Posts Tagged ‘photography’

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Portrait photography – learn some more

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009
by Matthew Tan

A portrait is a picture taken of a person or small group focusing on their face or expression while they are in a still position, also known as portraiture. The personality, mood and likeness of the person or group will be presented. You can also include the whole body and background in portrait photography as well. When taking a portrait photo the person or group is generally looking strait at the camera.

Unlike other styles of photography, portrait photography doesn’t usually include models. Some examples of portrait photography are graduations, special events, and weddings and are usually displayed in private homes.

History of Portrait Photography

People have been using portrait photography ever since the camera was invented. It was, and is more inexpensive way then having your portrait painted and it is a more available method. People would sit against a background and were lit with natural light from a window. With technology evolving photographers have the ability to take pictures with less exposure time giving them more freedom to move around and create new styles of portrait photography.

Styles

Portrait photographs can be done in a studio where the photographer can adjust the light when capturing portraits. They can change the direction and the intensity. Different lighting terms are kicker lights, fill lights, background lights and the main light. The main light is the primary light source. The main light is generally positioned above or below the subject and at a 45 degree angle. The main light can create shadows so the fill light helps to eliminate them. The light that brightens up the hair of the subject is the kicker light. This will help to add depth and to show the separation from the subject and the background. To add effects to the backdrops the background light is used to brighten up the background.

About the Author:
Find out more about Portrait Photography and find out about a Singaporean Corporate Photographer. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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Help For Beginner Event Photographers

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009
by Samuel Jackson

If you’re just getting started as a photographer, you want to begin working towards your portfolio. Any opportunity that allows you to show up and shoot some photos, be there. There is an endless list of events where you can photograph, and if you take advantage of this, you can gain a lot of knowledgeable experience. Some of the most popular places to shoot are birthday parties and weddings. Many people like to have their special day captured, so that they can look back on it in the future.

If you’re just getting started, expect to be doing work for free. Find out from anyone you know, if there are any upcoming free events in the local area – sporting events, shows, conventions, or festivals. After gaining more experience, you can then move on to bigger events that might give you opportunities to be paid. If you’re being hired under a client, find out what they’re looking for. Are there any specific moments they want captured? Are there are any specific things they want photographed – decorations, food, etc?

Another great place to shoot is at a sporting event. Gaining experience in action shots can vary up the style of photos you take. These are more difficult to shoot, and if done correctly, can come out looking very cool. You can photograph at free sporting events, like school soccer, football, and basketball games. The benefit of shooting at events like this, is that you have more freedom to move around and get that perfect shot. You can also photograph at professional sporting events. However, at many pro sporting events, you won’t have much of an area to move around and get in close to the action. That is, unless you’re on the field, which isn’t easy to access when you’re just a beginner.

There are many other places for a photographer to shoot, and if you’re willing, you should make yourself available for as many of these as possible. Look for any opportunity in your area to photograph. Other popular events include high school and family reunions, conventions, baby showers, engagement parties, anniversary parties, concerts, recitals, proms, and graduations. These are perfect chances for a photographer to learn and improve skills.

About the Author:
Samuel Jackson runs a website that provides tips for your Nashville wedding, such as finding the right wedding photographer in Nashville.

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Food photography – top tips

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009
by Raymond Phang

There are a number of different tips that could be learned when discussing the subject of food photography and what every food photographer should know. We will go cover a few of the introductory tips here. Some of the important ideas to keep in mind are lighting, props, quickness and enhancement. Here we will learn techniques for food photographers to take the next step.

Let there be light

The first important technique food photographers should learn is about lighting. When photographing food you should treat it as you would any other kind of subject and make sure it is lit correctly. Many pictures can be improved by using adequate lighting. Natural light is the best light source to use, so by a window is an ideal location. Natural light cuts out the shadows, and gives the food a more natural look which all food photographers want.

Use of props

Food photographers setting up to take a picture not only arrange the food neatly but they also include a plate or table cloth to add the surrounding. The idea is not to clutter the picture but allow room for a few extra items you can add to it like a glass, napkin, or a fork. These items can be placed in the background in a secondary location of your picture area, giving it extra spice.

If you do a lot of food photography then shopping at second hand markets can be a great way to build your box of props. You can pick up expensive items like large pots and dishes and vases for a few dollars and a smile. If you do not do much then you may have to go shopping for what you need and bill the client!

Quickness

Unfortunately food won’t stay appealing for very long. As a food photographer you will want to be well prepared and ready to shoot your picture as soon as the dish is finished. This will give it no time to melt, collapse or lose its color. So knowing what you want the picture to turn out like will help you to prepare for the photo. One way food photographers prepare is to have everything arranged before the food is finished. By placing a temporary stand-in plate is an excellent way to get the lighting right, and when the food is finished you switch it with the finished dish and your picture is ready to be taken.

Way to improve your photographs in an instant

One simple way is to simply use a light high quality vegetable oil and brush it on the food! This will create a high quality shiny finish that we love to see on food.

Work with the chef

The last area to cover is working with you food professional. If you are unlucky you will have to do the presentation of the food yourself. If you are lucky and the client has a good budget you will have a chef to do the food display.

Take a few minutes before the shoot to talk with the chef and ask them how they like to work. Ask them if there is anything you need to know about the food that may not be obvious. If nothing else this will make them feel good so you will then be able to work closer and better together.

About the Author:
Raymond Phang is a top wedding photographer based in Singapore. Look top of the world in your bridal photos. Visit his online studio to see some of his work: www.raymondphang.com This and other unique content ‘photography’ articles are available with free reprint rights.

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Canon EOS Rebel T1i is coming in May

Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
by Jessica Wasser

Canon introduces a new addition to its Rebel lineup, the EOS Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera, the first in the Rebel line to feature Full HD video capture. The new Canon Rebel T1i SLR incorporates some of the best technologies from the EOS 50D and EOS 5D Mark II models into an entry-level juggernaut. With a 15.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and HD video capture, along with the DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor, the Canon Rebel T1i gives aspiring photographers plenty of reason to step-up to the latest and greatest model in the Rebel lineup. The new Canon EOS Rebel T1i SLR camera raises the entry-level bar with a host of enhanced Canon technologies now available in an entry-level DSLR.

Other features come to the Canon T1i from the 50D, including the Peripheral Illumination Correction and multiple noise reduction settings. Auto Lighting Optimizer and Highlight Tone Priority were already brought over with the XSi, but Creative Auto is now included, a unique mode that endeavors to bring creative control to the amateur shooter.

The muscle behind Canon’s new EOS Rebel T1i camera is the DIGIC 4 Imaging Processor with 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion and the ability to process full HD video. The Canon EOS Rebel T1i digital SLR camera offers continuous shooting at 3.4 fps for up to 170 large/fine JPEG images or up to nine RAW images in a single burst when using a class 6 or higher SD or SDHC memory card. Whether capturing wildlife on the run or a child mid-stride on the soccer field, users will appreciate the fast shooting capabilities of the Rebel T1i Digital SLR camera.

With the combination of its 15.1-megapixel APS-C size CMOS image sensor and the powerful new DIGIC 4 image processor, the Canon EOS Rebel T1i camera provides ISO speeds from ISO 100 up to ISO 3200 in whole stop increments, along with two additional high-speed ISO settings – H1: 6400 and H2: 12800. The Canon EOS T1i Digital SLR utilizes a precise nine-point Autofocus (AF) system and AF sensor for enhanced subject detection. The new Canon EOS Rebel T1i DSLR provides a cross-type AF measurement at the center that is effective with all EF and EF-S lenses, while providing enhanced precision with lenses having maximum apertures of f/2.8 or faster. The cross-type AF measurement reads a wider variety of subject matter than conventional single-axis AF sensors and thus increases the new camera’s ability to autofocus quickly and accurately when shooting still images.

Canon’s new DIGIC 4 processor handles the larger 4,752 x 3,168 at a slightly reduced speed of 3.4 frames per second (at 1/500 second or greater — down from the XSi’s 3.5 fps), with a maximum JPEG burst of 170 frames or 9 RAW frames. You can also now capture RAW images in all of the Canon T1i’s modes, whether Basic or Creative Zone. The Canon T1i’s 3-inch LCD is a 640×480 design with 920,000 dots, making for a noticeably sharper onscreen image, great for focusing and confirming sharpness after capture. The Canon T1i is the first Rebel to have such a high-res screen.

About the Author:
Finally! The whole unbiased truth about great Canon EOS Rebel T1i exposed. You owe it to yourself to visit Canon EOS Rebel T1i and get the facts today.

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What is Portrait Photography?

Saturday, April 25th, 2009
by Matthew Tan

A portrait, also known as a portraiture, is a photo centering on a person or small groups facial expression while they are in a still position. This is to display the personality, mood and the likeness of the person or group. Portrait photography does not always have to have just the face in the picture, the whole body and background can be included as well. When taking a portrait photo the person or group is generally looking strait at the camera.

Unlike other styles of photography, portrait photography doesn’t usually include models. Some examples of portrait photography are graduations, special events, and weddings and are usually displayed in private homes.

A Bit of History

People have been using portrait photography ever since the camera was invented. It was, and is more inexpensive way then having your portrait painted and it is a more available method. People would sit against a background and were lit with natural light from a window. Portrait photography can now be more creative with the way technology has evolve since they can adjust light and move around more.

Styles

Portrait photographs can be done in a studio where the photographer can adjust the light when capturing portraits. They can change the direction and the intensity. Kicker lights, fill lights, background lights and the main lights are a few of the different lighting terms. The most important light source is obviously referred to the main light. It is usually at a 45 degree angle of the subject but it can also be positioned above or below as well. The main light can create shadows so the fill light helps to eliminate them. The light that brightens up the hair of the subject is the kicker light. This will help to add depth and to show the separation from the subject and the background. A Background light brightens the background and can add effects to the backdrops.

About the Author:
Matthew Tan is a top Singapore corporate photographer. When you want your business to look the best talk with the Portrait Gallery in Singapore or online : www.portraitgallery.com.sg You can get a unique content version of this article from the Uber Article Directory.

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Ideas for Rookies to Learn About Sports Photography

Friday, April 24th, 2009
by Tony Forrester

If someone wanted to create a photo gallery of human emotions, he or she would be well served to hire a sports photographer. Photojournalists who cover sporting events may even be able to capture an impressive range of emotions on a single afternoon. Anyone who reads Sports Illustrated or the sports section of a daily newspaper that has a talented sports photographer on board has seen stunning photos of anguish, determination, elation, despondence, confusion, anger, frustration, surprise, and bewilderment on the faces and in the body language of athletes, onlookers, referees, and coaches. In fact, these images routinely win awards in big-stakes photo competitions. And many sports photographer pros have no interest in the sporting events they cover. After all, its not about sports ” its about permanently suspending an intensely focused soccer player in mid-air as she sends home the winning goal or capturing a pitchers outstretched arm as he winds up to deliver the decisive fast ball.

Anyone can learn sports photography if it interests them. Advice from the pros is plentiful on the internet often accompanied with dramatic photos to demonstrate the value of their opinions. Unfortunately, these recognized photojournalists have advantages that usually are not available to their less experienced counterparts. For example, they usually have direct access to the playing field or press box of the event. Joe Lightbox, on the other hand, will need to have a few extra tricks in his camera bag for when he finds himself restricted to the stands. Zoom, speed, and light levels will all be very different for him.

Here is what the pros are trying to tell Joe: Get a good SLR camera either digital or 35mm. When using a digital camera a 7x or higher optical zoom is necessary. Come prepared to deal with the poor lighting that is usually found at sports events.

How does Joe deal with it?

For sharp action shots, he should set the shutter speed as fast as he can. Speeds of 1/250 to 1/500s work best. Its a good idea for Joe to arrive at the venue early to experiment and find the best shutter speed for the lighting level; the more light, the faster he can shoot. Good light allows an f range, or aperture opening, of 8-11 (more about f numbers shortly). The faster the shutter speed, the larger the lens aperture, to allow maximum light in minimum time. (Incidentally, the larger the aperture, the heavier and more expensive the lens.)

It is recommended that Joe have a couple of different types of photography camera lenses for varied shots.

Telephoto lenses are usually described by their focal length, in mm, and their aperture, which is an f number: The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8-32 for example. A smaller f number translates to a larger aperture opening and a faster lens, because of the reduced exposure time. Another example is the Nikkor 200mm f/2 and the Nikkor 70-300mm f/4-5.6. With the different situations that are encountered while shooting a sports event one pro photographer covers all of his bases by using three lenses: an 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5, a 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6; and a 50mm f/1.8. These allow him to snap fast clear action shots and the lower activity ones as well.

Digital cameras zoom lenses typically have a maximum aperture (again, minimum f-number) of f/2.8 to f/6.3. A very fast zoom lens will be constant f/2.8 or f/2.

To help compensate for low lighting levels, Joe should increase the ISO ” the measurement of a cameras sensitivity to light ” to 200 or even 400. Unfortunately, the higher the ISO, the grainier the result. However, a very fast lens can somewhat reduce the ISO. Shooting at f/2.8 or f/4 will give him a lot more leeway as far as shutter speed and ISO.

Shutter lag time is something else that Joe needs to understand. Basically, shutter lag time is the amount of time that elapses between the time Joe presses the button to the moment the picture is actually snapped. Auto focus can be a great resource at times, but it can significantly increase shutter lag time. For action shots it may be necessary for Joe to use manual focus mode if it is an option on his camera.

Also Joe should contact the venue ahead of time to make sure picture-taking is not against their policy. If Photography is prohibited he could be banned from entry if he has his camera, or he may be forced to leave his camera in a back room. Leaving expensive photography equipment under the care of someone else is seldom a good idea. Also, there may be restrictions to camera size or flash that might be posted. If any of these situations occur it could be a painful disappointment for Joe.

About the Author:
A twelve year veteran of sports photography, Tony Forrester purchases his photography camera lenses online to benefit from the best prices and free freight available. All digital lenses on sale this week only!

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Photographer – How to Choose the best one

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
by Justin Keller

Looking for a photographer for a special day? Well my experience being a San Diego photographer has given me some insight on how to make the best choice for that special occasion. So don’t even think about popping open the yellow pages and picking any old photographer that you find. Take it from my experience and follow these steps on choosing a good photographer.

For special days, most people want to capture those special memories with pictures; so it is very important that you research the photographer you are going to trust for the job. So why not ask friends and family for some recommendations. Their recommendations will help you formulate a list of candidates for the job.

After you have gathered that list from friends and family, you should see if they have a website and take a look at it. Look at some of the work that they have done in the past. Look to see if it is the type of shots and the style you want your pictures to be like. If the photographers you have listed have their portfolios online, it will save you a lot of time because then you can narrow your list down even more by what you see.

Now you are ready to conduct some interviews. This doesn’t have to be in person. You can do it over the phone. The goal of these phone interviews is to ask questions. Questions that will help you determine if this is the right person for the job. The more specific you are in asking your questions, the more specific your prospective photographer can be helping you better understand if this is the right person for the job. By doing this you will narrow the field even more, and from that you can finally schedule to meet those in person who you like so far.

After you have completed the final steps of this process of narrowing down the field. After you have gone through your interview process, it is time to pull the trigger and make a choice. The factors you want to base your decision upon will be, does this person know what you want for that special day? In other words, do they know your vision? Also you want to make sure it is a person you like. Getting along with a photographer for that special day is something not to be taken lightly. You want it someone you match with personality wise, because the last thing you need is to have a stressful day. If they meet your criteria, go ahead and choose one.

Completing all these steps will be huge in helping ensure that you find the right person for the job. Doing this simple process will help you determine a couple of very important things. It will allow you to get to know your photographer more than any other method. This is important because it will allow you to know if this person has the style and the vision you are looking for on your special day. And most importantly you will have a piece of mind that you will not have found any other way in regards to knowing if you have found the right person. On special days, the last thing you need to stress over is the photographer.

About the Author:
This type of tips only comes from years of experience as a one of the best San Diego photographer. Justin Keller has helped many people capture those once in a lifetime moments and can help be your Photographer in San Diego by visiting his site and booking an appointment

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Cute Baby Contests – Taking Awesome Competition Photos In Just 3 Steps.

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
by Trisha Cornell

I am a baby person, and of the opinion that every baby is adorable and cute. But, there are a few easy things that you can do to create super adorable, cute baby pictures to submit to cute baby contests.

These are your 3 easy steps to getting great baby pictures.

#1. Take plenty of pictures

Aren’t digital cameras simply fantastic? I love them because you can take unlimited pictures without having to raid your bambino’s piggy bank to pay for film and developing. I can’t emphasize this enough. Take tons of photos. There is no substitute for practice when it comes to getting (and learning how to get) great pictures. The more you practice, the better you get. :)

#2. Use the KISS method for backgrounds.

There is absolutely no doubt about it, babies and super, duper cute. So simple backgrounds usually work the best (the better to showcase their cuteness). If you are doing a specific photo section, a white or back sheet often work the best as the background. Otherwise, just make sure to look before you snap to see that nothing is behind them in a way that makes them look like something is growing out of their head.

#3. Don’t underestimate the value of a silly picture.

People love babies being silly, maybe because they do it so well. In fact, it is often the silliest baby pictures that win the cash prizes in baby contests. So, go ahead take a picture of your baby grabbing for bubbles, covered in cake, or making a funny face. It may very well be the best picture and the one that wins.

These three simple steps will help you take super cute baby pictures that you will be proud of. So start taking baby pictures today. It is super fun, and you will find that you get fantastic results.

About the Author:
Now that you know how to take great photos to enter into free baby photo contests, you need to find the best baby photo contests to submit your picture to. Go here to find free baby photo contests and you could win $2,500 this month.

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Astronomy: Some Facts

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009
by Colin Jones

How many facts are there to be known or learned about all the objects and phenomenon in our entire universe? Just think: there are about 1 x 10 ^22 stars in the universe, that’s 10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 stars; then there are many of those stars that have planets in orbit around them. Then consider the moons that orbit those planets and the comets and asteroids, the galaxies these stars form, the nebulae and black holes and everything else that’s out there. The amount of information and data is really quite mind-boggling. This article definitely will not contain every fact about astronomy, but they are very interesting facts nevertheless.

We will start by taking a look at a small section of astronomy: “the brightest stars seen from the Earth”. That is excepting the Sun which is roughly 250,000 times nearer than the next nearest star. In fact, it is so bright that when the sky is viewed from the Earth, it blinds out all the other stars in the sky during a phenomenon called daytime.

Remember that according to the scale for the magnitudes given, lower numbers are brighter. Our Sun would be about -26.73, while the full moon is -12.6. So, with that in mind, here are the top 5:

#5 is Vega, which means “falling eagle” in Arabic is in Lyra. It’s roughly 25 light years away and has a magnitude of 0.04.

When considering these astronomical facts, please remember that ‘brightest from Earth’ doesn’t mean largest or brightest. The Sun is not the largest or brightest star in the universe or even the galaxy, yet it appears so bright because it is so near compared to other stars.

#4 is Rigel – a very bright, bluish-white supergiant star in the constellation Orion. It is a binary star, with an average apparent magnitude of 0.12. It’s scientific name is Beta Orionis. Rigel is Arabic for ‘foot’. It’s about four light years from Earth.

#3 is Arcturus. The name is Latin/Greek and means ‘guardian of the bear’. This star is roughly 37 light years away. It is in the constellation of Bootes, behind The Great Bear. It has a magnitude of 0.00

#2 Canopus – the Greek name of the pilot of the sailing ship Argo in the stories of Jason and the Argonauts, is the brightest, however, because it is 313 light years from Earth, it’s only second in this list of the five brightest stars seen from Earth. It has a magnitude of -.62.

#1 is Sirius, which means ’scorching’ in Greek. It’s also called the ‘Dog Star’ because it is the brightest star in the constellation of Canis Major, which means ‘The Big Dog’ in Latin. It is only 9 light years from Earth, which makes it the second closest of these top five. From Earth it has a magnitude of -1.44, which makes it quite easily the brightest star as seen in the night sky.

This information doesn’t even scratch the surface on the subject of astronomy facts but it’s something to consider next time you look into the night sky.

About the Author:
Are you fascinated by Astronomy for Beginners? If you are then, please visait our website at http://astronomy.the-real-way.com Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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Some Facts on Astronomy

Sunday, April 12th, 2009
by Colin Jones

How much information on astronomy should there be for all the objects and phenomenon in the entire universe? Consider that there are somewhere around 1 x 10 ^22 stars in the universe, that’s a one followed by 22 zeros. Then consider that many of those stars have planets revolving around them. Then consider all the moons that orbit those planets, then the comets and asteroids, the galaxies these stars form, the nebulae and black holes and everything else out there. The amount of information and data is staggering. This article, which presents astronomy facts, certainly won’t contain every fact. But these are quite interesting facts nevertheless.

Let’s take a look at a small subset of astronomy: “the brightest stars as seen from Earth”. That’s discounting the Sun which is about 250,000 times closer than the next nearest star. It’s so bright that when the sky is viewed from the Earth, it washes out all the other stars in the sky during a phenomenon called daylight.

So, while reading this list, please bear in mind that according to the scale we are using, lower numbers are brighter: the Sun would be roughly -26.73, whereas the full moon is about -12.6; keeping that in mind, here are the top 5:

#5 is Vega, which is in Lyra, and which means ‘falling eagle’ in Arabic. It’s about 25 light years away from the Earth, with a magnitude of 0.04.

When you are thinking about these astronomical facts, please bear in mind that the ‘brightest from the Earth’ doesn’t mean ‘largest’ or ‘brightest’. The Sun is not the largest or brightest star in the universe or even the galaxy, yet it seems so bright to us because it is near compared to the other stars.

#4 Rigel Centaurus – a very bright, bluish-white supergiant star in the constellation Orion. It is a binary star, with an average apparent magnitude of 0.12. It’s scientific name is Beta Orionis. ‘Rigel Centaurus’ is Arabic for ‘the foot of the centaur’. It’s about four light years from Earth.

#3 is Arcturus. The name is Latin/Greek and means ‘guardian of the bear’. This star is roughly 37 light years away. It is in the constellation of Bootes, behind The Great Bear. It has a magnitude of 0.00

#2 Canopus – the Greek name of the pilot of the sailing ship Argo in the stories of Jason and the Argonauts, is the brightest, however, because it is 313 light years from Earth, it’s only second in this list of the five brightest stars seen from Earth. It has a magnitude of -.62.

#1 is Sirius, meaning ’scorching’ in Greek. It’s also called the ‘Dog Star’ because it is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (’The Big Dog’). It’s only 9 light years from Earth. That’s second closest of these top five. But from Earth it has a magnitude of -1.44. That makes it easily the brightest star as seen in the night sky.

These facts don’t even scratch the surface on the subject of astronomy but it’s something to think about anyway the next time you look up into the sky at night.

About the Author:
Are you interested in Astronomy for Beginners? If you are then, please visait our website at http://astronomy.the-real-way.com Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service

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