Photogenic Photography Blog

In the print media, pictures are used to break the monotony of a news page. Illustrations may be used as page decoration. If its only purpose is to create a favorable impression for the reader, it’s a valid function. After all, according to J.W. Click and Russel N. Baird’s book, “Magazine Editing and Production,” people hang paintings and photos on their walls for aesthetic reasons only.

Given that concept, one can surmise that photography is, indeed, a work of art captured in technicalities and presented in an exceptional manner.

The total impression on the subject will always depend on the way the photographer wants to present his or her subject matter.

For this reason, special classes in photography provided for those who wish to perfect their skills as far as photography is concerned. However, there are some basic tips that every budding photographer must know in order to succeed in this kind of endeavor.

Here is a list of some of the important pointers that every photographer should know:

1. Get ready

The key to good shots is to have all of your necessary materials ready. One of the basic skills needed in photography is the point and shoot.

However, you can’t do this if you lack the materials that you need such as extra batteries (in case you run out of battery supplies), a tripod (for a steady footing), and other devices like the lenses that would aid your ability to incorporate the point and shoot skill.

Besides, you would not want to be wasting your time rummaging through your bag to find those additional lenses just to get a close up shot of your subject. Aside from time-consuming, your subject might lose interest or if it is a moving object, it might not stay longer than you have expected.

2. Be steady with your camera

One of the main reasons why pictures may come out blurred is the fact that some photographers can’t get a steady hand on their cameras.

It would be better to avoid shaking your camera. If you really can’t avoid these, it would better to use a tripod or inserting your elbows to your sides so that you get a stable grip.

3. Focus on your subject

By attending some photography classes, you should be able to learn how to get the best angles to capture your subject. Just keep in mind to focus on your subject and not on anything else.

These are just some of basic tips that you will learn in a photography class. Just keep them in mind and you are on your way to your best shot.



By: David Douglas

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Photo collections - for traditional photographers the phrase conjures thoughts of bound albums and mounds of shoeboxes, stuffed to capacity with 5 x 7 inch pictures. For today’s ever growing ranks of digital photographers however, it brings to mind thoughts of a stamp-sized memory card, a pocket hard drive, or CDs and DVDs. Welcome to the world of digital photography, which is fundamentally changing the way we capture and preserve images.

Digital photography today is a rapidly growing consumer pastime with many advantages versus traditional film-based cameras, including the ability to immediately review, erase, annotate or categorize images, speed and ease of operation, and quality at the high end of the digital photography scale. Although some film cameras can operate without batteries, minus the flash, most consumers are unconcerned with use in wet or poor weather environments and are drawn to digital cameras by all of the advantages that they offer.

Because of this, the entire photography industry is changing to embrace different consumer preferences, including a reduced desire for printed photos. The market for printed photos from film in the United States peaked in 2000 at over 30 billion, and then fell to under 26 billion by 2004. Initially, there were problems with quick-service photography shops “cropping” digital images in order to force them to print properly on the same paper used by film cameras - as more and more people move to digital however, services and products emerge to make it easier to transfer your memories from electronic to tangible.

Some people feel that a picture just isn’t a picture if you can’t put it into a frame (although wireless, internet-enabled miniature LCD ‘picture frames’ ARE available) or store it in a photo album. But many of today’s young people are much more comfortable with technology than their parents and grandparents. It is not uncommon for a college student to feel more secure with electronic images than paper ones.

No one is certain whether digital photography will eventually reduce our demand for photo prints, but it is guaranteed that the way of the future in photography is digital. Additionally, there are far more snapshots being taken than ever before, due to the ease with which they can be reviewed and removed from digital cameras. So whether you’re partial to electronic or shoebox image storage, be ready for photos to get easier, better and cheaper in coming years - and of course, keep smiling.



By: Caitlin Moore

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There’s a hidden photographer in everyone. Most of us just need a camera and an opportunity. Camera phones give us the portable technology to make the most of any moment. Many cellular phones now come equipped with an advanced technology camera that can make you an instant digital photographer. Grabbing the hottest deal on the latest camera phone couldn’t be easier with the many carriers and sales specials available these days.

For the latest digital technology in camera phone photography, Nokia camera phones are simply unbeatable. The most current handsets from the Nokia’s N-series cellular phones include a high quality camera in addition to superb video capture. The Nokia N95 camera phone is one of the most recent models in the Nokia N-series camera phones. The outstanding 5 megapixel camera also features Carl Zeiss optics. Equipped with a 20x digital zoom, an auto focus feature,and flash, the mechanical shutter completes the overall photographic outfit. This camera phone takes high quality still photos and shoots DVD quality video clips with a landscape mode.

The 16M color resolution screen display of the Nokia N95 camera phone is standard. A huge storage device curtosey of the expandable microSD memory card slot makes Nokia camera phones sufficient for all your photo and video needs. Sharing pictures with friends just doesn’t get any easier with wireless connections that include Bluetooth, EDGE and WLAN. Other fun features of this multimedia camera phone include a music player with excellent stereo sound technology, high-speed Web browsing, multimedia messaging service, and downloadable games with JAVA technology as well as MP3 compatible ringtones.

Another upcoming hi-tech gizmo is Nokia’s N97 camera phone sporting a 5 megapixel digital camera. Although it is similar to the Nokia N95, this cell phone has unique slider features and a high quality camera. The three inch screen display is large enough to view photographs as well as video clips. The best feature of the Nokia N97 camera phone is that it incorporates a giant 20GB memory. That means storage space galore for photographs, music, games and video clips. Unleash the hidden digital photographer in you by grabbing one of the latest Nokia camera phones.



By: Carrie McGraw

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Ever wonder why other photographers can take such good picture with people? Don’t just envy others, you too can have fun with portrait photography if you practice the following tips.

1. The right mode

This is the simplest way to improve your portrait picture. Look into your camera setting, digital cameras nowadays are often equip with the ‘portrait’ mode. When this is selected, your camera will automatically adjust the setting and give you the right picture.

2. Getting close

Zoom in to your subject and try to blur the background to make your subject stand out. If you don’t do that, your viewers will be distracted by the background and confuse with the message you want to convey with your picture.

3. Spontaneous

You don’t need to be so serious with portrait photography. What you want is to capture the special moment. So, tilt your camera, zoom in, zoom out and you can even edit the picture. You can do anything as long as you capture the expression of the person in the moment.

4. Lighting

You need to be careful with the lightings when you are taking portrait photograph. If the light source is behind your subject, your subject will become darker. Unless you purposely want to do that, if not you should see before your snap the picture.

If you are using flash, make sure you select the red eye off feature when you are photographing under dim light. You don’t want your subject to look like a red eye monster in the picture.

5. Positioning

New photographers like to take portrait photography with the subject in the middle. There is nothing wrong with that but your picture might look better if you can get your subject to the side with lightly blurred background. If you can do this well, you will be able to show different perspective of your subject.



By: michael wong

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What do we mean by Digital Photography Equipment?

Digital cameras are in vogue today and almost everyone carries one everywhere. It reminds one of the Japanese tourists in Europe or America decades ago who became the best ambassadors of Canon, Ikon, Yashika and other famous brands. Today the same companies are manufacturing digital photography equipment and competing with other digital firms around the world. Good and sharp results have always been the requirements of the photographer and digital products do offer the best there is in the world today.

But it is not only about digital cameras alone! One also need several other equipment as ancillaries before your collection of a digital studio or even that small hobby room is complete. With computers controlling the processing and printing of photographs, it is essential to learn a bit of information technology as well to be successful in the use of digital photography equipment.

What equipment do we require for Digital Photography?

Quite obviously the first piece of equipment is a digital camera! The market is full of different makes and models of this product and one need to be very careful in choosing one for their use. For a novice the basic models will suffice while for the professional one may go for a SLR model that is much more sophisticated and has a lot of useful features.

The memory chip or key is an essential part of the digital camera and depending on the usage is rated in terms of MB capacity of storage, just like a hard disk or RAM memory chip!

The batteries used in digital photography equipment are important and only Nickel Metal Hydride or NIMH rechargeable cells must be used. The charger is an important part of the digital equipment and a 4-cell charger is recommended. At least 8 to 10 hours charging is required for the batteries to retain a useful charge life.

The advantage of a digital camera is that you can easily take snapshots of the family and even use the inbuilt self timer to do a remote photographic session. For this one requires a good standard tripod for best results. The tripod will ensure trouble free photography of even moving objects and is imperative as an ancillary to this hobby. This digital photography equipment is only the basics and several optional items can still be purchased.

The software that accompanies the digital camera is without fail the most important item in digital photography. It not only provides proper drivers for the operating system being used, but also bundles variety of image processing software and viewers to facilitate your handling of those lovable pictures that your digital photography equipment took!

Finally, it is always worth your while to review and investigate the multitude of digital cameras and items available in the market. The Internet and off line stores offer great discounts and models to suit almost every taste. One must also check those who have purchased digital photography equipment at one time or the other and have experienced the immense pleasure one gets out of this - let us call it - a social hobby!



By: Seth Willis Jr.

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The digital revolution has made amateur photography more popular than ever before. The days of Fuji film and print processing have been replaced with talk of mega-pixels and memory cards. With hundreds of cheap digital cameras on the market, it’s possible for anyone with a good eye for photography yet little practical knowledge of the mechanics of cameras, to capture great shots with simple “point and shoot” digital models.

For some, a love of photography can turn into a profession. If you’re looking to take your photography to the next level, it’s a good idea to first build up a portfolio of work, and then submit your work to the many dedicated photography websites or competitions. There are hundreds of amateur photography forums and websites where members can submit their work for critical appraisal by other members. Such websites also offer advice and tips on photography techniques.

Another way to get recognition and even payment for your photographs is to submit your shots to magazines. Either choose a general photography magazine to do this, or try specialist consumer magazines. For example, if you are a keen skier, submit your ski shots to a winter sports magazine; or if you enjoy fishing, try an angling magazine. Local papers are also a good place to submit photos, as they are often on the lookout for pictures to accompany their stories.

When submitting your photography to magazines, it’s important to remember that photography is an extremely competitive field and that you will be up against professionals. Therefore, don’t get disheartened if your shots aren’t accepted at first – just keep on shooting and continue submitting; in the world of photography, persistence pays.

Amateur photography competitions are another great way of getting your photography seen, and can win you fans, prizes and even commissions or customers. A good idea is to start small; your local photography club will probably hold various contests; also keep an eye out for other competitions that are within your field of expertise. There are hundreds to enter, and they tend to have set themes – covering everything from travel to sports, nature to nautical and portrait to planes.

The ‘Million Places on Earth’ competition, for example, is offering a top prize of one million dollars for unique location images from anywhere in the world. Other competitions include Embassy Suite Hotels ‘Happiness in Motion’ competition, which carries an all expenses paid trip to Hawaii as their top prize; while UKplus are also holding an online photography competition with a top prize of £1000 for photographs taken within the UK.

Whether it’s for fun, glory, or perhaps a new career path, photography is an extremely rewarding hobby. And you never know - you might just see your picture on the cover of National Geographic one day!



By: Adam Singleton

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When photographers are hired to do a wedding, these professionals know what it takes to get the right shot. These people may not always tell the client to strike a pose and shoot but wait patiently to be able to catch that memorable shot.

There are a lot of great shots that can be taken during a wedding. Here are a few basic styles and techniques for those who also want to capture the event using a digital camera.

1. The individual should take these pictures with a good background or in a not so crowded place so the attention will focus on the newly weds or those who are the intended targets in the shot.

2. If there is a nice background in the back and it is hard to get both, the photographer should shoot the couple from shoulder up. Everyone will be happy and pleased when the pictures come out.

3. If some of the guests are wearing classes, these people can be advised to stand sideways or tilt the head down a little to avoid the reflection that usually occurs when the flash is used.

4. The individual should zoom in or out if there are only two or a group of people in the picture. This will also catch everyone in the shot instead of only getting half of person’s body when the print comes out. This will be embarrassing so the image has to be reviewed at once and deleted so another one can be taken.

5. Proper lighting must be observed at all times. The person must not shoot the couple or the gusts against the light because only a dark image will appear after the picture has been taken.

6. The photographer should also get some stolen moment shots. This should be done when the husband or wife is doing something else or is not looking. This is the trademark of many professionals that is done during the ceremony or the reception.

People will enjoy shots such as the cutting of the cake, the toast and the first kiss or dance. The pictures taken can’t be done again so the individual must be alert and present to get these images on camera.

Photography is truly an art. The person must practice the basics and learn from others to be able to do well in a wedding.



By: Low Jeremy

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r my first digital camera I bought lots of years ago. It was a Mustek and so, a piece of garbage. But back then, this was the best you could get. From the beginning of the early digital days we have come a long way though. Once in a while, some of my friends, because they know I am a photography enthusiast, are asking me what they should look for when buying a digital camera, what the most important features are and how to take quality digital pictures. This is a very hard question that you can answer and thats partly because, honestly, there are a lot of things which can go into the process of taking quality digital pictures. But, I have chosen top three deal breakers, the way I call them, so I will use this article to discuss them in detail.

Unbelievably, unless you have a really high end camera, most important to taking quality digital pictures is lighting. Did you ever took pictures using a poor or fair camera yet still with using such great conditions for lighting, your pictures came out great? Well I have. Actually, with my Mustek, I found out that by setting up good lighting conditions made the camera work like a charm. However, take this light away and your camera will produce the most color washed and grainy pictures that you could ever imagine. Lighting makes all the difference. This puts it on the top in my preference list, above even the camera itself. Hence, if you are on a tight budget and can’t buy a great camera, you should make sure that you have sufficient light.

Next is the camera itself. Basically, the better is the camera, the better is the quality for the pictures. However, there is a problem, and that is how to decide whats a great camera? You can’t go only by mega pixels as each producer has different methods by which they are represented. So a camera that has 8 mega pixels could actually not be such as good for quality as one camera produced by other manufacturer and which has only 6 mega pixels. So, read as much unbiased reviews for each camera you are thinking to buy. How could you tell which review is unbiased? Thats one where there is no link to the camera.

Finally, theres the photographers skill. Unfortunately, this you cant buy out of a box. Skill is something that I picked up with time, but, its something that you could learn and develop.

By: Alex Don

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Anyone who wants to learn how to be a photographer doesn’t have to enroll for many years to get a degree. There are colleges who offer this as one of the subjects which the student may take as an elective. Can you still learn how to be a photographer being out of school for many years? The answer is yes. The only thing needed is your dedication to learn from the proper techniques and a camera to take some shots.

Some students don’t have to go to campus anymore. There are some institutions that offer distance education. A good example is the New York Institute of Photography.

You will learn everything from exposure, lenses, the various techniques used to cover different events, journalism and much more. Being affiliated with the school, you will be entitled to free online magazine articles such as contests and digital imaging.

Classes are composed of 30 lectures on various topics. You will get a brief introduction through each and then can specialize on a particular field of interest. The nice thing about the program is that you don’t have to quit your regular job. This can be done in your free time so there isn’t any pressure in learning everything about photography.

Aside from theoretical lectures, there will be a lot of hands on experience. This will make it easy for you to apply what has been learned as seen in the photographs that have been taken using the camera.

The common notion of being a photographer is that you must have a dark room to develop the photos. You will be happy to know that this isn’t the practice anymore. Some of the best names in the business don’t do this anymore which gives more time to focus on getting the perfect shots.

Education is something you can never get enough of even as you get older. The curriculum is there. All the individual has to do is acquire knowledge from some of the best then apply it after finishing the course.

The rewards of becoming a photographer are endless. It is up to the you whether or not you have the potential to win the Pulitzer Prize or be one of many who do this as a profession.

Photography school can be a lot of fun. You should just submit the requirements then enroll in the course.



By: David Douglas

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Digital cameras are used for many events and special occasions. To transfer our favorite pictures from the camera to the computer we need to use special software that will facilitate this. This software is known as digital photography software, and you will find many varieties of it available on the market.

This digital photography software can sometimes be found with the digital camera that you buy. In the digital photography software there are various items to be found. These different programs will allow you to manipulate the pictures that you have taken when they are finally on your computer.

There are different types of digital photography software that can be found and used. You will need to make sure that all of the features in the software work properly before you download any of your stored images. The software can be ZoomBrowser EX 5.1, ArcSoft PhotoStudio, PhotoStitch and ImageBrowser 5.1 among the many varieties.

There are different types of digital camera software that you can use for Windows computers and ones for Mac computers. A few of these differences are found in the browser programs. The ImageBrowser 5.1 is to be used with Mac computers and it allows you to view, archive and manage your digital photographs. This is true for the Windows version, the ZoomBrowser 5.1.

To make these many different types of digital photography software work you will need access to device drivers. These drivers that you must have in your computer’s hardware should be TWAIN for Windows 98/2000. For Windows ME you should have WIA installed.

Besides these digital photography software you also need to have a Picture Transfer Protocol or a PTP on your computer. This Picture Transfer Protocol provides the support that you need for your digital camera to connect to any Windows XP (SP1 - 2) or Mac OS X (v10.1.5 - 10.3). With this transfer protocol you don’t need to look for the various requirements that are needed for device driver installation.

By looking at these various digital photography software you can gain an idea of the types of software that you will need to buy. The different kinds of software that is available today should not be that expensive.

You will however need to see if these various programs are compatible with your computer and your digital camera. The various features that are found with digital photography software, allows the camera enthusiast to create the masterpieces that they want.



By: DPMastery

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