digital infrared photography film fumbling in the dark foiled

Digital Infrared Photography - Film Fumbling In The Dark Foiled!Writen by Rika Susan

Digital infrared photography requires some homework to lead you to the perfect camera equipped for this purpose.

It is quite feasible to use digital imaging to simulate the look of an image shot on infrared-sensitive film. However, this is no match for real digital infrared photography, since you'll be working with an image that was taken in the visible spectrum!

True digital infrared photography can even resolve one or two of the problems associated with traditional infrared film photography.

One of them is that loading the film had to be done in the dark, to avoid any stray infrared contamination. This is often impractical in the field.

Straightforward digital infrared photography can only be accomplished with older types of digital cameras, which were built without an infrared cut-off filter over the imaging sensor.

Infrared sensitivity is inherent in all digital cameras, due to the nature of the imaging sensors which they use to capture light.

This sensitivity can cause problems with their visible light images, and therefore a hot mirror filter is built over the sensor. This in turn makes it difficult to capture infrared light with such a standard camera.

To determine if your digital camera can detect infrared, you should place an infrared filter over the lens. Next take a source of infrared, such as your DVD or TV remote control, and point it toward the camera.

If you can see the light through your viewfinder or on your LED screen, your camera is infrared ready!

An older digital camera such as the Konica-Minolta D'image 7, can be used for digital infrared photography after adding a 49mm IR filter, and a cable release.

However, some cameras pass enough infrared light only through very long - and fairly impractical - exposures of between 2 and 30 seconds. This is done through infrared longpass filters over the lens.

For some photographers it makes sense to convert a suitable digital camera for digital infrared photography.

An example of a camera which can be effectively converted for digital infrared photography, is the Nikon D70. In this case the filter can be installed over the imaging sensor instead of over the lens, which makes it possible for the image to be seen clearly in the viewfinder for easy composition.

The ideal conditions for digital infrared photography present themselves on a bright day with blue sky and white cumulus clouds. The blue sky will turn dark and accentuate the white clouds. Green foliage are also useful, as the chlorophyll reflects infrared radiation, and therefore glows light gray.

Just remember that it makes sense to leave any camera conversions to professionals, to ensure it is done in a dust free situation. This is especially important if the camera you want to use for digital infrared photography is still covered by a warranty!

For more information visit Best-Digital-Photography.com

Rika Susan of Article-Alert.com researches, writes, and publishes full-time on the Web. Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.

good wedding photography the crap snap

Good Wedding Photography - The Crap SnapWriten by Kacy Carr

Finally the big day is upon you so let us make it the most memorable day of your life. Your wedding plans has taken up a lot of your time over the months, now let's go knock them dead with all your efforts. Memories of the perfect occasion need to last for ever? This can be done by capturing every joyous moment of this fabulous day with great wedding photographs. Choosing a good wedding photographer service for your wedding is the way to make it happen.

Give the Photographer plenty of notice in advance with intimate details on your wedding theme if there is one, this will give him some insight on what camera equipment/lens etc is needed for the wedding photo shoot. Careful planning and timing of the ceremony/reception is vital information for the photographer to have under his hat so he/she can capture the special moments of both sections of the day. (Can not be in two places at once) By having a short interval between the end of the service and beginning of the reception will allow time for more snapshots of the bride/groom and wedding guests. A more relaxed environment among the entourage with no time limit on being here or there will produce good photos.

An important issue to be considered when choosing a wedding photographer is that the photographer can produce before your very eyes a complete set of wedding photos that he may have taken at past weddings. This will prove that the photographer is genuine. Do not accept a display of only selected prints of their best snaps from different weddings. The norm is to check out at least 3/4 complete wedding sets of photos. A dedicated professional wedding photographer shows great pride in his work and therefore would conduct his/her way of doing business with you by presenting you with masterpieces.

Cover every corner before making a final decision on the photographer of your choice; scrutinize every little detail as in i.e. do they give an unlimited coverage package for the whole day.

Always be weary of photography companies that contract out work to people who portray they are wedding photographers. You also have to be dubious of salespersons with the gift of the gab who often pose as photographers themselves just to get the custom. To save any heartache deal with photographers who personally shoots weddings for a living this will give you peace of mind, the reason being is the photographer would be grateful for any referrals you may have thus giving you the best photographs of your wedding.

Finding a versatile photographer is a good option as he will have had experience on traditional weddings along with photojournalistic style. Before booking the photographer ask questions if you are uncertain to what may or may not come with the package. Also have other questions answered like are the photos coloured or black and white/does he charge extra on top for B/W?

Mention your interest in hand and digital colouring and if they are included in the package, be sure to ask about any surplus charges that may incur. Quality pictures develop when the photograph colours are unconnected thus improving them when printed. If you are not familiar with photography such as what type of camera is to be used at the wedding, does it have a leaf shutter or focal plane then take some one with you like a family member or friend with a little knowledge on photography. Ask to be shown some of the effects that can be expected from the equipment he is going to use at your wedding then you get to choose just exactly what you want.

A word of warning there is always one prankster in the background of a wedding photograph, will it be you. Be prepared and Smile even when your eating.

After hours of research I found this fabulous site and hey what do you know everything you could possibly need is all here to make your wedding day special. Well worth a visit don't just take my word for it http://www.your-wedding-planning-help.com

how to start a fine art photography business

How to Start a Fine Art Photography BusinessWriten by Roy Barker

The definition of fine art, as defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is art concerned primarily with the creation of beautiful objects. With such a wide definition of beautiful objects, the beauty is in the eyes of the photographer. Virtually anything can be fine art, a simple household item such as a fork, a nude body, travel, landscape, wildlife, a landscape. Not everyone will agree on what constitutes fine art, many years ago I was awed by the sight of the Sydney Opera House, and thought it was the most beautiful building In Australia. However I remember thinking that it perfectly complemented Australia, it would look pretty silly in the centre of Madrid. However if you dont like the Sydney Opera House, then it does not matter how great the photo you are not going to like it. So whatever constitutes Fine Art photography is a pretty subjective decision. School of Photography give you a good idea of what will constitute in their view Fine Art photography.

For many photographers this is an ideal line of work, because it allows you to represent a part of your personality, through your work. It is possible to make a political statement by being a fine arts photographer. A clear analogy here would be the emergence of the acceptance of the gay male in photography, over the last thirty years. In its wide ranging definition it is possible to be more creative, and in this creativity be more personal.

There are a lot of resources on the Web regarding fine art. One of the better ones concerning resources and links is http://art-support.com/links.htm There are excellent links to photographers web sites, as well as grants available to the photographer. Because the definition of Fine Art photography is so wide, it has perhaps a more specific marketing need. Fortunately there are more ways to market them than just stock photographic galleries It may be advantageous for you to think about engaging the services of a full time sales representative. A sales representative will work with clients in the advertisement industry, the travel industry, and also graphic design firms. The advantage of employing a sales rep is that it leaves you free to create without the hassle of cold selling. If you are not a natural salesperson, it may be better for you to consider someone else doing the selling. That person should also be able to evaluate the true value of your work, be experienced enough to know where to get the prices, as well as having a proven track record in negotiating the best prices.

There are other advantages as well. Companies using a wide and diverse range of photographs, such as advertisement agencies, will have more time for a sales rep, who has a large portfolio of work, from different clients, than from one single photographer. By the nature of their work sales reps are normally found in larger cities and towns, they will have a large client base of their own, and will probably promote your work in specialised areas, such as food photographer, or portrait photographer. So how does the relationship work? Normally the sales rep will already have their own business, and they will work for you on a commission only basis. You will pay them approximately 30 percent of the assignment fee, that is the net fee, not the final figure with expenses added on.

How to work out if this relationship will be advantageous to you, balances many factors. If you have developed a highly personalised style as a photographer, then you need to target specific areas to sell the photographs. Perhaps you do not live in a large city and have the right contacts. You have already made a portfolio of work that you would like to specialise in. It may not be cheaper for you to hire a rep, because you may still have to advertise locally to maintain your own business that you have developed, but you are paying a rep on extra sales that you did not have before. It will certainly increase the profitability of your business if you have no time to devote to increasing the number of your clients. You have decided that this path is for you, - how do you go about it. One idea is to investigate the names of the best advertisement agencies nearest to you, your local reference library can be of assistance here, as can yellow pages. You can phone them direct and ask them the names and the contact numbers of their reps. The Writers Digest publish an annual Photographers Market Book, this book now lists photographic reps, and it will also help you market your work with lists of fine art reps, as well as galleries and stock agencies.

However you choose to market your business, the essence of what you need to do is to widen your client base. There is certainly more work in the marketing of certain photographs. However in todays market place communication is as much as an art as creating the photographs. Not only is it important that you keep abreast with market trends, but you have to be in constant communication with your clients. Certain photographers enjoy the Cut and Thrust of aggressive marketing. If you dont, then consider paying someone else to do it for you. Never underestimate the power of marketing, it is a very potent tool to help get your work shown to the people who are most likely to purchase it.

Do you really know as a photographer what you have to sell and its value. As a freelancer you can learn a great deal from advertising clients, They determine a niche for the product and then work on its development to promote it. A product is always promoted with a very specific client in mind. You must know your strengths as well as your weaknesses. For instance if you have a passion for taking seascapes, then it is pointless to advertise yourself as a portrait photographer. You need to find a way of getting your unique photographs to where they are going to maximise your profit.

This article has been supplied courtesy of Roy Barker. Roy often writes and works closely with Profitable Photography Business. If the previous link is inactive, you can paste this one into your browser - profitable-photography.com This site is dedicated to coaching you in starting your own photography business but places a strong emphasis on profitability issues & guidelines. You can also gain many photography resources (some free) from Photography or if this link is inactive, you can copy and paste this link into your browser - profitable-photography.com/resources.php If you seek further guides, articles and news, you can go to Photography Tips or if this link is inactive, you can paste this address in your browser photography-business-tips.com Why not bookmark these links!

photography colour vs black amp white

Photography - Colour vs. Black & WhiteWriten by John Threlfall

A debate that could rage on for eternity, but lets look at the basics. Every
photographer has their own unique style, developed over time and moulded by their
background and personality. Some photographers stick religiously to black & white
images, whilst others swear by full colour. Which is right? The question to ask
though is which is right for the individual image.

Take a photograph that has been shot in full colour. Change that same image to
black and white and the whole feel, mood and emotion of the image changes
drastically. In-fact the entire message that the image portrays is different. This can
be a powerful tool in the photographers armour if used in the correct way.

In todays digital world, a colour photograph can be changed from colour to black &
white in the click of a button, enabling instant viewable results. And if colour vs.
black & white wasnt enough to contend with, Sepia has been added to the mix, also
holding a strong case for selection and use, and having choice IS a good thing.

Once you have chosen the most effective colour(s) you can then perfect the image in
programs like Photoshop. Personally I dont like to alter the original image too
much. I do however correct the colour, lighting and contrast.

If your framing your image then you have more considerations, you need a frame
that will compliment your image and enforce your message. For example, if you
have a strong black & white image of a natural scene, how does it look set in white
card with a dark wooden frame?

Have a go and experiment with your own images, first ask yourself what kind of
mood and message you want your photograph to give out. Try it in full colour,
black & white and Sepia. Each will have its own effect on the image.

John Threlfall is a self-taught photographer with a deep passion for nature
photography. John has a Masters Degree in 'Creative Imaging'. His work can be
viewed at http://www.capturednature.com The images capture the pure simplistic, yet
breathtaking beauty that is hidden away in rural Britain.

camera clubs the alternative marriage photography service

Camera Clubs - The Alternative Marriage Photography ServiceWriten by Glen Diamond

Want to know a unique way of saving money when it comes to Wedding Photography? Employing amateurs might sound like a risky business, but there are fanatical people out there who love their chosen hobby. These fanatics, or more appropriately enthusiastic amateurs, are amongst the most knowledgeable people on the planet when it comes to photography. They are most likely to have all the gear necessary to capture your special day for a fraction of the price.

Please don't think that all amateurs will be able to fulfill the job description. Just because your Uncle Jack has purchased the very latest all singing all dancing digital SLR will not guarantee that he has the passion or the enthusiasm, it just means that he has the spare cash to buy the latest bling accessory!

Where do you look to find these talented and enthusiastic amateur photographers? The ones that can think out of the box artistically and creatively, and the most likely to have a passion for photography that far exceeds the skills for a wedding. All of the above can be found at your local Photographic Association Camera Club.

Associations are normally county-wide and consist of associate members, or camera clubs who may be local to your town or region. These camera clubs are filled with just the sort of photographers who have the right attitude and equipment to set up part-time wedding photography businesses. Camera clubs often have competitive meetings with other camera clubs in their region.

Inter-club rivalry helps to keep the photographers focussed on the quality of their work. They will be looking out for conflicting or clashing backgrounds, they will be looking out for where the light is coming from, its intensity, its quality. They will know the types of lens and power of flash to use for changing conditions indoor and in the great outdoors. Most importantly they will be looking for pleasing compositions for your shots. Many clubs hold regular studio nights so that they can learn the effectiveness of studio lighting with model portrait photography.

Prices for weddings charged by photographers who do it part time and belong to camera clubs can be as much as a third the price of a full time professional. In the U.K. it is not unusual to be quoted £2000 for forty photographs and a DVD, whereas the savvy part-time photographer will only charge £600 for the same package with two passionate photographers to cover your event.

As soon as an amateur charges for their work, they have to apply a professional label to their enterprise, and adhere to the same tax and DVD license purchase as any other professional. The difference is that they are part time professionals who care and love their hobby that much more and who would love to work with you to create the perfect wedding story in photos for your album and DVD.

Many of these amateurs hold down a day job, so they may only be available for evening or weekend weddings. Those that will assist you for a weekday wedding may have to charge slightly more to cover their loss of annual leave from their day job. Either way you are sure to be surprised by the difference in prices charged by the full time professionals.

The author - Glen Diamond, is one such enthusiastic amateur who has recently set up a part time wedding business with a few other photographers from his camera club. http://www.professional-wedding-photographer-kent.co.uk is one such organisation that employs enthusiastic amateurs for part-time wedding photography in a caring and professional manner.

photography has no gender

Photography Has No GenderWriten by Carolyn Wright

Women photographers are fortunate. Unlike other titles, photographer has no gender. Women photographers dont have to force stilted language like flight attendant instead of stewardess, or letter carrier instead of mailman. Photographer doesnt have the historical male/female titles such as author and authoress, or actor vs. actress. Women photographers may not even have to battle the associated gender that doctors or nurses do. Did you know that bank tellers always were men up until WWII because it was thought that women couldnt handle money?

So when you visualize a photographer, is it a man or woman? It probably depends on your most recent contact with one. But when you look at a photograph, can you tell whether it was taken by a man or a woman? Probably not. So, at least on one side of the lens, it doesnt make a difference that the photographer is a woman.

So why is it important to talk about women and photography? Because, according to a recent study conducted at the University of California at Irvine, womens brains are different than mens.

The study found that women have more white matter than men. White matter handles the connections of the brains processing centers. Men, on the other hand, have more gray matter than women. Gray matter controls the information processing centers in the brain. According to Rex Jung, a neuropsychologist and co-author of the study, this may help to explain why men tend to excel in tasks requiring more local processing (like mathematics), while women tend to excel at integrating and assimilating information from distributed gray-matter regions in the brain, such as required for language facility. Although different, the study found that both types of brain designs are capable of producing equivalent intellectual performance. http://today.uci.edu/news/releasedetail.asp?key=1261

It therefore makes sense that when women think and learn about photography, and even when they take photos, their approach is different than mens. What should women photographers do, then, with this information?

First, women should acknowledge and celebrate their differences. There is no right way to approach photography, as long as it works for you. Dont try to imitate male photographers, and certainly dont be uncomfortable with how you shoot. Second, study the work of women photographers who were pioneers, such as Imogen Cunningham and Dorothea Lange, as well as current women photographers such as Linde Waidhofer, Lisl Dennis and Joyce Tenneson. They may have created easier paths for you to follow.

Most important, you should look for support as a woman photographer. There are organizations that specifically serve the needs of women photographers. A primary example is Women in Photography International. Its mission is to promote the visibility of women photographers and their work through a variety of programs, exhibitions, juried competitions and publications.

Seek programs like that provided by the Professional Photographers of America (P.P.A.). It held its 2nd annual Women in Photography Retreat this past August. The purpose of the event was to embark on an exciting journey of self-discovery . . . to forge new friendships, cultivate your strengths, and shape strategies for your personal, professional and creative development in a relaxing, stress free resort.
You also should evaluate your situation. Does your local camera club involve you as a woman photographer? Do you get the support you need from your friends and family? You may have to make some careful choices about your associates if they dont encourage your art.

Likewise, you should examine whether you are getting the photography instruction that you need. It doesnt have to come from a woman for it to help you. Choose photography workshops that offer the opportunity to share the passion and inspiration with all photographic artists in a welcoming environment.
Finally, you should use your female advantage in photography. There are the obvious areas. You can be in the brides dressing room and you can make a connection with the crying baby. There are the less obvious items, too. You can communicate with the person who speaks a different language, connect with the wild animal or see the unique lines of the landscapes. Let your vision expand to its fullest, female state.

This is not to suggest that you become a ranting feminist photographer. The art of photography is to be cherished and appreciated, regardless of whether it is done by a woman or a man. The point is that photography has no gender. As a photographer, you should create superb images of enduring quality. The viewer wont care who it came from. Dont let any artificial designations get in your way. But you also should acknowledge, celebrate, explore and nourish your difference. You may be pleased with what you discover.

Copyright 2005 Carolyn E. Wright

--- ABOUT THE AUTHOR ---

Carolyn Wright is a professional photographer with an active portrait, event and nature photography business. Shooting for 25 years, her award-winning images have been used in books and corporate marketing materials. Her wildlife photos will be included in the upcoming book, Captivating Wildlife - Images from the Top Ten Emerging Wildlife Photographers by Scott Bourne and David Middleton. She also is working with Scott Bourne on Wolfscapes, a photo book documenting the beauty and strength of wolves. Her wildlife images can be viewed at http://www.vividwildlife.com..

On the faculty of Olympic Mountain School of Photography, Carolyns passion is enhanced when teaching photography. She enjoys writing and speaking on the subject, as well, and is a regular columnist for PhotoFocus, an online magazine for serious photographers.

photography a z the easy way d depth of field

Photography A - Z the Easy Way: D - Depth of FieldWriten by Eric Hartwell

When you take a picture not everything will be in focus. You may hear a lot said about depth of field. Dont be confused by this terminology its easy to understand and, used correctly, will help your images have more impact.

In any picture, there will be areas in the foreground (in front of you subject) and areas in the background (behind your subject) that will be out of focus. If you take a picture of your dog on the lawn, both the grass in front and the fence behind will be less sharply in focus that the dog itself.

The area between these two out of focus parts is known as the depth of field and can be seen as the parts of the image, from front to back, that are in focus.

But, it doesnt stop there!

The size of the aperture that your lens is set at for the shot will determine the depth of field. A larger aperture (small number) will have a small depth of field whereas a small aperture (large number) will have a greater one.

Theres more!

The distance away from the subject will also change the depth of field. The picture of the mountain in the distance will have a large area of focus whereas the close up of the bumble bee on a flower will have a tiny depth of field.

More

What does this mean?

You may want a large depth of field so that as much as possible is in focus. This is a technique particularly useful in landscape photography. In this case, move away from the subject and use a small aperture.

On the other hand, you may wish a small depth of field. For a close up shot (for example of the bumble bee) the shallow depth of field will isolate the bee by blurring the background. This is useful for other shots as well (for example, portraits). In these cases, use a large aperture and get closer to your subject.

Its easy!

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com

photography jobs do you have a future in photography

Photography Jobs: Do You Have a Future in Photography?Writen by Colin Hartness

There is a wide world of photography. It touches each of us in our lives on a daily basis in some form or another. Photography is so much a part of our culture now that we hardly even notice all the places that it exists. When you watch television, look at a magazine or even view a billboard on the highway, this is all because of photography. There are so many ways that photography crosses our lives each day. There are a lot of opportunities for someone looking for photography jobs.

What Photography Jobs are Available?

If you enjoy photography and are thinking of it as a career, there are actually many different directions you can choose from. Obviously, there is professional photography but even in that choice there are many other smaller options that you have as well.

You can become a photographer in a special field such as wedding or family photographer. You can choose to make money taking pictures of things you love such as animals, nature or ships. If you enjoy scuba diving, you can become an underwater photographer. Pretty much anything you can think of, there is room to take and sell pictures of it.

If you love taking pictures and the idea of a career in photography sounds good to you, just how do you begin finding photography jobs?

How Do You Find Photography Jobs?

There are different ways of finding photography jobs, depending on the type of job you are looking for and your experience. You can begin by creating a resume and portfolio of your work. Then you can search on the internet at freelance photography job boards or photography websites and message boards. Get specific into types of photographing you have done and look on the internet for those.

You can go locally and look for internships or local firms or companies that may need photographers. You can get the word out by doing small events such as birthday parties and such. Get your name out as someone who will work these functions. Show friends and family samples of your work and ask them to spread the word. You may even want to participate in a charitable or non-profit event to boost your portfolio.

You can also begin submitting your work to contests and magazines to get yourself known and build your portfolio. Placing or winning in contests and getting published in magazines can help you build clips that you can use for getting bigger and better jobs.

Lastly, you can actually apply to jobs directly. It is best to do this only if you have the proper qualifications for the job. You dont want to set your goals so high that you get let down but there is nothing wrong with going for what you want. Most importantly, get as involved with what you love as possible. Learn as much as you can about photography and what makes good photography. Subscribe to magazines, read books, look at winners of photography contests.

Looking for information about Photography?
Go to: http://www.asaphotography.com
'ASA Photography' is published by Colin Hartness -
An excellent resource for Photography!
Check out more Photography articles at: http://www.asaphotography.com/archive

basics of photography

Basics of PhotographyWriten by Christopher Haslego

Understanding light is one of the very basic principles of learning to be a photographer. When you have a group of people in front of you with smiling faces ready for you to say cheese or if you are taking a shot of a scenic area, the most important consideration is the light factor. Light controls the type of exposure and therefore the quality of the photo is dependent on the quality of the light on your subject and the amount of light that impacts on the film or digital sensor when you click. Controlling the amount of light is a good pre-occupation in the mind of a photographer keen to get a good shot. It should be one of the key considerations.


The word exposure is a very important word in the lexicon of both amateur and professional photographers and is based on the understanding of light in creating good photographs.


--If there is too much light, the photo will look overly bright and over exposed.


--A happy group of people will not look as vibrant if there was inadequate light when you took the picture.


--Bright sunlight can create shadows under the eyes.


--Poor lighting may not bring out the colors in the scene to maximum effect


There are a few basics that you can apply to circumvent poor picture quality due to unfavorable light conditions:


--Change the position from which you take the shot


--Change the light if clicking indoors


--Use the flash


The use of the flash can be a boon when you operate in different light conditions. If you have an overcast sky, the flash in your camera will serve the purpose of letting some light into the image that you are trying to capture and brightening it up. The flash also works to your advantage when your subject is not too close but slightly away from you. But you have to check the flash range of your camera in your manual. The flash works best when your subject is within a recommended range that is usually at least 4 ft and generally not more than 10 ft.


Most simple cameras have an automatic flash. Slightly better models will have settings for fill-flash. The concept of fill flash revolves around filling light in areas of a picture that may turn out dark or shadowed. Fill-flash has the ability to balance the amount of light on different parts of a subject to ensure that the exposure is adequately bright. For instance, a portion of a persons face may appear shadowed and the fill-flash setting can help iron out this problem.


The angle of light is another important consideration. You have to pay attention to the direction from which light falls on your subject and there are several approaches in manipulating the angle of light to improve the visual appeal of a picture.


Sideways lighting: Light from the side is used to creates depth in the picture and is considered one of the best ways to use light if you are taking a portrait photograph.


Light from the top: This is a method used to brighten up most of the scene but does not work as well when you take a photograph of a person. It tends to create shadows on the lower half of the face when the lighting is high.


Light from behind your subject: This strategy is sometimes used by photographers to amplify the impact of the picture. It can create a halo like effect; it can add artistic shadows and can also create a striking contrast between the subject and the background if used effectively. When you use a back light it is recommended that the fill-flash settings on your camera are also adjusted in order to avoid shadows in your photograph.


The second issue in photography is the aesthetics of the picture. Aesthetics is the creativity and attention to detail that you bring to your photograph. It is the most interesting part of photography since it is almost like a visual equivalent of composing a poem or writing a story. Aesthetics requires the use of visual skills to compose and deliver a pleasing, eye-catching and captivating image. It is a type of vision that you have for your photograph in terms of look and appeal.


Aesthetics requires a good eye for detail. The following factors have to borne in mind in creating an aesthetically appealing photograph:


Background


--Periphery


--Distance from subject


--Changing the direction of your camera based on picture dimensions


--Objects impinging on the picture


--Avoiding too many elements


Each of these factors that go into aesthetics are described and explained below-


-->Background


The background in a photograph requires much consideration. It influences the manner in which your subject is portrayed in the photograph. Depending on your choice of background, your subject will be shown to effect or may be overshadowed. The background also makes the difference between a boring and an interesting photograph. The colors, the type of background and the context add to the vibrancy of the photo.


-->Perphery


A common problem among beginners in photography is not paying attention to whether the image is being captured fully. When you view your subject through the viewfinder, you may think you have clicked a person from head to shoulder or from head to toe in a full shot. But when the actual photograph is processed, the top of your subjects head or part of the hair may be missing! Or, if you did not center your subject when you composed the shot through your viewfinder, a part of the shoulder or hand may be lost into the edges of the photo. You need to concentrate when you view your subject through your camera before you click, in order to get the picture exactly the way you want it.


-->Distance from Subject


The distance from a subject is another critical aspect in getting a good picture. You want to see facial expression, not a mass of faces when you take a photograph. To do this, you have to be at a suitable close distance from your subject. On the other hand, when you click pictures of a campus, the distance that you click from can give you a wide view and take in a lot more of the scene. To take close up pictures of flowers or crystal or any decorative item, you have to move into close range and use suitable lenses to achieve the right magnification.


-->Changing the Direction of Your Camera Based on the Picture


Many a time you may not be able to capture the subject in its entirety in the conventional horizontal position in which the camera is usually held. You can easily change the direction. Hold the camera vertically and then view your subject. You will be able to capture more of a longish subject like a tall monument, a full-length picture of a child, and so on.


-->Objects Impinging on the Picture


At times there are certain objects in a scene that seem to almost invade into the picture. For instance, if you take a picture of a group of your friends on a street, chances are that a street sign may gain prominence in the photograph unbidden and may seem to sprout out of the head of one of your friends in the photograph. Or the light fixtures in your living room may find a place in the picture and appear in the form an unseemly blob in your photo. And the tough part is, when you take the shot you may not be aware of this because the eye is focused on the people in the picture.


-->Avoiding Too Many Elements


A picture cluttered with too many objects may detract from the actual subject. For instance, a wide view of a room in which your subject is sitting may create a photo in which too many objects vie for attention. If the person in the picture is your main target then narrow down and concentrate mostly on clicking the subject. While a good background adds value to a picture, too much paraphernalia could take the attention away from the main subject. Your picture may be focused and the lighting may be good but there is so much going on in the picture that it becomes aesthetically lacking and maybe even a little jarring.


Besides Light and Aesthetics, the third issue in photography basics refers to focusing the picture. Getting the right focus is the difference between a blurred image and a sharp image. If you have an auto focus camera, the camera will do the job for you. This is available in most basic models. You can also achieve focus manually in other cameras using the mechanism to adjust the focus and to lock the focus on the subject before you click.


To achieve the right focus, it is important to decide on the artistic elements of the final picture. There are areas of a scene that you may want sharper and clearer. For instance, when you photograph a famous monument, you may want the building as well as the blue sky against which it is silhouetted to be crystal clear. If you are photographing a camel in a desert, you might want the camel to be clear and a slightly hazy/blurred effect of the surrounding sand. If you are taking a shot of a room containing a priceless vase, when you look through your viewfinder, you want the finer details of the intricate patterns on the vase to be clearer than other objects in its vicinity. So, its also a question of the portion or key part of your picture your focus is really on.


This area that you identify for your focus is referred to as the depth of field. You can lock the focus on the depth of field that you choose. You can control the focus and depth of field depending on your objectives for different shots.


The basics of photography are better applied when you put into perspective the capabilities of the camera model that you use or plan to purchase. Simple point and shoot cameras require minimal knowledge in operating them. They are easy to use and have the bare minimum controls. The user has to just compose and aim the shot on the subject and presses the shutter button. Click and the job is done. The camera handles its functions automatically.


For those of you who want to work with a slightly more sophisticated camera, you have the option of a Single Lens Reflex camera popularly called the SLR system. This type of camera is available in both 35mm film format as well as digital format. Digital cameras have no film but the image is captured on an image sensor and stored in photo memory. Digital cameras in general provide superior picture quality. The internal system of the SLR camera is made up of angled prisms and mirrors that actually work like a lens when you click. But you have a few things to learn about this camera system before you can achieve better light exposure, sharpness and good focus. While it is imperative that you study the instruction manual of your SLR camera system thoroughly to understand the features and functioning, given here are some of the features and a brief explanation on how these features can help you in achieving the right exposure.


-->Additional Lenses for Close Up Shots


An additional feature in an SLR camera that makes it far superior to a simple point and shoot camera is the ability to use add-on lenses. When you attempt to take a close up shot of objects in nature like a flower or a butterfly, you might want a very high level of clarity. You can add power to your camera by attaching an additional lens onto your camera lens for greater magnification of your subject. These supplementary lenses are available at reasonable prices in different powers like +2, +3 and so on.


You can also look for a model with an optical zoom lens that gives you the flexibility of variable focal length and a range of lens options within a single zoom lens.


-->Shutter Speed


The shutter in your camera lets light in during a shot and keeps light out at other times. When the shutter opens for an exposure, light is allowed to impact on the film or image sensor. If you set a slow shutter speed, more light impacts on the sensor and affects the type of exposure. When you use a faster shutter speeds your picture is sharper and clearer. There is a maximum shutter speed that is available to you in your camera system. The shutter speed is set at a fraction of a second- for instance, 1/1000th of a second. It could also be 1/2000th or even the much-preferred higher speed of 1/4000th of a second that is available in certain models. Professional use models boast of even higher shutter speed of 1/6000th or 1/8000th of a second. If you want to freeze action such as in sports, you require fast shutter speeds.


There are many more features that when used effectively can add value to the impact of your photographs. Most 35mm SLR cameras have a TTL viewfinder. TTL stands for through the lens metering system. This device has the ability to measure (on a scale) the amount of light impacting the film. Using this device is the key to control the exposure and get the right amount of light in order to capture a proper image. You can also use a tripod with your SLR camera. A tripod is your answer to achieving the right exposure in a close up shot and in low light conditions. It holds the camera steady, helps in focusing and ensures a sharper picture even when shutter speed is slow.


The guidelines discussed here on the basics of photography and the additional features of the SLR system, will not only get you started but also help you avoid the common mistakes that many budding photographers make. Study your manual thoroughly for insights and ideas. Learning photography requires patience and the ability to constantly experiment and teach yourself through a process of trial and error.

The author, Chris Haslego, is founder of http://www.cameramanualstore.com, the internet's foremost source of camera manuals. With over 4000+ camera manuals available from all major manufacturers.

digital photography now everyone can join in

Digital Photography: Now Everyone Can Join InWriten by Eric Hartwell

In this age of digital photography, there are almost limitless opportunities for taking great photographs. Despite the seemingly bewildering array of cameras and gadgets, it remains a fact that sales of digital cameras have rocketed in recent years as people discard film in favour of electronic imagery.

The world is going digital!

And this is great news. The mysteries of photography are being uncovered and being shown for what they are a mockery! There are NO mysteries. There are NO hidden talents. There are NO barriers.

Sure, to be great you have to work at it. But people who used to restrict themselves to mere snapshots are now experiencing the wonderful world of digital where the opportunities are limitless.

Consider the basic compact digital camera. Not only does it take programmable shots, it can also be set for aperture priority, shutter priority or manual. It can zoom and autofocus. It has a flash inbuilt and can take, in most cases, additional lens attachments.

This is great if you occasionally wish to delve into more select areas of your hobby.

But theres more!

When you take your shots it doesnt matter if they are not as you would like. It costs nothing to retake the shot with digital and, moreover, you can manipulate the image in a photo editing program at home. The great shots you do take can also be manipulated and enhanced.

What does this mean? It means the man-in-the-street can, at last, forget the complexities of film photography, can discard the reasons to hold back on taking photographs and can share his newfound freedom with others.

This is great for him but it is also great for photography as a whole.

Eric Hartwell runs the photography resource site http://www.theshutter.co.uk and the associated discussion forums as well as the regular weblog at http://thephotographysite.blogspot.com