ProPhotoSource Photography Resources

High Key Photography

2008-07-17T18:42:00.001-07:00

The artistic-seeming tones of white on white brings to mind the innocence of youth, the fabric of dreams and long, hot summer days. In photography, the effect can be easily achieved by choosing elements of a white or pastel color placed on a white or very light background.

White curtains blowing in the breeze, white birches tufted with cotton snow, or a feather storm of a pillow fight are qualifiers for a high key photo. The center of interest benefits from a darker tone, contrasting with the light tones of the surrounding environment and bringing the eye to the action. Subtle shades of white and gray enhance the colors or darker tones of the main subject.

Often, a white vignetting filter can be used judiciously, blending the portion of the subject with the background. To make a vignetting filter, cut a four inch square from some colorless, pliable, and translucent material. In the center cut a small (one half by three quarter inch) hole with a nail scissors. Place the vignetter in about one half inch in front of the lens. Extra light may be aimed at the vignetter for a whiter effect. Vignetting can also be achieved with the computer. In your photo editor, choose the airbrush set at 300 pixels wide and 50% strength. Pass the brush repeatedly around the edges of the image, creating the fade out effect. When making the original exposure set the camera to overexpose the subject one f stop. The reason for this is that the camera light sensor will try to expose whites as light gray, underexposing the image.

In printing, care should be taken to insure a proper ratio of white, near white and deeper tones. If the photo is printed too dark, the high key effect is lost, and if printed too light, no detail will be discernible in the near-white tones. For a water color effect, leave lots of room around the edges (white) and mat carefully using white, black, or delicate pastel colors. A water color filter will further enhance the high key effect. If you have children, make a list of the white clothes available for a magical white on white shoot. They'll all come out like angels.

If you do something, be the best at it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenneth_C._Hoffman

How To Take Great Photos During The Summer

2008-07-10T13:22:00.000-07:00

Al Sanez

The summer is a great time to take photos. Even though a lot of flowers may be gone from spring and lots of plants may be drying up, it is still one of the best time to take shots.

During the summer you may go to the beach, the mountains, etc. When you go on vacation bring your camera and reap the awards of visiting new places.

As with any photo escapade, you need to be a little prepared for the summer. One of the most important things to prepare for is the sun. The sun can really be hot and bright during the summer. A good solution to this is to get a UV filter for your camera. This will help get rid of unwanted effects the sun can bring. Also, a UV Hood can also help your camera and reduce the lens flare that the sun can bring.

Because of the brighter settings during this time, you really need to be sure to expose the photo right. The large amounts of light mean less light is needed to expose a shot. This could be good and bad. The positive is that you can use longer shutter speeds without having to worry about needing more light. The drawback is that you can end up with overexposed shots that are all white!

As with any day of the year, the best time to take photos is during the early morning and the night. During mid day during summer your photos are going to look the worst. The sun will be straight overhead and result in very harsh shots. A good solution to this is to bring some reflectors and diffusers. A reflector can be made of tin foil and a diffuser could simply be an old blanket mounted on PVC pipes or a wooden frame.

Al Sanez has a Free Photo course that teaches beginners digital photography tips. He also has a Digital Photography Guide.

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

Summer's Here - Let's Hit the Beach

2008-06-28T13:55:00.001-07:00

Suzanne Vandegrift

With a camera that is. Whether you're trying to get a shot of that spectacular sand castle your kids just built before the waves wash it away or the sun as it drops into the ocean, beach photography can produce magnificent results. With a few tips, you're beach photographs will be amazing. So grab your camera bag and head out to the nearest beach for some fun in the sun.

First off, there's more to the beach than sand and water. Look for points of interest, they are everywhere. A long stretch of smooth, empty beach with a single set of footprints can make a most impressive photograph. Look for the unique, the impressive. Two children at the waters edge jumping the small waves. A flock of brown pelicans flying just above the oceans surface. A beautiful starfish nestled in a shallow pool along the jetty. These will make a priceless photo album that your family will treasure for years.

Unless you live in an area where you enjoy stretches of remote beaches, try timing your trips to the beach for your photo sessions when there aren't as many people. Early in the morning or late in the evening. This will allow you to photograph at your leisure without trying to avoid having strangers in your beautiful beach shots. Another benefit to photographing during these times of the day is atmosphere lighting. You avoid the harsh brightness of the sun which can wash out the color of your pictures. If you plan on photographing sunrises or sunsets, remember to pack a tripod in your camera bag.

When taking your beach photo, make sure your horizon is straight and off center. Always follow the rule of thirds. Keep the horizon either in the top or the bottom of the picture, never in the center, it adds interest. Also, make sure there is nothing in the picture you don't want before you snap the shot, such as a careless persons trash left behind on the beach.

Use the beach as a setting for some still life photography. Unique beach items set up in the sand or at the waters edge can make some very interesting images. If something catches your eye, it's worth looking at through your camera. Maybe you're lucky enough to follow a trail of baby turtles making their way to the ocean for the first time. What an addition that would be to your vacation photo album. Use a camera bag you can carry all your camera accessories easily while taking your beach shots.

One of the most convenient camera bags for outdoor photography is the backpack. Choose one that allows you easy access by wearing it on your back and also swinging it around to the front without removing it. One that has plenty of room for not only your camera and lenses, but all your photography and personal accessories as well. A camera bag that is designed to protect that equipment from the elements. Sand, moisture.

Suzanne VanDeGrift of has developed this article for M-ROCK.com, manufacturer of exceptional quality backpacks

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

Photography Tips

2008-06-14T14:02:00.001-07:00

Manuel Wiggins

Just about everybody fancies himself or herself to be a photographer. As soon as somebody gets a camera, they start clicking away. And they start looking for photography tips. Which is great - you get tips on how to take photos underwater, you get photography tips that tell you how to get rid of reflection on window panes - you even get photography tips on how to take great pictures when you are skydiving.

So, how often do you plan to take photos underwater? Or when you are skydiving? Or paragliding, for that matter. The one big photography tip that everybody ignores, that should be the first thing to do is - read the manual. Read the manual, from the beginning till the end, and do not imagine that you can just figure things out as you go along. Making it up as you go along does not work with photography.

Once you read the manual, you will have a fairly good idea of what kind of adjustments to make - what size aperture to use for what kind of photos, the exposure time, the mode you should use - the basics. With digital cameras, you can do a lot of things very easily.

Once you are through with that first important step, the next important photography tip you have to keep in mind is that you have to start small. Start with familiar objects. And, this is important, start with familiar objects that stay still and are not thousands of miles away. Those are for the experts. Now, you might, with time and practice, become an expert, but you have to give yourself plenty of time and get plenty of practice.

Start with inanimate objects, and try to capture light and shadows. This is a little tricky, but once you get the knack, you can do it. The trick is to know what it will look like as a photo when you look through the viewfinder. This, again, takes practice, but with some trial and error, you can get there.

From there, you can move on to portraits, because portraits, when done indoors, give you the chance to control the lights and the setting, and this is quite important for somebody who is just starting out.

Of course, once you have done that, you can challenge the sun, on your terms. The key to good photography is persistence - learning from mistakes and a good eye are, of course, great, too. Most important, do not expect perfection the first time around. If you caught rather more of your finger than you wanted to in your first photo, do not get discouraged. After all, there is no way to go but up!

Manuel Wiggins is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
To learn more about photography tips visit Photography For Beginners for current articles and discussions.

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

Wedding Photo Albums Go Digital

2008-05-25T07:47:00.001-07:00

Leanne Tremblay

Even if you decide to hire a professional wedding photographer, there's still a place for a do-it-yourself wedding photo album. Thanks to digital photography and high quality photo printing, the results don't have to look amateurish. In fact, you can create a coffee table book that tells your own story without spending a fortune. These albums are called photo books and they are changing the way we keep and share digital photos.

Photo books are printed and bound professionally by online services so they look just like a hardcover purchased in a store. There are sizes and designs to fit every wedding event, from engagement parties to showers. In addition to your main wedding album, think about creating a photo book as a bridesmaid gift, a guest book, or even wedding favor.

To create a wedding photo book, first, choose an online printing service like Shutterfly, Kodak Gallery, or Photoworks. Each of these online services carries a variety of photo book sizes and styles. Browse their catalog to find the style that suits you best. Create an account (registration is free), and upload the digital photos you want to use.

Next, design your the photo book using the online layout tools. It's surprisingly easy (and fun). Just drag and drop photos from your album into pre-designed page layouts. There are dozens of layouts to choose from featuring one to five or more photos per page. Because the book is printed using a state-of-the-art digital press, you can have photos printed right to the edge (called full bleed), something you can't have with a traditional album. Online editing tools let you crop, remove red-eye, and convert to black and white or sepia. Add captions to photos if you want, and choose the font style and size. The options are endless.

Finally, the cost will surprise you. The largest 12x12 albums cost between $60 and $70 and are usually leather. Standard size 8x11 albums cost about $30, and 5x7 mini albums start as low as $7.

Besides the quintessential wedding album, you can create a photo book for a number of other wedding related occasions. Here are some fun ideas.

Photo Guest Book

Create your own guest book for people to sign at the reception. Simply choose a 5x7 or 8x11 standard photo book style and add photos of you and your fiancé to the left-facing pages only, leaving the right side blank for notes, messages, and well wishes from all your guests.

Engagement Photo Book

Create a photo book that chronicles the story of your engagement as you plan it from day one. There's so much you'll want to include, from dress fittings to engagement parties, ring shopping, and decorating, visits with your wedding planner, choosing a florist...capture it all!

Wedding Shower Mini Book

Create a mini book of the bridal or couples shower. Remember the event with close-ups of the food, guests, gifts, silly games and of course the crazy hats.

Bridesmaid and Groomsmen Keepsake Books

Collect special photos of your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Use both old and current photos that show your history together, from childhood to your friendship today. From there, it's a snap to create a keepsake book you then give as a gift.

Honeymoon Photo Book

While the wedding celebration may be over, don't forget to create a fabulous photo book of your honeymoon. There are dozens of travel themed pages and layouts to choose from.

Leanne Tremblay is publisher of Photo Printing To Go, an idea portal for getting the most out of your digital photos. Stop by for more ways to create free digital prints, photo books, photo cards, and gifts.

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

Photo Submission Tips

2008-05-21T08:31:00.001-07:00

Karen Fairham

You can generate great income from your photography hobby; it is easy to start a rewarding photo selling business online. Forget about the general misconception that you need to be a professional to do this because the truth is that you do not need to be a professional to do this, all you need your digital camera and access to a computer with an internet connection.

Many users such as advertisers, designers, journalists and many more all want fast ways of getting hold of photos in digital form and for a reasonable price. They go straight to those sites that allow members to upload their digital photos for sale and download from there. Yeah, this is where you come in because the photos submitted at these sites are by professionals and amateurs alike. These sites will pay each time someone downloads a photo that you have submitted, and they will receive a share of the amount paid and the rest comes to you. Also in some cases you might receive offer for a lump sum to buy the full rights which sometimes can be a very handsome payout.

Some tips you can use to apply to make sure that your photo receives a high download rate are:

1. Try focusing your shot on only one object or subject so as to make it possible for the main subject of the photo to be determined. Make sure that the subject portrays the feeling you are trying to capture.

2. Get a little closer, do not be shy. One of the biggest mistakes most beginning photographers make is shooting from so far away. They leave too much distance between themselves and their subjects. Instead, get up close and personal. Fill up as much of the camera frame, with your subject, as you can. You can always reshape, trim, and resize a good quality shot. But you cannot continue to blow up a distant subject and hope that it will come into focus. It just won't happen.

3. Subject placement. Most people place the subject at the exact center of the frame. There is nothing wrong with this. However this often leads to a bland and uninteresting picture.

Based on the above tips and some common sense you will surely be able to come up with a decent photo that will be appealing to the person looking at it. Remember that searchers are looking for different things so you should be open minded and take photographs of not just one type of object or place.

For more information on how to take quality photo and submit your photo to stock photo sites and get paid go to: http://www.digicamcash.info

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

Digital Photography Classes That Obtain Awesome Results

2008-05-15T12:08:00.001-07:00

Dan Feildman

Standing near a path, hedge, fence or wall which stretches away into the distance will carry the eye from the foreground through to the distance, giving the picture the extra dimension of depth. Rivers and streams, stretching into the distance, can be used to serve the same function with the added advantage of sparkling with light and reflecting a blue sky. Whether the photograph is framed to give a vertical picture (portrait format) or horizontal picture (landscape format) will always be dictated by purely visual considerations. Just what is visually most effective in any particular situation will determine whether we should take a landscape or portrait format photograph. Street scenes are another popular subject in this category. Streets in villages, old market towns or the endless variety of town scenes in other countries provide a continuous source of interest. Looking down a street automatically gives the picture a certain depth. Finding a suitable item for the foreground can help this along. This might be such things as a quaint shop front, a market stall, the wing of a car or a person.

If you're planning on opening up a studio to take children's photos then you're going to need to lease a building. It doesn't have to be anything large but it should be in a visible part of town with a lot of other businesses. Visibility is half the battle won. Finally, you're going to have to take lots of photos, especially if you want to build a reputation for yourself. You'll want to put together a portfolio of your work so that you can bring it around with you. Again, this is going to depend on what field you want to get into, whether it be freelancing for a magazine, setting up your own shop, or working for somebody else, which is usually a good way to break in. The world of photography is wide open. There are many options to each aspiring photographer. So pick a game plan and stick to it. With patience and perseverance, you'll eventually get to where you want to be.

A digital photography camera is a tricky choice for some. Many people are more concerned with price than they are with how much memory the camera will have. The cameras range in price from a hundred dollars all the way to thousands of dollars. Depending on what is needed, the choice can seem overwhelming. One photography site that can help determine just what is right is Short courses. This site helps the consumer decide from the four major types of cameras as to which one fits their lifestyle. Digital photography is a great way to capture the images of an individual that will be seen for generations to come. By using digital photography instead of regular film, those memories will be perfect the first time. The choices of cameras are endless, and with the help of the internet, a person can make sure and choose the right camera that best fits their lifestyle and price range.

Anyone who wants to learn how to be a photographer doesn't have to enroll for many years to get a degree. There are colleges who offer this as one of the subjects which the student may take as an elective. Can you still learn how to be a photographer being out of school for many years? The answer is yes. The only thing needed is your dedication to learn from the proper techniques and a camera to take some shots. Some students don't have to go to campus anymore. There are some institutions that offer distance education. A good example is the New York Institute of Photography. You will learn everything from exposure, lenses, the various techniques used to cover different events, journalism and much more. Being affiliated with the school, you will be entitled to free online magazine articles such as contests and digital imaging.

Some of you may have more options than others depending on where you live. If there are several schools in your area I highly recommend investigating the following; 1) Go over the course outline; by looking over the subject matter in the digital photography course, you will be able to check out which classes are suitable for your skill level. Some classes teach just the basics like how to work your camera. So if you're well passed that, why not take on something a little more challenging? 2) See if there are any interesting aspects to your class. Does the class teach nothing but black and white photography? Will you be out and about in nature trying to photograph birds at six in the morning? Some of this may interest you and it also might give you a headache.

Computer skills: A good photography school needs to have courses regarding the use of computers. The field of photography is a very competitive one and you could really use some knowledge of computers. With the advent of digital photography, the need for computer literacy is more evident than ever. Scholarships It would be best if the photography school is offering some kind of financial assistance for their students. Some of the equipments in photography are not that cheap. These are just some tips on how to choose a photography school. Choosing the right school is as important as having a good view of where you want to go. The right school is the best way to get there.

To keep yourself enthusiastic about your subject, you might want to shoot two or maybe three projects at a time. Spend a Saturday afternoon shooting your local town's attractions and people, and next weekend drive into the nearest city to shoot architecture and calf culture. But how do you choose projects that will assist in creating strong saleable images? Search stock photography agencies, look through travel magazines and newspapers. What you see everyday is what sells. The key is to plan what you are going to shoot. Although we are all guided by weather conditions, it is possible to select the images you want before you arrive at your location. I rarely arrive without at least a few images mapped out in my head, and never without a shoot list. As travel photographers, it goes without saying that we have a passion for travel. It's why we do what we do. But it is an extremely difficult business to get into. The catch 22 is that to produce a portfolio or stock image library you need time and money. To fund your photography you need to work. It will take time and dedication, but by shooting close to home you will gradually improve your photography skills and start to build a portfolio of images to be proud of. It all comes down to the way we view our surrounding.

Looking into digital photography, ever want to start Learning Digital Photography? Find some great tips on how to take digital photographs with This Free Report

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

Understanding Camera Resolution

2008-05-03T19:43:00.001-07:00

Barry Craft

Before rushing off to buy that premium photo paper so you can have your digital photos in hand, there are a few things to know when preparing for a digital print. It can be as simple as "upload and print". But, if you want the maximum quality, clearest resolution, and the most vibrant and true colors, follow these tips used by professional photographers and graphic artists every time they print.

First off, you may have seen the 2 acronyms, ppi and dpi. Many people confuse them to be the same thing. They do roughly share the same principle (defining the resolution of your photos) but are used in totally different stages of the photography or printing process.

Ppi stands for pixels per inch. You can think of this as the input unit, or how many pixels are captured by your camera's sensor when taking a picture. If you have a low ppi, you can raise the dpi all you want but you'll still have a very small picture. And should you choose to enlarge the photo, it will be very grainy and blurry, also known as pixelated.

Pixelation happens when there are not enough pixels in the image to represent every color and line; therefore, you get a mosaic, blotchy look. When the resolution is even the slightest bit low like this, the lines aren't as smooth as they should be.

This is where camera quality matters because the more pixels in the photo, the more flexibility you have with the size and resolution. The better the input, the better the outcome.

Dpi on the other hand is a part of the output process. It stands for dots per inch. This refers back to an old printing process. If you've ever looked at a magazine page with a magnifying glass (or maybe you should now to help you understand), you would have seen all the tiny dots used to compose the image. Going back to the basics of art and design, it is taught that a line is really just a series of points arranged in a continuous pattern. So therefore, everything you see is essentially a dot.

This brings me to the next focus, if there are not enough dots in each square inch, your photo, again, will have a low resolution and look grainy. Some of the colors may be inaccurate as well because there are not enough actual dots to represent each element and color in your image.

There are standards in the printing and graphic design world to give you great starting points when printing your hi-res photos. The industry standard used for any print work, magazines, brochures, etc. is 300 dpi.

Images that will be viewed within say, 2 feet or less need to have a higher dpi as well as if they are printed on a high gloss paper, like brochures, magazines, and postcards. Images that will be hung on a wall or put in display, viewed further away, can have a lower dpi of 150 because they won't be seen close enough to need a great amount of detail. This is also the case if the image is printed on matte or semi-gloss paper because the rougher texture is more forgiving than a smooth high-gloss paper.

If you decide to get your photos professionally printed, all this will be done for you and your photos will have superb resolution. However, if you choose to print them on your own, you now have the all the secrets of the trade so you too can have high resolution, high quality, and beautifully vibrant photos like the pros.

About The Author: Barry Craft has been an avid photographer for the last 20 years and has a particular interest in nature photography. He is passionate about his work and is happy to provide the latest tips and tricks to help you improve your photographic skills.
To obtain a FREE copy of his latest report entitled, "Top 10 Tips for Great Photo Composition - How to Overcome the 10 Biggest Mistakes When Composing Your Photographs and Dramatically Improve Your Images" please visit http://naturephotographyclub.com/nature-photography-tips.php

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Photography - 14 Tips for Capturing Spring Flowers

2008-04-23T06:59:00.001-07:00

Sue Barthelow

Ah, spring is in the air. The daffodils and other spring bulbs are blooming throughout the foothills. The almond trees have moved beyond their peak bloom, and other trees are joining the cacophony of bloom to overwhelm the senses. Here in the countryside, the wildflowers are popping up, inviting us to come out and enjoy nature.

Being a photographer, you probably have your camera on your mind and, hopefully, in your hand. It's time to take advantage of those lovely spring blossoms; to capture them forever.

So dust off that camera and wake it up from its winter slumber. Here are some tips that may help.

1. Watch out for the wind. Unless it's the movement you're trying to capture, you'll get your best images when the air is still.

2. Use your tripod and self-timer or remote control to get the sharpest images.

3. Full sunlight brings out the brightest colors and adds contrast to give you highlighted detail. Watch out for dark shadows. You can lighten the shadows using a reflector or fill flash.

4. If you want to give your flowers a softer look with muted colors, shoot on an overcast day, in the shade, during early morning or after sunset. You may be able boost your colors by changing your camera's optimize image settings to something that will produce more vivid colors (check your camera manual).

5. Depending on the orientation, the light near sunset can make light colored flowers glow against a darker background.

6. Use your aperture priority setting. To blur the background, start with an f/5.6 aperture. Move upwards from there to get more and more depth of focus. Anything over f/11 is probably overkill.

7. Set your color saturation setting to Enhanced.

8. Use a variety of lens focal lengths. Try everything from wide angle to telephoto. A telephoto lets you step back from the flower and makes it easier to throw the background out of focus.

9. Try your camera's macro setting and get up close. You can capture an interesting part of a flower that will give you a different type of image.

10. Shoot in both horizontal and vertical camera positions.

11. Want to create a portrait? Try placing a black, white or colored backdrop behind a flower to give it that formal, composed look.

12. Vary your position and look for the most compelling image. You can shoot from below or above the flower. You can shoot from a level straight at it. Sometimes shooting from an off-angle will give you the best image. Watch the light and shadows. Look for an angle that gives you interesting texture or contrast.

13. Trying to capture a fine art type of image? Get up close and personal. Capture a small area of the flower that provides an interesting feature. Leave or crop out everything except for that intriguing section.

14. How about something in black and white? Look for color variations that will give you everything from black to white.

Sue Barthelow is a freelance photographer specializing in abstract, landscape, travel and wine production photography. Visit her gallery at http://www.SueBarthelow.com/photo_gallery.

Shop for your photography-related gear at http://www.MoreThanCameras.com.

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

A Home Based Business Using Your Camera

2008-04-15T13:59:00.001-07:00

Michael Corby

Photography is a hobby to most of us, but there is a way to turn that hobby into money, simply by tapping into a new use of your Digital Camera. Introducing "Panography". This is the name of a form of photography (you have to pronounce it slowly and clearly when talking to people as it may lead to confusion with another type of "ography"). It is the art of taking panoramic photos. These panoramas may be in the form of a limited angle of view or a full 360 degrees. The great advantage of a panoramic photo is that allows the photographer to show the viewer an image that is much closer to what the eye actually sees.

Taking a Panoramic Photo There are two main ways to take a photo. One being the process of taking several frames and then "stitching" them together using software. A lot of cameras will have a stitch assist mode to help line up each photo in the sequence, but the stitching software takes care of the exact alignment. Another method is to use a "One Shot" lens. This is a parabolic mirror lens, which will take the entire panorama with one frame. The quality of the shot is less than that of stitching but of course the file size is much smaller and it therefore lends itself to use on the Internet.

Uses of Panoramas There is a commercial aspect to panoramas, the most popular being in the Real Estate industry when Virtual Tours can be constructed to showcase properties. This is where the one shot lens comes into its own as the photos for a tour can be completed within half an hour. The resulting images can then be sent to a company like www.thevirtualviewcompany.com where the images are processed and made into a virtual tour hosted on the net. This service allows Real Estate agents or independent photographers the opportunity to offer an extra service cheaply and easily. There is a real opportunity here for people to operate their own home based business. Whether you be a stay at home Mom who can find a couple of hours a day to get out and do some photography or the full time person who wants to keep their overheads low. After all, all you need is the basic equipment and access to a computer and you can then operate your own home business.

To learn more about being a Panographer and Virtual Tours visit: http://thevirtualviewcompany.com where you can find all the information you need and can download a step by step guide.

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

Pitfalls of Beginning Photographers - Why You Shouldn't Buy a Digital SLR with a Zoom Lens Kit

2008-04-10T17:22:00.001-07:00

Peter Phun

The biggest obstacle in a beginning digital photographer's way is often that lens that was bundled with their digital SLR (Single Lens Reflex camera.)

The marketplace is awash with digital SLR cameras touting fantastic resolution and tons of features, but most 1st time buyers don't realize how complicated these cameras really are.

Invariably that camera kit that they buy is something like a Nikon D40x or Canon Rebel XTi with a 18mm to 55 mm zoom lens and a 1GB or 2 GB memory card. It is worse if they get one with a 28 mm to 135 mm lens.

So just how complicated are these cameras? In terms of function, and how they operate they are all the same. But as far as how user-friendly and intuitive they are, how you change the settings and so forth, that's a whole different ballgame.

1. No longer is it a simple matter to change something like a very basic setting on a camera. In the analog film camera of yesterday, all you needed to know was how to set the ISO or film speed, the aperture, shutter speed, read the exposure meter, how to load and unload the camera and of course where the shutter release button is located - essentially there were only 4 settings you needed to know to work any camera. I intentionally left out focussing because I expect everyone knows how to look in the viewfinder and turn the barrel of the lens until the image in the focussing screen appears sharp.

2. These days all these very basic settings are hidden under multiple layers of menus. To change let's say something as basic as the ISO, you have to hold down one button and turn one of two possible dials. Even after you do that, you can't be sure you've changed the correct one. For instance you might think you've changed the ISO because you see the numbers on the LCD change from 100 to 125 to 160 and 200. Well, that could also be the shutter speed you just changed.

Unless you've read the manual, how can you be sure? To further complicate matters, some cameras even let you choose settings that are 1/3 of a stop. Shutter speeds on film cameras used to be 1/1000, 1/500. 1/250 etc. Now there's in between settings like 1/1250, 1/640, 1/350 etc. No wonder novices are overwhelmed.

Bear in mind, we haven't even considered those settings unique to "digital" like choosing compression or quality or file sizes, white balance, formatting of the memory card or auto focus sensor and motordrive modes to name just a few.

3. I didn't realize how confusing all these numbers can be to a novice until midway into my teaching an introductory digital photography class. I think I was telling my students to set their exposure for 1/125 of a sec at f11. One of my students looked up at me and asked if that was the focal length she was supposed to set or if it was the ISO. Perhaps it was my failing as an instructor that left her befuddled, but boy, did I learned something that day!

There are way too many variables on the digital SLRs out there especially if they are 1st time users. And on those zoom lenses they buy with their cameras, I hadn't even explained to them that the aperture on their zoom lenses are variable. It is f3.5 on the 18 mm end and f5.6 on the 55 mm end!

There was a lot of wisdom in the days of film photography when camera manufacturers bundled a SLR with a standard 50 mm lens. It meant beginners could concentrate on getting their exposure right, without contemplating why a lens had one aperture opening on the wide angle end and another on the telephoto end.

Composing by moving closer or moving back instead of zooming in and out using a variable focal length lens taught beginners not to get lazy and explore their subject by moving around.

It is for all these reasons that I find myself recommending that 1st time buyers also buy a 50 mm fixed focal length lens with maybe a aperture of f1.8 to start their adventure in photography.

Sure, that standard lens is more expensive, but in the long run, novices will learn much faster. A lens like a 50 mm f1.8 is extremely versatile.It allows you to shoot in low light.It is small and compact and is actually an 80 mm lens when you factor in the 1.6x magnification factor--perfect for portraiture.

The worse lens kit out there I've seen is one of the range from 28 mm to 135 mm. When you factor in the magnification factor of 1.6 x, on the long end, that is actually a 216 mm lens.

A 216 mm lens with an slow aperture of f5.6 is extremely limiting. That means the lens can only be used in the bright outdoors. Typical exposure for a sunny day at ISO 100 is about 1/500 sec at f 5.6. The moment the sun goes behind a cloud, they have to increase the camera's ISO.

So if you're new to photography and you're shopping for a digital SLR, consider buying a normal lens or what used to be called a standard lens--the 50 mm. Consider this also: do you really think that lens that came with the camera body can be that great?

If you price that same camera body without a lens against the whole kit (camera and zoom lens), you'll see that some vendors even throw in a bag, a lens cleaning kit and even a tripod. Do you really think they'll be able to make a profit if that lens is not a piece of junk with lousy optics?

Peter Phun is an adjunct photography instructor at Riverside City College. He is a freelance photographer, web designer and stay at home dad. He previously worked as a staff photographer for 18 years at The Press-Enterprise, Southern California's 4th largest daily newspaper. Peter is the webmaster for the Mac user group in the Inland Empire. For more information about this Riverside based photographer, visit http://www.peterphun.com

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

Want To Get The Most From Your New Digital Camera? Read The Manual

2008-04-08T08:28:00.001-07:00

Anita Cross

Nearly every digital camera on the market today has an incredible number of features. Most of these features will help you take better photos if you learn how to use them.

You could just "dive in", play around, and hope for the best. And that's exactly what most of us do, at least when we first get a new digital camera. Whether it's a new toy, or a new tool, it's exciting to get out there and start taking pictures.

To get the most out of your new toy, uh, I mean tool, you really need to read the camera's manual!

For example: Your camera has a built in light meter, with three "metering modes", to calculate the correct exposure value (EV) for the various lighting conditions. The default metering mode evaluates the entire scene, breaking it into zones or regions. The resulting exposure works well for most photographs.

Do you know what the other two metering modes are, how they affect the image, or when to use them? Do you know how to change the metering mode?

It's all there in the manual. Along with information about what each of the buttons and dials are for; What all those confusing symbols on the LCD are actually telling you; How to use the menu: How to turn off and on different functions such as digital zoom and red eye reduction; How to use special effects, like sepia and solarize; How to change the white balance; And much more.

Don't let the manual, and all those features, intimidate you. Go ahead and get comfortable with your new camera, using the features that are intuitive, or obvious to you from your experience with other cameras. Just don't stop there.

Pick an unfamiliar feature, like metering modes, and read the instructions. Then experiment with what you've just learned. Take the same shot several times, varying the feature you're working with. Upload your test images to your computer, and compare the results. When you feel comfortable working with that feature, move on to another one.

At your own pace, use the manual to explore the features and options of your new digital camera. The day will come when your tenacity pays off, when an unusual photo opportunity results in a truly great photograph.

Anita Cross is a professional photographer specializing in landscape and floral photography. A number of her photos can be purchased as royalty free stock photography, and are available exclusively at http://www.callofthewildphoto.com/ Call Of The Wild Photo sponsors an Articles resource where you will find more Digital Photography Tips from Anita and other professional photographers.

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

Seven Spring Photography Tips

2008-04-01T16:12:00.001-07:00

Rayman L

Spring is here! Here are seven photography tips for the new season.

Shoot birds as they are now coming back from the winter. Use the longest lens you have to get the bird in full frame. Use a fast shutter speed of at least 1/500 second. These critters move fast and are usually restless even while perched so you need to be prepared for their quick moves.

Shoot in black and white. The sun's still not out quite as much so on overcast days try shooting in black and white to get whatever contrast you have to stand out.

Shoot reflections. Puddles, pools of water, moisture on objects, closeups of dew, all make good subjects while we are still experiencing rain in most parts of the country. After spring rains, creeks, streams and waterfalls are at their most picturesque. So spring is a great time to photograph these waterways.

Shoot flowers. An oldy but goody. Spring flowers and blossoms are always a good subject if you need an idea.

Stormclouds and cloudy sky scenes make interesting patterns. Try this with black and white and see what results you get.

Take advantage of the best light. Usually morning light for warm yellow tones, late afternoon or evening light will give you a warmer hint of red to full red.

Finally, check your photo gear and prepare for a full on photo year. Clean your camera, lenses and gear, check and recharge all your batteries. Read up on what new accessories can enhance your shooting.

Enjoy the sights, sounds and fresh air as you go about capturing the freshness of spring!

Rayman L is a travel, photography and technology enthusiast. He runs multiple web information sites based on travel, technology and gadgets. See http://www.lensandpixels.com for more photo ideas and news.

His latest sites are http://www.miniguidebooks.com and an Internet Marketing site.

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

Enter A Pet Photography Contest And Promote Your Pet

2008-03-18T07:26:00.001-07:00

By Dee Bovis

Want to let the world know about your pet?

Entering pet photography contests is a great way to promote your pet. By submitting your pet pictures to a pet photography contest, you will have a chance of getting your pet photos published. Here are 3 online contests run by reputable websites.

The Dog Guide (dogguide.net)

The Dog Guide, a popular dog site, recently started a monthly dog picture contest. I like the Dog Guide's contest because they make it easy to submit your pictures. All you have to do is send a description of your dog and 3 pictures to the.dog.guide@gmail.com.

At the end of the month, they will choose the top 3 dog pictures. First place will get $30, second place $20, and third place $10.

Cats Central (cats-central.com)

If you own a cat, consider entering your best cat picture in the Cats Central picture contest. Cats Central does not pay the winners of their contest. However, if you win, you will get bragging rights as Cats Central will publish your picture on their contest web page.

To enter this contest, email your best cat photos to mooredesigns@gmail.com. Don't forget to include a description about your cat.

Pet Contest (petcontest.com)

Check out Pet Contest if you have other kinds of pets. Pet Contest allow anyone to submit pictures of birds, reptiles, horses, pigs, fish, and other pets.

To enter their pet photography contest, go to their site and click on the "enter the contest" link. You will have to fill out a form with your personal information and your pet's information. On the next page, you can upload your pet picture.

Learn more about The Dog Guide's dog photo contest.

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

The Rule of Thirds in Digital Photography

2008-03-16T09:51:00.001-07:00

By Tracy Crowe

The rule of thirds is one of the long-standing rules of photography. It is a widely accepted aesthetic principle. The basic idea of this is that you get a much more aesthetically pleasing image if you place the subject of your photo a third of the way across the frame instead of in the center of the frame. It is long been the accepted way to create more beautiful photos.

Using the rule of thirds meant that photographers should imagine a grid of nine squares placed over their image and then to look to line up elements along this grid, particularily paying attention to the key places created by the four intersections of the grid lines. The objects and areas of interest might also be laid near one of the lines, (it's a good idea to put the horizon below or above the center, for example)

This was a simple guide for photographers to use mentally when looking through the view finder; they didn't need to try to match up lines in their image to the exact grid. Some photographers have the opinion that using the rule of thirds has made the images as mundane, stifling, and conventional as the earlier photography with the subjects centered in the middle of the picture.

The rule of thirds originates in the golden ratio discovered by the ancient Greeks and called "phi". The way this ratio works is if a line A was divided into two sections B and C where one was larger than the other, the golden ratio is achieved when A/B=B/C, or a ratio of 1.6180339887. The golden ratio is found throughout nature. It underlies many growth patterns throughout nature, form the spiral of a Nautilus shell to the petals of a sunflower to the planets of our solar system. It shows up in so many things that we think of as beautiful. This ratio has been used extensively in architecture, art, and music. Ancient Greek buildings are full of golden ratios, and the ancient Egyptians used it too. Leonardo De Vinci used them all the time.

For the photographer it is difficult to work out exactly where the golden ratio is in the viewfinder so people made it simple and said things look better when the subject is about a third of the way across. That is easier for photographers to work with

When people first discovered the rule of thirds they tended to leave the grid on. Often photographers so rigidly adhered to an obvious grid of nine squares that the content of the images was almost less important. There is nothing wrong with this; it is okay to place the subject of the photo a third of the way across as a matter of routine. If all your photos clearly look like a grid then maybe you need to alter your subject matter or other aspects of the photo's composition

A clearly structured photo with an obvious grid is not in any way bad or amateur. However a photo that doesn't show an obvious grid is not at all less aesthetically pleasing either. It is more important to look for the well-composed picture than it is to look for the grid. When you are just starting out you can use the grid as a useful safety net; but also as a launch pad rather than a law that constrains you. With more experience you will find the rule of thirds in your photos where you never consciously looked for it.

The rule of thirds is an established way to make your photographs look better. This being said, you should use this principle as a launching pad for your creativity rather than as an absolute rule. For beginners, it is a good safety net. With experience, you will find yourself using this principle in an unconscious, intuitive manner anyway. You will be taking very appealing, beautiful photos. Have fun.

Tracy Crowe loves beautiful photos.

For information about digital photography, visit http://yourdigitalphotographyinfo.com

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

Photography Jobs- How to Become a Ski Bum, I Mean a Professional Photographer

2008-03-09T17:43:00.001-07:00

By Brandon Baumgarten

A career in photography can be educational, rewarding and lots of fun! But where do you start? How do you get your first photography job? Do you work for an advertising company, newspaper, or modeling agency? Maybe if you are a photography major. So where does that leave the rest of us.

Depending upon your level of motivation and commitment, you can be a successful freelance photographer lining up your own work, but that is another story. Or, you can find an employer to take you on and train you. Yep-sure, where are you going to find that?

How about an on-mountain photographer job at one of the Nations major ski resorts. Almost every major ski mountain has a photography program. Breckenridge, Steamboat, Vail, Copper Mountain Colorado, Heavenly California and Jackson Hole Wyoming will train outgoing and enthusiastic candidates to be professional photographers.

Have you ever wanted to become an extreme sports photographer? This is your chance. The action photographers shoot the ski/snowboard terrain park and get private appointments that typically want extreme shots. Another part of the photography job is setting up on the side of a run and photographing skiers as they rip by. Your action shots get really good, quickly when you shoot a thousand pictures a day and you work on commission.

Do you have a zest for life, love working with families, would you enjoy working with a variety of groups or shooting child photography? Then a ski hill portrait photography job would be perfect for you. You set up your shop on the mountain at the scenic overlook. Families, groups, couples, kids ski right up for a photo shoot. it is not unusual to shoot 20-30 groups a day during peak periods like spring break, you can't buy experience like that, but you can get paid to do it!

You will learn valuable photography skills that you can use the rest of your life. You will gain the experience and confidence to go up to anyone, anywhere take their picture and sell it to them. You will learn a work flow that can be applied to many different types of photographic situations when you freelance on your own.

The whole world will open up for you and your love for the art of photography with real world experience.

It is important to note that most of the ski areas will provide you with the proper camera equipment, uniform, and a mountain pass to get to your zone. You need your own ski/ snowboard equipment and Although they rarely provide housing they may have suggestions on how to get settled in to the area.

This isn't for everyone, if you really just want to ski, get an evening job doing something else from 3-11pm. You can ski all day, everyday.

If you love photography and skiing you better hurry up and get in touch with one of the resorts right away because they fill their photographer jobs in October and November.

I have been a top professional photographer at several western ski resorts including Vail and Breckenridge Colorado, Brighton Utah, and Grand Targhee Wyoming. The season starts Thanksgiving and ends in April. Visit our digital photography website for more information about resort photographer jobs. If you know someone that enjoys photography and skiing or snowboarding, email this article to them. They'll get a kick out of it!

This article is free for republishing provided the content, resource box and active links are retained exactly as published.

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

How To Take Good Photographs Of People

2008-03-02T18:21:00.001-08:00

By Weis Ow

Have you ever thought of how to take good photographs by yourself? Ever wondered how the professional photographers shoot those shots of their models? Why their faces are so sharp and clear?

You can achieve such effects if you knew the techniques. But taking good photos of people is not just about the person. There are several other considerations that you need to be aware of.

You must get your subject to relax if you want to get good shots. Nothing spoils a shot more than a person who appears stiff and uncomfortable. One of the ways is to talk to your subject. Carry out a conversation about their work, their families and giving them the posing instructions while they are talking. This will give you many chances to take nice, natural poses. Also, make sure you and your camera equipment are ready. No one likes to wait, and waiting for you to get ready could put your subject into a foul mood. Bye-bye nice photo.

How to take good photographs of pple? One technical tip that you should find helpful in taking photos of people would be to play with the aperture size. This is the f-number on your SLR camera. If you want the subject to be clear and sharp, but don't need the background, set the f-number larger. This makes the aperture wider and causes the background to blur a little. The contrasting effect will make your subject appear sharper, much like those movie-star type of photos.

If you need everything sharp and clear, then close the aperture by selecting a small f-number. This should bring everything into focus.

Another tip is to be at eye level with your subject. When taking shots of people, it is the face that is most important. If there is no need to, avoid full body shots. Zoom in to the face. So, if you are shooting children, kneel down to get to eye-level with them.

You can even create candid shots on purpose. By holding your camera at a slight angle, say 45% or so, the image could appear as if the cameraman was taken by surprise and squeezed off a shot that was lop-sided. Following all these tips, you will never have to wonder about how to take good photographs again.

There are many things you can do with people. Most importantly, relax, have fun, and remember the fundamentals of good photography.

Weis is a media developer, keen to explore things from all walks of life, thus penning them down into articles. She like to do research on a lot of different topics and currently, she's exploring on how to get make money doing simple photography! For more information on the researches, visit http://www.earncameradollars.com

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

How To Create A Pan Photo

2008-02-26T12:18:00.001-08:00

By Al Sanez

In photography, there are many ways to create different effects in taking pictures. Although the beginner may not realize it, your camera can create many visually amazing effects without even using any filters! One such effect is the photographic pan. This effect is used for objects that are in motion and moving in a straight line. The result of a photo that uses the pan technique is a subject that is in focus and visible while the background is blurred and has streaks of blurriness showing motion.

Pan photos are created by panning the camera! Simple right? Yes! But it's not that simple. To become really good at pan photos you must practice it thoroughly and get used to it. Your first pan photographs may not look the way you image them to look. However, after practicing for some time, your pan photos will look much better.

To create a pan photo you must move the camera along the same path that the object that is moving is going on. You must have a moving object. The object could be walking very slow or be traveling at hundreds of miles per hour. Simply follow the object in a "pan" camera movement.

A camera pan is simply moving the camera from left to right or right to left. If you have a tripod it is simply rotating the camera left or right.

The next important thing you must do for a pan is set the shutter speed. What makes the subject in focus and the object out of focus is the extremely slow shutter speed time that will be used. A good shutter speed for running or fast walking would be 1/30 seconds. If you're shooting objects moving much faster or much slower you will need to adjust the shutter speed. Experiment and find out what works the best. A slower shutter speed will make the background much more out of focus and will need to be more precisely executed.

Using a tripod when you are performing a photographic pan will ensure that the camera stays leveled vertically. Having the camera move horizontally is what makes the pan work. Having the camera move vertically will create blur vertically and will make the picture not work. Unless you have a very leveled hand then use a tripod!

The best setting to use when taking a pan photo is shutter priority. That will let you set the shutter speed you want to use. You don't have to worry about setting the aperture as it will be automatic for you.

The reason that pan photographs are made is very interesting. The camera follows the object in motion at the same speed. This makes the camera see an object and the object seems not to be moving. The background, however, is moving, and that is what gets blurred. Following the subject perfectly will make the camera think that it is not moving and the subject is not moving but the background is moving. It's like the way the earth works. We don't think that we're moving but we think that the sun is moving because it's in one spot during the day and a different spot at night. It's all perception.

Al Sanchez has a great program that teaches how to take better photos easily.

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

Learn Digital Photography - Which Digital Camera Is For You?

2008-02-22T10:26:00.001-08:00

By Dan Feildman

Before deciding on purchasing a digital camera, it is important that you set yourself a budget. This should happen before going online or visiting an electronics shop. It is just like purchasing any other large item else such as a computer. There are a lot of options, and you don't want to get stuck biting off more than you can chew, expense-wise. High-end cameras offer the great zoom, more extra features and more megapixels.

Having more megapixels doesn't mean you will have the great picture quality. Unfortunately these cameras can also take a huge bite out of your wallet if you are not careful. When you are starting out in the wide world of digital photography, it is easier to not spend a huge amount of money on the high-end SLR cameras. Look for cheaper, yet effective, compact digital cameras that are a lot easier to hold. The best thing to do is learn the basics with this digital camera and make sure you enjoy the hobby before spending the cash for higher-end digital cameras.

Some people don't really enjoy going on airplanes or helicopters, how do they take those spectacular aerial photos? Guess what you don't have to use planes or helicopters! Sometimes aerial shots on planes can sometimes get expensive unless you have a friend with a plane. Flying in a little plane around a city a couple of times can be quite frightening for some people. The little secret that few photographers know is: some "in-flight" photos are not actually taken from a plane. Quite the contrary, they are taken from a countryside or city vantage point. Being in the observation deck of a skyscraper will actually get you just about as high as a low flying plane would. Your photographs will look like aerial shots that were taken as you were flying around, but in fact you didn't even enter in any aircraft.

Fall is one of the most pleasurable times for photographers. It brings beautiful orange, brown, and red leaf colors. If you plan on traveling to take advantage of nature's yearly fireworks display, you need to ensure you get to your destination at the peak period to enjoy the best fall leaves. If you live in the US, the US Department of Agriculture has a website that displays fall foliage information by geographical area. Finding out the best times to visit areas is crucial.

A good place is New England. A well planned trip could be the best way to get some really extraordanary pictures. Information is updated as soon as conditions permit. If traveling is out of the question for you, check with your government agriculture website to see the best times. Good research results in spectacular pictures. Here is a good source for US photographers: The Foliage Network - http://www.foliagenetwork.com/

When you are taking fireworks photos a good location is always essential with your digital camera. As in any other type of digital photography, when shooting fireworks, composition is necessary. Before the show begins, find a good angle that will provide you with a clear picture of the upcoming fireworks. Having people in front of your camera is completely unacceptable, avoid it at all costs. Streetlights will fade out the fire works phenomenally; therefore it is best to avoid streetlamps. Basically finding the best possible shot, with few lights, few people and not against the law is difficult but doable. Sometimes have a view on a boat is helpful if the water is calm.

Sometimes taking photos at night is more difficult than it seems. Shooting photos at dusk may provide your camera with just enough light to take fantastic cityscape photos. The sky is decently dark at dusk, but not so dark to prevent some degree of sunlight entering your digital camera, making it easier to take hand-held photos that do not result all blurry due to 'camera-shake'. If you are looking for a superb nighttime photo, it would be better to consider taking your photos at dusk instead of in the pitch black of night. Dusk only lasts for an hour or so. Research your shot locations and time beforehand. Keep your eye on the weather in the location you selected and make sure its not raining the day you decide to go out.

When you are taking pictures of a parade it is best to not ruin time by trying to focus after every picture. It is best to shoot as many photos as possible during a parade, think about buying a focus lock. This keeps your shutter button held halfway down and don't completely release it after taking a photo. Or you might want to set your camera up for manual focus. This way, you can take several photos in succession, or use your camera's "drive" mode for multiple shots within a small range of time. This would enable you to take a bunch of photos without having to refocus for each shot and your digital camera should function much quicker. Though you may want to set up and refocus for certain special shots, other times you may have just as much fun continuously shooting as the action in a parade can happen very fast.

When you are taking digital pictures on sunny days, you must be careful. Sometimes the sun can completely damage your electronic camera. Taking pictures of sunsets and rises can be amusing and enjoyable, but pointing your lens directly at the sun may damage it. Try to keep your lens pointed a little bit away from the sun directly. There is a similarity between your eye and the camera lens, they both can see and both can be damaged by the sun. As a little kid your parents told you never to look at the sun or you will see spots. The same concept applies to your camera. When you are not capturing fantastic views, turn off your camera and store in someplace room temperature so you don't damage it. It is best and easiest to take photos in increments, and then allow your camera to relax by enclosing it somewhere cool.

Let me Dan Feildman, Author of "Your Guide to Digital Photography" answer your questions. Are you looking for answers about check out my digital photography basics

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

Great Digital Photography Tips for the Amateur Photographer

2008-02-21T12:44:00.001-08:00

By Hudson John

Taking great digital photos isn't difficult, although if you're new to digital cameras, you may be worried about messing up your shots. The great thing about digital cameras is that, unlike traditional film cameras, you can take as many shots as your memory card can hold - and you can delete them from your memory card to make more space, too.

Tip no. 1: Use your new digital camera frequently. The more you use it, the better you'll get. The more familiar you get with it, the more you'll find yourself using its features with great ease.

Taking lots of shots gets you familiar with your new camera. You should also try out different features, and see what effect they will have on your photos. Adjust settings, because the default settings may not be the very best one for certain photographic conditions.

Tip no. 2: Always be on the lookout for natural light. Natural light is the best light for taking photos. When shooting indoors, check out windows. However, direct sunlight coming through a window is not the best choice. A softer, more indirect light from a window works well for better photos.

If you can, take a few test shots beside different windows so you can determine which window gives you the best natural lighting.

Tip no. 3: Get rid of red-eye by using the red-eye reduction feature on your digital camera - most digital cameras now offer this feature. If you have an external flash, try holding it to the left or the right of your camera. And again, try using natural light if possible.

And if worse comes to worse, and you still end up with red-eye, pop your digital image into an image editor. Many basic ones offer a red-eye reduction feature, and this feature really does work.

Tip no. 4: Tripods are handy when taking close-ups. Portable, quality tripods are not that expensive, and will prove invaluable if you like taking close-ups or zooming in.

When using a tripod, make sure that you set it on a stable surface. And steer away from cheaper quality tripods, as these tend to be more unstable. You don't want to risk damaging your digital camera because of an unsteady tripod.

Don't be afraid to experiment. With a digital camera, you don't run the risk of wasting your film, and while occasionally you might run out of space on your memory card, it's easy to delete photos from the card to create the space you need.

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

Controlling the Depth of Field with Your Digital Camera

2008-02-20T06:58:00.001-08:00

By Michael Warwick

Have you ever been frustrated with not being able to get the most depth of field from your digital camera? Digital cameras tend to focus on the subject furthest away and if that subject is some distance away it can be almost impossible to get the subject closest to you and the object furthest away both in focus. With a film camera on a tripod you can have more control of the depth of field with its manual focus. But what if you find this great shot with your digital camera and you can't use a tripod?

Here is a trick and a very effective technique. Take two shots of the same subject or scene. In one shot you have focused on the subject furthest away and on the other you have focused on the subject closest to you. You will find that it is actually pretty easy to take almost identical photos of the same scene only with two different subjects in focus. When you have downloaded your photos, in Photoshop take the one with the foreground subject in focus and select those areas that are in focus , copy them and past them into the photo with the subject furthest away in focus. Amazing! Now you have a completed photo with both the foreground and background subject in focus.

I have done this a few times and I am always amazed at the final results. As I discover these tricks, it always seems to open my mind to more possibilities.

Natural Visions Photography has been perfecting many of these methods for a few years and you are welcome to view some of this work at http://www.naturalvisions.com If you have any questions, you are welcome to email us at inquiry@naturalvisions.com

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

Retouching and Reinventing Old Photographs Using Adobe Photoshop

2008-02-19T07:05:00.001-08:00

By Keith Thompson

Back in the day, when you took a photo you were pretty much stuck with it. Altering the image after the fact was a black art known to few, and available to less than that. This is no longer the case. With the advent of digital imaging and more specifically, Adobe Photoshop, image editing has reached new heights of manipulative wizardry, allowing a competent user to not only touch up a photo, but to practically reinvent the image. Let's look at a few of the more basic things that Photoshop can do in the hands of even the most novice of users.

Got an awful blemish on that photo you want to post on Facebook? Not a problem with Photoshop's retouching tools, which can render even the most hideous acne invisible with the stroke of a few keys.

Torn or worn photos? Family heirlooms that cannot be replaced? Photoshop can take a scanned photo and retouch tears and scars, water damage and more to make the photograph like new again, even to the point of reinvigorating colors that may have faded over time. This ability is worth the price of Photoshop alone.

Closed eyes in that latest glamour shot? Yes, you were the only one other than Grandma who may have been half looped to begin with, and now what do you do? Use Photoshop to open the eyes, that's what!

Let's say you best picture of yourself just happens to include a former flame that's no longer so hot. Great news! You can edit out former boyfriends more quickly and easily than it was to get rid of them in the first place! You can take almost any unwanted object from a digital image forever, and it's not a difficult thing to do!

Photoshop has a great many more features that can help transform your photos from a contribution to the circular file to an image you'll want to treasure and share for years to come.

Restoring old photos to former glory and retouching other photos is one of the great advances in modern photography, due in large part to Photoshop. Start learning how Adobe Photoshop can make your photos sparkle!

For a great Photoshop tutorial, or to learn more about how you can improve your Photoshop skills, visit Keith's site at http://Fast-and-Easy-Photoshop.com/

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

Discovering the Beauty of Landscape Photography

2008-02-18T08:40:00.001-08:00

By Low Jeremy

Symmetry, repetition, contrast, asymmetry, coherence, symbolism, and a dash of irony—these are the major components that construct a beautiful photograph taken by exceptional photographer. These are also the very same components that one needs balance when taking one of the easiest yet most difficult subjects to photograph— landscapes.

LOOKING BACK

Since they are permanent, familiar, accessible, and part of nature, landscapes have been one of the most favorite subjects by most photographers. Landscape photography can be traced as early as 1849 when the book "Egypte, Nubie, Palestine et Syrie" containing prints of paper negatives was published. In the 19th century, many eminent landscape photographers emerged which dominate large photography collections in museums and galleries worldwide. Today, many budding photographers continue to fall in love with nature. And as they pursue the road to landscape photography, more and more works and techniques continue to emerge.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH LANDSCAPES

Unlike other kinds and styles of photography, most people would say that it is easy to take landscape photographs because you don't need to instruct you subject and you can choose whatever angle you want. On the contrary, most photographers believe that landscape photography is one of the most difficult because you will need an intense set of equipment and a very keen eye to make an "ordinary" scene quite extraordinary.

Imagine capturing the natural beauty of a majestic landscape with your camera and in your own preference. Here are some of the elements you need to pay attention to before you delve into the realms of landscape photography:

1. Camera, lens, and lens shade are great deals. Although you can use any camera, most photographers would recommend SLR or digital SLR because these give wider selection of lenses and ensure superior results. Wide-angle lenses are also advised because it gives a great view into any picture. In order to protect your lens, look for a good lens hood or shade.

2. Tripod is a must. This is a very invaluable and important asset for landscape photographers to avoid the blurred outcomes and to ensure the maximum depth of field.

3. Invest on film and filters. Any film today can be used because it can record nature's color vividly. You just have to be wise in using the right ISO film to avoid grains in your photo prints.

4. Consider camera position. This greatly affects the overall quality of your photo because it requires your creative decision. (TIP: If there is a horizon line in your composition, keep it leveled so there is a room for greater possibilities.)

5. Set the direction and the type of light to be used. Proper direction accompanied with balanced lighting will make or unmake your landscape piece so make sure that you visit the location and predict the weather before your shoot.

6. Be hands-on in post exposure manipulation. To get the job done, try to learn mastering the do's and don'ts in the darkroom so you'll get the result you desire.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Photography, please visit http://photography.articlekeep.com

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Aerial Kite Photography - Nailing A Camera To The Sky

2008-02-17T12:36:00.001-08:00

By Tim Parish

Ever flown a kite or taken a photograph? Well, that's most of us isn't it! No wonder aerial kite photography holds such a fascination for so many people. More correctly, it's known as Kite Aerial Photography, or KAP, which is less of a mouthful.

Some have theorized that it's part of our human nature to want to see things from the air. Consider the fact that aerial views of cities and landscapes were sketched or painted long before any flying machine was invented!

The hobby of aerial kite photography got started in earnest around the mid 1980s. However, the very first examples of such photos date back to not long after photography itself was invented. In 2007, KAP is more popular than ever. The subject matter varies widely, but buildings and landscapes are particularly popular.

Digital cameras are widely used in aerial kite photography. In fact, their use in KAP has pretty much stayed in step with their acceptance by the general public. Initially, the cheaper cameras just couldn't take a decent picture compared to a 35mm film camera. As we all know, that is not the case now! Some digitals are very small and light, which is an advantage for doing KAP.

At the cheapest end of the scale, disposable cameras combined with ice triggers and balsa wood cradles enable small, cheap kites to be used. On the other hand, this approach allows bigger kites to take pictures in very gentle breezes which wouldn't allow heavier gear to stay airborne.

Some enthusiasts are after quality at any cost. Hence, they spend many hundreds of dollars on high-end cameras, radio-control gear and special equipment to suspend it aloft with a minimum of movement. The R/C gear allows the camera to be panned around to get the best shots, and the shutter clicked on command.

Some Aerial Kite Photography Highlights

Here's just 3 of the more notable activities of these photo-artistic kite fliers:

A quite famous aerial photograph was taken from a kite in 1906, documenting the San Francisco earthquake. A KAP enthusiast named Scott Haefner did a re-shoot of this striking picture, close to its 100th anniversary.

A small group of experts known as Team Drachen made good use of some grant money by using KAP to document whale behavior. This took place at San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja, in Mexico.

In November, 2002 a 360-degree panorama of the San Andreas Fault was created from KAP images.

The Equipment

You've probably gathered by now that this hobby requires a kite, a flying line, and a camera. It might come as a surprise to learn that the camera is usually suspended from the flying line, not the kite itself.

Although other types can and are used, flow-form kites are very popular in kite photography. With no spars and therefore no assembly required, you can just turn up somewhere and get your camera in the air immediately. These kites are convenient to transport as well, since they roll up into a small bag. Another advantage is that they are tolerant of quite strong winds.

Interestingly, zoom lenses are of little use in kite photography. In fact, people often try to cram more scenery into the field of view by using wide-angle lenses, even fish-eye lenses. Another popular technique is photo-stitching, where a number of images are combined into one super-wide panorama.

Accessories

A piece of gear commonly used by serious KAPers is the Picavet, an arrangement of lines and pulleys. Yes, it was invented by a Frenchman, in the early 20th century. However, it wasn't until the late 20th century that it was re-discovered and put to widespread use in KAP. It's purpose is to provide a stable and self-leveling platform for the camera, while suspended from the flying line. Some aerial photography enthusiasts add other devices such as vanes and porous sheets to reduce the movement and give even more opportunity for getting good pictures.

Finally, it's handy to know what the average wind strength is. With a little device called an anemometer or wind speed meter you can decide what kite and camera rig to put up. In stronger winds, it can help you decide whether to attempt flying at all. Kites and cameras can get lost when the flying line snaps!

Tim Parish and his family are rediscovering the joys of kite flying. They blog their kiting fun on their My-Best-Kite.com website, and also research the kiting world. This site will introduce you to many kinds of kites and kite flying activities, including Aerial Kite Photography of course!

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