If you are one of those people who could use justa bit more help...here's a great article and link....
Author: Jonathan Valentine
Article:
Proud Photography has helped individuals to become professional photographers through their various courses. This has become the major driving factors of many websites too in terms of providing ways and improving the talents of amateur into becoming professionals. But aside from learning photography, there are many things that have to be born in mind that will surely enable success. To become a professional photographer, you must:
Create your own style
Being unique is the keyword. You have to create your style that is uniquely you. Never copy the style of another photographer. A professional is someone that is able to communicate the style he has and such style is something that cannot be seen somewhere else. Be sure that you build your portfolio based on your own techniques. This is because people will gauge you by the way you take pictures. It has to be alive and whose shots are phenomenal. If you are able to master your style then, you are on your way to stardom.
Innovate
Learning new things everyday is important to become a professional photographer. Learning should not stop once you achieved success. It is a continuous process. You have to innovate your style and continue to develop your strengths so that many will like your products.
Quality vs. Quantity
Quality refers to the caliber of your pictures. An expert photographer would always find ways on how to produce quality pictures rather than produce in quantity but lacks quality. If you want to become a skilled photographer, you must master quality. Many people do not go for quantity. Rather, they are looking for quality pictures. They want beautiful pictures that they could be proud of. Hence, if you are after quantity, shift to producing quality pictures instead.
About the author:
I will show you how to find a legitimate Online Photography Course and avoid being scammed. Do not join any site until you have read this. Online Photography Course
Let me show you how to successfully become a Professional Photographer.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Exposure - Getting Down to Basics
Here are some exposure basics everyone should be aware of as they set out with their new camera...
Beginning in Photography - Exposure Basics
By Mark Eden
So you've just bought a shiny new SLR camera huh? And a lens or two to go with it? That's great. Now all you have to do is learn how to use it. I'm assuming here you bought an SLR camera because you want to do a little bit more than take happy snaps at family events and holidays. So for those new to photography as anything more than that, this article aims to give you a little background on the basics of exposure to help you on your way.
Shutter speed
There are two elements to creating a "correct exposure". These are aperture, and shutter speed, which we will look at first. When you press the trigger button on your camera to take a picture, it opens a set of sliders, like opening a window. How long it stays open, depends on how you set the shutter speed. Shutter speeds can range from extremely fast (i.e. 1/8000 of a second), to very slow (30 seconds), or even infinity if your camera has a bulb setting. These are extreme shutter speeds and not often used, except by people who shoot fast moving subjects, or in very low light. For most of us, we tend to stick to somewhere in the middle. As a general rule, the faster the shutter speed, the sharper your photo will be. For most people, anything at 1/60 of a second or above is acceptable when hand holding a camera. Lower if you have a particularly steady hand. If you need to use slower shutter speeds, you will need to use a tripod or rest your camera on a steady surface. These slow speeds can be particularly useful for creating blurred effects. For example the flowing water in a waterfall.
Aperture
Ever wondered how photographers get their subjects to really stand out by blurring the background? The secret (which really is no secret) is adjusting the aperture. The aperture changes the depth of field in your photo. Depth of field is how much of the image is in focus. For example, if you have a depth of field of 4 meters, anything within that distance of the subject you are focusing on will also be in focus. There is as much variety with this control as there is with shutter speed. You can choose to set a narrow aperture (long depth of field) when you want the whole shot in focus, for instance a great, sweeping landscape, or a wider aperture for portraits.
Ok, so you've got your shutter speed sorted from your aperture. Now we just have to put them together. Any SLR camera will have an inbuilt light meter. This little gadget measures the amount of light you will need to create a correct exposure. It is usually in the form of a little bar with a too high (+) and a too low (-) sign at each end. It is simply a matter of balancing one against the other so that the meter is centered. Once you've done that you can press the button! That's all there is to it.
ISO
Another choice that will effect your exposure is the ISO you use. With film cameras, this means the speed of film that you use. If you use a 100 speed film, your ISO is 100. Digital cameras also have an adjustable ISO speed. It's just in the form of turning a dial instead of loading a different film. A general rule is to use the lowest ISO you can get away with. Higher ISO films or digital settings can result in noisy (grainy) pictures. They do, however, allow you more freedom in your exposures in that you can shoot with less available light. Experiment with your particular camera, see what you can get away with. Remember that the quality required will be different for everyone. If you only want to make small prints to put in an album, or just store the photos digitally on your computer, then you will not need the same quality as if you want to make large prints to hang on your wall.
So there is some food for thought for those starting out in photography and looking to do more than just point and shoot. Now it's time to go out there and shoot. Experiment with different settings. Try new things. The technical side of photography you can read about anywhere. The creative side, well, that's up to you.
Mark Eden is a freelance travel photographer and writer, and the founder and director of Expanse Photography, a photographic services company offering fine art, limited edition prints as well as stock and assignment photography and publishing services. Mark can be contacted through the Expanse Photography website http://www.expansephotography.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Eden
http://EzineArticles.com/?Beginning-in-Photography---Exposure-Basics&id=790563
5W's and the H - (what, when, who, where, why and how)
Here's a great article by Dan Fielding. It will cover the basics you need to know about photography...
Article by: Dan Feildman
Photography is both about knowing how to use a camera and also knowing how to make decisions. Today's media projects images that can be difficult to understand, and learning photography can help you to understand what you're being showed every day on television, on the internet, and in movies. Photography is a good way to occupy your time, especially if you are a teenager, as it is fun and harmless. Besides that, it's a great way to bring a community together for a project, such as photographing activities and gatherings.
When you buy a digital camera, you have to know how to take care of it to keep it in its best condition. In order to have the clearest photos possible, you must make sure to regularly clean your optic lens and keep from leaving fingerprints on it. If this happens, parts of your pictures will be blurry, and dirt can build up over time. Not all cleaning products are suitable for a camera lens, so make sure that you don't use tissue paper, any household cleaning solutions, and definitely not saliva. Instead, you should buy the proper products at a camera store, in order to keep your camera at its best.
Understanding how your camera focuses will help you get better pictures. Just about all digital cameras these days have autofocus with a two-step shutter release. In dark lighting, you will notice that when you press the button halfway down, a red light appears for a moment, but not in areas that are lighter. Then, when you press the button down fully, there is a flash. When you hold down the button halfway, that focuses the image, and when you depress it fully, the camera takes the focused image. If you want the subject of your photograph not to be in the center but still focused, first center them in the middle of the picture and focus the frame by pressing down halfway. Without removing your finger, reframe the picture with your subject in the right position, and take the picture. Your subject will still be focused.
One aspect of taking a pleasing photograph is depth of field. When you look at a picture, you will notice that all the area surrounding the focused subject is also focused. This area is called depth of field. In order to change the way the depth of field in a picture is seen, focused, and lit, you must change the width of your lens. The wider the lens is, the smaller the depth of field will be. To decrease the depth of field you can also move closer to your subject. To increase it, you can use a smaller lens or move further away from your subject.
A great technique that helps photographers create eye-catching pictures is the rule of thirds. This is a composition technique, create a pleasing balance between the different objects in a photograph. In order to use the rule, divide your screen into six different parts: three horizontal sections, and three vertical. The focal points, where the eye is attracted when it first looks at a picture, are where the lines intersect. Placing the subjects of your pictures at or near the focal points can help create a balanced and attractive picture.
Landscape photos are very popular and can be very nice-looking. The whole photograph will need to be in focus, unlike some pictures where only a certain part is in focus. In order to have the picture completely focused, you'll need to have a short focal length. This will create a larger depth of field, and everything will be focused. In order to creating a pleasing balance between land and sky, or water and sky, you can use the rule of thirds. Furthermore, if you want a sense of three dimensions, you can have a subject in the foreground.
A tripod is a good investment in photography, especially if you want to take panoramic pictures. You'll have to set your tripod in a place where you can swivel the camera smoothly from left to right, and not up and down. You will have to figure out where you want your pictures to overlap, so that you don't have huge gaps in your resulting picture. Once you figure that out, you can swivel your camera in one direction, clockwise or counterclockwise, to take the pictures you want. Once you're done, all you have to do is put them together with a simple graphics program or photo-editing software.
Recommended for More Help
Need to improve your digital photography techniques? Pick up your free digital photography guide for better photos...almost instantly.
Article by: Dan Feildman
Photography is both about knowing how to use a camera and also knowing how to make decisions. Today's media projects images that can be difficult to understand, and learning photography can help you to understand what you're being showed every day on television, on the internet, and in movies. Photography is a good way to occupy your time, especially if you are a teenager, as it is fun and harmless. Besides that, it's a great way to bring a community together for a project, such as photographing activities and gatherings.
When you buy a digital camera, you have to know how to take care of it to keep it in its best condition. In order to have the clearest photos possible, you must make sure to regularly clean your optic lens and keep from leaving fingerprints on it. If this happens, parts of your pictures will be blurry, and dirt can build up over time. Not all cleaning products are suitable for a camera lens, so make sure that you don't use tissue paper, any household cleaning solutions, and definitely not saliva. Instead, you should buy the proper products at a camera store, in order to keep your camera at its best.
Understanding how your camera focuses will help you get better pictures. Just about all digital cameras these days have autofocus with a two-step shutter release. In dark lighting, you will notice that when you press the button halfway down, a red light appears for a moment, but not in areas that are lighter. Then, when you press the button down fully, there is a flash. When you hold down the button halfway, that focuses the image, and when you depress it fully, the camera takes the focused image. If you want the subject of your photograph not to be in the center but still focused, first center them in the middle of the picture and focus the frame by pressing down halfway. Without removing your finger, reframe the picture with your subject in the right position, and take the picture. Your subject will still be focused.
One aspect of taking a pleasing photograph is depth of field. When you look at a picture, you will notice that all the area surrounding the focused subject is also focused. This area is called depth of field. In order to change the way the depth of field in a picture is seen, focused, and lit, you must change the width of your lens. The wider the lens is, the smaller the depth of field will be. To decrease the depth of field you can also move closer to your subject. To increase it, you can use a smaller lens or move further away from your subject.
A great technique that helps photographers create eye-catching pictures is the rule of thirds. This is a composition technique, create a pleasing balance between the different objects in a photograph. In order to use the rule, divide your screen into six different parts: three horizontal sections, and three vertical. The focal points, where the eye is attracted when it first looks at a picture, are where the lines intersect. Placing the subjects of your pictures at or near the focal points can help create a balanced and attractive picture.
Landscape photos are very popular and can be very nice-looking. The whole photograph will need to be in focus, unlike some pictures where only a certain part is in focus. In order to have the picture completely focused, you'll need to have a short focal length. This will create a larger depth of field, and everything will be focused. In order to creating a pleasing balance between land and sky, or water and sky, you can use the rule of thirds. Furthermore, if you want a sense of three dimensions, you can have a subject in the foreground.
A tripod is a good investment in photography, especially if you want to take panoramic pictures. You'll have to set your tripod in a place where you can swivel the camera smoothly from left to right, and not up and down. You will have to figure out where you want your pictures to overlap, so that you don't have huge gaps in your resulting picture. Once you figure that out, you can swivel your camera in one direction, clockwise or counterclockwise, to take the pictures you want. Once you're done, all you have to do is put them together with a simple graphics program or photo-editing software.
Recommended for More Help
Need to improve your digital photography techniques? Pick up your free digital photography guide for better photos...almost instantly.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
More About MegaPixels
Here's a quick add on to my last post about MegaPixels. You just can't get enough info on this subjext because it can be a very costly mistake...
Learn Digital Photography - The Megapixel Megamyth Explained in 4 Steps
By Wayne G Turner
So you've just come back from the camera shop with all the information on why you need more megapixels for your camera. Your current compact camera has 8.1 megapixels and the salesman says that you need to upgrade to the new 10.1 megapixel model to really improve your images. Rubbish! Here's why you don't need to.
Because digital cameras are often classified by their number of megapixels, the megapixel rating of a camera is often used as a measure of picture quality. This is a totally wrong concept and a myth. There are a number of factors that determine the quality of a camera and megapixels is really an insignificant part. 10.1 megapixels on a cheap compact camera and 10.1 megapixels on an expensive digital SLR and poles apart. As a comparison they mean nothing. If they meant anything then why is their such a large difference in price. The difference in price between a compact and an SLR should immediately say to you that there are other factors to be considered.
Here's what really matters:
1. Quality of the camera lens
It costs a lot of money to build a quality lens with high quality glass. If the camera is cheap it means the lens is cheap. Even if it had 36 megapixels the quality of your image is going to be average. Camera manufacturers cannot afford to put quality glass in a low quality camera. Even with digital SLRs that have interchangeable lenses the difference between entry level lenses and pro lenses is huge and measured in thousands of dollars.
2. Quality of the camera build
The parts that go into building a good quality digital camera cost a lot of money to develop and therefore the camera will cost more. The cost difference between the plastic or aluminium and high quality magnesium alloy is vast. This is more so with digital SLRs. When comparing the way a shutter button or dial feels on an entry level to a pro SLR you will feel a dramatic difference which again is reflected in the price.
3. Quality of the sensor
How your sensor handles light and the resulting noise is dependent on the quality and build of the CCD or CMOS sensor and its ISO rating. Try taking a photo with a lot of shadow and you will see that in darker parts of the image there are flecks of colour and a more grainy look. This is noise. The more expensive cameras will have far less noise or sometimes no noise at all compared to cheaper compact cameras. This degrades the quality of an image even with a good lens.
4. Quality of the processor
Each camera has a computer chip called the processor which takes the digital information received through the sensor and processes it into an image. The way this is processed affects the overall speed and quality of the image. The more powerful and complex the processor the better quality image and of course the higher the cost of the camera. Again the more megapixels processed by a low quality processor will continue to give a low quality image.
It is so easy to use one aspect of a camera to judge a camera's quality and this is what manufacturers and sales people have done. It's far easier than explaining a number of complementary factors but makes the explanation a myth. One needs to almost quadruple the megapixels of a camera's sensor to make an obvious improvement. Even just doubling the megapixels is only going to give you a subtle increase in quality. And this will again only really play a part if all of the other quality factors are increased as well.
So how do you know what to buy? The answer is forums and review websites. Go check out what the reviewers have to say and then read the forums and hear what people who have bought the camera you are interested in have to say.
Use your natural instincts and you'll know when a sales person is pulling the wool over your eyes. No manufacturer can afford to sell high quality for low prices. This is why many digital SLR manufacturers sell you a kit lens with the camera and not one of high quality, to save costs.
So bottom line, use your instincts. When someone wants to sell you a BMW or Mercedes for a Suzuki price the alarm bells should start ringing.
Do you want to learn more about photography in a digital world? I've just completed a brand new e-course delivered by e-mail. Download it here for free: http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/ To learn how you can take your photography from ordinary to outstanding visit http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/21steps.htm
Wayne Turner has been teaching photography for 25 years and has written three books on photography.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wayne_G_Turner
http://EzineArticles.com/?Learn-Digital-Photography---The-Megapixel-Megamyth-Explained-in-4-Steps&id=2708612
What MegaPixels Do You Really Need
As promised...I said I would tell you what the MegaPixel will do for you, so here it is. It's not all about "size", contrary to popular belief. It's about your need and desired result. Don't be intimidated by the guy who's carrying the biggest, baddest new camera. Michael Hart has put together a common sense approach to "what you need", based on the "desired result" Take a moment and read Michael's article and you will have a clear understanding of wht the impact of MegaPixels really means to you...
Why 1.5 Megapixels is Enough
By Michael Hart
Dots Per Inch is a useful measure of relative resolution. But if you don't know the image size in inches or some other measure of size, then the amount of dots per inch doesn't mean much. That's why DPI is used in conjunction with scanner Specifications, because you know that the size is going to be 3.8 by 1.7 inches!
Different resolutions are used for different purposes. 72 or 75 DPI for screen viewing; 250 for digital photography and 300 dpi for printing. See how this is a nice comparison, yes, you can get away with 50 less pixels per inch in your photographs than would be required for A4 printing, this is because of the physical size of the photo!rnrnDots Per Inch specifies how much information is resolved in a picture, whereas the number of megapixels is usually used to describe the total output size (in pixels) of an image.
Example: I want to reproduce the standard photograph size. This would be 6 by 4 inches. Digital photography requires a minimum of only about 250dpi, So: 6 * 250 = 1500 and 4 * 250 = 1000, so you need an image sized about 1500 * 1000 pixels (about 1.5 megapixels). Thus you can get a perfectly good standard print from a 1.5 megapixel camera! rnrnIf you take a photo twice, one at 5 and the other at 1.5 megapixels, than ask your self which one looks "better"? They will both look reasonable because your computer generates colours such that the image looks better than it really is; if you were to print both as a 6 by 4 image, they will look identical, because your printer can't generate more than 300 dpi so the "better" image is effectively reduced in quality anyway. This example demonstrates how it is possible to literally waste memory, ie for everyday use the additional memory required for the other 4 megapixcels gives you no real benefit!
This is quite good because a 36 Megabyte media card can store 50 to 65 images at 1.3 megapixcels but only 8 to 10 at 5 megapixcels, so unless you are planning on getting your images printed larger than 6 by 4 there's no real advantage to the full 5 megapixcels.
Now we have established that a 1.5 megapixel camera will produce a 6 by 4 inch standard photograph, that is, it will generate a resolution such that each pixel is simply reproduced "as is", we come to the more interesting issue of enlargement.
If you wanted to print your 6 by 4 inch image as a 10 by 8 photo (which would normally need the full 5 megapixels), there would not be a sufficient number of pixels for the additional surface area, so we now need to scale up the existing pixels by "resampling" the existing pixels, a process which estimates how the "missing" pixels should appear, and fills them with the appropriate "colour".
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Hart
http://EzineArticles.com/?Why-1.5-Megapixels-is-Enough&id=165277
The Megapixel Conundrum
If you are like any other photographer (novice or pro-am) you have been trained throughout your life thet you should always go after "BIGGER,FASTER, BETTER". That may prove to be somewhat of a falacy in the world of Digital Photography and the MegaPixels. There is more to life than MegaPixels....here's an article that will lay out the real story for you.
In my next post I will present you with...wht the MegaPixel can do for you..
In my next post I will present you with...wht the MegaPixel can do for you..
Digital Photography Tips - Megapixels - Not All They're Cracked Up To Be
By Steven Wagenheim
When I first got into digital photography, way back in the stone age, cameras with massive amounts of megapixels were unheard of. Today, it's like computer memory. It's not even an issue. However, lots of new photographers think that all you need to do is pick up a digital camera with tons of megapixels and you're set. Well, this is not the case. There is more to taking good photos than that. This article is going to point out a few things about your digital camera that can make the number of megapixels a moot point. Keep reading to find out what they are.
Probably even more important, when it comes to the quality of your digital photos, is the lens. Nothing is going to make up for a cheap one. The problem with really good lenses is that they are extremely expensive to make. If you've taken photos with film cameras, you know that really high quality lenses can cost hundreds of dollars. Well, the same thing is true with a digital camera. Don't expect to find a high quality lens on a camera that you picked up for $95. It's just not going to happen.
Then there is noise. Yes, noise. Not the kind of noise you hear, but the kind of noise you see. This is what makes your photos look "grainy" or unclear. Every camera introduces at least some noise into the photographic process. There is no such thing as a noise free environment. The cheaper cameras, just like with the cheaper lenses, will introduce more noise into the process than the more expensive ones. So again, in this case, megapixels, no matter how many, make very little difference in the overall quality of the photo.
And then there is the biggest lie of all when it comes to megapixels and that's interpolation. I'm going to try to keep this explanation as simple as possible because I am sure, like myself, you just hate technical mumbo jumbo. In plain English, interpolation is the estimated or "guessed" measure of the megapixels. All his really does is make it so that the actual image you get is larger, but you're not really getting any additional detail in your photographs...just a lot of wasted space. So an interpolated 12 megapixel value may really only be 6 megapixels, or less. I won't mention any manufacturers that do this but it is a common practice.
Bottom line is this. Just because you get a 12 megapixel camera it doesn't mean it's going to outperform a 6 megapixel camera. The lens, noise and interpolation, along with a number of other things that I haven't even touched upon, all contribute to the REAL quality of your camera.
In short...You get what you pay for...most of the time.
Want some more great tips on digital photography? Check out the link in my signature below.
To YOUR Photographic Success,
Steven Wagenheim
Want to turn your digital photos into pure gold? Please check out the review of a great resource at my blog at http://digitalphotographytipsonline.blogspot.com/ where you'll find the answers to all your questions about digital photography that will turn you into a master of the lens in no time.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Wagenheim
http://EzineArticles.com/?Digital-Photography-Tips---Megapixels---Not-All-Theyre-Cracked-Up-To-Be&id=1002623
Did You Backup Your Photos?
One of the biggest mistakes any phtographer can have is over confidence in their hardware. This includes your computer, your external hard drive, your CD's or DVD's and your memory cards. I can tell you from personal experience that recovering your hard drive data can be very costly. Here's a fantastic article by Paul Salmon. I recommend you heed the advice here...unless of course, you have the $$$ to burn!
How Do You Backup Your Digital Photos?
By Paul Salmon
I have seen many times in the past someone lose their data because of a hard drive failure. While some documents can be recreated, albeit it can take many hours to recreate one document, the files that can't be recreated are digital photos. Imagine losing photos of your children when they were babies? Unless others have the same photo, a hard drive crash could cause the photo to be lost forever.
For this reason, it is important to develop a data backup workflow. You may not know what you need to do, but I'll explain my process below and you can then develop one similar that works for you.
- First, before I do any editing or printing, I copy all my digital photos to an external hard drive. This is my accessible backup copy because the hard drive is always available in case I need a photo. I organize my photos in the following directory structure: Pictures\[four digit year]\[Event]. I don't rename my pictures, but instead I use photo organizing software that allows me to tag my pictures.
- Next I start my online backup software. I have signed up with an online backup service provider to store my photos in case something was to happen to my home. They provide a small application that I install on my desktop. This application will then copy any changed/new files automatically onto their server in the background. I usually keep it suspended since my external hard drive is usually powered off when not in use. I then unsuspend the tool when I want to run the backup.
- I then backup the photos to two DVD+R's. When backing up any type of file to a DVD, it is important to always make two copies. In case one DVD becomes corrupt, you may be able to restore the file from the other DVD. It is also important to buy high-quality DVD's as cheap no-name brand DVD's aren't good enough for long-term storage. I also store these DVD's offsite (outside of my home) so I don't lose them in case of an event destroying my home.
- When I need to edit a picture I always copy the picture to the local hard drive in my computer and perform any edits on that file. This prevents my from accidentally altering my backed up copy.
If I were to lost a picture, I can restore them in this manner:
- First, I would use the file stored on the external hard drive.
- If there was a problem with that file, I can go restore the file online.
- If I don't have an Internet connection, or there was a problem with restoring online, I can then retrieve the file from one of the two DVD's.
The above backup workflow is what I use on a regular basis, not only for my digital pictures, but also for my important data. It is important to always have a backup workflow in place in case an event damages your computer. Also, make sure that you create a workflow that works for you.
Paul Salmon currently maintains Technically Easy, as well as knowledge regarding offsite data backup storage solutions.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Salmon http://EzineArticles.com/?How-Do-You-Backup-Your-Digital-Photos?&id=2810813
Digital Photography Lessons
Here's a great article by Tracy L. Guzman that cover the basics. Get yourself a camera, and practice, practice, practice....
Digital Photography Lessons
By Tracy L Guzman
The best way to get great at photography is to practice. The more work you put into perfecting your talent, the more thrilled you are going to be with the outcomes. being aware of how to practice your photography is one-half the battle. Here are a couple tips to get you started.
Start Out with picking out an item to concentrate with. Choose anything you like. Start taking photos of it while trying out assorted settings to get accustomed to your particular camera. Try them separately. Determine what each feature and setting does on a notepad. After the shoot is finished you should have a great list of stuff to go over. Replicate this procedure in various different locations. Take photographs from all directions and angles. Standing up, sitting down, while laying on the floor, whatever you can dream up. Also, try various lighting scenarios This will teach you what different camera settings do best in every unique environment.
Once you discover how to use your particular digital camera, you can try adding assorted accessories that further enhance your images. With dedicated practise your photos should become progressively more pleasing. Simply continue photographing and practicing and taking outstanding snapshots will become second nature to you.
Prior to trying any of these tactics, you need to be certain that you have a truly outstanding camera. Do plenty of research before buying just any camera. If it doesn't operate good, you will not be able to acquire great pictures no matter how hard you try. One really good camera to start with is the Canon Digital Rebel XSi It is fully featured and easy to use.
Regardless of how fabulous you think your pictures are, without practice you will never really get the best photos that you are capable of producing. Every hobby or craft takes considerable time and practict to obtain perfection. The more time you spend learning the art of photography, the more amazing your pictures are going to be. You need to practice regularly to see a good amount of improvement.
Taking large quantities of pictures and hoping to get that one good shot is the method that most amateur photographers use and on occasion you will accidentally come up with something spectacular. However, by learning how to use your digital camera properly and practicing good photography skills, you can have lots of terrific pictures from every event you shoot.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tracy_L_Guzman
http://EzineArticles.com/?Digital-Photography--Lessons&id=2822921
How To Rescue Vintage Prints and Profit From Them
A little known strategy to get your slice of the huge 'eBay pie'
eBay is THE marketplace, you can buy and sell almost anything to almost anyone. It, therefore, provides an unrivalled way to make money quickly and easily without the tedious commute, the long hours, the unsympathetic boss.
Most people are excited when first discovering this vast and vibrant marketplace, excited but confused!
"What do I sell?" is the most common question budding eBay entrepreneurs ask when faced with the thousands of eBay categories.
Stuart Turnbull faced the same challenge 4 years ago before he chanced upon the basis of his strategy. He spent the next 4 years researching, testing and refining his idea into a plan that ANYONE can follow to make incredible eBay profits.
No special equipment is required, you can be up and running within days for a few dollars and an hour or 2 a day is all that is required to operate this business successfully.
So now you have the secret to the perfect eBay product there really is no excuse for not grabbing your slice of that pie!
Prints Make Profits
Thanks for reading,
Scott
eBay is THE marketplace, you can buy and sell almost anything to almost anyone. It, therefore, provides an unrivalled way to make money quickly and easily without the tedious commute, the long hours, the unsympathetic boss.
Most people are excited when first discovering this vast and vibrant marketplace, excited but confused!
"What do I sell?" is the most common question budding eBay entrepreneurs ask when faced with the thousands of eBay categories.
Stuart Turnbull faced the same challenge 4 years ago before he chanced upon the basis of his strategy. He spent the next 4 years researching, testing and refining his idea into a plan that ANYONE can follow to make incredible eBay profits.
No special equipment is required, you can be up and running within days for a few dollars and an hour or 2 a day is all that is required to operate this business successfully.
So now you have the secret to the perfect eBay product there really is no excuse for not grabbing your slice of that pie!
Prints Make Profits
Thanks for reading,
Scott
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Are you looking for a great forum on the web?
If you are seeking an open forum on the web, you need to visit the Canon Digital Photography Forum - Photography-on-the-net (P.O.T.N.) http://photography-on-the.net/forum/
This is an excellent forum and information exchange that will allow pro's and novices alike to share thoughts, experiences, obtain critiques and so much more. If you'been wondering where to go..visit the site today. Register and get the info and feedback you need.
This is an excellent forum and information exchange that will allow pro's and novices alike to share thoughts, experiences, obtain critiques and so much more. If you'been wondering where to go..visit the site today. Register and get the info and feedback you need.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Starting Your Own Photo business?
Anyone with the right camera equipment, and the necessary skills can set up a home business, marketing photography. You need only to convert a room of your house into an office, and then you can work immediately.
With modern technology in the form of SLR digital cameras, you do not even need the room for a dark room. You need only to have a personal computer and a photo-editing program. The standard is Adobe Photoshop.
It is not necessary to clutter yourself with equipment you do not need. You can hire equipment on and when you need it basis. You have the freedom to work part time for a while until you can devote yourself full time to photography. All you need to be is a serious photographer. There are two types of photographers that makes their living from photography, the serious photographer and the very serious photographer. You can always bookmark this link and then you can quickly access just about all you'll ever need from here.
Whilst the technical skills needed to make a successful photographer have never been easier, other aspects have changed the business. The market for photographs of virtually every type has widened, the world seems to have an insatiable appetite for photographs. However the price has fallen as the marketing net has broadened. Photographers are needed in many more fields. For instance many people use car web sites, they simply did not exist ten years ago, and they sell their products as a result of photography. Cameras used by scuba diver’s are now an excellent quality, and whilst they are initially expensive, they have forged a new market. People celebrate special occasions more with photography, than they did years ago. The travel and advertising markets have a greater need for landscape, travel and nature shots.
It is now easier than ever to turn your dream into reality and create a worthwhile business out of an engrossing hobby. However in today’s modern world there is more to it than simply pointing a camera, and shooting a picture. You need to be aware of marketing techniques, and here marketing simply means transferring ownership of a product, in this case an image from a buyer to seller. You also need to be aware of any local gaps in the market in your local area. You should also try to be on top of your competitor’s prices, to undercut an existing photographer is one choice, but to neglect to value your skills and not charge enough to cover your overheads is another matter entirely. Remember this, its an important point.
Use your skills to the best advantage of the business and define what you want from it. Writing a business plan helps to keep you focused on the areas you specifically want to exploit. A business plan helps you to define your goals and strategies, it will be changed and updated, but it will help you, to keep things in perspective. You can then refer back to it when things become confusing or complicated. Everyone’s business plan will be different, as every objective will be different, but there are certain common factors that make up a good business plan which will help your business grow. It allows you to develop a professional attitude to your business, which not only helps you to increase your earnings, but also help you to finance your business.
For the photographer it should include, your business name, or your own, with full details of the proposed location of the business, a copy of your logo, as well as details of your copyright notices. What is the form of your proposed business (sole ownership, partnership, Limited Liability Company or Corporation). This should be followed by a table of contents, which focuses on a logical order. There are resources that will give you further details on such as profitable-photography.com
Included after this should be the type of business you intend to pursue, in a fair amount of detail, and it should contain the services you intend to offer. This section should include any future gaols or avenues you would like to explore, stating your clear objectives. This is so you can check at a later date whether your objectives are on course, or if you have got sidetracked.
If you envisage at any time you may need financial help, then you should include your personal business history.
You should also state a clear and concise marketing plan that should demonstrate how your business will differentiate from the businesses of your competitors. You should be able to establish whom your customers will be, as well as where your market will be, as in wholesale or retail or a combination of both. You should also be able to determine how long this type of market will be available to yourself.
The next section should clearly define your opposition, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. This should include the ways you may be able to exploit any gaps in the market in the specific area where you live. A section should follow this on how you intend to market and promote your individual services.
A financial segment should be included as to how you intend to manage the day-to-day bills of the business. How you intend to price your services, and what factors influence this pricing structure, which includes a section on your competitor’s financial structures. This means a fair amount of detective work as well as homework. Get your friends to ask from quotes from the local competition. Or try an even more direct approach, tell your competitor’s that you intend to start a new business, and that you do not want to undercut them, as this reduces the cake for everyone. They may well offer to help you construct a pricing structure that ensures everyone’s livelihood. It is in their interests to help. Not everyone will be cooperative, but it may mean you can get a truer picture of the market factors that govern your area.
Make a list of all the equipment you will need in your first year, as well as how and where you intend to purchase. Note any difficulties that may arise in obtaining your supplies. Note whether the prices of your supplies have a seasonal fluctuation, that may help you influence you when to buy. You should make a note of any local licenses that will be necessary, as well as any zoning restrictions, that may restrict the growth of your business. Your neighbours may not be thrilled at a procession of customer’s to your door, check whether they can restrict your services. Make a study of all your business insurance requirements.
The final segment should be devoted to how you intend to finance the growth of your business, as well as isolating what your financial needs will be. This should include a projection on your future earnings, as well as an accurate assessment of your outgoings’. This should be assessed on a monthly basis for the first year, and on an annual basis for the following three years. An important aspect of the financial statement is an assessment of the break-even point of your business, in other words the minimum you will have to take to pay your expenses.
The purpose of this documentation is to allow you to enunciate what the core elements of your business will be, in doing this it should help you to be able to quickly evaluate the success of your business objectives. If you are not clear on your objectives then you cannot possibly make a plan to bring about the success of those objectives.
Publisher & author: Roy Barker. Roy is the author of the popular ebook, Income from Photography - a downloadable ebook which guides the reader on how to start up and market a Profitable Photography business. It can be viewed at http://origimages.roybarker.hop.clickbank.net/ Digital Photography Business . The information on this and adjoining pages may be reprinted and used on other sites providing all information remains unchanged and the article and all pages remain as they are found here in its current font size & image with all links in tact.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
With modern technology in the form of SLR digital cameras, you do not even need the room for a dark room. You need only to have a personal computer and a photo-editing program. The standard is Adobe Photoshop.
It is not necessary to clutter yourself with equipment you do not need. You can hire equipment on and when you need it basis. You have the freedom to work part time for a while until you can devote yourself full time to photography. All you need to be is a serious photographer. There are two types of photographers that makes their living from photography, the serious photographer and the very serious photographer. You can always bookmark this link and then you can quickly access just about all you'll ever need from here.
Whilst the technical skills needed to make a successful photographer have never been easier, other aspects have changed the business. The market for photographs of virtually every type has widened, the world seems to have an insatiable appetite for photographs. However the price has fallen as the marketing net has broadened. Photographers are needed in many more fields. For instance many people use car web sites, they simply did not exist ten years ago, and they sell their products as a result of photography. Cameras used by scuba diver’s are now an excellent quality, and whilst they are initially expensive, they have forged a new market. People celebrate special occasions more with photography, than they did years ago. The travel and advertising markets have a greater need for landscape, travel and nature shots.
It is now easier than ever to turn your dream into reality and create a worthwhile business out of an engrossing hobby. However in today’s modern world there is more to it than simply pointing a camera, and shooting a picture. You need to be aware of marketing techniques, and here marketing simply means transferring ownership of a product, in this case an image from a buyer to seller. You also need to be aware of any local gaps in the market in your local area. You should also try to be on top of your competitor’s prices, to undercut an existing photographer is one choice, but to neglect to value your skills and not charge enough to cover your overheads is another matter entirely. Remember this, its an important point.
Use your skills to the best advantage of the business and define what you want from it. Writing a business plan helps to keep you focused on the areas you specifically want to exploit. A business plan helps you to define your goals and strategies, it will be changed and updated, but it will help you, to keep things in perspective. You can then refer back to it when things become confusing or complicated. Everyone’s business plan will be different, as every objective will be different, but there are certain common factors that make up a good business plan which will help your business grow. It allows you to develop a professional attitude to your business, which not only helps you to increase your earnings, but also help you to finance your business.
For the photographer it should include, your business name, or your own, with full details of the proposed location of the business, a copy of your logo, as well as details of your copyright notices. What is the form of your proposed business (sole ownership, partnership, Limited Liability Company or Corporation). This should be followed by a table of contents, which focuses on a logical order. There are resources that will give you further details on such as profitable-photography.com
Included after this should be the type of business you intend to pursue, in a fair amount of detail, and it should contain the services you intend to offer. This section should include any future gaols or avenues you would like to explore, stating your clear objectives. This is so you can check at a later date whether your objectives are on course, or if you have got sidetracked.
If you envisage at any time you may need financial help, then you should include your personal business history.
You should also state a clear and concise marketing plan that should demonstrate how your business will differentiate from the businesses of your competitors. You should be able to establish whom your customers will be, as well as where your market will be, as in wholesale or retail or a combination of both. You should also be able to determine how long this type of market will be available to yourself.
The next section should clearly define your opposition, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. This should include the ways you may be able to exploit any gaps in the market in the specific area where you live. A section should follow this on how you intend to market and promote your individual services.
A financial segment should be included as to how you intend to manage the day-to-day bills of the business. How you intend to price your services, and what factors influence this pricing structure, which includes a section on your competitor’s financial structures. This means a fair amount of detective work as well as homework. Get your friends to ask from quotes from the local competition. Or try an even more direct approach, tell your competitor’s that you intend to start a new business, and that you do not want to undercut them, as this reduces the cake for everyone. They may well offer to help you construct a pricing structure that ensures everyone’s livelihood. It is in their interests to help. Not everyone will be cooperative, but it may mean you can get a truer picture of the market factors that govern your area.
Make a list of all the equipment you will need in your first year, as well as how and where you intend to purchase. Note any difficulties that may arise in obtaining your supplies. Note whether the prices of your supplies have a seasonal fluctuation, that may help you influence you when to buy. You should make a note of any local licenses that will be necessary, as well as any zoning restrictions, that may restrict the growth of your business. Your neighbours may not be thrilled at a procession of customer’s to your door, check whether they can restrict your services. Make a study of all your business insurance requirements.
The final segment should be devoted to how you intend to finance the growth of your business, as well as isolating what your financial needs will be. This should include a projection on your future earnings, as well as an accurate assessment of your outgoings’. This should be assessed on a monthly basis for the first year, and on an annual basis for the following three years. An important aspect of the financial statement is an assessment of the break-even point of your business, in other words the minimum you will have to take to pay your expenses.
The purpose of this documentation is to allow you to enunciate what the core elements of your business will be, in doing this it should help you to be able to quickly evaluate the success of your business objectives. If you are not clear on your objectives then you cannot possibly make a plan to bring about the success of those objectives.
Publisher & author: Roy Barker. Roy is the author of the popular ebook, Income from Photography - a downloadable ebook which guides the reader on how to start up and market a Profitable Photography business. It can be viewed at http://origimages.roybarker.hop.clickbank.net/ Digital Photography Business . The information on this and adjoining pages may be reprinted and used on other sites providing all information remains unchanged and the article and all pages remain as they are found here in its current font size & image with all links in tact.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
Online Photo Sharing...
Flickr is an online digital photo sharing site, which has become a great place for professional photographers to showcase their work.
If you haven't tried it yet, here's a step-by-step guide to uploading your digital photos on Flickr.
(Note: This describes the basic steps to upload your pictures in Flickr, without using the uploader tools for PC and Mac.)
1. Get a Flickr account
If you already have a Yahoo! account, then all you need to do is sign in using your Yahoo! ID and password.
2. From your flickr homepage, click on the "Upload Photos & Video" button.
3. Click on "Choose photos and videos"
4. Select the file you want to upload. You upload more than one picture, by clicking "Add More"
5. Choose the privacy settings you want (private or public). Then click the "Upload Photos and Videos" button.
6. A progress bar will let you know how the upload is going. When it's done, you will see, "Finished! Next: add a description, perhaps? Click on the link if you'd like to add a description.
7. From this window, you can do several things: add a description, add tags, save the photo to a set (or create a new set, if you like). You can also change the privacy settings of the picture.
8. If you're satisfied with everything, click on "Save". You can go back and change any of the settings, and even delete and reorganize photos later.
Wasn't that easy? Now you can show off your best photos to the world. You could even have your photos used in websites and other materials - that is, if you want them to.
If you'd like to take digital photographs worthy of being displayed, shared and spread all over the Internet, check out "Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros."
It's a free report with plenty of tips for taking digital picture you'll be proud of.
If you haven't tried it yet, here's a step-by-step guide to uploading your digital photos on Flickr.
(Note: This describes the basic steps to upload your pictures in Flickr, without using the uploader tools for PC and Mac.)
1. Get a Flickr account
If you already have a Yahoo! account, then all you need to do is sign in using your Yahoo! ID and password.
2. From your flickr homepage, click on the "Upload Photos & Video" button.
3. Click on "Choose photos and videos"
4. Select the file you want to upload. You upload more than one picture, by clicking "Add More"
5. Choose the privacy settings you want (private or public). Then click the "Upload Photos and Videos" button.
6. A progress bar will let you know how the upload is going. When it's done, you will see, "Finished! Next: add a description, perhaps? Click on the link if you'd like to add a description.
7. From this window, you can do several things: add a description, add tags, save the photo to a set (or create a new set, if you like). You can also change the privacy settings of the picture.
8. If you're satisfied with everything, click on "Save". You can go back and change any of the settings, and even delete and reorganize photos later.
Wasn't that easy? Now you can show off your best photos to the world. You could even have your photos used in websites and other materials - that is, if you want them to.
If you'd like to take digital photographs worthy of being displayed, shared and spread all over the Internet, check out "Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros."
It's a free report with plenty of tips for taking digital picture you'll be proud of.
Turn Your Photos Into Cash
10 Important Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting Photos to Stock Photo Sites
A quick and easy way to make money with your photos is by submitting them to stock photo sites online. You can start earning money with the photos that are already in your hard drive; you don't even have to take new photos right away.
If you want a step-by-step guide to monetizing your digital photos through stock photo sites and other ways, check out http://www.turnyourphotosintocash.com/a.php?a=origimages
Meantime, you can get started right now. But do make sure you don't make these 10 mistakes when you submit photos in stock photo sites:
1. Submitting low-quality photos. Don't waste your time and energy. Nobody wants blurred, under-exposed and other types of low-quality photos.
2. Not doing keyword research. The right keyword list can make or break the profitability of your photos.
3. Submitting photos that you don't own. You can get into real big trouble for doing this.
4. Submitting photos of people without a "model waiver." Know when you need a model waiver and always get one when necessary.
5. Submitting photos of objects owned by other people without a "property waiver." This is another legal requirement you should be aware of to avoid future headaches.
6. Submitting photos that don't meet the stock photo site's standards. You may think your photo is perfect but each site has its own standards, including minimum size, etc. Double check before submitting.
7. Submitting photos that have unwanted elements. Some items are simply unacceptable in photos. Find out which ones they are and either edit them out or avoid them altogether.
8. Submitting photos to stock photo sites which require exclusive contracts. Don't submit to these sites.
9. Submitting photos of mundane objects. Why bother when demand is low and they're all over the web already?
10. Submitting over-edited photos. Over-editing can drastically reduce the quality of your photos, causing them to be rejected.
If you want more detailed guidance on submitting to stock photo sites, I recommend http://www.turnyourphotosintocash.com/a.php?a=origimages
Aside from making money on stock photo sites, this fact-filled Ebook teaches a number of other ways you to turn digital photography from a hobby to a home business - a profitable one at that.
http://www.turnyourphotosintocash.com/a.php?a=origimages Click here to find out more about Turn Your Photos Into Cash.
Aside from making money on stock photo sites, this fact-filled Ebook teaches a number of other ways you to turn digital photography from a hobby to a home business - a profitable one at that.
http://www.turnyourphotosintocash.com/a.php?a=origimages Click here to find out more about Turn Your Photos Into Cash.
Are you planning to start a Photography Business?
Finally, a complete guide to running your photography business!
www.photographybusinessguide.com
If you are running a photography business, or thinking of starting a photography business, then this site is for you! This site covers every aspect of running your photography business, to make sure you can make a healthy income from doing what you love. You can sign up for their weekly tips newsletter!
Start your business, Run your business, Market your business and so much more......
www.photographybusinessguide.com
If you are running a photography business, or thinking of starting a photography business, then this site is for you! This site covers every aspect of running your photography business, to make sure you can make a healthy income from doing what you love. You can sign up for their weekly tips newsletter!
Start your business, Run your business, Market your business and so much more......
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The How To's You Need To Know
Welcome to Original Images Photography!
Photography is an art form. Whether you love or loathe the hundreds of thousands of images presented to you throughout your life...
Photography IS art...Art IS beauty...and...Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder!
AndyWarhol once said "Art is what you can get away with". How true!
This blog is intent on presenting you with the best support available to allow you to create "your" art! I will provide you with detail, direction and the opportunity to become (for lack of a better term) "All that you can be"..as a photographer that is!
Stay tuned...I will provide you with links, details, how to's and so much more. I welcome your feedback to each and every post.
Got a question? Send it my way and let's see if we can't send you down the right path!
Got a better idea? Share it with the world and let us get that information out there! Let's see what we've got to get you started...Need a new camera?
Here's and article written by Scott Bourne at PhotoFocus.com ...simple and easy to follow!
So you want to buy a new camera? Here are some tips to help you make sure you get the right one.
1. Buy the best camera you can afford if you’re really serious about photography and buy the least expensive camera you need to get the job done if you’re just a casual hobbyist.
2. If you want to put yourself on the best upgrade path, buy a DSLR.
3. Buy the camera that you think will meet your needs, not the camera that all the folks on the local camera club Internet forum think is new.
4. If you can’t decide between brands, pick the brand that your friends use or that your local store supports. That way you can get help more easily when you get stuck.
5. Buy a 50mm F/1.8 fixed focal length lens with your DSLR body instead of the kit lens. This puts you on the quality glass path early.
6. Buy a camera that shoots RAW and that gives you complete manual control – whether you plan to use it or not.
7. If you’re trying to save money, look for the most recent version of the top camera in your class that is available used. For instance, if you decided to buy a top of the line point and shoot camera like the Canon G10, the Canon G9 is a very good second choice and will save you money. (Some people even prefer the G9 to the G10 because it has better low-light performance and better video.)
Photography is an art form. Whether you love or loathe the hundreds of thousands of images presented to you throughout your life...
Photography IS art...Art IS beauty...and...Beauty IS in the eye of the beholder!
AndyWarhol once said "Art is what you can get away with". How true!
This blog is intent on presenting you with the best support available to allow you to create "your" art! I will provide you with detail, direction and the opportunity to become (for lack of a better term) "All that you can be"..as a photographer that is!
Stay tuned...I will provide you with links, details, how to's and so much more. I welcome your feedback to each and every post.
Got a question? Send it my way and let's see if we can't send you down the right path!
Got a better idea? Share it with the world and let us get that information out there! Let's see what we've got to get you started...Need a new camera?
Here's and article written by Scott Bourne at PhotoFocus.com ...simple and easy to follow!
So you want to buy a new camera? Here are some tips to help you make sure you get the right one.
1. Buy the best camera you can afford if you’re really serious about photography and buy the least expensive camera you need to get the job done if you’re just a casual hobbyist.
2. If you want to put yourself on the best upgrade path, buy a DSLR.
3. Buy the camera that you think will meet your needs, not the camera that all the folks on the local camera club Internet forum think is new.
4. If you can’t decide between brands, pick the brand that your friends use or that your local store supports. That way you can get help more easily when you get stuck.
5. Buy a 50mm F/1.8 fixed focal length lens with your DSLR body instead of the kit lens. This puts you on the quality glass path early.
6. Buy a camera that shoots RAW and that gives you complete manual control – whether you plan to use it or not.
7. If you’re trying to save money, look for the most recent version of the top camera in your class that is available used. For instance, if you decided to buy a top of the line point and shoot camera like the Canon G10, the Canon G9 is a very good second choice and will save you money. (Some people even prefer the G9 to the G10 because it has better low-light performance and better video.)
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