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Basic Digital Photography - Which_Way_to_Hold_the_Camera
By Christine Peppler
As an amateur, most people will pick up the camera and hold it in the typical lateral
position for nearly every shot. This "landscape" orientation often produces very
acceptable images but in some instances, turning the camera on end for a
"portrait" shot is the better choice. For those with very limited experience
with their digital camera the decision as to which orientation to use can be confusing.
Certainly, photographers can get quite creative and take shots of people at a variety
of angles to provide greater interest. Experimentation is not to be discouraged. However,
for more reliable results, the traditional orientation of portrait or landscape is
typically recommended for beginners. Which way the digital camera should be oriented
generally depends on one of two things: the subject's position or the movement of the
subject.
One of the basic rules of photography is to focus on the subject and to reduce the
appearance of other items in the frame which will distract from the subject within the
image. Sometimes orienting the camera differently will allow the photographer to eliminate
the distractions without stepping in closer or cropping the image later. For instance, if
the subject is a person standing, most often the orientation of the camera should be
portrait. This will result in fewer distracting details showing up to the left and right
of the person standing in the picture. However, if this same person is reclining, the
orientation of the picture should generally be landscape. This will eliminate more of the
dead space or distracting items from above or below the subject.
Another example would be in nature shots. If the subject of focus is a single tree, a
portrait orientation would be effective in reducing some of the extraneous objects to the
left and right of the subject. On the other hand, if the subject to be captured is a
gradually sloping mountain or the front and side of a covered bridge, a landscape
orientation would be more appropriate.
The movement of the subject is the other factor that should be considered when
determining which way the camera should be held. If the subject is moving left to right, a
landscape orientation is more often the optimal choice but if movement is upward or
downward, portrait orientation often works best.
For example, if the subject of a picture is to be a dog walking along a line of rail
road tracks and the photographer wishes to capture the movement looking down the track off
into the horizon, a portrait orientation best demonstrates the movement. However, in the
same scene, if the aim is to show the animal moving horizontally, versus off into the
horizon, a landscape orientation would be preferable. In this case, it is not only the
subject but the direction of movement of that subject that determines how the image will
be best captured.
As with any rule, there are instances where these traditional guidelines can be
violated with great results. However, in most instances adhering to these guidelines will
allow the beginning photographer to capture images with their digital camera that they
will be proud to display.
Readers can learn more about using and selecting a digital camera through information
available at the author's online home electronics store, homemedias.info. Visitors to her
site can also shop for products or participate in the consumer forum.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Peppler
Simple_Tips_for_Taking_Better_Photos
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dana_Larson]Dana Larson
Take better photos and add exciting artistic effects to your photos using HP digital
cameras. These can be edited using in-camera design gallery features.
1) Using the sun to light your photos
Natural sunlight provides some of the best lighting for great shots with more detail and
vivid colors. Be careful:
 | Really bright sunlight casts harsh shadows |
| Overhead sunlight can wash out detail in faces |
Tip: For best results, avoid taking photos when the sun is directly overhead. This can
cause harsh shadows. Also, try to shoot with the sun behind you. This prevents loss of
detail caused by bright light.
2) Get creative on gray days
Less-than-ideal weather conditions won't keep you from getting that perfect shot. Cloudy
skies produce unique photos:
| Get interesting highlights with enhanced mood |
| Make colors pop in contrast to the gray sky |
Tip: Shooting in the rain can be fun, but be careful not to damage your camera. You can
waterproof your camera by wrapping it in a plastic bag and cutting a hole for the lens to
poke through.
3) Capture breathtaking evening photos
The key to great night photos is turning off your flash. Just follow these guidelines:
| Set shutter speed slower to let in enough light |
| Stay steady, slow shutter speeds blur photos |
| Use a tripod or place camera on stationary surface |
Tip: Place your camera on a tripod and set its shot timer so there's no risk of your
camera moving when you press the trigger.
4) Golden Hour - A great time for some photo magic
Sunrise and sunset are what photographers call the "golden hour" or "magic
hour." Photos taken at these times are rich and dramatic:
| Get "golden" light instead of blinding midday sun |
| Your photos will have warm and inviting colors |
Tip: Using the golden hour is especially good for people shots so you avoid harsh
shadows on faces caused by midday sun. Experiment with angles and zoom to find the perfect
balance of light.
5) Get more effective flash photos
The flash is a great tool if you know how to get the most of it. The key is keeping your
distance:
| Your camera's flash has a range of about 10 feet |
| Too far? Your photo will be too dark |
| Too close? Bright light blows out detail |
Tip: The best way to avoid overexposed flash photos is to step back and zoom in to your
subject. This way, the flash is a good distance from your subject, but you still get your
close-up.
6) Keep annoying "red-eye" out of your photos
The flash reflecting off the retina of your subject's eyes is what causes the common
problem of red-eye. Reduce red-eye by following these guidelines:
| Move outdoors or into brighter light |
| Have your subject avoid looking directly into the lens |
Tip: Many HP cameras offer in camera automatic red-eye removal.
7) Move your subject for more compelling photos
You don't have to center your subject in every photo you shoot. Create more visual
interest by using the Rule of Thirds:
| Divide your photo into a tic-tac-toe grid |
| Place the main "interest" at grid intersections |
| Use photo software to crop later if necessary |
Tip: You don't always get the perfect shot to begin with, so keeping the Rule of Thirds
in mind, try cropping your photo after you've shot it using HP Photosmart Essential
software for the same effect.
8) Change the angle and create more impact
The difference between a good photo and a great photo is sometimes just a matter of how
you approach it.
| Change the camera angle for creative shots |
| Move your camera in relation to the subject |
| Zoom in or out to change the composition |
Tip:Try these ideas to get a different perspective when you take a photo:
| Hold your camera at arm's length above your head |
| Lie on the ground |
| Get very close to your subject |
9) Add more visual appeal to your shots
Sometimes the best way to draw attention to your center of interest is to create a frame
around it.
| A "frame" helps the subject stand out |
| Add drama, depth and interest |
| Use scenic elements like trees or other objects |
Tip: Once you've situated your subject in the area where you want to shoot, always view
your subject from several different angles to locate objects you can use to frame your
photo. Use scenic elements like trees or other objects
10) Add depth and create interest with lines
Create interesting perspective and enhance ordinary shots by using straight or curved
lines within the frame.
| Lines lead the eye to the center of interest |
| Look for brick walls, sidewalks, fences, and edges |
| Shoot lines at an angle for unique shots |
Tip: Get creative with lines in your photo. Position your subject at a corner where a
fence intersects, or use a long sidewalk to "point" to your subject.
11) The right background makes a better photo
Backgrounds can play a huge role in how interesting your photo is. Consider these points
when choosing a background:
| Watch for clutter and other distracting elements |
| Don't use a busy or competing background |
| Remove objects that connect to the subject |
Tip: Watch out for items in the background that might look odd when photographed, like
a lamp post sticking out behind someone's head.
Learn how to take better photos with these tips and digital photography techniques.
[http://www.hp.com/united-states/consumer/digital_photography/buying_guides/digital_camera_f.html]HP
digital cameras provide in-camera design gallery features that can make any photo exciting
and interesting.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dana_Larson http://EzineArticles.com/?Simple-Tips-for-Taking-Better-Photos&id=806817
Choosing_a_Digital_Camera
By Don D
Roberts
Choosing a digital camera can be a
very frustrating and time consuming experience with so many makes and models to choose
from including Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Sony, Panasonic and others. Although the
most significant feature when choosing a digital camera is the number of megapixels, which
determines the quality of your photos, it is not the only consideration when choosing a
digital camera. Items to take into consideration when choosing a camera are cost,
resolution, exposure control, type of memory card, and batteries.
The first thing to do is to determine how much you are willing to spend on your camera.
You will more than likely find what you are looking for within almost any budget minus
certain features, of course.
The hardest decision to make is that of the resolution to choose. A digital photograph
is made up of thousands of pixels (little squares); the more pixels per inch, the better
quality the photograph. A megapixel is the term used for a million pixels - and the more
megapixels an imaging sensor has, the higher the camera's potential resolution. Your
budget will be a consideration when choosing the resolution of your camera. Generally, the
more you spend the higher resolution camera you can buy.
After considering cost and resolution, exposure control is the next big decision when
purchasing a digital camera. Exposure values (and meter modes) may seem a little
intimidating, but you can pretty much assume you'll have the basic assortment of meter
modes. Most extended zoom cameras offer full exposure controls, so you can customize
settings to fit your preferences. These modes help the camera determine the correct
exposure (or best compromise) for tricky compositions, such as a backlit subject.
The next item to consider is the type of media card your camera will use. Media Cards
are (in most cameras) the storage or memory card that holds the images until they are
loaded onto your computer. Those that use proprietary card formats are often more
expensive and less available than more standard card types such as Compact Flash or SD/MMD
cards. If your digital camcorder and PDA all use the Secure Digital memory card, this may
be a major deciding factor when purchasing a digital camera. Why buy a digital camera with
a different format when you can switch the card with electronics you already own? When
considering memory cards, you should buy the largest capacity you can afford: the higher
capacity cards, while expensive, are cheaper than buying two cards of the next-lower
capacity.
If you are a frequent shooter and your camera takes AAA batteries, you will blow
through them. Digital cameras use a lot of power, so get rechargeable batteries. Finally,
you'll definitely want to buy a battery charger and a couple of sets of batteries to go
with it.
The basics of choosing a digital camera are to know your budget, know what type of
pictures you want to take and how you intend to use the pictures. Consider the type of
memory card your new camera will use and the type of battery. If you follow these simple
rules you should have a much more pleasant buying experience.
For advice on digital cameras as well as other computer
tips please visit http://pccomputertips.blogspot.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Don_D_Roberts
Capturing_Great_Landscape_Photography
Wide angle lenses are best suited for landscape pictures. A great landscape view for a
picture depends largely on the amount of light falling on its location.
Action, Lights and Location
After selecting the location which you feel will enable you to capture a great picture,
evaluate the amount of light available in the area. If this is for an important picture,
make the effort to consider the effects of light at different times over the course of 24
hours and decide during which part of the day the light will be most beneficial.
Once you have done this, you can then determine which features or additional components
added to your camera foreground will help to produce a more enhanced effect and depth for
the picture. Don't discount the possibility of using other nearby areas as well for an
even better shot. Sometimes the greatest landscape backgrounds are available in locations
you might not ordinarily consider. You might also try taking pictures from different
angles to weigh their impact on the snapshots, positive or negative.
To avoid any shadows or darkness appearing over the picture as you take the shot, it is
best to capture a view early in the morning or in the latter portion of the afternoon.
Once you have determined the time of the day to shoot, set up your camera using a tripod.
After all, you don't want a shaking hand to diminish the beauty you are attempting to
capture. Also, use a light meter to gauge the amount of light, and adjust the aperture and
shutter speed accordingly.
Using Natural Effects
You can always add parts of nature in your pictures to help produce a very different,
though natural, effect on your picture. For example, sunset moments can be best captured
when the sun is touching the horizon. Take the picture about five minutes after this
point. It is also advisable to take the picture from as high a position as you can find.
And you can also make use of a polarizing filter to highlight sky color and tone. Making
use of these techniques can produce an effect similar to a postcard.
Equip Yourself with Necessary Supplies
Normally, to capture a landscape view a photographer will likely need to travel out of the
confines of city life. However, any time you travel some distance to take photos, bring
extra personal and photography supplies, such as a water bottle, flash light, additional
rolls of film, etc. You definitely do not want to migrate several miles from home only to
discover you have neglected to bring a sufficient supply of anything you will need!
Finally, determining which lens is best suited for snapping a particular view is really a
matter of experience, skill, and taste. Mastering landscape photography is not a difficult
task but requires practice, interest, and skill development. Locating that jaw-dropping
view and then capturing the right shot takes both persistence and patience - traits of
which many frustrated photographers fall short.
If you are not able to capture that stunning landscape photograph the first or second
time, don't give up. The landscape isn't going anywhere.
For photography & camera information, please visit
http://www.photography-and-cameras.com, for practical photography insights.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
Beginning In Photography: Choosing_The_Right_Lens
by Mark Eden
There is a dizzying array of choices when it comes to choosing lenses for SLR cameras.
From wide angle to telephoto, zoom to prime lenses, fish eye, fast lenses, wide aperture
lenses, the choice seems to be impossible. It’s not really. What it comes down to is
asking yourself a simple question: What do I want to shoot?
Different Lenses for Different Subjects
If you are just beginning in photography, chances are you are still experimenting and
finding out what you like to shoot. You might shoot a few family portraits one day and
landscapes from your holidays the next. On the other hand, you may have decided right from
the start that you love taking photos of wild animals and this is all you want to do.
Either way, the lenses required to get the best out of these subjects differ greatly. To
fit an expansive landscape image into your viewfinder, you would need a wide angle lens.
However, trying to take a portrait with the same lens would result in a tiny little person
and not much else in the frame unless you are right in that person’s face and
smelling their breath. While trying to take a picture of a wild bear from 100 or more
meters away is just impossible (and you really don’t want to get any closer to a wild
bear). In a perfect world you would have 3 different lenses for each of these subjects.
But in a perfect world you’d also be a millionaire and be able to afford them all. So
the thing to do is to decide what type of photography interests you and choose your lenses
accordingly.
Length: Zoom versus Prime
There are benefits to using both zoom lenses and prime (fixed or non zoom) lenses. On one
hand, zoom lenses are versatile, and reduce the need for a whole bag full of lenses that
you need to change and change again while you are out shooting. On the other hand, a good
quality prime lens can be gold. Prime lenses, if they are well built, generally produce a
crisper, better quality image. This is because they have fewer pieces of glass and
moveable parts. Therefore the light coming in doesn’t need to pass through as many
objects and so is less diffused. The other great advantage of prime lenses is that because
of this, they tend to be “faster” than zoom lenses. Practically, this means that
you can use slower shutter speeds as the lens needs less light to create a correct
exposure. This is especially useful if you want to take portraits with available light.
Aperture
Another important factor to consider when choosing your lens is its maximum aperture. This
is indicated in the description by an f symbol. Eg. f/2.8. The lower this number, the
wider your aperture choices. For example, if you want to take a portrait with only your
subject’s facial features in focus, you would use a wide aperture. If you want to
take a sweeping landscape where everything needs to be in focus you would use a narrow
(high number) aperture. Selecting a lens with a wider aperture gives you more options when
out shooting.
It is well known that lenses can cost as much, or more, than cameras themselves. It is
also worth noting that with lenses you get what you pay for. While no piece of equipment
can singularly make the difference between a good photo and a bad one, a well built lens
using quality glass, can lead to sharper pictures. Therefore it is worth considering the
lenses you buy carefully and investing in the best quality you can afford. Knowing what
sort of photography you want to pursue can make this process a whole lot less daunting and
more cost effective.
Mark Eden is a freelance travel photographer and writer, and the founder and director of
Expanse Photography, a photographic services company offering fine art, limited edition
prints as well as stock and assignment photography and publishing services. Mark can be
contacted through the Expanse Photography website http://www.expansephotography.com.
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
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