Photography tips for beginners

Before going to our own ideas from dptutorial (with oddities and extremes), you should know there is a pretty standard list of useful tips. Here what we think that every beginner should learn as basics and every advanced photographer at least should keep in mind...


1. Choose a subject or message of your photo
If there is no clear real subject, nothing of graphical interest and no mood to convey, it is probably not an interesting photo.

2. distracting background Remove things that don’t add to the photo
Especially if they detract from the central message. Don’t only know what to include, but also what to exclude. Find a simple background and look for balance.
In this example the hand of the woman below and the colorful yellow and blue shirts are distracting elements. Waiting until the hand is gone and standing a few steps more to the left, so the people in the back are out of the frame, would both improve the photo.



3. Don’t be afraid to zoom in or get very close
. The most common mistake is that photos are taken from too far away and that there is just too much environment that doesn’t add to the message. Filling the image with the subject underlines what the intended subject is, and removes cluttered background. It achieves simplicity.

4. Don’t automatically center your subjects
Beginning photographers massively center their main subjects on their photos. This is not illogical because the photographer aims at the subject with the camera viewer. If you rather place the subject outside the center it will often result in a more dynamic composition. Experiment with that.
A popular guideline is the rule of thirds. Imagine the frame divided into thirds, both vertically and horizontally, like a tic-tac-toe board. Then place the subject on or near one of the lines or intersections. This is called the rule of thirds, or the ‘golden mean’. However don’t follow this rule slavishly.
Remember that the eyes are most important for people and animals. When zooming in and the head fills the image, the rule of thirds applies to the position of the eyes.



5. Be sure to hold your camera level
It will break the strength of your photo if the horizon appears with an apparent angle.
Sometimes photo opportunities appear in a split second, and you have just no time to control the angle of your camera. When at home your photo appears to be tilted, no problem. With imaging tools it’s easy to level the photo afterwards. However this gives a small loss in image quality. So practise your reflex to hold your camera level in the first place


6. Eyes are exceptionally important
They tell the story. When photographing people and animals everything else can be hidden or cropped out: the mouth, the nose, the hair. But the eyes must be visible.
In addition, the eyes have to be tack sharp. Unsharpness of the eyes will hurt the attraction to the eyes, and with that the quality of the photo. If the eyes are not sharp, the photo doesn’t look sharp.

7. Watch the distance with flash
Don’t bother using flash over 30 feet away. Most non professional flashes just completely don’t function at this distance or greater. Flash works best with nearby subjects. When taking a scenery of a bridge at some distance, flash won’t help. Instead of flash, use longer exposure times and a tripod or, if necessary, a higher iso setting.
When photographing multiple people with flash, be aware that persons that are close will be illuminated by the flash much more than persons further away. So if you want all of them as prominent, have all at the same close distance from your camera.

8. As a rule make use the full range of luminosity
from completely dark (black) to completely white. This makes photos dynamic and vivid.
On the other side don’t over expose with digital camera’s. The information of over exposed parts of the image will be lost definitively and can’t even be recovered by imaging tools. Under exposing is also unfortunate. Image tools can light up the darks and make the tonal visible, however with some or even considerable noise.
Directly after taking a photograph, reading the histogram can be helpful. If the histogram is pegged against the right end, the photo is over exposed. When pegged against the left hand, it is under exposed.
But adjusting the settings of the camera to capture the whole full range of luminosity without over or under exposing can be quite a struggle. Just be sure not to overexpose. Adjusting levels afterwards with an imaging tool will be the rescue.

9. Make a selection of your photos
Don’t put all your photos, complete with all the flawed versions of the same scene, in your (online) photo album. The bad ones harm the attention that the best ones deserve. Make a critical selection of your photos, keep the very best. This will enhance your the overall quality of the album enormously.

10. The tree growing out of the subject’s shoulder or head
is a classic photographic syndrome.
As you position yourself for the photo look out for power poles, lamp posts and other objects behind the subject that can ruin your photo. When it happens, reposition yourself or the subject.
Also avoid objects in the background that visually merge with the subject because they have the same color. Let the subject be free-standing.
source : http://www.dptutorial.com

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How to Become a Successful Wedding Photographer

By Juan Carlos Torres

Once in while I receive e-mails or phone calls from aspiring or beginner wedding photographers asking me for advise on how to become successful in the wedding field. My first question is always what their motivation is to become a wedding photographer. Some will reply that they heard from somebody that it is easy money, or that they got a cool camera that takes great photos or that they would like to make some money on the side etc. While it is true that wedding photography...

can be a very profitable business achieving success in the wedding industry is not just a matter of getting a camera and start shooting. Wedding photography involves artistic talent, human sense, complete mastery of photographic techniques, business knowledge, and a strong desire to learn and deliver the best to the wedding couple.

Here I have summarized some points that I believe will guide beginner wedding photographers:

1. Learn photography before anything else. A wedding photographer is expected to be a master of the craft. You will be in charge of capturing people's most precious life moments. The wedding day is not the place to learn photography.

2. Just because you got a brand new camera it does not automatically make you an effective and reliable photographer. Photography goes beyond cool toys and gadgets. Learn composition and develop a unique artistic vision. Some of the great photographs of all time were taken with manual cameras.

3. Master the digital workflow, including color management, digital image processing, file management and image correction and enhancement.

4. Learn to love photography more than anything else. Don't come to the wedding photography field with just dreams of making money. It is true that there are many successful wedding photographers that make a lot of money. However according to the Professional Photographers of America the average photographer in America makes about $24,000 a year.

5. Focus on delivering quality more than quantity. Seek with all your heart to capture unique photographs.

6. Develop a style that is recognizable and unique. Don't try to be like somebody else. Clients look for unique photographers, with a unique vision.

7. Give wedding photography all your heart and effort. Long when you are gone your photographs will last forever. It is a great way to be remembered.

8. Open your heart and your mind and great photos will happen. Concentrate on the human aspect of weddings, the details, and emotions and be ready to capture them. Let the camera become an extension of you.

9. Share your technical knowledge and make connections with other wedding photographers.

10. Participate in wedding photography image competitions. It will give you the opportunity to have your work evaluated by peers and the motivation to improve your work quality.

11. Learn something new everyday. Take advantage of professional photography organizations such as Professional Photographers of America (PPA), WPPI, etc. Attend their seminars, workshops. Participate in Internet wedding photography forums and learn and share tips, tools and techniques.

12. Don't neglect the business aspect of wedding photography. Learn to manage your business effectively. Take business courses and seminars.

Juan Carlos Torres is a very respected and awarded wedding photographer in Oregon. He has a Masters Degree in Remote Sensing with a strong background in digital image processing and photography. He is a member of the several professional photographer organizations including the Professional Photographers of America, the Professional Photographers of Oregon, the Wedding Photojournalist Association,and the Oregon Wedding Photo Guild. His wedding photographs are unique and very artistic and have been featured in national and international magazines. For a sample of his works please visit Portland Oregon Wedding Photographer and Eugene Oregon Wedding Photographer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

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How to Buy a Good Digital Camera

by: JerremyGrey

Digital cameras are growing in demand and use. The capturing of images without the need for film is the greatest advantage of the digital camera. A digital camera although with many functions does not need the complicated mechanical components of a standard film camera.

With the upsurge of home computers it means that almost anyone can store and then play with the images on their own pc. A series of ones and zeros is how all digital information is stored and a digital camera images are no different. Digital cameras still use lenses in much the same way that conventional cameras do. All the budding digital camera enthusiast needs to know is that despite the difference in how the image is captured, the ultimate effect is the same.

A feature of the better quality digital cameras is that they have a sensor that converts light into electrical charges using a different system to their less expensive cousins. Some people believe the device used to capture an image in cheaper digital cameras the CMOS will eventually be the replacement for the better CCD but this is highly doubtful.

The CMOS device is this reason that many cameras have come down in price so much as they are easier and cheaper to produce than their CCD cousins. The digital camera converts the light it receives like millions of minute solar cells and both the CCD and CMOS end up storing an image but just using a different method to do it.

If you find yourself in the market for a digital camera then some useful information is listed below.

From the point of view on having good quality photos, look for a high megapixel camera as it will be worth it and you may find a model that is being superseded at a discount as well.

Always choose a digital camera with an optical zoom as the optical zoom of a camera will enable you take pictures without any distortion.

Don't waste your money on standard disposable batteries as rechargeable ones nowadays are very affordable and long lasting which could save you hundreds of dollars on standard ones.

Many people are just happy to point and shoot but if you want your camera to do a little more than try to buy one with more functions. Think 512MB as a bare minimum with today's high resolution cameras so if you're a photo junkie you can takes pictures of just about anything.

Digital cameras are now very tiny compared to a few years ago so you can actually carry around a high spec camera in your pocket and still be able to take fantastic pictures. So by doing this you won't feel as if you are a journalist or nature photographer wherever you go.

These are just the basic things you have to look for in a digital camera when you buy one. With their range of features and ease of use, digital cameras are the future of photography.
About the Author

You welcome to visit: Why is solar power better than other energy and Get to know more about solar power for more reviewed accurate information.

Article Source: http://www.article-idea.com

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10 Tips In Better Photography

by: Michael Colucci

Taking a good photo isn’t as hard as you may think. You don’t need the most expensive camera or years of experience, just 10 simple tips.

Enjoy!


Tip 1 - Use All Your Available Space
Don't be afraid to use all the space in your photo. If you want to take a picture of something, it's ok for it to take up the whole shot with no or very little background showing. Keep distractions out of your shot

Tip 2 - Study Forms

This is a vital aspect to photography. Understanding forms in your photos. Don't see an object, she its shape and its form and find the best angle to photograph it from. Form is all around us and I highly suggest you read as many books on it as possible.

Tip 3 - Motion In Your Photos

Never have motion in your photos if you are photographing a still object. If there is something moving while you are trying to photograph a stationery object, your photo won't turn out anywhere near as well. Also never put a horizon line in the center of your frame.

Tip 4 - Learn To Use Contrasts Between Colors.

Some of the best photos have shades of white, gray and black. You can take great shots with just one color on your subject, but the contrasts between colors in a shot is what makes you a great photographer.

Tip 5 - Get Closer To Your Subject

This is one of the biggest mistakes most photographers make, not getting close enough to their subject. Get up and personal and close the distance gap. You can always reshape and resize a good shot but you can't continue to blowup a distant object.

Tip 6 - Shutter Lag

Shooting action shots with digital camera's can be tricky due to shutter lags. What this means is, when you press the button to take the photo, it can take up to a second for the shutter to take a photo, by that time what you were photographing would have moved or changed somehow. This means you have to compensate for shutter lag by predicting what your subject is going to do and taking the photo just before it takes the action you want. More expensive digital cameras don't have this problem.

Tip 7 - Pan

If you are taking an action shot and your shutter speed is slow, pan with the object. Follow through with the subject, from start to finish and one of those shots will be a winner. You have more chance of getting a good shot if you take more then one photo.

Tip 8 - Continuous Shots

To pan like I suggested above you will need a camera that does continuous shots and doesn’t need to stop and process after every shot.

Tip 9 - How To Take Fantastic Night Time Shots

Night time shots can be spectacular, almost magical.... if done right! If not they can look horrible. Really horrible. Without adequate lighting, even good camera's can turn out crappy photos if the photographer doesn't know what he or she is doing.

Tip 10 - Study Your Manual

If your digital camera has a special night time mode, read the manual and follow their instructions on how to use it properly.

About The Author
Michael Colucci is a technical writer for
http://www.photography-tips.org
source http://www.premierphotographer.com

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Portrait Photography Tips and Methods

by: Richard Schneider

Portrait is defined as, “A likeness of a person, especially one showing the face, that is created by a painter or photographer, for example.” In the area of portrait photography there are some guidelines that you should consider when you go to take photos of people.

The different types of portraits are: close-ups, facial shots, upper body shots or environmental portraits. Environmental portraits are where you focus on the subject and on their surroundings that provide more character to the subject.

When people have a camera in their face it usually makes them nervous and they will try to put on a face that does not portray who they really are. The real skill to portrait photography is trying to capture photos when the subjects are comfortable and not worried about a camera.

Many professional photographers try to capture their subject’s true essence by using tricks. One example of this is counting to three so the subject prepares and then while they are relaxing after taking a planned photo the photographer will snap a few more unplanned photos. In most cases the subject won’t even know that more than one photo was taken but it’s usually the photos that the subject wasn’t expecting that capture their true essence.

Another more common strategy professionals use is to tell funny jokes that make their subjects genuinely laugh or smile. I’m sure that you have probably experienced something like this yourself.

CLOSE-UP PORTRAITS

These usually have the subject’s shoulders and head or less. They are framed around the face. These are the most common and best at capturing expressions and glamour shots. For these it is very important to have the light coming from a good angle. To accent wrinkles or small details you should have the light coming from the side or from the top. To create flattering pictures you should choose a cloudy day or try to create diffused light so there are hardly any shadows. Also make sure the subject is brighter than the background to reduce distraction.

For close-up portraits you should use a wide aperture (low f/stop) to make the background out of focus and therefore less of a distraction. Professionals commonly use a fixed telephoto lens that’s 90 mm or higher for portraits in order to de-emphasize the subject’s nose or any other unflattering feature. It works because at that distance the nose or any other feature does not seem closer to the camera than the rest of the face.

UPPER BODY OR MIDRANGE PORTRAITS

These are easier to capture because the subject is probably more relaxed because it’s less personal. These include a little more of the background than close-ups. These are commonly used for both single subjects and multiple subjects. This is the kind of portrait used to mark occasions such as graduation, yearbook, birthdays and other parties. The ideal lens would be about a 90 mm fixed telephoto or more wide angle depending on how many subjects there are.

ENVIRONMENTAL PORTRAITS

These are the portraits that let you into the life of a subject. They might include the whole subject in a scenario or the subject participating in some hobby that they enjoy. These are best for telling a story to the viewer about the subject. They are almost always used by photojournalists to look into the lives of interesting people. They also make great Black and White pictures.

Use this information to develop what kind of portrait style you would like to take, and then practice it before dealing with any serious clients.

About The Author
Richard Schneider is a digital photography enthusiast and founder of http://www.picturecorrect.com which offers tips and news about digital photography, digital camera reviews, photoshop tutorials and computer wallpaper.
http://www.premierphotographer.com

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Exposure Correction

Any way to fix under exposure picture, this i give simple tips

1. Brightness/contras
Image > Adjustments > Brightness/contras
this very simple, we just enhanced two slides brightness and contras only but this ignoring a middle tone about your picture. This method its not recommend , because its just brighten surrounding the lightness picture and remove detail



2. Level
Image > Adjustments > level


dalam histogram level tersebut kita dapat melihat bagian mana saja yang pencahayaannya kurang...
disini kita melihat bagian yang paling kiri adalah bagian yang paling gelap di dalam gambar sedangkan yang paling kanan adalah bagian yang paling terang...pada kasus ini bagian yang paling terang tidak pas pada akhir histogram oleh sebab itu kita geser ke kiri agar tepat di bagian akhir histogram... akan tetapi gambar tampak terlalu kontras...nah keuntungan dari level ini kita dapat mengatur mid tonenya (slide yang berada di tengah) hingga mendapatkan foto yang sempurna...

3. Curves
Image > Adjustments > curves

curves hampir sama dengan level, akan tetapi dengan cureves lebih banyak pengaturannya.
kita bisa mengatur tingkat kehitaman dan putih secara langsung agar detail dibagian putih tidak hilang begitu saja...untuk membuat gambar lebih terang kita geser bagian tengah kurva ke atas lalu kek kiri seperti yang saya contohkan...titik yang di bagian kanan saya turunkan agar bagian detail di putih tidak hilang...lalu seperti level tadi bagian kanan dari kurva saya geser ke kiri..
memang pada bagian yang gelap mungkin terjadi noise, itu dapat kita atasi dengan berbagai macam plugin...


semoga bisa membantu :)

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Simple Logic of Photoshop

1. Logika sederhana Photoshop
untuk pengeditan photo, logika sederhananya adalah seperti anak tk yang belajar memotong, menempel dan menggabungkan gambar...gampang khan...pahami ini dulu bagi pemula...photoshop so easy...bedanya kalo tk kita pake gunting lem dan media kertas...


sama juga di photoshop, cuma cara guntingnya ada banyak...jadi jangan ragu pake gunting yang mana...terus layer : ini sama aja objek apa aja yang kita mau gabungkan...pokoknya yang di bawah ya...berarti di bagian bawah...yang diatas ya..diatas...jadi ....

untuk pewarnaan lebih sederhana lagi deh...sama persih kaya kita di TK dulu...bisa pake pensil, bisa pake kuas, bisa pake cat ditumplekin...hehehe... Grin, gampang kan...warnanya yang tersedia juga buaaanyak jadi jangan kwatir nyari warna...terus aja ublek-ublek paletnya...

2. memaksimalkan undo (ctrl+alt+z)(history)
defaultnya undo dalam PS cuma 20 doang... jadi biasanya bila kita keasyikan garap ada yang keliru di belakang gak cukup undonya...ini bisa diatasi dengan pengaturan di photoshop...di edit>prefrence> coba diisikan 50 atau 100, gak masalh kok...
3. OPEN FILE
doble klik aja di area kosong (belakang) photoshop

4. ORIGINAL FILE :
biasakan jangan merusak file aslinya...dari pada nyesel diblakang...
save as, atau copy aja dulu...
photograph by gosicks

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