Filling the frame with your subject is a tip I've shared quite few times before, but in this article I want to look at doing the complete opposite. In some circumstances leaving a large area around your subject can result in a stronger image than cropping the subject closely.
Lampost sky by The Big Quack on flickr (licensed CC-BY)
Abandoned or forgotten farm trucks and other old equipment are a huge draw to photographers, both amateur and professional alike. These vehicles are often found sitting forlornly in a field or by an old rickety barn and they tell a story, sometimes an emotional one, that just begs to be explored and photographed. By using these fifteen helpful tips almost any photographer can guarantee themselves good (no, great) results when shooting the subject mentioned here.
Read the rest of this entry »Photograms are very different images to standard photos. Traditionally they were created by placing objects on a sheet of photographic (light sensitive) paper. The paper is then exposed, which turns the paper black, except for where the objects are blocking the light.
Photogram by aresauburn™ on flickr (licensed CC-BY-SA)
Objects that are translucent let through some light, and so appear in shades of grey, while objects that are opaque appear as solid white.
The effect of a photogram image can be replicated using a digital camera to capture the image, with no photographic paper needed. You will need:
Read the rest of this entry »Abstract photography can be used to create an image that conveys some combination of shape, lines, form, and color, without conveying a specific object or scene. A good way to find interesting abstract compositions can be to focus in tightly on detail of an object, rather than photographing the object itself.
With a close-up or macro lens, virtually any subject can be used to create an abstract composition. You just need to look at it closely, in a way that you wouldn't normally.
Close-up photo of a grater
In this article I'll share some ideas of good subjects for abstract macro photography, along with some photographic tips.
Read the rest of this entry »With so many types of lights and the infinite number of setup combinations, studio lighting could be the subject of a book. In fact, there are several books dedicated to just that. However, if you're interested in investing in some studio lighting equipment, there are a few basic things that every photographer should know.
With a good set of basic lighting tools, you should be able to shoot in most types of situations and subjects. Here is a run down on the most common types of studio lighting.
Read the rest of this entry »Most digital cameras offer a range of shooting modes, going from M (Manual), through A or Av (Aperture priority), S or Tv (Shutter priority), to P (Program mode - automatic). In this article we'll look at the Aperture priority mode, and why you might want to use this mode on your camera.
Famous locations (such as the Eiffel Tower in France and Mesa Arch in Utah, for example) can make great photographic subjects. But the problem is, there are likely to be plenty of other people there as well, getting in your shot. Even relatively unknown tourist destinations can get pretty busy.
So, how do you stop all the other tourists (who have as much right to be there as you) getting in the way and ruining your photo? Sometimes getting to the location really early in the morning, before anyone else is up, can be good enough to secure you a tourist-free photo.
But other times, this is not enough, or the location is not open early in the morning. In this case, we have to rely on the wonders of Photoshop (or similar image editing software).
Read the rest of this entry »Photographing a family, particularly when young children are involved, can be a daunting task. The most important thing you can do to make things go smoothly is to plan as much as possible before the actual shoot.
Pre-planned shots can be executed quickly, which is important with young children, who can get bored easily. By planning everything in advance you can make sure the shoot happens quickly, and you won't have too many photos with the kids looking bored or distracted.
IMG_0064 by thebaphotography on flickr (licensed CC-BY)
Landscape photography must be one of the most popular forms of photography. But it can be difficult to do justice to the beautiful world we live in. In this article I'll share five tips for capturing landscape photos. Remember, there are no hard and fast rules to photography, but I hope these tips will give you some ideas and inspiration.
When taking photos in busy places such as cities, it is a good idea to be aware of your rights as a photographer. Do you have the legal right to photograph strangers on the streets, or impressive buildings in the business district?
The law varies between different countries, but most countries have reasonably similar laws. The advice given in this article is not legal advice, and you would be advised to check the laws of the specific country you are photographing in.
Sunday at St. Peter's, Dec 2009 - 19 by Ed Yourdon on flickr (licensed CC-BY-SA)
