Artistic Photography-Photographers

Photography is an all encompassing term used for all types of image capture but there are in fact distinct variations in the manner in which photography is approached in different genres. Different genres of photography require a different style and perspective. The techniques used by photographers vary based on the subject, the situation and the end use of the image or scene.
Photography has always been considered an art and a creative process. This creativity is enhanced by the availability of camera features that make possible a wide range of ideas and styles.
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 re!
duced 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 a!
ll 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.

About The Author

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

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

The majority of photographers are employed in television, mailing and reproduction services, newspapers or as portrait photographers. There were over 131,000 photography jobs in the year 2000 and the number is expected to grow at a rate of about 10 to 20 percent through this decade. The basic description of these jobs, may be changing. Due to digital photography and the popularity of electronic media such as news and entertainment, people seeking a photography career will be seeing demand for their talents shifting in new and exciting avenues.

Other Related Photography Career Fields

- Journalism

- Graphic Arts

- Advertising

- Art

- Desktop Publishing

- Printing and Publishing

- Television and Motion Picture Production

Photography Career Facts for Students to Consider:

- Recent news has revealed that digital cameras and photography paraphernalia are now dominating the market for photography equipment including the internet.

- The majoority of Photographers are working in large populated areas.

- Approximately half of working photographers are self-employed and demand continues to grow.

- Marketing researchers ‘InfoTrends Research Group’ stated in a 2004 survey that approximaately half the professional photographers who did not have a digital camera intended to get one before the end of the year.

- Photography jobs are forcasted to rise about 10 to 12 percent through to 2012.

- During an interview undertaken for the Photo.net website, a professional photographer (David Julian) advised up and coming photographers to focus on composure — and to worry about technical details of photography later.

- The average yearly wage for photographers that worked for salary was about $24,000, with most falling within the range of $14,600 to $49,900.

- During 2002 there were approximately 130,000 photographers working in the U.S.A.

- Professional photographer David Julian in an interview done for the Photo.net website, advised amateur photographers who want to go into business to work for successful professionals and learn how they operate their businesses initially.

- A 2004 survey done by the marketing researcher, InfoTrends Research Group, finds that approximately 80% (and growing) of all professional photographers use digital cameras.

Regardless of where the work is, we will continue to need and depend on photographers with creativity and vision to make us see ourselves in the better light.

This article has been supplied courtesy of Roy Barker. Roy often writes and works closely with Profitable Photography Business. If the previous link is inactive, you can paste this one into your browser - profitable-photography.com This site is dedicated to coaching you in starting your own photography business but places a strong emphasis on profitability issues & guidelines. You can also gain many photography resources (some free) from Photography or if this link is inactive, you can copy and paste this link into your browser - profitable-photography.com/resources.php If you seek further guides, articles and news, you can go to Photography Tips or if this link is inactive, you can paste this address in your browser photography-business-tips.com

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

You only have one shot at perfect pictures. If you choose the wrong photographer, your once-in-a-lifetime wedding pictures can be lost forever. Here are some tips for finding a great wedding photographer:

1. How experienced is this photographer? Does he specialize in wedding photography? While everyone needs to start somewhere, do you really want one to begin with your wedding, no matter how good the price? Choose a photographer who not only has experience with wedding photography, but who also can show you examples of his or her work at previous weddings.

2. What is the style of the photographer? Do his sample shots look the way you want your wedding photos to look? Look for a great mix of styles, from formal and posed to more casual and relaxed styles. Look for how the photographer uses light in the pictures. And look for a photographer who takes shots that you like.

3. Ask the photographer if he’s the one who will be handing your wedding personally or if he plans to send a staff photographer. You have the right to know who you’re going to be paying for. Asking in advance eliminates nasty surprises.

4. Do you like the photographer? If he’s nasty or bossy or has a trait you don’t care for, his presence - and direction for posed shots - can ruin your otherwise perfect day. There are plenty of photographers; pick one you can live with.

5. How does he dress? Is he well-groomed? And what does he intend to wear to the wedding? Especially if you have a dress code at the wedding venue, you need to be certain your photographer presents a certain appearance.

6. How expensive is this photographer? You don’t have to choose the cheapest photographer, and probably should not, but you want someone in your price range. Get an idea of all his prices, including any reordered packages. And find out how long he keeps negatives. You may want to order more in five years.

7. How prompt is this photographer? How quickly will they get the proofs, pictures and albums back? Does he supply electronic media as well, or just printed photos?

8. Look carefully at the offered packages and a la carte deals. Are they the wedding photos you really want, or do you think you can do better with a different plan? Try to arrange a deal if you don’t like any packages. If you’re making a large order, your photographer should work with you.

9. How much time will he take photographing you and the wedding party at the event? You don’t want someone who will take too few shots, but you also don’t want to spend your entire wedding day in front of a camera. Ask how many different shots he takes on average as well.

10. Does the contract make sense to you? It should be clear, with everything addressed you’ve discussed with the photographer. You should feel that it’s fair. Make sure deposits and cancellations are spelled out, as well as the photographer’s not showing up. If you don’t understand it, talk to a lawyer. This can be a very big investment, and you don’t want to find yourself in a legal bind over it.

11. Use our Wedding Photo Worksheet to help you choose all the perfect photos for your wedding, quickly and easily. Go through the shots you want with the photographer, and make sure he’s going to work with you.

12. Make sure you get references from previous clients, from the Better Business Bureau, from the Chamber of Commerce. Ask around at reception halls and churches the wedding photographer has worked at to see what they think. Is he a member of the Professional Photographers of America or another professional organization?

And one last thing: besides the wedding photographer, you really should have disposable cameras on the tables. You never know what’s going to happen: the photographer not showing up, or being busy photographing the wedding party while Uncle Milt is doing that weird thing with his nose. Sometimes the photos taken by guests become the most treasured keepsakes from your wedding.

Lesley-Ann Graham runs WeddingTrix.com - a valuable wedding planning resource with articles, tips and advice to help you plan your perfect wedding. The Bride, Groom, Best Man, Bridesmaids and Groomsmen can find it all at http://www.WeddingTrix.com

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

I’ve been practising wildlife photography on safari for over twenty years now in places like the Kruger National Park, Chobe, Okavango Delta, and Hwange game reserves and these four tips have been indispensable in making sure that I get some decent wildlife photographs.

1. The Right Equipment

I believe that you can’t beat the quality of film but that digital offers wildlife photography practitioners more options at a better cost so for the purposes of a safari trip a digital camera is your best bet.

It should have some of the following characteristics to qualify as a good safari camera.

There should be little or no lag between the time you depress the shutter release button and the photo is taken. Some of the compact digitals on the market today suffer from this affliction and it’s not ideal when you come across fast moving wildlife subjects.

It should be ready to take photographs at a moments notice because that is sometimes all the time you have before an animal disappears into the undergrowth. No long power up cycle.

Due to the fact that most of your nocturnal wildlife sightings on safari will occur during early morning and dusk it needs to be able to function well in low light conditions as well as bright sunlight during the day for the diurnal animals.

Lenses should have a focal length of at least 70mm for adequate wildlife photography and an image stabiliser is not essential but a great help in eliminating blur.

Another piece of equipment that is essential however is a deadrest in the form of a beanbag or a window mounted tripod that you can rest the camera on to help stabilise the long lenses. Handholding a long lens will often lead to blurring and the dead rest will prevent this. A tripod or monopod is impractical because you will be taking photos from the safari vehicle for most of the time.

2. The Best Wildlife Photography Areas

You can have all the right equipment and the best wildlife photography talent in the world but it won’t mean much if you can’t find any wildlife to take pictures of.

Some areas in Africa are better in terms of safari photography than others. The top five for getting excellent overall wildlife picture opportunities are:

Kenya - Masai Mara Tanzania - Serengeti South Africa - Kruger National Park Botswana - Moremi Namibia - Etosha

3. Patience and Luck

Everything comes to him who waits is a very relevant saying for wildlife photography. Patience will help you get better photographs because you will be able to take pictures of animal behaviour that you would otherwise have missed.

The role of luck mustn’t be underestimated either. There is no guarantee of what you will encounter in a game reserve and whatever you do get to see and photograph is a matter of a little bit of planning and a lot of good fortune.

4. Light and Composition

Because you are at the mercy of the elements in wildlife photography, you don’t have too much control over the light. Flash is of no use when the animal is at a distance and you can’t wait for better light conditions because the subject could move off at any moment so you need to make the best of what you have.

And due to the habits of nocturnal species you will find yourself taking lots of pictures in low light conditions at dawn and dusk which is why a fast lens and a dead rest is essential. Using bracketing (changing the exposure by one stop up and down) will also help get the optimal exposure in the available light.

What you do have some control over is the position of the safari vehicle which can be moved to change the aspect of light that is falling on the animal somewhat but even that is sometimes not possible because in most reserves you are not allowed to go off-road and moving might scare the subject away.

Composition is something you do have more control of however and you can apply the rule of thirds and framing using the available vegetation just as well as in any other form of photography.

Be especially careful using the autofocus on your camera because it will cheerfully focus on a twig or tuft of grass close to your animal subject and spoil your composition.

You will also need to make your compositional decisions quickly as wildlife often doesn’t hang about long waiting for you to make your mind up so it pays to have a solid foundation in the basics.
About the Author
Collection of African safari pictures depicting most of the animals you can see on safari like lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, crocodile, chimpanzee, baboon, gorilla, rhino and many more species.

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

When it comes time to pick your professional wedding photographer you will want to make sure you do your homework. Your photographer will be the person you deal with more than anyone else involved in your wedding. They will be the one you want to feel the most comfortable with because they are with you the whole day. An experienced photographer can direct everything about your day from beginning to end.

If you like their work and feel comfortable with them, they can be your calming force during the fast, hectic pace of the wedding day. They will be a personal assistant to help you as well as take great photographs. They will also make sure that everything moves along so you do not miss the experience of the day.

After the wedding they are one of the few people that you continue to work with as you create your wedding album.I think you should also hire someone who is doing digital photography and handles most of their digital enhancements of their work. A photographer who is proficient with photoshop and digital enhancement is a major plus, as they can do anything imaginable to your images.

So try and hire someone who you like and get along with, someone whose photographic style you like, and someone who does most of their image enhancement after the event. If you can find a photographer who is all of these things then you will be assured of a successful day, as well as wonderful images, and a friend who will record all the important events in you life.

http://thebestweddingdayplanner.comhttp://thebestweddingdayplanner.com

About the Author
Ed has been a professional wedding photographer for almost 30 years. Ed and his wife Susan have been featured in The Professional Photographer and had their pictures published in many other magazines.

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

“Any good photography is a successful synthesis of technique and art.” - Andreas Feininger

This article will attempt to help you come to a clearer understanding of the photography schools and colleges available, what they can offer you in terms of photo and arts education, and guide you towards investigating more about specific schools and where you can find out more information.

Photography SchoolsPhotography is a wonderful choice when it comes to a career. Photography is a versatile path that allows you to specify within the degree, and move from different types of photography within your lifetime. From magazine covers to exotic locations to local newspapers, a career in photography will allow you to pick and choose exactly what you want to photograph. However, a career in photography doesn’t happen with well wishes and hopes…you have to work to get there! So where do you begin in your search for photography schools? Right here!

You’ll have to learn about the photography business, learn how to deal with copyright issues and information, manage your photo porfolio and how to work with others in the field. There are many courses in the field of photography taught at many of the schools, teaching you in a variety of areas including:

* Photographic equipment
* Photographic processes
* Photograph techniques
* Color theory
* Special skills
* Digital imaging and photo processing

There are many many more fields available when it comes to your career path in photography, the above were simply some examples.

If you’re passionate about photography and want to pursue this versatile career, it’s important that you take the time to learn from experienced professionals that can guide you in your efforts to pursue professional photography, motion picture and video photography, visual journalism, and thinks like visual communications. What’s great about attending photography schools nationwide is that you dont’ have to begin an expert, you begin a beginner! Many of you are pursuing this field because you have a natural eye for photography, and that’s great - but maybe you’re just developing one. That’s great too! What you probably didn’t know is that photography school will teach you much more than simply how to snap a few brief pictures and dip em in developer. They teach you the scientific processes of film, chemistry, optics, color theory, lighting rations, and digital and computer skills.

You’ll also find collegues and students at your school that share your passion, talents, and skill and want to join in mutual efforts to further your careers. Here are a few photography school frequently asked questions that might help you!

* What is the objective of many photography schools?
* What types of photography might I choose to go into?
* What type of school should I look for?
* What are some of the top schools in the US?

What is the objective of many photography schools?
The objective (or the objective I believe is crucial to selecting a school) of many is to develop photographers that are technically and professionally sound, enabling them to pursue any photographic field and compete in the job marketplace.

What types of photography might I choose to go into?
There are many different types of photography fields, including fasion photography, digital photography, advertising photography, editorial photography, documentary style, wedding photography, portrait photography, or photo technician style work. You’ll be prepared to do any of these with a solid education at a photo college or school.

What type of school should I look for?
My recommendation is a school that teaches nothing but photography! Obviously affordability is important, but a photo only institute is a great way to go!

What are some of the top schools in the US?
There are several wonderful photography schools, but some of ones we’ll choose to highlight are Brooks Institute of Photography and the Art Institute of Colorado. For a more detailed list of Photography schools and information, please click here or continue browsing this article.

Brooks is a world leader when it comes to visual arts and photographic education. You’ll want to find a photography school that helps to meet career oriented needs that you establish before you search. You’ll want one with experience in the field for a long period of time, not just a hokey internet college.

You want want that can offer you a chance to broaden your resume through internships and opportunities. The joy of this career is that you get to turn your photographic ambition into something that pays the bills and you love to do every single day! Who wouldn’t want that! I hope this article has proved even a little helpful, and that you’ll consider going into the wonderful field of photography!

*This article is from http://www.youseekit.com and is originally located at http://www.youseekit.com/Arts/Photography_Schools.html

Andy is the owner of YouSeekIt.com, an article resource site, and this article can be found here : Photography Schools

Copyright Andrew Holloway - http://www.youseekit.com

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

Photographing food is probably one of the most challenging kinds of photography out there. It is considered difficult by most professional food photographers because there is a time constraint in the whole photo shoot.

And since the marketability of the food itself depends primarily on how it is seen in print, food photographers should be well trained and skilled in order to come up with satisfying results.

TIPS IN TASTEFUL FOOD PHOTOGRAPHY

1. Know your camera well. It is a must that you familiarize yourself with all its features and functions especially the basic operations like focus/auto focus, exposure compensation, white balance, image resolution and size, and flash modes operation. Know when to use these features in order to highlight the best angles of your subject.

2. Familiarize yourself with other equipment. Knowing the proper use of a tripod or stabilizer will help you focus on your subject better and will also avoid camera shake that usually causes blurring.

3. Fill the gap and the distance. If space and time permit, get close to your subject as close as possible. It is recommended that you fill the entire frame of with your subject to create a satisfying image. Distance will give a full view of the food s texture and ingredients.

4.Carefully calculated focus and depth-of-field (DOF). The use of depth-of-field never fails to create wonders in food photo shoots. With careful adjustment of focus and depth of field, you can bring to life any dish that is your subject. (TIP: Use wider or more open for a shallow DOF and a smaller or more closed one for a deeper shots.)

5. Identify the standout ingredient. Before taking any shot, assess the scene closely and look for something that can grab people s attention right away. You can use this main feature of the food as the subject of your subject.

6. It s all in the lighting. Like in any photography styles, lighting or available light can make or unmake any photograph. Since food is the major subject in food photography, it is better that the setting is bright and the lights are soft so as to make the food more appetizing. In digital cameras, turning on the White Balance feature of the equipment can solve dark settings in an instant.

7. Pay attention to your set-up. It is a must to take the time off to setup your food photo shoot. If there are distracting elements in the background, remove them. If you think there s something missing in the set up, then think of something else that would fill the empty space or gap. Prepare the garnish, the props, and other materials you might need for the shoot.

This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Photography, please visit http://photography.articlekeep.com

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

I have been experimenting for a while now with travel photography, and every time I go away I take hundreds of pictures. The most I ever took on a trip were 900+ pictures on my trip last year to Spain! After that experience I realized that almost 1000 pictures was a bit much and it took me a very long time to sort out my images.

Since then I have become more discerning, and I no longer snap away at everything that moves (or everything that’s stationary as well). But I still end up with a few hundred pictures after each and every one of my getaways. Fortunately, digital photography has made taking pictures easy, and the good thing is you can snap away and if you don’t like the picture, you just erase it. (But make sure you don’t erase the whole memory card, as my husband did after a fabulous first-time exploration of Paris….)

I am not much of a technical photographer (yet), I really rely very much on my camera’s basic all-round settings. The only thing I have experimented with recently is macro (close-up) photography with the help of my brother-in-law. I try to follow some basic photography rules, such as getting closer to my subject, adding depth to landscape shots by placing people, trees or animals in the foreground, keeping the camera steady, or putting the sun behind me. Other than that I pretty much just try to frame the shot, pull the trigger and see what happens.

Last year I even tried to experiment using people as subjects for my photos. On the island of Ibiza I saw a really interesting family of Gypsies - 3 generations including grandmother, a young couple and their grandchild - and I asked in the politest Spanish that I could muster, whether I would be able to take a picture of them. What came next totally surprised me: the older woman started cursing me out and shook her fist at me. It took me a couple of seconds to realize she was serious, and ever since that time I have become quite shy when it comes to taking pictures of strangers.

That shouldn’t deter you though. To help you improve your travel photography there are a large number of great resources on the web. Discussions cover topics such as whether to use regular film or digital photography, the types of subjects you can cover (animals, people, landscapes, architecture, plants, sports, aerial shots, underwater shots, etc.), techniques, techincal jargon and many more. In the end it doesn’t much matter, as long as you get out there and have fun while you document your travel experiences.

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of a website called Travel and Transitions(http://www.travelandtransitions.com). Travel and Transitions deals with unconventional travel and is chock full of advice, tips, real life travel experiences, interviews with travellers and travel experts, insights and reflections, cross-cultural issues, contests and many other features. You will also find stories about life and the transitions that we face as we go through our own personal life-long journeys.

Submit your own travel stories in our first travel story contest(http://www.travelandtransitions.com/contests.htm) and have a chance to win an amazing adventure cruise on the Amazon River.

“Life is a Journey Explore New Horizons”.

The interview with photos is published at Travel and Transitions - Interviews

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

We are always confronted with the positive if not the encouragement to look at why we should open or think of starting a photography business. Sometimes it is suggested by those around you and often it’s a personal whim. I thought it would be beneficial to perhaps look at the ‘other side of the coin’ and answer why some people should not be starting a photography business even if you’ve got enough money to do so.

Here are eleven reasons why you should not be starting a photography business. For the sake of easy reading I’ve placed these in bullet point fashion,

- If you believe that your fantastic photo ability on its own will attract an abundance of customers, think again because there are some great phoographers out there and there will always be one that you can learn from

- If you like to avoid conversation with strange people or just people in general you are unlikely to survive running your own photography business

- If you think that the term customer service is a useless cliche and is an overrated term, then starting a photography business is not for you. The ‘best of the best’ keep on surprising their new and existing customers with little extras they simply were not expecting. As a result their customers become loyal and won’t go anywhere else

- Being pleasant in unusual circumstances or when the subject is getting tired and irritable is essential - do you have that skill?

- Living on a budget while you struggle to make ends meet but still do all of the above is not for the faint hearted - discipline and staying powere is also essential

- Someone who jumps in without learning anything about starting a photography business and equally important, making it profitable is bordering on stupidity (this one is for the cheap skates who blame everyone else except themselves when it all falls down)

- Not having enough cash flow to see the early period through before the business becomes profitable. Some of you are clever enough to have another job while they build a clientelle if they don’t have enough cash in the tin

- Not deciding on what photography business(es) they would like to specialize in before they start

- If you’re aren’t sure whether you enjoy photography or not

- If you suffer from any kind of depression regularly

- If you have difficulty in understanding why ‘the customer is always right’ then starting a photography business is not a good look for you

None of these points are intended to be offensive just factual. I apologize if any of this information struck a nerve but better you think about this now than too far down the track - right? Starting a photography business is a big move.

This article has been supplied courtesy of Roy Barker. Roy often writes and works closely with Profitable Photography Business. This site is dedicated to coaching you in starting your own photography business but places a strong emphasis on profitability issues & guidelines. You can also gain many photography resources (some free) from Digital Photography If you seek further guides, helpful hints, articles and news, you can go to http://www.photography-business-tips.com which also has a Photographers Forum for exchange of views with other photographers.

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Copyright 2005 Carolyn E. Wright

— ABOUT THE AUTHOR —

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

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

[techtags: Family Photography, Senior Photographers, Studio Portraits, Portrait Photography]