Digital Photography Tips

Digital Photography Smarts - Learning the Basics of Getting the Most Out of Taking Pictures

2010-11-07T23:50:00.000-08:00

Digital Photography Smarts - Learning the Basics of Getting the Most Out of Taking Pictures

By Ivan Dickerson

Digital photography has officially become the primary way the world captures pictures.

With cameras being included in everything from cell phones, to laptops, from handheld game players to 'spy' watches people are now able to take pictures more easily than ever.

Of course, we still have the standard handheld digital photography camera, but the options of colors, features, size and shape seem to be unlimited. Whether you're shopping in department stores or online stores, you always find a wide selection of digital cameras. For this reason, making a selection can be a difficult and confusing task. Each camera has its own special selling points so to make your search easier and quicker you need to decide how you want to use your camera.

For some, digital photography is simply a fun and easy hobby. Since most cameras allow people to view their pictures almost immediately, either on their digital camera's display panel or by sending the pictures onto a computer, making a hobby of taking digital photos is one of the fastest growing past-times around.

For others who have mastered the art, digital photography has become a way to earn income by working for news organizations, private companies, websites and through selling their photographs freelance. Mastering this art gets accomplished mainly by how much time a person is willing to commit to learning how to use a camera to get the best possible picture.

Maybe you already have a digital camera and you just want to know how to get the most out of it. Maybe you are a person who wants the most cutting edge equipment and are willing to pay top dollar for it. Either way the most important question to keep in mind is "What kind of pictures do I want to take most?"

When you've answered this question you'll be prepared to direct your energies properly to learning the right things for make your digital photography successful. If you are totally new to taking digital photographs and don't yet know what types of pictures you want to take then it's always okay to experiment. Take some pictures of family & friends. Take pet pictures. Take pictures around the house or in your yard. Take pictures close up of flowers and small items that interest you. As you experiment like this and review your pictures you will begin to get a feel for what kind of pictures you'd like to get better at taking.

Don't be surprised if after experimenting you discover that your current camera may need some 'upgrades' or that you may need a whole new camera to get the quality of digital photographs you want. Most people start with a digital camera that belongs to family or was given to them as a gift. Sometimes that equipment can do everything you need. But some people may require specific equipment that allows them, for example, to take night pictures, pictures from a far distance, underwater pictures or even super clear, high definition pictures.

When looking for the right digital camera be sure to take your time and review all the options of each camera you're interested in. Just like buying a car, you have to consider every feature since you will want it to work well and you want to keep for a long time.

Here are 3 important tips to remember when looking for a digital camera.

1. Cost - How much are you going to pay?

Lets say, you just saw you friend with a Sony NEX-5 and it's exactly the what you. But are you ready to pay hefty price tag to get it?

Obviously coast is a primary factor in considering what camera to buy. Just because you've found the camera with all the features you want doesn't mean you're ready to buy it. But don't let that keep you from doing your research. Also consider that websites like Ebay.com and Amazon.com often have those high priced items at great discounts. Sometimes someone gets a camera as a gift or has an extra that they want to sell quickly. Many people find great deals on the exact camera they want at these sites. Just remember to read the item description thoroughly and check the seller's feedback history to ensure a positive purchase transaction.

But don't lose hope; it is possible to get a great, inexpensive digital camera that meets all your needs. As long as you as you have a good idea what kind of pictures you want to take, you'll discover that finding a bargain is much easier.

2. Purpose - Is your photography for business or pleasure?

As I've mentioned above, you need to determine what kind of pictures you want to take with your digital camera. Maybe it's just for fun, maybe it's for your work, either way when you know for sure it makes finding the right camera so much easier and you'll be much happier with the camera you decide to buy.

Researching features becomes a simpler task when you have a purpose in mind. If you intend to keep your camera handy for family gatherings, parties and photos of friends then features like automatic focus, and automatic flash may serve you best. If you are taking pictures at sporting events, high speed vehicles or action you may want a camera with adjustable shutter speed settings to capture crisp clear shots of things in motion.

Whatever your purpose make sure to keep it in focus when looking for features in a new digital camera.

3. Durability - Making sure you camera will last.

Although you can find some very inexpensive digital cameras your purchase is still a valuable investment. Therefore you want o make sure that you purchase a solid durable camera. Many camera's have metal or plastic bodies. Plastic is lighter but can more easily crack if dropped.

After purchasing your digital camera you may want to buy some accessories, like a carrying case, to protect it from scratches and damage. It is best however to get one that is known to have a good quality and durability.

Reading reviews from current and previous owners of the camera you are going to buy is a great way to find out how reliable and durable your camera will be. Many websites offer reviews of cameras by owners. You can find good reviews through Google by typing in the model and make of the camera you're interested in and then the word "review". This often produces several sites with reviews by owners of the camera you're researching.

Hopefully these tips will help you get started in your adventure into the world of digital photography. Remember to give some time to thinking about what kind of photography you want to do. Research the features you'll need in a digital camera to get the best results and then use sites like Google to search and eBay and Amazon to find great deals on your camera and accessories.

http://www.digitalphotosmarts.info/

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Top Photography Schools to Learn Digital Photography

2010-11-07T21:40:00.000-08:00

Top Photography Schools to Learn Digital Photography

By Bankole Mutolib

If you looked forward to start a career in photography schools in America, here are multiple opportunities to get top photography schools in America. The fundamental training in digital photography are all the same either using modern digital cameras or traditional analogue cameras.

Digital photography is all about having eye for compelling images or strong desire to keep old memories in prints. Even if you lack certain skills in photography never worry since we have more than enough top photography schools in America where you can take photography lessons from the best the world can offer.

Many people are enrolling in a photography school in America in order to get hired as soon as they graduated. Some of these schools are found in cosmopolitan areas all around the world such as in London, Paris with best hands to take you through the photography course.

You would be exposed extensively to flash photography, how to use different lenses, studio equipments and photography software. You will also learn handling of camera both technical and creative aspects of it. You will also learn about camera lens filter such as polarizer, UV,GND, and ND, how to use a camera tripod, how to reduce camera lens flare for proper functioning, imaging and image types such as JPEG and TIFF, image sharpness, digital image interpolation and posterization, image noise, white balance etc.

In addition to the aforementioned, you will in depth knowledge camera lenses such as aperture and focal length, camera exposure such as shutter speed and ISO. You would know how to capture and develop stunning images both colored and black and white alike.

Top photography schools tend to give you historical background of photography which will enable you to have a sense of appreciation in the changes that the industry has gone through over the years. By the time you graduate from top schools you would have become an expert in handling different kinds of cameras and different photography equipments that are available to you.

Since the profession is highly lucrative and selling fast in an entertainment world, you are going to move from grass to grace with the knowledge of digital photography and become an international world class photographer.

The following are top photography schools in United State of America where you can explore your passion and desire for digital photography and move from hobbyist to world class photographer.

· Boston University offers courses in digital imaging arts and other business management.

· The New York Institute of Photography, New York City: It is one of the world famous photography schools with students from all over the world.

· The American Intercontinental University: It offers courses in traditional analogue and digital camera courses. You are thought different topics ranging from imaging arts, advertising, professional photography etc.

· Brooks Institute of Photography

· Harrington College of Design: Is a degree awarding college offering courses in digital photography, photojournalism, and photography business.

· The International Academy of Design & Technology is also a degree awarding institute. They will prepare you on digital photography software and lighting.

· The Ohio Institute of Photography and Technology offer courses in wedding portraits and professional photography.

Other top photography schools are found in London and Paris with seasoned lecturers that are capable of exposing your potentials in photography profession. Most of these offer online courses to learn photography regardless of your location. Their brochures and other necessary materials can be accessed online for preparation rather than travelling from your base to attend lectures.

These top photography schools select their students based on merit and usually look for a dedicated and committed student to enrol for their programmes due to the professionalism involved in the course.

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Nikon Coolpix P7000 Review and Comparison to the Canon Powershot G11/12 and the Panasonic LX5

2010-11-07T21:33:00.000-08:00

Nikon Coolpix P7000 Review and Comparison to the Canon Powershot G11/12 and the Panasonic LX5

By Dave V Summers

The Nikon Coolpix P7000 is Nikon's offering in the 'prosumer' market challenging the Canon Powershot G11/G12 and the LX5 from Panasonic that currently lead the high end compact camera segment.

The P7000 has a 10.1 megapixel sensor with ability to shoot 720p HD video along with a jack for an external microphone. The cameras also allows continuous auto focus and zoom while recording giving the user higher creative flexibility especially while shooting people and moving objects. Unlike most compact cameras it allows you to shoot photos in RAW mode which gives the user greatest flexibility for processing pictures in a photo editing software after the pictures has been taken. This feature is usually found in the digital SLR cameras. Complimenting this impressive feature set is the 7.1x zoom (28-200mm equivalent focal length) with an aperture range from f2.8 to f5.6. The camera also has an HDMI output allowing for playing the video directly onto your HDTV or computer.

Nikon decided to drop the GPS in the P7000 compared to the previous P6000 model which will be a disappointment to some users. However, the new model compensates with a higher zoom range, greater custom controls, better video shooting mode and a larger 3 inch LCD rear screen.

This camera is a good option for the person getting more serious about their photography but not quite ready to buy into a full scale DSLR system and also for the seasoned DSLR user looking for a second smaller body to carry around.

So how does it compare to the Canon G11, the upcoming G12 from Canon and the Panasonic LX5?

Based on Optical Zoom: This is where the P7000 wins easily with its 28-200mm optical zoom vs a 28-140mm zoom for the G11/12 and a more restrictive 24-90mm on the LX5. So if a versatile zoom is important to you or a longer telephoto focal length then the P7000 is a clear winner.

Based on size: If you need something more compact and easy to carry that can easily slip in your pocket, the Panasonic LX5 is the easy winner as it is lighter and slimmer.

Based on lense speed: This determines the ability to shoot in lower light. The Panasonic LX5 has the faster lense with the f2.0-3.3 aperture range.

Other features: The Canon G11 has a dedicated dial for changing the ISO, a blink detection mode and probably the best LCD with a tilt/swivel display allowing for great control while shooting pictures. The Coolpix P7000 has the highest resolution LCD screen.

Based on the criteria mentioned above the Nikon P7000 may or may not be the winner among these cameras depending on what is most important for your photography.

The P7000 is certainly a worthy contender for the photographer looking for a high end digital camera allowing for plenty of creative control. If you are already a Nikon person waiting to get an easy to carry alternative to your DSLR, the P7000 deserves a good look.

Check out video reviews, prices, links to pictures and discussions for the Nikon Coolpix P7000 and more information on the Canon G12, the Panasonic LX5 and other digital cameras at www.camerastack.com.

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Tips on Framing Black and White Photography

2010-11-06T09:36:00.000-07:00

Tips on Framing Black & White Photography

By Mark William Johnson

Black and white photographs have remained popular since their inception roughly 150 years ago. The ability of black and white images to fit many decorating styles has contributed to their increased popularity. As such, people have become more open to alternative, more sophisticated framing designs for these items.

How to best frame a black and white photograph is a subject for much conjecture. Plain and simple to take nothing from the art, or more ornate to complement the subject matter? Add colour in the frame design to help draw the eye to the picture, or stick with a rigid two-tone approach to ensure dramatic elegance?

So where does that leave us? Well to be honest somewhere in the middle. The fact is that there is as much variety in black and white photography as in any other art form. Think of it this way, if we asked everyone to dress in the same way the look would suit a few but be terrible for most. However, there are some simple rules and techniques you should keep in mind when framing black and white photographs.

- Some framers believe a pristine white mount is best for all black and white images, on the basis that it does not detract from the picture itself. However, for pictures with a white focal point, a pristine white mount can be too bright and will compete with the image for attention.

- Another common mistake is to try to 'lighten' dark art by surrounding it with a light mount. In reality, a light mount border causes the dark colours in the photo to look even darker.

- Mounts should be black, white or grey. Any other colour adds an element that isn't present in the picture. If you have a customer who insists on a colourful mount, a common suggestion is to go for a white mat with a small accent of colour as a second mount. However, this accent actually pulls the eye away from the photo. A better solution is to use the colour as the predominant top mount and place the accent of black or grey below it to work as a transition into the photo. With all that colour surrounding the photo it isolates the image, in affect, drawing attention to it.

- When it comes to the moulding, consider the era, style and location of the photograph. As in framing any art piece, each frame must enhance the style and mood of the photograph itself. Many framers believe you should stick to a narrow, basic frame for black and white photographs, but this may not co-ordinate with the subject of the photo. For example, a picture of an ornate piece of architecture may look better with a more classical moulding design.

- Elongation is often a good treatment for portrait photographs, images with vertical subjects or strong vertical lines. By making the top and bottom borders wider, it dramatises all those vertical elements.

- A mountslip which matches the moulding can create a strong, classic outline around the photograph. This helps pull the viewer's attention in from the frame to focus on the picture. Mountslips can also help enhance the customised appearance of the design, adding character and perceived value.

When any item is framed properly the frame design should add a sense of value to the finished product. So a good frame design will help a mediocre shot look good and an unimaginative framing job will bring even the best picture to the level of a cheap poster.

Remember, just because the subject lacks colour doesn't mean the framing should lack imagination.

For more help or to discuss any of the points raised above please do not hesitate to contact us or visit us in person.

Mark Johnson
http://www.wall-space.co.uk/ - UK's leading manufacturer of quality wooden photo frames

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3 Tips For Great Macro Photography

2010-10-24T20:26:00.000-07:00

3 Tips For Great Macro Photography

By Matt Ballard

Macro Photography can be an art in and of itself. Some of the best photos I've seen have been macro photos.

Macro Photography can be challenging if you've never attempted it before. Many times the beginner gets frustrated when they are unable to get their subject fully in focus. Other times the beginner can't seem to take a macro photo that isn't blurry. Then there's the frustration with taking a macro photo that isn't lit properly.

Macro photography differs from regular photography in that the subject is usually smaller and requires a lens that is capable of close-up or macro photography, usually at a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio. Because of the nature of the close-up image, the plane of focus is much shallower for a given aperture. Basically this means that if you had taken a photo with a normal lens, your subject would likely be entirely in focus from front to back without requiring a very small aperture or f-stop, but when taking a macro photo with a macro lens, you would have require a much smaller apeture or f-stop.

For example, let's say that you took a photo of a bug with a regular lens. You got a good exposure at f8, and the entire bug is in focus. Now, let's say you take a photo of the same bug with a macro lens like the Nikon 105 f2.8G VR. The same bug will likely not be entirely in focus from front to back. With a macro lens like the Nikon 105mm macro lens, you may need an f-stop of f20 or higher to get the entire bug in focus.

In short, the macro lens has a narrower plane of focus at a given aperture than a non-macro lens. When taking macro photos, remember to stop down the aperture enough so that your entire subject is in focus.

This can create lighting problems as you stop down. A lens like the Nikon 105mm macro can help compensate with the VR (vibration reduction... Nikon's brand of image stablization), but adding extra light from an external flash can really help too. Adding a remote flash to the equation can allow you to get the neccessary f-stop you need without having to boost the ISO settings of your digital camera and sacrifice image quality.

There are a few ways to add a remote flash to the equation. You can control the remote flash with a flash cord via your camera's hotshoe. You can also control the remote flash with a remote trigger and receiver. If your camera is a Nikon DSLR, you can also control most Nikon flashes with the pop-up flash on your camera. All of these will work well and allow you to add extra light to your macro photos. Experiment with the flash output to see what you need, or just let the camera control the flash automatically if you're using a flash cord or Nikon's built-in flash commander system.

The other biggie to getting great macro photography is a good tripod. A good tripod will not only act like an extra pair of hands and hold the camera for you, it will hold it much steadier than you can, allowing you to get much slower shutter speeds than you ever could've achieved holding the camera by hand. A good tripod is often indispensable to getting great macro photos.

There are many brands and a huge price range to choose from when picking a tripod. Buying the best you can afford is often the best route, as spending less and buying a cheaper tripod can mean you end up spending a fair bit more when you realize you need to upgrade to a better tripod. There are many good brands, but Manfrotto is one of my favourites for a great combination of quality and price.

If you're out to get some great macro photos, remember these three things. Stop down enough so that your subject is fully in focus. Add light from an external flash to focus the viewer's attention on your subject and allow you to not have lose image quality by boosting ISO. Use a good tripod to allow you to use lower shutter speeds and keep the camera steady and blur free.

Remember these 3 tips, and you're sure to get better results the next time you take a macro photo!

Matt Ballard is a professional photographer and author of the popular photography blog, Art of the Image at http://www.artoftheimage.blogspot.com/

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How to make a lightbox for product photography

2010-10-23T00:34:00.000-07:00

Cool video demonstrating how to build a simple light box for great product photography.

Turning your Photos to Cash - How Can your Photos Make Money for You

2010-10-22T23:39:00.000-07:00

Turning your Photos to Cash - How Can your Photos Make Money for YouAuthor: Ziv Haparnas If you are an amateur or a semi professional photographer then chances are that you can make some money out of your photos. In this article you will get tips on how to turn your photos to cash. This article is for you only if you're looking to turn your photos into some extra cash on top of your main income source. This is not for you if you are looking to live off your photos this is not for you. There are plenty of ways to make money from photography. Some are very easy and only require an Internet connection while others require more legwork and directly dealing with customers. Following are five options:

Sell your photos on photo stock web sites: there are many sites that let people trade and sell photos. They vary in their terms and the way they do business but the foundation is the same: they let you upload your photos, showcase them and set their prices. The site users can browse through your photos and purchase the ones they like. While some of these sites are free to use and only collect a commission from the proceeds other sites charge a setup fee or a membership fee. Examples of such sites are: http://www.photostockplus.com and http://www.smugmug.com

Build your own site attract traffic and sell advertisements: Many sites today generate revenues from advertisements placed on their pages. To generate such revenues the site has to attract visitors. If your photos are unique and can attract viewers you can create a blog or a site with your photos alongside with some text describing them and the story behind them. Spread the rumor about your site to your friends and family and post information about it in forums and chat boards. Once you generate traffic add advertisements to your site. To create your site you can use tools such as http://www.blogger.com and http://www.typepad.com. To place advertisements you can use advertisement syndication networks like http://www.google.com/adsense and http://publisher.yahoo.com.

Sell your photos yourself: If you created the site mentioned earlier you can also sell your photos on that same site. The photos published on your site are highly compressed low resolution versions of the original ones. If your visitors want to use the photos for prints or other photo processing they will have to buy the original high resolution photos. To easily collect funds from your visitors you can use tools such as http://www.paypal.com. The original photo can then be emailed to the buyer.

Photographer for hire: This option is more traditional and requires some more legwork. If you are willing to do some work for hire you can post your services in a local classifieds web site or paper. Many web sites such as http://www.craigslist.org let you do that for free. Make sure that you provide details about the work that you can do and your experience. It is also recommended to post examples of your work. Also - if you have a site with more of your photos post a link to that site. To get a better sense of how much you can charge try to contact other photographers in your area and get quotes for their services

Sell your photos in coffee shops and galleries: This option requires even more legwork and a more significant upfront investment. Print and frame a few of your best photos. Go to local galleries and try to convince them to showcase your photos. It is best to start with just a few prints to minimize both your risk and the risk the gallery takes. Another option which can work better for amateur photographers is to visit coffee shops and restaurants and convince them to hang your photos on their walls. It is very common today for such places to hang "photographs for sale" on their walls. This is a win-win option for both the coffee shop or restaurant and you. They get high quality free photos and provide their customers with an extra service buying photos that they really like. You get free exposure while most often only paying a commission from the proceeds.

One issue to remember when turning photos to cash is copyright. Copyright laws change from state to state and country to country. Make sure that you check beforehand that you have the rights to sell or post the photos that you take. For example taking photos of commercial symbols and logos usually requires a written permission.

There are many other ways to make some extra cash from your photos. Hopefully the ones mentioned here will give you ideas for what more you can do. Good luck!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/digital-photography-articles/turning-your-photos-to-cash-how-can-your-photos-make-money-for-you-48561.html

About the Author
Ziv Haparnas is a technology veteran and writes about practical technology and science issues. This article can be reprinted and used as long as the resource box including the backlink is included. You can find more information digital photo printing printing and photography in general on printrates.com – a site dedicated to photo printing

DSLR Tips: Night Photography

2010-10-22T03:18:00.001-07:00

How to take successful photos at night, by Gordon Laing

Top 5 Most Common Digital Photography Mistakes

2010-10-07T13:22:00.000-07:00

Top 5 Most Common Digital Photography Mistakes

By Marcus Bookman

There are many challenges these days. Some things are easier than others to cope with. One challenge that numerous people must face daily is making mistakes when taking digital photos. Tens of thousands of individuals struggle with that challenge, with mixed results. How does one make sure to get great results?

The correct answer is knowledge. Doing just about anything looks easy for individuals that know the way. And to get good results with taking digital pictures you only need to understand more about what works and what does not. Read on to improve your own understanding.

Here then are the top 5 most common digital photography mistakes:

1. Not getting to know your digital camera. Why would this make a difference? If you never get to reading your digital camera's manual and learn all of it's features. Exactly what happens when/if you follow these tips? You will be able to handle the camera and ready to take that perfect photo.

2. Not investing and using a tripod. That is important because Tripods will allow you to take the best and sharpest pictures. And because holding it in your hands is shaky and unsteady you should use one whenever possible.

3. Not giving the camera enough time to focus. The reason behind that is most digital cameras need time to correctly focus and get the right exposure. It is also really helpful because your pictures will be clear and focused.

4. Depending too much on the zoom lens feature. Can you tell me why is this a good idea? Using your digital camera's zoom feature can make the picture grainy. Are there more significant reasons? No, just try to get as close as possible to what you are taking the picture of.

5. Taking pictures up against bright light. And this is important because of what? This can make the subject appear too dark. What other significant reasons will there be? Your background can appear too bright.

Stick to the 5 tips above and you'll get great results with taking great digital photographs. You may expect good results and every one of the huge benefits, joys and good things these great results will bring with them. If you should ignore these 5 tips, prepare for much worse results and concurrently lower benefits.

For additonal information about digital photography and how to save and share your digital photos on Flickr go to: http://www.squidoo.com/how-to-share-your-digital-photos-on-flickr

For those who want to learn even more digital photography techniques, check out a FREE REPORT, "Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros." It's a short but info-filled guide that will have you shooting digital pictures like a pro in no time. Find out more about "Shoot Digital Pics Like the Pros" here: http://www.thebestdigitalphotography.info.

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Rick Sammon's Top Ten Digital Photography Tips

2010-08-21T07:12:00.000-07:00

Check out Rick Sammon's top ten tips for taking great digital photos!

Make Money Now Using Just Your Digital Camera

2010-08-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

Make Money Now Using Just Your Digital Camera

Author: Lady Money Bags

Making money using your digital images has never been easier. Microstock photography sites have now made it possible for just about anyone to earn money from their digital images.

Microstock photography allows users to sell their digital images for free. Users are encouraged to upload their digital images to a microstock site. Every time your image is downloaded by a registered user, you receive money. The amount you take home depends on the size and resolution of the image downloaded. iStockphoto, Dreamstime, Fotolia and Shutterstock are popular microstock sites.

Although the payout per picture is not that high, your earnings do add up. In fact, you can make thousands of dollars a month from selling many of their digital images.

Below are a few tips to get you on your way to making money through microstock photography.

Note 1: Image Quality is Important

A high end camera is not required to produce acceptable images. Any high resolution digital camera can do the job.

Note 2: Your Photos Will Be Reviewed

Each individual image submitted to microstock sites will be reviewed. Therefore, it is important to analyze your own images before submission. Also, make sure to read all the image terms and requirements before submission. Images are sometimes rejected. Today, many of the prominent microstock photography sites have tutorials that you can follow to help you take fantastic images.

Note 3: Subject matter is important

Content does matter. Certain subject matters, such as business and food images are popular. However, images of family and flowers may not make the cut. Do some research and see what image types are downloaded the most. This will give you an idea of what sells and potentially what to focus on.

Also, images containing people may require you to complete a model release form. Please read the terms and conditions of the microstock site before making such submissions.

Note 4: Portfolio Development Takes Time

To make a serious income from microstock sites, it is important to develop a portfolio containing a many high quality images. Also, make your images keyword rich. Relevant keywords will allow your images to appear more frequently in customer searches.

Also, submit your images to numerous microstock sites. This increases the probability of your images being downloaded.

With these notes in mind, you can be on your way to making serious money using only your digital camera!

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About the Author

Lady Money Bags is your online resource dedicated to helping you make money! Visit Lady Money Bagsto help you get started on Making Money Now! www.ladymoneybags.com

How to Shoot Portraits - 5 Camera Setting Tips For Great Results

2010-07-12T16:09:00.000-07:00

How to Shoot Portraits - 5 Camera Setting Tips For Great Results

By David Ader

Camera setting tips for portraits:

Portrait photography delivers best results when you focus attention on the subject and control the background. Avoiding distracting elements or blurring the background draws the attention on your subject. Besides making your subject "the star" of the frame you also need proper exposure and focus, showing right skin tones and details.

Whether you are shooting for posed portraits or moving children, if you can control 5 camera settings you will capture excellent portrait shots.

Control 5 Camera settings for superb results:

1) Shooting Mode

2) Focus Settings

3) Exposure

4) Metering

5) White Balance

SHOOTING MODE

Aperture priority is the most popular shooting mode for portraits. Using this mode Photographer sets the f-stop and the camera chooses the shutter speed.

Aperture priority mode gives direct control of depth of field. Controlling depth of field means that you can blur the background to draw attention on your subject.

Alternatively you can use Manual Mode. Using this mode you can you can control both aperture and shutter speed. If there is a consistent light source use manual and you still be able to control surroundings of the subject.

EXPOSURE

When you shoot portraits and slightly overexpose you will notice that your background details will be washed out and your subject's skin tones will appear lighter. After your camera meter suggests exposure values,first shoot with suggested settings. Later shoot couple extra using plus 1EV or plus 2EV of exposure compensation to see what they look like.

FOCUS SETTINGS

Single-Shot AF (Auto Focus) mode is perfect for shooting portraits. When using Single-Shot AF Mode, select a Single Auto Focus point. For example for portrait shots, focusing closer to the subject's eyes works best. When focusing on the target point, you may use either Centre or Off-Centre settings. This way you will get sharp focus.

One of the most difficult portrait shot is a moving subject. If you are photographing moving children use Continuous AF mode. In addition choose multiple focus points. Combination of continuous AF mode and multiple focus points will increase the chance of capturing a sharp image.

METERING

For general portrait shots Multi-Segment Metering works just fine. However, if you are shooting a back-lit subject, Multi-Segment may not work properly because this mode will underexpose the subject's face. In such case take a reading from your subject's forehead or cheek using Spot Metering. Then use the values and shoot in Manual Exposure mode. Make sure that you are not shooting in Aperture Priority mode - (you will need to set both aperture and shutter speed values manually since you have use the spot metering and received new exposure values).

WHITE BALANCE

Auto White Balance is good for general shots. However shooting in different environments things may go wrong. For example if you are shooting in a shady area you will not get the proper white balance. Or if you shoot in scenes with predominant white blue or green (beach, botanic garden, forest etc...) your subject's face will reflect that predominant color. In such you can take a custom white balance reading and use it.

Keep in mind that you have the option to change white balance settings and apply correction if you are shooting in RAW mode. So if that portrait shot is quite important for you, shoot in RAW so you have an option to correct white balance later on.

For Digital Photography tips and Camera Settings Visit Our Web Site

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Earning Money Through Photography-Top 10 Tips

2010-06-12T23:43:00.000-07:00

Earning Money Through Photography-Top 10 Tips

Author: ashwani kumar.ch Photography the art of capturing a moment forever at the click of a button is a unique and creative medium of self-expression.it is an art form requiring aesthetic sense as well as technical expertise. Photography is also a hobby that can be made profitable. One of the best parts of being a photographer in the digital age is the freedom to shoot things that fall into your range of interests and abilities.
The beauty of photography is that no matter what you are interested in you can earn money by photographing it and selling those photos both online and offline. These photos can include anything from landscapes to local events, businessmen to bees and from children to celebrities
Starting to make money through photography is very easy and you can start off with a few basic tools like a computer with an internet connection and a digital camera.
Tips to get started and earn money
Exposure: The main requirement to earn money through photography is exposure of your work. No matter what kind of photography you are into, it is crucial to get as many people as possible to view your photos.
You can get your photos online either by getting your own website or by using existing websites. Setting up and hosting your own website is very easy and it has the advantage that it will establish you as a photographer and you can directly sell to your clients without other agencies taking a share of your money
Getting your Basics right: Before starting out to make money through photography you must get your basics right so that you can start on the right track and avoid the common mistakes made by an amateur photographer. You can join hands on classroom program or take up an online course. There are a number of websites dedicated to photography which can be of great help to an amateur photographer
Area of specialization: One of the secrets of earning lots of money through photography is not to specialize. Though you might be having your area of interest, you will be able to make more money by being flexible rather than confining yourself to a single area. Photograph what people want whenever they want and they will love you for it
Market research: Market research is crucial to make money by selling photographs. Before clicking pictures look at what the buyers are looking for and you must also make sure that you are able to meet the quality standards set by the buyer. Whenever you are trying to sell your photographs you must set your prices competitively neither too high nor too low
Stock photography website: It is the fastest growing area of photography. Stock photography agencies present a great opportunity for the amateur photographer who is making some part time money through photography. They provide an excellent platform to showcase your work and these can be viewed by millions of people.
If a person wants to buy your photos from these sites he has to pay you since you hold the copyright over your photos. The biggest advantage is that you can sell them over and over again making more money each time you do so
Building a portfolio: An important aspect of earning money through photography is to make the customer want to hire you rather than just taking pictures. To prove to your customers that you are good at taking pictures you must build and maintain an excellent portfolio of pictures that cover many different aspects of photography. Once you build up a nice portfolio you can easily make a lot of money.
In a micro stock photo site you should focus on pictures that are more worth to buyers and set aside a couple of hours a day to build your portfolio. To make a huge amount submit hot selling photos to the sites
Photosharing: You can also earn money through photosharing sites, marketing your photos in these sites will get you the attention that you need to make money with your photos since many people visit these sites frequently. Though you cant sell through these sites you can imply to the user that licenses to your photos are for sale so they can contact you further.
You can also post your photographs in online forums; you must take criticism in a positive way and improve upon your work
Selling offline: If you think you don't have an artistic eye and can't take quality photos, there are lots of people who will pay for simple click and shoot images like insurance agencies and sell it to various newspapers and editorial. Any picture that tells a story or documents an event can be useful.
Your best bet when selling you photographs offline is to find a particular niche and market to it.field service representatives is also a great job opportunity for you as a photographer
Restoring old photographs: An overlooked area of photography is the restoration of old photographs, you can make a lot of money in this field. Restoration is easy and a number of softwares are available for this purpose. Restoration of old and damaged family photos generally fetch a lot of money because of the sentimental value they hold.
It is essential that you keep a record of the work done by you to show your customers that you are good at restoration and you can even do a couple of restoration works for free to show the quality of your work.
Equipment used: The equipment you use contributes significantly to the money you earn through photography. The quality of your pictures to a very good extent depends upon the equipment you use. Equipment includes the type of camera, lenses used, the types of filters etc. The equipment you use can either make or mar your dreams of earning money through photography
It would be better if you have an idea of the type of equipment used for your area of interest. Put in simple words you are only as good as your equipment
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/photography-articles/earning-money-through-photographytop-10-tips-957670.htmlAbout the Author
photography might not make you millions overnight but can surely build you a regular source of secondary income.To know more and get started on the right track you can check this out http://www.productsupplycenter.com/web260915

The New Canon PowerShot S95 Unveiled!

2010-06-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

The New Canon PowerShot S95 Unveiled!

By Lars Martens

For people who are serious about their photo taking, but who do not have the money or the desire to buy a professional camera, the Canon Powershot S90 digital camera had been the popular choice. Now, with the release of the Canon Powershot S95 camera, amateur photographers have a new option to take professional quality pictures without having to buy a more expensive and complicated camera. The new features that the Canon Powershot S95 has are numerous and more than sufficient to justify an update to the previous model. The benefits listed below are only a few of the improvements that this Canon camera features.

Improved Sensitivity and Motion Control

A chief advantage of the new Powershot camera is its improved sensitivity in shooting high quality pictures in situations where there isn't a lot of light. While the Powershot S90 was a camera that made advances in that area, the new Canon digital camera takes those advancements even further, with its 10 megapixel sensor and an ISO range that stretches from ISO 320 to ISO 12800. Combined with a f/2.0 Canon lens and a higher speed shooting capacity, which is able to capture 3.9 shots per second, the shooting capacity of the Powershot S95 represents a marked improvement over its predecessor.

Another improved feature is the Hybrid IS system. This allows picture takers to be able to take more pictures without having to worry about camera shaking or blurring affecting the ultimate quality of the picture. The Image Stabilizer also complements the 3.8x optical zoom and 28 mm wide-angle lens, meaning that it's possible to take better, clearer pictures from farther away and with greater quality.

Light, Image, and Landscape Control

A big issue for any amateur photo taker is the issue of control. With the Powershot S95, it's possible to have greater control in what you want your picture to turn out like by taking High Dynamic Range images. High Dynamic Range images allow the picture taker to take three pictures simultaneously with different exposure rates. After the picture has been taken, the camera will combine these three images into one picture, which will bring out definitions and highlights that other cameras would miss.

Along with the issue of control comes the confusion over what settings to use in order to take the best possible picture. The Powershot S95 helps to remedy that with its Scene Detection Technology and its Smart Flash Exposure. The Scene Detection Technology, which is within Smart Auto, scopes out the landscape that a user wishes to take a picture of and adjusts to take the best possible picture according to a variety of 28 variables. If a user wishes to select these settings for their self, the Hints and Tips messages will help provide a useful and helpful guide. Similarly, the Smart Flash Exposure adjusts the flash levels of the camera depending on the shooting conditions. Along with Multi Aspect shooting, which allows users to take pictures in a variety of different aspect ratios, the technologies on this Canon camera help to eliminate the need for any processing so that people can just print their pictures and display them as is.

Canon also shows that it listened to customers who had complained about the Multi-Control Dial. While in the past, the dial moved more easily and could result in unwanted changes in settings, the new Multi-Control Dial has a mechanism in place that allows the user to hear a "click" if they've changed the camera's settings without intending to. This crucial change has the result of making the camera easier to use and preventing potential issues with the camera or the outcome of the pictures.

HD Video Capacity

For those who want a digital camera that will double as a video camera in short order, the Powershot S95 offers the ability to take 720p HD videos as well. The Image Stabilizer also helps in this, giving the users to shoot steady videos with stereo sound. For those aiming for an artier effect to their video taking, the camera also offers the opportunity to take time-lapse photography, adding a new and creative element to recreational picture and video taking.

An Improvement?

Overall, with its added features, new technologies, and improved controls, the Canon Powershot S95 represents a significant improvement over the previous model. While the Powershot S90 remains a serviceable camera, the Powershot S95 allows picture takers of all skill levels to take better, brighter, and clearer pictures than they ever could before. It gives users the ability to take professional pictures without a professional taking them. The Powershot S95 represents the latest and best evolution of digital cameras and proves to be a very worthwhile investment for anyone wanting a camera that provides a faithful and beautiful record of life's greatest events.

When the press release of the Canon PowerShot S95 came out, I simply was fascinated by all the new features and improvements, the Canon S95 got. Just check the quality of the pictures and videos taken with that digital camera: http://canonpowershots95.wordpress.com/sample-images-and-videos/

And by the way, here's a Blog where I will post my other Canon S95 reviews, tips and stuff every day:
http://canonpowershots95.wordpress.com/

Hope you enjoyed the article!

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3 Digital Camera Accessories Every Photographer Needs

2010-05-02T15:02:00.000-07:00

3 Digital Camera Accessories Every Photographer Needs

By Wayne G Turner

There is a misnomer that digital photography is its own form of photography, quite untrue. The digital part of photography is just the method of recording so what applies to photography applies to digital as well. So let's take a look at the three accessories I think that every photographer needs.

These aren't listed in any particular order and I don't think in any order of importance either although if you were to push me for an answer I would place a tripod as my number one accessory. It will also depend on what type of photography you are pursuing as to which one will be number one to you. They are, however, accessories that I would list as essential to a photographer's gear bag.

1. A tripod

If you don't already have a tripod then get yourself one. Buy the most expensive one you can afford. A good solid tripod is essential to the kit of a photographer. There are many occasions when light conditions aren't good and the extra stability helps you create crisp, sharp images. Just a little camera shake will cause blurring to some degree in the final photo. A tripod is especially useful when shooting close-ups of flowers and small creatures and helps you to have complete control of your images.

2. Remote shutter release

This is coupled with the tripod and is essential when avoiding camera shake. Even when your camera is mounted on the tripod, the simplest action like pushing the shutter button can still cause camera shake and prevent you from taking the sharpest images. It works very simply either connected by a cable to the camera or using an infrared connection to activate the shutter.

3. A good circular polarising filter

A polarising filter cuts down glare and reflections off shiny surfaces. Those of you who have ever owned or used a pair of polaroid sunglasses will know the effect that it has on shiny and reflective surfaces. This includes foliage as well. When using polaroid sunglasses while looking at water you are able to see below the surface if the water is clear. The sky becomes bluer and the green vegetation greener. If you are landscape photographer you will really benefit from a polariser. I consider this essential. One tip though is that you should always use one that has the equivalent or higher quality of your lens. There is no point in putting bad glass in front of good glass.

Remember that these are my three top choices of accessories in no particular order. You need to choose which ones will serve your particular needs the best. I use all three equally but maybe if my photography changed slightly I would add another one or two to my list. Happy shooting!

Do you want to learn more about photography in a digital world? I've just completed a brand new e-course delivered by e-mail. Download it here for free by clicking here: http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/ To learn how you can take your photography from ordinary to outstanding click here - http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/21steps.htm

Wayne Turner has been teaching photography for 25 years and has written three books on photography.

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Tamron 28-75 Review - Professional Performance on an Amateur Budget

2010-04-17T03:00:00.000-07:00

Tamron 28-75 Review - Professional Performance on an Amateur Budget

By Wayne Rasku

What lens is on the front of your Canon Digital SLR?

Since my 30D usually has a third party lens on it, and the images are top notch, I thought I would do a Tamron 28-75 Review.

At the time that I decided to move from a point and shoot camera to a digital SLR, I determined that I would not get the kit lens that came with the Canon Rebel 300D. At the time, the kit lens was not highly regarded at all by most photography websites.

After doing a ton of research and fretting over which lens would be the best one that I could buy for my budget, I landed on the Tamron 28-75. I have upgraded my camera body a couple of times, but my trusty 28-75 lens has remained my prime all purpose lens.

Since it is not a Canon L lens, it does not get the respect that those highly revered lenses get in all the reviews, however, this little Tamron lens is really excellent.

There are two things I have come to appreciate about my main walk-about lens.

First is the wide aperture of f/2.8. It is stable across the whole focal range, meaning that no matter what focal length you choose, you will be getting the fastest shutter speed. This is really important when you are shooting in less than optimum light situations.

Second is the quick focus. I have used some Canon L lenses, and my Tamron performs just as good as those high priced models. The bokeh is really nice too. If you are not familiar with the term "bokeh", it is the nicely blurred background of a photo. This happens when you shoot your picture at a fairly wide aperture (like 2.8). The plane of focus is quite shallow, rendering the background and foreground as blurry.

Recently, I was talking with a photographer friend of mine who was doing some work at my school. He knows that I am also a photographer. As he was moving around and shooting his images, he mentioned that he had just purchased this "awesome little lens" for his Canon 5D. He said that I should really think about getting one because of how light and versatile it was.

It turns out that he was referring to a Tamron 28-75 Canon lens. I was quite surprised that a professional photographer would even think to attach a third party lens to such an amazing camera as the 5D.

But, I guess I should not have been surprised. After all, I have been proclaiming the virtues of this great lens for years. But I had always thought of the Tamron 28-75 lens as a beginner Canon digital slr lens.

Apparently, I was wrong. It is a fantastic choice for amateurs and pros alike.

So, just to recap, you will be pleasantly surprised after shooting a few frames at how well the lens handles, the crisp, clear images that it produces, the fast focus, and the pleasing bokeh. Oh, and the price. You will save a bundle of cash if you buy this lens instead of an L lens of the same focal length and aperture.

Wayne Rasku is an avid photographer with a passion for great gear. The Tamron 28-75 lens for Canon digital slr cameras is an excellent choice as a less expensive walk around lens. Be sure to compare it to some other all purpose Canon EOS lenses before you make your final purchase decision.

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Canon PIXMA MG6150 Printer Review

2010-03-10T02:57:00.000-08:00

Canon PIXMA MG6150 Printer Review

By Theodore D Beach

Canon has released six cutting edge all-in-ones, and also a new naming convention, and it is the Pixma MG6150 that is definitely the one to check out. Situated just below the present MP990, it uses the most effective pieces of that superb device and drags the whole lot straight into 2010.

The finish is now a polished black which is much more suitable for a living room or perhaps a classy flat, and once you have turned the spring-loaded display screen upright, you will discover there aren't any buttons. Just like quite a few high-end Epsons, the 3in non-touch Liquid crystal display hosts the key information as well as menus, however a substantial section of the lid in front of it doubles as a touch panel.

You will view the back, home and option-select buttons glow into life, whilst inside menus it adapts: when you're within the copy menu, for example, the panel offers plus and minus icons to change the amount of copies. In the mean time, a four-way directional button sits at the heart for navigation. Menu navigation isn't actually anymore instinctive than using the physical buttons it supplanted, nevertheless the sheer responsiveness and all-round design helps it to be a delight to work with.

Internally, there is more good news. The MG6150 makes use of the print engine out of the MP990, thus it is faster when compared to the long-A-Listed MP640 and it uses an additional grey ink to assist even tonal changes along with better monochrome quality. Rates of speed are practically the same to the MP990, with 11.8ppm and 6.1ppm rates in mono and colour respectively, along with a time of 44 seconds to get a top-quality 6 x 4in picture. The standard it creates is the best. Its well-defined, detailed photographs pack oodles of colour, and its text is as strong and heavy as it is clean.

Where Canons frequently show weakness is in their scanners, and the MG6150 isn't any different. We aligned its scans side-by-side with those of the MP990 and could discern no change for the better - both of those were sharp as well as precise, though with vaguely muted colours. Just for occasional work it is nonetheless securely within the upper echelons.

Other upgrades are the very same as throughout the Pixma series, hence the MG6150 contains the Full HD Movie Print feature found on the single-function iP4850, along with exclusive access to content in Canon's Creative Park Premium (provided you make use of a full set of genuine Canon Pixma MG6150 ink cartridges). These are both nice yet niche touches which in turn enhance the total worth as opposed to serving as selling points on their own.

The remainder of the package is as extensive as we have now come to anticipate. That includes an auto-opening output tray, as well as a couple of 150-sheet input trays. It prints two-sided and also right onto CDs and DVDs with the supplied adapter, additionally, the PictBridge port on the front may be used to show slideshows as well as adjust photos directly on the device. Everything connects by way of USB, Ethernet or 802.11n Wi-Fi, the last mentioned of which is compatible with printing from numerous products for example Android handsets, iPhones and also iPads, as well as the Sony PlayStation 3.

Canon's all-in-ones have dominated in recent times, however they've been in need of an upgrade. While we'd have wanted to see the long wait bring about a proper touch interface, the Canon's semi-touch solution is a marked improvement, and the all-round design alterations give the MG6150 true consumer appeal which means there simply isn't anything available capable of matching its mixture of interface, top quality as well as speed. It's the new high-end photo all-in-one to beat.

Canon ink cartridges can be found here.

Theodore Beach is a member of the Cartridge Concept team which specialises in printer cartridges.

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The Best Camera Bag - A Guide to Buying

2010-02-22T02:55:00.000-08:00

The Best Camera Bag - A Guide to Buying

By Josh Austin

Choosing the best camera bag should not be a difficult task. Whilst there are lots of different designs and makes to choose from, there are fundamentally just 2 varieties: shoulder bags and backpacks. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, and selecting the right kind for you requires thinking a bit about kinds of shots you take and where you go with your camera.

So let's make a quick assessment of shoulder bags:

What are they?

Shoulder camera bags have a strap that goes over one shoulder for carrying. They open from the top.

Main points

These kind of digital SLR camera bags are great because they are so easy to access. Just whip open the flap at the top and get hold of the equipment you need. Changing lenses, memory cards and so on is an absolute breeze with this system.

But the convenience of this is offset by the fact that a single strap distributes the weight of the bag unevenly over your shoulders. If you like to walk around with your camera a lot, this can literally become a real pain!

Shoulder bags feature solid foam padding around the sides which offers good protection. They are though, often a bit exposed up top, where the opening flap tends to be thin material only.

Foam dividers with Velcro attachments can be easily shifted about to redesign the interior of the bag, to best fit your changing collection of photography equipment.

A number of digital SLR camera bags in this design feature a waterproof lining stitched into them. Where that is not the case, it's usually possible to get hold of a neat waterproof cover that slips over the top.

Now let's take a look at backpacks:

What are they?

Just like normal backpacks, camera carrying bags of this kind have two straps, one fitting over each shoulder.

Main points

Backpacks are kinder on your body when it comes to carrying them for any length of time. The weight of a camera and other photography equipment can be quite significant. Backpacks distribute this weight evenly and make a photo-shoot less of a gym session.

If you love outdoor photography and take long walks with your camera, a backpack makes things easier. They are also the best camera bag choice for people who travel with their DSLR camera.

These bags are not only comfier for carrying, but they tend to be slightly better padded too. The whole of the inner surface is covered with strong padding, providing protection from all angles.

As with shoulder bags, back pack digital SLR camera bags usually have movable dividers inside which allow you to secure your photography equipment in place.

Often backpacks have more zip sections, netted pouches and general 'extra' areas than shoulder bags. Again, this is to their advantage when it comes to long photo shoots where spare batteries, phones, maps and the like, could be needed.

So when choosing the best camera bag, spend some time thinking about what kind of photography you do. Is convenience your priority, or comfort? Do you need to change lenses quickly or is that not a problem? Are you likely to take your camera on trips?

In reality, most photographers have need for different things at different times. So it can be well worth choosing two separate camera bags in different designs, to cover all possibilities.

Full advice and suggestions: http://www.photography-art-cafe.com/digital-slr-camera-bags.html

http://www.photography-art-cafe.com

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Royalty-Free Stock Photos - An Easy Way to Earn More Money

2010-01-22T02:52:00.000-08:00

Royalty-Free Stock Photos - An Easy Way to Earn More Money

By Don Keith

A picture is said to be worth a thousand words and can convey not only a multitude of messages but also a range of emotions. By using a relevant and high quality image in your marketing articles, you capture not only the minds but also the hearts of your target audience. You get a lot of impact in just a small space. This is a worthwhile goal to achieve in any marketing effort.

Considering that people are generally visual creatures, you are better off showing them what you and your business or product can do for them rather than telling them the same thing. Images can give them a better view of your business; as we all know, first impressions last. You have to make that first impression count. You do that by making use of high quality photographs. After you have created a favorable impression, you can easily convince people of the benefits that they can get from you.

Making a good first impression, however, is just half the battle. You have to make that impression quick, too. If you do not, other marketers who are savvier might be able to get your customers first. Do not forget that you are not the only one hoping to grab a slice of your industry's market. To make a good first impression promptly, pictures are again better than mere words.

A long string of words and blocks of paragraphs are quite boring and not that interesting. A potential customer or client reading through such a boring marketing material might decide that it is not worth her time. She could then stop reading your material without giving you a chance to convey your marketing message properly. This holds even more certainly true in the case of on-line or web marketing where a visitor can easily leave by clicking a link or by doing a new search altogether. Capturing the interest of potential customers off-line is important, but capturing their interest when on-line is much more important.

Product and service differentiation are also easier and more effective with the aid of quality images. Company and product logos are created precisely because of this reason. In a small space and a short span of time, you can quickly tell your potential customers who you are, what you do and how you are different from the rest. There are many other businesses out there doing the same things that you do. You must be able to stand out from the competition and tell your potential customers that you are the best choice.

However, looking for quality photographs to include in your articles can be a bit difficult. You have to create your own images or you might end up using another person's image and have copyright issues. Copyright issues are something you or your business does not need. So, what should you do if you do not have the time and skill to create your own photographs? It is simple. Just get stock royalty-free photos.

Royalty-free photos mean that you can buy the right from the copyright holder to use the image anytime, anywhere and any number of times. If an image is not royalty free, you purchase the right to use it just once. If you use a photo that is not royalty free in a different project, you have to pay an additional fee. Royalty-free images are definitely cost-effective.

By properly incorporating high quality pictures in your marketing campaign, you will be more successful. A successful marketing campaign would bring in more customers and increased revenues for your business. Because of that, using stock royalty-free photos are a cheap way to obtain increased revenues.

Get your stock royalty-free photos from iStockphoto.com. They are one of the pioneering sites to offer high quality stock images at very reasonable prices. Even with the multitude of sites offering the same services today, they still continue to be the best. You know that you are in good hands because their client list includes almost all of the Fortune 500 companies in the United States and the top corporate leaders in Canada.

What makes their content so great is the team of more than 160 artists who are working hard to insure the quality of incoming files. This group of highly trained professionals manually researches each file for quality, authenticity, possible copyright infringement, and categorization accuracy. They do most of the work for you so that you can focus on your marketing.

They, and other services like them, have a library of millions of images due to their numerous contributors from all over the world. These contributors are all experienced professionals in the field of photography and design. A royalty-free picture can often be purchased for just a little over a dollar. All you have to do to gain access to this huge library of wonderful images--and open up a world of possibilities--is simply to register at their website. After that, find the images you want and make a simple purchase. Registration is quick and easy. Using stock images will allow you to be limited by your own imagination only.

Don has been involved in photography for almost forty years. Sign up at Royalty-Free Photos for his free tips and tricks. Here, you will learn how to sell photos for profit and how to buy inexpensive images for graphic and website design. You can also get your royalty-free image from his vast image portfolio.

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7 Best JQuery Image Gallery - Photo Slideshow

2009-10-22T02:36:00.000-07:00

7 Best JQuery Image Gallery - Photo Slideshow

By Souvik Banerjee

Images are the best option to add life in a website. But plain simple images are now outdated. Splashy, layouts for images are the current hot trends in web designs. Until now this type of image transitions were only available in Flash, but with the help of jQuery now we can actually create some stunning effects, very much flash-like. jQuery is a fast and concise JavaScript Library that simplifies HTML document traversing, event handling, animating, and Ajax interactions for rapid web development. So here, I am going to provide the best jQuery Image Gallery Plugins that will help you to add an artistic and professional image galleries and slide shows to your website.

1 - Galleria:

Galleria is a JavaScript image gallery unlike anything else. It can take a simple list of images and turn it into a foundation of multiple intelligent gallery designs, suitable for any project. Galleria clocks around 5k daily downloads, making it one of the most popular JavaScript galleries around. This site is now dedicated to version 1.2, currently in beta development at GitHub. Stable release is set to September 2010.

2 - Supersized

Supersized is a full-screen background slideshow jQuery plugin. It re-sizes images to fill browser while maintaining image dimension ratio. It cycles images/backgrounds via slideshow with transitions and preloading. It's navigation controls allow for pause/play and forward/back.

3 - Image Flow

ImageFlow is a picture gallery, which allows an intuitive image handling. The basic idea is to digitally animate the thumbing through a physical image stack. That intuitive handling is automatically caused by the metaphorical use of the well known process of thumbing through.

4 - GalleryView

GalleryView is a jQuery Content Gallery Plugin. GalleryView aims to provide jQuery users with a flexible, attractive content gallery that is both easy to implement and a snap to customize.

5 - Easy Slider - Numeric Navigation jQuery Slider

The Easiest jQuery Plugin For Sliding Images and Content. The features are: auto slide, continuous sliding, "go to first" and "go to last" button, hiding controls, optional wrapping markup for control buttons, vertical sliding, multiple sliders on one page, numeric navigation (as an alternative to next/previous buttons), continuous scroll instead of jumping to the first (or last) slide.

6 - Sliding Boxes and Captions with jQuery

All of these sliding box animations work on the same basic idea. There is a div tag (.boxgrid in my css) that essentially acts as a window where two other items of your choosing "peek" through. From this basic idea we can play around with animations of the sliding element to either show or cover up the viewing area, thus creating the sliding effect.

7 - jQuery Cycle Plugin

The jQuery Cycle Plugin is a slideshow plugin that supports many different types of transition effects. It supports pause-on-hover, auto-stop, auto-fit, before/after callbacks, click triggers and much more. It also supports, but does not require, the Metadata Plugin and the Easing Plugin.

There are total 21 best jQuery image gallery slideshow listed at RS Web Solutions. This is a web resource library. Here you will find very valuable but free resources to increase your knowledge on web market. This website is fully dedicated to provide you the best tutorials, reviews and recommendation on all open source web related topics. To know more please visit RS Web Solutions.

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Preserving Old Photos by Photo Scanning to Disc - Great For TV Slide Shows Or PC

2009-08-22T02:46:00.000-07:00

Preserving Old Photos by Photo Scanning to Disc - Great For TV Slide Shows Or PC

By Geoff Shilton

Photo scanning, the act of preserving old photo memories to disc or memory stick is big business in the UK. Estimates of half a billion photos languishing in old boxes, cupboards and drawers are probably about right but who really knows? One thing is for sure though and that is we all can lay our hands on old photos which capture some memory of times gone by. I recently had some old Royal Navy photos from 30 years ago scanned and to see them in large format on my 42" TV was a revelation. Details I had never noticed before came bouncing off the screen.

There are very few, less than 3, companies in the UK who can offer scanning to disc for photos, slides, negatives and videos (to DVD) but Google will help you find them. Typical prices are about 10p per photo upto 40p for slides and a typical video will be about £10 to transfer to DVD.

Try to find a company who will arrange the whole process for you, from secure collection through to secure delivery back to you. Ask them if they are using trackable couriers or trusting them to the royal mail. Couriers are by far the most reliable of the two and if you are trusting your precious photos to anyone it should be an organisation that take security and trackability seriously.

In terms of resolution you can ask for 300 or 600 dpi, obviously the latter being a higher quality. The costs of 600 dpi usually carry a 50% surcharge. Don't bother with the higher resolution if you are only copying old black and white photos with a grainy image as its a total waste of money. 300dpi would be good enough for those oldies.

Hope that all helps and thanks for reading.

geoff.shilton@click2scan.co.uk

http://www.click2scan.co.uk/ - http://www.iphotoscanning.co.uk/

Geoff Shilton is Marketing Manager for the Click2Scan group, UK's No1 photo scanning experts and the fastest growing document management experts. For free advice call Geoff on 0845 873 8600

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