Ray Baker
If any of your readers are like I am, they probably have encountered the same problem I had during a recent trip. What happened was that about 5 or 10 of my first photos of the day came out either way too dark or way too light. The cause? My settings the evening before, while … Read more
If you are familiar with Photoshop you may all ready know the basic functions of the tool palette items and some of the other commands. If you are just beginning to use the software package and want to use it simply to clean up or lightly alter your own photographs there are a few basic functions that you should take the time to learn and explore.
In the age of the internet and World Wide Web, it has become almost mandatory to have your own website. Commercial photographers and freelance photographers know the value of getting their work seen and recognized. If you are turning your photography hobby into a part-time or, even a full-time, business the first thing you need – after the cameras of course – is a fabulous website to showcase you and your work.
Your love of photography has made you want to learn more about digital photography. Now you are ready to buy an SLR digital camera and equipment to improve your results.
No matter whether you are a commercial photographer, freelance photographer or just do photography as a hobby this article will give you some tips on what equipment you need.
Obviously, you need a camera and camera bag, but you will also need lenses and filters to help you become a better photographer.
Tips for Buying a Digital Camera
Digital cameras have advanced a long way over the last few years. There is everything from the tiny point and shoot digital cameras to slr digital cameras for the more serious photographer.
With these feature packed slr digital cameras even the basic beginner, just start out experimenting with photography, can take some excellent photos. Some of the features to look for in a digital camera are its resolution, how many modes the camera offers (e.g. macro and panorama; some even have movie making features) and the quality of the lens.
Using natural lighting for your photography is a handy technique. Apart from the fantastic photos you can produce, you don’t have to drag around a lot of equipment. But it does make you a slave to any available light.
Avoid the Light at High Noon
All photographers know to avoid shooting in full, natural sunlight at midday. It is the worst type of light of the day. It is unforgiving. If you have to take photos at this time of day find some shade for the best results.
There are situations where this will work well for you. If you are taking photos in a naturally dark area (e.g. in a forested parkland area) this can work in your favour when your subject is in high contrast with the environment.
The best times of the day for photography are early morning or late afternoon. The harshness of the midday sun will give you hard shadows whereas early or late afternoon light will soften them.
When beginning an examination of the use and varieties in digital camera lenses it is important to remember that the digital cameras have a sensor that is smaller than a 35mm film frame. This means that there is a significantly narrower field of view than that presented by the same lens on a non-digital 35mm film camera. This is the reason that digital photography is able to deliver smaller lenses such as 12 and 24 mm lenses as well as larger zoom and macro lenses at 200 and 300 mm.
The newest technology revolutionizing SLR digital photography techniques is high dynamic range images (HDR or HDRI). Think about some of the shots you take when you are out and about with your digital camera.
How often do you think you have that great shot of your dogs running along a beach? You take a look at it on your screen and you are excited it looks great. But, when you download the image it does not have the depth of feel you saw when you took it. A digital image cannot capture the full range of light of the subject. You usually get something less than you expect. But this is true of any camera.
Animals and photography are your passion, and people often ask you to take photos of the pets for them. Now you dream of starting a pet photography business.
Pets have been a part of your life for so long and you have hundreds of photos spanning many years. You have captured them as pictorial memories for the rest of your life. Animal photography is rewarding. By combining the two things you enjoy doing the most; it can make sense to become a pet photographer.
There are so many people out there whose pets are part of the family. Many show their pets, horses and trial in dog sports. There is a huge scope in what you can do with pets in your pet photography business.
You love animals and whether you plan to make your living from being a professional pet photographer or whether you just love doing animal photography here are some tips to help you get better photos and improve your pet photography.
Pet Photos take Patience
Most animals are camera shy if you make it obvious what you are trying to do. There are plenty of things you can do to make it easier for your animal subject. If you are a professional pet photographer you need to be sensitive to the different needs of individual animals. This is actually quite simple if you are patient.
Composition is another photo technique you need to master to get good photographic results. How often do you stop and think about what you are seeing through the viewfinder of your camera?
Composition is subjective and depends on the subject of your photograph. There are rules for good image composition and, once you know the rules you can break them to get good photos more often.
What Format to use for your Photographic Composition
So many people seem to forget you can turn your camera on its side to get a vertical shot of your subject. Most people just use the horizontal format and end up with a whole lot of empty space around their subject. Just turning your camera on its side will eliminate this problem.
