Digital Photography Now

Digital Photography Tip #1: Don’t Assume that DigiCams Do All The Work!

Maybe you have heard something like this before: “The better the cameras, the better the photos.” In this effect, you might have thought of digital cameras. Many believe that these models are just a one-click away for great photos. Do you also believe on this?

Ponder on the following article and the appropriate answer will be revealed to you.

The rivalry between film cameras and digital cameras is relatively fresh. How come? Three mega pixels digital cameras have an array of choices for consumers, which is already comparable to a high quality point and shoot models. Nowadays, the same thing goes with five mega pixels digital models for excellent quality photographs. The thing is, quality photographs can be taken with ease using digital cameras.

Some of the main advantages to digital photography are:

• pictures can be previewed immediately on the built-in LCD screen
• costs of installing films are replaced with memory sticks or cards that are primarily reusable and can store thousands of pictures
• the stored photographs can easily be shared by copying off the images and/or sharing the memory stick or card
• images can easily be transformed into black and white and/or sepia and can also be cropped after the picture has been taken

However, photos under low light and taken using film and digital models are both susceptible to artifacts or granularity. Images taken by both cameras appear to be very similar can be further improved with the advent of software that can improve and manipulate the quality and details of images.

Nikon D90 12 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera w/ 3 LCD, Live View, 18-105mm Lens

Furthermore, you can take lousy shots with the most expensive Nikon models and make great photos with the passé point and shoot cameras. It suffices to say that it is not the camera that solely makes great and even picture-perfect images. The man behind the camera can squeeze or miss a big time out of the gadget that he has.

The following presents a ten-point aid that will enable you to take photos like a pro using your digital cameras. Practice on these tips so you can maximize the expense of your gadget.

1. Those Tones Should Warm Up

Change your white balance setting from auto to cloudy when shooting sunny landscapes and outdoor portraits. This increases the yellow and red tones, thus resulting in warmer and richer pictures.

2. Use a [Sunglass] Polarizer

A polarizer should always come in handy when taking those general outdoor shooting. Polarized shots have more saturated and richer colors because unwanted reflections and glare are minimized or even removed.

If your digital camera can not accommodate a polarizer, simply place a sunglass as close to the camera lens as possible making sure that the rims of the glass will not be taken along with the image. The effect of a polarizer can be maximized when the light source is perpendicular to the object.

3. Shining Outdoor Portraits

One of the most useful and amazing features of digital cameras is the flash on or fill flash mode. This feature allows you to take control when to use the flash. It simply goes on whenever you want it available. This helps in capturing great outdoor photographs.

The camera exposes for the background first then adds enough flash to illuminate the subject when you are using the flash on option. Wedding photographers have been using this technique for many years to create professional looking portraits where everything in the composition is simply excellent.

To come up with a more relaxed photograph, try putting the subject under the shade and use the flash to add illumination.

You can also practice on using rim lighting where the sun illuminates the hair of the subject from the side or the back.

However, you should not stand that far away when using the fill flash since most built-in models have a range of 10 feet or even less.

4. Macro Mode Frenzy

I am quite sure that you would want to look at the fine details of your surroundings but would not be willing to crouch down and lie on the ground with your belly.

In that case, you just have to look for the macro made or close up symbol, usually a flower icon, and get as close to an object as possible. Once the confirmation light signals you to shoot, just press the shutter down to record the portrait.

However, using the close up mode allows you to have a shallow depth so you can concentrate on the part of the subject that you want to emphasize and let the rest go soft.

5. Chaos of the Horizon Line

There are still photographers who become disoriented when lining up their shoots. In other words, once they look at their cameras monitor, images that are erect seem to be a little tilted or bowed inward.

The most appropriate way to take care of this matter is to take your best shot at a straight picture, then take another picture after repositioning the camera. Afterwards, you can delete the others once you feel you captured a perfectly aligned image.

Also, just practice level framing your shots until you become acquainted with the process.

6. Massive Media Card

You have to have an extra memory card especially when you want more moments to preserve. The following suggestions should be considered before buying a memory card:
a. for 3 mega pixels – a 256 MB memory card
b. for 4 mega pixels – a 512 MB memory card
c. for 6 mega pixels – 1 gigabyte memory card

Then you do not have to miss another shot because your card is full.

7. Not High Resolution All the Time

It is more advisable to squeeze more images by shooting a low quality and resolution settings than taking shots with a high resolution all the time. This way you can reserve a space and a 2272 x 1704 resolution on the next great image of the century and enough for the portrait to be printed on a 8” x 10” inch paper suitable for framing.

However, if you have enough memory (and you should), there is no reason to shoot at a lower resolution and risk missing the chance to display your work the big way.

8. Tolerate that Tripod

Tripods are “unnecessarily bulky” for some so seldom do people like to bring them around.

Nowadays, there is an ingenious way to settle the dilemma whether to bring a tripod around or to do without it. The UltraPod II™ developed by Pedco fits in your back pocket and holds your camera steady in various situations.

You can use the Velcro™ strap to attach your camera on a tree limb or an available pole. Its legs can be opened on any flat surface or even on a boulder.

Now, you can be a real photographer without carrying a heavy burden.

9. The Fun with Self Timer

Another under-used feature on almost every digital camera is the self timer. This function can be used to save the photographer for missing the picture by delaying the firing of the shutter up to 10 seconds.

You can attach your UltraPod™ to ensure that your camera will not be taken away that easily by some strangers. Of course, you need to aim at the subject and not at a distant background before setting up the timer. Also the depth of the subject should be checked too.

By using self timers, you can also avoid accidentally jarring the camera when you are interested in making long exposures of cars driving at dusk as you initiate the focus.

10. Slow Motions

Normally, you will use an exposure of one second or a bit longer to create the flowing effect of water. In this case, you have to look for waterfalls or streams that are under the shade.

One trick is to use a polarizer or your sunglasses to darken the scene and create a longer exposure. More so, this technique can also eliminate distractions from your portrait.

For a really good photographer, which implies using creativity and ingenuity, viewers often get curious and ask, “What sort of camera model do you have there?”

Would it be more humbling for them to hear that you are using a normal aim and shoot model?

Or you can simply say, “Model ME.”

• Gilbert Frenn Photography Donating Senior Portrait Cost to Scholarship Fund
  Entire session price to be donated to Whitnall High School scholarship honoring late student
• Our second edition is now available
  SagePhotoWorld now has two manuals on high-speed photography available for purchase. The first edition was so successful we did a second (not including the kindle edition).
• Seeden Photography offers series of photography classes
  Seeden Photography in Fountain Valley will be offering a series of photography classes for photo enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.
• Photofunia Free Download Full Version For Cool Photo Effects
  Photofunia Free Download Full Version For Cool Photo Effects
• Stacey Moore Launches Photography Project on Kickstarter: "30 Days. 30 Photos. 30 Dollars."
  Stacey Moore's stunning images of Coastal California are the subject of an audience-curated photography project featured on Kickstarter through May 31st.
• Photography Workshop Well Received at Gordonia Alatamaha State Park in Reidsville, GA
  Outdoor Photography for Beginning Digital SLR Photographers workshops are being conducted at Georgia State Parks, and participants to date were pleased with what they learned for the nominal workshop …
• Molly Stone, Alexi Gross, and Magdalena Wosinska to Exhibit Their Photos May 16th
  Molly Stone, Alexi Gross, and Magdalena Wosinska to Exhibit Their Photos at Feltraiger’s Flagship Location in the Lower East Side, May 16th from 7pm to 11pm
• EBrushIt.com Launches Specialized Real Estate Photo Editing Service
  eBrushit.com, an industry leading photo retouching service provider, adds real estate specific service to help realtors and private sellers make their listings stand out
• Burt Reynolds' Iconic Centerfold Replicated by Daniel DiCriscio in Buff as Tribute
  The star-stuck fans of the 70’s may recall the scandalous picture of legendary Hollywood Star Burt Reynolds lying naked across a golden brown bearskin rug posing for Cosmopolitan Magazine's April …
• ScrapbookProjects.net Launches Roundtable for Scrapbooking
  ScrapbookProjects.net is source for creative projects. Our customers have one place to go for supplies and inspiration, ideas, projects and spend their time on creating. We spend time searching for th …
• Photobooth Fun and Studio Prints – One for the Book Launches in NYC
  New York City based company designs state of the art system that combines the fun of a photobooth with studio quality prints to create a photo-guestbook on the spot.
• Inpaint´s New Multi View Feature: No More Passersby in Your Holiday Pictures!
  Teorex has announced the release of a new version of Inpaint, its well-known solution for quick removal of unwanted objects from digital photos.

Photography is among the most well-liked interests and professions on the planet. There is nothing like recording fragments of reality and preserving it on film. There are many types of digital photography, but one of the most sort after is portrait digital photography.

An excellent family portrait is referred to as an image with a high quality image that captures both the bodily features as well as personality of the subject matter. Taking good portraits is very difficult because a digital photographer requires a subject with an upbeat character which also reflects sensitivity and liveliness. There are numerous elements that photography enthusiasts need to know when capturing an ideal family portrait.

1. Revelation associated with the subject’s personality For a family portrait to end up being regarded as worthy, it must catch at least one element which shows the features and traits of the actual subject matter and also one that catches his / her individuality. The image should reveal an important component of the subject’s character that may be identifiable by those who know them. Therefore, it’s quite challenging for the portrait to display the personality associated with his subject matter if they have only met for the first occasion.

2. The right time to snap pictures Definitely, the photo shoot ought to begin when the subject matter is comfortable and at ease with his / her appearance and surroundings. By no means shoot if your subject is tense or uneasy, since it may reflect in the actual photos. There isn’t any guideline which states a discussion should end any time picture taking commences, it could still continue particularly if it causes the subject open up much more for the digital photographer. Don’t forget that the subject matter does not have to smile for making the portrait look good. Quite often, a considerate or a determined expression is desired since it discloses much more of the subject’s character.

3. Preparedness of the photographer This will be significant considering it’s the digital photographer who will take control of a photo shoot. The subject matter should sense that the person behind the digital camera knows what he is doing and is skilled sufficiently to tell the subject matter exactly how to pose. The digital photographer himself should be ready and tranquil during the entire session.

4. Right kind of illumination Probably the best lighting that is used for capturing the character of the subject will be natural daylight. The variety of lighting options created by outside types of conditions provides a lot more creative freedom for any photographer. Having the subject take a seat near the window can also generate fantastic results. The only downside of natural light is that it’s not continuously consistent. Because of this, just about all photographers must utilize artificial illumination. All photography fans should have studio flashes. Also, the placement of the photographer in relation to the subject matter can also be altered in order to maximize the lighting on hand.

5. Suitable setting Simply put, a poor background can easily adversely affect a picture. At all times pay close attention on the surroundings behind the subject whenever framing pictures. There are lots of innovative choices which be used when shooting outside. The subject matter may be made to pose alongside or facing colorful blossoms or leaves, the ocean or even the sky. To cut back the effect of a distracting background, a photographer can make use of extended lenses or an extensive aperture. For in the house, it’s possible to use black or gray material for your setting, then adding colored clear plastics covering the flashes to transform coloring.

6. Utilization of costumes and props Portraits usually are an infrequent photograph of a subject, and good costumes could make the family portrait much more interesting as well as priceless. You don’t constantly need to use a full costume, occasionally a hint of it can make wonders, for example hats or scarves. Props ought to be utilized very carefully, and should not draw attention away from the primary subject of the photograph. A prop should establish the natural pose and disposition of the people being photographed.

7. Framing The type of framing can already create the image sought after by the digital photographer. It’s suggested that photographs be cropped prior to picture taking. The picture should be checked out a couple of seconds before pressing the shutter. Images that are not wanted should be omitted from your shot. Producing the perfect family portrait might seem to be tough in the beginning but these ideas can help newbies so that they can take much better photos.

Although portrait photography may seem rather simple, the tricky part is getting the portrait lighting just right. So, here are four helpful tips that you can use for your next portrait photo shoot.

Brighter Isn’t Better

Hard, bright lights definitely make shooting a breeze and give you plenty of illumination to properly expose your photos. Rarely will harsh bright lights give you the look you want so it’s best to avoid them if you want professional quality results. The best lighting for portraits is, by far, soft light. Another way to get this quality of light is to shoot on overcast days or by shooting in a studio using photo umbrella reflectors. Using soft, even light will be easier to work with and will highlight your subject without accenting their flaws.

Light Setup

Two lights should be sufficient for portrait lighting. Use one main light to determine the tone and direction of your light, then offset it with a second light placed near the camera. This will soften any harsh shadows and help even out the contrast. You can also get this type of light by putting a light above your camera and a fill reflector below your camera. Both of these solutions will give you great results with very little equipment.

Use What You Already Have

If you don’t have money to spend on a professional light setup, you can often get near-professional results by using a few desk or floor lights. To control the lighting even more, try using bed sheets to reflect the light around the room. If you look at everything in your house as potential lighting equipment, you may find some unexpected surprises to really play with, all without having to buy lighting equipment.

Don’t Forget the Sun

We often associate portrait photography with studio photography, but the truth is that the two are not codependent. You can get amazing results using available natural light if you know how to properly use it. For instance, if you have a big window, you can always use it as a source of available or natural light. If you’re taking pictures outside, use a big sheet of white poster board (or foam board) as a reflector and point it at your subject to minimize harsh shadows.

Much like every other sort of photography, portraiture requires practice, patience, and a whole lot of love. Luckily, it doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money to get professional results. If you use a little bit of creativity with items you have at home, you’ll be happily surprised at the results you get. Portrait lighting is all about getting the subtle detail right, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a lot of fun!

When you are taking photographs there can be so much to remember. Have I got the composition right? Do I have a point of interest? Have I chosen all the correct settings for the type of shot? And after all this, you still have to make sure your final photograph is going to be beautifully in focus. This photography basics article is going to focus in on focusing, with an overview of the choices you have in order to obtain the correct focus for the type of shot you are taking.

In most cases your camera will focus when you press the shutter halfway. This is what is called Auto Focus (AF). AF is perfectly acceptable when you are photographing subjects that do not move around much (such as a portrait, or landscape). Depending on your type of camera this may be called One Shot AF or Single Shot AF.

When your subjects are mobile, there is another type of AF you can use, Continuous Auto Focus (CAF). In this mode your camera will be constantly focusing on the subject, which is ideal for moving targets, such as speeding cars or athletes. There are a couple of downsides, such as the batteries are under constant strain from all the focusing and refocusing. Remember to take spares in this case. There is also the chance of some noise in your pictures caused by the constantly adjusting focus, as well as a small increase in general wear and tear on the camera’s mechanism.

Knowing what focus type to choose is one thing, but how does the camera know that you want to focus on Aunt Bessie, and not the trees that are behind her? To understand this we need to understand the photography basics that determine the focal point (or focus area) the camera is choosing.

In truth, your camera does not know (or even care) what your subject is. Why would it – it’s a machine after all! But your camera is designed to set up a focus point, or areas, within the frame of the shot. Standard AF selects a relatively wide area around the centre of the frame for its focus. You will normally see this as a rectangle or brackets in your viewfinder or LCD screen. If your camera has Centre Focus (CF), the area of focus is reduced to a square. CF could be used, for example, when isolating one person from a crowd of people.

Finally, some cameras go another step and include a feature known as Multipoint Focus (MF). In this case, the camera can select from a number of areas within the frame, so that the photographer does not always have to have the centre point as the area in focus. A number of modern compact cameras use a variation of this to produce Face Detection, in order that the photograph will be focused on peoples’ faces. This function is particularly useful at social gatherings where the photographer wants to easily, and quickly, take shots of friends and family.

I hope this article has helped you to understand some of the photography basics regarding the way your camera interprets focus points, and the auto focus options available to you.