Female Form Photography

I don't think that it's any secret that the female form or body has been attractive to men for many, many moons. Sexual attraction may be the first thing to come to mind, however the female form is something of a wonder and to many an artist and beholder in general. There are many different forms of artwork paying homage to women including Whistlers Mother, Mona Lisa etc. Today of course we can also achieve greatness in art from the still camera.

Female form photography explained -

Female form photography is almost as it suggests. It is the capturing of the female form image while she poses for photographic purposes. There are many competent photographers today with established photography businesses specializing in different modes of female form photography. These modes include both commercial and artistic strands, often both in one.

Why female form photography?

As indicated earlier, female photography is an evergreen topic of interest for men mostly. But just why is it so popular even after so many centuries?? By now, it seems almost all poses and art expressions of a woman have been captured by the camera. However, it is still in vogue! These are the probable reasons for the sustenance of the female form photography:

- A woman's body has been a symbol of reverence for men. A woman has always stood for beauty, truth and purity beyond the reach of men. Capturing those delicate moments in a single expression creates ripples in the photography market.

- The next obvious reason for the added interest is the physical attraction that men have for women. Female anatomy photography is a definite yes for them.

- Last but not least is money. Female photography fetches lots of money. Photographers have been known to become wealthy quickly in this arena. As a result, female nude photographs are always in demand.

However, no matter what the reasons are for the photographer, it is the ultimate affect the photograph captures that is important.

Some female form photography tips

Clothes on or no clothes, females have always been a favorite subject of photography. However, it takes talent and perseverance to get the exact expression that would make your photos world famous. If you need some tips about female form photography, then given below are few start ups that would hopefully help you along.

- Find the right model for your photograph!

Getting a subject for your photograph is a tough job for any photographer - especially if your aim is to take intimate photographs. However, if it is simply facial expressions that matter, then even your mother, daughter, wife or sister would do. It is the expression you want right? I'm sure it would be apparent, that if it involves some degree of nudity, then it is better you hire a professional model who would be more comfortable posing.

- Background for stills

The background needs special attention when it comes to photographing female forms. Viewers usually relate better to a serene setting that matches her delicate lines. Usually, the studio is the best place to do the shoot as you can adjust your settings and be in control of lighting. If outdoor shooting is your interest, then you'll need to be prepared with equipment for highlighting contrasts etc. Hint: A darker background gives better clarity to the female form.

- Lights, Camera, and click....

The lighting is of paramount vitality if you want your images to be perfect. It is always better to have the lighting focused on the female either from behind or the sides. Directly on the face would have two disadvantages; the light on the face would not capture the perfect expression which angled lighting or background lighting would provide. Moreover, light on the face would make any one uncomfortable and promote squinting!

- Keep your distance!

When you are shooting your model, make sure you are away from her!! Use a variety of lenses. Avoid moving in too close when you are capturing the most detailed moments of her face, keeping some distance will help immensely. It would make her feel comfortable and result in better and more diversified expressions.

Female photography gives you immense scope to show off the talent that you have as a photographer. Well, they say "There is a woman behind every man's success". This cliché can't be more appropriate than in this sector of photography!!

Why Not Start Your Own Photography Business?

If you want to start your own photography business, it is a good idea to check what competitors you have in your area or the competition in your style or subject of photography. Have you ever noticed that people's photography skills shine when they take photo's of things they really love and are interested in? A clever way to go about building for yourself a photography business is to start by taking photographs of things you really love, and create your own niche market and perspective in that area, that way you will stand out in the crowd.

All good artists, whatever format they use, project through their art, things that interest them, things that have impacted on them in some way, and they aim to share that same feeling with others viewing their work. It is the differences in art styles, the attention to different details that makes one artist appeal to you more than others. It is these differences that created fame for the artists Monet and Picasso, who painted as they themselves viewed the world, and not as someone else views it.

The most interesting photographs are those that reveal to the onlooker something that they have not seen, felt or heard of before. People are interested in learning how others see the world and that can be achieved through photography. An experienced and talented photographer is able to communicate the feelings that certain landscapes, architecture and events conjure up inside of them through their photos. Many famous photographers have gained popularity from photographs they originally thought wouldn't be that interesting to other people, and have ended up with a photography business from enjoying their hobby rather than from something they had planned. It is both the unusual and the common, that makes an interesting subject for photography, and it is up to the artist to place a particular perspective, or make a statement on that subject through their work.

Many great artists, who are or have been famous, were not born famous; they achieved their position through hard work, by following their inspiration, through perseverance and expressing their passion. People who want to break into the photography business must believe in themselves and their work, they have to think of themselves as an artist, and although they might not be as well known as other artists it does not mean that their work or their talent is of any less worth, it simply means that they are not well known yet.

There are many helpful websites that give tips on photography, and how to start your own photography business. There are even websites that give you ideas on how to sell your photos on different products to people or businesses around the world. If you want to start your own photography business, it is a good idea to begin by researching online on how other people just like you managed to create their business, what they have learnt from their mistakes, and their tips and advice for beginners. Placing your photography on a website will also give you a much greater advantage in being recognised either as an artist or as a business compared to other options that are available.

Passion is contagious, if you are passionate about certain people, music, animals, or foods in life, capture this with your camera, try and express your feelings through your photos, doing this is bound to stir up an interest in and draw people to your work. Maintaining your passion for photography must be sustained throughout your business endeavours because passion is visible, and your work will reflect your attitude. It is wise to seek the help from business coaches, or by following set business plans when you are starting out in a photography business, as this will enable you to concentrate on maintaining your passion and artistic flair for photography throughout the initial challenges

Digital Photography Magazine

Tired of your old film camera and craving for something new? Digital photography is a relatively new genre of photography, gradually overshadowing its older version, film photography, into obscurity. There are marked advantages digital cameras have over film cameras. Well, an lcd monitor is one, post processing adds up to image quality in a drastic way, there's the extensive resolution, and a whole lot more!

So, by now you should be impressed. But what digital camera would be most suitable for you? And how would you prepare yourself? Well, one good thing is purchasing a digital photography magazine!

Photography magazines are fairly affordable, considering their quality and its content, which would really prompt one to purchase a digital camera in no time. Some of its essential content includes:

Tips for just about anything about photography.

May it be about an accessory, way of shooting, setting tricks, and the like, photography magazines really gives its readers an edge, coming from actual photography experts. You would discover how to use your camera better and how to utilize its features with digital photography magazine's step by step guide. Aside from the in-camera tips, digital photography magazines also teaches its readers some post processing techniques, which is totally sweet because as you all know, post processing is what makes photography distinct from film photography.

Digital camera reviews and ratings

Digital Photography Magazine, unlike camera companies, provides for an unbiased review on each digital camera release. The result then is a more objective judgment for you to assess on which digital camera you should purchase. A digital camera review usually comes with overall rating and sample images, so you would be a hundred percent sure once you decide on which camera to buy. As they always say, quality first before brand name.

Photo gallery

Given that you already have a digital camera; a Digital Photography Magazinewould still be of use because digital camera magazines are also sources of inspiration to budding photographers with its gallery. Each gallery is sorted according to genre or category, took by some talent and put into that magazine, not for you to steal ideas, but to have at least a point of reference on what to shoot in your own creative way. The good thing also is that almost all digital photography magazines places the camera setting used in shooting the pictures in the gallery.

Articles about digital photography

What use is it to engage into digital photography when you are not abreast of its developments? Do you what camera brand NASA used in their recent space mission? Well, got you! In order to be good at what you enter in, you must know at least some things about it. A digital photography magazine gives new development and some rumours regarding photography, so you would have an idea on what to expect.

Photo contests!

Some digital photography magazines hold a contest for its patrons. Think of each contest as a gallery exhibit and a photo is chosen with its owner given a price. Do not be afraid of entering one because almost every reader submits their own entry because unlike painting, photography can be entered by anyone. The prize, if you are lucky, would really be worth it!

The points mentioned are some of the things that digital photography magazines offer. There are still millions of features that are waiting for you, every month is a special month for most of these magazines, as a matter of fact.

So what are you waiting for?

Best Digital Photography Books - The Long And The Short Of Ben's Books

One of the best digital photography books for you would be the book that answers the specific questions YOU have about digital photography!

The incredible explosion over the last couple of years in the field of digital photography, combined with the affordability of excellent digital cameras, has resulted in the publication of some of the best digital photography books seen yet.

The best digital photography books include books giving a detailed overview of the field, as well as the more specialized ones. This category is coming to the fore as digital photography is applied to an increasing number of the traditional fields of photography.

Among the best digital photography books, you will therefore encounter a bewildering array of titles.

The specialized topics covered in the best digital photography books include digital night photography, digital black and white photography, digital portrait photography, digital infra-red photography, digital photography lighting, and even setting up digital photography studios.

If you're just starting out on the digital photography road, one of the best digital photography books to read is probably Ben Long's revised and highly acclaimed 'Complete Digital Photography'.

For someone who wants to buy a first digital camera, or upgrade to a better model, this book includes some very useful information on what to take into consideration when shopping around.

Judged one of the best digital photography books available, it is neither too basic, nor too specialized, and is excellent at bridging the gap between the film and digital worlds. It explains the technical aspects of digital photography with clarity, and can serve as a thorough guide for shooting, and editing your photos in Photoshop.

The best digital photography books give a novice a good grasp of the subject. Ben Long's book certainly does this, by explaining everything from how the image is captured on the sensor, right through to printing and presenting the final image.

He spends a good part on digital 'darkroom' techniques, and introduces his readers to a variety of useful concepts for achieving the desired effects.

Ben Long, who is highly regarded as author of some of the best digital photography books, divides 'Complete Digital Photography' into four sections. The first part provides basic technical information to assist you when reading the rest of the book.

Most of the best digital photography books devote a section to giving you the necessary information upon which to make a buying decision. Even though many new cameras have appeared on the shelves since publication, the second part of this volume gives you an insight into which features you should be aware of when buying your digital camera.

In the third part of 'Complete Digital Photography', Ben Long gets down to actual shooting and shows you how to choose exposure, how to use a histogram, when and how to use a flash, and much more. All the techniques the best digital photography books usually illustrate, are detailed here.

Lastly, the book deals with digital editing and correction techniques, and also shows you how to go about printing your images. The CD that comes with the book, has what you need to complete the tutorials in the book, as well as many full-color images from the book.

As one of the best digital photography books, 'Complete Digital Photography' offers a truly comprehensive course that will bring out the best in you and your camera.

Another book by Ben Long, 'Getting Started with Camera Raw: How to Make Better Pictures Using Photoshop and Photoshop Elements', also deserves a place among the best digital photography books. This is one of the more specialized titles. Everything about RAW is detailed, from explaining what RAW is, why and how it is used, the image editing processes involved, to useful tips.

Apart from being the author of more than one of the best digital photography books, Long is also known for excellent series of articles. In 'Framed and Exposed' he explores how to give your prints an edge, how to shoot at night, how to buy photo printers, how to control digital camera image noise, and how to use Adobe Photoshop.

With his wealth of experience and knowledge, it is no wonder that he has written what is considered to be some of the best digital photography books!

For more information visit Best-Digital-Photography.com

Photography Business Marketing

Marketing in any business is tough, and when it comes to a photography business it can also be tough. This is sometimes because of the non-commercial interest that comes in to picture when we talk of photographs adorning walls. However, despair not. You can still make your photography business a highly marketable product or indeed, service. Follow some simple rules and get off on the right track!

Decide what your photography business is going to be like

There are two kinds of photography businesses that you can set up. It can be either Assignment photography or Stock photography. In both cases, the name explains it all. Assignment photography is the kind of business where you are assigned or hired to take photographs of something. It can be any event or just someone. The event can be someone's wedding. And that someone of course could be anyone.

Stock photography, on the other hand, is a business where you already have photographs in stock and you are selling them to interested parties. The stock photographs can be anything from flowers to nude women.

Therefore, you have two options to decide on. Basically, people start with the assignment photography thinking that it would give them a meagre but steady income. That is true to some extent but it will give you a very small audience.

Whereas stock photography business will help you reach a wider target market audience. Stock photography is recommended because that is where the potential of the photographer has better chances to be recognized.

Target your audience

When you are dealing with stock photography, you have a great chance of spending lot of resources without any returns. This is especially the case when you don't know who your audience is. When you are out to click those beautiful moments, make sure you know who you are going to show them to. This streamlines your clients and would also help you take photos that are relevant to your market. Try sending postcards or samples of your photos to your targeted clients and see their response. This way you can make a mark among the circles you want to feel your presence.

Give them what they want

When you do present your customer's photographs, make sure you're giving them what they asked for. So many photographers don't! This is important. They have chosen you because they believed that you were going to supply them with what they wanted. If you make a volte face and give them photos they don't need, you are sure to lose them. Therefore, be very attentive to the details and give your customers what they ask for. Take notes when they tell you what they want. People rarely remember more than 7% of what they've been told in a conversation 24 hours later - so take notes. A happy customer means more business!

Be present at places that matter

- When I say be present, I am not speaking about the physical presence of the photographer. I am talking about exposure of your work. Advertise them wherever possible and that's relevant. Keep the costs in line, advertising can get out of hand. Make sure your advertising in the right places. Publish your work on the net through some of the photography sites or stock houses. This would greatly increase your client base as your photographs are showcased along with the others. The sites may take a percentage of your earnings but it is worth it as you are just building your base while you are being paid. You can always start on your own once you have a considerable presence in the right circles.

- Think about organizing an internet site and drive traffic to it.

- Advertise on AdWords at Google.com and Yahoo.com (you can now target local areas through Google)

Look for local markets too

- Join your local library that may publish your photographs in their weekly or monthly journal, ezine or newsletter. Making sure that your contact details are always available. This way you can get a foothold in your own locality.

- Go to your local florist and leave some business cards with the promise of a tip if work successfully comes your way from their referral.

- Visit your local church, mosque etc. and leave your particulars. You never know when questions are asked in these circles. Reciprocate with some free services from time to time.

- There are many venues you can work with like this, just put your thinking hat on.

Accept help from your peer photographers

Knowing some other photographers can also be immensely helpful. If they are good enough, they can show some of your collections to their clients who have some specific requirements. Even if they don't showcase your photographs, they may help you with some valuable tips to market yourself and networking ideas.

No replacement for quality

No matter how much you market yourself, if the quality of your photographs is not up to the mark, you are definitely poised to face doom. The quality of your photographs should be the best you can possibly present and keep in mind that there's always room for improvement. Quality most often results in recommendation and referral. Once you have a customer, never, ever skimp on quality because it's more costly to find a new customer than it is to keep an existing one.

Photography business marketing is often a case where your photographs have to be in the right place at the right time. Do not think that it is all by chance. The truth is, it is you who will make them available at the right place at the right time just by following a few commonsense marketing rules. All the best and happy marketing!

Bird Photography in Peru

Visitors to the Peruvian coast on photography tours are welcomed by a steady, salt-tinged breeze that comes off the steel-gray and golden panorama that is otherwise known as the Pacific Ocean. The cries of thousands of seabirds and sea lions that fish the rich waters of this dramatic, desert coast carry over the waves and emanate from the mists that occasionally hang suspended over the cold Humboldt currents.

The scenery contrasts dramatically with a turn of the head as a textured, life-filled sea is replaced by silent sands of the visually stunning Peruvian coastal desert. Plants and animals are replaced by a combination of ridged dunes, rocky outcrops, and lunar-like landscapes that are perfect for Peruvian photography portraits that are mystical and starkly beautiful.

This mix of life, landscape, and good lighting makes the coast of Peru an excellent area for both nature photography in Peru and landscape photography in Peru.

Birds to photograph on the Peruvian coast

There are a number of photogenic bird species that soar above, dive into, and pose for photography near the waters of the Peruvian coast. Many occur in large flocks, the following of which are the most emblematic:

  • Humboldt Penguin: Despite being situated so close to the equator, these comical birds are right at home in the cold waters of the Peruvian coast. They also occur off the coast of Chile, but are easier to see and photograph around scenic Peruvian islands. Threatened by habitat disturbance, some of the best places to photograph them in Peru are at Paracas, the Islas Ballestas, or around the Islas Palomino.
  • Inca Tern: One of the most striking of Peruvian seabirds, the dark gray Inca Tern has a coral-red bill and feet, and what appears to be a long, white moustache! They are easy to see and photograph as they perch on the craggy rocks and islands that dot the Peruvian coast.
  • Peruvian Pelican: They look like Brown Pelicans but are larger, have a lighter colored head, and more colorful bill. Like the Humboldt Penguin and Inca Tern, they are also only found in coastal Peru and Chile.
  • Guanay Cormorant: These striking, black and white seabirds with a red eye ring often make good photography subjects in Peru because of their tendency to pose on craggy, wave-washed rocks.
  • Red-legged Cormorant: Often seen on islands off of the Peruvian coast, this beautiful cormorant species has deep red feet, a yellow and red bill, and a white patch on the side of the neck.
  • Peruvian Tern: The Paracas Peninsula is the best place to go on a Peruvian photography itinerary to get images of this small tern species. There are few photos of this endangered bird and it is found at few other accessible sites.
  • Chilean Flamingo: Looking absurdly long-legged and long-necked, with pink and white feathers, Chilean Flamingoes make good subjects for photography in Peru. This is especially the case when a flock of these gangly birds are mirrored by their reflection in the glassy waters of the coastal lagoons they frequent.

The Humboldt Current (or "Why bird photography is so good on the coast of Peru")

In one of nature's great ironies, the Peruvian desert can support so few living things for the same reason that the offshore waters are so incredibly rich with life. The cold waters of the Humboldt Current aren't warm enough to produce the amount of evaporation needed to make rain clouds but they are infused with such a huge amount of upwelling nutrients that Peruvian coastal waters are considered to be the most productive marine ecosystem in the world. In photography language, this translates into a stunning desert coast bordered by a sparkling sea that hosts massive flocks of photogenic seabirds (as well as good numbers of sea lions).

The Peruvian coastal desert for photography

Peru is famous for Incan culture, photography of macaws and other jungle wildlife, Macchu Picchu, and the Nazca Lines among other highlights. Because so much of the wildlife photography in Peru and cultural photography in Peru is found in the Peruvian Amazon or high up in the incredibly scenic Peruvian Andes, many people often forget that Peru has a huge coastal desert.

The very dry conditions of coastal Peru made the Nazca Lines possible and have also preserved them for centuries. Although some Peruvian photography itineraries may include flights above these enigmatic glyphs for photography of the Nazca Lines, the stony plains, shadowy ravines, and windswept dunes that are backed by huge distant mountains make for abundant photography opportunities in the Peruvian coastal desert.

Photography at Paracas and Pisco, Peru

The Paracas Peninsula is the most prominent peninsula on the coast of Peru and has been set aside as a national reserve to protect the huge numbers of birds and marine wildlife that live in the area. Located just 120 miles south of Lima, near the seaside town of Pisco, the beautiful landscapes of seaside cliffs, sandy desert, and ocean with distant rocky islands on the horizon make Paracas a popular destination for photography in Peru.

In addition to the abundance of seabirds and occasional sightings of whales and dolphins, Paracas is also famous for a strange, huge, chandelier-shaped series of lines that were scraped onto a large, sea-facing sand dune. Known as "El Candelabro", they are easily viewed and photographed on boat trips to the Paracas Peninsula. Such boat tours can be arranged through travel agents in Pisco but are included in most photography tour itineraries to Paracas, Peru.

Photography at the Islas Ballestas, Peru

The Islas Ballestas, Peru are a series of small islands near the Paracas Peninsula that are often called "The "Galapagos Islands of Peru" because of the large numbers of birds and sea lions that live on them. Such a huge number of cormorants, penguins, pelicans, and other seabirds of the Peruvian coast have nested on the Islas Ballestas for so many centuries that most of the "soil" is actually "guano" or accumulated bird droppings.

A visit to these rocky outposts is a must for any photography trip to Peru because not only are they one of the easiest sites for fantastic wildlife photography in Peru, but the arched rocks with the ocean as a backdrop also make for stunning background scenery.

Photography at the Islas Palomino, Peru

Situated just off the coast of Lima, Peru, the Islas Palomino provide another opportunity in coastal Peru to photograph sea lions and a wealth of seabirds in their natural habitat. One of the nicest things about making a photography trip to these Peruvian islands is that it can be easily done as a day trip from Lima. This is very convenient for photographers with one day left on their Peruvian tour, or for folks who wouldn't mind ending a day of memorable, fantastic photography in Peru with some amazing Peruvian ceviche washed down with a pisco sour at one of the many excellent restaurants in Lima.

Modern Photography? Look At What Others Are Doing!

After the popularity and growth of photography and the invention of the camera, it was no surprise that dissemination and mass production of photo prints followed. Due to the art of photography, public as well as personal history, time and perception has immortalized mankind. The concept of privacy altered as the number of public figures increased and the action of man began being recorded. Photographs became proof of any event, experience or state of being.

The art of photography

During the early stages of photography, many hardships had to be faced before it could be certified as an art form. Artists and critics alike challenged this art form on both its mechanical and chemical front. Photography, for a long time, was only considered a craft.

Removing restrictions

When art schools and museums finally accepted photography as a recognizable art form, the trend continued till present. Many photographers moved away from the traditional and conventional norms that dictated documentary and straight aesthetic modes as an expression of individuality. Photography became the major form of visual art by the 1960's. Today, photography has been combined with a number of other forms of expression like mixed media and computer imaging.

Practical applications

There are many practical applications when it comes to photography. Photography has evolved to such an extent that it has become an instrument of expression in fields such as medicine, military activities, education and commerce. The greatest benefit of photography has been felt by science. Other fields that depend on photography are geology, aerial mapping, surveying, meteorology, archeology, and anthropology to list a few.

Digital photography

After the 21'st century, images could now be altered and manipulated in a number of ways with the aid of computer techniques and imaging. Photographic nature and technique was forever changed through digital photography. Conventionally photography involved a lens through which light had to be passed and lead to an emulsifying agent. In digital photography color filters and sensors are utilized for creating the image. Digital photography adopts two kinds of techniques. One involves using three layers of filters where each filter will allow only one color to pass through, green, blue or red.

These are just a few facts about modern photography. The art of photography has been around for almost hundred years and the innovations do not stop happening. There are still many more creative innovations yet to be invented, as the advancement of photography can never stop and it will never cease to amaze us.

Digital Photography Vs Traditional Photography

Digital photography may be one of the late 20th century's most innovative technologies. It is about half the cost of traditional photography, with the results being of equal or better quality. You waste nothing; there's no film required, and since you only print the pictures you need, digital photography is both cost effective and environmentally friendly. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of digital photography is the idea of showing pictures to people wherever they are, as long as they have a computer and an internet connection.

Photography

Photography is a popular hobby, pastime, or even a career for many people. Photography has come a long way since its early days and its popularity has not waned. In fact, digital photography is becoming even more popular and it is slowly replacing film photography, especially in professional environments. Even for experienced photographers, the move to digital capture brings with it a significant learning curve.

The Digital Camera

A digital camera is, in effect, a little computer. Picture quality varies from camera to camera. The quality of digital cameras has increased over the years, yet many people feel it isn't quite as good as a regular camera yet. When you're shopping for a digital camera keep in mind that it doesn't matter how much your camera costs, or how big it is. You're looking for the camera you're happy with, and that is what's most important. One of the things I like about digital cameras is that, unlike film, you can reuse the storage media over and over again with no extra cost. If you've ever used a film camera, you will remember how annoying it was that you could only store a few pictures on the film, without the ability to delete them once they were made.

The Digital Age

In a sense, digital photography adds a whole new step to photography. It is no longer just photography, it is digitally post-processed photography. The digital age has brought about the greatest transformation in photography since photography was invented.

Conclusion

Digital and traditional photography are complimentary arts. They each have their respective places in the lives of amateur and professional photographers. The skills acquired in traditional photography will definitely be passed on to the digital world. We can easily see that the world of photography has room for both digital photography and traditional photography. Let's just hope that digital and traditional photographers can make the best of both worlds and continue to produce great work. After all, digital photography is just another tool of modernization in an ever-changing world.

Photography - Did You Know?

Photography is painting with light! It's been said that photography is the one art where you don't need to go to school, nothing separates the pro from the amateur other skill a keen eye or the right moment. Give a camera to a child and they've cracked it, give the same child a keyboard and they'll get back to you in due time.

Most photographs are created using a camera , which uses a lens to focus the scene's visible wavelengths of light into a reproduction of what the human eye would see. The process of creating photographs is called photography .

The great thing about photography is its outward focus (puns and semi-puns are so hard to avoid) on the world around us, not the art itself. Moving from hobby photography to professional photography is a big jump. It's a jump not just because your ability to pay your mortgage and feed your family will now depend entirely on your talent with a camera and your skills at marketing those talents.

For me photography is about "collecting" experiences and allowing myself to be more than a fly on the wall in my subjects' lives. I don't think photography is dead, I think photography is an extremely young art form. I also look at the history of photography and see that many of its milestones have been based on the technology of the time.

Photography is going through an exciting transition period as many film photographers are beginning to explore the new capabilities made possible with digital cameras. Traditional aspects such as the fundamental techniques and lens equipment have remained the same, however others are markedly different. Photography is acquired when weather conditions, sun angle, and, when applicable, water levels are optimal to ensure that photographs will be suitable for a variety of purposes using standard photogrammetric techniques.

Natural light in photography is crucial if you want to take great portraits. Many assume this means the time of day in which she can shoot her portraits is limited. Photography is used to preserve memories of favorite times, to capture special moments, to tell stories, to send messages, and as a source of entertainment. Photography is an art of particularity, but this doesn't mean that photography must be from "outside in. If photography has too much natural accident, it will hardly carry visual dynamic. But if it has too much photographer intervention and manipulation of the subject, it will paralyze the expression of the subject's essence.

Once you've gotten your head around this and started shooting a few pictures, you might find that photography is quite fun and interesting. At first glance it would seem that unless you are a full-time adventure athlete, adventure photography is something that you will have little opportunity to apply yourself to? However, nothing could be further from the truth. When learning how to shoot action photos, there are many ways you can begin practicing and honing your skills when you are far from the mountains or wild rivers.

Some are able to select a wonderful location to shoot along with having the "artistic eye" to use the natural backdrop to obtain the best photographs possible. Pinhole photography is great fun and it can be the most serious kind of photography. There is the freedom from vying for the latest and the greatest the industry has to offer, and the freedom from the delusion that technically ever more perfect equipment is required for great photography.

Remote photography is used to learn more about things like bears' use of naturally-occurring bear rubs and how they respond to baited hair traps. Information from this work will be used to improve sampling methods and understand bear behavior. Photography is all about selection, first through the viewfinder and second when you look at the results. As long as there's selection involved, there's room for art - if the artist can pull it off. Good photography is all about seeing.

Input relating 'classical' portraiture to photography is not so easy to find. Though we may not want to take this kind of photograph, it still seems that we could learn a lot from the kind of discussion given here. Photography is also increasingly asserting itself on the auction block as an important investment. And its prices in the galleries and at the major fairs reflect its serious status. Photography is finally escaping any dependence on what is in front of a lens, but it comes at the price of its special claim on a viewer's attention as "evidence" rooted in reality. As gallery material, photographs are now essentially no different from paintings concocted entirely from an artist's imagination, except that they lack painting's manual touch and surface variation.

Underwater photography is becoming an exciting field of unexplored areas. Other photographers specialize in areas such as portrait, commercial and industrial, scientific, news, or fine arts photography. Photography is a customer service business. Whether you need family portraits, pet portraits, events coverage or complete wedding packages.

The most compelling part of digital photography is the idea of showing pictures to people wherever they are, as long as they are in front of a computer connected to the Web.

The overwhelming majority of older photographs are catalogued under the term "albumen prints" - the most common type of 19 th-century photographic print. Additional headings are assigned describing the typical cardboard mounts to which these images are attached - stereographs, cabinet card photographs, and cartes-de-viste.

Finally, If you plan on working with older photos, establish handling procedures and adhere to them whenever photographs are being used. View photographs in a clean, uncluttered area, and handle them with clean hands. Most 1860s-90s paper photographs are albumen. Even non-collectors associate horse-and-buggy and Old West images with the soft, sentimental tones that were produced by the albumen process. If only photographs are stored in a given area, 30-40% RH is best. If photographs are stored with paper, parchment, or leather materials, it may be necessary to maintain 40-50% RH to avoid placing unwanted stress on non-photographic materials.

Photography Lenses - What You Need to Know

Photographic Lenses - A perspective from an avid shutterbug

Have you ever wondered why photographs turn out different than what you saw through the viewfinder? Why is my photography blurry or out of focus? How do I capture more of the subject area in the photo? How can I get closer to the subject? Why is the photograph darker than suspected? I have had these questions over the years and have studied photography lenses so that I can select the most appropriate camera and camera lens for my subjects.

Today, with the most wonderful world of photography , and the technology at hand, it is much easier to shoot those prize photos even for the weekend shutterbug. But, if you understand even a few basics your photographs can turn out much better than you anticipated. It has become really easy for anyone to pick up a point and shoot fixed lens digital camera and take a great photo. With the influx of many high end, high megapixel cameras available for under $200.00, anybody can put memories in their pocket.

I started out shooting photography and using several types of photography lenses in the early 1980's. My uncle introduced me to Pentax SLR equipment as he had a wholesale representative contact in Denver. I was able to purchase thousands of dollars worth of equipment for pennies on the dollar. And, so began the journey with my Pentax LX professional line of equipment. My photography lens arsenal was made up of many types such as wide angle, zoom, telephoto, macro, and standard camera lenses . I had a motor drive, high end camera flash, tripods, camera lens filters, lens hoods and more to get me started. As an athlete my first love was shooting sports which involved fast film, fast lenses, and a zoom lens. I soon fell into shooting landscapes, wildlife, and weddings. And, let me say, all for free. I loved taking pictures and giving them away to people who did not understand how to capture those prize memorable moments behind the lens.

So, what makes up the chemistry of photography lenses? How do they work and when should I use one over the other? Today it is so easy to get that all automatic digital SLR camera and lens and hope that the subject turns out as you thought it should. I think these automatic cameras are great. However, if you understand how to utilize other photography lenses in a manual mode you can still produce beautiful photographs. I actually have a Nikon D70 digital SLR camera today in addition to my Pentax LX and Nikon Coolpix pocket digital.

Photography Lenses Explained

Camera Lens Types:

  1. Wide Angle The wide angle camera lens enables the photographer to shoot a photograph when you wish to encompass more of the subject scene than would be possible with a standard lens such as a 50mm focal length. Wide angle camera lenses are typically a shorter focal length under 50mm and allow the photographer to change the perspective of the scene. A moderate focal length is about 24mm to 35mm that have apertures of F/2 or F/2.8 which allows more light in. There are also extreme wide angle lenses , called fisheyes, that can produce almost a 180 degree photo. These photographic camera lenses can be fun however, make sure you understand that the lens may produce a rounded image and the depth of field can be limited in low lighting conditions.
  2. Standard Standard lenses are typically the 50mm lenses. These are a fixed focal length and are the lens of choice on most SLR cameras . Everyone should have this camera lens . It typically will be used the most for everyday common photography. The 50mm standard lens is about what the human eye can see in the field of vision. It also produces the most relative size of the subjects and objects in the photograph. This camera lens can be one of the fastest lenses in your camera bag. It can be purchased with a low aperture of F/1.4 which will allow for very low lighting photographic opportunities.
  3. Zoom The zoom lens is my favorite lens. This camera lens gives the photographer so many options especially if you are not carrying two camera bodies with you. The zoom camera lens is not limited to one focal length but has movable elements in the lens that allow for multiple ranges. Zoom photographic lenses are available in many sizes but the typical lengths give you anywhere from 35mm - 70mm and 80mm - 200mm. I recommend these two lengths for the weekend hobbyist so that a full range from 35mm - 200mm can be achieved. These lenses can be expensive especially if the aperture is under F/4.0. They are typically not used in low lighting conditions or with motion photography unless you are shooting in daylight with sunny conditions. For most photography hobbyists, the 80mm - 200mm works great for sideline photographs and has enough focal length to capture images such as wildlife from a distance.
  4. Telephoto Telephoto camera lenses have a focal length that is longer than a normal 50mm lens. The longer the length of the telephoto camera lens the more magnification you can get and the closer you can draw near to your subject. These camera lenses differ from the zoom in that they are fixed and cannot provide the photographer a range of lengths. Most telephotos are used where the subject is static and situations where you are restricted to keeping your distance. They usually come with a smaller aperture somewhere around F/4.0. Careful selection and use must be made when using these lenses as they can be heavier and blur photographs with the slightest movement. I would recommend a tripod or monopod for use with lenses longer than 200mm. They are absolutely great for sports and wildlife photography. I have used anywhere from 100mm to a 500mm mirror telephoto. The 500mm mirror lens was really nice when shooting at an air show.
  5. Specialty There a couple of specialty camera lenses that I'll talk about. The first photographic lens that is a must for close- up photography is the macro lens. This lens can come in a few focal lengths that are typically less than 100mm. The macro camera lens enables the photographer the ability to shoot subjects extremely close-up such as flowers, insects, and commercial products. These camera lenses are really fun and can produce beautiful images that fill the frame with wonderful color and detail. I have done a lot of macro photography and recommend that a tripod be used when shooting these subjects so that blurring is limited. These lenses can also have lower apertures so that long exposure under low lighting can be accomplished. The other type of specialty lens is the perspective control lenses that will take close up photographs and keep the subject sharp in focus and prevent the depth of field from distorting the subject. I have not used these types of lenses so I cannot give you a real life example. However, for most non-professional photographers this lens may not be worth the investment. Finally, I will mention the 2x converter. This photography lens cannot stand alone but augment another lens by boosting the focal length by two times it's standard length. You simply add it between the camera and your lens of choice and the optical mirrors magnify the image by two. I use this often outdoors shooting sports on sunny days where I have a bunch of light. This will boost my 300mm zoom to 600mm. And, I can get really close to my subjects from the sidelines.

Photography lenses today provides the shutterbug an array of opportunities for photographic design. Depending on the type of photographer you are, it will determine the types of camera lenses you put into your camera bag. I would suggest that everyone has at least a mid-range zoom. If it is the only lens in the your budget at time of purchase, you can add other camera lenses later. The 35mm - 70mm would be my recommendation. If you are going to shoot athletics you will most likely be on the sidelines or in the bleachers and will need up to a 300mm telephoto or zoom. Depending on your budget I would suggest a lower aperture but nothing more than F/4.0.

Have fun and remember that you can take oodles of pictures today and test your photographs much easier with digital SLR photography . If you don't like your results, delete them. Then, go out and take more pictures!

To your photographic success.

How to Start a Photography Business

Are you intrigued by the idea of using photography to make time stand still, and creating keepsakes that will be treasured for generations? Maybe you love being a part of the excitement that comes with the glorious moments in human life: weddings, comings of age, and celebrations. You want to be there to record it forever.

Professional photography has been around for decades, yet it continues to be one of the most innovative and creative art forms in the world today. Being your own boss and determining your own schedule are just a few of the perks. Earning a living creating unique and creative images of people's cherished moments makes the decision to start a photography business a great one.

The family and wedding photography industry is booming right now in the United States. The real emphasis placed on the importance of family has seen a surge in portrait photography, and couples in love are spending thousands of dollars on their wedding photography. Add in the fact that professionals of all types need headshots for business use, and there is no shortage of work for the aspiring professional photographer.

It's not difficult to start a photography business - all you really need are a good camera with the necessary lenses and equipment, and an eye for composition. But in order to attract clients and create a thriving business that you can call a true career, there are a few other things you'll want to do.

1. Plan and prepare

Before setting up studio space, buying equipment, or looking for clients, you'll need to plan what type of photography business you'll be running. Will it be wedding photography, portrait photography, pictures of young children or high school graduates, or some combination of these? Think about the type of photography you're most passionate about, the services you'll offer and the type of image you want to present.

To build your photo-taking skills, you can take photography classes at a local art school or community college, buy some good how-to books, and most importantly, practice by taking pictures of friends and family. Getting feedback on your work from other professionals will also go a long way to helping your build your skills to the professional level.

2. The right tools for the job

As mentioned, professional quality digital photography equipment is a must. This includes at least one digital camera with a few interchangeable lenses, and digital memory for file storage. Additional lighting and backdrops are a great addition if you plan to shoot portrait work inside. If you need to shoot onsite (at weddings, for example), a durable-but-lightweight camera bag will help you protect and transport photography equipment.

Many photographers find it difficult to work without the help of a computer editing program, and a website to attract customers is important too. A good training book and some business planning will help you start a photography business knowing exactly what tools and equipment you'll need for the services you have in mind.

3. Setting up your studio or office

Starting a photography business requires a studio or an office where you will be able to greet prospective customers, review prints, fill out forms, and conduct other in-person business. When you set up your space to start a photography business, keep in mind the services you're planning on offering. The reception area of someone who plans to work primarily with weddings will be very different for someone doing headshots for aspiring models and actors, for example.

When deciding whether or not to invest in things like studio space, consider the advice of Mike Copeland, an official photographer for the Salt Lake City Olympics: "If you have the space, it's great to run this kind of business from home. We have our living room set up to meet with wedding clients, and a workspace in the basement." If you don't have the funds to equip a studio, you can still shoot outside or on location.

4. Finding customers

When you are ready to start your photography business, you'll want to let the public know you are available for their photography needs. You can pay to advertise your services, although display ads may be too expensive when you first start a photography business. Instead, consider press releases and other low-cost marketing strategies such as referrals.

When your market your photography business, show how your work is unique, without moving too far away from the traditional expectations of your target market. Online directories and a website for your photography business will also help generate and increase sales.

Photography: The Basics

Photography comes from the Greek words meaning "light writing" and first became known back in 1839 by Sir John Herschel. For many years prior to this, people had discovered ways of causing certain chemicals to change color when exposed to light but they did not discover ways of getting the images to remain permanent until later on.

Now photography is a big part of our culture, something that everyone recognizes. Most everyone has family photos lying around their house, many people take these photos on a regular basis, preserving precious memories for years to come. Even if you don't have your own camera, you have seen photos in magazines, used on billboards and advertisements and more.

What is Photography?

Photography is defined as "The art or process of producing images by the action of light on surfaces sensitized by chemical processes." (www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/ArtsEd/vglossar.htm)

The average person never has to deal with this technical definition because they take their photographs to a lab to be processed. They simply take pictures with their camera and then drop them off somewhere to be developed. They get their prints back on nice glossy paper that they can then keep to see the images at any time they wish.

There are also instant develop photographs, commonly known as the Polaroid, in which the paper itself contains the chemicals needed and when the paper sits for a few seconds exposed to light the photo will develop. Many people enjoy these because you could view your photo almost instantly but over the years, the quality has improved with other films and many people migrated to other types of cameras.

The common types of film are 35mm and 110. These film rolls come in different speeds that are meant for different lighting and situations and are loaded into your camera, used until the end of the roll and then sent for developing.

What Are the Different Types of Photography?

Photography is more than just a fabric of the average family's memories, it has become an art form taking on many different types. Some types of photography are artistic photography, photojournalism, documentary photography, portrait photography, event photography, family photography, nature photography, advertising photography, underwater photography, satellite photography and more. Each of these types has many different directions in which they can go.

Photography is a common hobby or pastime for many people. It is a career for many other people. There are so many different venues of it. One of the most recent revelations in photography is the digital camera and digital photo. In an age of computers and computer technology, digital photos have become increasingly popular. People no longer have to deal with film and developing because digital photos can be downloaded onto a computer and viewed instantly.

Digital photos can be shared on the web and through email. They can also be saved on CDs. Many digital cameras come with LCD screens so the photos can be viewed from the camera itself. You see what the picture looks like instantly instead of waiting for developing. Digital cameras are advancing every day and new technology is released on each one. Lower quality ones can be picked up at a local retail store for about $15 now. These often do not contain flash and the quality is not as great. Other digital cameras can range anywhere from $20 to $1,000. The most high-tech camera for normal individual use is about $200. This may seem like a lot but when compared to the price of film and developing, you can save a lot by going this route. You can also send as many copies of your photos as you wish through email and the web so copies are unlimited. You can even print copies of your digital photographs from your computer.

Photography has come a long way since its early days but its popularity has not waned. It will likely be with us for thousands of years to come.

Digital Photography Classes - 3 Best Ways to Take Digital Photography Classes

If you're thinking about taking digital photography classes to help you become a better photographer, but aren't sure where to begin, here are the most common ways to take an affordable photography class.

1. Online Digital Photography Classes

Online photography classes are one of the quickest and easiest ways to get started. Unlike real world (as opposed to the internet world) photography classes, you don't need to wait for the class to begin, worry if there will be room, or if it meets your schedule. Instead, with online classes you can start right away and set your own pace and schedule. Another great benefit of online classes is that you usually get to participate in forums and online galleries with other students where you can receive constructive critiques on your photographs. And there is usually an instructor who you can email with and get guidance from (the best online courses will offer this). There are some great online courses out there for between $100-$200 that include everything.

2. eBook Digital Photography Classes

eBook digital photography classes are also a great way to learn photography. Like online classes, the benefits of an eBook class is that you start when you want and go at your own pace. eBook learning is a one person experience, if you prefer to learn on your own, this is the way to go. The drawbacks: no instructor to offer guidance, and no other students to interact with. eBooks usually offer much more instruction and assignments then real world classes or some online digital classes. This is because there is no overhead expenses like class room space or website/forum hosting costs. You can find eBook photography courses for anywhere between $29 - $99.

3.Local Real World Digital Photography Classes

The benefits of real world photography classes are that you meet your instructor and other students face to face, and work side by side during the class. It also means you can team up to go out on shoots together. If you're a people person who learns best when around others, this might be the way for you to go. The drawbacks are that usually these classes are very focused on one part of photography, and don't give you as much information and instruction as online or eBook classes can. If you decide to go this route, supplementing it with a good eBook course would fill in the gaps. And of course, you are on their time schedule.

There are also digital photography classes offered at Universities but you generally need to be an enrolled student to get into one. And there are photo workshops that take you to some wonderful spot for 5-7 days, and teach you how to shoot a specific type of photography (ie. landscape photography). But these are generally very expensive as you have to pay for travel, hotel, and meals. These types of photography workshops should be done only if you already know a lot about photography and/or earn an income from photography.

Fashion Photography Tips For Success

We see them all over the place; in television advertisements, in magazines, and on the runway. They are the beautiful men and women who strut their stuff while showing off the latest styles from the hottest fashion designers. These are the fashion models of today and tomorrow, and the subject of high fashion photography. It is through photography that these models and fashionable clothing are brought to the public. Therefore, these photographs must be taken with a certain level of precision and a special attention to color, style, and lighting composition. Learning a few key fashion photography tips will help to make this possible.

High fashion photographers such as Mario Testino and Eva Mueller may not be as famous as the models they shoot, but they are actually sought out more than their model counterparts by fashion magazines and designers. While the dream of huge paychecks and hobnobbing with the rich and famous might appeal to the aspiring fashion photographer, it is not easy to become successful in fashion and model photography. For every one talented young photographer who makes it big, there are hundreds are left dreaming about the moment their photo will be chosen.

Here are a few fashion photography tips for anyone interested in getting started in the field of fashion photography. The first thing you must do is study your subject. As with any field, you can never learn enough. Read as many fashion magazines you can possibly get your hands on. There are a number of fantastic books on the subjects of fashion and model photography available. They can be purchased cheaply online at sites like Amazon.com or even cheaper if you get them used on eBay. You will also need a good camera, a tripod, and a lighting system. One of the more often overlooked fashion photography tips, is to ensure that you always have plenty of film and extra batteries available.

One of the most important fashion photography tips to focus on is having a portfolio. You need to start assembling a portfolio of your work and you need to keep this portfolio handy at all times. You never know when you will have the opportunity to show your work off to someone in the fashion world. Sharp, vibrant images on a 4 x 5" transparency will best show off your work, so focus on them when putting your fashion photography portfolio together. If any of your work has already been published regardless of whether it was a local magazine, newspaper or contest, add a tear sheet (literally a sheet you torn out of the magazine) is a great addition to a portfolio. You should have a minimum of 20 photographs in your portfolio and showcasing different styles.

In this day of the internet, it is wise to display your fashion photography talent online as well. Setup a simple website displaying your work and submit your digital photos to online contests. Also, submit them to online fashion gallery websites. This will help tremendously with getting your work seen and showcasing your talent around the world. Probably the most important of all the fashion photography tips is to get your photographs seen by as many people as possible. There is no better way of doing this than by putting them online.

Remember that most fashion magazine editors are looking for your personality in the photographs that you take. Each fashion photographer will captures the essence of a fashion design and model differently. Most importantly, if this is your dream, do not give up, ever! Keep learning the latest high fashion photography tips and keep working to get your photographs on the cover of my next hot fashion magazine.

8 Questions To Ask Once You've Built Your Photography Website To Assess Its Photography Marketing IQ

There's a very good chance that you know how to build a photography website - they're very easy to do these days with the advancement of technology. You've also probably heard that a photographer without a photography website is not taken seriously. What you may not know are key questions that will assist you to build and maintain a successful photography website.

For me, it is very difficult to be objective when assessing the photography marketing effectiveness of my website. I have a great deal of trouble being objectively honest with my assessments of my websites. But, fortunately, I'm able to use a series of questions that helps me not to get sabotage by my inability of be objectively honest when assessing my website's effectiveness.

I'm a firm believer in photographers building their own websites. It's much easier to do these days - if a photographer can send and receive email, they have enough computer skills to build and manage their own photography website. I build all of my photography websites. And, as mentioned, I'm too biased to accurately assess the photography marketing effectiveness of my photography website.

Consequently, I ask myself - and answer - the following questions:

  1. Do your pages load quickly? I never cease to be amazed at all the photography websites that have home pages that take a long time to load. Most of the times, it's the flash type pages. Unfortunately, many of us photographers don't realize that most web surfers don't have computers sophisticated enough to handle all of the latest website gimmicks. The home page should load instantly - always!
  2. Is it instantly apparent what type of photography niche your business is in? Too often, our creative artsy side blocks what should be clear messages. You should know your photography niche and communicate what that niche is on your website. Your visitor shouldn't have to guess what it is that you do. They visit your website looking for information - not interested in guessing what it is that you do.
  3. Is your website menu viewable and easy to navigate? Links and navigation buttons should be simple and take your visitor where they want to go. Also, a navigation menu should be on every page.
  4. Is your website free of unnecessary gimmicks and graphics? On a personal note - when I visit a photography website and music begins to play, I click away from the site immediately - always! Because you and I might like specific music doesn't mean that everyone likes it. Visitors go to "music" sites to "hear" music. Research companies that track web surfing habits and trends, report that most visitors leave when they come across irritants like music, pop-ups, slow-loading pages, etc.
  5. Does your website offer valuable information? Too many website owners, especially photographers, forget that people use the internet looking for information, not looking to spend money or look at pictures. Displaying your best work on your website is preferable. But, keep in mind that new customers will find you on the internet by looking for information (typing in keywords at internet search engines). If your website doesn't have that information (content), visitors will never find you - never! Put content on your photography website. Help your visitors find you. Do a little research about optimizing your web pages (don't let the word optimizing intimidate you, it only means putting certain words in the content on your page) - don't overdo it. Less is more! Always offer valuable information on your website and visitors will keep coming back.
  6. Does your website reflect your commitment to quality? In my opinion, too many photographers confuse flashy bells & whistles with quality. The flashy bells & whistles usually only impress web designers (who build the flashy bells & whistles websites in the first place) and photographers with websites that don't have these eight questions. Also, you should only display your best work in your galleries offline and in your online galleries. Categorize your various photos and display them together.
  7. Would you want to do business with your photography business? This is a key question and maybe the most difficult to be honest in answering. But, your honesty is critical here.
  8. Is your contact information easily accessible? Website visitors expect to see normal things at different websites. For example, your contact information must be available and easily accessible.

These 8 questions aren't the only questions that will assist you to put your objective judging hat on and take a clear look at the photography marketing strength of your photography website. The questions will put your website through a process that should make it more magnetic to visitors. Sometime, the components that make out sites work aren't as obvious to us. Give the questions to a trusted friend and ask them to help you by using them to assess the effectiveness of your website - the least internet savvy that they are, the better.

Your photography website can be your most productive photography marketing tool. It doesn't require a lot of time or money - just regular consistency. And of course, objective assessments are like taking the pulse and heart rate of your website. Keep an eye on them. It's like keeping your website healthy and you happy!

Specialized Styles of Photography

Outlined below is a list of genres that call for specialized treatment in the process of creating outstanding photographs. These thematic approaches will be discussed in detail here, though there are few more categories and sub-categories in thematic photography like ad messages, corporate brochures, under-water photography and so on.

--Wildlife photography

--Landscape photography

--Sports events

--Photo-journalism

--Fashion photography

--Black & White treatment

--Shooting Celebrities

-->Wildlife Photography

Wildlife photography is often assumed to be an exciting and high adventure genre of photography. In reality it is extremely challenging and wildlife photographers find themselves at the mercy of inclement weather and sometimes even face danger. Here are some suggestions for this specialized form of photography.

Understand the life form that you plan to photograph in terms of living habits, habitat and behavior. In other words you need a perspective on 'a day in the life of' your wildlife subject. Books and online research will throw light on your subject. The importance of getting acquainted with the behavior of the animal is a lot more important when you have to shoot dangerous jungle animals that can attack like lions or tigers or even bears. Animals will become aware of you when you enter close to their habitat but will usually not attack if you keep your distance. But you have to be clear on the distance at which an animal will begin to feel threatened by your presence and decide to attack you.

It goes without saying that you can't expect any kind cooperation from your subject! You have to fit yourself in, place yourself in a vantage point and have your camera set and ready and then wait for the 'right moment' to take the shot that you are looking for.

You may have to wait many days before you can capture the right shot. Your subject could not care less if the light is diminishing or the light is at its best. You may have perfect light conditions on a particular day but your subject may not be in the right spot for you to take the shot.

You need telephoto lenses to shoot from a distance and other camera features like Center-weighted metering. The Center-weighted meter allows you to meter the wildlife subject at the center of the frame and vary the size of the sensing area based on the dimensions of the subject and its distance from you.

-->Landscape Photography

Taking landscape pictures within a city from atop a building or on the beach is one type of landscape photography. But if you want to get closer to nature and shoot unique pictures of nature and environment in remote locations like wild forest area or mountain ranges, then you have your task cut out for you just like a wildlife photographer. You need the spirit of adventure within you in order to travels around to different places and scour different regions for landscape opportunity.

It is tough to firstly identify the right spots, you may have to explore for days before you find an idyllic panoramic landscape to shoot. You then have to wait for the right light conditions while braving the weather and the rough living conditions. In terms of equipment, landscape photographers need to go in for a variety of wide-angle lenses since this type of lens is capable of lending depth in the photograph. A wide-angle zoom lens is useful in this type of photography because of the range of focal lengths it can provide while fine-tuning a shot. But there is also the need for telephoto lenses for certain shot though not of the high focal length required by sports photographers. Landscape photographers usually go in for telephoto lenses with focal length less than 300mm (a telephoto lens has a focal length greater than 50mm, a wide angle lens is less than 50mm, and a standard lens has a focal length of 50mm).

-->Sports Events

Those who have made a career of photographing sporting events have a different style of operation to capture the high action of dramatic moments in a game. The length of the lens, the location of the photographer taking the shot and the need to limit blurring are the three critical aspects in sports photography.

Sports photographers use a telephoto lens. This type of lens magnifies the subject. The focal length to choose from in telephoto lenses varies from 60mm to 1000 mm. A lens with a high focal length can give you a wider visual area which is a necessity when you photograph field events. Sports photographers by and large prefer 35mm cameras and use focal lengths of 300-600mm especially for field events like soccer.

The location where photographers position themselves to take different shots is directly responsible for capturing the relevant high-points in a match. It also helps if you have a good knowledge of the sport. This ensures that you identify the right moments and are alert and ready when a memorable situation occurs during the sport. You can get the right shots if you are able to move around and use the right location in different points in a game. However, quite often the areas of movement are restricted for photographers and the best way to tide over this problem is to use a lens of focal length in the region of 600mm to enable shots of the far end of a court or field. Though a good location is usually described by the angle and distance from the court or field, the other aspect of a good location is also the play of light from your vantage point. Most photographers have the task of avoiding shadows caused by the quality of light. The intensity of color in a photograph is reduced in dull light conditions while bright sunlight can create shadows in certain angles.

To limit blurring and capture action during a special game moment, you need to have fast shutter speeds at your disposal. A 35mm camera that is generally favored in sports photography can provide the high shutter speed necessary for action shots. Besides shutter speed, the speed of the film also plays a role. Higher film speed enables higher shutter speeds. A film speed of 100 is inadequate in sports photography. You need a 400 and above speed film.

The autofocus mechanism in is also useful in sports photography especially when manual focus is difficult to achieve quickly in certain sports situations.

An interesting technique called panning is applied in capturing action shots. You have to avoid holding the camera still when you shoot action. A rule-of-thumb is to hold the camera steady but move it along with the action rather than attempting to hold still. This steady movement of the camera along the path of motion of the player; incredibly, has the effect of minimizing blur. On the other hand, you will get a blur if you hold your camera still while the action is taking place. This technique is actually based on sound scientific principles.

It should also be mentioned here that the art of sports photography actually goes beyond capturing action or high points in a game. The readers who view these photographs in newspapers and magazines want to see player expressions, the thrills, the disappointments, the concentration that players display is something that readers find captivating and it becomes a talking point. Readers also like to see crowd reactions and reactions of family members of the players in certain critical game situations. To cater to the public sentiment, a photographer has to also attempt to click these special poignant moments during a game by capturing reactions and facial expressions.

-->Photo-journalism

Photojournalism is a different ball game altogether. It is visual storytelling. It has a strong social and cultural context and is a visual form of reportage based on newsy and current affairs topics. Being in the right place at the right time and understanding the situation as it unfolds helps a photojournalist deliver reader interest material. The objective is to usually pick up contemporary topics and portray a visual story that creates an understanding on the pattern in which people live their lives or social changes that impact them in different walks of life. Photojournalism also lends credibility to the written word and can support a public interest story with visual proof. The visuals complement the written reportage on the story.

A visual representation of contemporary situations is a powerful way to make a point and the photographer who is into photojournalism has to be a firstly aware of the socio-political and cultural scene of a region to be able to shoot the relevant pictures. The equipment required by photojournalists varies by the type of story they pursue. If a photojournalist is picking up images of a town or if the photography is the type that portrays cultural and historical sites, or if the task is to follow the campaign trail of a political leader, each of these require a different treatment.

-->Fashion Pictures

A fashion photographer needs to be a creative thinker with a good eye for aesthetics and the ability to use sound judgment in implementing out-of-the-box ideas. Fashion photography is meant to render an elegant, stylish effect on readers so the mundane and the run of the mill shots will not work. Each photograph is a piece of art in itself and has to be original.

Creating an impact in fashion photography requires the photographer to take a leap in imaginative thinking and to create images that are different and unusual. The treatments that have been tried over the years range from the surreal to muted black and whites, to geometric shapes to brilliant color schemes. A fashion product has to be portrayed creatively while at the same time conveying style and classiness. A fashion photographer needs a high level of visual sophistication combined with ideation skills. It also helps to try and understand the psyche of models that fashion photographers have to regularly interact with, in order to get the best out of them. Your choice of camera and accessories will vary depending on whether you shoot indoor or outdoor, light conditions, theme of the picture, etc.

-->Black and White Treatment

The black and white effect is used by artists and fashion photographers to create abstracts or classy 'other worldly' images. The camera equipment required in black & white is not very distinct from other types of photography but the key actually lies in the processing and printing quality. This is an important area of emphasis in black & white photographs in order to get the desired effect.

You will need an assortment of lenses for different situations - such as a combination of wide-angle lens as well as a standard lens. If you want large prints, you may need a camera with a high-resolution digital image sensor for sharpness of large format prints. The resolution should be more than 3 mega pixels.

Whether you develop your photographs in the darkroom (traditional film based camera) or process the pictures digitally (digital camera usage), when you develop the picture yourself you have the leeway to heighten or reduce the contrasts in tour picture based on the type of impression and visual impact you hope to create. You can also scan from traditionally processed negatives onto a computer and then process the images digitally.

To fine-tune the images digitally you need some basic knowledge of Photoshop software. Without manipulating the main picture in any way, you can enhance your black and white images by fine-tuning the contrasts. Photoshop assists in optimizing the images. The principles are the same as those used in a traditional darkroom. Using Photoshop you can apply various techniques like dodging (you selectively lighten a certain portion of a photo), cropping, optimizing density and fine tuning the contrasts. Fine tuning the contrasts is important in creating the right effect in black and white.

The print quality is another important factor in creating high impact black & white photographs. If you intend to print digitally processed images, you need a good printer and long lasting ink in your printer. You should also use photo quality paper to print your images.

-->Shooting Celebrities

Celebrity photography is challenging and the same time an exciting, glamorous field. When you deal with celebrities, firstly you have very little time to work within. There is always a time constraint even after you pin down a celebrity for a photo session. You have to therefore have good infrastructure and be ready with the necessary equipment. You have to plan the shot and adjust your camera, before asking your celebrity to pose.

Celebrity faces are well known so the key lies in attempting to capture something a little different, to create a different perspective. You need to build a good rapport with the celebrity and have to persevere to get the right mood to capture the real essence of the person. If you are photographing the celebrity for an ad, then the strategy behind the ad has to be considered to blend in the celebrity's expressions and posture to suit the requirements of the ad.

To sum up, the discussion - Wildlife photography requires you to brave rough conditions and thoroughly understand the habitat and behavior of the animal. The relevant and useful tools in your camera system are the right lenses and center-weighted metering if you are into shooting wildlife. Landscape photography requires you to be a wandering explorer, constantly seeking out those spectacular scenic settings. You mainly need wide-angle lenses in your camera system to demonstrate depth and scale in your picture. Sports events need a good vantage point and if you want to freeze the high action in the game, you have to learn and hone the skill of panning. Photojournalism calls on your social and political consciousness and is the art of visually unfolding a story, while Fashion photography requires ideation and out-of-the-box thinking. The impact of Black & White treatment can be heightened during the processing phase using various techniques and, Celebrity photography is not all glamour. Capturing the right mood and the essence of the celebrity becomes the key to a good shot and you often work within time constraints.

It is apparent that different photography streams each have their own specialized approaches and style of treatment. Your mind-set and your interests should influence the path that you choose as a photographer.

Schools For Photography - Pursuing a Degree in Photography

Photography is a fascinating form of art. Lighting, technique, colors and placement all add to the beauty and uniqueness of each photograph. By simply using a camera, it seems that the photographer is able to catch not only images of his or her subject but their emotions and thoughts as well. Some photographs bring smiles and warm hearts while others portray hauntingly eerie images. Whatever the effect, each photograph has a story and exquisiteness all its own. To further develop and hone artist's photography skills and ability to capture once-in-a-lifetime moments, schools for photography offer a number of courses and degrees to help students develop their talents and prepare them for careers in many different areas of photography.

While technology has made major advancements over the last several years, computers cannot replace human creativity. Photography courses will teach students how to use the latest equipment and processing techniques, digital and color darkroom techniques, color theory, as well as the history of photography. Students will learn both traditional and more modern photography techniques. In addition, students will also be introduced to issues regarding copyright protection, photography business, and will learn how to interact with customers and clients. Schools for photography also help students create a personal portfolio using their own creative and innovate photographs.

Both online and traditional schools are available for students interested in pursuing a degree in photography. Online schools that offer photography degrees include: Westwood College Online, The School of Continuing and Professional Studies at New York University, Jones International University and American Intercontinental University. There are many traditional universities all over the world that offer photography degrees. While photography schools cannot be found in every state in the US, there are several states that do offer photography degree programs and these include: California, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Washington, Oregon, Ohio, Minnesota, and Colorado just to name a few. For example, the Brooks Institute of Photography, The Art Institute of California, American Intercontinental University Los Angeles, the Academy of Art College and the Art Center College of Design can all be found in California and each school offers a photography degree. Schools for photography are also located in Canada, Argentina, Turkey, Thailand, and various other countries.

Students interested in portrait, fashion, landscape, commercial, or architectural photography, photojournalism, photo-advertising, graphic design, studio art or other forms of visual communications will be able to find a degree program suited to their individual talents and interests. A photography degree can offer both a flexible and rewarding career, whether working for a media outlet or on a freelance basis. With so many choices, from online to traditional programs, choosing the right school is essential. Students should choose a school based on location, courses offered, and time required to complete the desired degree. Schools for photography can help prepare and equip students for professional photography careers.

A Full-Frame View of Photography Degrees

The pop of the flash, the click of the shutter, an immortal moment in time. Photographers crystallize the landscapes and smiles of the world and let them stand as evidence of life being lived. A degree in photography can help you capture these moments in breathtaking fashion, taking your hobby to the next level or setting you on the path to turn your passion into a career.

What Skills Can I Learn with a Degree in Photography?

Photography degrees are offered by numerous universities, and no two programs are exactly alike, but they do all share common characteristics. Take a look at this short list of basic skills taught in photography courses:

  • Photographic principles such as lighting, aperture, and shutter speed
  • Adobe Photoshop and other professional image-editing software
  • Decoding and constructing the narrative of an image
  • Proper techniques for capturing images in a variety of settings

Some photography degree programs allow you to specialize in your particular field of interest, be it fashion photography, sports photography, portraiture, or any other specialty, and some degrees in photography provide a comprehensive general education in the art. Take some time to research schools that offer photography degrees and decide which one best fits your needs as a student.

Photography Degree Programs: the Big Picture

Many universities offer both two- and four-year degrees in photography. The two-year degrees include an associate of science in photography, which focuses mainly on the technical elements of the craft. A popular four-year photography degree is the bachelor of fine arts, which extends its photography courses to include general image design and the handling of commercial concerns.

If pursuing an associate's degree, you can look forward to some of the following photography courses:

  • Design Fundamentals
  • History of Photography
  • Location Lighting
  • Imaging Software I & II

The bachelor's degree track contains some courses more oriented toward building a career out of your skills:

  • Commercial Photography
  • Clients and Communications
  • Web Design for Photographers
  • Business Launch

Many entry-level positions that lead to a professional photography career require a photography degree, even those that start you out mixing chemicals in the lab. Wire service photography positions also usually recommend or require a degree in photography from an accredited institution.

The Working Life of a Photographer

There are several different styles of career available to those with photography degrees. Professional photographers may shoot only weddings, or only news stories, or only portraits in a private studio. What's more, professional photographers choose between salaried and freelance positions, with the former customarily bringing greater job stability and higher wages.

Earnings data for photographers in different locations around the country was compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2009. Take a look at the mean yearly income of professional photographers in certain U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles, CA: $64,110
  • Chicago, IL: $53,830
  • New York, NY: $50,470
  • Minneapolis, MN: $47,820
  • San Francisco, CA: $47,520

As you can see, salaries for professional photographers varies widely. This goes to show that you have the opportunity to make the most of your photography degree if you discover how to get as much out of it as the effort you put in. Degrees in photography may not be for everyone, but one just might be for you.

Mastering The Art Of Sports Photography With Your Digital Camera

For sports enthusiasts, there's nothing more exciting than sports people playing their favourite game. The sight of the field, rink or golf course initiates the thrill and anticipation. This, combined with digital photography, can provide some amazing photographic opportunities. However it's not a matter of point the camera at the person diving for the ball or puck and snapping away. It's a lot more complicated than that.

In digital photography sports can be quite challenging. The sports people do not present an easy task of being photographed because of the amount of high movement. However, you can indeed achieve great sports digital photography. Most excellent sports digital photography requires good planning and execution.

Here are some exclusive tips for gaining fantastic sports shots in your digital photography.

First things first; know your digital camera. I recommend taking note and practicing first all the settings that sports photography needed. You may find yourself going for the faster shutter speed, increased ISO and burst mode. Let's take a look at all these things on your digital camera and see how they can be applied to give you sensational sports photos.

High shutter speeds:
As with all moving objects, in order to capture the "frozen in time" look in digital photography a fast shutter speed is required. The faster the movement the fast the shutter speed will need to be. In digital photography the general consensus is that the shutter speed needs to be faster than that of the subject. For example if you have a sliding puck across ice and there is a someone about to take a dive for it then its necessary to quickly mentally assess how fast that person might be traveling at. If they are traveling at approximately 50 kilometers (approx 32 miles) per hour then you may find a very fast shutter speed is needed for this digital photo.

A very fast shutter speed in digital photography may be anything from 500th of a second or higher. For high speed movement you may want to consider an even faster shutter speed of 1000th of a second or something in that range.

Keep in mind that in digital photography a fast shutter speed works to reduce some of the light which is why a higher ISO is often necessary. (I'll talk about that in a minute.) Usually a if a ball, such as a baseball going at around 145 kilometers an hour (90.09 miles per hour) a shutter speed of around 1/4000 will get you that "suspended ball in mid air" type of photo. For physical movement, such as someone leaping to catch a football, a shutter speed of 1/500 or over is a good place to start.

Now this is all very well if your scene if well lit. But what if you are taking your digital photography shots indoors at night and the light is not quite enough to provide enough light? In most instances, an indoor stadium at night time will be well lit, but that doesn't always ensure good digital photos. In sports photography we need to understand that we can only control the artistic value and input of our digital photo and the control of the camera. We can't control the lighting on the scene being such a public event. In digital photography sports photos we must realize that it's going to be a challenge to begin with. So here are something's you can in your digital sports photography to increase the amount of light.

If you have a light tool on your digital camera such as a histogram you can get a good idea of what the light levels are like on your sensor. With this handy tool you can adjust the ISO at the time of your pictures taking.

Increase your ISO: A high ISO in digital photography simply means the sensitivity to light that your digital camera has. In a nutshell the more ISO you have increased the image to, the less light the sensor needs. In sports photography an ISO of 400 or higher can work really well. The downside to this is that it does increase noise. To combat this you can use noise reduction software in the post editing process such as Noise Ninja or increase the LAB mode in the post editing process. Don't be afraid to try a few shots at 400, 800 and even as high as 1600.

Burst mode:
In most sports digital photography this will be one of the settings you will turn to. Burst mode is also known as 'continuous shooting'. This 'continuous' shooting mode allows you to get a sequence of shoots in succession. You can increase your chances of getting that ideal "split second perfect shot" that you might not be able to get by pre-emption or in normal shooting. This also works so beautifully if your digital camera has a painfully long lag time. I've used this so many times to get around the high lag my Sony Cyber shot has got. Some cameras have 3 frames per second and some go up to 12 frames per second. You simply select this mode and hold your finger on the shutter button and it will fire off as many shots in 1 second as it can.

Okay so I've been talking about your digital camera and the setting's used for ideal sports digital photography, so what about any external equipment? If you have been thinking about this you're spot on. You can take as much time with your settings but there's not much point if you can't get close to the action. There's no point having a picture with perfect lighting and perfect action if the players are like dots on a sheet of paper. You need a good telephoto lens if you can't get close up. A telephoto lens brings you closer because of its long distance capability. It will get you closer to the action but will need a faster shutter speed.

Many fantastic sports digital photos are taken with an emphasis on a very fast shutter speed, an f stop of around the 2.8 mark to blur the background and focus in on the subject. You may find that if your sportsperson is visually separated from the background and you take the digital photograph with a telephoto lens you'll have a more shallow depth of field which can give you a more powerful feeling in your digital photo. You can get away with a good optical zoom lens, but you'll get far better digital sports shots with a proper telephoto.

So what about the artistic side of sports photography with your digital camera? Plenty!

Pre-emption and Emotion is the key to good art.
When taking sports photography you probably won't find a more public display of human emotion. The emotions of a sports person range from intense anticipation to extreme disappointment or extreme exhilaration. Pre-empting when these emotions take place is they key to getting artistic and impressive sports photos. This comes with practicing your digital photography.

SO much pressure is placed on our athletes, expecting them to perform so we can enjoy the show and the investors can enjoy their returns. This is another reason why I say to get a telephoto lens so you can capture the emotions on their faces and their body language. It makes for superb photography. For ideas on ice hockey, have a look at some ice hockey images that are great study tools.

Don't just look at these digital photos, you must study them. Take on the attitude that studying sports photography will improve your digital sports photos ten fold. You will have a style to emulate and copy to start with then eventually, when you become confident, you'll start to adopt your own style.

Happy shooting,
Amy Renfrey

To study digital sports photography check these sites out: http://www.espn.com and http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com