Whatever your photographic genre of choice is, there is always admiration for candid photography. Candid photography is the art of catching people unawares in a photo. It doesn't have to mean capturing them during a slapstick moment of falling over in the snow or something like that, it just means capturing people at their most natural. There is always a place for a well composed photograph with time taken over how the subject poses and smiles for the camera. For me that can never beat the capture of people falling around laughing at a joke or marveling at a sporting event. Here are six tips to taking good candid photographs.
Plan For Spontaneity
This may sound like a contradiction but it is a good idea to plan for spontaneity. What I mean is, think about the event that you are photographing. If you are at a friends birthday party, think about where most of the guests will be during the party and think about where you as the photographer can stand to take photos without being noticed. A lot of people stand in kitchens at parties to get away from the music so they can talk and tell jokes. Think about where you could stand and capture moments of spontaneity from the guests without drawing the dreadful posed "say cheese" kind of photographs.
Take Lots Of Photographs
Digital cameras with big memory mean that you have the ability to take a large quantity of photographs at no real cost to you. This is perfect for taking candid shots. Take as many photos as you can from many different angles and from many different zoom settings. From this you greatly increase your chances of getting some real gems.
Human Interaction
Some of the best candid shots I have taken have been when people are interacting with each other. It might be an animated conversation about politics or discussion of a book they have read. It could be a couple of children laying with a toy. The point is, human interactions result in some of the most incredible photographs.
Never Leave Your Camera At Home
This is a simple tip but probably the most important one. How many times in the past have you been out and about and seen something where you suddenly say to yourself, "I wish I had my camera with me". I know this has happened to me so many times. You don't have to carry a big Canon Eos SLR with you all the time, just a good quality point and shoot digital camera will suffice for some good spontaneous shots. Don't forget to take some spare batteries with you though!
Stealth Mode With a Long Zoom
For the ultimate in stealthy candid photography, use a camera with a long lens and hide behind some nearby trees or bushes. Paparazzi photographers use this technique a lot to take photos of celebrities in candid moments. You can use this technique to capture candid shots of friends and family also though.
If you truly want a rewarding experience then I urge you to try candid photography.
For more great tips and free photography advice then head over to Photography Blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Murray
Monday, October 22, 2007
Successful Travel Photography-Do Your Homework
How many times have you come back from a trip disappointed with the images you’ve taken? How many times have you though to yourself “If only I’d been there an hour early. If only I’d known that event was on today”. While it is true that hindsight makes everyone smarter, and no one can control the weather, it is possible to maximize your chances of success just by doing a little homework.
Plan your tripThere is a major difference between planning to take photos on your travels, and traveling to take photos. This will be evident in the images you produce. Spend some time researching your destination and its photographic potential. Is it a place affected by the seasons? If so, when is the best time of year to go? How are you going to get there? What is the public transport like? Should you hire a car? Answering these questions can take you a long way to a successful shoot. For example, you may be grateful you decided to get that international drivers license once you get back and look through those beautiful sunset shots you took off a beaten track a few miles from town because you were able to hire a car and drive out there.
There are numerous resources available on the internet and in print, most of them free. An hour or so online can provide a wealth of information, not to mention inspiration. A pocket travel guide can also be an invaluable investment as a reference to have at your fingertips as you go.
Make a shoot listThink about the locations you want to shoot. Which landmarks do you want to visit? What time of day do they appeal to you? Are you interested in capturing your location’s architecture or its culture? Or both? Deciding all of this in advance can give you clear goals to aim for on your trip, rather that simply wandering the streets and shooting whatever you come across that you find appealing. This may prove successful but is more about luck than anything else.
Be flexibleWhat happens if you get there and the weather suddenly turns sour? Do you wait it out in your hotel room hoping it will pass before you are due to return home? What a waste of time that would be. If you are planning to travel somewhere that can be greatly affected by weather, you might want to think about how you can use this to your advantage. Some subjects can be greatly enhanced by sudden changes to the weather, or even just the threat of it. Imagine missing out on a sweeping panorama of a storm rising over the bay because you were sitting in a room cursing your bad luck.
It is possible for anyone to point a camera at a subject and take a picture. Not all can use that camera to tell a story or teach something to a viewer. Apart from technical skills and, to a much lesser extent, equipment, the difference comes down to planning. The most important factor in the success of your photographic journey is the goals you set for yourself and the steps you take in achieving them.
Mark Eden is a freelance photographer and the founder and director of Expanse Photography. A photographic services company offering fine art images as well as stock and assignment photography and a range of publishing and printing services. Mark can be contacted through the Expanse Photography website http://www.expansephotography.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Eden
Plan your tripThere is a major difference between planning to take photos on your travels, and traveling to take photos. This will be evident in the images you produce. Spend some time researching your destination and its photographic potential. Is it a place affected by the seasons? If so, when is the best time of year to go? How are you going to get there? What is the public transport like? Should you hire a car? Answering these questions can take you a long way to a successful shoot. For example, you may be grateful you decided to get that international drivers license once you get back and look through those beautiful sunset shots you took off a beaten track a few miles from town because you were able to hire a car and drive out there.
There are numerous resources available on the internet and in print, most of them free. An hour or so online can provide a wealth of information, not to mention inspiration. A pocket travel guide can also be an invaluable investment as a reference to have at your fingertips as you go.
Make a shoot listThink about the locations you want to shoot. Which landmarks do you want to visit? What time of day do they appeal to you? Are you interested in capturing your location’s architecture or its culture? Or both? Deciding all of this in advance can give you clear goals to aim for on your trip, rather that simply wandering the streets and shooting whatever you come across that you find appealing. This may prove successful but is more about luck than anything else.
Be flexibleWhat happens if you get there and the weather suddenly turns sour? Do you wait it out in your hotel room hoping it will pass before you are due to return home? What a waste of time that would be. If you are planning to travel somewhere that can be greatly affected by weather, you might want to think about how you can use this to your advantage. Some subjects can be greatly enhanced by sudden changes to the weather, or even just the threat of it. Imagine missing out on a sweeping panorama of a storm rising over the bay because you were sitting in a room cursing your bad luck.
It is possible for anyone to point a camera at a subject and take a picture. Not all can use that camera to tell a story or teach something to a viewer. Apart from technical skills and, to a much lesser extent, equipment, the difference comes down to planning. The most important factor in the success of your photographic journey is the goals you set for yourself and the steps you take in achieving them.
Mark Eden is a freelance photographer and the founder and director of Expanse Photography. A photographic services company offering fine art images as well as stock and assignment photography and a range of publishing and printing services. Mark can be contacted through the Expanse Photography website http://www.expansephotography.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Eden
Digital Wildlife Photography
Closeup digital nature photography or digital wildlife photography is very exciting. However, before going on a safari to practice your digital wildlife photography with your digital camera, you may want to begin at your nearest zoo. A zoo offers the easiest and least expensive way to photography exotic animals and so many wonders of nature as part of your digital wildlife photography venture. You can also learn some basic information about how animals act and react and how to take their snapshot or photography them before venturing into trying to photograph them in a less controlled environment. Consider it a good basic learning environment while going on a trip for digital wildlife photography..
Even in a zoo setting of taking digital wildlife photography, you will have to practice patience because animals don't pose when you want them too. you have to watch for the right moment and be ready because they won't hold the "pose" long. Below are tips you can follow in taking a close photographs or of the animals at the zoo which is also implies taking a digital wildlife photography..
Tips For Taking Digital Wildlife Photography (i.e taking photos at a zoo)
1. Be aware that flash and infrared light may disturb animals. Be sure to check with zoo personnel about that.
2. It may be difficult not to get cages and wires in the frame. If you are trying to get the look as if the animals were in a natural setting, you don't want cages and wires to show. Use your longest focal point lens very close to the wire, set the lens at its widest aperture.
3. When shooting through glass, stand at an angle to it. don't stand directly in front of it as the flash will bounce straight back at the camera.
4. Try to plan your trip to the zoo at a time when the least amount of visitors will be there so there will be less distraction for both you and the animal you are photographing.
You will definitely do great in taking digital wildlife photography if you and strictly adhere to the tips listed above while going on a tour for wildlife photography either at the zoo or some other game reserve centre....
I am a digital photography freelance writer, with 5 years working experience in photography industry. I have most of my ideas in photography published across the web so as to help the newbie in becoming expert in the digital photography arena or photography industry at large. "Did you find those information on " Digital Wildlife Photography" Useful? You can learn more about the "Digital Wildlife Photography" or for more information about "Digital Photography" visit http://www.digitalphotographix.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathan_Lovejoy
Even in a zoo setting of taking digital wildlife photography, you will have to practice patience because animals don't pose when you want them too. you have to watch for the right moment and be ready because they won't hold the "pose" long. Below are tips you can follow in taking a close photographs or of the animals at the zoo which is also implies taking a digital wildlife photography..
Tips For Taking Digital Wildlife Photography (i.e taking photos at a zoo)
1. Be aware that flash and infrared light may disturb animals. Be sure to check with zoo personnel about that.
2. It may be difficult not to get cages and wires in the frame. If you are trying to get the look as if the animals were in a natural setting, you don't want cages and wires to show. Use your longest focal point lens very close to the wire, set the lens at its widest aperture.
3. When shooting through glass, stand at an angle to it. don't stand directly in front of it as the flash will bounce straight back at the camera.
4. Try to plan your trip to the zoo at a time when the least amount of visitors will be there so there will be less distraction for both you and the animal you are photographing.
You will definitely do great in taking digital wildlife photography if you and strictly adhere to the tips listed above while going on a tour for wildlife photography either at the zoo or some other game reserve centre....
I am a digital photography freelance writer, with 5 years working experience in photography industry. I have most of my ideas in photography published across the web so as to help the newbie in becoming expert in the digital photography arena or photography industry at large. "Did you find those information on " Digital Wildlife Photography" Useful? You can learn more about the "Digital Wildlife Photography" or for more information about "Digital Photography" visit http://www.digitalphotographix.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nathan_Lovejoy
Group and Portrait Photography-How to Set Up Groups
How to Set Up Groups
Arrive at the venue earlier than you need to be there and try to arrange your set along the following lines. You should already have enquired about the size of the group i.e. the number of individual members. For example a typical group at a Masonic Lodge would number approximately twenty-seven. Ideally a group of this size should be posed using two rows of chairs in the following manner.
Place a row of nine chairs in front, then place another row of nine chairs behind them with enough space between the two rows for a line of people to stand. The front row will sit on the chairs, the back row will stand on the chairs and the middle row will stand on the floor between the other two rows. The chairs at each side of centre should be angled slightly inward, so four chairs on left of the center chair in each row turned slightly in toward center and four chairs on right of center turned slightly in to center. This will give a nicer all round composition to the picture.
Well-composed and symmetrical looking pictures always sell more. People prefer them, even when they are not consciously aware why.
Check for Background Distractions
Now stand back and check through the lens, check for protruding or distracting background items. Be ruthless with this; clear the background of anything you suspect will look cluttered or intrusive. It is small checks like this that will improve the professionalism of your service. I have had to do some emergency work to omit fire extinguishers and fire exit signs from the background. You can often get round this by strategically placing people, or altering your angle of view.
Protocol Matters
Now check on protocol, for example certain people will sit at the front centre and certain others beside them. For example the pipe band drum major often likes to sit or stand in the centre. Get this part arranged first and then ask all others to place themselves on your prearranged chairs. The group members will know, but do remember to ask. I’ll now show you a way to save some valuable time, end up with a more marketable photograph, and lighten up the group ready for their shot! When you have arranged the group almost ready for the shot, ask each person to turn and inspect the one next to them for straight ties, dust on shoulder, squint badges and so on, have then preen each other and do your work for you.
This saves you the potential for embarrassment through asking someone to make what for them what may be quite personal adjustment. Much easier to get their friends to do the asking!
Final Checks
Now make the final small but important touches, check to make sure that someone who is really small has not ended up at the back and cannot be seen, sometimes you may want to give this direction at the beginning, I prefer to wait to see where people naturally gravitate to, because they often feel more comfortable in the photograph if they are standing in their spot of choice.
Consistency Sells
Aim for consistency. This tip will increase your sales. By this I mean check that all group members have their hands on laps in a similar fashion, check that they all have their feet in a similar stance and check that all jackets are either open on buttoned. Always remember this tip, composition, symmetry and consistency sell!
I hope this article will help you with setting up groups.
Bobby will help you improve your group, portrait and wedding photography. Bobby has been a photographer for over 25 years. He has an in depth knowledge of the subject, specialising in wedding photography. Access his site now for more information to help improve your group, portrait and wedding photography at http://www.photobiz4u.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobby_Jonnes
Arrive at the venue earlier than you need to be there and try to arrange your set along the following lines. You should already have enquired about the size of the group i.e. the number of individual members. For example a typical group at a Masonic Lodge would number approximately twenty-seven. Ideally a group of this size should be posed using two rows of chairs in the following manner.
Place a row of nine chairs in front, then place another row of nine chairs behind them with enough space between the two rows for a line of people to stand. The front row will sit on the chairs, the back row will stand on the chairs and the middle row will stand on the floor between the other two rows. The chairs at each side of centre should be angled slightly inward, so four chairs on left of the center chair in each row turned slightly in toward center and four chairs on right of center turned slightly in to center. This will give a nicer all round composition to the picture.
Well-composed and symmetrical looking pictures always sell more. People prefer them, even when they are not consciously aware why.
Check for Background Distractions
Now stand back and check through the lens, check for protruding or distracting background items. Be ruthless with this; clear the background of anything you suspect will look cluttered or intrusive. It is small checks like this that will improve the professionalism of your service. I have had to do some emergency work to omit fire extinguishers and fire exit signs from the background. You can often get round this by strategically placing people, or altering your angle of view.
Protocol Matters
Now check on protocol, for example certain people will sit at the front centre and certain others beside them. For example the pipe band drum major often likes to sit or stand in the centre. Get this part arranged first and then ask all others to place themselves on your prearranged chairs. The group members will know, but do remember to ask. I’ll now show you a way to save some valuable time, end up with a more marketable photograph, and lighten up the group ready for their shot! When you have arranged the group almost ready for the shot, ask each person to turn and inspect the one next to them for straight ties, dust on shoulder, squint badges and so on, have then preen each other and do your work for you.
This saves you the potential for embarrassment through asking someone to make what for them what may be quite personal adjustment. Much easier to get their friends to do the asking!
Final Checks
Now make the final small but important touches, check to make sure that someone who is really small has not ended up at the back and cannot be seen, sometimes you may want to give this direction at the beginning, I prefer to wait to see where people naturally gravitate to, because they often feel more comfortable in the photograph if they are standing in their spot of choice.
Consistency Sells
Aim for consistency. This tip will increase your sales. By this I mean check that all group members have their hands on laps in a similar fashion, check that they all have their feet in a similar stance and check that all jackets are either open on buttoned. Always remember this tip, composition, symmetry and consistency sell!
I hope this article will help you with setting up groups.
Bobby will help you improve your group, portrait and wedding photography. Bobby has been a photographer for over 25 years. He has an in depth knowledge of the subject, specialising in wedding photography. Access his site now for more information to help improve your group, portrait and wedding photography at http://www.photobiz4u.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bobby_Jonnes
How to Take Great Flower Photos
I know that many out there want to improve their photography in one aspect. Flower photography. With gardening as popular as it is this shouldn’t be a surprise. Flower photography while looking like one of the simplest forms of photography can quickly become one of the most difficult. Here are a few tips for you. (Keeping in mind that basic good photography skills are always used.)
Soft diffuse light. Today it’s very overcast outside, and if there were any flowers in bloom today would be the perfect day for capturing some great images. Soft diffuse light enhances color saturation, so if you wondered how or why pro photographers flower images seem so deep in color this is one of the reasons why. (There are exceptions to this rule. I do some flower photography is bright or dappled sunlight but I’m usually trying to get an effect of light passing through the petals.)
Slow film speed. 200 speed or less. The slower speed films have greater detail and for flowers you’re going to need to get close anyway and you want the nice sharp detail of a slower speed of film. I use 100 speed for my flower photography.
Tripod. Use one for this type of photography. Set up your shot, get everything in sharp focus, and then shoot. A tripod will keep your camera from moving on you and allow you to get the sharp detail you will need.
Look for great colors, a flower in full bloom next to a bud, and don’t shoot on windy days. Keep contrast and color in mind at all times and try different compositions each time you take a shot.
Flower photography can be a lot of fun especially if the flowers are your own.
If you have some specific questions please visit my Photography and Design Forum at: http://kellypaalphotography.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php and post your question there.
About The AuthorCopyright 2005 Kelly Paal Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. She owns her own business Kelly Paal Photography (www.kellypaalphotography.com). She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Paal
Soft diffuse light. Today it’s very overcast outside, and if there were any flowers in bloom today would be the perfect day for capturing some great images. Soft diffuse light enhances color saturation, so if you wondered how or why pro photographers flower images seem so deep in color this is one of the reasons why. (There are exceptions to this rule. I do some flower photography is bright or dappled sunlight but I’m usually trying to get an effect of light passing through the petals.)
Slow film speed. 200 speed or less. The slower speed films have greater detail and for flowers you’re going to need to get close anyway and you want the nice sharp detail of a slower speed of film. I use 100 speed for my flower photography.
Tripod. Use one for this type of photography. Set up your shot, get everything in sharp focus, and then shoot. A tripod will keep your camera from moving on you and allow you to get the sharp detail you will need.
Look for great colors, a flower in full bloom next to a bud, and don’t shoot on windy days. Keep contrast and color in mind at all times and try different compositions each time you take a shot.
Flower photography can be a lot of fun especially if the flowers are your own.
If you have some specific questions please visit my Photography and Design Forum at: http://kellypaalphotography.com/v-web/bulletin/bb/index.php and post your question there.
About The AuthorCopyright 2005 Kelly Paal Kelly Paal is a Freelance Nature and Landscape Photographer, exhibiting nationally and internationally. She owns her own business Kelly Paal Photography (www.kellypaalphotography.com). She has an educational background in photography, business, and commercial art. She enjoys applying graphic design and photography principles to her web design.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Paal
Travel Photography-Some Basic Resources
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanne_Pacher
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
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susanne_Pacher
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