The Top 4 Techniques for Excellent Wedding Photography

The introduction of several photography trainings and programs has opened the opportunity for many aspiring photographers to learn and master the techniques of wedding photography. As the trend improves itself through time, many relevant wedding photo techniques were already mastered and being practiced by several wedding photographers.

You may wonder what's with wedding photography that makes it so interesting and exciting. Aside from the fact that photos are considered as one of the most wonderful memorabilia of a wedding, it's also considered one of the most effective ways of showing creativity and expressing art. And if learning more about wedding photography is one of your major plans this year, then here are the top 4 techniques that are surely effective to help you come up with the best wedding photo results.

1. The blend of colours and light. A well-skilled wedding photographer knows the relevance of combining the right colours and intensity of brightness to the overall result of the photo. Light and other distracting colours can sometimes ruin photo quality and can even lead to poor resolution. It is an advice to always check the amount of light and the synchronization of colours especially when it's an outdoor wedding event. Finding the right camera angle is another important consideration in line. It is said that best shots are acquired when you take photos using the 45o from below. For several photographers, this angle is perfect for a clearer and more attractive result.

2. The choice of background. The impressive result of a wedding photo highly depends on the kind of background you use. Remember: a perfect main subject would only turn out unappealing if no proper choice of background is observed. Think of something that will make the wedding photo stand-out. You can plan to take pre-nuptial shots inviting the couple to pose to several spots that presents nature and urban settings. You can also design it as something trendy with glitters of fashion which is becoming popular now.

3. The camera setting. Set up your camera to the appropriate setting. Indoor events usually require different settings from outdoor occasions mainly due to the presence of light. Consider also the setting differences when taking captures to a still and moving objects. Along with that, you also have to take extra careful on the adjustments on the resolution, angle and distance from the object especially if it involves a combination of one or more images.

4.The subject position. Higher attraction and uniqueness is achieved when you know how to display your subject to a certain position. You can take photos at different angles with just a standing subject and still come up with stunning photos. Remember: always observe organization and proper subject arrangement before taking the hit button. Another great way to make your wedding photo standout is to arrange subjects according to size, height or color. If you are already skilled enough to do the tricks, you can combine subjects and create variation of positions and come up with the most attractive photos.

The resulting poor photo results usually points to the lack of knowledge of some wedding photographers when they're out doing their job. Don't let this happen to you.

Remember: it takes practice and exposure to master the techniques of wedding photography. So if ever you see yourself enjoying the experience, don't hesitate to spend time learning more of it.

 

Digital Photography - 5 Tips For Absolute Digital Photography Beginners

New to digital cameras and photography? Don't know which end of the digital camera is up? Many others have passed this way, so don't lose heart. Here are some basic tips for beginning photographers that will help you get started with your new camera and learn digital photography.

It's really hard to imagine yourself as the next Ansel Adams at first. When you get a new digital camera, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the terms and control features.

Fear not! While daunting, it takes only a little exploration and practice to get past the first panic. You will be taking amazing photographs to wow your friends and acquaintances very quickly.

Digital cameras are improving all the time. This is good news and bad news.

The good news is that you don't have to be a techno-wizard to be able to take some fantastic shots with your digital camera, whether it is the cheapest or the most expensive one on the market.

The bad news is that, as the technology advances, there are more and more buttons and gadgets to figure out. This causes stress for some folks.

But more good news - you don't have to master all the gizmos and widgets. You can take great pictures with your camera set on "Auto."

The Tips:

Have Patience - Don't panic when you first pick up that camera. Take a deep breath and ease into picture taking mode.Read the Manual - This actually should be first. It is the one thing that causes most people the most frustration. Not knowing where a setting is can be easily learned by opening the instruction manual. The manufacturer invested lots of time and money creating that little document. Use it. And if it is misplaced, you can access it online by simply typing the name of your camera into the search box on google. Every manual for recent cameras is available as a downloadable PDF document.Invest in a Storage Card - All cameras come with basic needs covered, including some type of storage. However, it is ALWAYS necessary to get a larger storage card than what comes with your camera. Now that prices are extremely competitive, get at least an 8 GB card so that you can take lots of pictures without worry of running out of space.Set the Picture Size and Quality - These will probably be in the same part of your camera menu, but they may be separate functions, meaning you have to do each one as a different operation. You will find these settings in your camera menu. They is not in the same place on every camera, so consult your manual (see tip #2). Choose a large size and the best quality. This is why you need a nice large storage card (see tip #3). Even if you plan to only share your photos online where the smallest size would be sufficient, you never know when you will get that unforgettable photo that you want to frame and hang on the wall. If you camera is set to a tiny size, you will be Out Of Luck.Use the Auto setting on your Mode Dial - If you are a beginner, you want to get some good pictures to test the camera and build your confidence before you venture into the "Creative" settings on you new digital camera.

You are now ready to start snapping. It is time to throw patience and caution to the wind and take lots of shots.

The Really Good News: Forget the idea of film and having to pay for each time you press the shutter button. You have a delete button on your camera which you can use to get rid of the losers. The more you shoot the more the probability that you will get some winners, and winners are what will keep that new digital camera from sitting on a shelf gathering dust.

 

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20 Ways to Market Your Photography Business

A 221-page e-book that teaches both new and established photographers how to increase their photography profits.

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The Science of Great Landscape Photography

Learn the science of taking Great Landscape Photographs With Any Camera And A Few Basic Accessories With This $19.95 216-page EBook(R)!

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Nikon School DVD - Understanding Digital Photography

Understanding Digital Photography - DVD allows customers to take their digital SLR photography even further by providing insight about the fundamentals of digital SLR photography.

Understanding Digital Photography makes it easier than ever for customers to learn why, how and when to go beyond their Nikon D-SLR's automatic setting mode.

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Ansel your landscapes

When you think depth of field, you might think of Ansel Adams, one of the greats in landscape photography. Adams captured the essence of America’s coast-to-coast landforms from scenic overlooks in U.S. national parks to the close-ups of flowers there. His imagery illustrated the fine
art of texture from smooth rocks to the jutting sticks of tree branches. If one word could be used to describe how Adams photographed landscapes, that word would have to be detail.

Adams worked with film: big format film, film several inches long by several inches wide, film that required a special lens. He waited for the right time to take a picture, and he got to know the places where he photographed. Emulating Adams using your digital camera can be pursued first by knowing a place where there’s nothing but nature around, knowing when the weather will be good, knowing a viewpoint from which to photograph, and knowing what time of day to go there for the best light.

You can get pictures from high-end digital cameras with the same clarity that Adams got, provided you find that special natural place that you know well and use a tripod when shooting. Try a variety of shutter speeds and exposures, and then pick out the best of a series.

Macro or micro: That is the question

Close-up photography is another means of perspective.
But is it macro or micro?
What’s the difference and why should you even pay attention to these lenses/settings?
When you think of a micro lens, think of looking through a microscope lens to make really small things look bigger. Makes fascinating photography, but not the kind of best-selling art photography you would probably want to make.

A macro lens/setting works on the same principle — to make something small appear larger. However, macro lenses also allow you to get your camera/lens really close to your subject.
Compare this with using a telephoto lens.
Sure, you make something small appear larger, but a macro lens lets you get right on top of your
subject, capturing very fine detail and color.

Hey, wait a minute. Nikon calls its close-up lenses micro, but they’re really macro. Perhaps Nikon just wanted to be scientific about what it calls its lenses.

At any rate, a macro setting comes on a lot of cameras these days. It’s a quick turn of the knob (usually found within the Auto modes on your camera). You can catch anything up close, like my “flower” here.
To make a macro shot crystal clear, use a tripod when shooting to prevent blur.

Defining Yourself as a Photographer

Making art is one of the most rewarding activities that you can pursue because it’s something you create yourself with your own personal touch. How personal you want to get is up to you. Some traditional photography artists have work displayed in modern art museums, brushing the edge in controversy. For example, Robert Mapplethorpe, in the 1980s, made headlines when he used the medium to reflect on the pain of his personal life. The list of photographers who have taken a personal look at their lives is long, and there probably isn’t one who didn’t evaluate his or her life to come up with the subject matter for his photographs. To name but a few, look at the work of William Eggleston, Annie Leibovitz, David Hockney — and even moon-walker Neil Armstrong.

So if you’re going to be an art photographer, should you hang out at cafés and smoke hand-rolled cigarettes? Well, not if you don’t want to. (But if you see someone who’s smoking a hand-rolled cigarette in a café and who looks amiable to having his picture taken, by all means ask him. That
could be an art photo opportunity.)

Perhaps you have no interest in people or their interactions. This certainly doesn’t mean that you can’t be an art photographer. Take pictures of what appeals to you visually to help define yourself as a photographer.
For example, perhaps you’re drawn to
color (think carnivals, marketplaces filled with rainbows of fruit, or fields exploding with poppies).
Or maybe you’re attracted to the shapes and forms of nature, such as winding streams, gnarled trees, and majestic peaks. You get the picture.

Shoot what you like

To figure out what type of pictures you take the most, look at your pictures you’ve taken and sort them by categories. If you find that you take a lot of pictures of the same things — say, street scenes — you’re on your way to finding a subject that you like (and learning about yourself as a photographer).
Many well-known photographers choose the streets of famous cities as the subjects of their work. If you find that you have a tendency to shoot a particular subject then by all means, concentrate on that subject. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at capturing and finding different ways to showcase your fave subjects. When you really know your subject, you can better find niche markets for your photos, too.

Study the masters

If you find yourself gravitating toward classical poses and subject matter, study what well-known artists through the ages chose for their subject matter.
Notice how the subject matter evolves from cave men drawings to religious figures and still lifes to nature. The summary of the subject matter of the history of art ends with social commentary about the Great Depression.

Art has progressed to modernity through many evolutions. What comes next is up to you. For more detailed information about the subject matter that classical artists have used throughout the ages, you can look at Art For Dummies, by Thomas Hoving (Wiley).
After you study the classical masters, take a look at some photographic masters at www.mastersof-photography.com.

Works from all the biggies of photography are featured there. Check out Helen Levitt for some cool 1940s grafitti, Ansel Adams for the world’s greatest landscapes, Diane Arbus for weird but wonderful people, and E. J. Bellocq for early 20th-century characters. Throughout this book, I reference more artists to help you interpret the masters’ photos and refresh their ideas a bit so you refine your own photographic style.

All about light, shadows, and shades

Capturing light — how you want to show and exploit it — truly defines photography.

After all, photography literally means light writing. You can use light to paint, illuminate, mask, shadow, and color your subject almost limitlessly. Use light to your advantage to capture everything from blasting saturated color to ethereal backlit fog and mist to stark silhouettes. For more on reading light when shooting outdoors and indoors, see Chapters 5 and 6, respectively.

For great techniques on capturing light when shooting black-and-white, see Chapter 9. And for shooting in virtually no light, see Chapter 10 for the lowdown on night photography.

You can also use light and shadow at night to add depth to photographs, sometimes making them look similar to paintings. Older buildings that show wear offer your camera’s sensor a brush stroke effect in its interpretation of the light’s reflection on the worn stone.

Many of the best architecture and landscape photographs are shot at dusk. The long shadows, soft light, and reflections can create dramatic results.

Don’t be afraid to exploit contrast when calculating the proper light for exposure. After you get the hang of your camera’s auto settings, master how to set your exposures manually.

Composing an Art Photograph

The difference between someone who takes pictures and an art photographer is that the latter realizes that the cornerstone of fundamental design is composition. Folks easily take this element for granted, getting swept away by coolness or locale of the subject. Composition is more than what your subject is and how it’s posed: It comprises all that plus the background, foreground, color, lighting, and framing. Always remember to compose first and expose second.

All great photographs start with sound composition techniques, which are basic rules of how to put together a pleasing image. When you compare two shots (say, using the same subject and lighting), one of a sloppily composed image with one that’s thoughtful and crafted, you can immediately tell the difference.

And when you follow these rules, remember that you follow in the footsteps of masters of art and architecture: The ancient Greeks and Romans practiced these same tenets 20 centuries before the advent of photography. It’s obvious in their architecture.