Category Archives: Photography

Portrait Photography

Posted on by

Do you love to capture photos; any kinds of the photos such as the snapshots or the candid photos; those photos having prepared poses, and everything. Do you know what is meant by portrait photography; this means that it is the art wherein you capture images of the individuals, those couples, families as well as people who are in groupings so all of you can able to preserve the visual memory and if you want to look for a professional portrait photographer to do this great job to you, you will know later on where you can find them.

Most of the time we see these photographs in photo albums from different occasions such as weddings, birthdays, graduation rites, and even for the everyday taken photos without no particular occasion is celebrated. However, if you want to achieve a good portrait, you must know that capturing pictures are not just merely capturing objects or individuals that you want in any angles that you desire; there are some aspects that you need to consider and they will be discussed in this article. They are important to consider so that you can able to arrive a good portrait and can make you proud that you have beautiful photos in such occasions that are special and memorable to you and your family.

Effects: the portrait photography can able to make visual record of the people at the different ages in their lives, throughout those special moments like weddings, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and many more.

Identification: Portraits are usually created at a portrait studio by a portrait photographer and the highly expert portrait photographers have the completed college training in their art, the apprenticeship or other specialized training.

Features: this photography utilizes the natural as well as the studio lighting, the professional backdrops as well as the posing techniques creatively.

Time Frame: when the portraits are then created by the portrait photographer, the customer can view proofs as well as orders for reprints for the personal usage and this may take few hours in a few weeks before to view the proofs. The reprint orders can usually take the few weeks to finish, since the photographer can able to desire to wait for the payment to be cleared out before processing the order.

Size: portraits can be available in the dissimilar print sizes, ranging from the wallets going to the large wall murals as well as often the portrait photographer can likewise made the novelty and gift items like the coffee mugs, mouse pads and with the T-shirts.

So if you want to have a family portrait, of course you can try to see for the portrait photographer as well as where you may find them; the answer is just simple and that is at Street Directory%u2019s website. As suggested in their website, you may choose a photographer at Snapz Image located at 2HR #B1-03, 2 Havelock Road, 059763 and there%u2019s still more, you may also choose your best suited photographer at the following company names; Passion Photographers, Digital Video, 101TeamWork, Lightbox Productions, Gloria Photo Studio, Zurina Bryant Photography, Kirei Color Centre, Max Photo, and the Ugly Duckling Project.

Finally, choose your portrait photographer now to take your portrait photography and you can choose one through the suggested company names from the web site of Street Directory and you do not need to worry or keep on wondering which of these suggested companies can offer you the best output because there are not listed companies in this particular directory that can only offer an unsatisfying outputs for its clients. So select now so you may begin making an arrangement with the amount that you will pay for every service done to you.

Texture Photography Approach To Eye-catching Photographs

Posted on by

A photographic image is successful when it successfully grabs the attention of the viewers. Images can do this in a variety of ways. Some images depend on bold color. Other photos utilize leading curves. Dramatic scenery is also used for this specific purpose. On the other hand, there exists a method that is quite often overlooked. That method is the use of texture. Thus, the objective of this article is to cover the essentials of texture photography.

Of course, the first thing that needs to be done is to define texture photography. The definition of texture photography is really very simple. The images of texture photography derive at least part of their impact through the use of texture.

Texture will be defined as the surface detail of an object. This detail can be made up of surface irregularities (such as the wood grain of an old plank) or of small forms on a surface (such as a mass of roots from an ancient tree).

Three Types of Texture Photography

This article will cover three of the most common forms of texture photography — texture used to enhance detail, drama, or information.

Detail: With detail texture photography, the detail of an object’s surface is the most important aspect of an image. The actual object is of lower value. There are a couple of approaches to detail images. The image can be taken as a macro shot. That way, the camera is moved in close to really expose the texture. The other approach is to photograph only a part of an object (which also focuses the attention on the texture). An example of this type of texture image would be a close-up of the patterns found in old rock formations.

Typically, the best light for this type of image is side light. Side light will enhance the detail in any uneven surface by casting shadows.

Drama: With drama texture photography, the texture helps to bring out the drama in an image. In this use of texture, the texture is not the principal feature of the image. Instead, it is one component of the image that serves to spice up the image.

A key point is that, typically, the contrast or color of the texture serves to catch the viewer’s interest. So, it is essential to pick a subject that has good color or contrast.

A good example of texture used for drama would be the patterns of layered rock in the Grand Canyon glowing in the late afternoon sun.

An important point is that side light works well with these images. The side light casts shadows that emphasize the texture and, thus, the drama.

Information: Utilizing texture to communicate information about a photographic subject is the last form of texture photography that we will review. In an information texture image, the texture tells part of the tale of the image by communicating something about the image. A case in point would be an image of an aged, dilapidated, wooden walkway at a remote beach. In this case, the aged wood suggests that the beach has a history that could not be communicated by an image of just the white, beach sand.

For information texture images, it is crucial to identify specifically what information the texture is to communicate and compose the image in such a manner that the texture brings out the right message. The outcome will be a better image.

One other essential point is to make certain that the texture has a subservient role in this kind of image. Put simply, the texture should help to enhance the center of interest not overwhelm the center of interest.

Synopsis

The information in this article gives only a hint of what can be accomplished with texture photography. There is a lot more to find out about texture photography.

Stock Photography Sites How to Sell Your Work

Posted on by

Stock Photography Sites: How to Sell Your Work

Okay, so you have taken some nice pictures and would like to make a little money doing something you enjoy. Selling your photography to a stock photograph site may be just the right fit for you. Before you start submitting your work, however, there are some things you need to knowimportant things. This series of articles will help get you started the right way.

Part One Getting Started

A quick Google search will provide you with several sites that provide royalty-free images to designers, publishers, and other consumers for a fee. These include sites that are always looking for content like iStockphoto, Shutter Stock, and Big Stock Photo. You provide them with stock photographs of various subjects and, when a client downloads those photos, you receive a royalty payment. Nice, right? Before you dash off to organize those pics, however, there some things you have to know.

This article will cover the three things you need to consider before you can start making money from your photographs using stock photography sites.

Standards

Stock photography sites make money by selling useful images to writers, publishers, and designers who need to enhance their projectsthe important word being useful. A useful image, for the purposes of general standards, is an image that is:

High Quality. The photo you upload must maintain its resolution over a variety of print and digital media.
Technically Perfect. Your photo must contain no flaws that will make it unattractive to site editors or potential clients.
Big. Your photos need to be rendered as large as possible because most stock photography sites offer multiple image sizes and the larger the download, the more money everyone makes.
Commercially Viable. Stock photography sites collect money for these photographs from people who are going to use them in a commercial setting. You must ensure that all subjects have provided releases (both model and property) and that there is no copyright infringement or other commercial-use barrier.

The clients of stock photography sites need to be able to pay-and-go, i.e., buy a photo on the site, insert it into their project, and not worry about anything else. This means the site will only use your image if it comports with these standards.

Accounts

You will have to create a user account with any major stock photography site for obvious reasonsthey need to know where to send the royalty checks. Make sure that you fill out the information completely and accurately. Some sites, like iStockphoto, have an application process that also requires you to upload a copy of your drivers license or other photo identification. There is no reason to freak out about these requirements; they are no different than what any other employer or contractor would require of you.

General Image Requirements

Different sites will have minor differences in image requirements, but I suggest you do these three things:

Make it Simple. There are a variety of file formats for images and, while the requirements and file types vary from site-to-site, I suggest you make it easy on yourself and upload only JPG files that are in RGB. The reason for this is simple; this file format will work for everyone. Some sites will accept your PSD files in CMYK with no questions (because they are focused on effects, filters, or print images), but most wont. Some sites take TIFF and PNG, but others have a problem with those files uploading. As of the date of this writing, ALL of the stock photography sites will take the RGB JPG. Dont play chess if the game is checkersmake it simple.
Make it Big. The larger the file size, the more useful the image; you can always make a large image smaller with no loss of quality but you cannot exceed the original image size without pixilation and digital noise. Some sites have a minimum allowable image size, e.g., iStockphoto requires images to be at least 1600 X 1200 pixels, but there is no need to limit your opportunity by uploading small photos. Give yourself a better chance to succeed and give the site your biggest and best. In this case, bigger IS better.
Make it Pure. Dont try to sell images that have been up-sampled, filtered (unless it is a totally necessary artistic look), color-adjusted, or otherwise manipulated UNLESS the editors are looking for those specific types of images. Generally, over-produced images do not help clients and, while special effect photography is an entirely different matter, the closer your image is to the original natural shot the better.

Familiarize yourself with each sites general image requirements so you wont have problems getting your application approved.

So, thats the basic way to start selling your photographs on stock photography sites. The next article in this series will address how to determine the specific needs of each site, i.e., what exactly are the editors looking for right now. Knowing this will get you in the door much faster.

Maternity Photography – Preparation, Poses And Locations

Posted on by

Every woman and her husband want to see their maternity photographs most impressive and conveying. However there are no standards to judge the quality of maternity photography. All depends upon the personal liking and preferences. Even then, there are three major constituents of maternity photography. These are preparation, poses and locations. Even if you opt to hire the services of a professional photographer, you need to be involved actively at every stage. No photographer can deliver the best in desired way without the cooperation of model. It is the combined responsibility to get the best photographs of each and every session. As most of the expectant mothers are inexperienced for this activity, therefore they need basic guidance prior to the very first session of pregnancy photography.

First of all you need to prepare yourself mentally and physically both. You must be convinced with the benefits of pregnancy stage photography. You must try to involve your family members in to this act. It will eliminate all the shyness that you may face during the sessions. Apart from this, the involvement of family members makes the photographs more meaningful. Next important activity under preparation is the selection of dresses and makeup. No particular dresses are required. Open neck front open shirts, low belly jeans and short frocks etc are good to wear during the session. These dresses make the belly exposing easy during the photography session. As the maternity photography is aimed to capture your facial expressions and motherly look, so it is better to pose with utmost simplicity. Just sprinkle some talcum powder over the belly and hands. But do not put on dark facial makeup.

It may not be possible or feasible to follow the poses defined in the maternity photography books or shown at the concerned sites. It is you, who will think about and decide the poses according to your own liking. Do not pose too much stylish. Sitting on the bed or chair, standing straight, leaning little forward and lying over the bed and walking are the comfortable poses. Presence of children or husband gives you more ideas to pose. In any case do not compromise with your comfort. You may hold something beautiful in your hands. Flower bunch can be used to hide the body part that you do not want to hide.

Third important thing, you need to think about is the location. You have sufficient choices to choose according to your convenience. The first phase sessions should be held outdoor while the sessions at the later stage should be kept indoor or near the house. Garden, beach, park, terrace, amusement parks and bedroom are some ideal location.

Plan your maternity photography well ahead of first session or even before contacting the photographer. Do not allow him to govern you; instead discuss every issue with him open mindedly. Remember, getting good maternity photographs is a combined fun filled activity- it is not a task.

The Rules Of Photography Knowing When To Break Them.

Posted on by

Creative photography is a mix of many ingredients; art and technology, skill and patience, cold mechanical knowhow and individual flair.

For a beginner learning the basics, it would be nice if there was a simple set of rules to follow to make the whole thing easier. Surely someone could just tell you what aperture to use in a given situation, or how to structure a composition to get the best results every time?

Photography is a lot like learning to drive. With a car, you need to know the road rules, and you need to know the basic skills of steering, accellerating and braking. These can be learned easily with a bit of practice. But even when you have mastered the essentials, you still need to get to know your car, because each car is a little different. Then you need experience with night driving, wet-weather driving, off-road driving…

What you must understand is that following the rules will only take you so far. In photography, you will find that rules help you in the beginning, and some rules will stay with you throughout your career. The trick is to understand when the rules don’t apply, or when you should choose to ignore them. This is the type of knowledge that can’t easily be taught. It comes with experience, and is what gives you indiduality as a photographer.

Below are just a few of the rules that, for an experienced photographer, are just made to be broken.

Photography Rule #1. Outdoor Photos Should Be Taken In The Early Morning Or Late Afternoon. This is one of the first principles of landscape photography, and can be applied to almost any outdoor photography. The softness and warm colour of the sunlight at these times adds beauty and character to almost any scene. It also creates much lower contrast, allowing you to avoid harsh shadows and over-exposure of the highlights in your photos.

When can you break this rule? I can think of two situations immediately.

Black and white photography is defined by contrast rather than by subtle colour, so you often want stronger shadows to create the best image. For this reason, black and white photos are often best taken closer to the middle of the day when the light is stronger.

Rainforest photography is also best in the middle of the day, but this time you don’t want bright sunlight; you want cloudy weather to create an nice even light throughout the forest. Otherwise the patches of light coming through the canopy will create ‘hot spots’ all over your image.

Photography Rule #2.The Rule Of Thirds. The rule of thirds is an excellent guide for a beginner learning about composition. In simple terms, it divides your photo into three parts, vertically and horizontally. The dividing lines are the best places to position long objects in a photo (like trees and horizon lines). The points where the lines intersect are the most effective places to position smaller objects for most impact.

Photos that are taken according to the Rule Of Thirds appear balanced. They satisfy our natural sense of visual order and simply look ‘right.’ Unfortunately, the world is not so easily organised as the rule, so it is impossible in nature to take every photo this way. Moreover, sometimes you may decide to ignore the rule, giving more impact to the photo by shaking up the normal balance of the composition.

When can you break this rule? Here is one obvious example, but I am sure you can think of many more.

Sunset photos feature colourful skies, and silhoettes in the foreground. If you have a truly spectacular sky, it doesn’t make sense to fill a third of the picture with empty blackness. You may choose to tilt the camera up to make a feature of the sky, and reduce the area filled by the foreground.

Rule #3. Your Lightmeter Is Always Right. Most of the time you can trust your lightmeter. If it indicates your photo is well exposed, it probably will be…but not always.

When can you break this rule? When there is a big difference in the level of light between the subject and the surroundings.

You may be photographing a person, an animal, a flower etc. in full sunlight, but the background is shady. This is a very effective way of making your subject stand out from the surroundings. In this situation, the different levels of light are bound to trick the lightmeter. In fact, if you take your photo on auto, your subject will most likely be overexposed. The best approach is to switch your camera to manual, and adjust your aperture or shutter speed until the photo is underexposed by one or two stops. This will darken your background and bring the subject into perfect exposure.

Can you see a pattern developing here? Rules are there for a reason, and your skills will improve in leaps and bounds if you learn them and practice them. But having done that, you are ready to take the next step. Start experimenting outside the rules and see where it takes you. Knowing and following the rules will make you a good photographer. Choosing how and when to break them will make you even better.