Three Simple Tricks to Improve your Digital Photography
January 21, 2008 After fooling around with my (unnamed) digital camera it occurred to me that many of the tricks I used with film cameras worked equally well with digital cameras. So why not write about it?
In Camera : In photography any technique you use with the camera and only the camera to improve your photos or create effects is considered "in camera." In other words no "photo-shopping" is required. All of the tricks I'm about to relate here are In Camera . All of these tricks will work with the worst or the best digital camera. Subjects are Back Lit : It happens all the time. You want to photograph some friends or an object of interest and the background is brightly lit. You take the picture and your pals are silhouettes on top of that gorgeous background. And there are times you end up having to photograph into bright backgrounds; you just have no choice. What to do? Turn on your flash. I know it's not dark out, but your subject(s) sure look that way. The flash will give you "fill in" to help balance out the bright light source behind them. Now typically when you use a flash you are told to shoot from a maximum distance of ten to twelve feet and usually this is good advice, but in this situation you have quite a bit of light bouncing off of surfaces around you. So in a "fill flash" situation you can get away with nearly twenty feet of distance. With your digital camera try this on a few test subjects. Try it with a sunset or just a bright lamp behind your subject. Take a few photos without the flash and then a few with the flash. With a bit of practice you'll be able to figure out just how far away you can be and still get a nice picture. You'll also be surprised at the difference. Low Light Blurry Pictures : You know you don't have a case of the jitters or have had one too many Lattes, but no matter how hard you try you get blurry pictures. Worse there's too much distance for the flash to work. So what's the problem? Unlike film cameras your digital camera is going to keep the shutter open as long as it wants to get enough light for an image. This is the typical factory default for this type of camera. You could switch it to the manual settings, but that's a lot of trouble and you need to know what you are doing. So what to do? Most digital cameras have a "continuous frame" or "sports" setting. What this does is takes pictures at the rate of about two per second or more. This forces the camera to trip the shutter no matter what the light condition and it will certainly eliminate that "jitter blur." By now you are familiar with the delete feature so just delete the extra shots you don't want. The trick here is to start pressing the shutter button just before the action takes place. It takes the camera a moment or two to adjust itself and start blazing away on the shots. This is another one of those things you might want to practice. Red Eye : I know I know, this is really easy to fix with software, but even the best photo editing tool in the world might miss "retinal reflection" which is what red-eye actually is. True too there are quite a few cameras out there that shoot a red light into your subject's eyes or trip multiple flashes to get the retina to close. What I've found though is that I go through batteries faster than I fill memory cards. If I'm using alkaline batteries I feel like I'm just throwing them away after a few shots. With the rechargeable batteries I have to carry around four of five sets just to get through a shoot. So try this. First, turn off the "red-eye" flash feature. It's in your camera somewhere and you can shut it off. Next, as in the case of your sunset shot have your subject(s) turn and look at the sunset for a few minutes. Let them know they don't have to stare right at the sun, but let them know to look at the sky around that area. After a few minutes have them turn, face the camera, and take your shot. You can also have your subjects look at or near bright objects just prior to your posed shots. Or have them hang out in the bathroom (they'll love that) just before photographing them. Both suggestions above will close the retina somewhat and go a long way toward preventing and or reducing red-eye. Of course cats and people with bright blue eyes may still prove a problem. As above be sure to try this technique out to become proficient.
Related articles:
photo techniques
how to do trick photography
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Food Photography for Restaurant Owners. Easy Tricks to Great Food Pics!
Food Photography for Restaurant Owners. Easy Tricks to Great Food Pics!
As the owner of a restaurant on a perpetual shoestring
budget, I’ve had to fill a lot of roles (Jack of all trades- master of none!). For
the small business owner, calling in the pros for everything you need just gets
too expensive.
So, one thing that I’ve learned to do for myself is my own
food photography, for menus, promos and adverts.
I’ve written this hub primarily for owners of food related
business, to pass on what I’ve learned. Here are 8 tips for taking great food
shots. Hopefully I can inspire you to start taking your own food pics and to
start saving a little money for your own bottom line!
I don’t consider myself a great photographer (very much a
point and shoot man), but I have learned (after taking some terribly inedible
looking shots along the way) how to present food in a good light (pun
intended).
Here are my top 8 tips for taking food pictures that’ll look
as good as your food tastes! Food Photography Tips
Use natural
light – time your photo shoot for the late afternoon to take advantage of
those lovely angular rays of sunshine and set your food up in front of
your largest sunniest picture window. I’ve tried taken food pics at night
and they never look very appetizing. Use
super close ups – get within inches of the food, and take pics from all
angles. I’m partial to side views (where my camera is inches away and just
above the side of the plate) but you never know what’s going to look best
until you get to the editing phase. Take
loads of shots - why not, digital film is cheap! Work
quickly – Have everything ready for the shoot before you get the food
ready. You don’t want your lovely lettuce to start wilting while you set up
your tripod! Think
about your background – make sure that what shows behind the food is clean,
attractive and doesn’t distract from the picture’s focus. Style
it up – You’re not (necessarily) going to eat this food, so feel free to
poke around in it (fluffing up salads, wiping sauces, etc.) to perk it up
and to keep it looking beautiful. Use
props – we serve big platters of food, so I like to use props to give the
picture a visual context (a bottle of soda, beside the plate, for example)
– so that people know just how big that platter of ribs I’m advertising
is! Other props, such as utensils, or a vase of flowers, can add visual
interest to a picture. Make
it shiny – this is a tip I got from a pro, and it really helps to make
food look appetizing. Take a little spray oil and mist whatever you’re
shooting to give it a sheen – really looks great in a picture. Related articles: learn digital photography cool photo effects online
As the owner of a restaurant on a perpetual shoestring
budget, I’ve had to fill a lot of roles (Jack of all trades- master of none!). For
the small business owner, calling in the pros for everything you need just gets
too expensive.
So, one thing that I’ve learned to do for myself is my own
food photography, for menus, promos and adverts.
I’ve written this hub primarily for owners of food related
business, to pass on what I’ve learned. Here are 8 tips for taking great food
shots. Hopefully I can inspire you to start taking your own food pics and to
start saving a little money for your own bottom line!
I don’t consider myself a great photographer (very much a
point and shoot man), but I have learned (after taking some terribly inedible
looking shots along the way) how to present food in a good light (pun
intended).
Here are my top 8 tips for taking food pictures that’ll look
as good as your food tastes! Food Photography Tips
Use natural
light – time your photo shoot for the late afternoon to take advantage of
those lovely angular rays of sunshine and set your food up in front of
your largest sunniest picture window. I’ve tried taken food pics at night
and they never look very appetizing. Use
super close ups – get within inches of the food, and take pics from all
angles. I’m partial to side views (where my camera is inches away and just
above the side of the plate) but you never know what’s going to look best
until you get to the editing phase. Take
loads of shots - why not, digital film is cheap! Work
quickly – Have everything ready for the shoot before you get the food
ready. You don’t want your lovely lettuce to start wilting while you set up
your tripod! Think
about your background – make sure that what shows behind the food is clean,
attractive and doesn’t distract from the picture’s focus. Style
it up – You’re not (necessarily) going to eat this food, so feel free to
poke around in it (fluffing up salads, wiping sauces, etc.) to perk it up
and to keep it looking beautiful. Use
props – we serve big platters of food, so I like to use props to give the
picture a visual context (a bottle of soda, beside the plate, for example)
– so that people know just how big that platter of ribs I’m advertising
is! Other props, such as utensils, or a vase of flowers, can add visual
interest to a picture. Make
it shiny – this is a tip I got from a pro, and it really helps to make
food look appetizing. Take a little spray oil and mist whatever you’re
shooting to give it a sheen – really looks great in a picture. Related articles: learn digital photography cool photo effects online
Trick Photography and Special Effects Made Easy
Trick Photography and Special Effects Made Easy
How I Started Using Trick Photography A few months ago, during my summer break, my friend suggested me an e-book about trick photography and special effects. I was bored so I just bought that and pass time with it during my vacation since all my friends went back to their country and I had literally nothing to do so I just gave it a shot. And guys trust me it was amazing. I just started using all their techniques and i created all these amazing photos with special effects and i will put some of my photos out here. And guess what I sold some of those photos online and now I am glad to say I make around $500 per month. So if u guys wanna download this e-book, link is below. Related articles: learn digital photography landscape photography tips
How I Started Using Trick Photography A few months ago, during my summer break, my friend suggested me an e-book about trick photography and special effects. I was bored so I just bought that and pass time with it during my vacation since all my friends went back to their country and I had literally nothing to do so I just gave it a shot. And guys trust me it was amazing. I just started using all their techniques and i created all these amazing photos with special effects and i will put some of my photos out here. And guess what I sold some of those photos online and now I am glad to say I make around $500 per month. So if u guys wanna download this e-book, link is below. Related articles: learn digital photography landscape photography tips
Creative Tricks and Tips for Wedding Photography
Creative Tricks and Tips for Wedding Photography
Wedding Photography Tricks and Tips for Wedding Photography
4 Techniques, 4 Stunning Effects, 4 Pictures
The Zoom Drag (1/10th of a second, f/4, 70mm->24mm) This shot is perfect for dancing couples at receptions. The couple captured in a moment in the center of the frame - a background of streaking lights blurred in bocca behind them, it's simply beautiful. To achieve this effect, I've found a dark scene on the dance floor where there are a bunch of small ambient lights in the background. I have a flash a external flash on my camera and I'm bouncing it off the ceiling to get good light onto the bride and her father. Putting the shutter at 1/10th of a second, and the aperture at f/4, I'm zoomed in all the way at 70mm on my 24-70mm lens. I brace myself, because as soon as I click the shutter, I zoom out as fast as possible, hoping to get to 24mm as soon as the shutter closes. If executed correctly, the couple will be sharp, captured by the flash of my camera, while the lighting in the background will be dragged across the background. Getting the timing right takes some practice, but it's worth it.
The Open Shutter Spin (1/50th of a second, f/2.8, 24mm) Another technique that will give you stunning images at a reception. Find a similar setting, dark dance floor with lots of cool source ambient lights in the frame. Position your flash to light a dancing couple, choose a focal length, and then brace yourself for the shot. Hold the camera out from your face a little bit, and as soon as you press the shutter, rotate the camera counter clockwise (clockwise if your lefty) as fast as you can. This will freeze the couple in the center of the frame, while dragging the ambient lights in the surreal and beautiful to create a beautiful framing effect.
The Candid Shot (>50mm) It's always the case. A moment is happening, you lift your camera to your eye, frame the scene, and then- the bride or groom stares you in the face and the moment is ruined. Catching candid moments without ruining them is hard work. So I cheat. I use my super-secret spy lens from Photojojo. This lens, looks just like a normal lens, but it has a 45 degree mirror in it and a circular hole in the barrel that lets you take pictures sideways. You have to see it to believe it, but this attachment lets me take pictures of moments through the entire wedding without anyone ever looking up and ruining my picture. Candids just got a lot easier folks.
The Budget Ring Flash Another tech trick. Ring flashes produce vibrant light that makes your clients look like high-fashion models... but... they cost somewhere between $300 and $500 dollars. The Good News is, I've found the"CoCo Ring Flash". Google it! This baby takes the light from your external flash and uses fiber optics to re-route the light into a circular pattern JUST LIKE A RING FLASH! And it's only $50 at stores like Amazon. It looks fantastic, and you'll clients won't will be thrilled with the unique images you can produce with it.
That's all for now, keep shooting and innovating your creativity! Check out my website to see examples of me using these techniques as well.
Photography Cool Tricks
My goal as a wedding photographer is simple: make art out of each and every moment, detail, and emotion. By getting to know your own personal style and personality, I create images that are timeless, artistic and true to your wedding day. I love my clients, and I'm honored each time I get to celebrate the their lives and respond with photographs that they will cherish for a lifetime. Related articles: photo tips for beginners trick photography book review
Wedding Photography Tricks and Tips for Wedding Photography
4 Techniques, 4 Stunning Effects, 4 Pictures
The Zoom Drag (1/10th of a second, f/4, 70mm->24mm) This shot is perfect for dancing couples at receptions. The couple captured in a moment in the center of the frame - a background of streaking lights blurred in bocca behind them, it's simply beautiful. To achieve this effect, I've found a dark scene on the dance floor where there are a bunch of small ambient lights in the background. I have a flash a external flash on my camera and I'm bouncing it off the ceiling to get good light onto the bride and her father. Putting the shutter at 1/10th of a second, and the aperture at f/4, I'm zoomed in all the way at 70mm on my 24-70mm lens. I brace myself, because as soon as I click the shutter, I zoom out as fast as possible, hoping to get to 24mm as soon as the shutter closes. If executed correctly, the couple will be sharp, captured by the flash of my camera, while the lighting in the background will be dragged across the background. Getting the timing right takes some practice, but it's worth it.
The Open Shutter Spin (1/50th of a second, f/2.8, 24mm) Another technique that will give you stunning images at a reception. Find a similar setting, dark dance floor with lots of cool source ambient lights in the frame. Position your flash to light a dancing couple, choose a focal length, and then brace yourself for the shot. Hold the camera out from your face a little bit, and as soon as you press the shutter, rotate the camera counter clockwise (clockwise if your lefty) as fast as you can. This will freeze the couple in the center of the frame, while dragging the ambient lights in the surreal and beautiful to create a beautiful framing effect.
The Candid Shot (>50mm) It's always the case. A moment is happening, you lift your camera to your eye, frame the scene, and then- the bride or groom stares you in the face and the moment is ruined. Catching candid moments without ruining them is hard work. So I cheat. I use my super-secret spy lens from Photojojo. This lens, looks just like a normal lens, but it has a 45 degree mirror in it and a circular hole in the barrel that lets you take pictures sideways. You have to see it to believe it, but this attachment lets me take pictures of moments through the entire wedding without anyone ever looking up and ruining my picture. Candids just got a lot easier folks.
The Budget Ring Flash Another tech trick. Ring flashes produce vibrant light that makes your clients look like high-fashion models... but... they cost somewhere between $300 and $500 dollars. The Good News is, I've found the"CoCo Ring Flash". Google it! This baby takes the light from your external flash and uses fiber optics to re-route the light into a circular pattern JUST LIKE A RING FLASH! And it's only $50 at stores like Amazon. It looks fantastic, and you'll clients won't will be thrilled with the unique images you can produce with it.
That's all for now, keep shooting and innovating your creativity! Check out my website to see examples of me using these techniques as well.
Photography Cool Tricks
My goal as a wedding photographer is simple: make art out of each and every moment, detail, and emotion. By getting to know your own personal style and personality, I create images that are timeless, artistic and true to your wedding day. I love my clients, and I'm honored each time I get to celebrate the their lives and respond with photographs that they will cherish for a lifetime. Related articles: photo tips for beginners trick photography book review
Macro photography tips and tricks
Macro photography tips and tricks
Is it possible to make great macro shoots with point and shoot cameras ? Yes you can make great close up pictures even with point and shoot cameras if you follow simple tips and tricks. Its better to have an DSLR camera but point and shoot will do just fine. Like in all things in life making a great shot takes practice. So take numerous picture, because practice makes perfect.
Almost every point and shoot digital camera has a macro mode. Most people dont read manuals and dont know that this mode even exists. This mode is usually symbolized with little green flower which tells your camera that you will focus on closer objects. This way you get blurry background and sharp object. With macro setting you will get the best close up pictures
Tripod is always helpfull when making pictures. Tripod helps you take better shots because it removes camera shake , this way your pictures are sharper. You can also play with different settings in order to get the picture you wanted. Increasing shutter speed means that even slightest camera shake will destroy the picture, so you must use tripod.
Most point and shoot cameras wont allow you to set aperture settings while in macro mode. Aperature impacts on depth of field in your pictures. This way you can set the object in focus. One option is that your object of foucs is sharp and everything else is blurry or the other way around. Choose big number if you want everything on your picture to be in focus, or small number if you want to focus your object.
If your camera allows manual focus be sure to used it. You can set it directly on your object of intrest in order to get the picture you wanted. Be sure to employ some photographic rules on your picture like rule of thirds, intersection points,.. Dont distract the viewer with background, make sure its blurry and out of focus, so he can see what you wanted to show him.
Be sure that you have enough light to take the shoot. Otherwise use of flash is necessary. If you have a chance return to the place where you wanted to take the picture some other time when there is enough light. Natural light is always better than flash light. Make several shots from different positions and with different settings and see which ones are better. Take your time for the perfect picture. Related articles: learn digital photography landscape photography
Is it possible to make great macro shoots with point and shoot cameras ? Yes you can make great close up pictures even with point and shoot cameras if you follow simple tips and tricks. Its better to have an DSLR camera but point and shoot will do just fine. Like in all things in life making a great shot takes practice. So take numerous picture, because practice makes perfect.
Almost every point and shoot digital camera has a macro mode. Most people dont read manuals and dont know that this mode even exists. This mode is usually symbolized with little green flower which tells your camera that you will focus on closer objects. This way you get blurry background and sharp object. With macro setting you will get the best close up pictures
Tripod is always helpfull when making pictures. Tripod helps you take better shots because it removes camera shake , this way your pictures are sharper. You can also play with different settings in order to get the picture you wanted. Increasing shutter speed means that even slightest camera shake will destroy the picture, so you must use tripod.
Most point and shoot cameras wont allow you to set aperture settings while in macro mode. Aperature impacts on depth of field in your pictures. This way you can set the object in focus. One option is that your object of foucs is sharp and everything else is blurry or the other way around. Choose big number if you want everything on your picture to be in focus, or small number if you want to focus your object.
If your camera allows manual focus be sure to used it. You can set it directly on your object of intrest in order to get the picture you wanted. Be sure to employ some photographic rules on your picture like rule of thirds, intersection points,.. Dont distract the viewer with background, make sure its blurry and out of focus, so he can see what you wanted to show him.
Be sure that you have enough light to take the shoot. Otherwise use of flash is necessary. If you have a chance return to the place where you wanted to take the picture some other time when there is enough light. Natural light is always better than flash light. Make several shots from different positions and with different settings and see which ones are better. Take your time for the perfect picture. Related articles: learn digital photography landscape photography
Using trick photography
Using trick photography
The word photography does not simply mean just taking pictures. A camera takes a picture and a photographer creates pictures all while telling a story within that picture. A camera is simply one of the many tools that you and other photographers will use to make a picture come to life.
Photography is undoubtedly becoming one of Americas favorite hobbies. As little as 20 years ago people who wouldn't dream of picking up a camera are now gearing up and taking some truly breathe taking photos. Trick photography is quickly becoming not only a way to spend a fun and relaxing weekend but is also a way to capture timeless and beautiful moments in history.
Being able to use trick photography when creating a shot is an art form that when done properly will leave your family something to treasure for generations to come. It has been said that a picture is worth a 1000 words. What kind of words do you want to have said about your photography....your artwork?
One of the biggest obstacles that new photographers run into is that they fail to think about the story that they are wanting to tell with a photograph. The art of trick photography will not only allow you to tell the story you see but it will allow you to tell it in a way that will mystify your audience. Related articles: trick photography pictures trick photography book
The word photography does not simply mean just taking pictures. A camera takes a picture and a photographer creates pictures all while telling a story within that picture. A camera is simply one of the many tools that you and other photographers will use to make a picture come to life.
Photography is undoubtedly becoming one of Americas favorite hobbies. As little as 20 years ago people who wouldn't dream of picking up a camera are now gearing up and taking some truly breathe taking photos. Trick photography is quickly becoming not only a way to spend a fun and relaxing weekend but is also a way to capture timeless and beautiful moments in history.
Being able to use trick photography when creating a shot is an art form that when done properly will leave your family something to treasure for generations to come. It has been said that a picture is worth a 1000 words. What kind of words do you want to have said about your photography....your artwork?
One of the biggest obstacles that new photographers run into is that they fail to think about the story that they are wanting to tell with a photograph. The art of trick photography will not only allow you to tell the story you see but it will allow you to tell it in a way that will mystify your audience. Related articles: trick photography pictures trick photography book
Food Photography With Cell Phone - Tips and Tricks
Timelapse Photography Tricks of the Trade
Time lapse photography is an interesting aspect of photography that is really not undertaken much today because our demand for speed and the need for instant gratification. However time lapse photos can give the photographer a completely different view and understanding of the world around him/her.
The basic equipment and a timer is all that is really needed, and off course the right location or subject. When I have done time lapse, I normally reserve it for nature, especially blooms.
Most flower blooms will take around two hours, from start to finish, for the bloom to completely open. If you inspect your flower bed early in the morning and notice blooms that have yet to fully open, set up your camera on a tripod, attach a timer, set it for lapses of about 7 to 10 minutes each, and leave it alone for about two hours.
Upon developing the film or examining the images if digital, you will notice how the blooming process evolves. Note: by leaving alone I don't mean go somewhere else and leave the camera gear unattended.
On the technical side, I rarely use the auto mode in my camera , but for time lapse please do, as unpredictable weather and light changes can alter the image rendition.
Time lapse is especially suited for night photography but with much less waiting time. Follow the same suggestions as those for the bloom, but adjust the timer for shorter periods between snaps.
Examples for night photography would be roads, busy pedestrian streets, lighting storms, the moon, the stars, firework displays, erupting volcanoes, falling snow,sunsets and dawns, creeping shadows,and if you're really lucky an eclipse. The number of exposures is limited with film, but almost unlimited with digital, so consider your medium first.
Nature subjects besides flowers in bloom, are nesting birds, wave patterns, cloud formations, fish in aquariums, ocean & river life,and subjects that are being carried by water. Other subjects are racing sports events, people sleeping, and eating, kids jumping, jump ropes.
The results will be different from static subjects as compared to moving subjects. Keep in mind that with moving subjects blurring will create a sense of movement, the same as you would obtain from using a slow shutter speed. Blurring will not occur for lighting or fireworks as the total darkness usually present during these events will only show the bursts of light created by the light of the lighting strike and that of the fireworks.
For more specialized time lapse photos, such as bursting balloons, apple bursting after bullet strike etc.. you will also need a high speed synchronized flash unit along with lots of planning and safety protocols. Related articles: photo tips for beginners digital photography tricks
Time lapse photography is an interesting aspect of photography that is really not undertaken much today because our demand for speed and the need for instant gratification. However time lapse photos can give the photographer a completely different view and understanding of the world around him/her.
The basic equipment and a timer is all that is really needed, and off course the right location or subject. When I have done time lapse, I normally reserve it for nature, especially blooms.
Most flower blooms will take around two hours, from start to finish, for the bloom to completely open. If you inspect your flower bed early in the morning and notice blooms that have yet to fully open, set up your camera on a tripod, attach a timer, set it for lapses of about 7 to 10 minutes each, and leave it alone for about two hours.
Upon developing the film or examining the images if digital, you will notice how the blooming process evolves. Note: by leaving alone I don't mean go somewhere else and leave the camera gear unattended.
On the technical side, I rarely use the auto mode in my camera , but for time lapse please do, as unpredictable weather and light changes can alter the image rendition.
Time lapse is especially suited for night photography but with much less waiting time. Follow the same suggestions as those for the bloom, but adjust the timer for shorter periods between snaps.
Examples for night photography would be roads, busy pedestrian streets, lighting storms, the moon, the stars, firework displays, erupting volcanoes, falling snow,sunsets and dawns, creeping shadows,and if you're really lucky an eclipse. The number of exposures is limited with film, but almost unlimited with digital, so consider your medium first.
Nature subjects besides flowers in bloom, are nesting birds, wave patterns, cloud formations, fish in aquariums, ocean & river life,and subjects that are being carried by water. Other subjects are racing sports events, people sleeping, and eating, kids jumping, jump ropes.
The results will be different from static subjects as compared to moving subjects. Keep in mind that with moving subjects blurring will create a sense of movement, the same as you would obtain from using a slow shutter speed. Blurring will not occur for lighting or fireworks as the total darkness usually present during these events will only show the bursts of light created by the light of the lighting strike and that of the fireworks.
For more specialized time lapse photos, such as bursting balloons, apple bursting after bullet strike etc.. you will also need a high speed synchronized flash unit along with lots of planning and safety protocols. Related articles: photo tips for beginners digital photography tricks
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