Understanding Light for Photography

It seems like a simple concept, but surprisingly one of the most basic understandings that will immediately improve the way you take photographs is the understanding of light and the direction its coming from.

A common mistake many photographers make is to put their subjects in front of a light source. You often see this during a beautiful sunset with beautiful, saturated colors. The natural tendency is to want to take a picture with this beautiful light in the background. The problem is that since the light is coming from behind the subject, the subject is in a dark shadow. Compounding this is the amount of light your camera is capable of detecting. The human eye can observe and see a very wide range of light. We can see many details in shadows and highlights - and our eyes can rapidly adjust for lighting conditions. Cameras on the other hand (particularly digital cameras) have a very narrow range of light that is recorded. It's enough to make great photographs, but in the case of that great sunset - the subject in the shadows will be too dark to get any details from. The subject will be a black silhouette against a beautiful sky.

There are several solutions to getting a picture like this to work. The best thing to do is to turn on your camera's flash mode to "fill flash". This will pop the camera's flash at the end of the exposure just in time to light up the face of the person you're shooting a picture of. You'll still have the great sunset.

If you don't have a flash, you can try some more artistic options such as posing the silhouette in an interesting way. Or better yet, just turn your subject around and allow that beautifully colored sunset light their face and hair. They will look stunning. Other options to consider are playing with your composition to try and get both the sunset and the subjects face. This can be done by moving in closer and shooting your subject at a 45 degree angle with the sunset near the back at an opposite 45 degree angle.

There are many options you can try with just a simple point and shoot camera. However if you are using something a little more robust such as a DSLR there are additional options that you could explore with off camera flash units.

Ted Forbes is a photographer, writer, filmmaker and media producer from Dallas, TX. He has a photography podcast that he's maintained successfully since 2008 and also offers photography tips for people wanting to get better. He's been a guest speaker at several major international conferences and spends most of his time teaching and working on new projects.

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Why Do People Use Photoshop?

Photoshop is the most popular and widely used photo editing software. For most professional photographers, it is the most reliable tool for simple and complicated photo enhancement. Then again, a lot of beginners are overwhelmed by the number of functions the program has. Those who like the steep learning curve may jump into the wagon and learn basic to advance photo editing skills. But those who limit their photo enhancement to exposure correction and color enhancement may look at simpler photo editors.

The advantages of Photoshop are far too numerous to be discussed in a single article. The main purpose photographers edit pictures on Photoshop is to improve their appearance. The improvement is mainly for enhancement purposes. Advanced editing is for artistic purposes. Professional photographers can change the way their photos look by making fine adjustments on color and exposure. Photoshop can also salvage flawed photography (e.g. curing overblown highlights). There are two major goals. One is to make the photo more presentable. Another is to make the photo appeal aesthetically to the viewers.

People who are having photography as a hobby should invest in good photo editing software, like Photoshop. However, with Adobe Photoshop free download sites, many can avail of the advantages of professional photo enhancement. But, since Photoshop is overwhelming for beginners, online instructional materials are available. There are many experts who are generous enough to share what they know to the public. Sites like Adobe Connection offer free tips and advice to both carefree and serious photographers alike.

Although Photoshop is a bit complicated to use for the novice, it has several quick editing options. It provides quick options for those who just want to adjust the composition, brightness, contrast, color saturation, and noise reduction. Good photographers usually have good photos to begin with, that only slight photo enhancement is necessary to make a good picture look much better. Unlike simple photo editors, Photoshop offers fine tuning of these elements. In other words, you can make automatic adjustments as well as fine tuning, for more precise enhancements.

There are also functions on Photoshop that you cannot find on other photo editors. Advanced picture enhancement involves the removal of facial imperfections and blemishes, which is important in portrait photographs. Photoshop also has options for you to change the background of the subject, combine different photos or enhance the dynamic range in the photo.

However, Adobe Photoshop may not be appropriate for some types of people. Carefree snapshooters hardly edit their pictures before posting them online. These people do not even need any kind of editing software. Photoshop would just take up useless space on their PCs. The other types of people who do not need this picture editing software are those who mainly do basic editing. There are many people who do not fancy elaborate photo editing. Photojournalists and snapshooters usually limit photo editing only to exposure correction, color adjustments, noise reduction, and cropping. These can be done using basic editors.

As more people are joining the photography bandwagon, more are also using editing tools to further enhance their pictures. A significant amount of photos posted online have been edited on some software. As many people aspire to become better photographers, more of them are making use of editing software to take their work of art to the next level.

If you would like to know more about Adobe Connection please click here.

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Self Portrait Photography Tips That Will Inspire Your Creative Self!

Creative Visualization

When thinking about your intended self portrait, take a moment to think about how you want to be portrayed in your image. We all have more than one side to us. What kind of emotion do you want to convey? You may know how to say what you want to photograph in words, but putting it into visual images and communicating is a different story. Remember, that you are creating a visual story with your picture.

Be creative. Day dream for a while. Even meditate if necessary. In this state of mind, you may see images as a primary means of communication instead of words.

Reflect on your experiences. How do you see yourself? How do you think the world see's you? How do you wish the world could see you? Draw from your life experiences, good, bad or indifferent.

Visual Communication

Your self portrait photography should be a means of visual communication. You are, in a sense, creating a personal symbol. Remember your self portrait is all about you. Don't make the mistake of including other people in your image. When you do this it is no longer a self portrait. This should be all about you. In other words, when thinking of your creative image, if you are a mom, taking a picture with your child, or, of your child, for example, is not considered a self portrait image.

When creating a self portrait, think about expressing who you are at that moment. What is it that you want to say? There are many ways of telling the viewer of your self image something about yourself. Many people think that when they are creating a self portrait, that their face has to literally be in the picture. This is not always the case. Think about other ways that you can convey a message about yourself.

Inspiration For Creating Your Self Portrait Photography

Let's say, for an example, you think of yourself as a drama queen. Theatrically speaking, of course! You might want to put some sort of crown on the top of your head. Put on some very form fitting clothes, or maybe, a big, fluffy full length ball gown. You can sit in a chair, showing a profile view of your self, or stand. Near a wall place a bright light or two, such a flood light, direct the light onto the wall. Place your camera on a sturdy tripod. Set the self timer on your camera and pose yourself in a dramatic fashion so that your shadow shows up on the wall. Pose in a way that there is some portion of your body, along with the shadow on the wall, that will appear in the frame of the picture. For example, it could be a hand or your head, etc. Be creative. Stand still while the camera takes the shot of you and your shadow. This may take several shots before you get the one that gives the message of the drama queen that you are trying to portray.

Keep in mind when creating your self portrait photography that your face does not have to be in the picture, or it can be, it's up to you. But, a true image of yourself, should tell the viewer something about you, and show something of your personal self included in the picture frame, even if it is only your hands holding a book. What ever you do, have fun with it!

How have you been inspired by these tips to create your own self portrait photography?

Head over to http://www.photography-tips-and-resources.com/ where you can see my very own visual story in portrait style.

While you are there, post your own wonderful self portrait. Tell us the story behind your image, if you wish, or let us try to come up with what we think you are communicating. Either way, it's a great way to be creative, capture some great images of yourself and have some fun. The camera you use doesn't matter. You can use your iPhone or iPad, point and shoot camera or DSLR. See you there. Have fun with it!

Mary E. Foster, MFA, is a professional photographic artist. She enjoys teaching as well as working with all aspects of photography, from developing film, and making black and white prints in her darkroom to shooting digital imagery and editing it on the computer. You can find many more helpful photography tips, resources and lots of inspiration by visiting her website at http://www.photography-tips-and-resources.com/. While you are there sign up to receive a new photography tip every week through your email.

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Tips for Photographing Fireworks

Everyone loves a great fireworks show and it seems that lots of people take pictures while they are at the show. Here is a question for you. How many great pictures of fireworks have you seen taken by any of your friends or relatives?

I'll bet your answer is not many. Now, have you ever wondered why everyone doesn't have at least a couple of really good shots of fireworks? After all, the shows are free and the people that there seem to be snapping pictures like crazy.

I'll answer the question for you. It is because a little preparation and planning is needed to increase your chances of getting some really nice shots at a fireworks display.

The following are a few tips that might help when you are photographing fireworks.

Use a Tripod: This fireworks photography tip applies whether you are using a point and shoot Digital Compact Camera or a Digital SLR camera. The reason you will need a tripod is because it is best to photograph fireworks at slow shutter speeds.

Slower shutter speeds allow the camera to gather more light from the fireworks scene against the dark sky. When a camera is hand held and a slow shutter speed is used, the result will be a blurred picture.

If you don't have a tripod, try placing the camera on a steady surface when taking the pictures. Sometimes, even the roof of your car might help.

Arrive early, claim a good spot: If you have time before the show, this fireworks photography tip can be very useful. As you probably know, fireworks shows are usually pretty crowded and you don't want to have to reach over someone's head to take a shot.

Some people might like to be close to the fireworks, but from a photography standpoint, it is better to be a little distance away from the actual scene. It is better to be able to shoot towards the fireworks rather than shooting straight up at them.

Also, if you are not right upon the fireworks, you might be able to include a little more than the fireworks burst in your picture. A building, a monument, or a skyline along with the fireworks bursts might make the images a little more interesting.

It is up to you to decide if you want anything but fireworks in your pictures. However, no matter what you decide, make sure you have a clear line of vision before you begin to photograph the fireworks.

Horizontal or Vertical? It doesn't make a whole lot of difference if you hold the camera in the vertical or horizontal position when photographing the fireworks. However, since fireworks are shot upward in a vertical plane, it might not be a bad idea to shoot single bursts with the camera in the vertical position. On the other hand if there are several bursts going on at one time, the horizontal position will give you more room to frame the whole scene.

Exposure settings for photographing fireworks: If you are using a compact digital camera, you cannot manually change exposure settings. Try using the fireworks scene mode of your camera. The fireworks mode will automatically set a slow shutter speed to photograph fireworks. (once again that is why you need a tripod or a steady surface for the camera).

If you are a Digital SLR user, use your cameras' manual mode. It would be great if you use the bulb "B" shutter setting. The "B" setting allows you to keep the shutter as long as you like. That way can open the shutter just before the burst, and close it right after if you choose to do so.

If you don't use the "B" setting, experiment with shutter speeds from 2-8 seconds. Also, try using a remote shutter release to avoid camera shake from pressing the shutter button.

As for the camera lens aperture settings, use smaller aperture openings between F8 and F16 if possible. Although the sky is dark, the fireworks are bright and overexposure is possible when using large aperture and slow shutter speed.

Use low ISO settings like ISO 100 if possible: Higher ISO setting like ISO 800 or ISO 1600 might produce grainy looking images. (depending on what camera you use.) So try to use an ISO setting of ISO 200 or less.

Timing is everything: Fireworks bursts will appear quickly and disappear just as fast. Pre focus your digital compact camera on an area where the fireworks are being generated from. Hold that focus until you are ready to take your next shot. You will save time by not having to focus once the firework is in the air.

If you are using a Digital SLR camera use your manual focus feature prior to or during the first burst. You won't have to refocus if you stay in the same location and use the same focal length.

Listen for a thump like sound or a whistling sound in the air. Those sounds indicate that fireworks have just been shot into the air. For best results do not wait until you see the bright explosion. Press the shutter as soon as you know something has been fired into the air. That way your camera will get the full effect of the burst from the beginning.(that is if your camera is already pointed right at the area of the fireworks and set at a slow shutter speed).

Photographing fireworks might be a little tricky at first. However, with a little practice you should come out with some pleasing results.

I hope these tips on photographing fireworks will be useful to you.

For more useful information about taking pictures, visit http://easybasicphotography.com/ or for more about fireworks photography visit http://easybasicphotography.com/photographing-fireworks

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Using The Neutral Density Filter For Better Landscape Photography

Photo Tip - using the neutral density filter. Neutral density filters are used to block light coming into the lens so that we can have longer exposure times than the available light would allow without the filter. As a piece of landscape photography camera gear, it is indispensable.

I've written about neutral density filters in a previous article and this one will build on that!

Let's review... To explain how a neutral density filter works, I used an old standby, the waterfall - shot on a bright and sunny day.

By the way - Angel Falls in Venezuela is the world's highest waterfall, at 979 meters. This waterfall is sixteen times the height of Niagara Falls.Imagine shooting that!

Actually, don't imagine it... set a goal and find a way to go do it!

With the available light, we may have a fast shutter speed that will freeze every droplet in place. If that is what we want, great!

What if we want that long and silky cotton candy effect we see so often?

To do that, we need a longer exposure time. That's where the neutral density filter comes in. It blocks light entering the lens and allows for the longer exposure times needed.

Neutral density filters come in various filtration densities and can be stacked to get to the exposure times we want.

This works on water flowing in a river too! Fast shutter speeds freeze the water - slow shutter speeds make it a long silky cotton candy string.

If you live near the ocean, try going to the beach and shooting the waves as they crash onto the shore. With enough neutral density filters, you can totally flatten them out and make it look like there were no waves at all! Toss in a dramatic sky and you have a contest winner for sure!

Today we will delve even further into the neutral density filter.

In previous articles I've written that the best time of day for landscape photography is at dawn and dusk. That will give us the most beautiful light on our subject.

But there is a problem. Because of the dramatic difference in light (on the ground vs. in the sky) at that time of day, half your photograph is improperly exposed!

If our subject is the dramatic cloud formations in the sky, that's great. We make them the star. We expose for all the light in the sky, but that makes the ground go dark. (The ground is under exposed.)

If our star is the ground, we expose for the minimal light on the ground, but that lets the sky get blown out. (The sky is over exposed.)

How can we shoot at the best times of day, still have a star in our photo - either the ground or the sky - but not have the rest of the photo be improperly exposed?

Enter the split neutral density filter!

This is a filter where half of it is clear and the other half is a neutral density filter. They come in various degrees of density and the dividing line can be sharp or a gradual fade.

This way we can hold back some of the light in the sky and not affect the light on the ground.

All you need to do is determine what the amount of difference there is in exposure value between the sky and the ground - then add enough neutral density light blockage to the sky to make them the same!

Since it is "neutral" it will not take away any of the colors or drama in your shot... it just cuts back on the light being admitted to the lens.

Adding neutral density filters to your landscape photography arsenal it vital. They are an essential piece of camera gear that you should never leave home without - if you want to put some of the "WOW" factor into your landscape photography. For more information, check the resource box!

To learn more and enroll in a FREE "photo tips" course, go to: http://ontargetphototraining.com/

Bonus... You will also get YOUR free copy of " 7 Secrets To Stunning Photos! " AND you'll get a FREE daily photo tips newsletter! Check it out right now while you are thinking about it!

Dan Eitreim has been a professional photographer in Southern California for over 20 years - his data base exceeds 6000 past clients, and he says that learning photography is easy, if you know a few tried and true strategies.

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Why Should You Invest in Building a Green Screen Studio?

If you dream of doing creative and innovative photography, green screen technology is the right solution for you. This is an easy and convenient way of adding excitement to your pictures or videos. This simple technology deals with removal of certain part of the image and replacing it with the desired picture. All you need to do is to take your subject's pictures in front of a green screen and later on replace the green screen with whatever image you desire. You can make your subject stand inside a burning house or on the moon; it's up to your imagination and your subject's requirement. Whatever may be the desired effect, it is conveniently feasible inside your studio, provided you have a properly set green workshop. Here are all the reasons why you must invest in a good green screen kit to set up a green screen studio.

Work at your own convenience

Since you will be shooting in your green studio, you and your subject will have all the flexibility to shoot anytime you both want. You are no more dependent on the availability of the location, natural light timings, etc. In this case, everything is controlled by you and you can use the resources as per your requirement. Since, you don't have to go out, the issue such as traveling, lodging, licenses, passport and visa for out of country location, etc. are eliminated. Your studio will be your world.

Increase your productivity

Since your outdoor activities are entirely reduced, you will save a lot of time that you usually spend traveling to the shooting location, staying there if required and waiting for favorable environmental conditions to shoot. If you are a passionate photographer looking to make big bucks, you can work overtime and increase your income. Shooting indoors will not be that tiresome as shooting outdoors.

Be independent of the natural elements

You don't have to bother about the bad weather spoiling your shoot or a delayed subject messed up your effort to shoot in natural light. Each and every element of your work is controlled by either you or your subject. All you need to bother about is to have a good quality green screen backdrops kits sold by many renowned online retail stores.

Create magical pictures without much effort

You don't have to struggle hard to capture that extra-ordinary shot. Conveniently shoot inside your miniature green world with all the leisure and edit the pictures to make your fans feel that you sweated a lot for it.

Save money but get the best

All your outdoor expenses will be reduced to zero; however, despite being inside a closed studio with few basic types of equipment, you will be able to do much better than what you have done earlier at your on-location shoot. Many professional photographers even feel that the quality of photos that they can make by green screen technology is unmatchable.

All the above benefits justify the investment that you need to do for revamping your traditional studio to a green screen lab.

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