If you enjoy photographing events and love to take pictures of people have you ever considered photography as a career or even just a means to making some money on the side to pay for your hobby?Probably the hardest part is getting started. These days it’s probably easier than it has ever been to get into photography as a profession. What with the introduction of digital Portrait and wedding photography, taking photographs has become a lot easier, sorting and presenting the photographs is also much cheaper and can be made to look a lot more professional, as you don’t have to print any photographs that you are not going to sell, and all your presentation can be done as a CD slide show.Probably the best way to start is to take portraits to get a bit of experience, why not try a bit of event photography to help you to get used to working fast.Digital wedding photography tips...Certainly don’t try any digital wedding photography until you feel pretty confident.Try to get some experience of wedding photography by offering to go out with a professional wedding photographer for a few occasions. Offer him the opportunity to use any photographs that you may take as a thank you for the experience.If you can get proficient at digital wedding photography you will always be able to earn a bit of extra money. (As there are always more weddings on a Saturday than there will ever be enough wedding photographers to cover them.)Most good wedding photographers love doing weddings and that’s what probably makes them good. However, some very good portrait and general photographers start to go grey just thinking they may have to do a wedding.A word of warning!If you find it hard to talk to people, leave wedding photography well alone.For more information on digital wedding photography tips and other photography subjects keep en eye on future postings here.
Len.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Create a Painting of your Pet and make it your own Masterpiece
by Anthony P. Palmieri
Abstract:
Turn your pet picture into a painting. Imagine that pictures of your Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Pekingese or other beloved pet are transformed into a work of art. Home PC's and the evolution of software and inexpensive printers expands the capabilities for even the home user making this a possibility. By spending a little bit of money on graphics programs, and a computer, coupled with a bit of creativity, you can turn your digital pictures into much more than just photographs. This evolution has enabled people to express their personality into family pictures as well as other loves such as cars, and pets.
Create a Painting of your Pet and make it your own Masterpiece
An artist used a brush, a pencil, clay or some other medium to create their own masterpiece. When you consign one of these professionals you are not just paying for the final product, but for their experience and talent. Often people art to express their personality, their loves, hobbies and other things. In any case the creative nature that we have comes to the surface once we have the tools and have developed ability to accomplish this. One area that has continued to grow as a result of technological advancement is with computer enhanced graphics. Faster home computers coupled with programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator have taken the high end graphics work once limited to corporations to smaller businesses. The most basic photo manipulation is to correct flaws in the picture, which can be expanded to the more advanced creation of fantasy scenes, such as overlaying multiple images and the addition of special effects.
Now be creative and think how a person can simulate a painting without being an artist. Can it be done? To the purist, anything but the real thing is not art. Does that mean that a cubic zirconia is not real? Why do people purchase them? Well, part of the reason is cost, and an imitation is must much less expensive. So here is the question; can you enjoy something that is not 100% real? I think so.
Lets take advantage of technology. Purchase a graphics program such as Photoshop, and a filter set that enables you to transform a photograph into a painting like image. You will have to experiment with various settings to get it realistic and that will take trial and error to get it just right. Print it out and you are almost there, but the problem is you now you have a 2 dimensional print. Touch a painting, and you will feel a texture from the brush. That texture is a 3rd dimension that adds depth, and various reflections and shadows bringing the picture to life. Can we do this with a print? Yes.
Using various shellacs and varnishes applied to the surface of a print, you can simulate a painting, and add that 3rd dimension. This surface texture must be added in steps. Remember that you are applying a liquid to a paper, and the paper will have a tendency to want to wrinkle and curl. A little bit of wrinkle is actually good, since a real painting will not be perfectly flat. The first coat should be thin and cover the entire surface. This provides a sealer coat. After that coat is fully dry, add a second, third and even 4th coating. With these coatings the focus is to create the brush strokes, and the texture. To make it realistic, you need to paint the picture with the coating as if you are actually painting it. For example if you have a vertical post you need to dray the brush up and down, not across. It becomes a bit more challenging when you are trying to paint a pet. There are many contours, and angles, the fur is fluffy and curved and you need to match the image.
This article gives you an idea of how to get started to create your own simulated painting. Some owners would rather purchase a custom picture of their pet . So, this desire for creativity by these pet owners has spurred an industry that caters directly to them. The pet lover is a proud group that loves to express their love for their pets. These owners take their pets to the experts for advice on how to train them, expert groomers for that perfect coat and the list goes on. Now another option that expends beyond standard photography provides a second level of creativity. One company that understands this area extremely well is Palmieri Concepts. and they have done a wonderful job of these conversions. Besides the founders being a pet owners for many years, and having a house full of pets, this company has spent years talking with owners and listening to them to understand their needs and wants before it even became a company. Often the owners knew they wanted something different, but was not sure exactly what or how to accomplish it. By listening to them, and understanding what could be done, their needs were met. Some of the nontraditional examples included the idea of having fantasy backgrounds such as a dog floating on a rainbow, to taking a color photograph and making it look like an old black and white.
For the serious owner, most have a special wall in their house or office with pictures and posters of their pets and even similar ones. Often these pictures were done in the traditional style of "point-shoot-develop-print-frame". The custom graphics companies that specialize in the photography industry have now taken the "develop" stage to the next level with custom image enhancements. These enhancements could be as simple as a picture of your pet overlaid on a family photograph, or even a key element such as the dog tag with their name on it. By combining this level of graphics, a plain photograph is transformed from just a photograph to an expression of personality. There are many examples of what I have described on line and www.PalmieriConcepts.com in the Pets section has a selection of examples that will give you many ideas that you can incorporate into your own works. The pictures there of the Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Pekingese are my inspiration to do this
Anthony Palmieri founded Palmieri Concepts after 20 years of creating custom art work for his own pleasure and enjoyment. This business grew out of a love for motor vehicles and was started to share with others what started out as a hobby. After taking how his own pride and joys (yes this really started with family pictures and not cars) and combining them with creativity, it became obvious that many others would like to showcase their tr
Abstract:
Turn your pet picture into a painting. Imagine that pictures of your Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Pekingese or other beloved pet are transformed into a work of art. Home PC's and the evolution of software and inexpensive printers expands the capabilities for even the home user making this a possibility. By spending a little bit of money on graphics programs, and a computer, coupled with a bit of creativity, you can turn your digital pictures into much more than just photographs. This evolution has enabled people to express their personality into family pictures as well as other loves such as cars, and pets.
Create a Painting of your Pet and make it your own Masterpiece
An artist used a brush, a pencil, clay or some other medium to create their own masterpiece. When you consign one of these professionals you are not just paying for the final product, but for their experience and talent. Often people art to express their personality, their loves, hobbies and other things. In any case the creative nature that we have comes to the surface once we have the tools and have developed ability to accomplish this. One area that has continued to grow as a result of technological advancement is with computer enhanced graphics. Faster home computers coupled with programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator have taken the high end graphics work once limited to corporations to smaller businesses. The most basic photo manipulation is to correct flaws in the picture, which can be expanded to the more advanced creation of fantasy scenes, such as overlaying multiple images and the addition of special effects.
Now be creative and think how a person can simulate a painting without being an artist. Can it be done? To the purist, anything but the real thing is not art. Does that mean that a cubic zirconia is not real? Why do people purchase them? Well, part of the reason is cost, and an imitation is must much less expensive. So here is the question; can you enjoy something that is not 100% real? I think so.
Lets take advantage of technology. Purchase a graphics program such as Photoshop, and a filter set that enables you to transform a photograph into a painting like image. You will have to experiment with various settings to get it realistic and that will take trial and error to get it just right. Print it out and you are almost there, but the problem is you now you have a 2 dimensional print. Touch a painting, and you will feel a texture from the brush. That texture is a 3rd dimension that adds depth, and various reflections and shadows bringing the picture to life. Can we do this with a print? Yes.
Using various shellacs and varnishes applied to the surface of a print, you can simulate a painting, and add that 3rd dimension. This surface texture must be added in steps. Remember that you are applying a liquid to a paper, and the paper will have a tendency to want to wrinkle and curl. A little bit of wrinkle is actually good, since a real painting will not be perfectly flat. The first coat should be thin and cover the entire surface. This provides a sealer coat. After that coat is fully dry, add a second, third and even 4th coating. With these coatings the focus is to create the brush strokes, and the texture. To make it realistic, you need to paint the picture with the coating as if you are actually painting it. For example if you have a vertical post you need to dray the brush up and down, not across. It becomes a bit more challenging when you are trying to paint a pet. There are many contours, and angles, the fur is fluffy and curved and you need to match the image.
This article gives you an idea of how to get started to create your own simulated painting. Some owners would rather purchase a custom picture of their pet . So, this desire for creativity by these pet owners has spurred an industry that caters directly to them. The pet lover is a proud group that loves to express their love for their pets. These owners take their pets to the experts for advice on how to train them, expert groomers for that perfect coat and the list goes on. Now another option that expends beyond standard photography provides a second level of creativity. One company that understands this area extremely well is Palmieri Concepts. and they have done a wonderful job of these conversions. Besides the founders being a pet owners for many years, and having a house full of pets, this company has spent years talking with owners and listening to them to understand their needs and wants before it even became a company. Often the owners knew they wanted something different, but was not sure exactly what or how to accomplish it. By listening to them, and understanding what could be done, their needs were met. Some of the nontraditional examples included the idea of having fantasy backgrounds such as a dog floating on a rainbow, to taking a color photograph and making it look like an old black and white.
For the serious owner, most have a special wall in their house or office with pictures and posters of their pets and even similar ones. Often these pictures were done in the traditional style of "point-shoot-develop-print-frame". The custom graphics companies that specialize in the photography industry have now taken the "develop" stage to the next level with custom image enhancements. These enhancements could be as simple as a picture of your pet overlaid on a family photograph, or even a key element such as the dog tag with their name on it. By combining this level of graphics, a plain photograph is transformed from just a photograph to an expression of personality. There are many examples of what I have described on line and www.PalmieriConcepts.com in the Pets section has a selection of examples that will give you many ideas that you can incorporate into your own works. The pictures there of the Shih Tzu, Yorkshire Terrier, Pekingese are my inspiration to do this
Anthony Palmieri founded Palmieri Concepts after 20 years of creating custom art work for his own pleasure and enjoyment. This business grew out of a love for motor vehicles and was started to share with others what started out as a hobby. After taking how his own pride and joys (yes this really started with family pictures and not cars) and combining them with creativity, it became obvious that many others would like to showcase their tr
Tuesday, 2 October 2007
How to Retouch a Digital Camera Picture
by Timothy Firth
Retouching can be considered the act of blending in those colors that make a seamless presentation. It is often used to correct for blemishes on a person's skin, or the "red-eye" effect that can occur with flash photography. It is also a restorative process for photos or other source artwork that has some areas that have been compromised by handling or scratching, etc. The retoucher will use their judgment to restore the colors to segments of the picture that tend to reconstitute the image as it was before being damaged.
Two application programs that are useful in retouching will be discussed, MS Paint and JASC's Paint Shop Pro.
Because the specific technique useful for a given project will call upon a series of complex and arcane steps, only an overview of the capabilities of these two applications will be discussed. The user is encouraged to become familiar with the basics of the program you intend to use - to experiment with some of the steps relevant to a chosen retouching technique - to call on the "Help" files to obtain guidance on how to use the features, etc.
The two applications have some tools that are similar, and the principles of operation have commonality. The "eyedropper" tool is used to sample color from the source artwork or from a color palette. There are a variety of application tools for applying this color to the areas you choose. You can create a custom palette of colors, or you can "measure" the color that has been sampled by using "custom colors." The measure of a color is defined by its saturation, intensity, and hue. In regard to the colors that appear on your screen, they are defined by a "triad" of the colors red, green, and blue (RGB), with the intensity of each defined by an eight-bit number. The decimal value of this number ranges from zero for black, or absence of intensity to 255 for the maximum intensity of that basic RGB color. Note that a specific color includes an intensity value for each of the colors red, green, and blue.
Often, there will be an equivalent of the decimal value stated in some other way, perhaps as a two-character hexadecimal number or as a character symbol that is part of a defined character group that has a corresponding number between 0 and 255, as in an ASCII (American Society for Character Information Interchange) code. Regarding hexadecimal numbers in relation to decimal numbers, F in hexadecimal corresponds to 15 in decimal and FF corresponds to 255. Hexadecimal is a base-16 counting system, and decimal is a base-10 counting system. Hexadecimal has features that make it convenient to use with computer systems and with characterizing intensity levels of the RGB color triad.
Either application can be used to insert chosen colors into areas that need retouching. MS Paint allows you to place discrete colors within any pixel. It allows you to sample the color existing within a given pixel and apply that color over one or more pixels in patterns that are governed by the application tool. It also allows you to sample a rectangular patch of pixels, over which the colors may vary, and replicate that patch wherever you wish.
Paint Shop Pro has application tools that allow you to sample a color and apply it in a manner in which the density of the applied color is greatest at the point of application and diminishes as you get farther from the point of application. In other words, the application tool can be much like an airbrush, with the greatest density under the spray nozzle, and an overspray that can be adjusted by settings. Paint Shop Pro also has a layering feature that lets you determine the relative opacity of either layer - that is, you can make a custom layer with a pattern of applied colors that have a tendency to correct the source artwork, and determine later how much influence this layer should have in the evolution of the final image. In general, the custom layer overlays the source artwork in the temporary image seen by the program. You can manipulate the pattern of color and it's density, as well as control the transparency of this layer so you can obtain the desired result. When satisfied with the result, save the temporary image to a permanent image file.
About the Author
Timothy Firth B.Sc. provides cheap e-books with master resale rights, premium e-books, audio books, software and home business opportunity suitable for everyone. For more information on Digital Photography, visit E-Book Library Online - http://www.ebooklibraryonline.co.uk
Retouching can be considered the act of blending in those colors that make a seamless presentation. It is often used to correct for blemishes on a person's skin, or the "red-eye" effect that can occur with flash photography. It is also a restorative process for photos or other source artwork that has some areas that have been compromised by handling or scratching, etc. The retoucher will use their judgment to restore the colors to segments of the picture that tend to reconstitute the image as it was before being damaged.
Two application programs that are useful in retouching will be discussed, MS Paint and JASC's Paint Shop Pro.
Because the specific technique useful for a given project will call upon a series of complex and arcane steps, only an overview of the capabilities of these two applications will be discussed. The user is encouraged to become familiar with the basics of the program you intend to use - to experiment with some of the steps relevant to a chosen retouching technique - to call on the "Help" files to obtain guidance on how to use the features, etc.
The two applications have some tools that are similar, and the principles of operation have commonality. The "eyedropper" tool is used to sample color from the source artwork or from a color palette. There are a variety of application tools for applying this color to the areas you choose. You can create a custom palette of colors, or you can "measure" the color that has been sampled by using "custom colors." The measure of a color is defined by its saturation, intensity, and hue. In regard to the colors that appear on your screen, they are defined by a "triad" of the colors red, green, and blue (RGB), with the intensity of each defined by an eight-bit number. The decimal value of this number ranges from zero for black, or absence of intensity to 255 for the maximum intensity of that basic RGB color. Note that a specific color includes an intensity value for each of the colors red, green, and blue.
Often, there will be an equivalent of the decimal value stated in some other way, perhaps as a two-character hexadecimal number or as a character symbol that is part of a defined character group that has a corresponding number between 0 and 255, as in an ASCII (American Society for Character Information Interchange) code. Regarding hexadecimal numbers in relation to decimal numbers, F in hexadecimal corresponds to 15 in decimal and FF corresponds to 255. Hexadecimal is a base-16 counting system, and decimal is a base-10 counting system. Hexadecimal has features that make it convenient to use with computer systems and with characterizing intensity levels of the RGB color triad.
Either application can be used to insert chosen colors into areas that need retouching. MS Paint allows you to place discrete colors within any pixel. It allows you to sample the color existing within a given pixel and apply that color over one or more pixels in patterns that are governed by the application tool. It also allows you to sample a rectangular patch of pixels, over which the colors may vary, and replicate that patch wherever you wish.
Paint Shop Pro has application tools that allow you to sample a color and apply it in a manner in which the density of the applied color is greatest at the point of application and diminishes as you get farther from the point of application. In other words, the application tool can be much like an airbrush, with the greatest density under the spray nozzle, and an overspray that can be adjusted by settings. Paint Shop Pro also has a layering feature that lets you determine the relative opacity of either layer - that is, you can make a custom layer with a pattern of applied colors that have a tendency to correct the source artwork, and determine later how much influence this layer should have in the evolution of the final image. In general, the custom layer overlays the source artwork in the temporary image seen by the program. You can manipulate the pattern of color and it's density, as well as control the transparency of this layer so you can obtain the desired result. When satisfied with the result, save the temporary image to a permanent image file.
About the Author
Timothy Firth B.Sc. provides cheap e-books with master resale rights, premium e-books, audio books, software and home business opportunity suitable for everyone. For more information on Digital Photography, visit E-Book Library Online - http://www.ebooklibraryonline.co.uk
Friday, 28 September 2007
The Whole New World Of Digital Wedding Photography
By: Marius Ciobanu
When it comes to your wedding day, choosing the appropriate vendors can help you showcase your personality and create the type of day that you have been dreaming of for a lifetime. From the food and the flowers to the dress and the music, every detail is attended to with great love and passion. The wedding photography, above all else, is the detail that will have the most lasting impact on your day, as your photos will be that which you share with generations of family to come in order to give them a glimpse into your special day. Further, your wedding photos will be your keepsake for a lifetime, bringing you back to that special moment in time. Digital wedding photography has taken this long held tradition and brought it into the modern world where it can make its truly spectacular mark.Digital wedding photography utilizes digital technology to capture your wedding day. The obvious advantage during the actual event is that the photographer has the ability to see the results on the spot and retake the picture if necessary. This is a once in a lifetime event. And in the past, there was no opportunity for retake had a picture turned out poorly. This would have been especially devastating if photos were taken of elderly relatives or people you dont often see; gone was a moment in time that you were not able to successfully capture. But todays digital wedding photography gives an immediate second chance to capture that never-to-be-repeated moment. The benefit of this is indescribable.The other advantages of digital wedding photography occur after the actual wedding. No longer must couples wait for lengthy developing in order to view their wedding pictures and decide what they would like included in an album. Digital wedding photography can be downloaded onto a computer and instantly seen saving enormous time and expense for all parties involved. Of course, the inclusion of the computer provides the opportunity for color correction and further enhancing at the click of a button. But perhaps the most significant benefit to digital wedding photography is the opportunity to share your wedding day with family and friends far and wide regardless of whether or not they were able to attend your big day. Digital wedding pictures downloaded on the computer can be instantly accessed and seen all over the world. Further, family and friends can choose to order prints if they so choose avoiding the expense of copying and sending pictures to multitudes of people.Digital wedding photography is a contemporary component in the traditional world of weddings bringing this time honored tradition into the modern world.For easy to understand, in depth information about digital wedding photography visit our ezGuide 2 http://weddingphotography.ezguide2.com
When it comes to your wedding day, choosing the appropriate vendors can help you showcase your personality and create the type of day that you have been dreaming of for a lifetime. From the food and the flowers to the dress and the music, every detail is attended to with great love and passion. The wedding photography, above all else, is the detail that will have the most lasting impact on your day, as your photos will be that which you share with generations of family to come in order to give them a glimpse into your special day. Further, your wedding photos will be your keepsake for a lifetime, bringing you back to that special moment in time. Digital wedding photography has taken this long held tradition and brought it into the modern world where it can make its truly spectacular mark.Digital wedding photography utilizes digital technology to capture your wedding day. The obvious advantage during the actual event is that the photographer has the ability to see the results on the spot and retake the picture if necessary. This is a once in a lifetime event. And in the past, there was no opportunity for retake had a picture turned out poorly. This would have been especially devastating if photos were taken of elderly relatives or people you dont often see; gone was a moment in time that you were not able to successfully capture. But todays digital wedding photography gives an immediate second chance to capture that never-to-be-repeated moment. The benefit of this is indescribable.The other advantages of digital wedding photography occur after the actual wedding. No longer must couples wait for lengthy developing in order to view their wedding pictures and decide what they would like included in an album. Digital wedding photography can be downloaded onto a computer and instantly seen saving enormous time and expense for all parties involved. Of course, the inclusion of the computer provides the opportunity for color correction and further enhancing at the click of a button. But perhaps the most significant benefit to digital wedding photography is the opportunity to share your wedding day with family and friends far and wide regardless of whether or not they were able to attend your big day. Digital wedding pictures downloaded on the computer can be instantly accessed and seen all over the world. Further, family and friends can choose to order prints if they so choose avoiding the expense of copying and sending pictures to multitudes of people.Digital wedding photography is a contemporary component in the traditional world of weddings bringing this time honored tradition into the modern world.For easy to understand, in depth information about digital wedding photography visit our ezGuide 2 http://weddingphotography.ezguide2.com
Thursday, 27 September 2007
Start editing your new digital photos now
by Dan Brown
Computers often crash and it can be very difficult and costly to recover data from a computer's hard drive. Consider using a photo sharing website; they are a good way to store and obviously share your pictures with family and friends. Photo sharing sites don't charge much to store pictures and some of them are even free. When choosing one, make sure the site have been around for a while and is here to stay. Some photo sharing sites have shut down without notice, causing their members to loose all their valuable photos.
One of the most recognized and utilized programs for photo editing is Adobe's Photoshop. From this software the term "shopped" was phrased. People who work with and view photography use the term to refer to photographs which appear to have been manipulated to show something that was not in the original photograph, to remove something which was, or when the appearance of a person or object in the photo seems to have been altered. For example, you find a picture of a group of famous (or infamous) people, then you replace the face of one of them with your own for laughs, you have "shopped" the photo. Other programs are Corel Paint Shop Pro, and Serif Photo Plus, to name but a few. There are basic photo editing programs available that allow you to do basic adjustments and learn basic photo manipulation. Some of these programs can be found for free such as Gimp for Windows, Serif's Photo Plus, Paint.NET, Image Forge, Pixia, Ultimate Paint, and several others.
The resolution of your computer's monitor can greatly affect the outcome of your photos. This is the amount of pixels there are on the screen. The more there are, generally, the better the quality of the images. Making sure you have a monitor that is suited for photo editing is an important part of the process. However, you must remember that certain resolutions are meant for certain sized monitors. A large resolution on a small monitor makes everything too small, whereas the opposite makes everything too big. Make sure you know what resolution your monitor is made for. The display resolution of a digital television or computer display typically refers to the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. Some commentators also use this term to indicate a range of input formats that the display's input electronics will accept and often include formats greater than the screen's native grid size even though they have to be down-scaled to match the screen's parameters. An example of pixel shape affecting "resolution" or perceived sharpness is displaying more information in a smaller area using a higher resolution, which makes the image much clearer.
One problem people face when starting out with digital photography is how to touch up raw digital images. Perhaps an image is slightly dark, perhaps it has to be rotated or cropped. Maybe some dirty spots have to be cleaned out and erased. Digital photos usually require some form of manipulation before final output, unless, of course one takes a perfect picture. The first step is to find an image editor. For beginners, a program that has easy, simple tools will do just fine. More advanced people can move on to more complicated programs. There are many pictures that you've probably taken that would've looked great except for the red-eye. Just about every graphics program has a red-eye removal, so that no matter what level your program is you'll be able to remove the red-eye. However, in order to prevent it in the first place, it helps to know what causes it. Red-eye is caused by the flash reflecting to the back of the eyes all the way to the retina, and the red comes from the blood vessels in the eye. Therefore, if you flash a light in the eyes of your subject, this will cause the pupil to contract, and then there won't be any red-eye.
Sometimes, clear lines that separate the images in the panorama may appear. It is possible to blend the lines so that they disappear. Select the Advance Blending option located at the right of the Photomerge window, then select Preview. Inconsistencies in color will be calculated by the program. At this point, the images will blend together. Photoshop will combine all the individual images for your panoramic into a single layer. If you select the Keep as Layers option it is easier to edit each image individually. This is a great help if one of the images is brighter or darker then the other images. You can select that image in layers and adjust the brightness for just that image. It is a good idea to save the layers as a .psd file so that you can always come back and correct any mistakes or make any changes later. It's a real pain to have to redo everything from scratch just if you made a mistake or want to change something later. You can also distort the pictures so that the scene will look like it is in perspective. Choose the Perspective option on the bottom of Settings. You can also do this by choosing Set Vanishing Point in the Photomerge window, then click to an area in the panorama.
Look sharp. Be sharp. But keep your hands off the "sharpening" menu. You'll notice that I did not tell you to sharpen the image in the list of things to do above. Why? Because that's how most pictures get ruined. Sharpening can't be undone. Sharpening should be the very last thing you do to an image before you print it or place it in an on-screen album. Do NOT sharpen an image before saving it. If you decide you want to return to the picture later to edit it some more, you'll be in a pickle. Do all your sharpening on temporary copies that you are planning to print or send to the Web. Don't be judge and jury. If you're not sure whether one of your images looks better or worse after editing, ask someone else to take a look. Show side-by-side versions, before and after your editing. Don't start a family argument if your spouse (or, worse yet, your 9-year-old) says you have no talent. Be honest about what others see.
At times the subject of a picture is lost in the surrounding parts of a picture. If this happens, you can always crop your picture. This means cutting down the picture to a certain size. There are many ways to do this in terms of the size of cropping. In just about every photo editing program there is a cropping tool, and you can experiment with the size of the area that you take out of your photograph. If you don't like what you've done, all you have to do is click "undo."
Begin a new way towards editing digital photos editing digital photos now. Start reading a great report on skin blemishes start fixing your photos now!
Computers often crash and it can be very difficult and costly to recover data from a computer's hard drive. Consider using a photo sharing website; they are a good way to store and obviously share your pictures with family and friends. Photo sharing sites don't charge much to store pictures and some of them are even free. When choosing one, make sure the site have been around for a while and is here to stay. Some photo sharing sites have shut down without notice, causing their members to loose all their valuable photos.
One of the most recognized and utilized programs for photo editing is Adobe's Photoshop. From this software the term "shopped" was phrased. People who work with and view photography use the term to refer to photographs which appear to have been manipulated to show something that was not in the original photograph, to remove something which was, or when the appearance of a person or object in the photo seems to have been altered. For example, you find a picture of a group of famous (or infamous) people, then you replace the face of one of them with your own for laughs, you have "shopped" the photo. Other programs are Corel Paint Shop Pro, and Serif Photo Plus, to name but a few. There are basic photo editing programs available that allow you to do basic adjustments and learn basic photo manipulation. Some of these programs can be found for free such as Gimp for Windows, Serif's Photo Plus, Paint.NET, Image Forge, Pixia, Ultimate Paint, and several others.
The resolution of your computer's monitor can greatly affect the outcome of your photos. This is the amount of pixels there are on the screen. The more there are, generally, the better the quality of the images. Making sure you have a monitor that is suited for photo editing is an important part of the process. However, you must remember that certain resolutions are meant for certain sized monitors. A large resolution on a small monitor makes everything too small, whereas the opposite makes everything too big. Make sure you know what resolution your monitor is made for. The display resolution of a digital television or computer display typically refers to the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. Some commentators also use this term to indicate a range of input formats that the display's input electronics will accept and often include formats greater than the screen's native grid size even though they have to be down-scaled to match the screen's parameters. An example of pixel shape affecting "resolution" or perceived sharpness is displaying more information in a smaller area using a higher resolution, which makes the image much clearer.
One problem people face when starting out with digital photography is how to touch up raw digital images. Perhaps an image is slightly dark, perhaps it has to be rotated or cropped. Maybe some dirty spots have to be cleaned out and erased. Digital photos usually require some form of manipulation before final output, unless, of course one takes a perfect picture. The first step is to find an image editor. For beginners, a program that has easy, simple tools will do just fine. More advanced people can move on to more complicated programs. There are many pictures that you've probably taken that would've looked great except for the red-eye. Just about every graphics program has a red-eye removal, so that no matter what level your program is you'll be able to remove the red-eye. However, in order to prevent it in the first place, it helps to know what causes it. Red-eye is caused by the flash reflecting to the back of the eyes all the way to the retina, and the red comes from the blood vessels in the eye. Therefore, if you flash a light in the eyes of your subject, this will cause the pupil to contract, and then there won't be any red-eye.
Sometimes, clear lines that separate the images in the panorama may appear. It is possible to blend the lines so that they disappear. Select the Advance Blending option located at the right of the Photomerge window, then select Preview. Inconsistencies in color will be calculated by the program. At this point, the images will blend together. Photoshop will combine all the individual images for your panoramic into a single layer. If you select the Keep as Layers option it is easier to edit each image individually. This is a great help if one of the images is brighter or darker then the other images. You can select that image in layers and adjust the brightness for just that image. It is a good idea to save the layers as a .psd file so that you can always come back and correct any mistakes or make any changes later. It's a real pain to have to redo everything from scratch just if you made a mistake or want to change something later. You can also distort the pictures so that the scene will look like it is in perspective. Choose the Perspective option on the bottom of Settings. You can also do this by choosing Set Vanishing Point in the Photomerge window, then click to an area in the panorama.
Look sharp. Be sharp. But keep your hands off the "sharpening" menu. You'll notice that I did not tell you to sharpen the image in the list of things to do above. Why? Because that's how most pictures get ruined. Sharpening can't be undone. Sharpening should be the very last thing you do to an image before you print it or place it in an on-screen album. Do NOT sharpen an image before saving it. If you decide you want to return to the picture later to edit it some more, you'll be in a pickle. Do all your sharpening on temporary copies that you are planning to print or send to the Web. Don't be judge and jury. If you're not sure whether one of your images looks better or worse after editing, ask someone else to take a look. Show side-by-side versions, before and after your editing. Don't start a family argument if your spouse (or, worse yet, your 9-year-old) says you have no talent. Be honest about what others see.
At times the subject of a picture is lost in the surrounding parts of a picture. If this happens, you can always crop your picture. This means cutting down the picture to a certain size. There are many ways to do this in terms of the size of cropping. In just about every photo editing program there is a cropping tool, and you can experiment with the size of the area that you take out of your photograph. If you don't like what you've done, all you have to do is click "undo."
Begin a new way towards editing digital photos editing digital photos now. Start reading a great report on skin blemishes start fixing your photos now!
Sunday, 20 May 2007
Hi ! this is Len here.
If you have any interesting news articles or photographs why not share them.
Send them to len@lenhuttonphotos.com
If you have any interesting news articles or photographs why not share them.
Send them to len@lenhuttonphotos.com
How To Select The Right Digital Camera For Yourself
Capturing moments was never so easy before digital cameras came into the photography world. Ever since, there has been a big international market dealing with digital cameras. Japan, South Korea and China have been the main players in manufacturing new digital cameras since its inception. Today, no media house can run without digital cameras. Forget media agencies, in our day-to-day life, we have started considering digital camera as a handbag's must-keep item. It has truly given a new definition to the world of photography. Many kinds of digital cameras with different features are hovering around the market today. And you need to decide on your choices and pick up the right one that fits your clicking needs. You must have already heard a lot about the top brands such as Kodak, Nikon, Canon, Minolta, Sony, Panasonic, Polaroid, Olympus, Fujifilm, HP, Samsung, etc. This article discusses features of famous brands and models of digital cameras to help you select the right one for yourself.
To start your selection process, you must consider whether you are looking for small and compact pocket camera, an advanced camera, a high zoom capability camera, or an SLR camera. These can range from USD 100 to USD 2,000. You will need to take your pick based on your budget and requirements.
What are the features that you should compare between brands while selecting a digital camera? The most important feature is its resolution in mega pixel. In simple language, this figure tells you how much you can expand your picture without parting with its quality. The higher the resolution, the better. But this doesn't mean that you have to go for the highest available model in the market. Usually people print photos that are sized 4x6 or 5x7 inches. So for these photo sizes, any camera above 4 mega pixels will deliver great results.
Other feature that you should evaluate is zoom-in capability. Optical zoom and digital zoom are different terms. Optical zoom means actual zoom done by the lenses, while digital zoom simply increases the size of the picture display without increasing any details. In simple terms 3x optical zoom means you can get three times closer picture of the image you see with your eyes. For this reason, optical zoom is better.
The third important feature is compatibility with other devices. Find out if the camera you are going to buy is compatible with your computer, printer, memory card, USB drive, etc. Cameras have inbuilt flash memory but the space is limited, so you would have to buy external memory cards, popularly known as Secure Digital Card (SDC) and Multi Media Card (MMC).
The next important feature is the size of the screen that provides digital display of the image instantly. These screens were the major reason that digital cameras replaced conventional cameras so fast. The screen gives you the ability to review the image and delete the ones you do not like. The LCD digital camera screens are up to 3 inches in width.
The other features that make your camera more convenient include automatic light adjustment, automatic flash, red-eye reduction, file format (TIFF, RAW or JPEG), audio and video capability, image stabilizer, manual controls for aperture and exposure, camera speed, weight and size, body type, battery type (lithium of normal), battery life, picture modes for morning light, day light, cloudy day, etc.
The varieties and features of digital cameras are so many that it becomes really difficult for a first-timer to select one. This is worsened by everyday technological advancements. But all the features mentioned above impart a whole new dimension to photography and they make it easier for even an amateur to click great quality pictures.
This article can be accessed in portuguese from News Article sect. of page www.polomercantil.com.br/camera-digital.php Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for www.PoloMercantil.com.br
To start your selection process, you must consider whether you are looking for small and compact pocket camera, an advanced camera, a high zoom capability camera, or an SLR camera. These can range from USD 100 to USD 2,000. You will need to take your pick based on your budget and requirements.
What are the features that you should compare between brands while selecting a digital camera? The most important feature is its resolution in mega pixel. In simple language, this figure tells you how much you can expand your picture without parting with its quality. The higher the resolution, the better. But this doesn't mean that you have to go for the highest available model in the market. Usually people print photos that are sized 4x6 or 5x7 inches. So for these photo sizes, any camera above 4 mega pixels will deliver great results.
Other feature that you should evaluate is zoom-in capability. Optical zoom and digital zoom are different terms. Optical zoom means actual zoom done by the lenses, while digital zoom simply increases the size of the picture display without increasing any details. In simple terms 3x optical zoom means you can get three times closer picture of the image you see with your eyes. For this reason, optical zoom is better.
The third important feature is compatibility with other devices. Find out if the camera you are going to buy is compatible with your computer, printer, memory card, USB drive, etc. Cameras have inbuilt flash memory but the space is limited, so you would have to buy external memory cards, popularly known as Secure Digital Card (SDC) and Multi Media Card (MMC).
The next important feature is the size of the screen that provides digital display of the image instantly. These screens were the major reason that digital cameras replaced conventional cameras so fast. The screen gives you the ability to review the image and delete the ones you do not like. The LCD digital camera screens are up to 3 inches in width.
The other features that make your camera more convenient include automatic light adjustment, automatic flash, red-eye reduction, file format (TIFF, RAW or JPEG), audio and video capability, image stabilizer, manual controls for aperture and exposure, camera speed, weight and size, body type, battery type (lithium of normal), battery life, picture modes for morning light, day light, cloudy day, etc.
The varieties and features of digital cameras are so many that it becomes really difficult for a first-timer to select one. This is worsened by everyday technological advancements. But all the features mentioned above impart a whole new dimension to photography and they make it easier for even an amateur to click great quality pictures.
This article can be accessed in portuguese from News Article sect. of page www.polomercantil.com.br/camera-digital.php Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for www.PoloMercantil.com.br
Sunday, 13 May 2007
Business of Digital Photography
I came across this article and thought some of you may be interested.
Len
Len
The Business of Digital Photography
Consider digital photography as a career. I am sure you get the picture. Pardon the pun. Anybody who owns a digital camera, not only has the single tool to begin a great hobby, but the potential to start a career or a business.
In Digital Photography there is versatility, and being versatile creates opportunities. Yes people, the opportunity I am talking about is making money with photography.
Now, there have been hundreds of articles written about digital cameras, camera lenses, hardware, camera accessories and all things digital. And with the rapidly advancing digital technology, there is going to be a lot more articles written. Exciting stuff.
So, for anyone with a love for digital photography, along with the desire to start a business, now is the time to do so. As with any business startup, a person should never wait for the opportune time to start one. There is no time like the present, because the opportune time really never comes.
There is currently a widespread use of digital photography equipment, and because of the continued advancement of technology, prices on this equipment are falling. Sounds like a great opportunity to stock up on accessories if you are thinking about a business or seeking employment.
If you are short on ideas where to start a career, try developing contacts by subscribing to photographic newsletters, magazines, perhaps joining a camera club or possibly seeking employment in a photo studio, camera store or even your local newspaper.
Decide on what area or field of photography is your favorite and go from there. A business has a better chance of being successful if you work at what you love.
Maybe you like portrait photography and working with people. Perhaps you have dreamed of owning your own studio and taking pictures of individuals or groups of people, along with the idea of making them comfortable in front of the camera, bringing out the best in them.
The media, magazines and advertising agencies use a commercial and industrial photographer. These photographers take pictures of buildings and landscapes, equipment, machinery, workers, products and company officials. As a result, these pictures are used for publicity or analysis of different projects and records.
Real estate companies employ freelance photographers as well. If you have a digital camera and a computer online, you can set up shop in your own home.
News photographers, or should we say photojournalists, photograph anything or anybody newsworthy, such as sports figures and events, politicians and political events and community news.
The opportunities in digital photography are too numerous to mention in a short article, so you are encouraged to do your homework, pick up some photography magazines to get priceless ideas and research on the Internet.
Another idea would be to talk to a professional, tell him or her of your interests and request some feedback.
As your sources are practically unlimited, there should be nothing holding you back.
Tom Watson.
Tom Watson is the owner of In Digital Photography, a website with tips, information and ideas for starting a photography career. He welcomes you to visit his website at http://www.indigitalphotography.com
In Digital Photography there is versatility, and being versatile creates opportunities. Yes people, the opportunity I am talking about is making money with photography.
Now, there have been hundreds of articles written about digital cameras, camera lenses, hardware, camera accessories and all things digital. And with the rapidly advancing digital technology, there is going to be a lot more articles written. Exciting stuff.
So, for anyone with a love for digital photography, along with the desire to start a business, now is the time to do so. As with any business startup, a person should never wait for the opportune time to start one. There is no time like the present, because the opportune time really never comes.
There is currently a widespread use of digital photography equipment, and because of the continued advancement of technology, prices on this equipment are falling. Sounds like a great opportunity to stock up on accessories if you are thinking about a business or seeking employment.
If you are short on ideas where to start a career, try developing contacts by subscribing to photographic newsletters, magazines, perhaps joining a camera club or possibly seeking employment in a photo studio, camera store or even your local newspaper.
Decide on what area or field of photography is your favorite and go from there. A business has a better chance of being successful if you work at what you love.
Maybe you like portrait photography and working with people. Perhaps you have dreamed of owning your own studio and taking pictures of individuals or groups of people, along with the idea of making them comfortable in front of the camera, bringing out the best in them.
The media, magazines and advertising agencies use a commercial and industrial photographer. These photographers take pictures of buildings and landscapes, equipment, machinery, workers, products and company officials. As a result, these pictures are used for publicity or analysis of different projects and records.
Real estate companies employ freelance photographers as well. If you have a digital camera and a computer online, you can set up shop in your own home.
News photographers, or should we say photojournalists, photograph anything or anybody newsworthy, such as sports figures and events, politicians and political events and community news.
The opportunities in digital photography are too numerous to mention in a short article, so you are encouraged to do your homework, pick up some photography magazines to get priceless ideas and research on the Internet.
Another idea would be to talk to a professional, tell him or her of your interests and request some feedback.
As your sources are practically unlimited, there should be nothing holding you back.
Tom Watson.
Tom Watson is the owner of In Digital Photography, a website with tips, information and ideas for starting a photography career. He welcomes you to visit his website at http://www.indigitalphotography.com
Thursday, 1 March 2007
You surely must be in heaven
I received this email today, and thought you may like to share it.
Nothing to do with photography!
Len.
**********************************************************************************
A couple made a deal that whoever died first would come back and inform
the other of the after-life. Their biggest fear was that there was no
after-life.
After a long life, the husband was the first to go, and true to his word
he made contact:
"Mary. Mary."
"Is that you, Fred?"
"Yes, I've come back like we agreed."
"What's it like?"
"Well, I get up in the morning, I have sex, I have breakfast, off to the
golf course, I have sex, I bathe in the sun, and then I have sex twice.
I have lunch, another romp around the golf course, then sex pretty much
all afternoon.
After supper, golf course again. Then have sex until late at night.
The next day it starts again."
"Oh, Fred you surely must be in heaven."
"Not exactly,
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
I'm a rabbit in Suffolk ."
Nothing to do with photography!
Len.
**********************************************************************************
A couple made a deal that whoever died first would come back and inform
the other of the after-life. Their biggest fear was that there was no
after-life.
After a long life, the husband was the first to go, and true to his word
he made contact:
"Mary. Mary."
"Is that you, Fred?"
"Yes, I've come back like we agreed."
"What's it like?"
"Well, I get up in the morning, I have sex, I have breakfast, off to the
golf course, I have sex, I bathe in the sun, and then I have sex twice.
I have lunch, another romp around the golf course, then sex pretty much
all afternoon.
After supper, golf course again. Then have sex until late at night.
The next day it starts again."
"Oh, Fred you surely must be in heaven."
"Not exactly,
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
I'm a rabbit in Suffolk ."
Wednesday, 28 February 2007
A small tip for future brides to be.
Before posing at the front of your wedding carriage. Make sure the horse has been fed!
As for the photographer it might be better if it has not.
Bring a little fun into your digital wedding photography. Keep an eye open for that extra shot to make them smile, maybe misty up their eyes or just wow!
Len .
As for the photographer it might be better if it has not.
Bring a little fun into your digital wedding photography. Keep an eye open for that extra shot to make them smile, maybe misty up their eyes or just wow!
Len .
Friday, 23 February 2007
Photography for Professionals
Robyn Tellefsen
When French inventor Nicephore Niepce produced the first successful permanent photograph in 1826, he couldn't have known that photography would become such a popular pastime and profession.
These days, with the proliferation of digital cameras, photo editing software, and photo sharing sites, just about anyone can call himself a photographer. But if you aspire to be more than a blogger, you'll need to undergo specialized photography training.
Photography training
At Brooks Institute of Photography, you can prepare for your photography career through the bachelor's degree program in visual journalism. Throughout the course of the program, you'll work in depth on several photojournalism picture stories, emphasizing stories of social relevance that can make a difference in the world. For your documentary projects, you'll travel far and wide to find stories to tell visually. These photography courses will inspire you to discover how you see the world, what stories you need to tell, and what pictures are truly worth a thousand words.
In an interactive, all-digital, real-world photojournalism course, you'll gain the experience of transmitting photo assignments on deadline via FTP, just as you would for any newspaper or magazine today. In a digital video for photojournalists course, you'll build on photographic skills, learn simple storytelling and editing, and gain insight into other issues faced by videojournalists, whether working on a local paper's Web site or shooting for the broadcast world.
Photography certification
Once you've received solid photography training, you may wish to earn the Certified Professional Photographer credential offered by Professional Photographers of America through the Photographic Certification Commission. In order to earn this designation, you'll need to pass a comprehensive written exam measuring your technical expertise, and successfully submit your work to a panel of judges for review and approval.
You must renew this credential every five years to maintain your level of expertise and to continue to develop new skills and techniques. This can be accomplished by participating in continuing education programs and periodically submitting your work for critical evaluation.
Photography careers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, photographers held about 129,000 jobs in 2004. More than half were self-employed, a much higher proportion than for most occupations. And, employment of photographers is expected to increase 9 to 17 percent through 2014.
Median annual earnings of salaried photographers were $26,080 in May 2004, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $54,180.
With specialized photography training, you can be more than a blogger -- you can become a professional photographer. To find college and career schools near you, surf http://www.CollegeSurfing.com.
When French inventor Nicephore Niepce produced the first successful permanent photograph in 1826, he couldn't have known that photography would become such a popular pastime and profession.
These days, with the proliferation of digital cameras, photo editing software, and photo sharing sites, just about anyone can call himself a photographer. But if you aspire to be more than a blogger, you'll need to undergo specialized photography training.
Photography training
At Brooks Institute of Photography, you can prepare for your photography career through the bachelor's degree program in visual journalism. Throughout the course of the program, you'll work in depth on several photojournalism picture stories, emphasizing stories of social relevance that can make a difference in the world. For your documentary projects, you'll travel far and wide to find stories to tell visually. These photography courses will inspire you to discover how you see the world, what stories you need to tell, and what pictures are truly worth a thousand words.
In an interactive, all-digital, real-world photojournalism course, you'll gain the experience of transmitting photo assignments on deadline via FTP, just as you would for any newspaper or magazine today. In a digital video for photojournalists course, you'll build on photographic skills, learn simple storytelling and editing, and gain insight into other issues faced by videojournalists, whether working on a local paper's Web site or shooting for the broadcast world.
Photography certification
Once you've received solid photography training, you may wish to earn the Certified Professional Photographer credential offered by Professional Photographers of America through the Photographic Certification Commission. In order to earn this designation, you'll need to pass a comprehensive written exam measuring your technical expertise, and successfully submit your work to a panel of judges for review and approval.
You must renew this credential every five years to maintain your level of expertise and to continue to develop new skills and techniques. This can be accomplished by participating in continuing education programs and periodically submitting your work for critical evaluation.
Photography careers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, photographers held about 129,000 jobs in 2004. More than half were self-employed, a much higher proportion than for most occupations. And, employment of photographers is expected to increase 9 to 17 percent through 2014.
Median annual earnings of salaried photographers were $26,080 in May 2004, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $54,180.
With specialized photography training, you can be more than a blogger -- you can become a professional photographer. To find college and career schools near you, surf http://www.CollegeSurfing.com.
Monday, 12 February 2007
Hi! It’s Len again,
Well in the UK the last week we have a great opportunity to get a few good snow shots. Did you manage to get any? If you did why not share them with us. Send me an email to ...len@lenhuttonphotos.com
Well in the UK the last week we have a great opportunity to get a few good snow shots. Did you manage to get any? If you did why not share them with us. Send me an email to ...len@lenhuttonphotos.com
The Best Photo Business Opportunity
by Mark Fenwick
Where can you find the best photo business opportunity? Would you be surprised if I were to tell you that you don't have to look far ... that all you need to do is search inside yourself?
There are lots of photo opportunities, some of them don't work and even the opportunities that do work, will only work for some people.
Some people are happy taking wedding photos, or shooting sport. Others like to be out in the great outdoors capturing the magic light of dawn, or taking stock images for picture libraries. Some people are born to sell; others are terrified of trying to sell their work directly to say a gallery, or cold calling prospective clients. What's right for one person can be totally wrong for someone else.
Here are a few pointers that are worth bearing in mind:
1. Find something you're comfortable with and passionate about.
2. Match the business to your own strengths.
3. Look for multiple streams of income - have more than one source of income.
4. Carry on learning - the day you stop learning is the day you start to die. Take advice from successful people; you'll find most of them are happy to help.
One thing you must remember: it's not finding the best photo opportunity that's the really important thing; it's making it work. The successful business person is the one who makes a choice, sets some goals and then gets on with it; working at it until they are successful. You can do the same!
Some keys to making money are:
1. Give your business a professional image. Put yourself on a level footing with the big boys, even if you're only a one-person company.
2. Put the customer first. Take time and effort to look after your customers. You must be proud of your business and be happy to serve your clients.
3. Be market driven. Find out what the market wants.
4. Be ready for change and be prepared, for nothing is certain in business. Keep your eyes open and watch out for new trends and markets.
5. Learn not to waste money. Negotiate everything and run a tight ship, even when things are going well. At the same time realise that money invested wisely to improve the business, is money well spent.
6. Don't quit, believe in yourself and give everything your very best effort. Problems, new challenges, frustration, letdowns and mistakes are part of everyday business life. You must bounce back, learn from your mistakes and keep charging forward.
7. Realise that marketing is the key. Good marketing makes or breaks you.
Good luck with your photography business. Get out there ... and just do it!
About the Author
Mark Fenwick is a Fine Art Photographer. For photo tips of professional photography, and photography jobs and opportunities, visit http://www.PhotographyUpdate.com
Where can you find the best photo business opportunity? Would you be surprised if I were to tell you that you don't have to look far ... that all you need to do is search inside yourself?
There are lots of photo opportunities, some of them don't work and even the opportunities that do work, will only work for some people.
Some people are happy taking wedding photos, or shooting sport. Others like to be out in the great outdoors capturing the magic light of dawn, or taking stock images for picture libraries. Some people are born to sell; others are terrified of trying to sell their work directly to say a gallery, or cold calling prospective clients. What's right for one person can be totally wrong for someone else.
Here are a few pointers that are worth bearing in mind:
1. Find something you're comfortable with and passionate about.
2. Match the business to your own strengths.
3. Look for multiple streams of income - have more than one source of income.
4. Carry on learning - the day you stop learning is the day you start to die. Take advice from successful people; you'll find most of them are happy to help.
One thing you must remember: it's not finding the best photo opportunity that's the really important thing; it's making it work. The successful business person is the one who makes a choice, sets some goals and then gets on with it; working at it until they are successful. You can do the same!
Some keys to making money are:
1. Give your business a professional image. Put yourself on a level footing with the big boys, even if you're only a one-person company.
2. Put the customer first. Take time and effort to look after your customers. You must be proud of your business and be happy to serve your clients.
3. Be market driven. Find out what the market wants.
4. Be ready for change and be prepared, for nothing is certain in business. Keep your eyes open and watch out for new trends and markets.
5. Learn not to waste money. Negotiate everything and run a tight ship, even when things are going well. At the same time realise that money invested wisely to improve the business, is money well spent.
6. Don't quit, believe in yourself and give everything your very best effort. Problems, new challenges, frustration, letdowns and mistakes are part of everyday business life. You must bounce back, learn from your mistakes and keep charging forward.
7. Realise that marketing is the key. Good marketing makes or breaks you.
Good luck with your photography business. Get out there ... and just do it!
About the Author
Mark Fenwick is a Fine Art Photographer. For photo tips of professional photography, and photography jobs and opportunities, visit http://www.PhotographyUpdate.com
Thursday, 8 February 2007
How To Make Your Digital Photographs Stand Out
Ryan Gibson
Photography has become an increasingly popular hobby in recent years. With advances in technology, today's digital cameras make it possible to quickly and easily take good photos. Many people however are stuck in "automatic" mode (or rather their cameras are). Armed with a little knowledge about your digital camera (and some practice) your photos can go from good to outstanding. Following are some tips to help you get started.
White Balance
White balance is what determines the color temperature of your photo. Think in terms of warm and cool. Most photos taken with a digital camera will have a cool feel to them or in other words will have somewhat of a blue tint to them. This is generally the result you get when your white balance setting is set to auto. Photos with a warmer feel however, look more natural and thus are more pleasing to the eye. To achieve this affect locate the white balance adjustment on your digital camera. Most cameras will have several different settings for white balance. You want to choose the "cloudy" setting. This will add more red and yellow hues to your photo and in effect warms the tone of the shot.
Polarizing Filters
A polarizing filter is a great tool for adding a little extra "pop" to your photos. Polarizing filters actually serve two purposes; they reduce glare and unwanted reflections and they brighten up the colors in your photos. A polarizing filter is especially helpful when shooting outdoors. It will enhance landscapes with beautiful vibrant colors. Polarizing filters just screw right on to your cameras lens and you can find them in many sizes to fit most digital cameras. However, if you have a camera which doesn't accept filters (some of the smaller point & shoot ones do not) there is a trick you can use. Sunglasses will create the same basic effect. Just hold a pair of sunglasses as close as possible to the lens (make sure the glasses are not seen in the shot) and snap the photo.
Flash
Flash can add a lot of depth to your photos if used properly. When shooting in "auto" mode your camera will determine when to use flash. If your setting is bright enough, the flash will not be used. This is a great convenience if you're just taking quick snapshots but if you want to add more life to your photos switch your flash to "flash on" or "fill flash". This will allow your camera to use existing light for its exposure and will add flash to fill in dark shadows giving a softer feel to your photos. When shooting outdoors try to use the sun to light your subject from the side (never have your subject face the sun) and use the flash to fill in the shadows on the front of your subject. Check your camera's manual to determine the maximum distance that your flash will operate at.
Macro
Your digital camera probably has a setting called "macro" or "close up". This mode is best used in creative photography to achieve great detail in close up shots. What this mode does in essence is allow you to focus at a much closer distance to your subject than in your camera's normal mode. For example, if your camera in its normal mode has trouble focusing on subjects closer than 2 feet, you can switch to macro mode and you may be able to focus as close as 6 or 8 inches. This can make for a very dramatic shot. Be careful when using macro however because macro mode gives you a very shallow depth of field leaving a lot of your photo out of focus. Just experiment a little and you'll be taking great close up shots in no time.
These are just some basic tips and tricks to spark some creativity in your photography. Always experiment with your camera to find new and creative ways to express yourself. That's the great thing about digital photography you can experiment to no end without shelling out big bucks for film and processing. Happy shooting!
About the Author
Ryan Gibson is a freelance photographer and graphic artist. To learn more tips and techniques to enhance your digital photography visit http://www.digitalphotographyport.com
Photography has become an increasingly popular hobby in recent years. With advances in technology, today's digital cameras make it possible to quickly and easily take good photos. Many people however are stuck in "automatic" mode (or rather their cameras are). Armed with a little knowledge about your digital camera (and some practice) your photos can go from good to outstanding. Following are some tips to help you get started.
White Balance
White balance is what determines the color temperature of your photo. Think in terms of warm and cool. Most photos taken with a digital camera will have a cool feel to them or in other words will have somewhat of a blue tint to them. This is generally the result you get when your white balance setting is set to auto. Photos with a warmer feel however, look more natural and thus are more pleasing to the eye. To achieve this affect locate the white balance adjustment on your digital camera. Most cameras will have several different settings for white balance. You want to choose the "cloudy" setting. This will add more red and yellow hues to your photo and in effect warms the tone of the shot.
Polarizing Filters
A polarizing filter is a great tool for adding a little extra "pop" to your photos. Polarizing filters actually serve two purposes; they reduce glare and unwanted reflections and they brighten up the colors in your photos. A polarizing filter is especially helpful when shooting outdoors. It will enhance landscapes with beautiful vibrant colors. Polarizing filters just screw right on to your cameras lens and you can find them in many sizes to fit most digital cameras. However, if you have a camera which doesn't accept filters (some of the smaller point & shoot ones do not) there is a trick you can use. Sunglasses will create the same basic effect. Just hold a pair of sunglasses as close as possible to the lens (make sure the glasses are not seen in the shot) and snap the photo.
Flash
Flash can add a lot of depth to your photos if used properly. When shooting in "auto" mode your camera will determine when to use flash. If your setting is bright enough, the flash will not be used. This is a great convenience if you're just taking quick snapshots but if you want to add more life to your photos switch your flash to "flash on" or "fill flash". This will allow your camera to use existing light for its exposure and will add flash to fill in dark shadows giving a softer feel to your photos. When shooting outdoors try to use the sun to light your subject from the side (never have your subject face the sun) and use the flash to fill in the shadows on the front of your subject. Check your camera's manual to determine the maximum distance that your flash will operate at.
Macro
Your digital camera probably has a setting called "macro" or "close up". This mode is best used in creative photography to achieve great detail in close up shots. What this mode does in essence is allow you to focus at a much closer distance to your subject than in your camera's normal mode. For example, if your camera in its normal mode has trouble focusing on subjects closer than 2 feet, you can switch to macro mode and you may be able to focus as close as 6 or 8 inches. This can make for a very dramatic shot. Be careful when using macro however because macro mode gives you a very shallow depth of field leaving a lot of your photo out of focus. Just experiment a little and you'll be taking great close up shots in no time.
These are just some basic tips and tricks to spark some creativity in your photography. Always experiment with your camera to find new and creative ways to express yourself. That's the great thing about digital photography you can experiment to no end without shelling out big bucks for film and processing. Happy shooting!
About the Author
Ryan Gibson is a freelance photographer and graphic artist. To learn more tips and techniques to enhance your digital photography visit http://www.digitalphotographyport.com
Wednesday, 7 February 2007
Hi!
It’s Len here I’ll try to bring you a new tip or idea each week, when ever I can. If you have any questions or points you would like to discuss why not send me an email, and I’ll try to answer it or maybe one of you good people out there may have the answer and can help. Anyway feel free to join in.
len@lenhuttonphotos.com
It’s Len here I’ll try to bring you a new tip or idea each week, when ever I can. If you have any questions or points you would like to discuss why not send me an email, and I’ll try to answer it or maybe one of you good people out there may have the answer and can help. Anyway feel free to join in.
len@lenhuttonphotos.com
"7 Proven Tips and Techniques That Will Have You Taking Great Digital Photos That You Can Be Proud Of."
by Teresa Pocock
Taking great digital photos is not as hard as you might think!
In fact, if you are wondering how to take great digital photos, these 7 proven practical tips will tell you just that!
By following these quick tips and techniques you will significantly improve your digital photography to the point where you will be taking impressive photos everyday!
1) *** Take More Photos! *** Get out there and take more photos with your digital camera.
It won't cost you anything!
It will give you practice and skill using your camera so handling it will become second nature; you then have more time to think about the photo itself!
This tip will also increase your chances of getting that great photo - particularly with group shots, where you might find later that someone was blinking etc.
Children and pets are great to practice this tip on as they can be difficult to get that perfect shot of, and you will need to keep taking photos to capture it!
If you don't have a big enough memory card you will need to delete some photos every half hour or so.
A better option is to invest in a larger memory card. That way you can take as many photos as you need (always more than you think), and not worry about deleting those that don't quite make it until later!
2) *** Focus *** Make sure you and your camera are focusing on the same thing!
Check which 'mode' the camera is set at to see whether your camera is 'looking for' a single subject (often in Macro, Portrait and Sports Modes). Or is it trying to 'pull' everything into focus - such as in the Landscape Mode?
Set the camera to the appropriate mode for your subject, or use the auto mode - where the camera will decide for you the best focus and exposure for the subject.
3) *** Move In Closer *** Most people stand too far away from their subject!
Don't be afraid to get in close! Take a few steps closer and see what a difference it makes.
If you cannot get in closer, use your optical zoom (never the digital zoom) to bring the focus closer to you.
You could even kneel or stand on a chair to get in closer and to change the perspective of the photo.
Optical zoom uses the mechanics of your camera; digital zoom is an electronic function. Results from digital zoom often produce poor quality photographs.
4) *** One Key Subject *** Focus on one key subject to make the photo really stand out!
Stop trying to record everything you see!
Pick a focal point that will be the centre of 'attention' which you can concentrate on.
Using portrait or macro mode can help this technique as both have shallow depth of field - which effectively 'blurs' everything in front and behind the focused subject.
Try picking one key subject, such as a single flower, and see what the difference it makes to your digital photos!
There are factors which affect the depth of field, such as how close you stand to your subject, so you will need to experiment as see what works best for you.
5) *** Simple Backgrounds *** Try to find a 'simple' background for your subject.
One that is uncluttered and unobtrusive.
This can be particularly important for portrait and group photographs. You don't want to have a distracting background for a lovely soft portrait, or have the classic light pole 'growing' out of someone's head!
Move the subject/s into a position that will minimize the background.
Remember having the subject further from the background will also lessen its effect.
6) *** Off-Centre the Subject *** That's right! Get the subject out of the middle of the photo!
Use the 'rule-of-thirds' to position the subject in a pleasing location in the image.
The 'rule-of-thirds' is like having an imaginary 'tick-tack-toe' diagram drawn on your focus screen. Where those lines cross is where you place the subject.
This can really make a difference to your photographs.
But don't use it all the time - remember rules are made to be broken!
7) *** Use Flash *** Yes - even in daylight!
This is often called 'fill-flash'. Using it will lessen any harsh shadows, resulting in better light for your photo.
This tip is great if you take photos in the middle of the day when the light is harshest.
It works particularly well for portrait and group photography.
But remember the flash on your camera is only good for about 10 feet - don't stand too far away from your subject!
----------------------
These 7 tips and techniques are proven fundamentals of digital photography.
Start using them today and you will be taking great digital photos that you can be proud of!
Happy Snapping!
About the Author
Teresa Pocock is a successful author and published photographer who can teach you how to take first-class digital photos... even if you've never used a camera before! Ms Pocock is a member of the NAPP: National Association of Photoshop Professionals => http://www.yourdigitalphotosuccess.com
Taking great digital photos is not as hard as you might think!
In fact, if you are wondering how to take great digital photos, these 7 proven practical tips will tell you just that!
By following these quick tips and techniques you will significantly improve your digital photography to the point where you will be taking impressive photos everyday!
1) *** Take More Photos! *** Get out there and take more photos with your digital camera.
It won't cost you anything!
It will give you practice and skill using your camera so handling it will become second nature; you then have more time to think about the photo itself!
This tip will also increase your chances of getting that great photo - particularly with group shots, where you might find later that someone was blinking etc.
Children and pets are great to practice this tip on as they can be difficult to get that perfect shot of, and you will need to keep taking photos to capture it!
A better option is to invest in a larger memory card. That way you can take as many photos as you need (always more than you think), and not worry about deleting those that don't quite make it until later!
2) *** Focus *** Make sure you and your camera are focusing on the same thing!
Check which 'mode' the camera is set at to see whether your camera is 'looking for' a single subject (often in Macro, Portrait and Sports Modes). Or is it trying to 'pull' everything into focus - such as in the Landscape Mode?
Set the camera to the appropriate mode for your subject, or use the auto mode - where the camera will decide for you the best focus and exposure for the subject.
3) *** Move In Closer *** Most people stand too far away from their subject!
Don't be afraid to get in close! Take a few steps closer and see what a difference it makes.
If you cannot get in closer, use your optical zoom (never the digital zoom) to bring the focus closer to you.
You could even kneel or stand on a chair to get in closer and to change the perspective of the photo.
4) *** One Key Subject *** Focus on one key subject to make the photo really stand out!
Stop trying to record everything you see!
Pick a focal point that will be the centre of 'attention' which you can concentrate on.
Using portrait or macro mode can help this technique as both have shallow depth of field - which effectively 'blurs' everything in front and behind the focused subject.
Try picking one key subject, such as a single flower, and see what the difference it makes to your digital photos!
5) *** Simple Backgrounds *** Try to find a 'simple' background for your subject.
One that is uncluttered and unobtrusive.
This can be particularly important for portrait and group photographs. You don't want to have a distracting background for a lovely soft portrait, or have the classic light pole 'growing' out of someone's head!
Move the subject/s into a position that will minimize the background.
Remember having the subject further from the background will also lessen its effect.
6) *** Off-Centre the Subject *** That's right! Get the subject out of the middle of the photo!
Use the 'rule-of-thirds' to position the subject in a pleasing location in the image.
The 'rule-of-thirds' is like having an imaginary 'tick-tack-toe' diagram drawn on your focus screen. Where those lines cross is where you place the subject.
This can really make a difference to your photographs.
But don't use it all the time - remember rules are made to be broken!
7) *** Use Flash *** Yes - even in daylight!
This is often called 'fill-flash'. Using it will lessen any harsh shadows, resulting in better light for your photo.
This tip is great if you take photos in the middle of the day when the light is harshest.
It works particularly well for portrait and group photography.
But remember the flash on your camera is only good for about 10 feet - don't stand too far away from your subject!
----------------------
These 7 tips and techniques are proven fundamentals of digital photography.
Start using them today and you will be taking great digital photos that you can be proud of!
Happy Snapping!
About the Author
Teresa Pocock is a successful author and published photographer who can teach you how to take first-class digital photos... even if you've never used a camera before! Ms Pocock is a member of the NAPP: National Association of Photoshop Professionals => http://www.yourdigitalphotosuccess.com
Tuesday, 6 February 2007
When Pictures Paint A Thousand Words
by Low Jeremy
Portrait photography is probably the best kind of photography that defines human interest. Although it is considered as the easiest area of photography compared to others, portrait photography appeals to many people and photographers alike because it is quite interesting and challenging.
Since it's all about taking people's photos, a portrait photographer should possess a genuine interest in people that would eventually become their subjects. They should care about people and are natural conversationalists to break the ice.
Above all else, portrait photographers should also possess the skill to observe their subjects' characteristic gestures and expressions and can easily identify a person's best side and angle.
GETTING STARTED
If you think you have what it takes to be a portrait photographer, then you should familiarize yourself with the different areas of portraiture. Basically, there are different types of portrait depending on the usage or purpose.
Some of the common categories in which portrait photography falls into include amateur portraits of friends and family, photos of people in a social gathering, editorial portraiture where pictures are taken by photographers for newspapers, magazines and other publications' use, fine art portraiture where photos are taken specifically for display in museums and galleries, formal portraits where subjects pose for the purpose of a photograph and informal portraits or 'action shots' where the subjects do not intentionally pose for the camera.
THINGS TO CONSIDER AND RECONSIDER
Many photographers would agree that the intention of the photographer is what sets a photograph apart from a portrait. If you would want to try portrait photography, here are some of the things you might want to consider:
1. Camera. In portraiture, any 35mm SLR (single-lens-reflex) are fine. If you can afford a Digital SLR, it's better because you can save on film and processing. Never opt for a zoom point and shoot because it can't provide sharp outline and accurate results.
2. Lenses. There will be times that you need to emphasize or de-emphasize a specific feature of your subject at a certain distance. These are what the different kinds of lenses are for--to highlight or conceal any good or bad feature of the subject.
Many professional photographers suggest 300mm or 600mm lenses but for starters, typical portrait lenses that are between 90 and 135 millimeters long for 35mm cameras are okay. Nikon 105/1.8 (MF only), Canon 100/2 USM, and Canon 135/2 USM are some of the recommended portrait lenses available in the market.
3. Film. Since digital cameras no longer require the use of rolls of film, this should not be a big trouble for you. All you need is to look for a good compact flash that has high memory to produce high-resolution photos. But if you have a manual or SLR camera, purchase black and white and color films to provide choices to your clients.
4. Location. An ideal location for any portrait photography shoot is a studio. Aside from providing enough working space to work at, having a photo studio also ensures the safety of your equipment. But if you can't set up a studio yet, it is advisable to find a space that can provide you a working area.
In setting up a studio, consider the rental cost, size, accessibility to target market and the facilities offered. If you take environmental portraits, you wouldn't need a studio that much because your shoots will depend on the surroundings that create great impacts on your subject.
5. Lighting. If you have a portrait studio, consider the sources of light that would flatter your subjects. If your shoot is outdoors, it is advisable to choose an overcast day to avoid shadows in your photos.
About the Author
This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on photography & other useful information, please visit http://photography.articlekeep.com
Portrait photography is probably the best kind of photography that defines human interest. Although it is considered as the easiest area of photography compared to others, portrait photography appeals to many people and photographers alike because it is quite interesting and challenging.
Since it's all about taking people's photos, a portrait photographer should possess a genuine interest in people that would eventually become their subjects. They should care about people and are natural conversationalists to break the ice.
Above all else, portrait photographers should also possess the skill to observe their subjects' characteristic gestures and expressions and can easily identify a person's best side and angle.
GETTING STARTED
If you think you have what it takes to be a portrait photographer, then you should familiarize yourself with the different areas of portraiture. Basically, there are different types of portrait depending on the usage or purpose.
Some of the common categories in which portrait photography falls into include amateur portraits of friends and family, photos of people in a social gathering, editorial portraiture where pictures are taken by photographers for newspapers, magazines and other publications' use, fine art portraiture where photos are taken specifically for display in museums and galleries, formal portraits where subjects pose for the purpose of a photograph and informal portraits or 'action shots' where the subjects do not intentionally pose for the camera.
THINGS TO CONSIDER AND RECONSIDER
Many photographers would agree that the intention of the photographer is what sets a photograph apart from a portrait. If you would want to try portrait photography, here are some of the things you might want to consider:
1. Camera. In portraiture, any 35mm SLR (single-lens-reflex) are fine. If you can afford a Digital SLR, it's better because you can save on film and processing. Never opt for a zoom point and shoot because it can't provide sharp outline and accurate results.
2. Lenses. There will be times that you need to emphasize or de-emphasize a specific feature of your subject at a certain distance. These are what the different kinds of lenses are for--to highlight or conceal any good or bad feature of the subject.
Many professional photographers suggest 300mm or 600mm lenses but for starters, typical portrait lenses that are between 90 and 135 millimeters long for 35mm cameras are okay. Nikon 105/1.8 (MF only), Canon 100/2 USM, and Canon 135/2 USM are some of the recommended portrait lenses available in the market.
3. Film. Since digital cameras no longer require the use of rolls of film, this should not be a big trouble for you. All you need is to look for a good compact flash that has high memory to produce high-resolution photos. But if you have a manual or SLR camera, purchase black and white and color films to provide choices to your clients.
4. Location. An ideal location for any portrait photography shoot is a studio. Aside from providing enough working space to work at, having a photo studio also ensures the safety of your equipment. But if you can't set up a studio yet, it is advisable to find a space that can provide you a working area.
In setting up a studio, consider the rental cost, size, accessibility to target market and the facilities offered. If you take environmental portraits, you wouldn't need a studio that much because your shoots will depend on the surroundings that create great impacts on your subject.
5. Lighting. If you have a portrait studio, consider the sources of light that would flatter your subjects. If your shoot is outdoors, it is advisable to choose an overcast day to avoid shadows in your photos.
About the Author
This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on photography & other useful information, please visit http://photography.articlekeep.com
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