How To Improve Glamour Portrait Photography

Individuals are able to reminisce their wonderful and exciting experiences through pictures. The smile and laughter from previous events can surely be remembered instantly, bringing the days where you and your friends had a wonderful or adventurous time together. Glamour photography has also been a huge part of the industry, capturing moments of individuals as they take lovely pictures of them.
No doubt, photography has been a good and amazing hobby or an occupation that individuals love. A simple smile or even a pose can surely make photos better and more spectacular. With this in mind, more and more individuals wish to have their own glamour portrait photography session to give them a wonderful masterpiece that they can display in their living rooms or bed rooms. Therefore, in order to improve the luster and glamour of photos, here are some tips on how to improve your portraits.
Using lighting to your advantage - Visible light from the sun or even from devices and tools are essential to create striking designs in a picture. So, individuals must consider the illumination they need in order to create the best designs as they capture photos. Lighting features can also set the mood of one's photos. From a romantic sunset background, daring pose in the outdoors, or even a simple pose inside your homes can surely be exceptional by getting the best lighting effects for your photos.
Getting that glamour factor - To improve pictures, individuals can be creative by using amazing attires. From vibrant colour outfits, spectacular designs, individuals can improve their looks on the cameras. Individuals can also use items like make-up to increase their beauty. But they must be sure to use sufficient amount of make-ups and styles so that the photo will not be concealing your beauty. For better looks, they can consult their photographers about the best styles for their portrait.
Having the best pose and expressions - Individuals must create that certain appeal in their pictures. It's just like a saying "simplicity is beauty," individuals can instantly create wonderful impressions in a photo by simply making their pose and expressions more natural.
Additional tip: To ensure that you get the best portrait photography, look for a reliable photographer who can assist you in the best ways to capture your photos. This way, you are sure that you can have the best styles and designs that you can cherish for a lifetime.

PMPhoto.com.au is a well-established company that offers amazing photography features for everyone. The company's expertise and knowledge about this field can certainly provide you with amazing benefits that can make your life better.

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5 Tips For a Successful Street Photography

Street photography is just one place where you can use your Canon Rebel digital SLR camera as a imaginative tool. However the camera is just half of the equation. Additionally you have to have a good Canon Rebel lens, and one of the 50mm versions will measure up with regard to that element. There are three possibilities, those being the f/1.2, f/1/4, and f/1.8.
Your choice of which one of these lenses just isn't as critical as it might seem, considering the difference in cost. The f/1.8 will be the cheapest bargain at about $100. Plus the costs rise to around $350 for the f/1.4 and over $1000 for the f/1.2. Granted, the quality of build is definitely different, but the high quality of photography can be extremely close with all three.

There is one more hurdle along with obtaining proper gear. If you're not comfortable talking with strangers, this could be a struggle for you to talk to a complete stranger in order to request permission to get their picture, nevertheless, after you have done it more than once, it is easier. This will be very true when you realize the wonderful results. Street pictures are much more interesting than your standard family portrait. That is, unless of course your Granddad Lamont or Auntie Louise is as fascinating as a lot of the street residents you will come across in the downtown areas and shopping malls.
There are five things that you can use to make it easier to be able to acquire those great shots after you manage the problem of shyness.

1. Never ever venture out without having your camera. We all do it, but it is a better plan to keep on telling oneself that you should never set off without it. After several weeks of bringing the digital camera each time you leave house or office, and it's going to become second nature. Absolutely nothing (well, almost nothing) worse than arriving upon a fantastic photo op on the street when you do not have the photography equipment on hand. And this does not necessarily mean that you have to tote the whole camera bag along with you. You simply need your Rebel and dependable Canon Rebel lens.

2. You want to keep Canon 50mm lens on the dslr camera. There are a couple of advantages of making use of this lens rather than one of many other choices. First, the 50mm is a practically perfect portrait lens because of the great quality and great aperture. And next, it is small and light. It does not wear you out carrying it for a number of hours. Plus, many people will probably be put off by a giant, showy piece of glass.

3. Avoid the use of your flash. You will get natural photos without a flash, and also on the street, this is especially true. You can make use of the large aperture of the 50mm lens to obtain a nice quick shutter speed, and if the brightness is very low, just boost the ISO of the Canon Rebel to speed up the shutter.

4. Be ready before you ask permission. Ensure all of your dslr camera settings are correct previous to walking towards your subject. It could possibly mess up your possibilities when you have to stop and set mess with the camera whilst the individual is awkwardly waiting.

5. Have your model release forms accessible. If you intend to use your pictures in some public location, you will need to obtain a release from your individual. The good news is that there's currently an app for your iPad and the iPhone just for this. It is possible to go digital!

 

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Choosing The Best Point Shoot Digital Camera

Digital has changed the course of photography over the past several years. But finding the best point shoot digital camera has now become a very complicated process, that is if it you want to get it right the first time without having the dreaded "buyer's remorse."
Why Buy Digital?
Remember the days of film? It's true, some of us are still using film, and doing it very well. However, there was a day when there was not a choice to go with digital or film. The results of many would-be photographers were pretty dismal and disappointing (yours truly was certainly a victim of disappointing camera experiences).

To get a good picture, the average Joe had to shoot a whole roll of film, take it to the camera lab, wait several days or weeks to get the film processed, then pay for the joy of seeing... what? Sometimes you had a good shot or two, but many of the pictures were simply horrible.
Now, with digital things are totally different. Oh, you can still have plenty of disappointing shots, but there is a MAJOR difference or two. First, you don't have to wait to see how poor the picture is, and second, it costs you nothing to get that preview.
Digital is amazing!
But there is still a dilemma, and it is getting bigger every day. Now that so many people are going digital, there are so many more camera choices. Since most start with basic equipment, the question is, "How do I pick the top digital camera for my needs?" After all, during the days of shooting film pictures, you could just pick up a throw away picture maker from the corner store, but now, you have to pay quite a bit for the privilege of taking those photos.
Discover Your Best Match
Since there is a big investment, you should do some research before buying your point and shoot camera. But that, too, could be a daunting task. Where do you start? Should you trust the 18 year-old clerk at the electronics counter of your favorite super-store? Should you trust the Sunday ads in the local newspaper?
The answer to these two questions would be NO.
So here is a process you can use to assure a pretty good choice right out of the box.

1. Go to your search engine of choice and type in "top digital camera"
2. Read as many reviews as you can
3. Pick out a brand and model that sounds like it might fit your needs
4. Go to one of the stores in your area and try out the model you chose
5. Buy the camera

But wait. What if the model is not available? After all, there are so many new models to choose from, not store can possibly carry them all (actually, there are a couple of stores that do, but if you don't live in the largest city in the US, you will be out of luck).
Formula For Success
Fortunately, there is still hope for you to find the best point and shoot digital camera for your needs.
This method has worked for tons of folks. It involves going to some of the most popular online sales sites and searching for the "best sellers" in the category of electronics.
Then look for the models you have already decided would be good for you. Now, here is the most important part. Check the customer ratings. Especially read the ones that give very low ratings. These reviews should give you a good idea if the model you want to buy is a good choice.
You now can do one of two things. Either run down to your favorite store and see if they have it, or click the "buy now" button.
Pretty simple.

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Learn Digital Photography - Shooting Photos for Facebook

One of the things that really irritates me is the number of out of focus and downright terrible photos people post to Facebook. I know that photography is all about creating memories but really, do you want to show just how bad your photos are? So why are so many bad images posted to Facebook? The answer is simple, the point-and-shoot phenomenon. People point and shoot before they think. It's not the type of camera or cellphone but rather the type of person.
So, how can people take better images for posting to Facebook and other social media sites. Follow these simple steps for immediate improvement to your photo taking abilities.
 
1. Think about the lighting

When taking an image have a look at your lighting. Firstly, make sure that there is enough light to take a photo. I know sometimes this is not possible but consider it carefully before you shoot. Secondly, look where the light is coming from. Unless you are trying for a specific effect never place the light behind your subject. The camera will always focus and meter off the brightest area of a scene so your subject will be dark and indistinct. Rather shoot with the light coming from behind the camera over the shoulder of the photographer. Good images need good lighting to get a good exposure.

2. Use your feet

Sometimes it's more important to use your feet before your head. Use them to get in closer. Most of the time photos are being taken with cellphones or point n shoots with either no optical zoom or very little. So the subjects are little blips in the photo. Get close to your subject and fill the frame so your see more of the person or object. Don't use digital zoom as it degrades the image. Try it out and see which image you prefer. I like to see more of the memory I am making rather than all the clutter around scene.

3. Change your angle

Ninety percent of images are shot from in front of the subject approximately 5 feet (1.5m) above the ground. They all look the same, just different people. Change your angle so that you shoot from either low down or high up. Move around from your left to your right so that you aren't directly in front of your subjects. Turn your camera at a forty five degree angle or hold it high above your head or at your waist. Digital photography allows you to review quickly and see if it works.

4. Think outside the box

Try to come up with a composition that is out of the ordinary. Be creative and take time to think about what you are going to shoot before pressing the shutter button. Look at the scene and ask yourself if you have seen a picture like this before. If you have then try another composition or angle. The key is to experiment.

5. Review your images

Before uploading to Facebook, review the images you've taken. Look through them and delete or remove the ones that you aren't totally happy. Rather upload 10 good images than 50 average or bad ones. A little time taken to ask yourself whether you are proud of the image will ensure that your photo gallery stands out from the rest.
 
The bottom line is to learn digital photography and apply it so that you become a photographer and not just a picture taker. A little bit of thought and putting into practise some basic photographic principles will help you create images that you can be proud of. Facebook is there to showcase your images so try to upload only your best ones. Just because people aren't making funny comments about them doesn't mean they aren't thinking them.

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Learn Digital Photography - 3 Lenses Essential to a Photographer's Bag

I am presupposing that you have a standard kit lens that came with your DSLR and it has a zoom with a range of 18-55mm as most do. The lenses listed below would be additions to your kit zoom.

1. The nifty fifty or 50mm f1.8
Despite the fact that most cameras come with a zoom kit lens in the range of 18-55mm, I always advise buying a camera body and choosing the lens that most suits you. The kit lenses that come with a camera are most times of dubious quality. In order to keep the entry level cost down an inexpensive lens needs to be sold with the camera. So why is the 50mm prime lens a first choice? Firstly, it's a better build quality lens than the kit lens and secondly, it's reasonably priced. What I like about it is the f1.8 aperture. This gives you the option of shooting in low light conditions with such a wide aperture and the depth of field at f1.8 is great. You don't really need the kit zoom lens because at this focal lengths you can use your feet to zoom in or out.
2. An all-purpose zoom in the range of 70-300mm
Most photographers want the ability to zoom despite the fact that in most situations you can use your feet unless of course you are shooting snakes, crocodiles or lions. This is a useful lens for an amateur photographer especially with the crop factor on most DSLRs that aren't full frame. This can give you an extra 60% when zooming and it brings the 300mm focal length to the equivalent of 480mm which is useful when shooting wildlife such as birds. There are a number of quality lenses in this range at reasonable prices. Remember that the quality of the glass is important and you will always get what you pay for.
3. A wide angle lens in the 17-85mm range
Wide angle lenses are great if you're into landscape photography or need to shoot indoors where space is limited. Again the quality of the glass is going to be important especially when you are shooting in close confines. The reason I place this as the third in my list is that most beginners don't really find a wide angle lens an essential part of their kit. It's a more specialist lens but if you can afford one it's great to have it in your bag.
It would be great to be able to buy all three of these lenses with your camera but most of us aren't able to do this. Use these three choices as a guideline for growing your kit. They aren't set in stone so if you want to get a zoom first and then a 50mm it's up to you. Or if you know that you really love landscape photography then start with a wide angle.

These are my suggestions based on my experience and the photos I enjoy shooting so yours might vary. Once you have these lenses in your bag you can find what you really enjoy and buy a specialist lens for that particular genre. Remember the quality is in the glass so look at whatever lens you buy as an investment in your photographic future. Happy shooting!

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Learn Digital Photography - Portrait Photography Tips

Learn Digital Photography - Portrait Photography Tips
Portrait photography was once the realm of the professional portrait photographer but now most amateur photographers can shoot a reasonable selection of portraits without much experience. This is because digital allows you to review your images immediately and make any colour or lighting corrections. So how can the average amateur take good quality portrait photos. Here's how.
The bottom line for any budding portrait photographer is good basic photography gear. If you have this then you are on your way to good images.
 
1. Relax your subject

The difference between a professional portrait photographer and an amateur can be seen immediately by how relaxed the subject is in the photo. Experienced photographers will put a subject at ease very quickly. Without the ability to do this you won't progress much further in your portrait photography. So take the time to master this before attempting any shooting of your subject. This can be done by an informal chat before the shoot, allowing a child the freedom to play with interesting toys or just playing around with your camera and allowing the person to shoot some images of you or the surroundings. Develop your own techniques to relax them that work for you and your subject. There is one problem though, if you aren't a people person you are going to struggle in this field as it is focused people. So, either find a way to become more outgoing or choose another genre of photography.
2. Use props
This can be a contentious issue as some photographers don't like using props. I say whatever works, use it. The bottom line is that you want a great image at the end of the shoot and however you do it is okay. Now, it will be difficult to keep a supply of props for every kind of person so doing a bit of research prior to a shoot is essential. Ask the subject to bring in their favourite things, work or play items or just something that they'd like in the image. Children make this easy as they always have something that they are interested in or like. Before you jump to conclusions, these are not to be included in all the photos and perhaps none of them. They are there to relax your subject and get them in the zone. Of course some may be really appropriate like an Ipod for a teenager or a book for an elderly person. One of the best personal portraits I ever shot was of my elderly grandmother looking up from the cowboy book she was reading.

3. Change your perspective

By simply changing the position you are shooting from will create a different image altogether. Don't be afraid to vary your height or angle. Shoot from low down looking up. With children you need to get down to their level and make sure that the camera is at the same level as their eyes and they are looking directly into it. So often images of kids are taken from above their eye level and they are just not as effective so remember this point.

4. Get in closer

We all tend shoot from too far away and rely on zooms. By shooting just part of a subject's face you immediately change the whole character of the image. Eyes of course are the most effective as they are the window to the soul, as the old adage goes. Remember that portraits are shot to make memories and a closer image allows you to see more of the person which is important years in the future.

5. Lighting

I can't even begin to scratch the surface of this subject as books are written every year on lighting. What I would recommend is that you get a good flash with a diffuser to break down any harsh lighting. Reasonably priced lighting kits are available for the beginner so explore online and in your local photography shops for entry-level gear. And, don't be afraid to explore natural lighting, another huge subject.
These are just a few tips that if put into practise properly and regularly will help you achieve a level of excellence very quickly. Happy shooting!

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7 Types of Trick Photography and Special Effects

With all of the different photo editing software and applications readily available today, it is easier than ever to add great special effects and trick photography illusions to your favorite photos to give them an "otherworldly" appeal.

Several other stunning effects can be achieved by making adjustments to shutter speed. By using these tips even the most amateur photographer can make their photos look professional.

 

Tip # 1: Light Painting Techniques

By reducing the shutter speed on your camera and using it in a night setting along with a flashlight, you can create some really interesting and cool special effects.
Simply wave the flashlight around, aiming it at the subject of the photograph, as well as occasionally aiming it directly at the camera lens. What you will end up with will appear as if the light is painted throughout the photo.

Tip #2: Light Drawing Techniques

Light drawing is similar to light painting, but differs because the design is more specific.
Keep the camera about fifteen feet away from the subject and set the shutter speed to around 30 seconds. Using a flashlight, or other light source, begin making your pattern or design.
If you are drawing something simple such as a basic shape, you may wish to go over the pattern several times. If it is more complicated, stick to going over the pattern only one time fairly slowly to get the desired effect.

Tip #3: Using Flash Stencils in Photography

Using a flash stencil in your photos will give you a cool special effect. For this, you will need a box, a piece of sturdy white paper on which to make a stencil, or a pre-made stencil, and an external flash source for light.
Cut an area out of the box so that you can place your stencil in it. Tape the stencil into place. Then, on one side of the box, cut a hole just large enough for your external flash to fit into. This will cause the flash to illuminate the stenciled area.
Set your shutter speed to around 30 seconds, and then move about within the area you would like the stenciled image to appear. Remember not to stand too still or stay in any one spot too long, or partial images of your body may end up in the photo along with the stencil.

Tip #4: Motion Blur Effects

Motion blur images are one of the most popular of types of trick photography and special effects available. To capture the essence of motion, while at the same time having a subject in the photo appear focused, there are a few tricks you can use.
One option is to freeze the entire image by shooting with a shutter speed of about one thousandth of a second. Another way to achieve motion blur is to pan your subject, following them while everything else around you continues to move. Another option is to have the subject remain still as you focus on them and things blur past around them.

Tip #5 Double Exposure Special Effects

When attempting a double exposure effect, two slightly underexposed images must be taken. These images will then be combined to create one double exposure image.
The superimposed images will overlap in the finished product, so try to get them to match so that everything looks uniform and natural, aside from the subject matter that you desire to look slightly unnatural and stands out.

Tip #6 HDR Photo Effects

HDR stands for High Dynamic Range and involves taking one or a series of images and combining or adjusting them after processing. Typically, this works by using three images of the exact scene, all taken using different shutter speeds.
Using special software, you can then combine these images to enhance the highlights and details, such as shadows. This helps the photographer to achieve the full effect of the scene as the naked eye would actually see it.
Tip #7 The Bokeh Effect
As the last of our list of 7 types of trick photography and special effects, this one can be achieved by using a DSLR camera and large aperture settings. Set the camera to A or AV mode and to use a low f-number (lower f-stop = larger aperture) to obtain a shallow field depth.
Using a fixed focal lens will also help in creating the Bokeh effect. Keeping the subject very close to the lens and the background as far away as possible works to create the most effective Bokeh shot.
There is also good news for the point and shoot camera user, as photo effect programs and even downloadable apps for an iPhone or other mobile device are available to give you the Bokeh effect without all the extra work or special equipment.
All of these methods will give you the soft, circling patterns of light that Bokeh is known for.

Conclusion

Many of these methods of trick photography can be achieved by simply adjusting the shutter speed. The shutter controls how much light is allowed into the camera, which can greatly effect how the photograph is exposed, as well as the ultimate outcome of the shot.
It is important to keep in mind that you don't have to spend a lot of money to make your ordinary photographs look extraordinary.

Eric Cross is a budding photographer who balances his time taking photographs with time spent writing about taking photographs.

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Trick Photography Ideas - Producing Unique and Special Photographs

Trick Photography Importance
In order to sustain the competition and stand apart from the rest of the crowd, you will have to produce frames that are unique and special. This can be easily achieved with the help of trick photography ideas. Trick photography along with the right mix of special effects can create amazing photos.

Following are certain tips and ideas that will help you create outstanding photographs:

 

Understanding the Light:

In order to understand the trick photography and use of special effects that can be incorporated into a photograph, you should know the potential your camera and most importantly understand the light and its impact on the photographs. We all know that no photographer under the sun can take photographs in utter darkness. Though understanding light is the most difficult part of photography, it is the most important as well.

Creating the Right Mood:

Once you understand the light and its impact on a photograph, you will be able to create the right mood out of your subject using the right lighting effects. All great photographers are the ones who have captured the photos when mood right. You have to understand that the light can be harsh, soft or cool and you have to make use of the right lighting effect to make your picture look alive.

Trick Photography Techniques - Light Paintings or Drawings:

Just as we use different kind of illumination such as back lit, side lit, etc to get the desired texture, light paintings or drawings are taken by manipulating the source of light which in turn produces different effects. This all may seem easy to read but is difficult to master. Once you master this technique, you can take pictures that are unbelievably awesome and brilliantly deceptive. As a starter you might want to take pictures of the people drawing their names in the dark using a light and then slowly become creative.

Understand The True Potential Of Your Camera:

People who understand the true potential of their camera often take better pictures than others. Understanding you camera includes knowing the shutter speed of the camera and controlling it. The shutter speed determines how much light that you are letting in while capturing a photo. You should also understand the function of the aperture which controls the width of the hole in the lens. Using aperture if you are able to let the right amount of light into the sensor, you are bound to get a good result.

Take Levitation Photos:

Taking levitation photos is a one of those trick photography ideas that allows you to take the pictures of the people, pets, etc while they are on the fly. These photographs are taken instantly when the act is being performed and later with the help of the special effects available, you can personalize these photos which can be highly deceptive and original.

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Digital Photography: 5 Essential Tips

It is always good to check out for the most current photography guidelines and tutorials whether you are a beginner or an expert in the field of photography.
Many individuals take fantastic photographs without trying hard. However, to do this consistently most people will need guidance and advice from time to time. No matter how experienced photographer you are you never stop learning. In fact the more experienced you are the more you know this to be true.
These digital photography tips are vital to amateur and professional photogrpahers alike. Point and shoot cameras are increasing in popularity, camera phones are everywhere and DSLRs are coming down in price as the technology becomes cheaper by the day.
All of these cameras are easy to manoeuvre, very convenient and produce extraordinary shots especially if used well. Pay close attention to these guidelines and you will be well-resourced to capture photo-worthy events.

 
 
Below are 5 essential digital photography tips.

Tip #1 Find a point of Attention

To produce great pictures, you should look for a point of concentration that is an area where the viewer's eye is usually first dawn to. The problem normally arises when a picture is congested with subjects. At times, it can be complicated to select just one focal point, particularly in group settings or candid shots. However, settling on one will really pay off. Therefore, when taking pictures, it is advisable to ensure that you find the point of focus.

Tip #2 Fill the Frame

Sometimes, people choose a point of interest and photograph it from a distance so that the subject is enclosed by tons of boring and open space. This can be awesome especially when done appropriately but particularly if you are a beginner photographer, you will want to fill the frame up by getting a little closer.

Tip #3 Move Closer for Natural Zoom

Many digital cameras particularly high-end ones have excellent zoom features. However, you should not rely entirely on these zoom features. If you can move closer physically, that is good. Being closer will produce a much crisper and stunning effect compared to standing back and just zooming in. Zooming should only be an option if you are taking photos from a location that calls for it.

Tip #4 Understand White Balance

A number of digital cameras usually have white balance settings. The settings are there to fight unnatural or obstinate lighting and make colors in the picture as attractive and accurate as possible. The cameras settings are a bit self-explanatory; for example, your digital camera perhaps has a sunny or cloudy setting. You should not be afraid to use these.

Tip #5 Use a Tripod

The last but probably the most important tip for a beginner wanting to improve their photography. It is fairly simple to get your hands on a decent tripod. Therefore, you should consider investing in one as soon as possible. Once you've shot with a tripod you will never look back. Even with anti-shake technology there is a marked difference between hand held shots and tripod shots. Especially if the camera is not super high quality. Tripods exist for point and shoot and camera phones too.

These are some of the 5 essential digital photography tips. For beginners however, you should try standing at a different angle every time you are capturing pictures. It might be your only chances to capture that specific picture, thus, do your best.

Eric Cross is a budding photographer who balances his time taking photographs with time spent writing about taking photographs.

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Top Tips For Better Digital Photos

When an amateur photographer first discovers the fantastic photos that they can take with their digital camera, there is often no stopping them from taking snapshots of everything that they can. However, there are some techniques that the professionals use in order to make sure that they capture the perfect image, and the novice can do well to learn these 'tips of the trade.'



Focus On The Main Object

When trying to capture the perfect image, you really need to make sure that you are focusing the viewer's attention on the person or object that you wanted to capture in the first place. Many amateurs make the mistake of trying to cram as much into their pictures as possible, but the trick here is to remember the phrase, 'less is more', because a photo that has a lot going on in it can detract the eyes of the people looking at the photo, to elsewhere rather than on the main subject. Secondly, you do not always have to make sure that the main subject or item is centered in the frame; this is a rule that has been around for as long as people have been taking photos, however, this is not always the best solution and sometimes the best photos have the main object off center.

Get as Close as You Can

There are many digital cameras on the market that are coming with powerful zoom lenses, and although these can be great fun to use, you can lose a bit of the clarity of the picture when using zoom and this especially applies to digital zoom rather than optical zoom. The thing to remember is, if you can get close to the subject then do so, try to avoid using the zoom if the option is there to get closer to the object. Also one thing that makes a good photo, is when you can draw the viewer into the photograph with a well placed item, such as a road or fence or even a doorway that gives the impression of being in the picture.

Don't Get Left in The Dark

It is no good following the above tips if you do not get the most important thing right from the beginning, and that is light. You will probably not have access to professional lighting so you are going to have to make good use of the available light as well as the flash that comes with your digital camera.

 

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Things You Must Do To Become A Professional And Successful Photographer

Becoming a professional photographer is not as easy as buying a camera, taking up a photography course, and clicking pictures. Like any other profession, you need to posses the right attitude clubbed with appropriate skills in order to be a successful photographer. If you foresee yourself as a professionally successful photographer, here is what you must do.

 

Be passionate
The most important attribute that successful people have is passion towards their job. This applies on photographers as well. Passion always gives you the power to do extra and achieve perfection in your job despite repeated failures. If you want to become a professional photographer then be passionate to work under any condition. You will not get luxury always; sometimes you have to shoot in cold weather, in rains, standing for hours with no food and water. For achieving success you have to overcome all these external factors and achieve perfection in your job in all cases.
Think of money
Photography can be a boring work, especially when you are shooting newborns, wildlife, jungles, theaters, etc. Shooting photos can be tiring and the post processing work is even boring. Whenever you feel disappointed, think of the money that you will receive for this assignment. Money is a big factor for human being, so beat your boredom by thinking about it.
Dedicate as much time as you can
All you need in photography is lots and lots of time. The more time you give the better photos you will get. You have to devote time during the shoot and even for post processing. Moreover, you have to spend hours experimenting with the lighting, with camera, aperture, ISO, etc. The more you experiment, the better photographer you will become. So, reduce your leisure time and dedicate as much time as possible for shooting.
Learn from failure
Success never comes at first attempt. Don't fear failure but try to improve yourself and learn from failure. Prepare a list of things you don't feel confident at and then try to work on them. Shoot your pictures and always show them to seniors or experts who can give you genuine feedback. Accept their criticism in full faith and try to improve the areas they highlighted. This way, you will polish your work and groom yourself to shoot better photographs.
The only key to success is patience. You may not get satisfactory results right after you have completed your photography course. Don't bother if people didn't like your work. Shoot, shoot, and shoot more. Keep patience and take your time to learn the basics. Don't assume that you can become a successful photographer overnight. Polish yourself as much as you can and if you stay on the right track, success is assured.

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Light Painting Photography: Not Just For Experts Anymore

Have you ever wondered how photographers incorporate beautiful patterns of glowing light into their photos? Light painting does not require expensive equipment or fancy cameras. A beginning photographer can paint photographs with just a few tools, and the most basic knowledge of camera settings.


Why Is It Called Light Painting?

Light painting is using a hand-held source of light as a paint brush, and a dark environment as the canvas. The photographer is the creator of the artistic light photograph, making patterns of light by moving the source of light chosen, in the frame of the camera. It can be done in a darkroom, or after dark outside, using the stars as a background. It is a technique to add creativity to your photography skills, while giving you practice working with long exposure techniques.

 

What Do You Need To Paint With Light?

If you have a digital camera, a tripod, and a light source, you can create light painting photographs. You will need to know how to set your camera manually for ISO, aperture, and exposure or shutter time. Each of these will need to be set manually, because you will be shooting in the dark. To use light painting, the exposure time will need to be very long in order to capture the light movement.
Light Painting Steps
Camera And Tripod - Place your camera on its tripod securely after choosing the background (darkroom or outside). When you have decided where you will be using the light source, mark the spot with something so that you will be shining and moving the light source within the camera frame. If you do not have a shutter release cable to take the photograph, you will need to set the manual self-timer on your camera.

Setting The Camera - Set your digital camera manually to the lowest ISO value available. An ISO of 100-200 will provide good results. The aperture should be set smaller, to allow a wider depth of field, including more area in which you can move around with your light source within the camera frame. The lengthy exposure time will need to be approximately 30 seconds, but you can experiment with all settings, so that they work best with the type of environment you have chosen.

Light Sources - Any light source can be used, so you can really be creative. Some commonly used light sources are:
Flashlight/Maglite
LED light
Laser light
Fiber Optic Light
Burning Steel Wool or Poi Balls
Matches
Fireworks or Sparklers
Candles

The fun of light painting is experimenting to see which sources of light achieve the effects that you want. If you are using open flame sources, be sure to follow safety precautions, so that you, your assistants, your equipment, and the area are not harmed in any way.

Create Your Work Of Art - Standing on the spot marked previously within the frame of the camera, move the light source as a paintbrush on your canvas. Trying various movements and light sources is not only fun, but you can view the many different effects it can give your photographs.

Post Processing Light Painting Photographs - In order to edit and enhance your light painting photographs more successfully, you should use RAW photographs. RAW photographs are unedited, original photos that you take. This way, the originals will be able to be enhanced without looking grainy.

It is as easy as that, and you do not need to be an expert-photographer. Light painting photography is really fun, simple, and can add amazing effects to your photos. No expensive equipment necessary, just a camera, a basic knowledge of camera settings, a tripod, a light source, and your own creativity.

 

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Creative Photography - The Exposure Triangle

Why is the exposure triangle so important to creative photography? Well, without it there is no creativity to your photography which makes it really important. Oh, you don't know what the exposure triangle is? It's your three most fundamental keys in photography. Aperture, shutter speed and ISO which together control how much light reaches your sensor.
In order to understand the exposure we need to look at each of them individually. But before we do that, a little something on the side. On the mode dial of your camera where you see the symbols A(v) S M P or Adep there is also a little green square which represents automatic. This is a no no if you want to become a creative photographer. Automatic means that the camera chooses the setting for you and you just point and shoot. Those symbols represent what we call the creative modes. The other little pictures are the idiot modes which we don't use either.
So let's take a look at the three modes of the exposure triangle.

1. Aperture
Aperture controls how much light reaches the sensor. To me the aperture setting is the most important of the three because it allows you to control depth of field or as I like to call it, depth of focus. This allows you to set how much of your image will be in focus. A shallow depth of field is when on a portrait the background is beautifully blurred out with only the person's face in focus. This gives a lovely image image as the background clutter is blurred into an abstract milky kaleidoscope of soft colour. In order to achieve this a small aperture number or f-stop is used. Whether the aperture is large or small is immaterial, what you need to remember is that a small f-stop gives you a small or shallow depth of focus, i.e. only a small portion of the image is in focus as you see in a portrait of a person. To achieve a large depth of focus you do the opposite by using a large f-stop number, i.e. a large portion of the image is in focus as you often see in a landscape photo. This mode is important with creative photography as it allows you to control what is in focus or out of focus. What you also need to know about aperture numbers or f-stops is that a small number lets in a lot of light and a big number lets in a little light. Remember this. Most times I will shoot on the A(Nikon) or Av(Canon) mode as this gives me control of the aperture while the camera selects the shutter speed.
2. Shutter speed
Shutter speed controls the length of time the shutter is open. This allows you to control the sharpness of the image. An action photo needs a fast shutter speed in order to freeze the shot. But if you want it blurred to simulate speed then a slower speed will achieve that level of creativity. When shooting on the S mode the camera will control the aperture while you choose the shutter speed. What you need to remember is that a fast shutter speed i.e. 1/125 to 1/1000th of a second lets in a little light and a slow speed lets in a lot of light.
3. ISO
This is really simple as it controls the sensitivity of the sensor and is a last resort when you can't let in sufficient light with the aperture or shutter speed settings. There are times when you can't select use a wider aperture as this will make the depth of field to shallow so it's necessary to increase the ISO level. The same goes for the shutter speed. The downside is that the higher the ISO the more noisy the image.
Now, how does the exposure triangle work? There are times when you want to take a shot of a wind surfer twisting through the air. This means you need a fairly fast shutter speed. Because he is moving a shallow depth of field won't work as part the surfer may be out of focus so you need a large f-stop number. If you remember, a large f-stop number means less light and a fast shutter speed also means less light. So you have a problem.
The important thing here is that you want a fast shutter speed to freeze the fast action. You can do one of three things. Slow down the shutter speed which won't work as you need to freeze the frame. Secondly, you can increase the amount of light by choosing a smaller aperture f-stop number. This won't work as only a small portion of the image will be in focus. The only thing left to is to increase the sensitivity of the sensor to the available light by increasing the ISO level. This lightens the image and allows your fast shutter speed and large depth of field.
The way exposure triangle works is that it if you change one of the three settings it will affect the others. I must emphasize here that the exposure triangle is most effective when using the manual mode so you have full control of all three settings. By being aware of these three aspects of your photography you will be able to increase your creativity. Happy shooting!

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The Untold Secrets to Buying a Digital Camera

Yes, believe it or not there are still a few secrets not unearthed for the dark arts of buying a digital camera. Sure, you could just walk into your favorite Big Bulk Barn Of Electronic Gadgets store, ask the clerk what camera you should buy, and let them do all the thinking for you. I'm sure they'll recommend the best camera for you, the puts the best commission for them into their pocket. Or perhaps, you'll stumble across a genuinely conscientious sales clerk, that will recommend the perfect camera for you that actually comes in $50 under your budget. It could happen, but what's the fun in that.

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Part of the joy in shopping for a new electronic gadget (or any product), is learning something about the product, and eliminating the unworthy contendors. At least it is for me. Plus, when it comes to some with a more technical bent (like digital cameras), those little nuggets you learn in the shopping process, are sure to be beneficial down the road, when your actually using your camera.

The thing about digital cameras, and photography, is you never stop learning about them. At least not if you want to. I like the analogy about sailing I heard a few years ago, when I was first thinking about buying a sailboat. I asked an older sailor at a boating show, how long it would take me to learn how to sail. His answer was very succinct, but has stuck with me to this day, tens years later and nine years of it owning my own sailboat. He said "You can learn to sail in a day . . . . but to get good at it, you'll spend a lifetime learning". Photography is much the same way. Anyone can pick up a camera and snap a few photos. But to take really good photographs consistently, you'll spend your life getting good at it.

One of the keys to photography (or sailing), is to get the right equipment for you. You want a camera that feels good in your hands. You want a camera where the controls feel intutitive, and the menu options seem intuitive to you. Nothing should seem forced. Find a good online site with lots of cameras to choose from, order two or three, and have them delivered to your home. Then, with no sales pressure, you can try them out in a variety of different settings. Take pictures with all of them indoors, outdoors, in bright light, at night, during sunset and sunrise. Take at least a hundred pictures on each camera. By then, you will know which is the perfect camera for you. Keep the best, return the rest, and enjoy a lifetime of taking great pictures.
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What Every Consumer Should Know About Digital Cameras

In fact, there are so many things that go into a digital camera, that you could spend forever trying to understand it all. Unfortunately for most of us, life is to busy to spend that much time learning the ins and outs of something as trivial as a digital camera. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I don't think much of digital cameras. In fact I really do. They're quite a fascination of mine. It's just that there are so many other things competing for a piece of our time, that I believe shopping for digital cameras should be a whole lot simpler. With all the reading, research, and writing I've done in this field can help make someones digital camera buying experience a little easier, then I'm all for it.

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One of the features that I really like in digital cameras these days is image stabilization. A few years ago, this was one of those new glitzy features that you had to pay a premium for if you wanted it on your camera. Lucky for today's camera shopper, it's pretty much standard equipment on every camera in the $300 plus price range. Earlier versions of it weren't too reliable, but image stabilization on most of today's cameras works extremely. It's particularly useful for zoomed in pictures.

Face recognition is another one of those features that seemed a bit gimmicky to me when it first came out, but nowadays I rather enjoy having it. In fact, when I pick up an older camera to use that doesn't have I actually miss it. It does help with knowing where to focus, and it's just one less thing I have to think about, as the camera gently reminds me.

The other trend I really like to see these days is the increasing accessibility and affordably of digital SLR cameras. To get those really great pictures that truly stand out you need to be using an SLR. They work in some many photo situations that the smaller cameras just can't handle. What I really like though is the speed of them. No more missed photos because of slow shutter speeds for me.

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5 Essential Techniques in Photography

5 Essential Techniques in Photography
Photography can be a very difficult thing to master, as there are so many different sorts of techniques that not many are aware of. Fortunately, with a ton of practice and a lot of hard work, any beginner photographer can become the best they can be.
Photography is way more than just taking pictures, it is a form of art that requires patience and a lot of creativity. Without these two factors, you will become just another photographer trying to making it in this huge industry.
With the simple advice below, you can maybe get to become a photographer that exceeds the skill and talent of all the other photographers out there.
Before you even start to get serious you absolutely must have a decent tripod...

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1# Watch Your Exposure
Being careful with your exposure likely is one of the most important techniques when taking amazing pictures. Most cameras however were made to already be very skilled at calculating the right exposure levels, especially if the lighting of a scene is even.
However, under certain light conditions, the camera could easily be thrown off. That is when you must need to step up your game and take control of the situation.
If a photo is dark, it means it is under-exposed, and when it's too bright it is over-exposured. Practice controlling your exposure, and your photos will always look perfect.
It is also worth understanding your white balance. To begin with you can just check your environment and select a white balance setting that matches it. Is it sunny? Use the sunny setting. Is it cloudy? Use the cloudy setting etc...
#2 Compose Your Frame
Composition of pictures refers to the things located in a frame. These objects can be the subject, the foreground, background, and anything else which may appear in the photo.
Understanding proper composition in photos is a crucial technique to perfect when creating top-notch images. Fortunately, there's a simple method you could follow when first learning what composition is.
This technique is called "Rule of Thirds". It isn't an obligation to employ it when taking photos, but it can help enhance the structure or composition of an image making it more interesting to the eye. The most important element in a photo should be located within these areas, or in the area where these lines intersect.
#3 Work With Motion Blur
Blurring motion in pictures is a very fun effect that can make a simple photo look extraordinary. Plus, perfecting this technique will even allow you to learn how to gain total control on your camera's shutter speed.
#4 Master Bokeh
Bokeh is basically the quality of blur in out-of-focus parts of a photo. Bokeh can be obtained by simply controlling the depth of field in an image. This depth is the distance between the farthest and nearest elements of scenes that are in-focus. Deep focus means everything in your photo is sharp. Where shallow focus means only one specific area of the image will be sharp.
#5 High Dynamic Range
HDR is a technique of capturing a range of shots between the lightest to the darkest areas of a scene (the dynamic range). You will need to employ AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing) to make this work so you will also need a tripod.
Taking HDR photos is a little challenging at first, but it's a great skill to practice. You'll have to work the images together post-processing the images to achieve the final result. So it is also a smart introduction to use Photoshop or any other imaging software to do this - photomatix being one of the most popular.

Eric Cross is a budding photographer who balances his time taking photographs with time spent writing about taking photographs.

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