June 23, 2009

Digital Photography Tips on How to Use a Digital Camera

14.jpgHow to use a digital camera? Is this the question you ask to all of your friends and still don’t feel satisfied? Well, kiss your doubts a good bye, because this article is exactly dedicated to tell you about effective user manual for Digital Cameras.

To start with, there is nothing special about a Digital Camera, except for the technology. The features are very much alike an analogue camera. However there are some added options which can make your photography more precise and professional. But for the time being, let us discuss the basic steps to use a digital camera.

Before you turn the power of your Digital Camera on, you need to insert batteries into the camera. Then you need to insert the memory card into the camera. You can choose from the size of the memory cards according to the number of photographs you need to click.

Well the first step, for operating your Digital Camera, is really easy. You need to turn on the power of your camera. Once the camera is on, then it is possible to adjust its settings. If you buy a Digital Camera from the factory, all the settings modes would be automatic. You can start clicking photographs right away, but if you want to obtain the best-quality photographs, you need to customize certain settings.

White balancing is the first and the foremost task that you need to perform after turning the camera on. Since the light behaves differently under different color temperatures, it is essential to do a white balance. This can be done by focusing a camera towards a white paper or white object for sometime.

In a digital camera there are in-built options for choosing sun setting, tungsten setting or automatic setting. The sun setting sets the color temperature to 5500o Kelvin. It is useful for shooting out in the sun or in some bright areas. On the tungsten mode the color temperature is 32000 Kelvin. This color temperature is useful for shooting indoors. When the color temperature is set to automatic, the camera itself detects the appropriate color temperature. However it is recommended that manual settings are set by you.

Next comes the setting of ISO or ASA. This term is employed to measure the speed of the photographic film. If you set ISO on a higher note, the film gets faster. This ensures that the film gets appropriate exposure even in the low light conditions. Even the grain size of the camera increases with the ISO speed. To activate the ISO setting you need to access the camera menu. You can choose from the setting of 100, 200, 400 or automatic options.

Resolution plays an important part in the quality of an image. Infact it is directly related to the image quality. If you want to capture the best image quality, choose the image storage option as TIFF file format. However storing images in this file format restricts you from storing more photos as Tiff is an uncompressed file format. On the other hand, you can choose JPEG image setting so that you can store a large number of photographs on the memory card.

You can use the zoom range of your camera to have closer pictures of the distant objects. The zoom capability differs in each Digital Camera. If you want to shoot pictures in the night, you also the have the option of flash setting. You can adjust these settings, according to your needs.

When you have finished with photography, you can directly import the images to your computer via a USB cable with the help of a serial or parallel port. You can also buy a flash card reader and attach it to your computer via USB cable.

So you see, using a Digital Camera is such a fun, and you can get the best images if you use it wisely and carefully. So enjoy your new digital camera and happy clicking!

Visit www.CompletePhotographyGuide.com to get your Digital Photography FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources Written by Expert Digital Photographer Dan Feildman by clicking here…

 

Permalink • Print

Click Here For Your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography

June 9, 2009

Digital Photography Tips - Web Imaging For Beginners

1172174_www.jpgMany photographers use digital images to promote a web site. If you are loading images onto your web site for promotional purposes, it is essential that you understand some of the rules. If you load images up on a high resolution or high pixel count, your site will become a problem no one wants to deal with.

Digital cameras make it easy to upload photos onto a web site. It is important that you are aware that content verses graphics or images is more effective for promotion. Again, the size of graphics and images matter, since if you put up huge files it will take longer to download the images. This is not only a problem for those impatient souls; it is a problem for those using dial-up connections. Most times huge images will freeze up or shutdown their Internet connection.

To optimize your web pages you want to add more content and keep a single page filled with images around 50K max. The pixels should be around 72 or at most 96 for web pages. The resolution should be low as well. You can employ your photo-editing software to downsize or upsize your photos accordingly. It s important while exploiting your JPEG files that you compress the files on a high setting for the best effects, otherwise you may run into problems. JPEG is one of the wider used formats for web sites. JPEG like GIFF enables you to compress at higher levels, still JPEG is the most highly viewed formatting on the Internet.

The value is what determines the size. In your photo-editing program, you may see size in the dialogue box believing this determines the size, however the value is what you want to consider when resizing images. You can view image file size by selecting the Files option then Open and clicking on the file name.

While putting your files on the Internet avoid saving the files in any other format other than GIF or else JPEG. These are the common file names that web sites recognize. It is important that your images match the description of your web site. Putting up graphics or images irrelevant to the site will only discourage visitors. That is if the person is looking for something from the web site, some picture like pictures and will spend wasted hours on in checking out the photos. There is only a handful of these people existing, therefore keep it relevant.

You want to employ text links in the images, especially if the images are downloadable. The text links will prevent downloading of unwanted images. It also links you page to other web pages within the same site, or else text links will link your site to other sites which increases traffic. You can add the text links to hyperlinks respectively.

You should add navigational links through text links on the web pages, which gives the visitors the option of selecting the images for downloading. One thing that will steer visitors away from a site is web sites that automatically download to a computer without authorization. You do this to my computer and I will tell everyone to stay clear of your site.

The size of the images should remain consistent with the pixels provided on your computer. If you try to make the images larger that, your computer pixels prepare to meet trouble. The file size is based on the pixel count.

Next, you want to copyright your images. If you intend to use these images as promotional tools, it is important that you realize anyone can take these images from your site and do as they please with them.

Visit www.CompletePhotographyGuide.com to get your Digital Photography FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources Written by Expert Digital Photographer Dan Feildman by clicking here…

Permalink • Print

Click Here For Your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography

May 26, 2009

Optical View Tips For Close Up Photography

 

Visit www.CompletePhotographyGuide.com to get your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography Written by Expert Digital Photography Author Dan Feildman

Permalink • Print

Click Here For Your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography

May 12, 2009

Vacation and Travel Digital Photography Tips

1172779_acropolis_-_greece.jpgWho doesn’t take pictures while on vacation? We want pictures of family and friends and we want to capture the flavor of the landscape we are in. Some are interested in the architecture; some are interested in the flora and fauna. Whatever you’re interested in you can organize your pictures to really communicate what it was you were seeing at the time.

A good way to organize your pictures is to categorize them. If you take a look at pictures of past vacations you’ll see an album of everything you saw on that trip. While that is ok, you may find that when someone is looking at them that you are sitting there explaining every picture. After all, you want others to experience some of the flavor and excitement you experienced on your trip.

This is where some good organization comes in. It takes a bit of time but is well worth the effort.

When you have your pictures back, separate them into categories such as, all your pictures of gardens and flowers, pictures of family and friends or your favorite sunsets or interesting architecture you took. Buy albums that suit the categories they are in.

Make a little caption and date of each picture and insert into the correct album. Doing it this way makes it easier to look at and becomes self explanatory. Whether you have visited a particular place or several places, categories with captions make it a lot easier.

(How many times have you looked at photographs of past vacations and wondered for a second where this picture was taken?)

Here is an example of a fascinating category;

My husband used to work for a phone company that installed phones in jails. He took a picture of every jail up and down the east coast. This made for some of the most fascinating albums we have. The architecture of some of these buildings was spectacular ranging from very modern to castle like in nature. It never fails to create interest and conversation and it’s all in the same album, there is no question about what kind of buildings they are.

Whether you are a seasoned traveler or not and love sunrises and sunsets, you can create an album just for that. Labels and dates complete the picture.

The beauty of theme albums is you can continue to add to them over the years. They are beautiful and easily understood by all.

There are so many categories you can think of. The only limit is your imagination.

Theme albums are very organized and easily understood and are great conversation pieces! Give it a try and Visit www.LearnDigitalPhotographyNow.com to get your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography by Author Dan Feildman

Permalink • Print

Click Here For Your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography

April 28, 2009

Understanding Digital Camera Filters

camera filters.jpgThere are so many features of digital cameras that make them unique in comparison to the traditional cameras. One such feature is digital camera filter. The filters function for the digital photography in the same way as they do in the traditional cameras. The filters can adjust the light entering into the digital camera in many different and favorable ways. It works in a way that post processing cannot be duplicated easily.

The digital camera filters are the devices for pre-processing the image. In the post-processing, the optical filters foster the maximum visual impact, maximum photo realism and various things in between. The mounted filter adds to the risk of burn, among a few other downsides that are not unique to the digital cameras. But it does not come to anything more serious when you will see any photographic challenge being nicely addressed by a digital camera filter. When you will compare the cost and benefit factors of the digital camera filters, it amounts to be much favorable. Indeed, it is not uncommon for the filters to make things difficult.

The working of the filters is pretty much the same with both the film and digital cameras. There are some digital cameras that are more liable to blow out high lights as compared to the traditional film cameras. The filters, in this case, reduce the excess contrast and greatly help on the side of digital. Still, most of the digital cameras are less UV-sensitive. The ordinary UV filters rarely deliver some worth to the added risk of flare. The infrared filters are considered to be much easier in use on the digital side. The users can actually enjoy working with them.

Many filters that are commonly used are handed out to match the recording and working functions of the digital cameras. the UV cut, neutral density, polarizing, close-up filters all fall into the more or less same category. The UV and IR pass filters serve to extend to the reach of digital photographer away from the visible spectrum. The effects of the camera are difficult to further duplicate in the post-processing activities.

There are different types of filters available in the market. Creative filters alter the light directly to make the images warm, accent, soft, green, red and so on. Many effects of the creative filters can be duplicated comfortably in the post-processing activities. The protective filters are widely used to safeguard the expensive or replaceable camera optics.

It is also important for you to learn how to mount and size the filters on digital cameras. It is often seen that anyone who buys the filters for a digital camera faces problem on practical issues sooner or later. There are some technical things that you must think beforehand. The two practical issues can be solved by knowing well about the mounting method and the size. Well they can be different from one camera to the other. Camera variations can still be inevitable, but it is important to know about the basic working of the digital camera filter.

Visit www.LearnDigitalPhotographyNow.com to get your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography from Author Dan Feildman

Permalink • Print

Click Here For Your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography

April 14, 2009

Comparing Digital Cameras

615688_fast_camara.jpgThe most exciting thing that you face when you go buying the digital camera is that there are so many choices. With so many different features, styles and prices of digital cameras available in the market, the comparisons can actually be mind-boggling.

If you are going to buy a digital camera for yourself, to compare different digital cameras is a must for you. It will make your buying simple as well as less time consuming. If you want to know a few basic guidelines for drawing fair comparisons between a plethora of options available in the market, read the article. It will definitely help you make the best deal for you.

There are many factors that make a particular camera better or worse for you. The pixels, optical, memory, camera size, digital zoom and cost of various digital cameras should be compared well before picking any camera. The important task is to put through a sieve all the hype and get the best digital camera suiting your needs.

But before you start comparing the features of different cameras, it is important for you to make certain basic decisions. They are related to identifying your basic needs and prerequisites for the camera. Decide on why you need a digital camera. The purpose should be well-defined. Ask yourself, is it for taking candid snapshots or for serious photography. If you are buying the camera for clicking pictures for an exhibition or a photo website, the criterion of purchase will definitely change. There are different sizes of models that include compact, miniature and big size cameras. Be clear about the size you need to buy.

Then you may start comparing the specific features of the digital camera. You can compare the quantity and quality of the pixel. The more the pixels in the camera, the clearer and quality pictures it would produce. The pixels are nothing but tiny squares of color and light. Thus to get the best camera, you should have the best pixel quality. The sensor of the camera can be called as its eye. Generally, the digital cameras with larger sensors have better quality diodes, which result in sharp and clear pictures.

You should also compare the digital camera on the grounds of its memory. All the digital photographs require the storage capacity of several megabytes. You should compare the capacity of built-in memory of the digital camera. You should certainly go for the one with more battery capacity. A general guidance principle is to have a battery with at least 256 to 512MB of memory. It is important to check the memory compatibility while comparing the digital cameras.

You can also compare the SLR digital camera with compact digital camera. There are many features that you may find in a compact digital camera but not in the SLR digital camera. It can also be vice versa.

The SLR cameras are big cameras, efficient in producing clear, sharp and quite colourful images. While the compact cameras are very small in size and can be slipped in to your jeans pocket quite comfortably. They may not compete well with the SLR digital cameras when you compare their features. But, their size is the feature, which is the major attraction for purchase to many users. When you would compare the working and results of both of these cameras, you can decide as to which one suits the best to your needs.

There are more features that should be compared before buying a digital camera. Optical zoom is much better than digital zoom. Compare the speed of the shutter, time taken to start up, the level of manual override and how instant is the auto focus of the camera.

Keep these things in your mind before the purchase. I am quite sure that you will make the best-for-you pick, prior comparing various digital options. Happy Shopping, for happy digital Clicking! Visit LearnDigitalPhotographyNow.com to get your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography from Author Dan Feildman

Permalink • Print

Click Here For Your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography

March 31, 2009

Focus and Getting the Perfect Shot

Taking pictures is an experience that is rewarding as well as memorable. Photography can be fulfilling as well as frustrating.  

The following are basic tips and advice to get the most out of taking great pictures…

photographer.jpgTaking pictures indoors
The best way to achieve a good focus indoors is by using a roll of film that has a speed of ISO 400. 

There may be instances when pictures taken indoors are bit of a blur, the best way to solve this problem is by switching the automatic focus on your camera.  This prevents from you having to manually focus and tirelessly concentrate on getting it sharp when the camera can do the work for you, in less time, making it easier for you.

Also, there is a reason why there is a flash on your camera. You need to use it especially when taking indoor shots.  Pictures that are blurry are also the result of poor lighting.  When this happens, the shutter of the camera is forced to open for a considerable amount of time therefore making the image blurry. 

Dark photos could be prevented by using a flash.  Indoor shots need to have a flash even if there is light available.  To make sure though, it is highly advisable that one shot be taken with a flash and another without.

Batteries, batteries, batteries
Sometimes, trying to achieve focus can prove to be difficult especially if your camera is running out of power. You should always check your batteries.  A flash system takes a lot of battery power and the sign that you need to have your old batteries exchanged for new ones is when your flash does not fire when taking that shot.

Get the glare out of your pictures

There may be instances when the final prints of your pictures may have a glare. Usually this happens when the flash reflects off mirrors, walls that are shiny, windows, tvs, etc.  You may be able to avoid this by putting the camera on its side.

Frame and focus
Before clicking on that shutter button, focus on framing the shot you are taking.  Be aware of the picture’s frame and try not to cut off the top of the subjects heads. 

The best way to take pictures is with your bare hands.  Remove gloves if you are wearing them and don't hold any objects while framing and focusing the shot.  Doing such actually helps in avoiding the lens to be unnecessarily blocked.

What about pictures taken outdoors?

These types of pictures may be taken using film that is ISO 100 where there may be light readily avaiable like during the day.  

However, there may be instances where people may be squinting when their pictures are being taken.  To avoid this, try to position people so they aren't facing the sun.  It may be handy to have an umbrella handy.

Cases also occur where people appear dark or shadowy in the picture even if the pictures are taken outdoors.  When this happens, it could be that the photographer was positioned directly towards the sun.  As much as possible, the sun should be behind the person taking pictures.  Or use a flash to reduce any shadows on the subjects being photographed, if it is necessary that the photographer be positioned towards the sun.

Most cameras have a capacity to lock on their focus.  To do this,  have your camera point towards a spot that is bright.  Keep pressing on the shutter halfway, without going overboard and pressing it completely.  Then, move the camera to the picture you are to take and press the shutter fully.

Be aware not just of the subject you are focusing on but on any backgrounds available where your subject is positioned.  Pay attention to trees or any objects that could appear behind the subject that could ruin the shot.  There have been instances where a flag pole seems to be coming out of a model’s head, when actually the shot was just poorly framed and focused.

All in all, focusing is easy if you put your mind, heart and eyes into it. 

 

Permalink • Print

Click Here For Your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography

March 17, 2009

Digital Cameras - The Perfect Photography Tool

615688_fast_camara.jpgEach step ahead with the technology makes the things better. This goes perfectly right for the digital cameras. A digital camera is a device, which works with digital technology for taking the photographs. It is the best thing to have happened in the field of photography till now. With digital cameras, photography has become more instant, convenient and better.

The basic idea of digital camera becoming a hit among the masses is that it is absolutely different from its predecessor devices. The old conventional cameras used to be dependent entirely on the chemical and mechanical processes to develop the images. They were so uncomfortable to handle. More so, they used to deliver poor quality images that did not satisfy the users. People were not happy with the working of these old and uncomfortable cameras and were waiting for some new technology.

The digital cameras after their invention have broken all the boundaries. They are smart, instant and high-tech. They are so easy-to-handle that even the kids can produce high quality photos from them. It does not take much to understand the working of the digital technology. They are the trend of the modern times ready to deliver all your needs, in just a few seconds.

The digital cameras have in-built sensors which record all the images electronically. There is no system of film being inserted into them. The photos get stored in the memory chip of the camera. These images can later be transferred on to the computer or can be directly sent for printing. Moreover the digital cameras also let you decide which photos you want to keep and which ones you want to delete.

The new approach of the digital cameras has been tremendously successful. As the digital imaging technology is becoming better and improving each day, the digital cameras are becoming too popular. They are emerging as a high quality and high performance alternatives of the traditional cameras.

The basic components of the digital cameras are still alike traditional cameras. Same like a traditional camera, the digital camera has a series of powerful lenses. These lenses focus the light in order to create an image of the particular object you want to shoot. The basic difference is that in place of focusing this light on a piece of a traditional film, the digital camera focuses the light on a semiconductor device, which electronically records the light. A built-in computer then disperses this electronic info down into several digital data. All the interesting, fun and advanced digital cameras are the perfect results of this digital technology.

If you are going to buy a digital camera, it is important to understand the basics of its working. You will be able to identify the best digital camera for yourself by answering some of the similar questions. Why exactly do you need a digital camera? Will you use it to earn a living for yourself? Will you upload your photos on the Internet and earn from them? Do you need the best quality digital camera? Are you an average user of digital camera seeking fun or a serious professional photographer?

 

Permalink • Print

Click Here For Your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography

March 3, 2009

The Advantages of a Wide Angle Lens

Why wide angle, and how?
When is the best time to choose a wide angle lens, and how does one choose the appropriate wide angle lens for a particular shot? First things first, the best time for a wide angle lens is to be used is when you are planning to take a beautiful shot of a landscape. 
sony-20mm-SAL20F28.jpg
Another important aspect of landscape photography is the selection of the appropriate light as well as the perfect location of the landscape shot.  As much as possible, and depending on what it is being shot, the selection of the appropriate day to catch that landscape picture perfect landscape view is everything.

Lights, location and action
When the location has finally been chosen for the wide angle lens shot, try to notice the light effects visible on the area that you plan to shoot in over a whole twenty four hour day.  This ensures that you know how the lights play over the range of mountain, sand or seas.  This also helps you plan just how it is you are to go about taking that shot, when and how. 

When you finally know, it is therefore time to be a little bit creative.  You may include elements in your picture’s foreground in order to have an additional scale and depth to your pictures.  Also, feel free to look around from other points in the area where you think the shot could just as well be taken. This may add a little bit of interest to the final picture.  Also consider taking a variety of levels and positions.

Time is always of the essence
Believe it or not, in order to avoid any shadows that may appear harsh on the picture, the best time to shoot is early during the morning as well as late in the golden afternoon.  During this time, take your camera out and set it up using a tripod.  Then, take a reading of any area of the shot using a light-meter. Once the appropriate measurements have been taken, adjust the speed of the shutter and the aperture. 

After all these, all you need to do is to press the release button and take a beautiful picture. 

Make use of natural effects
If there are any natural creations occupying your shot, try to use a backlight or side lighting that provides the leaves, – for example – grass, water or smoke an appearance that these seem to be translucent, almost ethereal.  

Pictures of a beautiful sunset are best taken just when the sun has gently touched the horizon and immediately a maximum of five – count them  - five short minutes just after the sun has finally set. It is best that you use or position yourself to a geographically high point. A filtered polarizer may also be used in order to heighten the sky’s color or tone, thus delivering a picture befitting a postcard.

A wide angle lens helps a lot in increasing the picture’s scope.  Do not forget to relax. This prevents the camera from unnecessarily shaking and helping you focus on the subject more than anything else.

Supply yourself with much needed supplies
Since landscape photos are usually taken far from the city and well into the country, it is best that you pack up a host of equipments that enables you to take pictures even during temporary obstacles.  A flashlight always comes in handy, bottled water is another (to keep the photographer replenished and not thirsty), as well as a lot of extra rolls of film.  This is one equipment that photographers generally can't do without.  

Basically, a wide angle lens has a focal length that measures less than forty millimeters. Be aware as well as be wary that the length of the lens changes how an image is seen. 

All in all, determining the best lens to use for a particular shot requires a lot of patience, skill and practice.  The art of mastering landscape photography doesn't have to be difficult.  And the best lens to use for such kind of photography is a wide-angle lens.  Getting that that shot right takes not only skill but the strength, stamina and endurance to get to where the location of the landscape is and the energy – upon reaching that location – to get the job done. And when that moment arrives, the job has only just begun.

 

Permalink • Print

Click Here For Your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography

February 17, 2009

How to Sell your Digital Photos





If you want to make money with stock photography you'll have to follow some basic guidelines, no matter if you shoot for a micro stock site or a traditional stock photography agency.
cover_hardback_250.jpg
Shoot photos that sell
That's by far the most important point. Would you pay for an image of your neighbors mother-in-law? Or of his dog? Of course not! No one would, perhaps not even your neighbor himself.

Likewise professional photo buyers don't care for that kind of images. What they are looking for are photos that illustrate concepts, like career, relationship or retirement. Business related photos generally sell very well. Photos of handshakes sell well because shaking hands is a universal, widely understood idea that can be used to illustrate negotiations, contracts, treaties and even things like breaking-up or divorce.

Travel photography can sell well if it can be used to illustrate concepts. For example, a photo of the Houses of Parliament in London can be used to illustrate democracy or governmental topics.

Avoid legal pitfalls

Most stock photography agencies have strict rules regarding images of people (if the people in the photo are recognizable), property (if the image of the property can lead to its owner, e.g. a license plate on a car), and trademarked logos or items anywhere in the image. If in doubt, don't submit such images. If you want to sell images with recognizable people in them, all agencies will require you to provide so called "model releases". A model release is a document with which the photographed person permits you to sell the image without need of compensation. Obtaining a signed model release from ordinary people is next to impossible, so you might be better off to either weed those images out or hire professional models.

Keywording is the key to success, literally
No matter how good your photos are, they won't sell if no one can find them. All stock sites let you tag or keyword your images. A good approach to keywording is to answer six simple questions for each image: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How?

For example, let's suppose you have a bunch of nice healthcare related images, shot in a hospital. Answering "Who?" you might find "doctor", "nurse", or "patient". Answer "What" to come up with "lancet" or "stethoscope". Answering "Where" yields "hospital", "waiting room" or "theatre", while "When" gives "morning", "afternoon" or any other time of day or year. Ask yourself "Why" to evoke concepts like "sickness", "comfort" or "patience". Finally "How" can refer to the photographic technique involved: It could be "black and white" or "monochrome", it might be "blurred" et cetera.

Anyone can make money with the tips and tricks revealed in the free report, “How to Make Money With Digital Photography!” - Click Here To Download Now

Permalink • Print

Click Here For Your FREE Tips, Tricks & Resources on Digital Photography