PHOTOGRAPHY

Tips for low light photography : Capture every Christmas moment

Shovon Lal Saha

Link Author

Title: Tips for low light photography : Capture every Christmas moment
Author: Shovon Lal Saha
Rating 5 of 5 Des:

Christmas tends to be a time of pretty lights and low-lit rooms to take full advantage of those lights, which in turn results in images fu...

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qUCNaH5u0bwXIpiZyQELn2TcUdgy8eNkeeKNIRdN5AMkPc-xkCfY-qaH_1Lg0tYjQfHU7nHL5c27j-AR8lcKIlBrTU4bQabo5tE1OsyyO3lUUP9-7RquiPSBwiMESzGDzNzK8sCWcEcd/s1600/php5fwfqi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qUCNaH5u0bwXIpiZyQELn2TcUdgy8eNkeeKNIRdN5AMkPc-xkCfY-qaH_1Lg0tYjQfHU7nHL5c27j-AR8lcKIlBrTU4bQabo5tE1OsyyO3lUUP9-7RquiPSBwiMESzGDzNzK8sCWcEcd/s640/php5fwfqi.jpg" width="640" /></a>Christmas tends to be a time of pretty lights and low-lit 
rooms to take full advantage of those lights, which in turn results in 
images full of random shadows and colours.<br />
<br />

To help you out, we have compiled a few tips to give you 
better photo results when using a camera in low light. First step is 
taking it out of auto, and then follow these tricks to make sure you 
capture every moment. If you're using a smartphone, you can check out 
our feature six tips on smartphone photography to help you out.<br />

<h3 class="nolinks">
Use the scene modes</h3>
The scene modes are a good place to start and many cameras feature an
 intelligent scene setting, which detects when you are taking a <span>night </span><span>shot</span> so this feature is worth keeping on.<br />
<br />

You can also manually set your camera to night mode, which will more 
than likely still give you a flash, but it is a step in the right 
direction for a better shot.<br />
<br />

Some cameras also have a low light mode, which not only turns the 
flash off, but automatically sets the right shutter speed, aperture, 
ISO, among other features necessary for a good shot.<br />

<h3 class="nolinks">
Set the maximum image stabilisation</h3>
As the flash is your enemy when it comes to low light shots, when you
 turn it off your shutter will need to stay open as long as possible for
 each photo to get as much light into the sensor as possible.<br />
<br />

The only problem is, any movement you make in that time will result 
in blurring, which you don't want unless you are looking for a super 
arty shot.<br />
<br />

To help avoid the blur, you need to find the image stablisation 
setting in the camera and set it to the maximum. The camera will then 
use a range of techniques and algorithms to counteract any shaky hands.<br />

Alternatively, find somewhere stable to rest your camera - a table or wall, for example.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.welshotimaging.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/5D_IMG_0431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://www.welshotimaging.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/5D_IMG_0431.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />

<h3 class="nolinks">
Avoid zoom</h3>
When you zoom in, you reduce the amount of light that can be let into
 the camera at any one time, unless you have a high-end model, that is.<br />
<br />

If you have a camera that allows you to adjust the aperture, you'll 
notice the maximum size, which is the smallest number available, will be
 selectable. For the majority of compact cameras, this won't be the case
 when you are zoomed in.<br />
<br />

For the best low light shots, you need a large aperture and therefore
 you need to move yourself closer, rather than hitting that plus button 
to zoom in.<br />

<h3 class="nolinks">
Consider setting the maximum ISO possible</h3>
Since you have taken your camera out of Auto mode, it is likely the 
device will stop adjusting the ISO for you, or at least let you alter it
 yourself.<br />
<br />

The ISO is the measurement for how sensitive your camera is to light.
 For low light shots, a higher ISO will give you a photo without using a
 really long, slow shot, which is difficult to keep steady handheld.<br />

At the top settings you'll probably see some more noise or speckles 
on your images, with a lack of clarity and possibly the odd artifact, 
but if all else fails, you'll get that <span>night </span><span>shot</span>.<br />

<h3 class="nolinks">
Try the manual option</h3>
You might just be a point and shoot photographer, but if your camera has a manual mode, then it is worth giving it a go.<br />
<br />

For low light conditions, you need that large aperture mentioned 
above and a long shutter speed, meaning you will need low numbers for 
both settings.<br />
<br />

If you are unsure, many cameras will show you how you are affecting 
the image as you change the settings on the LCD display, so keep an eye 
on it and stop when it looks right.<br />
<br />

Take the time to experiment and you'll find the best combination of all the techniques above.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">source : <a href="http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/136231-tips-for-low-light-photography-capture-every-christmas-moment">http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/136231-tips-for-low-light-photography-capture-every-christmas-moment</a> </span>

Tips for low light photography : Capture every Christmas moment

Christmas tends to be a time of pretty lights and low-lit rooms to take full advantage of those lights, which in turn results in images fu...

5 ways to keep shooting outdoors this Christmas

Shovon Lal Saha

Link Author

Title: 5 ways to keep shooting outdoors this Christmas
Author: Shovon Lal Saha
Rating 5 of 5 Des:

There are many reasons to feel photographically discouraged over the Christmas period, from rainy weather and freezing temperatures to poor...

There are many reasons to feel photographically discouraged over the 
Christmas period, from rainy weather and freezing temperatures to poor 
lighting conditions.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, this time of year also presents many opportunities you 
may not otherwise have, such as Christmas markets, snowy landscapes, 
lighting displays and various other festive events.<br />
<br />
The good news is that, with a little prior preparation, you can 
ensure not only your kit is protected but also that you’re inspired 
enough to go out and try something different – here are five tips that 
will help keep you motivated over the winter months.<br />
<br />
<a class="hawk-link-parsed" href="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2012/10/DIY_Photography_Hacks_DCM110.shoot_hacks.shoot_.jpg"><img alt="DIY Photography Hacks: make a cheap rain cover for your camera - Step 5" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-542303" height="406" src="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2012/10/DIY_Photography_Hacks_DCM110.shoot_hacks.shoot_.jpg" width="610" /></a><br />
<br />
<b>1. Get the right kit for the job</b><br />
Cold, wet weather and expensive photographic kit are hardly a perfect 
match, but you may be surprised to learn just how many products there 
are designed to be used in testing conditions.<br />
<br />
The hardiest and most obvious options are waterproof compact cameras,
 which will easily withstand wet weather and freezing conditions, but if
 you fancy something more advanced and with the benefit of 
interchangeable lenses, there’s Nikon’s waterproof and freezeproof AW1 
Compact System Camera, together with a range of weatherproof DSLRs and 
CSCs.<br />
<br />
Weatherproof cameras may not survive being submerged in water but can still easily deal with a light rain shower.<br />
<br />
Many manufacturers now carry at least one model in the lines with 
this degree of protection, although you should also make sure to use a 
weather-resistant lens alongside to ensure you’re fully protected.<br />
Don’t worry if you don’t own such a camera as you can buy rain covers
 quite cheaply to keep rain away from your existing kit gear, and you 
may also want to carry a lint-free absorbent cloth to deal with any 
droplets from LCD screens and viewfinders.<br />
<br />
There are also batteries and memory cards that are designed for use 
in freezing conditions, and cases for the latter to keep them dry, but 
before you buy anything it’s worth checking the capabilities of your 
current kit.<br />
<br />
Obviously it’s worth checking whether your camera’s manufacturer 
makes any claims as to your model’s suitability in harsh conditions, 
while some high-quality memory cards are already protected for use in 
harsher conditions.<br />
<br />
Likewise, many camera bags also come with rain covers integrated into
 a flap or pocket at their base, and while you can buy filters with 
water-repellant coatings to protect your lens, some lenses already have 
these kinds of coatings applied to their front element.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="hawk-link-parsed" href="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2012/07/DCM113.supp_rst.rain02.jpg"><img alt="6 ways to keep shooting when it rains" class="aligncenter wp-image-539765" height="673" src="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2012/07/DCM113.supp_rst.rain02.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>2. Protect your gear… but don’t forget about yourself</b><br />
It sounds obvious but the warmer and drier you keep yourself, the more willing you’ll be to keep shooting in adverse weather.<br />
<br />
For this, consider planning before you head out the door by checking 
the weather forecast and packing a scarf and hat if you imagine you’ll 
be outdoors particularly late or for extended periods of time.<br />
Also consider a fleece-lined waterproof jacket and some kind of 
water-resistant trousers, and to make life easier when shooting, seek 
out gloves with either missing fingertips or those that can fold back so
 that you can access your camera’s physical controls.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="hawk-link-parsed" href="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2015/03/How_to_photograph_reflections_in_puddles_NIK43.zone_2.main_.jpg"><img alt="How to photograph reflections in puddles" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-588148" height="407" src="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2015/03/How_to_photograph_reflections_in_puddles_NIK43.zone_2.main_.jpg" width="610" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>3. Embrace the conditions you’re fighting</b><br />
If the conditions outdoors are awful, why not make them work to your 
advantage? Making them the focus of your images will help you capture 
something different from what you’re used to – and here, you’re only 
limited by your imagination.<br />
<br />
You could capture icicles dangling from the rooftops or 
droplet-covered spiderwebs, or even condensation on windows, mirrors or 
other surfaces, which can be used for creatively in portraiture.<br />
You could use a fast shutter speed to capture splashes of water or 
rain as it hits puddles, or a slow exposure to blur this kind of 
movement for silky-smooth results.<br />
<br />
Water droplets can also add another element to close-up shots of flower heads and other subjects you may have in your garden.<br />
<br />
You don’t just need to focus on details either – just think, for 
example, about how much more dramatic a landscape can becomes when it 
incorporates masses of menacingly dark clouds.<br />
<br />
Overcast conditions may not give colours a chance to shine as much as
 they would when it’s sunny, so consider switching to black and white or
 sepia options instead.<br />
<br />
This is particularly good in stronger overcast conditions, perhaps 
earlier in the morning, as there is likely to be more contrast in your 
shots for more dramatic results.<br />
<br />
Likewise, the reflections from wet surfaces create more contrast in 
the scene, so black and white treatments here can be particularly 
effective once it starts to rain.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="hawk-link-parsed" href="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2014/12/Why-you-need-a-tripod_live-view.jpg"><img alt="Why you need a tripod: live view" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-583787" height="407" src="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2014/12/Why-you-need-a-tripod_live-view.jpg" width="610" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>4. Grab a tripod and capture long exposures</b><br />
If you’re not too inspired by darker, gloomy days, consider waiting until the evening for some long-exposure fun.<br />
<br />
Given how quickly it can get dark over the winter months you should 
plan to be ready before the conditions are ripe for shooting, with your 
camera set up on a sturdy tripod and either a remote release of some 
kind or knowledge of your self-timer settings to release the shutter 
without physical contact at the time of exposure.<br />
<br />
If you’re shooting in particularly dark conditions away from busy 
areas, think about whether a torch would be useful to help you to see 
non-illuminated parts of your camera or inside your kit bag, or perhaps 
see if you can turn on your phone’s flash to shine continuously to 
achieve the same thing.<br />
If you camera offers a top-plate LCD it’s likely to also provide a 
small light that can be used to illuminate this when it’s dark, so use 
this if you feel it might help.<br />
<br />
If your camera isn’t protected in any way, you may find a small 
umbrella that you can toss into your kit bag will help, should you find 
yourself caught in a shower while your camera is set up on a tripod.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="hawk-link-parsed" href="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2012/12/Christmas_portrait_ideas_flash_techniques_tips_CAN69.project2.step6_.jpg"><img alt="A simple flash technique for Christmas portraits: step 6" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-543820" height="407" src="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2012/12/Christmas_portrait_ideas_flash_techniques_tips_CAN69.project2.step6_.jpg" width="610" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>5. Flash is your friend</b><br />
Just because there may not be much light around doesn’t mean that you 
can’t add some yourself. A hotshoe-mounted flashgun, or even the small 
flash inside your camera, can add some much needed illumination to a 
darker scene.<br />
<br />
At this time of year flash is particularly useful for helping you 
capture people shots against darker areas, whether it’s outdoor scenes 
studded with Christmas lights or indoors against the Christmas tree.<br />
The key here is to get a slow enough shutter speed to make sure the 
background is correctly exposed while filling in the foreground with the
 appropriate amount of flash for the subject.<br />
<br />
Bright and colourful lights typical of this time of year also make it a good time to experiment with slow sync flash.<br />
<br />
This flash mode, which is available on even cheaper compact cameras, 
lets you capture a subject sharply while blurring the background through
 intentional movement, and this can look great when there are lots of 
different lights and colours in the scene.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">source : <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/12/13/5-ways-to-keep-shooting-outdoors-this-christmas/">http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/12/13/5-ways-to-keep-shooting-outdoors-this-christmas/</a> </span>

5 ways to keep shooting outdoors this Christmas

There are many reasons to feel photographically discouraged over the Christmas period, from rainy weather and freezing temperatures to poor...

How to Photograph (Moody) Teenagers

Shovon Lal Saha

Link Author

Title: How to Photograph (Moody) Teenagers
Author: Shovon Lal Saha
Rating 5 of 5 Des:

How to Photograph (Moody) Teenagers One common thread I find in nearly all of my friends’ photo albums is this: lots of pictures of babie...

<h2 class="post-title single">
How to Photograph (Moody) Teenagers</h2>
<a href="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/8/18/1408374760249/Teenage-boy-on-phone-012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/8/18/1408374760249/Teenage-boy-on-phone-012.jpg" width="320" /></a>One common thread I find in nearly all of my friends’ photo 
albums is this: lots of pictures of babies, <br />
toddlers and school-aged 
children. Not so many pictures of teenagers. It’s a very sad fact that 
as children grow, they start to like mom or dad’s camera less and less. 
Now, the camera on their smartphone is another story – I’m pretty sure 
there’s no such thing as a teenager who doesn’t take selfies. But family
 photos are a different problem altogether.<br />
<br />
If your teenager ducks, hides, shields her face or otherwise retreats
 every time you lift the camera, you need some advice. Here are some 
ideas you can use to get great photos of your moody teenager.<br />
<span id="more-5497"></span><br />
<h2>
Why teenagers hate (your) cameras</h2>
Well, that’s a tough question and I would certainly hate to 
generalize. Some teenagers are just shy, and that’s ample enough reason 
to avoid a camera. Others don’t like the way they look in 
photographs—you remember the teenaged years, of course, did you feel 
your best with your brand new not-so-perfect complexion and awkward, 
angly teenaged body? And some teenagers don’t want to be photographed 
just because, well, they don’t. Pausing for a photograph is, in a way, 
relinquishing control of a small part of your life, and one thing 
teenagers are constantly rebelling against is those adults who are still
 trying to exercise some control over their lives.<br />
<br />
These same teenagers, of course, will happily pose for a selfie—because selfies are a much safer sort of portrait.
 When you shoot a selfie you don’t have to use it, show it to anyone or 
hang onto it at all unless you’re completely happy with it. You can open
 it up in your favorite photo editing app and clone out the imperfect 
skin, or give yourself a soft glow, or whatever it is you feel like you 
need to do to improve the portrait. That picture your mom shot of you on
 a family trip to the beach, on the other hand, you have no control over
 that one. For all you know, your mom is going to put it straight onto 
Facebook without ever consulting you. So you definitely don’t want to 
let her take pictures of you if you can avoid it. <br />
<img src="http://cdn.digital-photo-secrets.com/images/teenager-saying-no-photos.jpg" />
<br />
<h2>
Making your teenager feel more comfortable with your camera</h2>
One thing you can do right away to help make your teenager 
comfortable with the idea of having his photo taken is this: talk to 
him. Now, I know that talking to a teenager is sometimes easier said 
than done, but if you can catch him in a good mood just casually mention
 that you’d like to know what his ground rules are about family photos. 
Notice how you’re not going to be saying anything like, “William, you 
really need to let me get one or two photos of you at your cousin’s 
birthday party,” instead you’re going to put him in control of the 
situation: “What ground rules would you like to lay down for photos?” 
For example, you could promise to let him select the best images, and 
delete the worst ones. Or you could promise not to ambush him with your 
camera or lie in wait—instead, agree that he’ll let you get one shot of 
him with his cousin, or that you’ll give him a heads-up if you’re going 
to take a picture. You might find that when he’s in control of when the 
shutter opens, you’ll get a lot more nice photos of him and a lot fewer 
pictures of the back of his head or the backside of his hand.<br />
<br />
If he’s still reluctant, make a schedule. Agree that you’ll get to 
have one photo shoot with him every six months. Tell him that family 
outings are fair game, but that you won’t take photos of him doing 
mundane things (like his homework) unless you first ask permission. The 
key to keeping your teen in your family album is to make him comfortable
 with the idea of photographs. That is, he shouldn’t feel like he might 
get assaulted at any moment by you and your DSLR. He should feel like 
those photographs are only going to happen on his terms.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://cdn.digital-photo-secrets.com/images/young-handsome-teenager-blue.jpg" /><br />
<br />
If you’re planning to do a formal photo shoot with your teen, let her
 pick out her own outfit. You can give yourself veto power, but use it 
sparingly and only if you really think the outfit she settles on is 
inappropriate. Let her choose any props, accessories or other items she 
might want to wear or include in the photos. You may even find that she 
starts to have fun just getting ready for the shoot, and that’s going to
 make the event itself go a lot more smoothly.<br />
<h2>
Don’t tell him to “say cheese”</h2>
That’s just about the worst thing you can say to a teenager when 
you’ve got a camera pointed at him. Now, I often argue that it’s just 
about the worst thing you can say to any portrait subject, because it 
results in fake-looking smiles and awkward looking images. But no 
self-respecting teenager is ever going to say the word “cheese,” unless 
he’s ordering a cheeseburger.<br />
<br />
Instead, ask him to talk about something he enjoys. If he plays 
football, ask him what happened at the last practice. If he plays an 
instrument, ask him about the material he’s learning. If he plays 
Minecraft, ask him about that, too. I know kids who will talk about 
Minecraft for more hours than they actually spend playing it. The bottom
 line is this: everyone has passions, so find out what your subject’s 
passions are (that will be easier if he or she is your own child, of 
course) and the smiles will naturally follow.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://cdn.digital-photo-secrets.com/images/close-up-of-teen-boy-smiling.jpg" />
<br />
<h2>
Go wild</h2>
Depending on the kid, of course, some teenagers can be convinced to 
loosen up if you make crazy suggestions. Have her jump or turn quickly 
towards the camera so that her hair flies around a little. Throw some 
confetti over her head (you might need a helper for that one). Tell a 
joke (hint: teenagers don’t always laugh at the same jokes that adults 
laugh at). Or you could even ask her to help you come up with completely
 crazy ideas for photo shoots—chances are you’re going to get as many 
great photos during the brainstorming process as you would if you 
actually did use any of her crazy suggestions.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://cdn.digital-photo-secrets.com/images/beautiful-girl-gymnastick-jump.jpg" />
<br />
<h2>
Extremely reluctant subjects</h2>
The sad truth is that there are some kids who, no matter what you do,
 are never really going to warm up to the camera. Smiling just isn’t 
something they do in the presence of adults. Don’t worry, that doesn’t 
mean that you just can’t get any photos of them. You really must learn 
how not to accept defeat.<br />
Try to be OK with photos that don’t include smiles. Remember that 
this too shall pass—very few non-smiling teenagers grow up to be 
non-smiling adults. So try to embrace this short and moody phase of 
their lives, and give them something to look at or to do with their 
hands while you’re shooting photos. If your subject plays the guitar, 
have her sit down with her guitar and play a song. If he’s a bookworm, 
photograph him with his favorite book. If he plays soccer, don’t just 
ask him to pose with the ball, get him to juggle it.<br />
<br />
If you just can’t stand that moody frown, you can also zoom in
 and shoot the details. If she likes to journal, for example, you could 
get a shot of her hand holding a pen while she writes in her favorite 
notebook. If she’s an artist, you could take a picture over her shoulder
 of her latest work-in-progress. You could photograph her shoes, get a 
close shot of her eye, or capture a picture of her hands in her pockets.
 Just because her face isn’t in the shot doesn’t mean the shot isn’t 
meaningful—in fact there’s a very good argument to be made that detail 
shots have greater meaning that that deadpan stare that she adopts 
whenever she sees your camera. The details can give your viewer 
information about who your teenager really is—the things she loves, the 
clothes she wears, and the activities that occupy her spare time.<br />
<br />
<img src="http://cdn.digital-photo-secrets.com/images/girl-writing-notebook.jpg" />
<br />
<h2>
Think cool</h2>
I know, your teenager thinks you are the opposite of cool. So don’t 
try to be cool just for the photo shoot, because the best expression 
you’ll get out of that is an eye-roll. That doesn’t mean, though, that 
you can’t try to capture images that your teenager will think is cool. 
Look for unusual angles—shots
 from down low, backlit portraits, or silhouettes, for example. Kids 
wearing shades and hoodies can also make for cool photos—anything that 
looks a little offbeat or eccentric is probably going to be viewed 
favorably by your subject. <br />
<h2>
Conclusion</h2>
I’m not saying it’s going to be easy. It’s almost certainly not going
 to be easy, unless your teen has aspirations towards becoming a model. 
You need patience to get good photos of your teenager, but more than 
that you need compromise, erring on the side of letting child do what 
makes her more comfortable. Once you get her to accept the idea of the 
photograph, the promise of some camera-free homework time might be 
enough to encourage her to relax and pose for some non-selfie photos, on
 her own terms.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> source : <a href="http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/5497/photograph-moody-teenagers/">http://www.digital-photo-secrets.com/tip/5497/photograph-moody-teenagers/</a> </span>

How to Photograph (Moody) Teenagers

How to Photograph (Moody) Teenagers One common thread I find in nearly all of my friends’ photo albums is this: lots of pictures of babie...

5 Tips to Help You Take More Natural Looking Portraits

Shovon Lal Saha

Link Author

Title: 5 Tips to Help You Take More Natural Looking Portraits
Author: Shovon Lal Saha
Rating 5 of 5 Des:

You’ve probably seen those beautiful portraits where couples are embracing, and laughing naturally off-camera, or two children are skip...

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<br />
You’ve probably seen those beautiful portraits where couples are 
embracing, and laughing naturally off-camera, or two children are 
skipping up the beautiful country lane-way, bathed in the most perfect 
light. Everything in the image looks flawless, yet it still seems like 
the photographer just happened to be walking past at the exact right 
moment to capture the perfect shot.<br />
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<br />
So why is it when I try and capture those perfect candid moments 
someone always has their eyes closed, hair is covering half of their 
face, or the lighting is wrong, or worse still an unsuspecting passerby 
in bright pink sweat pants walks through the background of the shot.<br />
<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 727px;">
<img alt="Lifestyle 2" border="0" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Lifestyle_2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lifestyle_2.jpg" /><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In
 this image I gave each model one action to repeat over and over, to 
achieve a natural candid feel. (The Footy Show cast – image courtesy 
Nine Network Australia)</span></span></span></div>
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
</div>
Getting realistic and natural looking shots can be really tricky. If I
 set up the shot, and try and direct certain poses and reactions, the 
shots can look really stiff and contrived. If I try and get people to 
laugh on cue, it tends to look fake.<br />
<br />
I can always leave it to chance in the hope that the people I’m 
working with do something worth photographing but this isn’t always an 
option. So what’s the best way to get people to look natural on camera? 
Here are my five favorite and most successful techniques to help you 
take more natural looking portraits:<br />
<h2>
1. Check your mood</h2>
People tend to mirror, and reflect the mood of the photographer, so 
if you are having a bad day or feeling grumpy, then your models are 
going to pick up on that vibe. If you want happy and excited looking 
expressions, then you need to have that vibe yourself. If you are not 
feeling it before the shoot, for whatever reason (stuff happens right?) 
then do whatever it takes to put yourself in a good mood. Listen to a 
funny podcast on the commute in, call a friend who makes you laugh, read
 funny stuff. Eat half a jar of Nutella (don’t judge me).<br />
<img alt="WW14 192" border="0" height="640" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/WW14-192.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="WW14-192.jpg" width="426" /><br />
<h2>
2. If you want people to laugh genuinely, then give them something to laugh about</h2>
I’m constantly wisecracking through the shoot, and ever ready to 
capture the expressions as the joke hits. The best way to do this is to 
set up your models in the position you want them, start with serious 
poses, and then throw in a funny remark between frames.<br />
<br />
You don’t even need to be that funny for this technique to work. You 
only really need two or three good jokes, or lines, that will crack a 
group of people up. I’ve been using the same lines for years and they 
still work. The important part is that you make them your own, and it’s 
something you would say, or feel comfortable saying.<br />
<h2>
3. Laugh with people</h2>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="GB MEL14 750" border="0" height="520" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/GB_MEL14_750.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="GB_MEL14_750.jpg" width="346" /></td>
<td><img alt="Lifestyle 3" border="0" height="520" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Lifestyle_3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lifestyle_3.jpg" width="363" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br />
To get this image of the Dalton family (above) I actually just 
started laughing with them. Laughing with your models is infectious. I 
felt a bit embarrassed doing it at the start, but soon discovered it was
 totally worth the genuine laughs, and reactions I got. (The Dalton 
Family/Foxtel)<br />
<br />
Another great trick to make models laugh is I actually ask my models 
to laugh, and will start laughing with them. This always starts out 
really awkward, everyone laughs uncomfortably, and at first they are 
laughing at me. But, after a while, everyone is laughing with me, and 
I’m always able to capture some genuine and beautiful laughing shots.<br />
<h2>
4. Give each person something to repeat</h2>
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 727px;">
<img alt="Lifestyle 4" border="0" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Lifestyle_4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Lifestyle_4.jpg" /><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
<div class="wp-caption-text" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: #444444;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In
 this image, I gave each of the girls a specific action and eye-line, 
while they walked toward my camera. The client wanted a fun, positive, 
natural-looking shot. If this sort of image is left to chance, all the 
girls end up looking in the same direction, or have the wrong facial 
expression.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
</div>
Try and give everyone in the group a set of actions to repeat as you 
shoot. This makes it easier to control the group, and keep the shape of 
the shot you are trying to get. I find I have greater success when I 
give each model only one action to repeat, and a direction to look 
toward.<br />
An example of the direction I gave for the girls walking above would be:<br />
<ul>
<li>Girl A (use their real names or course!): Walk towards me, look into
 the camera and smile at me like you’ve just seen your best friend</li>
<li>Girl B: Walk towards camera and smile over at girl A</li>
<li>Girl C: Tell a story, and gesture with your hands and look over at girl B</li>
<li>Girl D: Laugh to yourself and walk towards camera</li>
</ul>
<h2>
5. Keep talking, coaxing, encouraging, directing</h2>
People perceive silence from a photographer as a sign that you are unhappy with what they are doing.<br />
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><img alt="PPTS Women 0035" border="0" height="532" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/PPTS_Women_0035.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="PPTS_Women_0035.jpg" width="355" /></td>
<td><img alt="PPTS Men 0026W" border="0" height="532" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/PPTS_Men_0026W.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="PPTS_Men_0026W.jpg" width="355" /></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
What’s your favorite technique for getting natural looking portraits?
 Do you have any great tricks we could all try? I’d love to hear about 
them. Please share any others in the comments below as well as your 
images of natural looking portraits you’re proud of.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">source : <a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/5-tips-to-help-you-take-more-natural-looking-portraits/">http://digital-photography-school.com/5-tips-to-help-you-take-more-natural-looking-portraits/</a></span>

5 Tips to Help You Take More Natural Looking Portraits

You’ve probably seen those beautiful portraits where couples are embracing, and laughing naturally off-camera, or two children are skip...

How To Take Great Nature Photos

Shovon Lal Saha

Link Author

Title: How To Take Great Nature Photos
Author: Shovon Lal Saha
Rating 5 of 5 Des:

Whether you’re taking a picture of a geranium in your backyard garden or a grizzly bear in the Rocky Mountains, capturing a great photo out...

Whether you’re taking a picture of a geranium in your backyard garden or
 a grizzly bear in the Rocky Mountains, capturing a great photo outdoors
 means working with Mother Nature, and not trying to impose your 
photographic will upon her.<br />
<br />
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<br />
So many factors come into play when taking a nature photograph—sun, 
clouds, wind, rain, sleet or snow—and if you’re photographing animals in
 their native habitat, you’ve got noise, odors, and movement to deal 
with.<br />
<br />

It can get complex, but the enjoyment you’ll get by taking nature 
photography seriously will far outweigh the extra time and effort you 
put into it. Rather than just clicking a snapshot of your sugar maple in
 all its fall glory, you’ll have a photo you’d be proud to hang on your 
wall as a piece of art. Or, you might even become so good that you’ll 
find yourself selling some of your better photos.<br />
<br />

After all, everyone loves a great nature photo. It’s easy for viewers
 to put themselves into the picture. Even if they’ve never been to the 
mountains, people enjoy looking at pictures of mountains because it 
transports them, at least for a brief moment, to a peaceful place.<br />
<br />

So in order to help you get the most out of the time you spend 
outdoors with your camera, here are five fundamental tips for taking 
better nature photos. As a photographer, I’ve learned that if you 
approach your outdoor photography with the right mindset, you’re certain
 to succeed, oftentimes in ways you never expected.<br />
<br />
<strong>Understand the nature of nature.</strong> There’s an old 
saying, “You can’t fight Mother Nature.” Plan on working with the 
elements of the natural environment you photograph. A backyard squirrel 
might not blink at the sound of your shutter. But a rarely seen black 
squirrel sitting in the woods 50 miles from the nearest road might run 
upon hearing the same click.<br />
<br />

Animals, trees, bushes, grass—everything associated with nature 
functions uniquely in different weather conditions. If you’re looking 
for a “money” shot, you need to understand the conditions you’re working
 in, and the subject matter you are photographing.<br />
<br />

I recall walking along a large pond in a forest clearing many years 
ago. I was looking up for a shot, but saw nothing remarkable. Then I 
looked down and realized there was a fantastic shot right at my feet. It
 was of some green algae that had formed in the corner of the pond. It 
was a beautiful color, and it contrasted nicely with the water. It ended
 up being one of my most popular shots.<br />
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<br />
<strong>Be prepared.</strong> Study the area you plan on 
photographing, even if it’s your own backyard. Watch how the light plays
 on your flowers at different times of the day, and under different 
cloud conditions. Pay attention to the patterns of birds. Animals are 
creatures of habit, and weather and light is somewhat predictable.<br />
<br />

The same goes if you plan on venturing out into the wilderness. Get 
familiar with the local surroundings by talking to locals, watching 
weather reports on the Internet or TV, and by just taking some time to 
familiarize yourself with your surroundings.<br />
<br />

<strong>Know your equipment.</strong> If you’re trying to get a close
 up shot of a deer in the wild, even if you’re using a telephoto lens, 
turn off your autofocus, autoflash, and motordrive. Get to know your 
camera settings, from the f-stop and shutter speed to the ISO settings.<br />
<br />

<strong> Experiment at home and in the field.</strong> After buying a
 new camera, I like to take a number of shots just around the house, in a
 variety of conditions. Spend about an hour or so walking around your 
home and yard, instruction manual in hand, and try out all the features.
 Use different exposures and settings. Do this as a refresher from time 
to time as well. It’s worth the effort.<br />
<br />

<strong>Be patient.</strong> Natural events happen when they happen. 
You’re not going to rush that beaver out of his watery den any faster. 
The perfect glint of sunlight playing off your prize rose bushes will 
not happen any sooner or later than you want it to. Keep your camera at 
the ready, and don’t force the shot. You may arrive five minutes too 
late for a great shot, but you may be five minutes early for the perfect
 shot.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<strong>Have an outcome in mind, but be ready for the unexpected.</strong>
 If you go out looking for cardinals in the forest, you’re likely to 
find some. So be ready by having a telephoto lens, a tripod if 
necessary, perhaps a birding book to help with recognition, and 
something comfortable to sit on. Take food for yourself—don’t feed the 
animals!—and water. Picture the shot you want in your mind’s eye. You’ll
 often get something close.<br />
<br />

But don’t close your mind to other possibilities. The sun may be 
absolutely perfect at that time of day, and you could get a stunning 
picture of rays of sunlight piercing the forest canopy. Ansel Adams’ 
famous “Moonrise over Hernandez” was taken while he was driving down a 
highway. He stopped the car, jumped out, grabbed his camera, took one 
shot … and nailed it because he was ready for the unexpected.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I had a similar experience. It was night, and I was just walking 
around my area looking for a good picture. I had been walking awhile, 
ready to give up and go home, when a flash of light caught my eye. I 
came upon a building site of a multi-story building. The welders were 
getting in some overtime, working on the 8th or 9th floor. The sparks 
from their welding were arcing out from the side of the building and 
down to the ground. It made for a beautiful picture, and one I would 
have never gotten if I hadn’t been ready for the unexpected.<br />
<br />

When it comes to photographing anything in the great outdoors, don’t 
let yourself be fooled into thinking you can control your subject 
matter. All you can control is your equipment and your knowledge about 
the subject matter. So with the right camera, an understanding of 
nature, and some patience, you’re likely to get the recognition you’re 
looking for as an outstanding outdoor photographer.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">source : <a href="http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/how-to-take-great-nature-photos/">http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/how-to-take-great-nature-photos/</a></span>

How To Take Great Nature Photos

Whether you’re taking a picture of a geranium in your backyard garden or a grizzly bear in the Rocky Mountains, capturing a great photo out...

Cheat Sheet : Tips and Tricks for Great Wedding Photography

Shovon Lal Saha

Link Author

Title: Cheat Sheet : Tips and Tricks for Great Wedding Photography
Author: Shovon Lal Saha
Rating 5 of 5 Des:

source : http://digital-photography-school.com/cheat-sheet-tips-tricks-great-wedding-photography/

Cheat Sheet : Tips and Tricks for Great Wedding Photography

source : http://digital-photography-school.com/cheat-sheet-tips-tricks-great-wedding-photography/

Beginners Tips for Night Sky and Star Photography

Shovon Lal Saha

Link Author

Title: Beginners Tips for Night Sky and Star Photography
Author: Shovon Lal Saha
Rating 5 of 5 Des:

Star Photography My favorite type of personal photography is taking night shots of the stars (long exposure pictures). I am often busy sh...

<h2>
Star Photography</h2>
My favorite type of personal photography is taking night shots of the
 stars (long exposure pictures). I am often busy shooting pictures of 
people at weddings, or apartments, or models,
 and it’s important for me to make sure I take pictures for fun 
regularly. Taking pictures for no one other than myself is highly 
rewarding, soul filling, and fun! I also love taking travel photos and HDR photos, in this article we will take a close look at exactly how you can take your own epic star photographs.<br />
<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_69268" style="width: 610px;">
<img alt="star photography" class="size-full wp-image-69268" height="400" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_8599.jpg" style="line-height: 1.5em;" width="600" /><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">30 seconds at f/2.8, ISO 1250</span></div>
</div>
<h2>
What you need to take jaw-dropping pictures of stars</h2>
To take your star pictures, you only need three things:<br />
<ol>
<li><b>a full-frame camera</b> (for better ISO capabilities)</li>
<li><b>a fisheye lens</b> (for the widest view of the sky)</li>
<li><b>a tripod</b> (for stability during 15 second photos)</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Note: You can do this with a cropped sensor camera, without
 a tripod, and without a fisheye lens. It will just be a little harder 
and slightly less jaw-dropping)</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 410px;">
<img alt="star photography" height="600" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_7995.jpg" width="400" /><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">25 seconds at f/2.8, ISO 1600</span></div>
</div>
<h2>
Camera settings</h2>
You can nail this shot almost every time with these settings:  <b>25</b><b> second exposure, f/2.8, ISO 1600</b><br />
If your lens doesn’t open up to f/2.8 you can try 30 seconds at f/4 with ISO 1600.<br />
<i><b>Note:</b> this kind of photography won’t work if there is a full moon out (or even a half moon). </i>D<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em;">on’t compete with large light sources, the stars will be over powered.</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em;"> </span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em;">The best location for star photography is way out in nature, away from city lights that cause “light pollution.”</span><i style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em;"></i><br />
<i style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5em;"><br /></i>

<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_69351" style="width: 610px;">
<img alt="star photography" class="size-full wp-image-69351" height="400" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_8610.jpg" width="600" /><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">13.0 seconds at f/2.8, ISO 1600</span></div>
</div>
<h2>
Why to use these settings</h2>
The most important component of these settings is the 25 second 
exposure. An exposure longer than about 25 seconds will start to show 
star trails. <a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/tips-photographing-star-trails/" target="_blank">Photographing star trails</a>
 is a legitimate type of photographyon its own, but not the type of 
photography you are trying to do here. Since you are limited to about 
15-25 seconds max shutter speed, you still need to let in more light. 
The largest aperture you can find on a fisheye lens is f/2.8, and still 
your picture might not be quite bright enough to look stunning. So this 
is where the ISO comes into play. On a full-frame camera like the 5D 
Mark III or the Nikon D800 you can <a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/reasons-why-shoot-high-iso/" target="_blank" title="Reasons to Shoot High ISO Images">bump the ISO up to around 2000</a> without seeing much noise. You’ll learn how to reduce noise in Lightroom in the next section for a super clean photo.<br />
<br />
<img alt="star photography" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-69372" height="271" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_0187.jpg" width="600" /><br />
<h2>
Editing in Lightroom</h2>
I do extensive retouching in Lightroom after I take my photos. I’ll 
usually boost the exposure up by a stop or more and I’ll use Noise 
Reduction under the Detail section to reduce any unwanted “noise” (those
 pesky extra white, red or blue pixels that show up when you push the 
ISO too high). Here is a standard star photo of mine and the Lightroom 
settings I used to create it:<br />
<br />
<div class="wp-caption alignnone" id="attachment_69374" style="width: 610px;">
<img alt="star photography" class="size-full wp-image-69374" height="307" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_7998.jpg" width="600" /><br />
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">25 seconds at f/2.8, ISO 1600</span></div>
<div class="wp-caption-text">
<br /></div>
</div>
Here are the Lightroom settings I used to edit the above photo:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Screen-Shot-2014-05-12-at-11.21.48-PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="star photography" border="0" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-69375" height="400" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Screen-Shot-2014-05-12-at-11.21.48-PM.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<img alt="star photography" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-69376" height="353" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Screen-Shot-2014-05-12-at-11.22.02-PM.jpg" width="249" /><br />
<br />
<br />
1) You can see in the first panel that I bumped the whites up to +46 
and brought the blacks down to -52. I really wanted to emphasize the 
stars against the dark sky and this is a good way to do that. Pushing 
the clarity up to +55 also helps define the stars against the sky, 
making them nice and crispy. I boosted the saturation to bring out any 
colors that are in the sky.<br />
<br />
<div class="pb-ads">
</div>
2) In the second panel you can see that I sharpened up the image a 
bit, also to emphasize the stars. At the same time, I brought up the 
noise reduction to 33 to smooth out some of the noise that might show 
up, and I brought up the color to 25 for the same reasons.<br />
<h2>
Pro tips</h2>
<br />
<br />
<img alt="star photography" class="size-full wp-image-69377 alignleft" height="193" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Screen-Shot-2014-05-12-at-11.22.23-PM.jpg" style="cursor: move; margin: 5px;" width="251" /><br />
<br />
Here is where you can have fun with the editing. Play around with the
 split toning sliders to make the colors in your sky appear magical. In 
the photo above you can see a little bit of turquoise in the lower part 
of the sky, and that comes from boosting that color in the Shadows of 
the Split Toning slider here:<br />
<br />
<img alt="star photography" class=" wp-image-69380 alignright" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/star-photos.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="300" /><br />
<br />
You can also affect the color of the sky by playing around with the <b>temperature</b> and <b>hue</b> sliders to get some pretty magnificent looking star photos. Take a look at this one photo rendered three different ways:<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Another pro tip that you may have noticed 
in all of the photo examples I gave here is this – shoot your stars in 
context. It really tells a great story to see a silhouette of a pine 
tree or a house in the background, and it shows the magnitude of the 
scene when you have an object in the foreground to compare to the stars.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="pb-ads">
</div>
Lastly, make sure you know which direction the Milky Way is. You can use an app like <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sky-map/id536492883?mt=8" target="_blank" title="Sky Map App">Sky Map</a> to see exactly what stars are in the sky above you.<br />
Have fun shooting, and please share your pictures below!<br />
<br />
<img alt="star photography" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-69373" height="312" src="http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/IMG_8003.jpg" width="600" />

Beginners Tips for Night Sky and Star Photography

Star Photography My favorite type of personal photography is taking night shots of the stars (long exposure pictures). I am often busy sh...

11 things non-photographers just don’t understand about photography

Shovon Lal Saha

Link Author

Title: 11 things non-photographers just don’t understand about photography
Author: Shovon Lal Saha
Rating 5 of 5 Des:

Digital cameras have made photography easy. And even if you do make a mistake with camera settings , you can simply fix things in Photoshop ...

Digital cameras have made photography easy. And even if you do make a <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/03/13/10-common-camera-mistakes-every-photographer-makes/">mistake with camera settings</a>, you can simply <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/08/30/best-photo-editing-tips-for-beginners-18-quick-fixes-to-common-image-problems/">fix things in Photoshop</a>,
 right? In fact, why bother with a digital camera these days when you 
can shoot and share hi-res photos straight from a smartphone…<br />
<br />
It’s easy to see how the art of photography gets lost in translation 
with casual snappers. After all, it can be costly business, in terms of 
both money and time, and hard work and frustrating.<br />
<br />
All that standing around that our other halves have to do while we get <i>just one more shot</i> means that photography is probably equally as frustrating for them too.<br />
<br />
With this in mind, we thought we’d prepare a list of things that 
point-and-shooters probably don’t understand or appreciate about 
photographers and photography. We’re sure you’ll recognise at least one 
of them – and if there’s any we’ve missed, feel free to add them in the 
comments…<br />
<br />
<img alt="11 things non photographers just don't understand about photography" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-611136" height="407" src="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2015/10/11-things-non-photographers-just-dont-understand-about-photography.jpg" width="610" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SEE MORE:</b> <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/09/30/photography-talk-32-things-photographers-say-and-what-they-really-mean/">32 things photographers say… and what they really mean</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>01 One shot is never enough</b><br />
How often do you take one photo and move on? The first shot is rarely 
the best; you may be a little rusty, just getting your eye in or you 
might want to just move your feet and explore all the angles. The more 
photos you shoot, the more chance you have of coming back with a keeper.<br />
<br />
<b>02 You often get a more interesting camera angle by lying in the dirt</b><br />
Photography is bad for your feet, your knees and your clothes. Well, it 
tends to be if you’re doing it properly. While casual snappers shoot 
everything from head height (and arm’s length, squinting at the Live 
View display on the back of the camera), more experienced photographers 
know that to get original images you often need to work a bit harder and
 be prepared to get dirty to find a better shot.<br />
<br />
<img alt="11 things non photographers just don't understand about photography: bad light" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-611142" height="407" src="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2015/10/11-things-non-photographers-just-dont-understand-about-photography-bad-light.jpg" width="610" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SEE MORE:</b> <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/07/06/6-camera-settings-beginners-find-confusing-and-we-can-see-why/">6 camera settings beginners find confusing (and we can see why)</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>03 Sometimes there can be the wrong kind of light to take a good photo</b><br />
Trying to explain that it’s the wrong kind of light to take a picture 
sounds like a photographer’s excuse – and in some cases it probably is. 
But trying to take a portrait in bright, midday sun without the aid of 
shade, a reflector or flash? Or attempting to shoot a sharp action shot 
at dusk? Yes, there can be the wrong kind of light, too much of it, or 
not quite enough for quality photography.<br />
<br />
<b>04 “Yes, I dream of buying a lens/camera that costs more than our car”</b><br />
We’re all painfully aware of how expensive camera equipment is. That 
doesn’t stop many of us wanting more of it. Longer lenses. Faster 
lenses. How about a Hasselblad? From the outside looking in, it’s easy 
to balk at the price that well-heeled photographers are prepared to pay 
for their kit. But have you seen the price of high-end hi-fi or AV 
equipment?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SEE MORE:</b> <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2014/12/20/youve-just-started-photography-16-universal-truths/">So you’ve just started out in photography? 16 universal truths</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>05 Just because someone has an expensive camera doesn’t mean they take better photos</b><br />
Unlike non-photographers, most of us can probably pick out ‘all the 
gear, no idea’ photographers a mile off. You know the ones: they have an
 abundance of camera kit and wear it like jewellery. Splashing a serious
 amount of cash on cameras can make you appear more serious about 
photography, but just because someone can afford a Leica doesn’t make 
them a leading photographer – in the same way that owning an expensive 
computer and word-processing package doesn’t turn you into an 
entertaining writer.<br />
<br />
<img alt="11 things non photographers just don't understand about photography: shooting" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-611145" height="405" src="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2015/10/11-things-non-photographers-just-dont-understand-about-photography-duty.jpg" width="610" /><br />
<b>06 Once you’re a photographer, you’re never off duty</b><br />
<br />
Photography isn’t really a hobby, it’s way of life. As Annie Liebovitz 
has been famously quoted as saying. “One doesn’t stop seeing. One 
doesn’t stop framing. It doesn’t turn off and turn on. It’s on all the 
time.”<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SEE MORE:</b> <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/12/17/photography-for-beginners-6-reasons-youre-smarter-than-your-camera/">Photography for beginners: 6 reasons you’re smarter than your camera</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>07 Photography doesn’t stop once you’ve pressed the shutter release</b><br />
Non-photographers can underappreciate that the digital photo processing 
can take just as it takes to get the shot in the first place. Naturally 
this depends on the quality of the file to begin with and how much 
retouching is required. If you’re a Lightroom wizard, batch-processing 
using presets can save time, but even a ‘print-ready’ JPEG straight from
 the camera usually requires a little digital love to get the best from 
it.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Best Photoshop colour tools: 01 Hue/Saturation and Vibrance" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-600613" height="381" src="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2015/05/Photoshop_colour_tools_PHO50.feature.1grab.jpg" width="610" /><br />
<br />
<b>08 Flash only reaches so far</b><br />
How many times have you been to a music concert only to watch hundreds 
of tiny flashes firing in the dark? In truth, these days you’re more 
likely to see hundreds of iPhones held aloft and recording video. But 
you’ll still see pop-up flashes being used from the back of the room at 
parties, school plays and weddings.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SEE MORE:</b> <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2012/05/17/10-things-photographers-can-do-to-stop-wasting-pictures/">Stop wasting pictures! 10 tips for bagging keepers every time</a></div>
<br />
<b>09 Flash can be more useful in bright daylight than it is in the dark</b><br />
The time for a burst of on-camera flash is not when you’re 75 metres 
from the stage at a gig. It’s when you’re standing 5 metres from someone
 and want to remove shadows from their face on a bright summer’s day.<br />
<br />
<b>10 The background is more important than what’s in front of it</b><br />
It doesn’t matter how spectacular the subject of a photo is if the 
background doesn’t complement it. Whether it’s the classic tree or 
telegraph pole appearing to sprout from someone’s head in a portrait or a
 parked car in the middle of a landscape photo, switched-on 
photographers always worry about what the backdrop brings to a picture.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>SEE MORE:</b> <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2014/04/19/7-daily-exercises-that-will-make-you-a-better-photographer/">7 daily exercises that will make you a better photographer</a></div>
<img alt="11 things non photographers just don't understand about photography: timing" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-611133" height="407" src="http://media.digitalcameraworld.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/123/2015/10/11-things-non-photographers-just-dont-understand-about-photography-timing.jpg" width="610" /><br />
<br />
<b>11 Photographers want to head out when everyone else is heading in</b><br />
If you’re an outdoor photographer, then chances are you’ll end up doing a
 lot of driving in the dark, whether it’s to shoot a landscape at dawn 
or dusk, or simply a case of having to be on the spot at an unsociable 
hour because that’s when a wild animal will do its thing.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">source : <a href="http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/10/24/11-things-non-photographers-just-dont-understand-about-photography/">http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/10/24/11-things-non-photographers-just-dont-understand-about-photography/</a></span>

11 things non-photographers just don’t understand about photography

Digital cameras have made photography easy. And even if you do make a mistake with camera settings , you can simply fix things in Photoshop ...

Where to Focus When Taking a Photo

Shovon Lal Saha

Link Author

Title: Where to Focus When Taking a Photo
Author: Shovon Lal Saha
Rating 5 of 5 Des:

Most beginner photographers don’t know where to focus when taking a photo, and worse still, they don’t seem to know why it’s a problem eit...

Most beginner photographers don’t know where to focus when taking a 
photo, and worse still, they don’t seem to know why it’s a problem 
either.<br />
<br />

You may think that because you’re shooting a landscape photo, and your horizon is miles away, it’s best to focus to infinity.<br />

<br />
Wrong.<br />
<br />

Let me show you the error of your ways.<br />

<h3>
Hyperfocal Distance</h3>
You don’t need to fully understand how the following works, but you do need to understand the concept.<br />
<br />

The depth of field is largely dependant on your aperture, as well as 
your distance from the subject. There’s also another factor called your 
hyperfocal distance. Without boring you, or going into too much detail 
(this subject is worthy of a post itself), your hyperfocal distance is 
the distance at which you focus, where everything after it (stretching 
to infinity distance) remains acceptably sharp.<br />
<br />

Half of the distance between the hyperfocal length and the lens will also remain acceptably sharp too.<br />

Working out your hyperfocal distance involves complicated maths which
 involves your distance from a subject, your f/stop, your focal length, 
and the size of your sensor. Don’t bother trying to work it out 
yourself, just download an app for your phone, or follow the general 
rules I’m going to teach you in this post.<br />
<br />

I’ll go into this in further detail in another post, but for now, this is what you need to know:<br />
<br />

If you focus at infinity, you lose lots of your depth of field, 
because there will be barely any focus infront of infinity, and nothing 
behind the focus (because you’re already focused to infinity).<br />
<br />

<strong>Don’t focus to infinity, unless you’re trying to focus on a single subject, located at infinity. </strong><br />

<h3>
Landscapes</h3>
So now with your new found knowledge on the hyperfocal distance, you 
will either be very confused as to where to focus in a landscape, or 
darn sure that you shouldn’t focus to infinity. But where do you focus?<br />
<br />

Lets say you’re shooting a landscape, and your aperture is f/11, and 
your focal length is 24mm. You’re also shooting on a Canon crop sensor 
(slightly smaller than Nikon). Your hyperfocal distance is roughly 9 
feet. If you focus here, your photo will be acceptable sharp from 
anywhere 4.5 feet in front of your camera, all the way to infinity.<br />
<br />

But that’s maybe a little bit too specific. And it changes every time
 you adjust your aperture, and focal length, so that’s no good.<br />
<br />

Here’s some real science right here… focus about a third of the way into the frame.<br />
<br />

As a rule, you can’t go too far wrong with this. If you’re shooting a
 landscape, then chances are your aperture is quite narrow, so you have a
 decent DoF to play with.<br />
<br />

Here’s the difference between a photo where I focus about a third of the way to infinity…<br />
<br />

<br />
… and one where I focused to infinity.<br />
<br />

<br />
Can you see the difference?<br />
<br />

You may notice that the focus on your camera only goes to about 15 
feet until it reaches infinity. If you’re in doubt, you can’t go too far
 wrong by focusing to infinity, and then pulling the focus back a little
 bit (so that you’re no longer at infinity).<br />

<h3>
Portraits & People</h3>
Lets start by talking about a single subject here.<br />
<br />

If you remember what I wrote about <a href="http://www.expertphotography.com/composition-visual-weight-influence-viewers" target="_blank">visual weight</a>,
 the strongest visual weight comes from a person’s eyes. We’re 
automatically drawn to a person’s eyes, so clearly, that is where we 
need to focus.<br />
<br />

I’d like to think that’s pretty obvious. Especially when you’re using a wide aperture with a shallow depth of field.<br />
<br />

Have a look at my photo below. It was shot at f/1.4, which produces 
an exceptionally shallow DoF, but because I focused on her eyes, you 
can’t really tell.<br />
<br />

<br />
How about a group of people though? Where do you focus then?<br />
<br />

Well, we’re back to hyperfocal distance here. The DoF always extends 
further into the distance, than it does in the foreground. What does 
this tell you about where you should focus?<br />

Think about it, I’ll wait…<br />

…<br />

You want to focus on the eyes of the person closest to the camera. 
This is where you’ll be drawn to first, and if it’s not in perfect fous,
 then everything else is going to seem out of focus.<br />

From here, the focus will gradually decrease naturally.<br />
<br />

<h3>
Focus and Recompose</h3>
This is something you’ve probably heard of before, in fact, you’ve 
probably even done it. You focus on a certain part of the frame, such as
 a person’s eyes, and then you recompose the photo how you want it. This
 ensures for good focus and composition.<br />
<br />

To do this, you need to use your <a href="http://www.expertphotography.com/how-to-use-focal-lock-find-perfect-focus" target="_blank">focal lock</a>,
 which means shooting on either One-Shot mode, or AF-S. When you click 
the shutter button down half way, it will focus, and then hold the focus
 until you’ve recomposed and taken the photo.<br />
<br />

I would also recommend using the center focus point, rather than all 
of them together, or any specific focus point. This is because it’s easy
 to select, and this is where you camera will meter from. 2 birds with 
one stone.<br />
<br />

Be careful about using this technique when you’re using a wide 
aperture with a very shallow DoF, because even the slightest movement 
can throw the photo out of focus.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">source : <a href="http://expertphotography.com/where-to-focus-when-taking-a-photo/">http://expertphotography.com/where-to-focus-when-taking-a-photo/</a></span>

Where to Focus When Taking a Photo

Most beginner photographers don’t know where to focus when taking a photo, and worse still, they don’t seem to know why it’s a problem eit...

The Top 10 Secret Ingredients of Professional Photography Revealed

Shovon Lal Saha

Link Author

Title: The Top 10 Secret Ingredients of Professional Photography Revealed
Author: Shovon Lal Saha
Rating 5 of 5 Des:

Great professional photography has so much more to it than shutter speeds and aperture and goes well beyond today’s latest high end camera...

Great professional photography has so much more to it than shutter 
speeds and aperture and goes well beyond today’s latest high end 
cameras.<br />
<br />

These fundamental aspects are undeniably extremely useful but, the 
truth is, there are a number of common characteristics shared 
amongst many professional photographers.<br />
<br />

By studying these and applying them to your own process, it’s 
possible to grow creatively and come one step closer to achieving your 
goals and dreams.<br />

<h2>
1) Transcend Technology</h2>
The most powerful photography sensor available is found, not in the 
camera, but within yourself. The secret lies in your ability to 
recognize emotion and document it with a photo.<br />
<br />

It doesn’t matter if you’re using a DSLR, Mirrorless camera, point 
and shoot or a smartphone; a memorable event transcends technology.<br />
<br />

Although today’s camera ads promise that just about anyone can take a great photo, this is merely a marketing gimmick.<br />
<br />

Make no mistake: mastering your camera takes enormous dedication, 
continued practice and the burning desire to reach new heights.<br />
<br />

<h2>
2) Brush Off Bad Days</h2>
It’s difficult to predict where and when a great photo opportunity 
will arise. Only by heading out with your camera regularly will your 
percentage of keepers increase. Perfection is never the goal; it’s doing
 your best that counts.<br />
<br />

Rather than settling for the same tried and true formula, challenge 
yourself. Try new techniques. Free yourself from the notion that 
professionals don’t have bad days or take lousy photos. It’s all a 
necessary part of the artistic process.<br />
<br />

As the Hall of Fame hockey player Wayne Gretzky said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”<br />
<br />

<h2>
3) Confidence</h2>
Many of the photographers I work with capture remarkable images that are certainly worthy of the “professional quality” label.<br />
<br />

Some of these clients have considered changing careers to follow 
their passion but lack one key ingredient to do so. This important 
element is something you won’t read about in a photography magazine or 
see on a forum – it’s not a fast lens, or a clever camera strap.<br />
<br />

No, these are all superficial elements that anyone with a credit card can buy.<br />
<br />

The secret for a successful photography career boils down to one thing: confidence.<br />
<br />

If there is a technique that scares you, now is the time to learn it.
 With the roadblock pushed aside, you can see your goals more clearly 
and continue on the path ahead.<br />
<br />

<h2>
4) Curiosity</h2>
The way you view the world will undoubtedly impact your photography. 
If you’re having trouble changing your vision, simply adjust your 
approach. Rather than thinking like a photographer, consider yourself a 
visual detective.<br />
<br />

This forces one to really study the space around them, while paying 
careful attention to details. Through our inquisitive nature, we can 
uncover moments in photographs that most would let pass by.<br />
<br />

Let curiosity guide your compositions and you will learn to see the world differently.<br />
<br />

<h2>
5) Desire</h2>
The grandest adventures begin with a simple desire to see something new.<br />
<br />

Maybe it’s an old forgotten Lighthouse, a new part of the city, a 
rustic barn on the other side of town – allow your passion to take you 
to new places, outside of your comfort zone.<br />
<br />

For inspiration, check the local library for travel guides on your 
own state. Cross reference this research with online photo galleries and
 published reviews.<br />
<br />

You’ll quickly get a feel for what your area holds and a vision of how you’d like to capture it.<br />
<br />

<h2>
6) Keep Moving Forward</h2>
Before reaching any breathtaking vista, you must first climb, sweat 
and navigate around thickets. This type of persistence is equally 
important on the path to good photography.<br />
<br />

Even the greatest photographers of all time had outings that were 
less than ideal, no finer example being this story from Ansel Adams, who
 spent a frustrating day with “several exasperating trials.”<br />
<br />

Adams <em>wasn’</em>t discouraged. He noted that “defeat comes 
occasionally to all photographers, as to all politicians, and there is 
no use moaning about it.”<br />
<br />

He got back in the car, started driving and soon found a majestic 
scene that was to become one of his most famous works: Moonrise, 
Hernandez.<br />
<br />

Whether you’re just starting your photography pursuit, or are 
exploring new creative avenues, you never know what treasures will greet
 you around the next bend.<br />
<br />

<h2>
7) Question Everything</h2>
When you’re first learning photography, it’s wise to search for facts
 and truth. The internet, of course, has democratized learning with an 
abundance of information at our fingertips.<br />
<br />

Still, making good art is often more about the questions than the 
answers. Ignore this and you’ll end up following a formulaic process, 
gaining only results that look like everyone else’s work.<br />
<br />

In order to create your own visual signature, you must look within.<br />
<br />

What kind of images do you see in your mind’s eye? Now try to recreate that.<br />
<br />

Use this technique to guide your photographic efforts and you’ll soon be making images that exceed your expectations.<br />
<br />

<h2>
8) Self Awareness</h2>
A photographer I recently worked with asked for the best non-technical advice I could offer. The question took me off guard <span>momentarily;</span> it was quite the departure from the common inquiries on histograms, white balance or aperture.<br />
<br />

My thoughts quickly shifted to the words of photographer Ernst Haas (1921 – 1986).<br />
<br />

When I was first starting out, this quote resonated deeply with me 
and it remains an influential concept to this day. “There is only you 
and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, 
for what we see is what we are.”<br />
<br />

What Haas was describing is the real test of a photographer’s 
artistic growth. When there is no grand vista or magic light, no double 
rainbow or brilliant sunset, do you pack away your camera… or do you 
look harder to find the photo that everyone else passed by?<br />
<br />

It’s this part of our art that can’t be explained in a technical guide but has to come from within.<br />
<br />

<h2>
9) Annual Reflection</h2>
The autumn harvest is not just for pumpkins and apples but photographs too.<br />

That’s right, now is the time to pick your favorite images from the 
last year. I do this each October while assembling a photo calendar for 
family and friends.<br />
<br />

They make great holiday gifts and are a wonderful way to share your 
year’s adventures. Ansel Adams believed that “Twelve significant 
photographs in any one year is a good crop.” Ironically enough, that’s 
the exact amount you’ll need to fill each month.<br />
<br />

I also view this exercise as a measuring stick for growth: what did I
 do better this year than last? How can I make improvements in the days 
and months ahead?<br />
<br />

<h2>
10) Trail Blazer</h2>
There’s no denying that photography is a powerful art form, just as 
painting, music and sculpture are too. If you look into the history of 
these disciplines, you’ll find further similarities:<br />
<br />

Those who enjoyed long term success did so not by following current trends but by paving their own way.<br />
<br />

This, of course, is no easy feat, perhaps best expressed by Alfred de
 Musset who said, “How glorious it is – and also how painful – to be an 
exception”.<br />
<br />

Whether it’s your choice of gear, or the subject matter you focus on, throw out the rule book and follow your own heart.<br />
<br />

<br />
<img alt="trailblazer" class="aligncenter wp-image-16561" data-essbisindex="1" height="467" src="http://2dhnizrxqvv1awj231eodql1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/10_trailblazer.jpg" width="700" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">source : <a href="http://expertphotography.com/the-top-10-secret-ingredients-of-professional-photography-revealed/">http://expertphotography.com/the-top-10-secret-ingredients-of-professional-photography-revealed/</a></span>

The Top 10 Secret Ingredients of Professional Photography Revealed

Great professional photography has so much more to it than shutter speeds and aperture and goes well beyond today’s latest high end camera...

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