Various Advantages of Green Screen Studio

By Angel Wood Angel Wood
Level: Platinum

I am expertise into product marketing and having many years experience in web promotion. I am writing on various technologies and e-commerce websites.

Green screen technology or Chroma Key is a technique which helps in compositing pictures or various frames into one in which the color of one object is hidden so that the color of another object gets enhanced. So the object in front made transparent in order to make the object behind, visible. This process is popularly recognized as the color separation overlay. Although blue color is used for this technique, but it is the green color which is mostly preferred since it is sensitive to camera sensors. In pictures and videos the Chroma key technology is used to give certain effects, and this is made possible with the help of various green screen kit objects such as backdrop, lights and body suit.

A green backdrop is used if the subject has to be removed from the picture, and for this the subject is made to wear green colored clothes. The matching color of the subject's dress and the backdrop helps in hiding the subject by replacing an object in its place with the help of a green screen video editor. Green color is farthest from human skin tone, which is why the color is used extensively. The green channel has least noise and is capable in producing the cleanest mask possible. With green color used in the background, you will not have to arrange for extra lighting due to its high sensitivity to camera sensors. The green screen is most commonly used since it is different from the human skin, which makes it possible for an exceptional technique so that the subject can be separated and replaced with another object. The most essential part comes when the foreground has to be separated from the background.

When the subject is made to wear a green body suit that matches the backdrop, the subject can be made invisible with a green screen video editing software. A lot of times photographers have various creative concepts in their minds, but due to a strained budget, they are unable to realize their ideas. A green screen studio is easily affordable, which offers the freedom of manipulating a picture the way a photographer wants. For instance, by placing green backdrop a picture can be clicked and later a picture of wild safari can be replaced for the backdrop. This will add life to an otherwise dull and boring photograph. Similarly, various other effects can as well be used to enhance an image or a video drastically.

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Article Submitted On: May 25, 2011

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Top 5 Tips For Using an SLR Digital Camera

Stepping up from your classic point-and-shoot to a more advanced DSLR is an exciting time for any photographer. But like anything, new features mean nothing if you don't know how to utilize them. Here's five tips that should help you get the most out of your camera.

1. Using Aperture

Basically aperture controls how much of the picture in your viewfinder will be in focus. A high aperture means everything will be in focus, and this is usually used for landscape pictures. If you want to highlight something in particular, go with a lower aperture. This is ensure that the foreground will be in focus, while the background remains fuzzy. No matter your camera, there's probably a manual setting that has the options P,S,A, and M. The A option controls the aperture, and this is probably the most useful override for the average user.

2. Landscape Composition

Whenever shooting landscapes, there's a simple tip that will give your photos a more dramatic look and add depth. It's the rule of thirds. Break your photo up into 3 parts in your mind. Either 1/3 or 2/3 of the picture should make up the sky or the foreground, depending on where you want the focus of your shot. Most beginners put the horizon at exactly 1/2 of the photo, which doesn't have as much effect.

3. Shooting Extra-Sharp Images

This one's pretty basic. The key to shooting really sharp pictures is keeping your camera steady. Although most cameras these days have built in stabilizers, the majority of pictures still have a slight blur to them. The only way to truly avoid this is by using a tripod. Although not practical in all situations, this is the only true way to avoid blur.

4. Using ISO

The ISO setting on your camera determine the film speed. Basically what this means is that the higher you set the ISO, the more light is let into the camera. So when shooting in dark situations, the ISO can be increased to capture more light. Unfortunately while it lets in more light, it also increase the noise in your pictures. As a rule, keep the ISO as low as possible and only increase it slightly in dark situations.

5. Always Try To Shoot In Soft Light

Despite what you may think, the best time to shoot pictures is NOT in full daylight. This actually causes overexposure washes out details, and can create unwanted shadows. The best time to shoot is actually at dusk or dawn. If you have to shoot during the day, make sure you do it from the side, not with the sun directly behind or in front of you.

Follow these basic rules, and you'll start to see a great improvement in the quality of your pictures. Your SLR Digital Camera is a fantastic machine with great capabilities. The key is to experiment with it and make sure you're not under-utilizing it. If you're still looking for one, my favorite is the new Rebel T3i from Canon. You can read more about my review for this camera on my main page.

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Marketing Yourself As a Bikini and Fitness Model and Getting Paying Jobs

Entering into the profession of modeling can be the most difficult part about the business. There are two ways to enter into the industry, and that's "being discovered" and "seeking discovery". A common misconception is that all it takes to become a successful model is a pretty face and good body, and BAM, you're destined and on the road to becoming a famous model. It does not happen over night, it takes work and preparation to break into the profession.

There have been many success stories, when a woman was walking through the mall, or on the street, and an agent came swooping down and said, "You've got what it takes! I'm going to make you a star". Although this does happen, it's not as common as you think, 9 times out of 10 YOU have to go searching for them. There is a way to increase your chances of being discovered, and it's called model haunting. Yes, it's just how it sounds; you "haunt" the models.

Although modeling is a multi-billion dollar industry, their communities are small. In every large city, there's a place where they all congregate and relax. Most of these places are restaurants, clubs, and cafes, which are sometimes owned by models. The "who's who" in the industry frequents these establishments. If you go to these spots, you have to think of it as work. You're there to sell yourself! Where there are models, there are scouts and agents, photographers, and even clients. This enables you to network and make connections with agents, photographers and fellow models. By going where the models go, this heightens your chances of being discovered. Model haunting is sometimes very successful, but it is not guaranteed to get you discovered, let alone shoot you to superstardom.

In order to market yourself, you need a portfolio. This shows your work, what you are able to do, and gives the agents and clients an idea of what you are capable of. A portfolio is not necessary to getting discovered or seeking discovery, but it is definitely helpful. It let's the agents know that you are not "fresh off the boat" and need a dramatic amount of training. Modeling agencies are located all over, and most of them have a time designated for walk-ins, this is perfect for starting your leg work. Make sure you research the agencies before you go to their office, there are a lot of agencies claiming to bring you fame and fortune and either do not deliver, or they are not legitimate modeling agencies.

When contacting agencies, attending walk-ins, and going to their main offices, you should know the warning signs of a false agency, or an inadequate one. It is true that you must first spend money to make money, but if an agency is requesting money upfront, that is a major red flag. If they are confident that you can succeed as a model and bring in revenue, they will either put up the money for your training and photographs, or they will front you it. All agencies will work off of a commission, this thought may seem scary, but you must remind yourself that if they don't get you jobs, they don't get paid either. You should also research different modeling agencies closest to you to give yourself a scale of what the commission percentages are, to help give you an idea. So if an agency gives you a number for their commission that sounds ridiculously high, based on your research, another red flag should be raising in your mind.

There are also many scouting events that take place all over the country you can go to if you wish. These scouting companies do cost money, ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand. Once again, there are many scout scams and false companies that don't deliver what they promise. Do your research on any scouting event you wish to attend, check with the Better Business Bureau and see if they are a legitimate company. The Better Business Bureau will let you know how long the company has been around, and all, if any, complaints lodged against that company. There will also be a rating for these companies, much like the grading system you would find in a school. If they have a high rating with the BBB, they are a legitimate company and most definitely NOT a scam. Beware of viewing blogs and discussion boards about the scouting event you wish to attend. A lot of times, people who are claiming that the scouting company is a scam, most likely weren't recruited. These people have been scorned and are vengeful, keep an open mind, and do your own researches before you come to a decision. It has to be a decision YOU have made, not that others have made for you.

Another event that you can attend that will help you break into the industry, are competitions and seminars. These also can be held all across the country, and much like the scouting event, it will cost money to attend. Competitions have judges and spectators, most of the prizes and modeling opportunities are afforded to the winners and runner ups. There is a chance you can get an opportunity if you are not one of the winners, but this is rare. Seminars are informational, but they have many models, agencies, and clients who will speak at these seminars to help give you an idea about the business and what to expect in the industry. They will speak of the fun, fame and fortune that can occur, and the dark, downside of the industry and breaking in. These seminars will hold a plethora of information and tips to making it, and you can also network and meet with these agents, models, and clients.

In the modeling industry, there are two forms of payment; voucher and collection. A voucher is an issuance of a check to the model before the client officially pays the agency. Agencies normally won't participate in this option, but it does happen. The bigger agencies that bring in a great amount of revenue are able to opt for the voucher payment, while smaller agencies are not able to make the financial risk. A collection is after the agency has been paid by the client, then a check will be issued to the model through their agency. Collection is a more common way of getting paid as a model.

One thing you must remember when you go to all these agencies, scouting events, modeling competitions, and seminars, they are not required to recruit you! You must prove to them and most importantly to yourself, that you DESERVE it. You have to prepare, do research, and put in the leg work to get the results you want. You must learn to collect "No"s. Every no you receive gives you more experience and will help to keep you grounded and level headed. Every "No" you receive brings you one step closer to that "Yes" you have been fighting and striving for.

Brian Cannone went into promoting fitness with enthusiasm and a very genuine love for the sport. His approach and feelings about bodybuilding are that it is not only a sport but more of a way to motivate yourself and others to achieve results of loosing body-fat and gaining lean muscle along with improving overall health. By competing in natural bodybuilding you push yourself to be in your best possible shape of your life. In fact, he believes that it is more about the results you gain then the trophy you may take home with you. With fitness results in mind Brian trained nearly every competitor that competed in the Milford County and Mr. and Ms. Connecticut events, most of these new bodybuilders then competed for their first time and they were overwhelmed with their accomplishments. This is a sport that the contestants can't loose for it is their physique that is the trophy and the process of getting into great shape that is the reward. Visit his website at: http://www.fitnessatlantic.com/

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Choosing A Wedding Photographer, A Very Important Decision

When thinking about hiring professional help to capture photos for your wedding, there are a few things that you should keep in mind as you consider choosing a wedding photographer. Just a few simple ideas will help to ensure that your precious photos will last a lifetime.

First of all, do not be afraid to ask a lot of questions. You should contact several professional photographers and ask about their rates, but also ask them why you should allow them to help you with a wedding. Remember to take notes on any topics that seem to be important to them, like film or camera quality, years of experience, and number of weddings photographed. Use these topics as questions when you talk to the next prospective photographer.

Don't forget to ask for references. It is true that they will likely only give you references from people that have had a very positive experience with them; however it can be useful to contact these references. Ask what they experienced and what they might do differently if they had to do it over again. Also, the internet has many sites that give reviews for local businesses so you might be able to find some non-solicited feedback from customers that have good and less-than-favorable reviews.

Don't be afraid to spend a little money! Memories of this wedding will last you a lifetime and you should be confident that your photographs will not only last too, but will be professional shots taken at the right time, right angle, and with the right equipment. Practically anyone with a digital camera can call themselves a photographer these days, but you want to make sure you do actually hire a professional photographer that has the right equipment and experience, and this will cost a little more to ensure professional service.

Remember that hiring help for a wedding is different than many other professional that we are used to soliciting. This is not necessarily going to be someone that you start a long contract with or expect to have a recurring relationship with. In this case you really want to make sure that the person's integrity, history, and experience is up for the task. Most of all, this is why it is so important to do ample research in talking to prospective photographers, talking to references, etc.

It is also useful to remember that most photographers will have their own, sometimes strong opinions on what is the right and wrong way to photograph an event. You should be able to comfortably talk to this person about their option on lighting, timing, and maybe some event sequencing.

You do not need a photographer that is going to express his or her opinions on table arrangements or seating assignments as this would be quite inappropriate. Make sure that you speak to your prospective photographers and try to get a feel for how opinionated they may be about the job you need them to do as well as the parts of the event you do not need their help with. The last thing you need is to argue for control of the wedding with the photographer!

Remember that weddings are joyous times and that the photos you record will be treasured by many people for many years to come. When choosing a wedding photographer, just remember to take plenty of time, do your homework and spend a few extra dollars to hire the right help. The piece of mind you get when you have hired the right help will make the event all the more enjoyable for everyone involved.

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Choosing a Wedding Photographer - 4 Ways to Select the Right Camera Person

The day we get married is often the most important point in our lives. It's a time to celebrate a new union with our family and friends present. We've worked long and hard to prepare for this event, wanting it to be perfect in every possible way. It should be captured as such.

One of the most important preparations for wedding planning is to select the right photographer. The pictures and videos from this day need to reflect what the ceremony and reception were all about. You will look back on these with fond memories, with each image invoking a different emotion.

Choosing the professional responsible for taking pictures can be a process that is sometimes challenging or nerve wracking. This person is going to follow you and your soon-to-be spouse, like a shadow with a camera. You need to know they're going to get the job done. Here are four steps to select the right wedding photographer:

1. Prepare a budget
You don't want to bite off more than you can chew, and photographers can be expensive. Figure how much you can or want to spend on wedding pictures. Weddings are costly enough, even without a photographer.

2. Talk to several
Call around to locals in your area and see how much they will charge for the day. Many charge by the hour, so ask about their hourly rates. See if they're available that day, inquiring plenty of months ahead. The more you call, the better you can narrow down the list to the final choice.

3. Prune your possibilities to three or four and meet with them
Ask to schedule a consultation to see what can be done with your special day. During this meeting, inquire about their portfolio and ask for references so you can see what they've done with other weddings. See what kind of wedding packages they offer, and whether any fit within your budget.

4. Make sure to have all the details in writing
You should know what you want and what to expect from your camera person. If they give you an estimate, ask for it in writing, with it a list of everything encompassed by the cost.

The last thing any of us needs on our wedding day is an incapable or unprofessional photographer. You need to be sure that whoever is your final choice will be there on time and will do everything they promised. The day is stressful enough without having to worry about these details.

For additional information on the topic of wedding photography, a great website to visit is http://www.jillyansawyerphotography.com/.

Thom Casey independently author's articles for WebDrafter.com, Inc. ( http://www.webdrafter.com/ ) for SEM clients. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those solely of the author, and not of any other person, company, or organization. No guarantee or warranty, express or implied, is made regarding the accuracy, fitness, or use of the content herein.

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Edit Pictures Online For Free

If you are keen amateur photographer you probably like to edit your photographs using one of the many photo editing software offerings that are on the market. The top end photo editing software choices such as Photoshop demand a not insubstantial financial investment. Whilst Adobe Photoshop is expensive, it is aimed at image professionals - either photographers or graphic designers. There is no knocking Photoshop, it is a powerful and comprehensive editing tool that in my opinion trounces the competition and is probably therefore worth the money.

However, many of the top end features in Photoshop are just not necessary unless you are working in the professional arena. The next raft of software options include the cut down version of Photoshop - Photoshop Elements, Serif's Photoplus and Corel's Paintshop Pro to name a few. These offer many of the features found in Photoshop at a fraction of the price and are ideal for those on a budget who just don't need the professional high end tools that Photoshop offers. These tools are however squeezed by the ever growing number of photo editing tools that are plain and simply free. There are two types of software, both available on-line, which quite simply will not cost you a penny. The first type is a downloadable program such as GIMP. GIMP is an open source program and is continually under development - it offers almost all of the core features that you are likely to find in the cheaper paid for products.

The second type of free software, is one that you don't even need to download. A very good example of the this is Pixlr. You use this tool though your browser and don't need to download a thing. Again, many of the useful core tools that you are likely to want to use such as colour adjustments, contrast adjustments, levels and curves are there. Pixlr also supports layers and layer masks which is a must for landscape photographers - allowing them to blend different exposures of the same image. Pixlr is by no means the only free on-line editing software available - others include Picnik which is the integrated software editing tool in Flickr, Lunapic and Fotoflexer.

These tools really do beg the question whether you need to spend money on photo editing software at all. With cloud technology increasingly coming to the fore in the business world with online business tools from the likes of Google, it is no surprise the amateur/hobby market is mirroring this pattern.

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How to Create a Successful Photography Business - The 7 Steps to Success

Photographers have asked me for years for the magic formula for success in the photography business. I used to say there was no formula but I have now decided I was wrong. When I look closely at the steps taken by photographers who have achieved successes, I see different variations of the same process; I call this process The 7 Steps to Success.

First of all, let me be clear, the successful photographers I am talking about are not the Annie Leibovitz's, of the world. I am talking about photographers you may never hear of, or read about in PDN. They may sit next to you at an APA and ASMP meetings. You might have seen their post on a photoeditor.com but most likely you'll never even know they exist.

However, they are successful, as each one at different times in their career has reached their creative and financial goals. They have achieved their success, by employing not one or two steps but all 7 steps to success and by putting all of the essential parts needed into place. That's the key.

Here are the 7 Steps:

Step 1- A talent based body of work ready to sell, (this means a defined visual approach around a specific subject with enough samples to build trust with potential clients.)

Step 2- A deep database of appropriate contacts (and a smaller more researched group of contacts for in person visits)

Step 3- Several different marketing/sales channels (at least 4 or 5 is best)

Step 4- Marketing materials that are visually branded to move the visual message forward

Step 5- Perseverance

Step 6- Faith in your ability

Step 7- Patience...than means allowing for a 2-4 year timeline before seeing consistent results.

Notice that I wrote that those who were successful worked ALL of the steps above not just one or two of them.

Over the years I have met photographers who get one or two steps of the program but don't jump in completely. Maybe they get the vision piece but do very little marketing. Some photographers may now understand that they need to market using different channels but most have not yet embraced the concept of incorporating the other elements of the mix. The biggest mistake that photographers make, is that most never give the program the time it truly takes for their efforts to manifest.

The successful photographer is the person that understands and incorporates all The 7 Steps to Success consistently and congruently and gives their effort time to evolve into a successful business.

? 2010 Selina Maitreya

Would you like more information about how to build a thriving photography business in 2011? Join 7 photography industry experts for the Clarion Call II - The Professional Photography Telesummit. Clarion Calls I & II were created by Selina Maitreya, a 30-year plus photography mentor and portfolio consultant. Selina teaches commercial and professional photographers of all levels how to build a profitable business that will thrive. Clarion Call II is June 10, 2011 Register Today

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Understanding DPI and Resolution

The concepts of DPI and Image Resolution create unnecessary confusion. In this article I will show you how to determine the exact image resolution you require for your print projects. This will give you the knowledge you need to never pay for a larger image size than you require, and thus save you money on your projects.

Is there such a thing as a 300 DPI Image?

Not really. DPI stands for "Dots per Inch" and simply tells you how many dots your printer will print per inch across a page. Digital image resolution on the other hand is measured in pixels. They are two completely different animals.

You need to know the DPI of your printer before you can determine the image resolution you will require for your print projects. DPI varies widely. A very fine 300 or higher DPI is usually used for magazines, brochures, etc. when close up quality is required. A billboard will typically use a coarse DPI, such as 50.

Simple Math

We can use elementary school math to determine the image resolution we need to purchase. All we need to do is multiply the DPI of our printer by the height and width (in inches) of our final print.

Let us consider an example. We are designing a brochure on high quality paper and will require some high quality prints. We have decided on the stock photos we wish to purchase. We just don't yet know how high an image resolution we will require, and we don't want to waste money by purchasing the largest image size available.

We already know that our printer is a 300 DPI printer. We also know that we need a 3 inch by 5 inch image for our brochure's layout. What image resolution do we need to purchase?

That's simple. The resolution we require is:

300 DPI x 3 inches by 300 DPI x 5 inches = 900 x 1500

As long as the image size we purchase is at least 900 pixels by 1500 pixels, we will have a perfect quality print. Purchasing a larger size image will not give us a higher quality picture for our 3x5 layout.

Some Things to Consider

When you are evaluating the image you wish to use in your project, consider if you will be using the entire image, or if you will be cropping it. If you will be cropping the image, then the cropped portion will need to meet the resolution requirements we determined above.

Even if you have no plans to crop the image, paying for a slightly larger image size is often good practice. For instance, instead of purchasing the 900 x 1500 pixel size we might go for 1200 x 1800 pixels. This will allow us to crop the image slightly if we change our minds.

Conclusion

Determining how much image resolution we require is very easy to determine. All we need to know is the DPI of our printer, and the final print size in inches.

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Nature Photography: Walking in the Wilderness for Photographic Reward

It is such an obvious statement that it almost redundant to say it, but if you want to photograph landscapes, wilderness, mountain sunsets and so on, then you are going to have to pack your gear and walk for hours or days, just to get into location -- i.e., composition, exposure settings and camera gear are your second most important task!

The reason I mention this obvious sounding statement is to emphasise that wilderness and landscape pictures do not take themselves. Obviously some beautiful landscapes have become extremely well serviced tourist attractions, and some magnificent scenery can be appreciated in relative comfort, not far from a car park (Cradle Mountain and Dove Lake for example), or with only a minor walk to a lookout (Russell Falls or Wineglass Bay for example). The real reward will come though the minute you make the decision to fill up a backpack, strap on your tripod (yes, it's an extra 2+ kilograms, but you cannot shoot at night without it!), and carry in your gear to somewhere even just a little further than most people go.

A great option is in fact simply doing walks that are described as day walks, as overnight walks. I have found fantastic rewards from Tasmanian walking tracks such as Cape Raoul and Mt Rufus, which are easily done as return day walks if you have a small pack with nothing but your lunch and a sun hat, but infinitely more rewarding if done as an overnight walk.

Planning:

Obviously an overnight stay in the mountains requires a lot more planning than a short stroll or day walk. Your own personal fitness and determination levels will also be tested. If you have the luxury of being very flexible about the dates you are going to walk, then regular visits to weather websites are essential. In this case you can choose your dates to suit weather conditions. Obviously when camping in elevated or exposed locations, a calm night in terms of wind and relatively high minimum temperatures will make your stay more comfortable, but cold weather if the forecast is fine will have its own rewards if the terrain freezes overnight. Also, camping out in snow, rain or deep cloud cover has a new set of risks that only the fairly experienced should undertake. Cloudy conditions although limiting your long view of the landscape, can nevertheless provide beautiful atmosphere to your immediate location.

Of course maps and as much reading of what to expect is essential. It is good to set mental goals in your mind before leaving. Dividing the walk up into stages is a good example of setting mental goals. A 1km vertical climb looks like a mighty task (and it is!) but if you make yourself aware of the physical challenge that awaits, it will serve as a great checklist while you are walking. For example knowing that a long flat section is a reward that awaits after a particularly steep climb will keep you focused on reaching that flat ground!

Essential Items:

Without doubt this will depend on your destination, but there are a few clear must haves:

A good, lightweight tent and down sleeping gear. Clothing will always depend on location and time of year, but it's always better to carry something and not need it than to leave something which could be vitally important in an unforeseen situation at home just to save a few hundred grams in pack weight.

Camera gear: Here you must ask yourself a very important question. Are you serious or not? Tripods are heavy. Lenses are heavy. Filters, spare batteries and the camera bag take up space. Do you bring it all or do you reduce your weight? Ie - are you serious or not? I always carry my tripod (approx 2.5kg), strapped to the outside of my pack. I take 3 lenses (including a wide angle and 100mm macro), as well as ND grads, polarizer, spare battery, memory cards and so on. It is no doubt an extra 5-6 kilograms on top of the fully loaded pack, but I wouldn't want to be in location without any of those items, and so the only solution is to carry it all in. But if your goal is to capture images that stand out from the flood of images that the digital revolution has produced, then very simply, all you've got to do -- is do it!

Luke O'Brien is a professional photographer specializing in nature photos and is based in Hobart in Tasmania, Australia.

Be sure to follow Luke's photographic travels on his landscape photography blog which also features a stunning portfolio of his best work and prints are available for purchase online or from his Hobart photo gallery.

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Photography Techniques for Beginners

Everybody likes to have their journey or travel documented. Especially if you are headed somewhere with different sights and nature, your photographs may be an inspiration to others who have never been there. You do not have to be a professional photographer to take good pictures. In fact, all professionals started as amateurs. Here are some photography tips for beginners.

- Learn about the types of lighting and its effects. Start by familiarizing yourself with the dramatic effects of the morning light, late afternoon and the dazzling romantic evening light. Avoid mid-day light as it tends to be too bright and results in overexposed pictures.

- When taking a close up of an object such as a flower, avoid placing the object on the center of the frame. Instead, place it a little bit to the right or the left of the frame to make it look more interesting. On the other hand, when taking photographs of landscapes, you should give them a feeling of closeness.

- Always bring a tripod where ever you go. This important tool is essential to both amateurs and professionals alike. It is used to help you capture objects at a perfect distance; the right shot at the right time.

- There are some moments in nature or natural occurrences that happen only at certain times. For example, the exodus of butterflies in one area happens only in certain hours in the morning, even in certain season. Find out when these occurrences usually happen and plan your journey well, so you will not miss the opportunity to take the photo of a lifetime.

- Take lots of photographs of the same object. Rather than having one photograph that you find the best, you should take as many as you want. Experiment with exposure settings and angles. Compare the results when you are done. From there you will learn which setting or angle is best for an object.

- Make a note of the exact time and the location where each of your photographs was taken, and also the type of lens used for each photo. It is the small steps you take that will lead into becoming a professional photographer in the end.

- Practice is the key to taking good photographs. You should not limit yourself to only some objects of nature. Sometimes, you need to go outside of your comfort zone and try taking pictures of objects you have never taken before, or experiment with techniques you have never tried before.

- Take a moment to take a closer look at your shots and realize the differences between them, even if they are pictures of the same object. Take a closer look on the details of each photograph, as well as the photograph as a whole. By doing this you will fully understand where improvements need to be made.

- Broaden your horizon. Do not hesitate to ask professionals about their experiences. Take part in amateur programs or exhibitions. Let people admire your way of viewing your surroundings and be an inspiration. After all, photography is all about points of view.

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Shopping For An SLR Camera

So you are thinking about buying an SLR camera but need to be convinced that spending the money to get one is worth it? Well I'm here to help you out and to show you how SLR cameras blow the flash off point and shoot cameras. SLR stands for Single Lens Reflex and is a type of digital camera that allows the user to switch between different lenses depending on their need.

1) Price. Be prepared to spend some money. When you buy an SLR you're getting just the camera body you have to purchase the lens,flash,carrying bag and external hard drive,which you will probably need,separately.Investing in a tripod will also make things easier for you as SLR cameras are heavier than point and shoot cameras. Many manufacturers offer starter kits that come with everything that you need to get you going but even these are going to run you about $500. Yes an SLR camera is an investment but they are worth it if you are serious about taking high-end photos.

2) Flexibility. Having the ability to switch from say a macro lens to a telephoto lens gives you more opportunities to photograph a wider range of subjects in greater detail.

3) Image Quality. Point and shoot cameras are no match for an SLR when it comes to image quality, this is really noticeable at ISO settings of 400 and above.

4) Speed. SLR cameras are built for it and depending on the make,model and lens setup are designed to take anywhere between 3 to 10 photographs per second. They do this by using a shutter and mirror system that work together to rapidly capture light and project it onto an image sensor.

5) No Digital Noise. If you closely examine a picture taken with a point and shoot camera you will see very tiny flecks. This is due to the image sensors being too small,they simply do not have the space to effectively handle say 5 million pixels. This causes them to interface which causes the flecks or digital noise,this problem really rears its ugly head in low light conditions. This is not an issue with an SLR camera due to its mirror/shutter way of capturing images.

6) Raw Mode. This mode is truly WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). Pictures taken in this mode are unprocessed and uncompressed which gives you a much purer image. It also allows you a wide range of editing possibilities however to edit photos in raw mode you will need some additional software. My personal favorite is Lightroom by Adobe but there are others such as Paint Shop from Corel and Pro4 by ACDsee. The prices vary depending on the features so I would suggest checking on Amazon or eBay to find the best deal.

7) Instant On. With an SLR camera once you turn it on it's ON! and ready for action,unlike point and shoot cameras where there is a certain amount of lag time from when you turn it on to when it's ready to take a picture. Instant-On is perfect when you forget to turn your camera on and that perfect shot is quickly fading away.

8) Flashes. That dinky little flash that you see sitting on top of a point and shoot camera is NO match for a powerful flash gun! Many SLR cameras come equipped with a hot shoe or sync socket that allows you to attach a flash gun. A flash gun gives you more lighting options such as being able to bounce light off ceilings and walls,which diffuses the flash and eliminates red-eye.

The superiority of an SLR cameras is something that a serious photographer can appreciate yes they are expensive but that expense will be offset by the money you will save on having to buy film and having it processed,if you don't have a darkroom,and who knows once you get good you might even be able to sell some of those photos to a news agency or a magazine! Below is a few suggestions for some really good beginner SLR cameras and the links where you can learn more about them.

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Common Photography Terms Explained

Photography as an art is filled with terms the less informed cannot understand. So when you buy a digital camera, it is common for you to be overwhelmed with the many things you need to know about it. As tiny and easy to use it may seem it sure does pack in quite a few features. But you don't need to worry, because these features once understood, can be quite easy to work with. Here we inform you about the most common terms you may hear or read, and what they mean.

Aperture: This is a small, circular opening in the camera lens, which controls how much light enters the camera, to the sensor. So, if you were to say that the aperture is large, that means that the lens is allowing more light to enter. The aperture is usually calibrated in f-numbers, which is inversely proportional to it, meaning if the f-number is large, the aperture is small and vice-versa.

Shutter-speed: This refers to how fast the shutter of the camera opens and closes, when a picture is taken. Say, for instance, the shutter speed is 1/250 or 250 in simpler terms; that means that the shutter was open for 1/250th of a second. Like the aperture, the shutter speed also deals with the amount of light that enters the camera.

ISO speed: In digital photography, this refers to the sensitivity of the camera's imaging sensor. It gives an idea of how fast the sensor responds to the light that it receives.

Exposure: As you may have guessed, this deals with the amount of light that is allowed to enter the camera to fall on the sensor.

Megapixel: A pixel is a building block for a digital photo. Just like an atom is to us, a pixel is the smallest element of a photograph, combining million times over to create a photograph. A megapixel is equal to one million of such pixels.

Image Resolution: This is a common term depicting the amount of pixels in a digital photograph.

Depth of Field: A lens can usually focus on only one object or area at a time. In this case, the focused part is sharp and clear, and the rest of the photograph may appear blurred, depending on the composition. The distance up to which the lens can focus clearly corresponds to the depth of field. It usually increases by decreasing the aperture.

Autofocus: This feature, prevalent in most cameras, allows it to automatically focus on objects in a photograph. The camera is given the decision of choosing the object it wants to have clearer than the rest in the composition.

Saturation: This term is used to describe how rich the colours are in a photograph.

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The Power of Fashion Photography

In 1856 Adolphe Braun published photographs of Countess di Castiglione, an Italian courtesan known to be a mistress of Emperor Napoleon III. The Countess commissioned photographs of herself in various signature poses, often fully garbed in court attire. The photographs are widely viewed as the first examples of fashion photography with Countess di Castiglione as the first fashion model. At this point in history photography was emerging as an exciting new way to document events. More creative minds saw the artistic potential.

The Countess saw an opportunity to feed her narcissistic needs by showing, sharing and loving her apparent rare beauty. She used her feminine instinct for flattering dress and sensual movements as a tool in creating groundbreaking images for Adolphe Braun (and others) to photograph. The rush of adrenaline the Countess must have felt upon viewing the photos must have been intoxicating, as she spent her entire personal fortune on the pursuit of re-creating moments in her life.

The story of the Countess di Castiglione is very indicative of the power of photography and its effects on the subject to be photographed. Narcissistic or not, it is quite an experience to see oneself from a different point of view and in a flattering manner. Our self-esteem is heightened, our ego becomes even slightly inflated and perhaps we find ourselves walking a little taller. Let us turn to the photographer. The person behind the camera is as necessary as the subject. He or she knows how to manipulate the subject, either physically or emotionally in order to achieve that one single moment of perfection and capture it on film.

Even with technology, there is a great amount of skill involved. Beyond lighting, location and coloring, there are the rare and hidden skills of making your subjects feel at ease, bringing out the best in them and finding their inner spark. Then to be able to bring it all together in a breathtaking series of photographs is truly an art. Like any artist, there is an intensely powerful appreciation for one's work. He or she has taken a person, some clothing and a setting, and transformed it into an image that speaks a thousand words in a thousand different languages to millions of people - without making a sound. That is a powerful talent.

Now let us look at the influence of fashion photography on the world. In 1856, the photos of Countess di Castiglione created a sensation because they were risqu? for the era and they presented a look into court life that most people would never see. It is likely that some women of means began to imitate the fashion and manner of the Countess after seeing the photos - much like today. However it wasn't until the early 1900's that technology allowed fashion photographs to be widely published in magazines. At first they were published as a means of selling clothing, and presented the items as one dimensional objects.

In 1911 a photographer by the name of Edward Steichen was dared by a magazine publisher to attempt promoting fashion as an art. Steichen took up the challenge and created a collection of shots that presented the garments in a manner that gave the viewer a feeling for their quality and construction. Models posed in natural environments and relaxed poses. The impact of this new art form was widespread. European, British and American fashion photographers began using this new artsy form of photographing clothing - much to the delight of garment manufacturers. As World Wars came and went, styles changed, materials and fabrics became scarce, but photography as it was applied to fashion became more creative. Political interests began to enter fashion photography as a way to reach to different age groups and spread propaganda.

Today, fashion photography is not only a platform for sales and political agendas, it is also for empowering gender groups. Children and teens who view fashion as their way to express themselves take example from fashion photography. The photos on a billboard or in a magazine are a part of the norms and ideals these young minds build. Plus, because acceptance of their inner selves is as much a part of life as reading and writing, the images they see need to help foster that acceptance. Therefore fashion photography has an incredible responsibility not only to industry, but to generational ideals.

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Top 5 Props for Creative Photo Shoots

In order to produce original work and inspire your model to strike more creative poses, a couple of basic props can come very handy. Carefully selected props, apart adding movement and colour, will help an uneasy model if she is still somehow awkward with the hands and posing. I am pointing out five props that in my opinion every photographer should have around in a studio or with him on location.

Prop 1

A brilliant white 'bathroom type' towel is a light, easy to carry around prop. The 'semi nude' effects that can be created using a simple towel are amazing. By having your model wearing a boob tube or a strapless top and shorts or a short skirt, you can play around and be creative as much as you want. The model would feel comfortable with this set up and the end results would be fantastic.

Prop 2

Through your photographs you should always try to tell a story. An easy and straight forward way would be to see what the model is passionate about. She might play an instrument, practice a particular sport or be an animal lover. You can suggest your model to bring with her items related to her hobbies, such as, her instrument, a football, a golf club, a tennis rack or even her pet. The model can indulge in various poses related to her passion, and in so doing, making the photos more interactive and expressive.

Prop 3

If somebody asks me, what it would be my number one clothing accessory, I do say a hat. A hat can be used in various ways. If used the proper way it adds charm instantly to the model. On sunny days, it would diffuse light falling on the face nicely, thus bring out better skin tones. Same as with the towel, it can be used intelligently against a model's chest, buttocks and other private parts. Like sun glasses, a hat can be used intentionally to hide the model's identity. This can be very helpful for models, which are still new in lingerie photo shoots and would prefer to be discreet.

Prop 4

In order to expand one's posing repertory a stool or a chair would do the trick. Through my experience I have learned that models do find these props very inspiring. Most of the models barely need directions to pose when using a stool or a chair; apart the few touch ups such as, how far to arch their back, lean forward or extend their arms. If you are doing an outdoor photo shoot I would also suggest having a hammock available in case the location permits this kind of setup.

Prop 5

Last but not least, keep some small water bottles always handy. Apart the obvious use of having water around, you can create many playful shoots with water bottles. This can be very effective if you are shootings two models. Drinking, splashing, squirting water can add movement, character and fun in your photos. Who said that models should always be gloomy and pensive!

As you go on from one photo shoot to another you would want to add more props to your photographic items. Always try to get some feed back from your models, as their insight can assist you in introducing more effective props to work with. Props should be part and parcel of your everyday photo shoots, in a way to spice and improve your photographic experience.

If you have found the above write up interesting I invite you to have a look here http://michaelabela.weebly.com for more insights and tips particularly in posing a model and being a successful photographer.

Author: Michael Abela

I have been fascinated by the human body since the tender age of 7, always with a pencil in hand sketching figures and models. Photography for me is a way through which I aspire to capture the beauty, emotions and passion transmitted through the human body.

Source: http://michaelabela.weebly.com/

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Commercial Photography

A popular and common commercial photography assignment undertaken by professional photographers is wedding photography. Generally, this involves covering not just the wedding day events but other important rituals and functions preceding the wedding day.

In the pre-digital days, it was a daunting task to undertake a photography assignment. The limitations of film camera equipment, heavy lenses and the fact that there was no room for error, led only the professional photographers doing most of the jobs. With advent of digital photography, the dynamics of the entire commercial photography underwent a paradigm shift.

The entire lineage of old studios with dark rooms, chemicals and staff were replaced with the digital darkroom editing software like Adobe Photo Shop, Apple Aperture etc. While these two remain the most popular editing software, there are plethora of free editing software available that many of the amateurs prefer to use due to the daunting costs of commercial editing software and flexibility to experiment as well as learn with minimum / least cost.

A commercial photographer today is equipped with: digital camera typically above 18 Mega Pixels, a dedicated external strobe flash, light weight tripod, memory cards and sometime external flood lights. The most expensive set of equipment is generally not the camera, but the lenses required to cover an event or complete commercial assignments that require a wide range of subjects to be covered. The best example being, the industrial photography assignments in which the photographer is expected to capture the top-management photo-shoots as well as the industrial processes which may involve the making of parts, melting of steel, foundry photography, manufacturing, assembly lines etc.

Commercial photography although challenging, does not give good financial returns, as some clients fail to understand the efforts involved in the photo-shoot followed by hours of post-production and editing done on the images to make them appealing to the target audience. The most common usage of the commercial images are magazines, brochures, product manuals and the client's web site and presentations.

For each of the final platforms on which the photograph is going to be delivered, the editing and post-processing requirements change. For example, if the final output platform is going to be a website there is no need of working on the print quality images, resized images will suffice.

Commercial photography offers many practical and logistical challenges to the photographer. The industrial photographers are required to know the location, time and have to study the various angles at which the photograph can be captured. Sometimes, on location photography may be done at night, when there is lot of external artificial lighting setup for giving the optimum effect.

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You Bought a New Digital Camera, Now Learn the Basics

After much thought and calculations, you got yourself a new digital camera. You may be eager to capture the moments in your life, with your family and friends; or maybe you want to click pictures of your surroundings and the things you see. The whole world is your canvas. And the camera you just bought is your tool. However, before stepping out and using your new acquisition, it is essential that you know the basics. Fortunately for you, this process is fascinating in itself!

Before starting any venture, it is always best to be well versed with what you deal with. This means that before getting started with your camera, you must go through the manual. Most people toss it aside, thinking they will figure it out on their own, and most of the features may be easy to figure out. But to do through the written matter is to learn the full potential of your camera. Once you know this, it is much simpler for you to experiment and get the photographs you desire. The manual also gives you some pointers on the up keep of the camera; it tells you about its batteries, what not to do, etc. All of this is useful information for you.

Once you are familiar with the matter, it is time for you to experiment. Don't start off thinking you will click pictures worthy of framing. Take a few unflattering pictures first. Tinker with the settings of the camera. After reading the manual, you will know what each button is for, so don't worry about it. Take pictures that are too bright, too dark, or completely out of focus. It is through your mistakes that you will understand the value of all the settings. That will give you the means to judge what setting will work, and what will not. And most importantly, it will give you the opportunity to be care-free and have fun!

After the trial run comes the more serious work. But don't fret, even in this seriousness is a lot of intrigue. Once you are comfortable with your camera, you can continue to take the pictures that you want. If you want standard ones of people and landscapes, it is a simple process of pointing and shooting. But where's the fun in that, right?

Try to compose your picture artistically. Choose a subject and see how best you can frame it. The LCD screen on your camera allows you to preview it. In most cameras, the screen can also contain a grid of nine squares, three columns and three rows. This allows you to effectively compose your picture. Try placing the subject in one of the boxes and see the outcome of the interaction it has with the surrounding. Once you are well acquainted with the camera, another thing you will be a good judge of is lighting. It is a very important component of photography. Many well taken photographs have played only with the light, giving a mesmerising effect in itself.

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Article Submitted On: May 24, 2011

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Review on the Canon PowerShot SX230 HS

Today I am going to talk about the Canon Powershot 230 HS. "HS?" you might say? Since the powershot 210 IS Canon has married a high sensitivity system with its Digic 4 processor. This means that it takes better pictures at night and other low light situations. Add on the 1080p video resolution and you have the makings for a truly awesome camera.

First I'm going to share on the photographic quality. Where as its predecessor has more megapixels (the 210 has 14 compared to the 230's 12) the 230 makes up for it with its' night time photo capability as well and still takes an awesome photo. I won't say that the night time photo capabilities are perfect by any means, I had still got some grainy images in a couple indoor settings, however I have seen a marked improvement over the vast number of cameras I have used and have photos so you can judge for yourself.

Video is another one of those awesome things that has been improved. The Powershot SX230 HS has records in 1080P high definition, where as the 210 IS records in 720P. I only had the opportunity to shoot in little short clips with the 230 but found its video quality to be quite exceptional. It was able to catch small detail up close and vibrant colors much in the same way that the photo functions did.

I found the array of features to be quite enjoyable. It truly pushed the limits of what I could normally do. If you happen to check out my page you will notice a number of fish eye photos which is something I normally don't do and and the other effects truly are amazing. I really enjoyed the "smart shutter" (an option that allows the camera to take the photo when it detects a smile) but didn't like how it worked in a group of people. It seems like it would lock in on one or maybe two people and then then take the photo, this would usually happen before everyone was ready to have their photo taken. So when it come to using that option I would leave that to maybe taking a photo of an unpredictable small child.

As far as things I didn't like, the list is really short. If you have done any research on this camera you are going to find one of the most common complaints is the flash placement. Once again, like my colleagues who have reported on this, I must also say that the flash (placed on the left side of the camera) is in a natural place for my finger to lay. This was annoying at first but eventually I learned to adapt by either firmly placing my finger over it so it wouldn't pop up, or get my finger out of the way if I was going to use it when I turned on the camera. Fortunately, you can open and close it manually which is a plus. Something I haven't gotten used to though is the small battery. By small I mean it doesn't last long with prolonged use. Fortunately this camera quickly turns on with all of its options but if you are going to use it for a prolonged period of time then I would recommend that you have an extra battery available. The GPS is a nice feature but once again if put in GPS log mode it will burn through your battery, also I had to go through more options than I'd like for having to toggle it on and off.

I know I spent quite a while on the cons, but I would still recommend this camera for anyone! The photo and video quality are superb and although I did have a grainy look to some of my photos this is to be expected with an aperture that is as open as it was. Overall this is an excellent camera and you won't be disappointed by its performance.

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Five Things to Know About Digital Cameras

Most of us own a digital camera these days. If not, we think about buying one. The reason for this is very simple. A digital camera makes it very easy for us to capture and hold on to moments. In the older times, people had to take many troubles to do so. Even with the more advanced cameras, one needed a reel, which had to be developed. Many times this reel would get damaged. Also the features of the camera were very basic. However, with change of time and technology, an every-day person like you and me can own a camera with a host of features, and basic functions. So, for all those who are or very soon will be owners of digital cameras, here are five things you may not know about it.

1. Resolution is NOT that important. It is a common misconception among all that the more the megapixels are, the better the pictures will turn out. A higher resolution does allow one to print large photographs, or crop areas of the photograph to create a new piece, but such is only the case with a small part of the photographer population. If you are a casual photographer, even if you want to print your pictures, or edit them clearly on some software, five to six megapixels is enough.

2. Battery is key. There have been countless occasions with many people where their camera batteries have died at the most eminent moments. This can put a grey cloud on your day. So it is essential that you make sure that you have a well charged digital camera. It may seem like a very basic thing to do, one which doesn't need to be told specially, but believe me it is. It is always best to learn from mistakes, even if they aren't your own.

3. Zoom is important. It may seem like just another feature of your camera, but the zoom function can prove to be one of the most important. If you are smart, you will have a camera with a high level optical zoom. This allows you to capture far away shots with much ease. Imagine capturing a beautiful landscape. The zoom function in your camera allows you to take clear pictures of far-off scenes, without having to squint to look at the details!

4. Small is good. You may think you have a basic camera, and may look at the professional cameras with their big lenses and magnificent exteriors, but they have their handicaps. A small camera is best for taking with you wherever you may go. Whether it is on a long vacation, or just a night out with friends; you can always carry it with you and capture the candid moments of your life.

5. Last but not least, digital cameras break. This is another seemingly obvious fact but something that needs to be mentioned. Earlier, a camera was sturdy enough to withstand great falls. One could drop their camera from heights, and have nothing or very little happen to it. Come water or dust, an old time camera never broke down. However, the digital cameras today are not that tough. They need constant upkeep. So be careful with your camera.

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How To Photograph Your Favorite Animals

People love different kinds of animals from the small ones to the big ones. Not only do they love to watch and touch these animals but many are also fond of taking photos of certain animals.

When it comes to taking pictures of animals, though, a lot of patience and perseverance is required. Keep in mind that whether it's a dog, cat or bird that you're trying to photograph, there will always be movements that are beyond your control. You will also need to understand their behavior so that you will know their possible reactions and anticipate the time for a good shoot.

When capturing images of animals, you can apply what you do when taking pictures of people. The principle is similar. You just have to know what you want to capture and the message you want to convey about a particular animal. So for example, you saw a cow and her calf sitting beside each other. You try to decide which angle to take your shot and at this instant, you should already have a message in mind as to what your photo should say about the two animals. You can eventually describe the photo as a mother and child moment or something to that effect.

Once you determine your concept of the image, you will then have to apply your knowledge regarding composition, lighting and angles. This will help you achieve your goal to capture a great scene.

Experienced photographers who specialize in animals would also tell you that patience is very important. They say it's like engaging in a fishing hobby because you need to wait for a long time in order to catch the best fish. Remember we're talking about animals who don't think and act like humans do. They can be uncooperative at times and the worse is when they show their outrageous behavior at the time you're about to photograph them.

But if you have patience and you know how to keep an animal still or calm, you will eventually succeed in achieving your goal. It's like dealing with a toddler who can be restless and full of energy they can't stay too long in one position.

Another tip that you can use is to practice. If you plan to take photos of animals in the wild, you can practice by taking pictures at the zoo. Study how they behave and react to people so that you will know what to expect from them. If no zoo is available, you can always go to a farm or ranch near your place. There, you can capture the movements of various animals such as the duck, cow, horse, sheep and dogs.

When outdoors, however, especially when you're in the wild, always take extra precaution. Never risk your safety. You may be tempted to go near a wild animal but if possible, just stay in your car and take pictures there. Some animals may look friendly but beware, they can hurt or worse, kill you if you try to go near them and pet them.

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Types of Panoramic Photography

I think the Panoramic Photography can be classified into 3 types: the cylindrical, spherical and planar Panoramic Photography. And the cylindrical panorama includes inner-cylinder and outer-cylinder panorama. The shooting technique of the cylindrical-panorama involves 3 methods: horizontal method, vertical method and oblique method. And the spherical panorama includes inner-sphere and outer-sphere panorama.

Inner-cylinder panorama: The setting of the camera keep fixed while shooting, and the image is formed through the post processing of the photos taken by turning the camera or rotating 360? of the conventional camera. This method is known as the inner-cylinder panorama. Since the images for display must be placed inwards from end to end to form a cylinder, the viewers standing in to appreciate the images, so this technique is called the inner-cylinder panorama.

Outer-cylinder panorama: When you take this type of photos, keep the subject fixed and take photos of the whole circle of the subject. When the images are for display, they are also placed from end to end to form a cylinder but they should be outwards, and the viewers stand outside of the cylinder to appreciate them. So we call this kind of technique Outer-cylinder panorama.

Inner-sphere panorama: At present there are two methods to shoot this kind of panorama. One is: shoot the images of the subject's front, back, left, right, up, and down side with the splicing form by conventional medium format cameras the scenes all around are included. For display, the images should be put together to become a hollow ball, with the images inwards. And the viewers stand inside of the ball to watch them. The other is: use the fish-eye lens or a conventional lens to shoot many pieces photos, and then put them together for composition by special software. The panoramic display of this form can only be demonstrated through the computer. The above two methods are known as Inner- sphere panorama.

Outer-sphere panorama: The subject must be a sphere or close to a sphere. While shooting, you should rotate at equidistant around the subject to make the multi-dimensional rotation shooting, until the whole scenes of the sphere are completed. Then the images should be pieced together to form a sphere, with the images outwards. This technique is called outer-sphere panorama. Now, we can see the whole Earth satellite photo map online, which is shot by this very technique.

Planar-panorama: This kind of technique is generally used for the images that cannot be completed in one time, such as streets or building groups. The camera is translated at equidistant along the subject, until the whole subject is completed. Then the pieces are synthesized to be a panoramic photo, which is called Planar-panorama.

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Canon and Nikon VS the Rest - How to Chose a Camera Manufacturer

While Canon and Nikon are most often regarded as the most popular DSLR manufactures, many other brand names offer competitive products. Pentax, Sigma, and Sony are some of the other big names that have been making headlines with new innovative products and features. But despite such headlines, choosing a DSLR manufacture involves further consideration than looking at a single camera.

Lenses

More important than a camera body is the lens that will accompany it. Quality between manufactures is minimal in most cases but the differences between a quality lens and a cheap kit lens is often noticeable. As you begin to grow as a photographer, your need for quality lenses will grow as well and ensuring that your camera manufacture offers the quality of lenses needed to transition from amateur to professional remains essential. Typically Canon and Nikon offer very high quality lenses for their cameras. Other manufactures like Zeiss, Sigma, Tamron and Tokina also build lenses for Canon, Nikon, and select other brands. As a result, Canon and Nikon will almost always yield the largest choices in lens both proprietary and 3rd party at a range of levels from amateur to professional.

Camera Bodies

These days, it is very difficult to find a bad camera. Almost every DSLR created offers stunning features at a range of price levels. This is especially true at the consumer/pro-sumer levels with a host of competition from various manufactures. However, as you begin to move up in quality and camera, many brands fail to offer products at this level. Both Sigma and Pentax do not have any current full frame cameras and Sony has only recently entered this segment competitively. Though Sony is attempting to infiltrate professional markets heavily this year, it still only offers limited choices in models. As a result, choosing a manufacture such as Sony or Sigma may result in having to sell your lens and camera collection when you begin to break into professional markets. That is not to say that Sony doesn't currently offer amazing feature packed DSLRs because they have several cameras, but currently they have only 1 camera for full frame users.

What other people use

It can also be important to know what other people in your field or industry are using. From the ability to trade and borrow lenses to gaining respect from your fellow photographers, there are definite advantages to using the same manufacture. You will probably discover for each field there are preferred cameras, manufactures, and equipment depending on your shooting needs. For those who need the best low light ability, Nikon will likely be a manufacture of choice with their low noise sensors while clients who need large prints will often use the high megapixel Canon models in many cases.

DSLR cameras are designed for flexibility. They allow you to expand your kit as you grow in skill by offering interchangeable lenses and multiple bodies at a variety of price and quality levels. Choosing a camera manufacture is an important first step as it will likely pave the way for your future direction in photography.

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Photoshop Vs Darkroom

The idea of actually putting effort into the taking of a photograph is not on the "to do" list of most people with a camera. By effort is meant to consider what you point the camera toward and think what may be the outcome. The idea of considering all the elements in front of your camera as part of the photograph seldom bothers the contemporary photographer.

Why worry... simply clean it up in Photoshop. It was not always so simple.

Let's take a short look at how pictures were made just a few years ago. At that time more thought may have been given to the subject before the clicking of the shutter because of the work and cost it took to make the shot. This did not generally result in great pictures by the droves but it certainly cut out the number of pictures that we seem to need today to record an event.

It is to the credit of the world of fine art photography that emerged out of the early technical stage of the simple mechanical making of a picture, to that of a product of inspiration. Photography produced some outstanding works in the early days and the tradition continues even through modifications, to our contemporary times.

Perhaps by dint of the cumbersome larger cameras and formats of the earlier part of the 1900's, there was developed the notion or "school" of the taking of pictures called "previsualization". This term is largely attributed to Ansell Adams, perhaps our premier photographer of aesthetics.

What this was about was that one did a great deal of study of whatever they were going to take a picture of and then had absolutely in mind what the outcome would be before they even clicked the shutter. After that, corrections were made in the darkroom printing to make sure that the desired results were obtained.

Now can you think of anything so totally opposite as to how photography is done today?

A friend of mine all but wore out a Nikon body by taking some 36,000 shots in a year. None of which, I suspect, got a serious viewing. Yet in this friend's consideration, they were a photographer.

Adams visual process, that of previsualization, was somewhat tied to his large camera. You will recall that while the large camera was slowing down, the hand held fast shot, high quality small camera was on the rise. Film speed and fast shutters, things not generally considered today, brought about a different approach to photography that was the, "Bresson, The Decisive Moment."

This process had to do with the observant mind, the quick eye and the fast hand. It had everything to do with the ability to capture an image at the precise moment. As a rule, there was only one chance to take that shot. It was the decisive moment. You did not have time to cock your shutter and shoot again.

Also one had to have a natural or trained feel for composition. Without the composition, the photo became no more than a mechanical recording of an event. You may be able to build some sort of composition in Photoshop but nothing really beats nailing it in the original shot.

Now later, at least in the art world and this is where it becomes interesting, there grew up this term called, "post visualization". What is intriguing about this is that it came up in the later mid 1900's. The idea here was that you shot many images (negatives) and then went into the dark room and discovered what was best and then manipulated that image into a different form.

What went on here was a complex mixture of double exposures, using multiple images in one photo and generally building a finished photograph out of a collection of images.

Hey, does this sound real contemporary; the idea that one could mess with the photographic image and still call it art? This art form of 50 years ago is now being done by Photoshop. Even though the technical process has been greatly enhanced, it still takes a good eye and talent to produce an exceptional photograph.

Some call it art.

Wade Swicord spent some fifteen years as an architectural photographer. He stopped looking at buildings and started building them and now lives in Chattanooga, TN. Having spent countless hours behind the camera and in the darkroom, his suggestions and sometimes critical views come from experience.

For some very excellent free instruction on how to use Photoshop, do click on http://photoexpertshop.com/ You can always contact me at photoexpertshop@gmail.com This has four top rated instructional videos which you will enjoy.

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