April 4, 2010

10 Tips for Digital Photographers

10 Tips for Digital Photographers

Below I offer 10 Tips for Digital Photographers everyone should know:

1. No more shutter delays. If your camera has a shutter lag problem, you'd better try the trick of pre-focusing. Another option: many cameras offer a continuous-focus, which consumes more battery, but also reduces shutter lag by focusing constantly as you go frame (or while the subject moves).

The newer, more expensive cameras tend to suffer less shutter lag, and digital SLR models do not have any delay.

2. Do not believe the megapixel myth. A greater number of megapixels a camera does better.

Megapixels measure the maximum size of each photo. For instance, a four-megapixel camera captures pictures made up of four million tiny dots. The problem is that camera manufacturers boast of their number of megapixels as if they are a measure of photo quality, and many consumers are falling.

In fact, the number of megapixels is a measure of size, not quality. There are terrible seven-megapixel photos, as there are spectacular three-megapixel shots. The quality of the lens and sensor are better determinants of your photographic results; is a pity that there are no easily comparable statistics on these attributes.

Meanwhile, more megapixels means to buy a bigger memory card and to save face. And also a lot more was waiting: between shots, during transfer to your computer, and opening and editing.

There are only two situations where you should take into account the megapixels: When you want to make giant prints (eg, posters, 50 x 75 cm) and when you want the freedom to cut much of a photo to preserve the really good stuff, while still leaving enough pixels to make reasonably sized prints.

But if you do not edit photos or need larger than life, do not be fooled by the trend towards megapixels. A fine balance is in the 4 or 5 megapixels.

(Another tip, this gift: the photos will look on a screen, either the Web, e-mail or a slide show) do not need many pixels at all. Probably two megapixels are more than enough to fill a computer screen, without having to open the zoom. The large megapixel counts are primarily to do with printing, which requires much higher dot density).

3. Ignore the digital zoom. Another argument used by camera manufacturers to reach the companies also touts two different zoom factors: the optical (usually 3X) and digital (10X, 20X, 30 increases!).

The digital zoom is merely an extension of the photo. Do not you closer to the action or capture more detail, in fact, higher values can come to spoil the pictures. For best results, leave off the digital zoom. What matters is the number of optical zoom, which is the target that approaches the subject.

4. Pull the card included. Unfortunately, it is common practice to include with the camera memory card very little capacity: bait with which you can shoot a few photos while still on the Christmas tree, but that is populated with only four or five photos.

Therefore, when selecting camera, you have to have the cost of a memory card reasonable capacity, say 512 MB.

5. Service format. There are a huge variety of shapes and sizes of memory cards. Cheaper formats are Compact Flash (big and strong, the 1GB card costs about 90 €, but there are up to 8 GB capacity) and SD (about 100 € for the 1GB card, the maximum is 2 GB).

Most of the Olympus and Fuji xD cards needed (about 120 € 1 GB card, the more capacity), while most models use Sony Memory Stick Pro (about 160 € 1 GB card, up to 4 GB) or the Memory Stick Duo, which is smaller (about 200 € the 1 GB, the maximum is 2 GB).

Note that there are laptops, pocket, mobile phones, gaming consoles, printers, photo printing kiosks and other equipment with memory card slots. Most often that support Compact Flash or SD cards. Compatible slots are less common Memory Stick, and XD slots a rarity.

6. Investigate. Fortunately for potential buyers of cameras, the web is full of sites such as preview dcresource and that thoroughly tested and analyzed all the models put them within range. Consult them before buying, if in a hurry, at least read the introduction and conclusions, and look at the sample photos.

7. Identify. Do not even think to ask, "What digital camera should I buy?" a technology columnist. It would be the same as asking "What car should I buy?" or "Who do I have to marry?" There is no single correct answer.

Now there are cameras in various categories, each with its advantages and disadvantages. There target cameras as small as a Visa and only two centimeters thick (striking and very comfortable, but with few manual controls and short battery life); cameras that fit in your coat pocket (higher than the previous ones, but still compact with built-in lens cover, longer battery life and more features) zoom semipro models (no longer fit in the pocket, but targets are super-zoom) and SLR models (long battery life, no shutter lag and some extraordinary photos.)

8. Turn off the flash. The flash of a typical digital camera has a range of less than three meters. In other words, all you get with him in the play of course is to distract the actors.

9. Turn on the flash. On the other hand, there is a good trick for when someone's face is in shadow: the flash on manually. Forced flash or fill rescued from the shadows the subject's face and save more of a portrait that would otherwise be reduced to silhouette. (In most cameras, the flash on and off by pressing the lightning).

10. Turn off the screen. The rear display is undoubtedly one of the joys of digital photography, but also the main consumer of battery power. If you do not mind holding the camera in front of your eyes and look through the viewfinder, turn off the screen when you take pictures and double the length of each battery charge.
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April 3, 2010

10 Tips for Taking Good Pictures

10 Tips for Taking Good Pictures

Here 10 small and humble advice that I can help you to take good pictures. They are grown, or whether they are a remix from advice I was given to me and things I have learned to far wrong, retry, err, retry ... The tips are for people with digital camera, I say this because I imagine there will be some nostalgic still use analog camera.

1. Be inspired by the works of others: I'm not saying you try to do the same exact picture but another photographer will always take good ideas from others who already have had to form your photographic imagination. In deviant art find lots of inspiration.

2. When in doubt, shoot: Believe me, I'll never forgive not having done the photo of that child by jumping in front of the setting sun with the waves in the background because he was not sure if it was worth or have been fiddling with the settings photometric the camera. There are situations that will not repeat and do not cost anything to the photo and then if you delete a trash. If you're not sure the photo is because she has to play the speed or aperture (or whatever) but you see I do not have time, make the photo also and then we try to improve the computer, better this we do not do it.

3. Do not skimp on quality: And I mean the compression quality to the resolution (megapixels). It is clear that such a photograph has more megapixels the better. So far we all agree, but a picture of 7 MP, but in. Jpg compressed to 50% do not have as many MP who has, at the minimum you want to do an extension or a poster for your room or anything that requires a minimum notice the quality of compression artifacts. It's like the music on the radio or CD, to the naked eye the difference is not noticeable but when you look, these are abysmal. I almost always use uncompressed RAW format, which apart from giving you the highest quality (data are not compressed), lets you edit settings like white balance, exposure, etc. without the slightest loss of quality.

4. Do not skimp on quantity (if you can, of course): If you're not sure what frame looks best, or from what perspective to photograph this building, do not risk and make all possible photos then when you see on your computer and choose the good. Better spend a few more Mb (or Gb) card then realize that you fucked up choosing the wrong frame.

5. Burn better than Dodge: In digital photography is much easier to recover or improve (later on the computer) underexposed photographs (which have remained obscure) that overexposed (which have been too bright). This is not to say that miracles can be made (and a lot of noise that appears when you try to retrieve a digital photo underexposed, but when a pixel gets the color # ffffff (white), there is no god who can fix ( almost).

6. Use the shooting: If you try shooting a fast moving object, you will do very well shooting (several pictures in a row). Not all cameras have this ability but if yours has it do not miss, many people think that the important thing is the Megapixel camera but also details like this are really important depending on who you want to use the camera.

7. The camera is not always right: The light meter (light meter) of the camera can be wrong depending on many factors and the metering mode (center weighted, matrix, etc). If you find the photo you've done has been too dark or too light, you can correct the measurement of the camera manually raising or lowering the EV (Exposure Value) and repeat photography.

8. Know the rules: There are some rules that some photographers considered essential, like the famous (and tiresome) Rule of thirds - that is to put the subject in one of the intersections of the lines dividing the frame into 3 thirds and 3 thirds vertical horizontal -. Following these rules, you ensure a good compassion.

9. Break the rules: As everyone knows, the rules are for breaking. That does not mean there are rules you have to follow but it is good to know that there so you know that you're breaking. Not because a photograph does not follow the rules is bad, far from it. Any composition that you enter through the view is viable. Just look at my pictures to see that many have broken the rule of thirds by dividing the picture into 2 equal, some say it's an aberration but I'm staying as wide.

10. Improve your photos with Photoshop: Today, this is a must. If you think that those photos so cool that come in magazines are not improved (not retouched) in Photoshop (or similar), forget it. A good photograph can become a great picture thanks to computer editing. Everyone - except Puree still goes with a Nikon F4 and reels 6 photos - improving digital photos with editing software. When I say playing I mean improve the contrast, levels, white balance, curves ... in short the basic settings, I do not mean to cut Bush's face and put it on a donkey, that's retouching.

As I said, these rules are a homegrown amateur photographer, I am not an expert. If you detect an error or misinformation on my part do not hesitate to tell me. ^^
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April 2, 2010

The Photo Shoot and the Photographer

The Photo Shoot and the Photographer

One of the most used options when you start making a book is to appeal to novice photographers with which they may agree to non-paid contributions on both sides (photographer and model) gain experience and to enlarge their photo books. We talk about these collaborations in the following section.

In another case, the model will use the services of an experienced photographer for conducting a photo shoot. There are plenty of photographers with more or less experience they offer very different rates may well vary between 300 Euros and 3,000 Euros. It is necessary to consider not only the photographer who will participate in the production of the shoot, so you have to know also assess the ability of the staff to have professional makeup, hair, styling and more.

A simple photo shoot is one that takes place in study and for which there is no staging or props, and in which the actual costumes used in the model to the photographs. The professional makeup, especially for female models, it is almost always a crucial factor. A session of this type can last a whole 4 hours at least, and they should at least be able to make several costume changes for picture quite different from the same session.

From this simple configuration, you can consider other options that the photographer will provide the model if required:

* Style: A specialized professional conceive the appearance of the pictures as best as possible, and make available to model the clothes and accessories, in addition to assuming responsibility for creative team makeup and hair.

* Session outdoors: The making of a professional photo shoot on location is always more expensive because it involves more than production costs. Some photographers used in these cases special equipment for outdoor lighting in certain cases must be rented. Generally, the pictures outdoors require a higher professional level, but also offer a very different quality and better appreciated by many.

* Sessions for a full book: You hired a photographer to carry out a comprehensive book that includes several sessions over several days, which eventually may mix different types of photography, indoors and outdoors, and get the photographs for the preparation of a book sufficiently varied.

* Photo Retouching: The current digital retouching can hide defects in the model, or simply enhance the visual impact of a photograph to make it more appealing. Generally, it is not advisable to resort to excessive retouching, because it may confuse the client or the agency after an audition in person. The minor tweaks and those who are limited to improving the quality of color, composition or technique of photography itself are welcome.

* Delivery of the photographs: most photographers now deliver their work in digital format (often they do so even when using professional equipment analog). On the CD delivered, it should include high-resolution photographs to the model to obtain hard copies of very good quality for your book. The images delivered on CD by a professional photographer produce prints on photographic paper of excellent quality, the copies can be obtained by delivering the CD in any common digital development lab, or perhaps the same photographer also provided copies of the CD as well.

When deciding on a photographer, it is vital information on their experience and work performed. The best choices are those photographers who specialize in the fields of fashion and advertising with sufficient proven experience. Any good fashion photographer and advertising itself will have a book or website which will display their works, from books made in other models, to commercial photo shoots as advertisements, publication of photographs in magazines, fashion catalogs, and so on.
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April 1, 2010

Top Tips for Amateur Photographers

Top Tips for Amateur Photographers


It is essential to carefully read the manual of the camera, use it often the domain of the camera only comes with practice, and be careful with beaches, water and sand are rather harmful for the camera.

When the issue is worth feel free to make several shots from different angles.

If you use an SLR camera, the frame makes sure that no important details near the edges. Remember that these cameras the viewfinder is different than the goal.

Try to hold the camera straight, otherwise the photo will come out crooked. Be careful to keep their shadows in the photo. Photos of people, must be taken in close to show all the details of facial expression.

Keep the ground occupied. People appear natural and peaceful when you are doing something. The reasons include landscapes in the foreground to frame the landscape and give the impression of perspective. The panoramic shots include people are a reference and make the viewer feel part of the scene.

Before shooting, look at the bottom. A variegated background can ruin a photo. If you are shooting outside a building, a person or any other subject and the background is very complicated, drop serves for the sky background.

But if a person's photograph silhouetted against the sky, your face may come out underexposed (dark and without detail) to help take the picture more closely so as to see unless the sky. The camera automatically provides "additional exposure."

The focus should concentrate on the main theme to come out sharp, and if you focus on something that is in the foreground, usually distant things out of focus. If you focus into the distance (a landscape for example) most of the picture comes out sharp, but things very close to the camera.
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