More photography articles at A Blog About Digital Photography
Niche Plus Style equals a Photographic Career
As a freelance writer I must have heard a thousand times. "Write what you know." Why, I taught that myself in my classes. I would expand that to "Write what you know and love."
That is comparatively easy. I just wrote about what I loved (translate that knew). We all gravitate easily towards what we know and love. And there is no other brain that can write what formulates in our own hearts and minds.
Not so with picture-taking. When I entered the photography market I held a spanking new SLR camera, just like all other professionals use, and wondered how my picture of a landscape could be different than everyone else's.
Sure I could twist and lie on the ground and wildly change perspectives, but in the end how is my shot really different than everyone else's? How could I find a niche for my work that no one else could fit into, and no one else could even create?
For me it went something like this:
My Niche: I live in the beautiful foothills of the San Pedro Wilderness, with access to stunning landscapes and crumbling Southwest architecture. I moved here because physically and spiritually I was drawn. Viola - my niche.
My Style: This is harder. One day I was shooting a sunset over a small mountain lake and turned around to see the landscape behind me lit as if the sun were a black light from a 70s Hippie pad.
Upon downloading the days work, that was my favorite photo. But it looked bland and almost colorless compared to what my eyes beheld in person. I thought my camera was defective. I began to play with Photoshop until the scene emerged as a fairy tale path.
I had the light bulb experience as I admired my wonderland work. I thought back to my ex-husband telling me I live in a fairy tale and that life isn't a fairy tale. I remembered telling him that my life is a fairy tale and if he were to try and taint it I would banish him to Neverneverland.
I studied this dreamy photo of the dirt road leading to my cabin. I thought, "If I live in a fairy tale, and this is the path leading to me, then this must be a Fairy Trail."
My artistic world was birthed. This was it. This romantic application to my photos in post production was my style. Long story short, I named my gallery of photo art the Fairy Trails Gallery; Portals to Paradise. And that photo is the portal clicked on to enter my path.
Each photo, after I've manipulated it to look like I see it, and only I can see it, is magic for me. And if it creates magic for me, there are people out there who will also be drawn to it.
Your Niche is What You Know
Finding your niche may take some time. But spend that time. It is not wasted. With every photo we learn something about technical aspects. Go out regularly photographing. Don't think about. Just shoot what you enjoy. Soon you'll you realize your favorite subjects. Stick to them.
Think about where you live. Do you live there by birth or choice? Did you relocate there? Do you love your area, inspired by its beauty? If so, you may be a landscapist, not a portrait photographer, cooped up in a studio all day.
Conversely, if you are captivated by people's expressions and individual beauty, longing to capture it, you may very well be a portrait photographer. You may live in a dirty city where you don't even like to go outside. Or see the innate beauty of a fallen leaf afloat in the oil-slick of a city puddle and be counted among our troops of street photographers documenting city life. There are innumerable niches between these extremes.
Your Style is What You Love
Take time to peruse articles and tutorials on your discovered preferences. But don't bog yourself down with them. You'll find that reading just one will inspire several ideas and urges. Act on them. Write them down in one place. One day you will see the common thread among them.
Is there something that people have accused you of all your life, like me living in a fairy tale? Often times those criticisms are our strengths being misinterpreted by others. Think about that. Is there a connection between those accusations and the subjects you love to shoot and/or the way you choose to edit those subjects during post processing?
Are you adept at interpreting subtle nuances? Do you prefer things sliced and clean as a minimalist? The fact is, whatever you are, that is your style - simple as that. The rest is technicalities. Just keep shooting and don't stress over it, and your niche and style will expose itself as truly as that camera in your hands; pun intended.
About the Author
Photographic artist, Aggie Villanueva www.cielosrojos.com, dubbed the Grandma Moses of the American Southwest, uses photo manipulation to allow others to see life as she sees it, if they care to. Her photo art is represented at several galleries, and she is the founder/publisher/editor of the Aperture Aside Web Hub www.aggiev.org, which includes huge photography-related web archives, blog and bi-monthly photography journal.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Tips For Buying Underwater Digital Camera
Learn Digital Photography Now!
Often it is not possible to capture the beauty of underwater life with normal camera, but thanks to underwater digital camera, now you can explore the marine life. An underwater camera is a special designed digital camera used for still and video photography to capture the amazing flora and fauna of marine life.
You can capture the still images of sea life or can shoot while scuba diving. Safely protected with waterproof casing, these digital cameras are designed to be fully submerged underwater and withstand any surrounding pressure. The smaller models of underwater cameras are normally ideal for up to two hundred feet to four hundred feet while the bigger digital cameras are made for deeper water regions.
As compared to film-based underwater cameras, the underwater digital cameras are much better since they don`t run out of film. Yon can also delete any bad shots or change to a lower resolution picture mode in low-light conditions. No more fuzzy backgrounds and edges as seen in film underwater cameras, with their wide-angle photography, underwater digital cameras delivers sharper images.
Available in all sizes, shapes and film format, many underwater digital cameras also come with viewfinder feature which helps in picture adjustment for photography. With some nice prints, the underground digital camera produces better images which are really helpful for amateur photographers.
However the underwater digital camera is not only meant for deep-sea divers. Many underwater digital cameras available today can also be used to take quality pictures on dry land in harsh climatic conditions like snowfall and severe rains. Adorned with multi-flash function, color correction filter and macro lens, the underwater digital camera offers superb image quality. Just like normal digital camera, this underwater digital camera also comes with 15MB of sufficient memory along with the storage, editing and manipulation software.
If you wonder which model of underwater digital camera to choose, what features to consider, then here is a briefly discussed guide on the features of some prominent underwater digital camera models.
Panasonic SDR-SW20:
This compact model is for those who want an easy-to-use and lightweight underwater digital camera. With 10x optical zoom and MPEG-2 format up to 10 Mbps, this is one of the best digital cameras available for video recording. However, with only 0.3MP 640x480 still imaging capability, the still imaging options are basically non-existent in this new model.
Pentax Optio W30:
One of the pioneers in underwater digital camera market, the current Optio W30 comes with 7MP with ISO1600 and 3x optical zoom image recording feature. Supported by both SD and SDHC, Videos in this underwater digital camera is of 640x480 in MOV QuickTime MJPEG format.
Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1:
This is the one of the best designed underwater digital cameras for up to 5feet depth of water. With 4GB card, and MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 at 640x480 powers, the Xacti E1 allows shooting with an approximate record time of over 5 hours. For still images, this digital camera offers a solid 5x optical zoom with a 6MP CCD at up to ISO1600 power. One special key feature of this underwater digital camera is the flip out view screen which saves you from the risk of bumping in with underwater objects while swimming around.
Olympus SW series:
At 10 Megapixels, ISO1600, and a 3.6x optical zoom feature, Olympus may also be one of the most well rounded underwater digital cameras. With an underwater depth up to 6.6 feet, this is the deepest water digital camera on the list.
Intova IC-700 7.0MP digital camera with underwater housing:
Available in an affordable price of around $300, this underwater digital camera features 7 megapixels, macro mode and an in-built flash that can reach up to five feet underwater.
About the Author
You can have access to portuguese articles about digital cameras from page www.polomercantil.com.br/camera-digital.php. Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for www.polomercantil.com.br
Learn Digital Photography Now!
Often it is not possible to capture the beauty of underwater life with normal camera, but thanks to underwater digital camera, now you can explore the marine life. An underwater camera is a special designed digital camera used for still and video photography to capture the amazing flora and fauna of marine life.
You can capture the still images of sea life or can shoot while scuba diving. Safely protected with waterproof casing, these digital cameras are designed to be fully submerged underwater and withstand any surrounding pressure. The smaller models of underwater cameras are normally ideal for up to two hundred feet to four hundred feet while the bigger digital cameras are made for deeper water regions.
As compared to film-based underwater cameras, the underwater digital cameras are much better since they don`t run out of film. Yon can also delete any bad shots or change to a lower resolution picture mode in low-light conditions. No more fuzzy backgrounds and edges as seen in film underwater cameras, with their wide-angle photography, underwater digital cameras delivers sharper images.
Available in all sizes, shapes and film format, many underwater digital cameras also come with viewfinder feature which helps in picture adjustment for photography. With some nice prints, the underground digital camera produces better images which are really helpful for amateur photographers.
However the underwater digital camera is not only meant for deep-sea divers. Many underwater digital cameras available today can also be used to take quality pictures on dry land in harsh climatic conditions like snowfall and severe rains. Adorned with multi-flash function, color correction filter and macro lens, the underwater digital camera offers superb image quality. Just like normal digital camera, this underwater digital camera also comes with 15MB of sufficient memory along with the storage, editing and manipulation software.
If you wonder which model of underwater digital camera to choose, what features to consider, then here is a briefly discussed guide on the features of some prominent underwater digital camera models.
Panasonic SDR-SW20:
This compact model is for those who want an easy-to-use and lightweight underwater digital camera. With 10x optical zoom and MPEG-2 format up to 10 Mbps, this is one of the best digital cameras available for video recording. However, with only 0.3MP 640x480 still imaging capability, the still imaging options are basically non-existent in this new model.
Pentax Optio W30:
One of the pioneers in underwater digital camera market, the current Optio W30 comes with 7MP with ISO1600 and 3x optical zoom image recording feature. Supported by both SD and SDHC, Videos in this underwater digital camera is of 640x480 in MOV QuickTime MJPEG format.
Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1:
This is the one of the best designed underwater digital cameras for up to 5feet depth of water. With 4GB card, and MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 at 640x480 powers, the Xacti E1 allows shooting with an approximate record time of over 5 hours. For still images, this digital camera offers a solid 5x optical zoom with a 6MP CCD at up to ISO1600 power. One special key feature of this underwater digital camera is the flip out view screen which saves you from the risk of bumping in with underwater objects while swimming around.
Olympus SW series:
At 10 Megapixels, ISO1600, and a 3.6x optical zoom feature, Olympus may also be one of the most well rounded underwater digital cameras. With an underwater depth up to 6.6 feet, this is the deepest water digital camera on the list.
Intova IC-700 7.0MP digital camera with underwater housing:
Available in an affordable price of around $300, this underwater digital camera features 7 megapixels, macro mode and an in-built flash that can reach up to five feet underwater.
About the Author
You can have access to portuguese articles about digital cameras from page www.polomercantil.com.br/camera-digital.php. Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for www.polomercantil.com.br
Learn Digital Photography Now!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Black and White Photography - Still Most Creative Form of Photography
Learn Digital Photography Now!
You would rarely find a person who does not like photographs. Photographs of people, nature and wild life attract almost everybody. With the advent of digital cameras it is now easy to catch moments in frames forever.
During the early stages, black and white photography was the only way to capture photographs. Experimentation with color photography started around 1861. Modern color photography evolved gradually.
However, there is no reason to think that color photography has replaced black and white photography completely. Black and white photos are still very much there and there is no clue for them to vanish in near future.
Black and white photographs bear an artistic and creative look that attracts people. Color photographs are often mirror copies of what we see around. However, when it comes to present an idea, a mood or a philosophical thought, photographers prefer going black and white.
Photography - a rewarding hobby
Ask people about their hobbies; many of them would answer that they like photography over anything else. It is an interesting, challenging and rewarding hobby! You would hardly find an individual who would not carry a camera during festivals, family functions, social or corporate events or while traveling.
And the reason is simple. Photographs let you cherish old memories. When you leaf through the pages of family album, you go back to the time when the snaps were taken. Small memories associated with the pictures come in mind. The person must be stone-hearted who does not get emotional to see old family photographs.
Black and white photos are the true elements to make one nostalgic. The effect of light and shadow becomes prominent in bicolor photography. A lot of people feel that close-up portraits look great in black and white. Facial expressions are caught perfect in black & white photographs. It is often said that tears are better expressed in black and white!
Black and white travel photography is equally popular among travelers and nature lovers. Wild life photography and travel photography are appreciated and accepted whole wide world. Photojournalists and travel photographers carry their cameras always as the picture perfect moment might appear before them any time.
Animals, flowers, trees, rivers, night sky, nature, heels, people, regional festivals, tribal life and sun rise and sun set are the most common subject of travel photography. Black and white travel photographs and wild life photographs are often placed in auction and sold at high price.
Black and white photography is one of the popular forms of art and will continue to be so for years to come.
About the Author
Craig Peterson is an online researcher and photographer by hobby. For a good collection of black and white photos and black and white travel photography, he recommends you to visit: http://www.richardgreenphoto.com/
You would rarely find a person who does not like photographs. Photographs of people, nature and wild life attract almost everybody. With the advent of digital cameras it is now easy to catch moments in frames forever.
During the early stages, black and white photography was the only way to capture photographs. Experimentation with color photography started around 1861. Modern color photography evolved gradually.
However, there is no reason to think that color photography has replaced black and white photography completely. Black and white photos are still very much there and there is no clue for them to vanish in near future.
Black and white photographs bear an artistic and creative look that attracts people. Color photographs are often mirror copies of what we see around. However, when it comes to present an idea, a mood or a philosophical thought, photographers prefer going black and white.
Photography - a rewarding hobby
Ask people about their hobbies; many of them would answer that they like photography over anything else. It is an interesting, challenging and rewarding hobby! You would hardly find an individual who would not carry a camera during festivals, family functions, social or corporate events or while traveling.
And the reason is simple. Photographs let you cherish old memories. When you leaf through the pages of family album, you go back to the time when the snaps were taken. Small memories associated with the pictures come in mind. The person must be stone-hearted who does not get emotional to see old family photographs.
Black and white photos are the true elements to make one nostalgic. The effect of light and shadow becomes prominent in bicolor photography. A lot of people feel that close-up portraits look great in black and white. Facial expressions are caught perfect in black & white photographs. It is often said that tears are better expressed in black and white!
Black and white travel photography is equally popular among travelers and nature lovers. Wild life photography and travel photography are appreciated and accepted whole wide world. Photojournalists and travel photographers carry their cameras always as the picture perfect moment might appear before them any time.
Animals, flowers, trees, rivers, night sky, nature, heels, people, regional festivals, tribal life and sun rise and sun set are the most common subject of travel photography. Black and white travel photographs and wild life photographs are often placed in auction and sold at high price.
Black and white photography is one of the popular forms of art and will continue to be so for years to come.
About the Author
Craig Peterson is an online researcher and photographer by hobby. For a good collection of black and white photos and black and white travel photography, he recommends you to visit: http://www.richardgreenphoto.com/
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Learn Digital Photography Now Review
Learn Digital Photography Now!
Here's what other people are saying about our all new "Guide To Digital Photography"...
"Your guide to digital photography was a revelation to me! I now take great photos. The difference is amazing!"
- Jeremy Alan
"After reading your guide (just before my son's wedding) more people requested copies of my photos than they did from the official photographer. You can't believe how I felt"
- Elizabeth Williams
"It was our dream holiday, a cruise around the Mediterrenean, and thanks to your help we have beautiful photos to last a lifetime"
- Jon and Trudy Evans
"I had spent almost $300 on my new digital camera and was so dissappointed until I bought and read your guide, now I take great photos most of the time, and I still consider myself a newbie."
- Andrea Rogers
Learn Digital Photography Now!
Here's what other people are saying about our all new "Guide To Digital Photography"...
"Your guide to digital photography was a revelation to me! I now take great photos. The difference is amazing!"
- Jeremy Alan
"After reading your guide (just before my son's wedding) more people requested copies of my photos than they did from the official photographer. You can't believe how I felt"
- Elizabeth Williams
"It was our dream holiday, a cruise around the Mediterrenean, and thanks to your help we have beautiful photos to last a lifetime"
- Jon and Trudy Evans
"I had spent almost $300 on my new digital camera and was so dissappointed until I bought and read your guide, now I take great photos most of the time, and I still consider myself a newbie."
- Andrea Rogers
Learn Digital Photography Now!
Learn Digital Photography Now
Learn Digital Photography Now!
It was only a few short years ago that digital photography was considered little more than electronic gimmickry. A cute little electronic box that could instantly save photos into digital format that could be viewed on your desktop, but nothing of the kind of quality that could compete with real photography. In fact, sophisticated electronic cameras such as the Nikon 6006 or the 8008, and Canon's Elon SLR's (single lens reflex) cameras were just coming into their own in the early 90s.
As digital cameras began appearing on the scene in the latter to late 1990s they were nothing more than novelties capable of producing a picture about 1/2 the quality of film cameras at best. Then high resolution digital SLRs finally burst onto the scene but were so expensive that most professional photographers were unable to afford them. Most photographers simply used film cameras, scanned the slides or negatives and then they were able to obtain a high quality digital photo.
The first affordable digital SLR that I saw was the Canon Digital Rebel in 2003 or 2004 and sold for $999 with a special digital lens. The special digital lens was necessary due to the small sensors that these cameras used causing a 17-50mm lens to operate at about a 1.5 magnification making the lens like a 28-70mm zoom on a normal camera.
These new digital SLRs approached film quality and gave the added satisfaction of being able to critique your work right away. You could make adjustments right in the field without having to wait for your prints to come back from the lab.
When I first got into photography I had to learn all the latest techniques that I could in magazines like Popular photography. Then I took several rolls of film, delivered them to the lab and picked them up later od nly to find that the pictures just didn't look the scene I just shot. Little did I realize when I first started shooting that even the best camera lens can only see about 1/10 the color range that the human eye can see. This is why you can see in the dark, but the camera lens can not. More about night photography later.
So now you have your instant pictures to view, but the process doesn't stop there. With digital pictures you still have to download them to your computer and load them into an imaging program such as the one that came on a disk with the camera or a more sophisticated program like Adobe Photoshop. Your camera's included software is limited but quite adequate for the average snap shooter.
So in review to get started in digital photography you need:
1. A decent camera (preferably a SLR with interchangeable lens).
2. A computer with adequate memory and storage.
3. An imaging software program.
Now you are ready to begin the basics which are outlined in some of the available electronic books available in pdf format such as Learn Digital Photography Now!