Digital Photography Tips - Capturing the Spider's Web

A favorite photography subject of many people is a spider web. They possess such an intricate beauty but also strength that far exceeds their outward appearance. A web, which has been photographed in a thoughtful & considerate manner, will produce a beautiful image. Here's some tips to help you get the money shot when it comes time to head into the yard looking for our eight-legged friends.

1. Always be an environmentally conscious photographer. When we go out in the field, you're number one goal should be to leave as little evidence of your presence as possible. We have a great gift that is not to be squandered for our own purposes. Just keep that in mind when you're out & about please!

2. No motion. Because spider webs are so delicate, even the slightest breeze can result in your shots being out of focus. Sometimes reflectors can also be used to deflect gentle breezes. But you're best to wait for natural calm. For this reason also, you will want to have your camera mounted on a tripod. Use a cable shutter-release or the timer function to help eliminate movement on the camera.

3. Depth of field and background. Open your aperture as much as possible to avoid distraction & clutter in the background. You want the subject to be the web. If you have problems with getting proper exposure, even with highest shutter speeds & slowest ISO settings, you may have to use a neutral density filter to reduce light levels. Another way to help with light levels is to look for dark backgrounds. This will also help accentuate the web.

4. Shoot all around. Be sure to get shots from both sides and looking directly at the web. With a shallow depth of field, you may find a particular web to b more interesting when only a portion is in clear focus. Likewise, you might find a "perfect" web front view that will need to be completely within your focal distance. Don't forget to simplify and highlight your subject by filling the frame. You'll be amazed with your results.

5. Do the dew. Not that I'm trying to rip-off anything from the famous soft drink, but water on a web will give you a truly classic image. This moisture is best found in the early morning before the temperature starts drying everything out. You can also try going out after a light rain. Some professional photographers will carry a a misting sprayer with them to help with composition. Just remember our number one rule if you decide to start messing with things too much.

6. Don't forget the flash. Under most circumstances, the natural light you're using will be sufficient for obtaining a proper level of exposure. However, there may be times when you need a little more. Many species of spiders are actually more active at dusk & dawn because of their feeding habits. In these situations, you may want to deploy a strobe to help provide additional illumination. I don't recommend the use of a constant source due to the attraction of unwanted insects. But my guess is that your subject won't mind the added company in this case.

Now you know the secrets to capturing an awesome image next time you find the spiders' web. Good luck with your attempts. You never know what you'll get unless you get out there & try.

View the original article here

Testing DSLRs to Shoot Video

So much has been said about the benefits and outstanding picture quality of using one of the new large image chip DSLRs from Canon, Nikon, Panasonic and others that we decided to do a test. It is unquestionable that the large image chips these cameras incorporate have raised the quality of the image produced to a level that was ony achievable with much more expensive video cameras in the past. So with this in mind people are jumping on the bandwagon and buying what are essentially still cameras with video recording features (DSLRs). However often other considerations are overlooked. For example, there are many comments about the wonderful look that a limited depth of field the large image sensors can provide. Depth of field is the area in front of and in back of the subject you are focusing on that is in focus. If only the subject is in focus, this small depth of field gives a look similar to what film has been providing forever. Depth of field is influenced by the telephoto setting of the lens and also the aperture set as well as the size of the image sensing chip. The larger the chip, the more telephoto and the more open the aperture, the less depth of field and the more areas in front and behind a focused subject will be blurred/out of focus. Now this really can look good but is it practical for the typical run and gun type shooting that we as videographers do mostly. The answer is yes and no.

To provide some experience and documentation on using a DSLR to shoot a typical event video production in Las Vegas where we have our studio, we did a test shoot with a Canon DSLR, a Panasonic GH1 DSLR and to provide a baseline for shooting video, Panasonic HMC 150 Camcorders

CANON DSLRs

Beautiful picture quality when everything is perfect but not easy to use for run and gun shooting. In low light the depth of field is so limited with any kind of a telephoto shot and wide aperture that you can focus on a nose and a forehead is out of focus. Because the Canon has a mirror you can't use the eyecup viewfinder when shooting video; you need to use the LCD screen. In bright light the LCD screen is useless and for people who need reading glasses you need to hold it at arms length which makes holding it steady very difficult. It doesn't allow you to autofocus on a moving target and because it is difficult to see in the LCD viewfinder, hard to keep in focus. These are some of the reasons you need to buy expensive support systems and LCD viewfinder accessories to get some additional ease of use. Color balancing was cumbersome. Bottom line, very difficult to use for anything but static well lit shots. Audio also requires supplementary equipment such as a digital recorder that you can plug external mics into. If you are used to having smooth zooms in your shots, a DSLR needs a bit of practice or supplementary optional equipment because there is no servo control. The 12 minute limit built into Canon DSLRs isn't much of a problem to us but for long form continuous recording, it is a issue. Canon lenses are expensive and those with a large zoom range are very slow and large. If you want better faster lenses it gets VERY expensive. It is best to rent lenses if you have a big job that needs them because you could easilly spend $10-$20K on lenses alone. We would use this in the future for static or moving on the same plane green screen and product video.

PANASONIC GH1 DSLR

The picture quality was very good. This had a lot of advantages over the Canons. Because the sensor is still large, much larger than 1/3 inch video camera chips but smaller than the Canons, it has excellent picture quality with a more usable depth of field range making it more usable for moving subjects. Because it doesn't have a mirror, you can use the eyecup viewfinder while shooting video. This has a diopter adjustment so for people who need reading glasses it is perfect and while against your forehead provides more stability. It also has an autofocus which though sometimes does some hunting, is usable together with the ability to touch up focus by pressing the shutter 1/2 way plus the ability to also focus manually. There is no time limit on the length of time you can record a clip. You are only limited by the size of the SDHC stick and your battery. I would recommend you have several batteries. The 14-140 lense we used was adequate but very slow (3.5 to 5.6 maximum aperture based on wide angle/telephoto setting). I would say it doesn't compare to the better Canon lenses but the actual shot video footage guality in comparison was better because of the ease of use and the ability to get successful well focused video. Audio here again requires separate equipment because though the onboard mic is decent, it can't compare to a shot gun or wireless setup. What is great is that it gives you control of audio levels easily. Changing color balance was pretty simple with one button, an instant choice of presets and the ability to manually white balance. Because of our experience with this camera we bought the latest version GH2 which we are still trying to learn the features of.

Panasonic HMC 150s

These are regular AVCHD 1/3 inch 3chip HD camcorders and we of course found they are much easier to use on a run and gun shoot than any DSLR. If needed, autofocus is flawless, changing apertures, gain, color balance and all the other pro features we are used to are standard. Actually for well lit static shots and even some poorly lit shots both the GH1 and the Canons provided better image quality. However as indicated, that isn't real life in tradeshow or event video.

SUMMARY

We are easing our way into integrating DSLRs into our work operations because of the outstanding image quality. At present they are not going to take the place of our camcorders for most of our work. As we become more knowlegeable with the GH2 we hope to integrate it more and more.

This article is by Richard DePaso, the president of Aardvark Video, a video production company located in Las Vegas. Richard has been in business since 1987 first in NY and for over 10 years in Las Vegas. Clients have included companies large and small from Mobil Oil, IBM, Verizon, QVC, NY State, the State of Nevada, Samsung and hundreds of others. He is also the President of the Las Vegas Videographer's Association and can be reached at http://www.aardvarkvideo.tv/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Depaso

View the original article here

Fashion Photography, Some History

Magazines such as Allure, Vogue and Vanity Fair are known to display some of the best fashion photography that you will ever come across. Photography is a way of showcasing models wearing the trends in clothes, jewelry, sunglasses, hairstyles, necklaces, shoes and other items. The first known record of fashion photography was the portfolio of the Countess de Castiglione, Virginia Oldoini in 1856. The world's first fashion photographer was Adolphe Braun, as he was the one responsible for shooting the first fashion model. Spark and color were added to fashion magazines once halftone printing was introduced to the fashion photography industry. The first magazines to make use of fashion photography were the French magazines Les Mode and La Mode Practique.

At first, fashion photography consisted of staging the shoots in natural environments using natural poses. Baron Adolf de Meyer was the person who first developed and adopted this practice. In the first part of the 20the century, the magazines that were the leaders were Harper's Bazaar and Vogue. The moguls of the industry still pay tribute to the likes of Yva, Edward Steichen and Cecil Beaton, and George Hoyningen Huene. These were the individuals who help to establish fashion photography in Europe. Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and Martin Munkacsi made significant contributions after World War II.

A majority of the artists of earlier times deserted their adopted forms, and took on a more independent and natural style. 1936 was the year that models were first photographed at the beach in different poses, by Martin Munkacsi. After World War II, fashion photography became quite popular among young men who loved to hold a camera in their hands, and among young women who had the ideal body type of a fashion model. Today, fashion photography has evolved into a life of its own. Models and photographers are now seen as international celebrities, and enjoy the lifestyle of the rich and glamorous. But make no mistake this it is no easier for the photographer then it is the models, only a small percentage of those trying to make it actually succeed.

Fashion can be showcased in various avenues. Some of these well appreciated and well paid avenues include celebrity portraiture, art photography and fashion advertising. Fashion moguls such as agent Gloria Cappelletti and photo editor Clio McNicholl both agree that the fashion photography industry is quickly evolving.

For anyone wanting to become a fashion photographer it is important to keep up on trends and aesthetics of the industry. Study the images in the top fashion publications and try to understand the images and what attracts editors to them. Its interesting to look back at some of the really great photographers from a few decades ago. Interesting that some of the fashion photographers appear to have disappeared. The ones still shooting are the ones that accept change and reinvent their style all the time, fashion photography can become dated almost as quickly as the fashions they showcase.

As a professional photographer, apart from your camera, the most important tool that you can own is your portfolio. Your portfolio is actually your gateway to the industry. There are certain guidelines that you must follow when submitting your portfolio to a fashion editor. Once you are able to follow these guidelines correctly, you will on your way to becoming one of the world's renowned fashion photographers.

View the original article here

Great Features of A DSLR Camera

Digital single-lens reflex, or DSLR cameras are becoming increasingly popular today. Not so long ago, this product was only popular among professional photographers. Now, more and more people use this camera to capture the special moments in their lives.

There are some reasons why DSLR cameras have become more popular than before. First, camera manufacturers have started to produce more user-friendly DSLR cameras. To operate these user-friendly cameras, there is no need to follow complicated technical instructions. The manufacturers have provided some easy-to-use tools to help you take pictures easily. Second, DSRL cameras are becoming more affordable than before. They used to be a luxury item, but now everyone can buy one.

Compared to the point-and-shoot digital cameras, this type of camera offers more features. DSLR cameras allow you to shoot pictures in more creative ways with better results. Here are some key features of the DSLR camera.

1. Better image quality

The DSLR larger image sensor which enables you to obtain larger pixel size. When capturing images with a DSLR, it is also possible to use faster shutter speed to reduce image noise.

2. Flexibility

You can use interchangeable lenses to suit every condition and situation. Camera lenses range from 16 mm-40 mm but the 50mm lens is the common focal length. With a broad range of lens choices, it is possible for you to take more detailed pictures.

3. Manual controls.

This camera gives you more setting options. You can have your own settings and get images exactly the way what you want.

4. Depth-of-field.

It offers larger depth-of-field; this is a feature that you can use to create different image styles. It gives you the ability to take pictures of an object with a blurry background.

5. Value.

The DSLR maintains its value longer than a point-and-shoot digital camera, because DSLR cameras are not updated frequently. On the other hand, point-and-shoot digital cameras may go out of date in a short period of time. This is because the manufacturers make upgrades once a year or even more often.

Those are some great features of a DSLR camera. It is true that this camera comes with more features but it is not for everyone. Before buying this product, it would be better to know your photography needs. If you are pursuing to become a professional photographer, then you may need DSLR camera to support your goal. For more casual photographers, a point-and-shoot camera should be sufficient for your daily photography needs.

View the original article here

Five Steps to Becoming a Better Photographer

1. P is not for professional. So you pick up your camera, switch the mode dial to P, or if you are really getting fancy perhaps even shutter speed or aperture priority. But how do you go shooting in manual mode? Are you on top of all the decisions you are faced with? Leaving your camera on manual for a while may feel awkward at first but after a short period you will gain a much better understanding of aperture, shutter speed and ISO and how the three correlate to determine exposure. After you are comfortable shooting in manual there will be situations in which you still shoot aperture or shutter priority however you will be better informed to select the right mode for the situation and to evaluate the decisions you are putting into your cameras hands.

2. The lower your ISO the cleaner your images. Digital photographs contain artifacts known as "Noise". The higher you set your ISO the more noise your images will exhibit. Thus always use the lowest ISO you can, just don't forget to be mindful of your aperture and shutter speed and make sure they are correct for the situation at hand.

3. Understand shutter speeds and how to use them to your benefit. The general rule for hand held photography in order to maintain sharp images free of camera shake is that you should use a shutter speed no slower that 1/focal length. Fop example lets say you are shooting with a 50mm lens, the slowest shutter speed recommended for sharp hand help photos would be 1/50th sec, if you were to use a 250mm lens the slowest recommended hand held shutter speed would be 1/250th sec. There are of course exceptions to this rule, you may be able to get away with slower shutter speeds if using a flash. Another option is to use a tripod which is a great idea in general as it leads to more purposeful and thought out images.

4. Make the most of depth of field. If you don't already understand aperture and it's effect on depth of field do some research and learn it. Used creatively and with purpose DOF can transform average photos into great photos. Try shooting some portraits with a shallow DOF in order to render the focus on the subject and remove the distraction of messy backgrounds. An easy way to remember it is that the smaller the f stop (e.g. f 1.8) the smaller the DOF, the larger the f stop (e.g. f16) the larger the DOF.

5. Understand fill flash and when and how to use it. On camera flash can look flat and unflattering however used as fill with the flash power set to approx 1 stop under ambient you will be able to open up the shadows and obtain portraits under full harsh sunlight whilst avoiding the heavy shadows in the eyes. This will lead to more professional looking portraits with greater detail and more flattering light.

By understanding a few simple principles and techniques you can push your photography forward in leaps and bounds. Now get shooting!

View the original article here

Photography Community Study

This article is a case study of the popular photo.net photography community. Communities are created to help inform and gather knowledge for a specific purpose such as a hobby or profession. Many photographers will land on this community when they are hobbiest and will turn their hobby into a business by following the articles and forums provided by the community. The community also seems like a great way to promote small photography business and create new contacts.

(a) Their mission statement
Photo.net's mission statement is "To serve busy readers who want clear answers to questions." This is very well accomplished with many articles about photography and equipment.

(b) Tagline
Their tagline is "For photographers to help each other become better." This accentuates the fact that photo.net has been built into a very strong community where the photographers help other photographers.

(c) Back story
Photo.net started out in 1993 as Philip Greenspun's home page at MIT. They have now expanded to over 100,000 photographers to work with each other to help them become better. This gives a great example how photo.net has grown into a large community and it communicates its values clearly.

(d) Storytelling
Photo.net started off as a hobby/personal site where the author indicates his views, shows his photos, and where he wants the website to go. Now that it is a much larger website it showcases many different photographers work and showcases some of the best talent in the world.

(e)Brand personality
The photo.net is a visually appealing site with thumbnails to photos all throughout the website. On the index page of the site you are automatically introduced to some of the top photos that are on the website. It is a very nicely laid out site and you can find exactly what you are looking for in seconds. It follows all of the same colour schemes through out and is a very consistent looking website. All of the tools available are all presented on the top. It is all staffed and managed by top photographers that moderate and choose topics wisely (for example photo of the week).

Photo dot net has now turned into a community that has a pay service where you can have unlimited images in your portfolio, access to surveys and contests as well as access to their forums that help many photographers increase their photography skills.

View the original article here

Top 5 Tips for a Successful Bikini Photo Shoot - Part 1

Now that summer time is approaching, a number of models would want to have a least a couple of bikini shoots in their portfolio. This is a must, especially if you are interested to model in sectors promoting party clothes, swimwear and lingerie items. In short, bikini shoots tell so much about a girl's body. This is the time for a model to strum her stuff and show what she is really made of!

The following tips should be helpful both for photographers and models in doing a successful bikini photo shoot:

Tip 1

Planning ahead the location of the shoot is crucial. It must be taken in consideration the amount of privacy available both for a relaxing shoot, as well for the model to change clothes (public toilets can be very helpful). Take note on which days/time the beach/coast is least frequented. Children, pets and people swimming in the background would add unwanted 'noise' to your photos.

Tip 2

It is of utmost importance that you plan you posing sequence for your session. I am referring to those instances when the model is directed to lie down on the sand or sit on a rocky area. Sometimes it is time wasting or almost impossible to remove efficiently the sand that persistently clings to the model's body. Likewise, if the model is to enter in the water, take in consideration wet hair and clothing attires. I suggest that these shoots are left for the last part of the session.

Tip 3

Demand that the model wears loose clothes 2 hours prior the session. This way any marks on the model's skin, such as left by belts, bra straps and fitted clothes are avoided. Keep in mind that time is money for both of you and waiting for unsightly marks to fade away is a waste of time. Planning these things would reduce the amount of work that you as a photographer have to spend editing the photos later on behind the computer screen. Eventually the model would save money too.

Tip 4

If the model is interested to get a perfect tan for the day, make sure that is planned beforehand. I regularly suggest models to choose their sunbathing costume with care in order to avoid awkward tan marks as a result. Strapless bra tops and low rise thongs are ideal. That way when wearing your bikini attires for the shoot your tan would be even all over the whole body.

Tip 5

Swimwear that contains excessive reflective accessories such as golden/silver chains, bangles or buttons ideally should not be used for photo shoots. These produce unattractive hot spots when reflecting sunlight. It also makes it tricky for us photographers to control the amount of light entering through the lens. Girls keep your bikini simple!

I am confident, that if you follow these basic guide lines, you are on the right path to be a better model. If you are a photographer, knowing the basics can relief a lot of the stress related to photo shoot models.

View the original article here