Being a photographer is a constant learning experience. But we all have to start somewhere. In this article I want to share seven tips aimed particularly at relatively new photographers, but they should also act as good reminders even if you've been photographing a long time.
Rear or second curtain sync flash is a flash mode available on many (though not all) cameras. It is designed for use when you want to combine a slow shutter speed with flash. Unlike the standard flash mode, rear curtain sync flash will fire the flash at the end of the exposure, rather than the start.
In this article we'll take a in-detail look at rear curtain sync flash, looking at how the resulting image differs to standard flash, and why and when you might want to use this flash mode.
In the previous article Product photography on the cheap with only one light pt. 1 - Taking the photo, we looked at taking multiple photos of a product using only one light, and lighting each shot differently. The next step is to combine those images into a single image, which will look like it has been shot with multiple lights.
The final photo will look like this:
In recent years there have been some advancements in technology that allow for brighter, cheaper LEDs. This has allowed for LED Light panels - a large number of bright LEDs grouped together like a single light.
The continuous light output by these panels makes them most suitable for video work. However, some also advocate their use for still photography. In this article I'll compare the benefits and disadvantages of LED Light panels against hot shoe speedlights (flash).
Read the rest of this entry »Real estate photography involves taking photos of properties, and making them look their best, in order to sell the property. It is particularly important for more expensive homes, where the high selling price of the home can justify spending more time (and money) on getting the best shots possible.
When photographing real estate, make sure that the property is clean and in pristine condition. It should also be furnished nicely. If cost allows, then a professional property staging company can be used. This ensures that the property looks at its very best for your photos.
Dining Room with Recycled Wood Ceiling by Jeremy Levine Design on flickr (licensed CC-BY)
If you are trying to build up a portfolio for real estate photography work, try contacting the sales offices for nearby new builds. You can ask to shoot the show home, which will be professionally staged and give you a good chance to get some great real estate photos.
Read the rest of this entry »Following on from the previous article on Product Photography, in this article I'll share a few more tips.
The products I've used for the example photos in this article are rather old and worn, but you are best off photographing a product when it is new, or at least still in good condition. Generally you'll want the product to look it's best, so make sure it is clean, wipe any dust off, and check for any scratches or blemishes.
For more dynamic product photos, try lighting your product from one side. This brings out detail and texture of the product, as opposed to the rather flat lighting you can get if you light your product straight on.
Adding a light on the background can work well to emphasize your product:
For a light coming up from the 'horizon', like a sunrise behind your product (as in the photo above), you can do the following:
Read the rest of this entry »At Christmas time many houses, shops, and town centers are decked out in Christmas lights and decorations. These can make for great photos at night. Because the lights are relatively dim (compared to sunlight), you will need to use a high ISO if shooting handheld, or preferably mount your camera on a tripod.
Merry Christmas from Denver, Colorado by Thad Roan - Bridgepix on flickr (licensed CC-BY)
It can be very annoying when you frame a nice photo of your subject and then when you press the shutter the camera's flash fires on full blast, making your subject blown-out white. Unfortunately there's no way you can get back that shot, but there are some things you can do to bring down the flash power for another shot, even if there are no flash settings on your camera.
Fill flash is where you use your camera's flash (or an external flash unit) as a secondary light to fill in shadows.
One of the main uses for fill flash is when photographing people under bright light (for example on a sunny day). The harsh light creates strong shadows on the face. But by using fill flash, you can add some light to the shadows and reduce their appearance.
Read the rest of this entry »Have you ever asked yourself why some of your pictures look lifeless, boring or empty? Observe the image; check if the eyes of your subject have a catchlight. If it doesn't, consequently it might be one of the reasons why your portrait is visually monotonous.
A catchlight, or better known as eyelights, is referred to the depiction of the chief source of light that makes an unusual glimmer or flicker. This glint could be typically within the eyes of the subject per se. This is a very important ingredient in adding life or tone towards your portrait and can be seen usually at 10 o‚'clock or 2 o‚'clock in the eyes, where it animates your subject most effectively.
2006_04.09 Isaac closeup by Christine Szeto on flickr (licensed CC-BY)
