Posts Tagged ‘photography tips’

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Portrait Photography Pursuit- A Beginner’s Primer

Monday, May 17th, 2010

Photography is a brilliant interest to take up, whether it’s as a leisure activity or as a major professional endeavour. It can be very gratifying creatively as well as in terms of money if done very well. Portrait photography consists of capturing human faces in various situations and displaying a wide range of emotions. You can shoot such photos in a studio or make portraiture completely environmental; it all depends on circumstances. We all know what portrait photography is like if we take a look at our official papers or IDs. Such pictures are small and they are usually taken in studios with digital cameras, and a controlled background.

When performed in a studio, portrait photography involves a larger control over the background. Seamless paper roll is often used to take portraits against it, but not all photographers appreciate this work method. This is common practice for neutral portrait photography and the elements of distraction in the frame have a higher incidence with such portraiture. Yet, you can further work on the nature of the environment that you want to create for portrait photography. There are many portable equipments that you can make use of for special effects.

The focus is on the subject first and foremost with portrait photography, and even when you shoot small pictures or formats, you can still use tools to perform enlargement at excellent quality. Then there is the issue of light and shadows on the subject’s face, even if you have a great lighting system. The eyes and the nose are the most important for portrait photography, when it comes to lights and shadows. That is certainly an issue you need to look into. If you use a fast telephoto lens, the field depth will be reduced and the nose and the eyes will look very sharp.

Don’t feel intimidated by beginning with the occupation. Places with diffuse light and neutral background are the best for portrait photography. This is the case with universities, galleries and museums. If you are studying photography, there are lots of sources you can use to improve skills. Amateur photographers need quite a bit of experience before taking some great photos. People with training in portrait photography hardly need any tips here.

As for the light quality required for portrait photography, the best you can get should be soft and off camera. It is from the lack of shadows that you can recognize a good photo. As for outside portrait photography, overcast days are the best you can hope for. An electronic flash or a reflector are necessary when shooting on a sunny day, otherwise portrait photography will be an unhappy experiment. Portrait Photography can offer you a wonderful future career along with a massive amount of enjoyment, and is a very positive activity to try your hand at as a way into the overall industry of photography.

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Eight Benefits of Why You Should Learn Photography

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

So you’re interested in learning photography - congratulations! Photography is a wonderful practical hobby as well as an exciting career opportunity. Learning photography takes a little bit of patience but in the end it’s all worth it. Let’s start with the reasons why you should learn photography:

  • The chance to capture special events like a special birthday or the family vacation with clear, well composed pictures.
  • Never missing another “Kodak moment” while searching for the right dial or button.
  • The chance to take beautiful photos that you and your loved ones can enjoy displaying on a table top or framed on the wall.
  • Communicating through your photographs. A picture really is worth a thousand words (especially if you put it in a beautiful jeweled picture frame)! You can catch a look that says it all. Or as we’ve seen in countless magazines like Time and National Geographic, you can take pictures that educate and enlighten on just about any topic. You don’t have to be a professional photographer in order to take some great pictures.
  • The ability to take a portrait in a home or outdoor setting that lets you capture the beauty of a loved one and make them want to see the portrait framed on a wall instead of sitting on the bottom of a box.
  • Excitement! With a good telephoto lens you can take exciting images of wildlife and weather phenomena while still being a safe distance away. Picture your friends reactions when they see your photographs beautifully framed on your wall.
  • Fun! It’s fun taking pictures of people and special things we love. It’s even more fun to take them after learning a few skills!
  • Fame and Fortune! Many a hobbyist photographer has gone on to win ribbons, awards and make money by selling their prints online with or without frames. Others sell downloads at microstock photo sites like iStock. Some take pet portraits of their neighbors’ pets, and eventually start a business from there. Others become wedding photographers or get jobs working as photographers.

You may have even thought of some benefits that weren’t listed here. As mentioned the rewards of photography are many. To get started taking pictures, all you need is a good (not expensive) camera and a few basic skills and you’ll be well on your way.

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Eight Wedding Photography Tips for Beginners

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Weddings are one of the most deserving and difficult occasions to photograph. Lots of movement, lighting and distance from the subjects are all challenges with wedding photography. So, here are eight wedding photography tips you can use to make sure the wedding photos turn out beautifully framed in the bride’s favorite wedding photo frame.

  1. Bring Lots of Batteries – This is especially true for digital cameras since digital uses far more power than film cameras. And if you’re like many guests with digital cameras who share their pictures during the reception, then that LCD screen will use up even more power. So bring lots (and I mean lots) of extra batteries.
  2. Bring Extra Memory Cards and Increase the Resolution – You will never know which photos will be the ones displayed in a large picture frame so make sure your camera is set to high resolution. Extra memory cards will ensure you don’t run out of space.
  3. Look for the Unexpected Moments – {In addition to all of the traditional moments you need to take like the bride and groom getting ready, exchange of vows, the first kiss, there will always be the unexpected “Kodak moments” that you want to capture}. Along with all the traditional moments that you don’t want to miss: the bride (or groom) getting ready, the exchange of vows, the first kiss, the cake cutting ceremony and so on, there are bound to be many unexpected “Kodak moments.” Watch the children too as they will often provide many comical and precious moments to remember! And don’t forget to honor the parents of the bride and groom with pictures as you know they will want to display their favorites in picture frames. There will be much emotion on this joyous day to capture with your camera.
  4. Increase the ISO – If you have a film camera, use a higher speed film, such as 400, but if you have a digital camera like most will, increase the camera’s ISO, that is its sensitivity to light. Try increasing just to 200 or 400. If needed, use digital noise removing software. The higher ISO can brighten otherwise underexposed pictures better than a compact’s built in flash.
  5. Photo Edit Out the Red Eye – Most wedding pictures are taken from too far a distance for the camera’s red eye reduction to work, but photo editing software such as Photoshop and even the free, Picasa can take the red out.
  6. Save the Flash for the Most Important Pictures – Since it can take a while for the flash to recharge- plan ahead. Unless a “can’t miss” photo opportunity happens, save the flash for super important moments like the bride and groom kissing after their vows, cutting the cake and their first dance.
  7. Make Use of Optical Zoom or Your Feet – For those far away shots, use optical not digital zoom if you can. If your camera doesn’t have an optical zoom, it’s best to simply move closer to the subject.
  8. Don’t Let Shutter Lag Ruin your Pictures - Although this isn’t a problem with film, if you’re taking photos with a digital camera be prepared to compensate for the shutter lag. Some cameras shoot much faster (or slower) than others, so if you haven’t done so yet, get acquainted with yours before the wedding. When taking action pictures like dancing at the reception, take them the same way as you would at a sporting event. Try to guess what’s going to happen next and point the camera in that direction and press the shutter half way down. Be ready to take lots of photos anytime there are people moving, so that you end up with several good pictures for framing. And on such an important event, it’s important to take several still shots as well.

Hopefully these 8 wedding photo tips will help you make the most out of your next wedding and give the bride and groom pictures they love displaying. Until then, keep taking pictures and have fun learning photography!

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5 Photography Tips for Taking Portraits

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

There are some very good reasons to learn how to take family portraits, and you don’t have to be embarking on a photography career to do so. Having portraits taken professionally can sometimes be too expensive for many families. And sometimes, it can be impossible to get everyone to the studio at the appointed time.

Every family deserves to have at least one good family portrait displayed together with a nice picture frame. But, it’s even better to have additional portraits taken as the family grows and ages. If you are a photography hobbyist you probably know others who would love to have you take their family portraits, but don’t forget your own family! If you are taking a portrait of your own family, make sure to be in it too! So be sure to use a camera with a remote shutter button release and a timer.

If you are new to photography learning how to take family portraits will also give you the opportunity to learn and practice other skills, such as taking that group picture at Thanksgiving or a team picture after the game.

Without further ado, here are some tips to help you get started taking memorable family portraits, whether formal or informal.

1) Avoid the “Police Line Up” Portrait – Instead of lining everyone up shoulder to shoulder, try a more natural arrangement that also makes it easier to to fit a bunch of people into one picture.

Staggering is one technique that works well for group photos. For example, you might stagger the family members on the front steps of a porch or on and around boulders near a pond, with some family members standing and others sitting. If in a park, two siblings might sit on a low hanging branch of a tree or all could sit on the lawn clustered together. Show family closeness by spacing members close together. And by staggering the group, it will make it easier to display the picture in a 8×10 picture frame or even something larger like a 11×14 picture frame.

2) Show Relationships – You can do this with placement in the family portrait poses. For example, Grandma and Grandpa might stand next to each, a toddler could be in Mother’s arms, two siblings might have arms slung over each others shoulders, etc.

3) Consider Including the Family Pets – assuming they hold still long enough. Even if the pet is sitting still, you may want to raise the Shutter Speed Priority to 1/125 because the flick of a tail or other tiny movement can cause blur. It is much easier to take a portrait of an individual with a pet or a pet separately, but if the family has a mellow dog or cat, try some family portrait poses with and without.

4) Get Creative with Props – depending upon the type of portrait you want. Does the family do any activities or sports like community baseball? Each family member could hold a mitt, ball or bat. This is popular for individual portraiture that works well for family portraits too.

5) Get Everyone Smiling – Instead of just having them say “cheese,” put them at ease by talking to them so they’ll become more relaxed and real. When you’ve got the smiles and pose, ask the family to hold them until you give the signal that your camera’s got the shot.

Finally, have fun taking lots of pictures so the family can choose their favorite. You’re sure to get some keepers where the family will feel proud to frame them for all to see.

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Why Canvas Photo Prints and Canvas Art Printing?

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Why Canvas Photo Prints and Canvas Art Printing?

Digital cameras have recently become the norm in photography after many years in which film was the only photographic medium available. Now, most of us have embraced the new technology which made taking photographs much more cheaper and convenient. But this led to a decline in the number of photographs printed, meaning that most photographs will only be showed from computer screens.

However, it is still desirable to turn your favorite images into canvas prints so as to display them. You can make prints of all types of photographs. These canvas photo prints have the following benefits:

  1. Longevity: Because of the high quality raw materials we use, your canvas photo prints will have a lifetime of more than 75 years.

  2. Flexibility: All our frame are hand made and can be made to any size. Thus, you will have maximum flexibility when dealing with your wall space.

  3. Clearness: The glass we use is non-reflective, so your photograph will be viewed from any angle.

  4. Price: Canvas photo prints are of great value. Have your large photos printed cheaply, compared to similar size professional printing on photo paper.

  5. Shipping: Sending via post or couriers is easier than traditional framed photos, as canvas prints are lighter.

  6. Presentation: You can put your imagination on your photo canvas print. Choose any size or shape, create stunning montages, add text, present your photo canvas print as a set, even a triptych, or turn it into digital art. Let us help you present your canvas photo print the way you want.

  7. Elegance: Canvas photo prints are unique and they look great.

  8. Gifts: Give your friends and loved ones canvas photo prints of their favorite photographs.

    Visit Canvas Prints Online to get your free ebook and learn more 

No Add on Costs

We offer an all inclusive pricing system to turn you photo print to canvas and that includes freight. You will find that most other companies add in postage as an extra, but we are truly all inclusive. For comprehensive prices on canvas photo prints click CanvasPrintsOnline.com.au. To see what is actually included in turning your photo print to canvas also visit our website.

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