All The Secrets Involved in Digital Photography

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It's unbelievable how many people are beginning to take part in amateur digital photography these days. Most amateurs are actually becoming quite good and infact turning professional quickly due to the fact that technology has improved a vast amount over the turn of the century. So what is involved in amateur digital photography? This is a question that everyone wants to know and it's easy, very little! With this said however, there are still things that you must know so that you can constantly imrprove the quality of the photos you are taking.

So What Are The Advantages?

One advantage to amateur digital photography is knowing immediately which photos you may want or need to retake. On most digital cameras when the picture is taken it shows on the LCD screen and you know immediately if it's in focus, heads are cut off and so on. You can retake the shot at the time and not whine about how bad it turned out later.

Amateur digital photography is a growing hobby as the price of quality cameras are coming down and the software to manipulate the images is becoming easier to use. More and more people are taking the time to learn the finer points of amateur digital photography and finding the results are better than expected.

Hobby Not Just For the Kids

It's a funny paradox that most people nowadays who take up photography are more likely to be older retirees who have a limited knowledge-base of technology. Fortunately there are classes that teach people all there is to know about digital photography. When this form of technology first hit cameras, many people were skeptical of buying cameras that they may not know how to use or would have difficulties with, just as they had difficulties with their computers.

This of course is not true at all, as digital photography was actually invented as an easier way to take, store and print photos and it's funny to see that many of these people who were skeptical at the time are now the ones praising such an amazing feat for technology.

One of the most popular recent editions to the digital photography world are the new printers that people can buy along with their cameras. These printers make it fast and easy for people who are wanting to print out the photos immediately as soon as they are taken. All that is required is to place the digital camera inside the corresponding printer, by that I mean the printer that supports the type of camera you have, and press print. Also it's important to note that you will need to buy proper printing paper that is only used for photographs. Using normal paper will reduce the quality of the photos once they have been printed.

If you don't wish to buy one of these printers, then there is another option. You can take your digital camera or just the memory stick into any digital printing shop and pay to have someone print them for you. This works out to be a little bit more expensive on the whole, however the quality of the photos you are having printed will be second to none.

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Discovering The Beauty Of Landscape Photography

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Symmetry, repetition, contrast, asymmetry, coherence, symbolism, and a dash of irony?these are the major components that construct a beautiful photograph taken by exceptional photographer. These are also the very same components that one needs balance when taking one of the easiest yet most difficult subjects to photograph? landscapes.

LOOKING BACK

Since they are permanent, familiar, accessible, and part of nature, landscapes have been one of the most favorite subjects by most photographers. Landscape photography can be traced as early as 1849 when the book ?Egypte, Nubie, Palestine et Syrie? containing prints of paper negatives was published. In the 19th century, many eminent landscape photographers emerged which dominate large photography collections in museums and galleries worldwide. Today, many budding photographers continue to fall in love with nature. And as they pursue the road to landscape photography, more and more works and techniques continue to emerge.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH LANDSCAPES

Unlike other kinds and styles of photography, most people would say that it is easy to take landscape photographs because you don?t need to instruct you subject and you can choose whatever angle you want. On the contrary, most photographers believe that landscape photography is one of the most difficult because you will need an intense set of equipment and a very keen eye to make an ?ordinary? scene quite extraordinary.

Imagine capturing the natural beauty of a majestic landscape with your camera and in your own preference. Here are some of the elements you need to pay attention to before you delve into the realms of landscape photography:

1. Camera, lens, and lens shade are great deals. Although you can use any camera, most photographers would recommend SLR or digital SLR because these give wider selection of lenses and ensure superior results. Wide-angle lenses are also advised because it gives a great view into any picture. In order to protect your lens, look for a good lens hood or shade.

2. Tripod is a must. This is a very invaluable and important asset for landscape photographers to avoid the blurred outcomes and to ensure the maximum depth of field.

3. Invest on film and filters. Any film today can be used because it can record nature?s color vividly. You just have to be wise in using the right ISO film to avoid grains in your photo prints.

4. Consider camera position. This greatly affects the overall quality of your photo because it requires your creative decision. (TIP: If there is a horizon line in your composition, keep it leveled so there is a room for greater possibilities.)

5. Set the direction and the type of light to be used. Proper direction accompanied with balanced lighting will make or unmake your landscape piece so make sure that you visit the location and predict the weather before your shoot.

6. Be hands-on in post exposure manipulation. To get the job done, try to learn mastering the do?s and don?ts in the darkroom so you?ll get the result you desire.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more information on photography & other useful information, please visit http://photography.articlekeep.com

Focal Length for Portrait Photography - Zoom for Refined Pictures of People

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What is the best focal length for portrait photography? In other words, if you are using a zoom lens, what is the best zoom position for taking a picture of one or more persons? What's different between a close-up and a full-length portrait? Answers to these questions will let us make more refined images of the people we love to photograph.

In order to answer these questions we first must focus on what we want to do. Usually we want two things:
1) Reproduce the persons with no distortion.
2) Throw the background out of focus to avoid a distracting backdrop.

To fulfill point 1) we should avoid getting too close to our subject. So this in turn leads to the question: what is the correct distance from the subject? The answer is twofold, according to whether you want a close-up or rather a 3/4-length to full-length group portrait.

If you are making a close-up, a short telephoto is the best choice, let's say an 80mm lens. Such a lens offers normal perspective, while a standard 50mm lens would force the photographer to get too close to the subject thus altering the perspective (a phenomenon known as "foreshortening"). If foreshortening occurs, the closer parts of the subject's face (the nose, the chin) would appear greater than they are, and the opposite would happen to the back of his or her head. Or, in case of a large group, the faces of the people in front would appear much greater than those on the back. That's why, in case of a large group, an even longer lens than the 80mm would be better. If a 200mm is used for a close-up group portrait, the background will be completely out of focus, if this is what you desire, thus fulfilling the previous point 2). This is because the longer the focal length, the shallower the depth of field (even though this is rather improper). Be careful, however, to put all the faces in the same shallow plane of focus. Finally, avoid using extreme telephotos (300mm) because, again, perspective becomes distorted, with all subject's features appearing compressed. Moreover, keep in mind that the closer to the frame edges, the stronger the distortion. This is even more so for wide-angle lenses.

If you are making a 3/4-length or full-length group portrait, a standard 50mm lens is the optimum choice. This time you will be farther away from the subject and the aforementioned foreshortening will not take place. Unfortunately, with such a lens it will be impossible to separate the subject from the background, thus rendering difficult the fulfillment of requirement 2). The best you can do is using it with wide aperture, because this too helps reducing the depth of field. This recommendation holds true even when the photographer is forced to use a wide-angle lens to fit a big group into the frame and still maintaining a reasonable working distance.

Just in case you are using a compact digital or film camera with a zoom lens, if it has a 3x zoom, its focal length will be something like 35mm when completely zoomed out (wide-angle position) and 105mm when completely zoomed in (telephoto position). On the other hand, if you possess a 10x zoom lens it will be about 35-350mm. These equivalences will help you apply the recommendations of this article.

Andrea Ghilardelli runs an online photo retouching service. For more articles and to get your photographs transformed into something special, please visit his site: www.ilghila.com.

The Importance of Wedding Photography

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What's important about a wedding is everything about the wedding. The union of the two individual's celebrating their love for each other. The announcing and sharing of that commitment with their friends, loved ones and wider community. Making a declaration of love, starting a new life together, giving birth to endless opportunities and new life. Weddings are the pinnacle point of dedication and celebration between a man and a woman. This event usually brings together all of the family, friends and individuals that have been a part of the bride and grooms life.

The wedding day is such a special occasion that most couples spend a great deal of time preparing for this magical event. Details become very important and people find themselves dedicating a great deal of time and effort in creating this once in a lifetime event.

The guest list is important, the ceremony is important, the vows are important, the music is important, the transport is important, the attendants are important, the venue is important, the decorations are important, the brides parents are important, the grooms parents are important, the buffet is important, the speeches are important, the dancing is important, the kiss is important, grooming and bridal wear is important, catering is important and photography of course is important.

There are many individual components that go in making up your individually unique wedding day. It is vitally important that you choose the best possible wedding photographer that also values all of the elements and details that you value. You need to be able to communicate freely with your photographer and you need to trust that your photographer already understands and knows what your views and values are and will naturally capture all of the elements and all of those moments that you have spent time and effort to create.

A good wedding photographer will have a great deal of wedding experience and knowledge and will naturally be able to impart confidence and knowledge immediately. All wedding photographers should be able to readily and easily be able to show you an example of their past work and should be able to give you personal referees of happy clients if required.

Photography is extremely important and a good photography studio will be able to show you the latest examples of photography styles available today, including trends and looks that are both contemporary and traditional. Digital manipulation is now available and most quality photographers will use whatever techniques and technology is available to produce cutting edge wedding photography.

Expert wedding photographer Vittorio Natoli is the owner of Viva! Life Photography - Wedding Photography specialists.

The Art Of Child Photography

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Child Photography is one of the most exciting opportunities to capture expressions, attitudes and individual uniqueness. The secret of child photography is to understand children and what children do, how they act and behave. Children are fun and exciting to work. They give us the most amazing looks and expressions naturally. All the photographer has to do is to allow the child to be, understand and capture the moments at the appropriate time and in the most appropriate light an settings. An experienced photographer will understand child photography. Children are very popular to photograph, they can often be challenging subjects. It's important that the photographer allows children to be children and have fun, remain uninhibited, playful and natural - after all, it's all about capturing your children's nature and uniqueness. Their successful approach is to let children be, so that their true essence can be captured with minimal direction and posing. Child Photography should be spontaneous and relaxed allowing for natural composition to evolve. To create the best results the child photographer should take many images so that the best moments are captured.

It's very important that your photographer provides a relaxed environment where your children are encouraged to relax and be themselves. This way, the photographer can capture the very best of them. Shooting candidly and spontaneously is part of the experience that you and your children will enjoy. This promotes confidence and individual expression.

Another thing to keep an eye out for when it comes to choosing a child photographer is to see what kind of equipment are they using. Is it the latest technology? You want to make sure the photographer is using high quality digital equipment, which ensures high definition images. Also make sure the photographer is fully trained to ensure a high quality of excellence in imagery. A good photography studio will provide an environment that is fresh, clean and welcoming. Also ambience and refreshments are always a nice touch.

Making your children feel comfortable and relaxed is the most important element and is important in creating timeless imagery. Ideally, your photographer should focus all their attention on your experience so that they can create the right mood and atmosphere that promotes outstanding photography.

Child Photography requires special props and clothing. Many photographers encourage individual family members to be dressed in the most appropriate clothing that represents their individuality and uniqueness. Their clothes tell us a lot about them. So it is important to dress them in a way that is matched and meaningful. Remember these images will be with you and your children for a long time so it is important to dress accordingly as some clothes can date.

Sometimes the minimalist approach offers the greatest opportunity for uniqueness. Props are kept to a minimum.

An expert in Child Photography will endeavour to capture any unique features of your children. From smiles, attitudes, expressions, emotions, laughter and togetherness and anything that is characteristic of your children is included.

Posing, placing and positioning for Child Photography is very important as is image design and style. Some photographers are well trained to allow this type of posing to occur naturally and capture these important attributes in a spontaneous and uninhibited way. It's important to take many images when it comes to Child Photography so that they can create and design some wonderful pieces of timeless art for your pleasure and enjoyment.

It's good also to find photographers who are experts at framing and composing images. You want their choices of settings and backgrounds to benefit and highlight your children's personality and uniqueness. Many have a range of studio backgrounds, but some often prefer working with simple backgrounds such as basic white or black. When photographing outdoors it is important not to make the backgrounds distract from the main focus, your children, but use the background to enhance your characteristics and individuality. Sometimes they use scenic character buildings, parks or seascapes to add to the composition.

Lighting is essential when it comes to child photography. The correct lighting can emphasis features and brings out the best in your children. Studio lighting is totally controllable so as to highlight or neutralize areas as required to ensure superb creative imagery.

Spontaneity, mood and feelings is what child photography is all about. Your photographer should create the mood and bring out the feelings that will become timeless memories forever. They should also encourage spontaneity at all times and make the photos unique, by capturing that special moment. This is the essence of Child Photography.

It is also essential that the photographer's professionalism is guaranteed. A professional will understand how important it is to maintain their client's confidentiality and privacy. They should also know how much your images mean and value them, you and all their clients very highly. Security and privacy is should be guaranteed.

Ideally, while the images are being created the portrait photographer is visualizing the effect of the photography in colour, monotone or sepia tone. The images taken can also undergo digital enhancements and retouching to make sure that every detail is as perfect as you would like it. Blemishes or slight imperfections can be removed so as to enhance the end result.

Many photographers offer an extensive range of album presentations and framing to enhance your Child photography. The end result will then be tailor made and presented in beautiful albums and frames. The packaging and presentation of your images is designed to enhance the expression of the timeless moments created, guaranteeing value and longevity.

It is important to remember your children and their personal journey in a way that can be treasured forever. Sibling relationships are also captured and become powerful and very valuable as we age. Images are timeless, powerful and beautiful.

Child photographer Vittorio Natoli is the award-winning owner of Viva! photography franchises, specialists in child photography.