of every thing you do. Try to find out from clients where they heard about you. This will help you to understand what type of marketing work best.
Don’t ever take on a job that you cannot do. This will give you a bad name and harm your business. Word of mouth will help your business and in some cases this could be the best means of getting work.
Every business needs to make a profit. One of the most important items to work out with a new photography business are the rates that you are going to charge. If you are too expensive you won’t get work. If you are too cheap your business may struggle. Before you do a job you must take everything into account, and make sure that you are charging enough to cover costs, have a wage, and make some profit.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
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