Wall-Mounting Matted and Framed Photography

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The final step to displaying great photography involves mounting it on your walls. While this sounds very simple, it may seem intimidating to people new to photography, and those who do not consider themselves do-it-yourself-ers. Actually, the process is fairly simple with a few tools. While there are many, many different ways to creatively display photography we will focus on the more basic approach of using single row of photos across a wall. Because this is a basic introduction to mounting, I will try to make all explanations as simple as possible. While different people use different methods, which eventually bring them all to the same point, I prefer to start from the middle of every wall, and work outwards. This article assumes that your photography will not be offset, and will indeed be mounted with equal margins at either end of the wall.

First, let's talk tools. Most of the time you can get away with a tape measure, a hammer, a few small nails and a screw driver. My personal recommendation is to acquire a leveling tool, as well as a long metal ruler. You will need a tape measure in order to measure distances between your photographs and of course to assure that spacing is proportional. A hammer will of course be necessary to drive the nails into the drywall. A screwdriver may be necessary, if your frames do not have mounting hardware already attached. In many cases, store bought frames will include a little comb looking hanger, which will require a small Phillips screwdriver to attach to the frame. As I mentioned a minute ago, it is a good idea to acquire a level, if you expect to hang photography more than once. A laser lever is a great tool for a home owner, as it will produce visible straight lines across your walls, which will make a snap for you to measure to mount frames. If you begin shopping for one, make sure that it has some sort of a wall mount, which will not damage the walls, but will attach securely. There are many different models out there, and with a little research and brand comparison, you will find a good tool, which will make you thank me for suggesting it.

Let's get started. First of all, determine how many photographs you are going to mount and whether or not the wall is long enough to accommodate all of them. Obviously, if the total width of your framed photographs is more than the length of the wall end to end, you will have to reconsider the number of photographs to be mounted. Measure your wall, end to end, in order to get the total length, and divide that length into half. This will give you the middle of the wall. Now place a mark wherever that middle happens to be. Place a mark with a pencil at approximately your eye-level. Do not worry, pencil erases easily. Now figure out how many photographs will be to the left and to the right of this mark. Remember, you may choose to use this mark for one of your photographs, or you may choose to leave it empty.

Hopefully, all of your frames are the same size. This makes things much easier. Determine home much space you want to leave between your photographs and add ? the length of the frame to that number. Try to keep the numbers whole, as it makes things much easier. You want to use a few pieces of cardboard, cut out to the same size as the frames, to figure out what looks good on your wall. It is easy to tack these templates to the wall with a few pieces of tasking tape.

Now figure out how high you want your photographs. Try to keep them at eye-level. Measure from top of the ceiling to where the top of the picture frame will be. Now, measure from the top of the frame to the wall mount on that frame. Add the first number to this and you will have the height at which you will be driving in your small nails. Record this number.

Now that you know how high the photographs will be mounted, and the intervals between them, it is time to mark all points which will receive a nail. If you have a laser level, you are in luck. Just place it at either end of the wall at the same height as you recorded earlier. The laser level will project a straight line to the other end of the wall, and you will have a reference line. Now from the middle of the wall move in either direction and put a mark where the nails will go. This distance was determined earlier. This distance will be equal from one mark to the next. All marks will be done on the reference line from your laser level. Once all points are marked, hammer a small nail, on a downward angle to create a simple hook at every mark.

That's it. While it may seem daunting at first, just use this guide, and it will make things quite a bit easier. This article does not discuss vertical alignment, where different types and sizes of frames are used. This will be discussed in future articles.

Written by Professional Photographer, and an owner of a Photography Selling Service. To learn more about this, and many other general, as well as more specific photography related subjects, or to explore a Fine Art Photography gallery, please consider visiting WorldonPaper.com Contemporary Fine Art Gallery

Starting Your Pet Photography Business

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If you love pets and other animals, starting a pet photography business is possibly a great way to make money, on a steady basis for yourself. A genuine business opportunity.

Not only will you get to make good money, but you will also get to do so while enjoying your job. These two wonderful points are something that everybody is looking for in a career. Do you agree? If you think this is small potatoes just look at some of the fabulous home businesses around the internet world that are based on doggy and kitty care. They are big puppies, pardon the pun, for their owners.

Now before you start a pet photography business there are some key things that you will need to keep in mind. Remember, you cannot simply start a pet business because you like animals. Although, this is another massive benefit for you.

There is more to it than that. If you want to be successful at what you are doing you will need to be the best of the best. The best you can be. Please let me show you how below.

To begin your business look into the local market that you live in. There are two things, distinctly, that you should look at. First of all, are there enough people in your area that will want to use your service?

The bigger the city you live in the better your chances are of getting a lot of business. Are there a lot of well cared for dogs and cats in your area? That is, people who care about their pets? Who might want pictures of and with them?

You will also want to make sure that you do not have excessive competition in this industry. If there is already an established pet business like this in your area you may want to reconsider where you open up shop. This is a targeted niche market for you, and if somebody has already tapped into it you may have a hard time grabbing a share of the market.

To succeed and have a successful photo business you need to be good at taking pictures. That is a bottom line. If you are lacking the skills to take top good photographs nobody is going to pay for your services.

In addition, you will need to have the necessary camera equipment in order to be a success in the pet photography industry. This can be costly, but it is something you need to have to move up in the industry.

Another area, to speak of expenses to consider, is that a good photography business has a professional atmosphere in which clients can bring their pets. You will need to have a good, easy to find, location to do this as well as different props and backdrops. Also, keeping your working area clean and fresh smelling, is an absolute must if you are going to be having pets in and out all day long. Giving off an extra good sense of professionalism is a terrific way to get repeat and referral clients.

Still, another area seldom used in pet photography is to offer to come to client homes to take pictures. Virtually all photographers like to go to pet shops or drug stores to take their pictures. If you create a niche for yourself in this area you will be one step up on your competition. Make or get a clear sign for your business, with your phone number on it, and attach it to your car. You will get easy sales and leads this way. Do what others do not to succeed.

Get picture business cards made, dirt cheap, on the internet by going to Vistaprint and be sure to select a picture, on your business card, with cute dogs and cats on it. Pass out and post these cards at every opportunity for easy sales. Many of us pet lovers will not be able to resist calling you and having just one picture done.

Once you get some customers under your belt make a little cheap brag book, you can get for a dollar at the dollar store, that you can carry around with you. Keep it in your car. Customers will not be able to resist when they see this because they will picture themselves and their own pets in this cute little albums. Ring up more sales this unique way.

Have an article content writing service make a sales letter for you on the internet. You can have one permanent letter made for your specific business for less than $10 total! Print these up cheaply and pass them out. Ask the content writing service to post them on the internet for you with your contact information on them for free. This will, in time, bring you more sales.

Overall, a pet business like this, is a great way to make money in an industry that is interesting, fun and full of love. If you love pets, and have a knack for photography, you should really look into this industry right away. Who knows, you could even carve out a niche in your area and garner lots more clients than you ever thought possible.

James M. Lowe writes original articles about http://www.contenttomarket.com/ArticleWriters/home business opportunities

Starting A Pet Photography Business

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If you like pets, starting a pet photography business is a great way to make money. Not only will you get to make money, but you will also get to do so while enjoying your job. Moreover, it is not something that everybody is looking for in a career.

But before you start a pet photography business there are a few things that you will need to keep in mind. Remember, you cannot simply start a pet business because you like animals. There is much more to it than that. And if you want to be successful at what you are doing you will need to be the best of the best.

Before you start your pet photography business look into the market that you live in. There are two things in particular that you should look at. First off, are there enough people in your area that will want to use your service? Obviously, the bigger the city you live in the better your chances are of garnering a lot of business. You will also want to make sure that you do not have a lot of competition in this industry. If there is already an established pet photography business in your area you may want to reconsider where you open up shop. This is a specialized niche and if somebody has already tapped into it you may have a hard time grabbing a share of the market.

To have a successful pet photography business you need to be good at taking pictures. That is the bottom line. If you do not have the skills to take top notch photos nobody is going to pay for your services. In addition, you will need to have the necessary equipment in order to be a success in this industry. This can cost a lot of money but it is something that you need to have to move to the top of the industry.

And speaking of expenses, a good pet photography business has a professional atmosphere in which clients can bring their pets. You will need to have a space to do this, as well as different props and backdrops. Plus, keeping the area clean is an absolute must if you are going to be having pets in and out all day long. Giving off a good sense of professionalism is a great way to garner repeat and referral clients.

Overall, a pet photography business is a great way to make money in an industry that is interesting. If you love pets and have a knack for photography, you should look into this industry right away. Who knows, you may carve out a niche in your area and garner more clients than you ever thought possible.

Obinna Heche. Los Angeles - California

Delivering the best home based business ideas and opportunities so you can work at home successfully.. http://www.pet-services.eoltt.com

The Art Of Photography Magazines

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A photograph is a picture painted by the sun without instruction in art (Ambrose Pierce). Let?s face it, we cannot all be Van Gogh or Monet, and we will not even try; but photography. Now that is an art for the common man. From the childhood pinhole camera to the digital SLR as an adult, all of us have dabbled, some of us more than others, in this form of expression. There is something about memories ? we all hold on to them, in our minds, and in our scrapbooks.

If you want to know how to make your photographs look better, then a subscription to a photography magazine is the best way to get there. I would recommend subscriptions to at least three, actually.

The Popular Photography Magazine is great for beginners, and is referred to by professionals as well. Each issue of this magazine teaches you the basics of photography, like composition and production. There is a section for new products, to help you make the correct choice of equipment, according to your budget and level of interest and expertise. There are helpful tips and solutions to making your pictures look better.

If collecting photographs is more up your alley, then the Blind Spot Magazine is for you. Not only does it feature the finest works of art that you will find, it also showcases some upcoming talent. This is the best source of works for a collector, or a curator, as well as for designers, who are looking for innovations in their work. Most of the photographs featured in this magazine are those that have never been seen before. Try it; it will satisfy the artist in you.

Aspiring and established photographers swear by the American Photo Magazine. It is very technical, and has reviews and curtain-raisers on the latest equipment in the market. There are sections devoted to industry trends and techniques as well.

The digital way of living has changed the way photographs are taken. Some people have welcomed digital cameras with open arms, but the more orthodox one swear by film. Without being biased, there is no denying that computers are here to stay, and there is a beautiful relationship between computers and photography in this age of flawless imagery. The PCPhoto Magazine makes life easier for the digital artist. This magazine provides, in each issue, step-by-step instructions on how to enhance and improve your digital images. There is a whole section dedicated especially to the newest cameras, scanners and software in the market.

Another magazine that tries to please both factions in the digital vs film war is the Photo Techniques Magazine. This magazine deals with Photoshop in detail; essential in today?s imaging business. It should be of great help to both the professional and the amateur.

As for the video enthusiasts, there are two magazines that will help, whether you are a beginner, or an expert ? the Videomaker Magazine and the Camcorder Magazine. Now you can make your own home videos and edit them, but better than your parents did!

There are many more magazines in the market. You just have to figure out which one is of more useful to you. And remember, when you click in color, you capture the clothes; when you click in black and white, you capture the soul.

James Brown writes about Magazine City,Magazines and MagMall Magazines

Photography Q&A: The Basics Of Developing Photographs

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* Can I develop my own photographs?

Yes, you can. By having your own darkroom, it is possible that you can develop your own photos. You first need to set up your own darkroom and buy darkroom equipment.

* What equipment and supplies do I need in a darkroom?

A darkroom requires many kinds of equipment to get you started in developing your photos. It is expensive, so you should prepare a sufficient amount of money to get into this hobby.

The darkroom necessities are:

* Enlarger * Negative carrier * Lens Board * Lens * Safelight * Print trays * Timer * Thermometer * Funnel * Chemical jugs * Developer, stop, fixer * Printing paper * Mixing rod * Print squeegee * Dust brush * Graduates * Negative Storage * Dark Bag/ Dark room * Film tank * Film reels * Film

Above is the equipment you need for a darkroom. However, you still need additional equipment to set up a complete darkroom above and beyond the former, which includes:

* Paper cutter * Color print drum * Motor base for print drum or rotary processor * Color head or filters * Color printing paper * Color chemicals * Jugs and graduates for color chemistry * Color print viewing filter kit * Light table * Dry mount press * Mounting tissue * Bulk film loader * Film cassettes * Darkroom sink * Water board * Film drier * Print drier * Toners * Jugs for toners * Exposure/color analyzer * Repeating printing timer * Photo Oils/pencils * Print tongs * Hypo clear, photo-flow * Easel * Polycontrast Filters * Film clips * Print washer * Blotter book * Projection scale * Antistaticum * Canned air * Loupe * Cropping guide * Film washer * Cotton gloves * Spotting dyes * Spotting brush * Contact printer * Grain focuser

* What makes a good darkroom?

A good darkroom should be light-proof, spacious, have dry and wet areas, have ventilation, have bench space, be organized, have a safe light, and be comfortable to work in. Since you will be working with chemicals, it is important that you have enough space to maneuver to avoid tripping over dangerous chemicals.

Travis Partrige is a regular contributor to photographer guides and photography-related sites such as Photography Question and Answer. Website: http://www.PhotographyQA.com

Wildlife photography in Africa

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Africa has always been known as one of the best destinations for wildlife photography, or nature photography in general. All serious professional wildlife photographers have quite a portion of their file filled with photos from Africa. Why is this? It is because Africa presents you with opportunities for wildlife photography like no other place in the world.

Abundant wildlife

Africa's wildlife is legendary. There are countless beautiful species, each unique. These species can still be seen in vast areas of their natural habitat, all over Africa. In some places, natural migrations that cover thousands of kilometers still take place unhampered by human civilization. You will not find this rich diversity anywhere else in the world.

Some of the species make such a brutal and captivating living, preying off other species that they get admired by every naturalist. Who would not like to see a lion kill? Who does not dream about finding a leopard in a tree, with an impala ram that it has just taken down? And cheetahs stalking gazelle in long grass? Obviously you would like to experience these things, even capture it on film. Unfortunately it can happen only in Africa.

Amazing photography

Good wildlife photography usually involves capturing some action in the golden light of dawn or dusk. As I explained above, if there is someplace to see wildlife in action, it is Africa.

The golden light does not get more golden than in Africa. Believe it or not, but this is due to dust in the air. Most of Africa is dry, and particularly in the dry season it gets very dusty. This causes the sun to be very red as it leaves or approaches the horizon, causing a beautiful golden glow on any subject bathed in sunlight.

In the dry season, the bushveld is also a lot more open (not too dense) and then you can spot your subject easier and compose it with less interference (branches and leaves sticking into your photograph uninvited...)

Other considerations

Africa is very dusty as I said. Now, this can interfere with your photography as your camera's digital sensor must be spotlessly clean for it not to show dust on the photograph. I would therefore recommend that if you cannot afford to bring different camera bodies for each of your lenses, to either just use a broad zoom lens or only to change lenses when there is no dust around, and to not change lenses often.

Most wildlife photography in Africa happens from inside a vehicle. You can try handholding all shots, but you will delete at least half you photos if this is your approach. Rather try using beanbags or a window bracket for camera support. These will ensure you get that sharp shot.

Conclusion

Africa is an excellent destination for wildlife photography. Why don't you come and see for yourself. One warning though! If you visit Africa and spend a night or two under African skies, you might just be hooked for life. Even worse, if you get back home and see the award winning photos you have taken, you might just make a permanent move to Africa... Don't say I didn't warn you!

Dries Cronje makes a living from nature photography in Africa. He offers his fellow photographers some very useful advice on his website http://www.africa-nature-photography.com.

African Safari Photography Best Five Destinations

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Good wildlife safari photography is not only about composition and camera equipment because you first need to find your subjects before you can even lift your camera. This best five African wildlife destinations list helps you do that.

Once you have been going on wildlife photography safaris in Africa for a number of years you begin to realise and recognise that certain areas are better than others for generating good animal picture opportunities on a consistent basis.

The ranking is based on over twenty years of my safari photography experience, forums, countless trip reports and travel journals, travel magazines and prevailing wisdom in the Africa travel industry.

1. Serengeti NP - Tanzania

One of the best safari parks in Africa bar none, the Serengeti is a safari photography dream destination.

The wildlife viewing on a photographic safari here often borders on the spectacular aided by the fact that the vegetation is predominantly grassland which makes spotting animals from a distance considerably easier and provides less obstacles like bushes and trees to obscure your subjects.

The grassland is also able to sustain a multitude of herbivores like wildebeest, zebra and gazelle which in turn sustains a large population of predators to feed on them so it's no surprise that the Serengeti is often referred to as "big cat central". In the Masaai language Serengeti means "endless plain" which is very close to the truth.

Two extraordinary events occur here that make it an even more remarkable place to take a Tanzania safari. The annual wildebeest migration and the birth of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest foals.

The migration occurs as the massive herds of up to a million individuals begin their search for better grazing by moving north. The exact timing is dependant on the seasonal rains but they travel across the Serengeti en masse roughly between April and August.

In February - March, months before they begin their epic journey, the wildebeest give birth within a six week period to hundreds of thousands of calves, taking advantage of the sweet grazing available in the Serengeti at that time. They all foal at the same time to cause a glut of prey opportunities for the predators who make full use of the bonanza while they can.

And so can you with some remarkable picture opportunities in the offing.

2. Masai Mara Reserve - Kenya

This is one of the places where your camera will start steaming from overuse especially if you are after big cat pictures.

Along with the Serengeti in Tanzania, this is without a doubt the premier game viewing destination in Africa because of the quality and quantity of wildlife sightings and safari photography opportunities to be found here.

This sometimes works against it because in certain places it can be overrun with photographers and tourist in safari vehicles all jostling for the best position around a bemused lion pride or leopard in a tree.

But if predators are what you seek from a safari photography trip then this reserve will deliver them in spades in the form of lion, cheetah, hyena and even regular leopard sightings if you know the right areas.

Taking a hot air balloon ride over the plains will provide a unique perspective for your safari photography efforts not to mention an amazing experience.

3. Kruger NP - South Africa

The Kruger National Park has to rank as one of the best South Africa safari photography destinations, only slightly behind the Masai Mara and Serengeti when it comes to wildlife viewing because the vegetation in Kruger can be dense and sometimes mars the ability to see longer distances and get clear wildlife pictures.

But the variety of animals, birds and ecosystems that you can experience here are unparalleled anywhere else in Africa and the accommodation, roads and facilities are top notch and all at a very affordable price.

It's not unusual to see lion, leopard, cheetah, a pack of wild dog, rhino, elephant, buffalo and a whole host of antelope, crocodile and hippo in the course of a single trip including a variety of insects and reptiles.

On the bird front you will be spoiled with a seemingly never-ending supply of eagles, hawks, water birds and a host of migratory and indigenous species to the tune of about 510 different varieties.

You can easily do a self drive safari photography holiday here and still see a decent amount of wildlife especially if you stick to the central and southern portions of this massive park (larger than Ireland). The north has fewer animals due to dryer conditions but also less tourists which makes for a more isolated and intimate wildlife experience.

4. Okavango Delta and Moremi GR - Botswana

The Okavango Delta must qualify as the most unique and varied safari area in Africa and photographs of the landscape here are almost as prized as the wildlife pictures themselves.

The delta lies in the North of Botswana and it consists of narrow water channels lined by papyrus, floodplains covered knee deep in water, hippo filled lagoons, forest glades and savannah grassland.

You can go on outstanding safari photography expeditions here on foot, using a 4x4 vehicle, a mokoro (dug-out canoe) or a motorised boat.

Vast herds of buffalo, elephant, gazelle and zebra roam this rich ecosystem which is fed by the Okavango river which has its source in the Angolan highlands and floods the delta every year.

This treasure trove of available prey attracts the predators too and lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog thrive here. The dry season is the best for game viewing because the animals are drawn to the permanent water sources.

The Moremi game reserve consists of strictly controlled, privately managed concessions and it falls within the Okavango delta area and has no fences which leaves the animals free to roam around as they please.

There are a number of upmarket Botswana safari lodges in Moremi such as the Vumbura concession which contains both wetland and savannah areas for the best of both worlds.

The Delta is at its most impressive in August when the water is at its deepest and most of the young are born between November and March when the vegetation is lush and dense so it might be a good idea to plan any Botswana safari photography trips to coincide with these events.

5. South and North Luangwa NP - Zambia

Some experts have branded the Luangwa National Park as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world because the density of game you can find here mixed with the isolation and pure unadulterated wildness of it is almost without compare.

Because it is reasonably undiscovered except to the locals in the know and a select few foreign visitors, it hasn't been overrun by masses of tourists yet and you can experience a safari photography vacation here as it should be and some say that is the best Africa has to offer.

There are over 60 species of animal here with the unfortunate exception of rhino because they were poached into extinction and over 400 different kinds of birds.

They all rely on and are drawn to the winding Luangwa river which is crowded with some of the biggest concentrations of hippo and crocodile you will find anywhere in Africa. it has been estimated that there are 50 hippos per kilometre of this congested river.

The South Luangwa was the birthplace of the walking safari and it is still a very popular way to explore the area from a quality collection of safari lodges and camps. Night drives are another excellent way to see leopard which are reputed to be more regularly seen in this park than anywhere else in Africa because of the high concentrations of the predator. Lions and even rare sightings like honey badger, civet and wild dog are likely to be seen.

To take the true Zambia safari photography adventure a step farther, the northern luangwa area is even more remote, wild and isolated than the south and the wildlife and bird viewing experience is from the top draw. Definitely one for the safari cognoscenti.

Bruce Whittaker

Wildlife photography tips and advice about the best nature cameras, lenses and techniques to improve your pictures on safari..http://www.african-safari-pictures.com/wildlife-photography.html

African primate pictures taken on safari of chimpanzee, gorilla, baboon, vervet, mandrill and colobus monkeys..http://www.african-safari-pictures.com/primate-pictures.html