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!

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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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