Digital Photography

ij_forde@yahoo.co.uk asked:


Pinup, glamour, and ‘cheesecake’ began to gain popularity in the 1930s. It was a time when the image of a pretty girl flourished. Glamour photography has changed over time as the female form, portrayed in art and photography, became more provocative.



During World War II pin-up pictures of scantily clad movie stars were extremely popular among US servicemen. Whether it was a painted calendar, advertisement, or the photo pinups that the G.I.s pinned on their locker doors,and which later adorned the noses of their bomber planes in WW2.



Famous illustrators like Petty, Rolf Armstrong, and Gil Evgren began creating some of the most memorable, technically exquisite Americana` ever produced! Calendars, magazine covers and matchbooks became a personal view into the life of the girl next door.



However, until the 1950s, the use of glamour photography in advertising or mens magazines was highly controversial or sometimes even illegal. Magazines featuring glamour photography were sometimes marketed as “art magazines” or “health magazines”.



Pinup art continued to grow in popularity, and sophistication through the 1950s. Movies were made about Pinup Artists and models, and most actresses of the time were considered pinups first then actresses. Marilyn Monroe was Earl Morans’ favorite model before and after she became a movie star! Numerous celebrities posed for pinup and glamour artists.



Playboy was instrumental in changing the world of glamour photography as the first magazine that focused on **** models and was targeted at the mainstream consumer. In December 1953, Hugh Hefner published the first edition of Playboy with Marilyn Monroe on the cover and **** photos of Monroe inside.



Monroe’s star status and charming personality helped to diminish the public outcry. When asked what she had on during the photoshoot, she replied “the radio”. After Playboy broke through, many magazines followed and this was instrumental in opening the market for the introduction of glamour photography into modern society.



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Tags: Gil Evgren, Star Status

Stephen Carter asked:


Success in sports photography depends for the most part on knowing ahead of time how the action will play out. It is very rarely an accident that the professional sports photographer has his or her camera pointing in the right direction when the money shot arrives. There are happy exceptions, but no serious photographer relies upon happenstance to pay their bills.

Now, this approach to capturing great sporting images seems to run counter to our notion that sporting events are entirely unpredictable. After all, great sums of money are lost at betting exchanges precisely because no one can consistently predict the outcome of a particular sporting event.

In reality, sports photographers take advantage of the complete predictability of a given athlete’s approach to their sporting event. Nobody reaches competition-level performance without repeating the same series of movements over and over again. Repetition and choreographed movement are the norm, not the exception. Even racing horses and hounds run in a straight line!

The best sports photography is arrived at through preparation, not through the careful selection of photographic equipment, nor by ensuring an unblemished attendance record at sporting events - these are mere prerequisites which even the most unremarkable sports photographer can match.

Louis Pasteur was not known for his photographic exploits, but when he said “Chance favors the prepared mind” he captured perfectly the sentiment required for sports photography success. Before you set foot on the sports field with camera in hand, or walk into an indoor arena and cast around for the perfect vantage point, you need to have done your research.

If you will be photographing a gymnastics event you should have purchased a beginners guide to the subject and learned everything you can about mandatory movements and the sequence in which they will be executed. You should have studied hours of taped events and got to the point where you can anticipate the next move, as though it was you on that floor, beam, or set of bars, readying yourself for the signature move that will leave the crowd cheering.

Not until you understand the mindset of the athletes you are photographing, and got yourself to the point where it feels as though there is nothing they can do to surprise you, will you be ready to capture them, when the time comes, doing something completely unexpected.

In the instant when the unusual presents itself, you will recognize the moment, and capture it, as if purely by instinct, though in fact it will be your hours of preparation that has triggered your response. When other photographers catch themselves thinking “Whoa. If she does that again I’ll be ready for it” you’ll simply be nodding silently to yourself knowing that the moment has passed and will not be repeating itself, but that’s OK because you *were* ready and you did capture the moment.

Being prepared for the unexpected, and reaping the reward with a sports photograph that no-one else can claim is more than just a little exciting. When you look into your LCD screen and you see that you have captured an astonishing image, it is every bit as invigorating as if you had accidentally kicked up a gold coin from the sand while out walking on the beach one day. No matter how much you prepare for success beforehand, every great image comes as a complete surprise.

But while it may be satisfying and remarkable to get the money shot in the form of an unanticipated event captured for all eternity, it is not something you want to rely upon as a sports photographer. In fact, the money shot, more often than not, is found in the ordinary rhythms of the sporting event itself. You simply need to recognize what they are and find the best vantage point from which to capture them.

Racing, in all its forms, has a very well-defined starting point. All athletes (or racing animals) are on an exactly equal footing when they burst free of the starting blocks (or stalls) and jockey for position. This release of energy can make for explosive and timeless images of struggle. It is a moment when anything is possible and every competitor is still in the running for first place. Just five seconds later it might be a very different story.

But you will have to decide where you want to catch the action: at the starter’s blocks, or at the finish line. You will not be able to cover both angles of the event. On the other hand, it is always a good idea to take a look around and see what your competition is doing. If every other photographer is battling for a position to cover the action on the field, then that’s probably not where you want to be. Maybe it is time to look at what the sports competitors are doing *between* events.

I once captured a top-lit female gymnast sitting on the mens horse apparatus in the low light of the gymnasium while she watched the competition at the far end of the hall. It made for a serenely beautiful black and white sports photo. Had I been focused on the action I never would have noticed her. Opportunities like this present themselves all the time, so if you find you are having difficulty getting near the action, take a breather and see what else is going on around you. Sometimes the money shot is right there on the sidelines.

To help you begin your journey into sports photography, I have summarized for you my findings on the Best Digital SLR Cameras for any budget. You will also find great deals on digital cameras every day at http://www.bestdigitalcameradiscounts.com/



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Tags: Chance Favors The Prepared Mind, Gymnastics Event

Dan Feildman asked:


ve fish in your aquarium? If you do, believe it or not, you can take beautiful pictures of the fish using a telephoto lens.

So just how does one do it?

First things first, set your photography equipment up. Before you start taking any pictures, just make sure that the tripod and the camera, as well as the light are located at the aquarium tanks top. Do not immediately take any pictures. Let the fish get familiar with the equipment first. This will help them relax and so shots taken of them will look natural and candid.

Usually, the best film to use when taking shots of moving subjects in this case, the fish is an ISO 400 film. This type of film is able to take shots of quick moving subjects without the blur. This is also the best type of equipment to be used for an environment that is low on lighting yet fast in movement.

So how long should the lens be?

When taking pictures of aquarium fish, a lens with a measurement anywhere between twenty eight millimeters and eighty millimeters is best to use. For close up shots, use a tube that can be extended.

Be aware though that you need to try out different types of lenses and measurements to make sure that the desired effect you want to achieve is ultimately accomplished. Experimenting is the key. The type and length of the lens that works well outdoors may not work as well when used inside a fish tank.

Be sensitive of the shadows

Try, as much as possible, to observe any shadows that crop up in the background while you are taking your shots. It is best that you first wait a moment until there is a fish that appears to contrast against the background and away from any shadows. This ensures that your subject will appear clear in the final and developed picture.

And then there was light

The tank you are going to take pictures of should be well lighted. It is best that light be placed at the top of the tank. You need to be careful though when lighting is used in the water as electricity is involved. Make sure that the placement of the lighting is safe and secure to prevent any type of electric shock as this could prove to be fatal, both to the fishes as well as to the photographer.

It is also highly unadvisable to use your camera flash when taking pictures of aquarium fish. This is because the glare of the flash could give off a reflection or produce a shiny, glaring spot in the picture that could distract, if not ruin, the shot.

Focus, focus, focus

As much as possible, focus on the moving fish as it darts and swims across the water. It is during this time when you could determine the specific type of measurement, lens, aperture opening as well as shutter speed. Here is a good tip, if a fish is swimming towards you, try to increase the depth of field in your camera to create a much more focused and clear shot.

The secret to good photography

There is a way to take great pictures. However, it won’t take just a few seconds, hours, days, weeks or months, but probably years to achieve. A lot of patience as well as a lot of practice is needed to perfect a shot, a photography technique and a photography skill.

Also, avoid having any electrical equipment near any form or types of water. Common sense dictates that doing so avoids any and all forms of electrical shock that could prove to be fatal.

All in all, photography is an art form and medium that is used to express any emotion, idea or message. For the photography hobbyist, taking pictures is a way to experiment and explore, while a serious photographer could just as well use photography to convey a concept that no other medium could best express. Photos not just capture a moment, but an idea whose time has come.

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Tags: Fish Tank, Telephoto Lens

simonkit asked:


The section of coastline between Benllech and Amlwch is probably the most contrasting section of the Anglesey Coastal Path and provides numerous possibilities for the landscape photographer. The coastal path climbs dramatically as it leaves Benllech and the view becomes expansive, with lots of interest. Again the Great Orme is in view, although a powerful telephoto lens is essential to successfully capture a photograph. The first main focus for the photographer on leaving Benllech however, is on the approach to Moelfre. It is a quaint place, with the appearance of a small Cornish fishing village, although as a consequence it can get very busy, so early hours photography provides the most tranquil shot. The only problem with Moelfre however, is finding the best location from which to take the shot as its located in a small corner of the coastline and doesnt have many natural vantage points for the landscape photographer. The best option is to walk past the village on the coastal path and take a photograph looking backwards into the small harbour.

The coastline onwards from Moelfre becomes flatter and features include nicely located sandy coves with interesting detail and texture. The most notable amongst these is the beach at Lligwy, it can be reached by car too. The landscape photographer also finds added interest here in the form of Ynys Dulas, a small, rocky island on which is built a distinctive and particularly photogenic structure. Its situated some distance from the beach so a powerful telephoto lens would be a good idea. If the coastal path is followed further however, the island does becomes closer in perspective, and as an added bonus the photographer will find the landscape provides increasingly strong foreground features, enhancing composition further.

Another special photography location, Dulas, soon becomes evident as the path continues. It is similar in nature to Red Wharf Bay, resembling an estuary. If crossed at low tide (without socks & shoes) another photographic opportunity is found in the form of a large wooden boat, long since abandoned and decaying but nonetheless an excellent subject, interestingly located.

On leaving Dulas the Anglesey Coastal Path again climbs above the coastline, the view again becoming more substantial, with the small island of Ynys Dulas constantly in view. Further interest soon appears in the form of the lighthouse at Point Lynas, an imposing structure sat high on the cliff top, seen from a good distance away. It provides the landscape photography with a variety of options, whilst the surrounding bracken and heather form excellent foreground features. Immediately below the lighthouse is Porth Eillan, a small bay enclosed by high cliffs, it provides the landscape photographer with further excellent opportunities. The beach itself, although small, has interesting features and sand detail and its location in particular provides scope for a good wide-angle seascape.

Continuing along the Anglesey Coastal Path from Porth Eillan, the landscape becomes rugged as it climbs further above the coastline, fewer photography opportunities exist however. The path soon reaches Amwlch, unfortunately now in decline. The old port however is still an excellent place for photography, particularly for those interested in maritime history or industrial landscapes and architecture. The old port has a small, very atmospheric harbour and interesting structures from its ancient industrial past remain.



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Tags: Cornish, Quaint Place

Terry Williams asked:


Nowadays, according to psychologists, more and more people are getting visually inclined. In other words, most of us love to use our eyes!

In what ways do we use our eyes for?

We use our eyes to view things in our environment. However, through time, man has devised ways on how to preserve the things we see, whether these are beautiful or not, and one of which is by way of using cameras.

These days, the biggest sellers in the camera market are the so-called digital SLR cameras.

Just what is an SLR camera?

SLR is an acronym for Single Lens Reflex. SLR cameras were the tools made for and used by professional photographers. Cameras such as these, similarly, make use of mirror that reflects light entering the lens up into the eye piece or the viewfinder. Thus, a photographer can gauge how the image or picture will look like. Moreover, a SLR camera uses lenses that are interchangeable. Hence, this camera can be used for long distance telephoto photography or close-up macro photography.

A digital SLR or DSLR camera is dependent on lenses and mirror and their optical capabilities. However a DSLR camera uses light sensor chips and digital memory cards instead of films, basically a computerized version of the abovementioned camera.

The following summarizes the comparison between DSLR and point and shoot cameras (SLRs):

1.DSLRs and SLRs use interchangeable lenses for better resolution.

2.Any picture you take using SLRs and DSLRs is usually crisper, cleaner and fine upon reproduction.

3.DSLRs have a higher speed when it comes to focusing and taking pictures

4.DSLRs perform better at low lighting conditions by using ISO speeds. These cameras have lesser granularity.

5.DSLRS provide more professional power over depth of field, light, and responsiveness.

6.DSLRs provide a more immediate feedback as they use digital chips or light sensing CCDs that translate incoming light rays into digital pictures.

7.DSLRs and SLRs cost more than point and shoot cameras.

8.DSLRs and SLRs are usually heavier than some point and shoot models.

Some sample DSLR models are listed below:

Prosumer models:



Canon EOS 10D

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT

Nikon D50

Nikon D70s

Pentax *ist DS

Professional Models:



Canon EOS 1D Mark II

Canon EOS 20D

Fuji Finepix S3 Pro

Nikon D2x

Who actually wants DSLRs? Anyone wants to have crisper and clearer picturesbe it a hobbyist or a professional photographer can opt for a DSLR model. Anyone who will not bother carrying bigger cameras on trips in order to bring back topnotch photos can make use of DSLRs.



Like all electronic and computerized gadgets, digital models tend to get cheaper yet better over time. For sure, DSLRs will eventually migrate down to consumer cameras: ability to take bursts of 10 frames in a few seconds, quick response time, higher resolution image sensors, and accurate auto-focus, among others.

The only thing that will remain constant are the laws of opticsyou will not get the same results from a finger-nail sized lens as with larger lenses used by professional users. Also the fact that people do not have enough money all the time remains the same through time.

If you plan to take photography as a profession, practice shooting some shots using prosumers models and consider budget and quality of lenses before you say, Big Cheese!





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Tags: Interchangeable Lenses, Macro Photography

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Glamour photography is first and foremost about making one look great in pictures, this is the type of skill that is most appreciated in the high fashion world. Glamour photography is generally handled and distributed by big names in the business that create great shots they afterwards sell to magazines and publications. There are all sorts of tutorials and courses that can teach one the secrets of glamour photography, as any apprentice photographer needs to acquire important knowledge that allows expert picture status. Some people say that shooting glamour photos is like making traditional portraits as it requires following certain lighting setup steps.

The main difference between traditional artistic photography and the more commercial nature of glamour photography is that the latter requires more life and shine than the former. Such a unique touch can only be achieved by someone who truly masters the secrets of photography. There are shooting tricks that are learned and decoded in time starting from the background preparation to the choice of props and backdrops. With glamour photography one is not taking simple pictures, but actually making them sparkle; let’s see how to add this unique touch to one very rewarding kind of work.

Glamour photography requires the use of special light stands, positioned in such as way so that background items be easily attached to the decor easily afterwards. Every light stand you set up will have to be positioned in such a way so as to create the most stable footing possible, not to mention that they need to be perfectly operable during the photo shooting. Background props and supplies are definitely an important issue when preparing the session as such. Glamour photography devices require both precision and a certain liberty of movement in the operation of the camera, so that professional items are the ones that make a great job.

The models one gets to work with in glamour photography sessions are some of the best paid ones in the business; but this photographic sector is not limited to the fashion world. Yes, this is the main tendency to associate glamor with the catwalk, but film stars, musicians and other famous people often take advantage from the great benefits of professional photographic skills. Prices for photo sessions are incredibly high for both parties operating in the transaction; good photographers are paid small fortunes, not to mention the profit model agencies make from honoring glamor contracts.



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Tags: Background Preparation, Photography Glamour

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Underwater photography is extremely interesting and lots of fun. People do not usually get to take pictures of the wildlife living underwater. There are a number of living thing underwater. There are those that move around like the fish and the sharks, and there are those that are immobile like the corals. Because of the number of subjects available underwater, underwater photography has become one of the most popular forms of photography.

There are a number of digital cameras that can be used underwater. The internet is full of pictures that deal with the underwater. This is largely due to the fact that people can now take cameras underwater and shoot the subjects there.

But it isn’t as easy as it sounds. You cannot just take a camera, dive into the sea, and start clicking. You need to know where and how to take the pictures. There are a number of underwater pictures that are horrible beyond measure as one cannot make out anything in it. Sunlight has a different effect underwater and one needs to make sure that photos are not taken directly under a sunray.

If taken in the right manner, underwater pictures can be truly beautiful. There is a set of paraphernalia you need to carry with you while going underwater. These include different cameras, lights and camera holders.

The ocean is the best place to take underwater pictures. Ponds and lakes are, more often than not, too dirty and murky with mud to allow you to see anything clearly. On the other hand, the ocean is very clear, and taking underwater pictures is relatively easier due to the absence of the pollution.

When diving, there are certain differently designed cameras that you should opt for. These cameras take amazing photographs as the pictures are hundreds of feet underwater where it is usually difficult to take pictures. Very often, the images show strange creatures that have not yet been discovered.

Apart from the aquatic life forms, it is also enjoyable to take photographs of people underwater. If you can capture the right moment, you can catch people making some really funny underwater expressions. People on vacation usually take pictures of each other underwater. There are a number of people who visit Florida and take pictures with the manatees swimming by. Underwater pictures taken by oneself is a great family keepsake and an amazing way to share your experiences with friends and relatives.

Underwater photography is made even more interesting due to the unpredictable nature of water. A lot of unexpected pictures come out due to this. These pictures are rare and so are really special, as one cannot recreate the environment in which caused the photograph to turn out the way it did. With advancement in camera technology, underwater photography will keep progressing. Today, one can even take underwater pictures from boat. With time, we will get to see a range of special underwater pictures from the ocean and perhaps even some creatures that have never before been identified.

Underwater photography is gaining popularity, especially with people who are on vacations near the ocean. It is not necessary to have a lot of experience to practice underwater photography and just about anyone can do it. You never know, perhaps your underwater exploits can inspire others to take up underwater photography and you could be the role model for somebody else. If you are taking a vacation, be sure to include underwater photography in your agenda.



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Tags: Mud, Ponds And Lakes

JD Taylor asked:


The future of photography is in your hands, and its becoming all digital!

Now you can compose and view the exact picture youre going to take, using your cameras full liquid crystal display

(LCD) screen. Review the picture an instant after pressing the shutter. If your computer is nearby, you can upload it seconds later, view a super-large version on your display, crop, enhance, and then make your own sparkling full-color print all within minutes!

When you go digital, you never need to buy film or wait while your photos are processed in a lab. You decide which images to print and how large to make them. You can display your digital photographic work framed on your wall or displayed proudly over your fireplace. You can make wallet-size photos, send copies to friends in e-mail, or create an online gallery that can be viewed by relatives and colleagues over the Web.

Digital photography gives you the power to take pictures on a whim, or to create careful professional quality work that others might be willing to pay for. The choices are all yours, and digital photography puts all the power in your hands. All you need is a little information on how to choose and use your tools, and how to put them to work. The most exciting thing is how rapidly the technology is changing to bring you new capabilities and features that you can use to improve your pictures.

Taking pictures with a digital camera:

Some differences in technique are required, as the digital image data is captured in a manner that is different from a film camera. Most digital cameras have a shutter that will make settings of focus and contrast when the shutter button is half-way down, and this process may add a delay to the time before the shutter operates.

When looking through a viewer, it is desirable to have a digital screen in the eyepiece viewer. One reason this is important is to ensure that certain types of scenes will retain the color elements correctly. U should be aware that many digital cameras can do poorly with scenes such as sunrises if they point the camera at the foreground slightly below the horizon and in line with the sun before pressing the shutter. This may result in an image that shows none of the color or brightness of the sky. However, if you use the shutter button to pre-focus (and pre-contrast) on the sky, and hold the shutter button half-way down as your re-direct the camera toward the preferred framing direction, you will see if the colorful features in the sky will be retained in the picture.

Generally speaking, a digital camera will use a shutter speed that is faster than a film camera, which relieves the user from having to steady the digital camera as much to avoid blurred pictures. Also, many digital cameras have an auto exposure feature that tends to make a setting of fast shutter and fast f-stop. Thus, an amateur photographer can do a respectable job with telephoto photography, where the narrow-angle view may be the only manual adjustment needed for point-and-shoot pictures.

Read the instruction manual for the camera to set up this feature. It may require that you press the shutter button halfway and hold it for a second or longer for this feature to become operational prior to operating the shutter.

Some of the better digital cameras do can an excellent job of taking close-ups, as their focus range may include four inches to infinity.

With the digital viewer on the back of the camera, you can have some assurance that a satisfactory photo has been obtained. However, it has limited resolution and limited ability to show a good display in sunlight. You can delete images from the flash card that you dont want and free up memory for additional frames to be shot on the same flash card.

For most purposes, u will be satisfied with images in the JPG format. With a 2 Mpixel camera, each frame will require about 0.5 MB of file space. Thus a 32 MB flash card will serve to retain up to 64 image frames.

Why still use your old film camera when you can go Digital?

For more information Click Here

Naturalmed South Africa



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Tags: Digital Image Data, Liquid Crystal Display

David Keffen asked:


There’s a lot of tosh written about decent studio portraits always requiring five lights. Yes, sure most of us use them from time to time, but it is altogether more satisfying to see how few we really do require to nail all the required elements.

We have been experimenting with one light for quite a while. Perhaps an obvious choice for low-key lighting. We will often use a single side facing main light with a black panel between it and the white backgorund to achieve some quite pleasing results. Add a reflector on the other side of the subject to brighten up those really dark shadows, and it starts to look good.

Low-key sorted, but what about high-key? Impossible? Certainly not! The trick here is to place the subject close to the background and get the main light in close with a largeish softbox (1m square or larger) and angling down at around a 30 degree angle. Make sure you install reflectors all round the subject. Use one as a kicker, one as a hair light and one either side of the subject to get rid of the tell-tale shadows on the background and hey-presto….high-key lighting.

Not convinced?

Try it.

Yes, sure there will be quite a bit of fiddling around with exposure and reflectors. We would tend to use silver as gold can give uneven colour temperature issues and white may be a little flat with only one light source.

The point I’m trying to make is that although most of us use multiple lights, it doesn’t have to be that way. If a photographer is just starting out in portraiture, he/she doesn’t need to feel hampered by not having huge amounts of kit.

Many of the world’s greatest photographers were initially unable to afford to buy much equipment and had to improvise - often leading to some of the most iconic images of the twentieth (and possibly the twenty first) century.

If I’m truly honest, I normally prefer to work with four or five lights, as it allws me to build more depth into the shot, but it doesn’t hurt us to experiment from time to time.

by David Keffen Wedding Dresses



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Tags: Degree Angle, Low Key Lighting, Twenty First Century

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Sports photography isnt for everyone and you need to have an interest in sports if you want to look at being a photographer for sports or action shots. But that doesnt mean that you cant learn the ins and outs of sports photography and apply it to your normal daily photography techniques.

Sports photography most of the time is best applied with fast shutter speeds and a tripod to accompany it if possible. The tripod is merely to give your arms a rest while whole chunks of time pass by without anything happening. The tripod also helps if you want to use a technique called panning. In this technique you keep the camera firmly rooted on the vertical axis and pan, or move the camera from one end to the other on the horizontal axis.

And if that sounded confusing, let me try to come at it from a different direction. Take a race course for example. Youre standing dab smack in the middle of the straight leg of the course and you want to take a shot where the background is blurred but the car is crystal sharp. This is a common enough shot in sports photography and one that is used often to create a motion blur where the viewer gets the impression of great motion from the photograph.

So in this case, lets say that the car would be coming at you from the left heading towards your right. You would set up your camera on your tripod and aim the lens towards the left where you know the car will enter your field of view from. You get the car in your sights and keep it there, all the while moving your camera on the tripod from left to right along with the car.

Since youre at some distance from the car the speed of it wont unduly affect the speed of your camera movement either, so you have enough time to move the camera in one smooth movement from left to right. This is called panning the camera in sports photography. This is how you get those great shots of greyhounds depicted sharply against a blurred background, or grand prix cars zooming on the track.

In sports photography, only the car, or object, that you keep as your focal subject though will have this clarity, everything else will blur differently according to its speed relative to your main subject.



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Tags: Camera Tripod, Heading

Andrew Goodall asked:


Wildlife photography requires a combination of camera skills, timing and patience. One essential aspect is often forgotten: knowing how to use the light to get the best results from your wildlife photos.

To take a top-class wildlife photograph, you need to know your animal; where to find it, how to approach it without scaring it away, and how to know the precise moment to press the button to capture the character of the subject. Often a wildlife photographer will spend hours trying to get a good shot. What a shame, then, if all that effort is wasted by taking your photo in bad light.

As a nature photographer, I have learned that the ideal light for a photo can vary depending on the subject. Landscape photos are usually best photographed in sunny weather, early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the contrast is low and the light is soft and colouful. On the hand, rainforest photography is usually best in the middle of the day, in cloudy weather to eliminate extremes of light and shade. To understand the best lighting for wildlife photography, you can take a lesson from both landscape and rainforest photography.

To get the best light for a wildlife photo, you are really looking to minimize contrast, and to eliminate shadows from important areas; most importantly across the face of the animal.

If you take your photos in the middle of a sunny day, you are bound to encounter shadows in all the wrong places. Bright light is likely to overexpose parts of the subject, while the face and the underside of the animal could be lost in heavy shadow. The result will be unattractive, and lacking in much of the detail that should give character to your photo.

There is nothing wrong with taking your wildlife photos on a sunny day. Just remember the lesson from landscape photography and seek to take your photos early in the morning and late in the afternoon. At these times the subject is illuminated from a more horizontal angle, so the full face of the animal is well-lit; you are less likely to have shadows over the eyes and other important features. If there are shadows, they will be much softer because the contrast is much lower when the sun is low in the sky.

The light at these times is also much more colourful, with the golden hues you associate with sunrise and sunset. This is a classic technique for improving landscapes, but it can be just as effective for wildlife. The warmth of the light can create an intimacy in your pictures that is completely lost in the harsh light of midday.

The second approach is to follow the rule of rainforest photography, and take your photos in overcast weather. This allows you to catch your subject in very even, low-contrast light.

I find cloudy days particularly useful for animals with glossy surfaces. Frogs, for example, have damp, shiny skin that reflects a lot of light. In glary conditions a green frog may appear mostly grey or silver in a photo. On a cloudy day the same frog will be shown in its true colours.

Birds can often appear more colourful on a cloudy day, for the very same reason. The sun shining on glossy feathers can create a lot of reflection, robbing the photo of its natural colour. It may seem the opposite of what you would expect, but the dull light of a cloudy day can actually produce the truest colours in a bright wildlife subject.

One final question you may ask: should you use a flash to illuminate a wildlife photo? My answer to that is a definite “NO.” Flash photography bathes the subject in white light, coming from directly in front of the subject. It may illuminate the subject, but at the same time rob it of the natural play of light and shade that makes a good photo so appealing.

Some wildlife photography experts use multiple flashes to brightly illuminate a subject from every possible angle. This approach can work very well, but remember; these are experts in flash photography. If you are at the beginner stage, I recommend learning to work with natural light. When you get the hang of it, I guarantee you will be happy with the results.



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Tags: Landscape Photography, Photo Nature

Andrew Goodall asked:


Wildlife photography can inspire photographers of almost any experience level. You don’t need a fancy camera or years of training; anyone with a camera can capture great wildlife images.

For an inexperienced photographer, it is easy to be disappointed with the quality of your results. You see the great photography that can be found in galleries, on calendars and postcards, and wonder why you are not getting the same results.

These days, unfortunately, our first tendency is to blame the camera, assuming that the professionals have much better cameras than yours. Even worse, many people even assume the images are not genuine photos at all; they must have been enhanced or even manufactured on a computer.

The truth is, you don’t need an expensive camera or to be an expert with software to produce good wildlife photos. Don’t forget, great wildlife photography existed long before digital cameras arrived on the scene. In fact, you don’t even need special techniques to take better wildlife photos. There are some simple things you can do that can help you take better wildlife photos no matter what sort of camera you have, or how expert you are in photography.

Here are some simple, low-tech tips for better wildlife photography.

Wildlife Photography Tip #1. Context Matters. A wildlife photo looks best if it is taken in a natural setting, or at least looks that way. You should always consider the background in a wildlife photo. If it is obvious your photo was taken in a zoo, for example, the connection with nature is broken and the background spoils the shot.

Just why is it that some people, when they find a small animal like a frog, a beetle or a lizard…feel the need to pick it up? A photo of an animal in your hand is just the same as the zoo photo - it destroys the illusion of nature that you wanted to capture in the first place. If you can photograph your subject in a natural setting, with the colours of nature in the background, your photo will be much more attractive.

Wildlife Photography Tip #2. If The Background Is Distracting, Get Rid Of It. Sometimes a great subject is found in a terrible setting, and there is nothing you can do to change that. You can, however, minimize the distraction of an unfortunate background, and you don’t need a computer to do it.

Simply get as close to the subject as possible and zoom in with your largest lens. This reduces the depth of field so much that only your subject should be in focus. If any of the background is visible, it will be so far out of focus it won’t be a problem.

Wildlife Photography Tip #3. Unusual Behaviour Makes Unique Photographs. Be patient when taking your wildlife photos. Photography competitions around the world are loades with photos that are perfectly exposed, but completely dull and uninteresting. The shots that stand out are the ones where the subject does something out of the ordinary. I am not talking about tap-dancing in a tutu; all it takes is a yawn, a wink, an interesting turn of the head, a head tucked under a wing…simple things that will set your photo apart from millions of others.

Animals sometimes turn up in unexpected locations which can also add interest to a photo. A kangaroo in the grass is not so unique, but find one on the beach and you have a photo on your hands.

Wildlife Photography Tip #4. The Eyes Are The Key To A Successful Photo. Above all when shooting your wildlife photos, concentrate your attention on the eyes. This is the feature that creates a personal connection between the subject and the viewer. If the eyes are out of focus or lost in shadow, the connection is lost. On the other hand, if the subject is mostly out of focus, or even hidden behind a bush, you can still get a great photo…as long as the eyes are sharp and well captured.

So there you have four easy tips that can add character to your wildlife photography. Note that none of them require special equipment or complex techniques. Like so much of nature photography, a good image is not about technology; it is about timing, patience, and your sensitivity to the subject. Happy Snapping!



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Tags: Matter What Sort, Wildlife Images

hwalker asked:


Lets face it, women struggle with self-esteem issues. This is especially true as we age, have our children, see our bodies change, and our relationships grow comfortable. The young girl we once were who spent her paychecks at the mall, had hours to primp before a date, and felt hot can almost seem like someone else. With the **** shoes set aside for flip flops, yoga pants in lieu of tight jeans, and a schedule full of play-dates its easy to forget shes still inside. Over time and with an increasing emphasis on other people and different things, many women stop feeling like theyre ****. However, sometimes all that they need is a good reminder. One of the best, most tangible ways of showing them not only is that girl still there but age and experience has made her sexier and better than ever, is through the beauty of boudoir photography.

Boudoir photography offers an artistic and tangible way that women can see for themselves that they are still sensual and gorgeous. When a woman is confronted with her own image where she can see herself looking undeniably beautiful it can be a tremendous boost to her self-confidence and reawaken her sexuality. These pictures are taken by knowing professionals, who use lighting to highlight and flatter the very best of a womens beauty. Often times, women posing for boudoir photography have had a make-up artist and hair stylist help them prepare for their pictures, which both enhances their beauty and is a fun, feminine pampering experience. Cherly K., a woman from Cincinnati, OH who went to a boudoir photography session with friends commented, “I think what youre doing for women is absolutely fabulous. The four of us came out of there feeling like a million bucks. We all shared our pictures you sent yesterday and kept telling each other how amazing we all are! Thank you for that! Its nice to feel pretty and to be reminded that you still have it!” There does not leave much room for self-doubt, when a women looks at an actual picture where even she has to admit, she looks incredible. Heather Walker is the principal photographer and owner of Columbus Boudoir Photography (www.columbusboudoir.com), a fully-scale studio located in Powell, OH which attracts women throughout the Columbus metropolitan area and the state of Ohio. She is also renowned for her national boudoir photography and has seen the reaction of countless women to their pictures. Heather says, I love to see the womans face when we show her the final images! Her expression is priceless. I say to her yesthat is YOU! You look amazing.



Boudoir photography shouldnt be considered a one-time event. What woman doesnt want (or need) continual reinforcement thats she looks great? Taking such beautiful pictures can be a very personal and powerful way to document a womans sexuality and an exciting way to keep things **** and fresh for her partner. At a professional studio, the process of taking the pictures itself can be surprisingly fun for women. Studios such as Columbus Boudoir Photography ensure that a woman feels completely comfortable in the environment and discuss ahead of time the type of concerns she may have with her appearance. The photographer emphasizes the very best of each womans body and creates a look and feel to the photographs that reflect her taste and desires. Some women enjoy portraying timeless and tasteful turn of the century courtesans, others like a saucy 1950s pin-up, while many choose to channel their inner lingerie model, or simply pose in their boyfriends football jersey. As womens tastes and interests change, so can her pictures. A college girl may enjoy a different feel to her pictures than would a young mother or a mature woman. The beauty of boudoir photography is that it can reflect many stages of the sensual female experience. Boudoir photography isnt just for a one-time benefit to the bedroom but enables a woman to feel good forever and is truly a beautiful testament to her timeless sexuality.



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Tags: Paychecks, Photography Session

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Underwater photography is something fascinating that has been enabled by technology in the not so distant past. In the years gone by, it was only the divers who ever got to actually see the underwater world. However thanks to underwater photographers, we are now able to get a glimpse of the deep seas right from the comfort of our homes - through television and in print media, also on the internet. It is true that any form of photography requires a certain amount of skill. Underwater photography on the other hand needs one to be a proficient diver as well as a good photographer.

As far as general wild life photography is concerned, photographers can work from a distance and photograph their subjects. But where underwater photography needs to be done, they need to get up close to the subject. This is simply because water refracts or bends light rays. Observe this phenomenon by putting your hand into a bucket of water. The closer you bring it to the surface of water the clearer it appears to be. So, the less the light needs to travel through the water, the less is the distortion. This is why underwater photographers have to get as close to their subjects as possible.

In the underwater world, it is not as simple a philosophy as survival of the fittest through speed. Most fish choose camouflage as the solution to predators. This is why you need to be skilled at spotting your fish when you are an underwater photographer. So, this is an added quality that you need to have to shoot underwater photographs successfully. Not only do you need to be a good diver, and a good photographer but also a good marine biologists. Where this is not always possible, photographers dive alongside biologists to get the best pictures. And then, some marine animals die if you as much as touch them, so it requires a certain amount of knowledge in any case, to dive responsibly.

The gear

You could get a housing for your regular camera to shoot underwater. This is nothing but a plastic, water tight container for your camera that allows all of the functions to still be accessible from the outside. Or else, you could use underwater cameras specially designed for the purpose. Photographers who shoot only underwater photography prefer to use underwater cameras, while those who shoot underwater only at times may use the underwater housing with their regular cameras. You can also attach an underwater strobe flash unit where you are shooting deep into the ocean. On the shallow areas, sunlight is enough to light the underwater world.

Underwater photographers tend to try and shoot their subjects from under them, since they hide into the backgrounds. Also, the sunlight from top can create interesting background hues.



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Tags: Light Rays, Predators

Ian asked:


Digital photography at its best



We have arrived at an era when digital media is more commonplace. It has become more cost effective, the results are pleasing, and the ease of sharing, viewing and archiving make it convenient for many users. History has shown that multimedia has gone through a continual evolution in regard to the use of formats and storage media. Many of us may confront issues regarding how we want to deal with photography. Should we consider the use of our own digital camera? The answer will depend on your views about how such a change would impact your life. Surely the consideration of owning a digital camera represents a collection of new challenges. This article will present an overview of some of the issues that are involved.



What is required?



The camera itself represents a substantial outlay of money, however it is not the only outlay that will be required. Fortunately, digital cameras are cost competitive with film cameras that may be used for most general purposes. The collection of features in a given camera will affect its price. A simple way of comparing digital cameras is by the number of Megapixels that show in an image frame. If you choose a one Megapixel camera, you will find that full-frame images will be slightly larger than the viewing area of a monitor screen that is set for a resolution (or screen area) of 800 X 600 pixels.



Another major determinant of adaptability is the zoom capability. The zoom range that is most significant to the user is the range of optical zoom. Digital zoom range is generally of less significance, as the user can deal with these settings while using an image modifying program after the image file is in the computer. Other features that may be of importance is whether you have viewing capability on the camera for seeing the image in a digital screen viewer before taking a picture as well as a digital screen that can show a selected image frame after the picture is taken. Provision for taking flash pictures may be an important consideration. Also, it is beneficial to have a display screen that shows how many pictures can be taken before the flash card is full.



Note that the flash card can be removed from the camera and replaced with a spare flash card, just as you would do with film cartridges. One difference is that the flash card is not light sensitive and its location in the camera is not in the light path that is used for taking pictures, so no precautions are needed before opening the slot where the flash card is installed. Closing the slot involves a mechanism that slides the card into position and makes contact to the pads. Opening the slot works in the opposite fashion and ejects the card just far enough that it can be grasped with fingers for removal.



You will find that savings will accrue when you dont have to pay for film or standard film photo processing.



Camera accessories that are often selected at the time of purchase can include things like a spare flash (memory) card, batteries, battery charger, carrying case, etc. Recognize that your total outlay will be dependent on whether a given accessory is included in the cameras price. A flash card has a thin substrate that contains a bunch of memory elements. It is slightly more than an inch on each side, and less than an eighth of an inch thick. It has a few plated copper pads on the substrate that provide connection points for applying power to it and for transferring signal data in and out of it. It is convenient to make these accessory selections at this time, as you are already at the location where they have the items and know which ones will fit your camera. However, accessories can be bought at any time from a reputable camera store.



You must consider the means for copying image frames from the flash card in the camera. If you copy these files to your own computer, there should be enough accessories and software bundled with the camera to provide for these needs.



The most common type of interfacing connection between camera and computer is a USB cable that mates with the camera at one end and with the computer at the other end. If your computer does not have a USB port available, perhaps the easiest way to add one or two of them is to use a USB card that gets installed in a PCI slot within your computer. This requires that your computer have and available PCI slot. If your operating system is Windows 98 or newer, chances are that Windows will see the new hardware and install the required driver for it when the computer boots after the USB card is installed.



The software for transferring image frames from the cameras flash card to your computer must be installed and the user must learn how to operate it.



There are so-called flash card readers which can be used to transfer data in or out of a flash card. The reader has the ability to accept dowloads from the flash card by removing it from a camera and placing it in the card reader. A reader will often serve as a writer if you have need for that, and a media device that can read from a flash card.



Another form of media used with some digital cameras is a floppy disk that inserts into the camera and is removed with images in JPG format. If this is the media used in a one Mpixel camera, you could get five shots on one disk, and may find that an indicator of how many remaining frames may be taken on a partially filled disk may not be important. This represents a very easy way to transfer image data to a computer.



Minimum system requirements for all new devices and software must be considered if everything is to work properly.



Other means of transferring image frames exist. To do so in conjunction with your computer, an external device can be purchased that will accept the flash card and will provide the ability to gather and retain the image files that can be copied to any available computer.



Another option is to take the flash card to a photo processor and have them provide the image files on a disk. Of course, this involves processing cost, but may not be as expensive as you expect.



Recent trends in battery selection for devices like digital cameras favor the NiMH, or Nickel-Metal Hydride type. They are more tolerant to many kinds discharge-recharge cycles, and will last for more recharge cycles than the Nickel-Cadmium types. They may give better service if a special charger is used with them. Some digital cameras use a custom battery and others use a few cells of standard size, like AA or AAA. Some users prefer to have two sets of them that are never mixed with members from the other set. One caution dont expect them to retain their charge as long as Alkaline or NiCad batteries. You may prefer that the batteries be of the standard AA or AAA configuration for a few reasons, one of which is that they are less expensive when buying as a spare or as a replacement than a custom battery. Also, you may be able to put in standard alkaline cells in an emergency.



Two forms of batery chargers are available, one for restoring charge when the batter(y) (ies) (is) (are) out of the camera, and one for replenishing charge when the batteries are in the camera, as the drain can be substantial when using the LCD viewer or when downloading pictures.



Taking pictures with a digital camera



Some differences in technique are required, as the digital image data is captured in a manner that is different from a film camera. Most digital cameras have a shutter that will make settings of focus and contrast when the shutter button is half-way down, and this process may add a delay to the time before the shutter operates.



When looking through a viewer, it is desirable to have a digital screen in the eyepiece viewer. One reason this is important is to ensure that certain types of scenes will retain the color elements correctly. A user should be aware that many digital cameras can do poorly with scenes such as sunrises if they point the camera at the foreground slightly below the horizon and in line with the sun before pressing the shutter. This may result in an image that shows none of the color or brightness of the sky. However, if you use the shutter button to pre-focus (and pre-contrast) on the sky, and hold the shutter button half-way down as your re-direct the camera toward the preferred framing direction, you will see if the colorful features in the sky will be retained in the picture. If you have a 2 Mpixel or 4 Mpixel camera, you dont need to point the camera in the preferred framing direction, as you can obtain a reasonably wide-angle result and unnecessary piture content can be removed later by cropping.



Generally speaking, a digital camera will use a shutter speed that is faster than a film camera, which relieves the user from having to steady the digital camera as much to avoid blurred pictures. The implications are that telephoto work can be done with a digital camera without a tripod if the user is steady, the camera has considerable zoom capability, and the scene is well lit. This is an interesting result that can be obtained without an expensive and heavy detachable lens, which would be required on a film camera. Also, many digital cameras have an autoexposure feature that tends to make a setting of fast shutter and fast f-stop. Thus, an amateur photographer can do a respectable job with telephoto photography, where the narrow-angle view may be the only manual adjustment needed for point-and-shoot pictures. Because the fast shutter speed makes the camera more tolerant of slight motion while taking a picture, some have come to regard this effect as a virtual stabilizer. In more expensive cameras, many will have a feature called image blur reduction. This is especially useful when taking telephoto pictures. Read the instruction manual for the camera to set up this feature. It may require that you press the shutter button halfway and hold it for a second or longer for this feature to become operational prior to operating the shutter.



Some of the better digital cameras do can an excellent job of taking close-ups, as their focus range may include four inches to infinity.



With the digital viewer on the back of the camera, you can have some assurance that a satisfactory photo has been obtained. However, it has limited resolution and limited ability to show a good display in sunlight. You can delete images from the flash card that you dont want and free up memory for additional frames to be shot on the same flash card.



For most purposes, a user will be satisfied with images in the JPG format. With a 2 Mpixel camera, each frame will require about 0.5 MB of file space. Thus a 32 MB flash card will serve to retain up to 64 image frames.



telephoto photography

Tags: Comparing Digital Cameras, Film Cameras

Amy asked:


For sports enthusiasts, theres nothing more exciting than sports people playing their favourite game. The sight of the field, rink or golf course initiates the thrill and anticipation. This, combined with digital photography, can provide some amazing photographic opportunities. However its not a matter of point the camera at the person diving for the ball or puck and snapping away. Its a lot more complicated than that.

In digital photography sports can be quite challenging. The sports people do not present an easy task of being photographed because of the amount of high movement. However, you can indeed achieve great sports digital photography. Most excellent sports digital photography requires good planning and execution.

Here are some exclusive tips for gaining fantastic sports shots in your digital photography.

First things first; know your digital camera. I recommend taking note and practicing first all the settings that sports photography needed. You may find yourself going for the faster shutter speed, increased ISO and burst mode. Lets take a look at all these things on your digital camera and see how they can be applied to give you sensational sports photos.

High shutter speeds:

As with all moving objects, in order to capture the frozen in time look in digital photography a fast shutter speed is required. The faster the movement the fast the shutter speed will need to be. In digital photography the general consensus is that the shutter speed needs to be faster than that of the subject. For example if you have a sliding puck across ice and there is a someone about to take a dive for it then its necessary to quickly mentally assess how fast that person might be traveling at. If they are traveling at approximately 50 kilometers (approx 32 miles) per hour then you may find a very fast shutter speed is needed for this digital photo.

A very fast shutter speed in digital photography may be anything from 500th of a second or higher. For high speed movement you may want to consider an even faster shutter speed of 1000th of a second or something in that range.

Keep in mind that in digital photography a fast shutter speed works to reduce some of the light which is why a higher ISO is often necessary. (Ill talk about that in a minute.) Usually a if a ball, such as a baseball going at around 145 kilometers an hour (90.09 miles per hour) a shutter speed of around 1/4000 will get you that suspended ball in mid air type of photo. For physical movement, such as someone leaping to catch a football, a shutter speed of 1/500 or over is a good place to start.

Now this is all very well if your scene if well lit. But what if you are taking your digital photography shots indoors at night and the light is not quite enough to provide enough light? In most instances, an indoor stadium at night time will be well lit, but that doesnt always ensure good digital photos. In sports photography we need to understand that we can only control the artistic value and input of our digital photo and the control of the camera. We cant control the lighting on the scene being such a public event. In digital photography sports photos we must realize that its going to be a challenge to begin with. So here are somethings you can in your digital sports photography to increase the amount of light.

If you have a light tool on your digital camera such as a histogram you can get a good idea of what the light levels are like on your sensor. With this handy tool you can adjust the ISO at the time of your pictures taking.

Increase your ISO: A high ISO in digital photography simply means the sensitivity to light that your digital camera has. In a nutshell the more ISO you have increased the image to, the less light the sensor needs. In sports photography an ISO of 400 or higher can work really well. The downside to this is that it does increase noise. To combat this you can use noise reduction software in the post editing process such as Noise Ninja or increase the LAB mode in the post editing process. Dont be afraid to try a few shots at 400, 800 and even as high as 1600.

Burst mode:

In most sports digital photography this will be one of the settings you will turn to. Burst mode is also known as continuous shooting. This continuous shooting mode allows you to get a sequence of shoots in succession. You can increase your chances of getting that ideal split second perfect shot that you might not be able to get by pre-emption or in normal shooting. This also works so beautifully if your digital camera has a painfully long lag time. Ive used this so many times to get around the high lag my Sony Cyber shot has got. Some cameras have 3 frames per second and some go up to 12 frames per second. You simply select this mode and hold your finger on the shutter button and it will fire off as many shots in 1 second as it can.

Okay so Ive been talking about your digital camera and the settings used for ideal sports digital photography, so what about any external equipment? If you have been thinking about this youre spot on. You can take as much time with your settings but theres not much point if you cant get close to the action. Theres no point having a picture with perfect lighting and perfect action if the players are like dots on a sheet of paper. You need a good telephoto lens if you cant get close up. A telephoto lens brings you closer because of its long distance capability. It will get you closer to the action but will need a faster shutter speed.

Many fantastic sports digital photos are taken with an emphasis on a very fast shutter speed, an f stop of around the 2.8 mark to blur the background and focus in on the subject. You may find that if your sportsperson is visually separated from the background and you take the digital photograph with a telephoto lens youll have a more shallow depth of field which can give you a more powerful feeling in your digital photo. You can get away with a good optical zoom lens, but youll get far better digital sports shots with a proper telephoto.

So what about the artistic side of sports photography with your digital camera? Plenty!

Pre-emption and Emotion is the key to good art.

When taking sports photography you probably wont find a more public display of human emotion. The emotions of a sports person range from intense anticipation to extreme disappointment or extreme exhilaration. Pre-empting when these emotions take place is they key to getting artistic and impressive sports photos. This comes with practicing your digital photography.

SO much pressure is placed on our athletes, expecting them to perform so we can enjoy the show and the investors can enjoy their returns. This is another reason why I say to get a telephoto lens so you can capture the emotions on their faces and their body language. It makes for superb photography. For ideas on ice hockey, have a look at some ice hockey images that are great study tools.

Dont just look at these digital photos, you must study them. Take on the attitude that studying sports photography will improve your digital sports photos ten fold. You will have a style to emulate and copy to start with then eventually, when you become confident, youll start to adopt your own style.

Happy shooting,

Amy Renfrey

To study digital sports photography check these sites out: http://www.espn.com/ and http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/ and http://cbs.sportsline.com/



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Tags: Anticipation, Digital Photography

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


When I first thought about doing wildlife photography I was a bit stuck for inspiration. I was in the middle of the city with no wildlife in sight, unless you counted the people milling all around me, and I wasnt due up for another long vacation for at least a few months yet. So obviously wildlife photography in the wild was out, but someone very helpfully pointed me in the direction that Im about to point you in now. What about the wildlife at the zoos? There was more or less all the wildlife that I could want just sitting there bored in their cages watching people make funny faces at them. (Sounds a bit like what a baby has to go through doesnt it?)

But I still had to wait for the weekend for that and I was chafing at the bit to get into my stride in wildlife photography, when the second suggestion struck me as being the answer to all my troubles. Wildlife photography from home! I could get started immediately I went home, and if nothing else I could always go after the dog. Now that weve sorted out where you can take your wildlife shots, maybe we should now think about what kind of wildlife photography you were thinking of doing.

This is a crucial step in your wildlife photography but not something that you might want to look into just yet. You might still want to get your hands into everything to decide exactly what it is about wildlife photography that you like. Is it the thought of capturing on film the big cats like lions and tigers? Or maybe you want to photograph elephants. What about hippos, or zebras or even rhinos?

And if you dont like the idea of going big, then do you like the idea of going small? Have you thought about birds and insects? What about the much maligned rodent varieties? As you can see there are many different types of wildlife photography options available to you and you just have to reach out and take it.

In the wild is where you get all the action, all the heart pounding terror of being in the wild along with the animals, knowing that youre in their home court and that your advantage depends entirely on the guide whos leading you around. This then is what many of the greatest wildlife photographers yearn to do and where they end up anyway. Whether the reality meets their expectation of the dream is another matter entirely.

Theyre there, in the wild, with the ability to get up close and personal with their wildlife subjects. Nothing at all like the zoo back home, but then again what did you expect right? However, its also true that wildlife shots, are natural, dont only have to be shots of the big game animals. Wildlife shots can be of anything that is considered wild. Take my dog for instance. I consider the shots that I took of him to be wildlife purely for the reason that there isnt a tame bone in his body. He bounces and bounds around like nobodys business and defends his territory with deep menacing growls. The fact that he wouldnt hurt a fly is another matter entirely.

So although in-the-wild wildlife shots are great and look amazing, I would take whatever I can get, at least in the beginning. In the wild is preferably where you might like to take your wildlife photographs, but sometimes you just dont have the choice or the ability to do that. In that case I would recommend that you start your sojourn into wildlife photography at the zoo. Going to the zoo will offer you the opportunity to catch some of the fiercest wildlife, if not in their habitats, then at their best and their worst. Its a bit like catching a movie star in their baggy sweat pants with absolutely no makeup on them! Its fascinating and you wont necessarily get the chance for such candid shots if you were in their natural habitat.



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Tags: Zebras, Zoos

Macro photography is one of the most attractive and popular forms of photography. According to some experts it is very easy to master the art and techniques of macro photography and that is, perhaps, the secret behind its fame. Continue reading »

Tags: close-up, Macro

Canon has always been associated with some great futuristic technology in camera. In 2005 they had announced a new DSLR category when they had introduced their EOS 5 D model. This model was compact and had a full frame sensor. However, with the introduction of new cameras from Sony and Nikon, Canon has introduced an upgraded model namely the Canon EOS Mark II. Continue reading »

Tags: Canon Cameras, Canon Eos, Comparison, D Camera, Nikon D3

Basic Specifications of Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
Style : Digital SLR
Megapixels : 24.6
Resolution : 3:2
File Formats : JPEG/RAW
Memory Cards : CompactFlash MicroDrive Memory Stick Duo
Shutter Speed : 1/8000 - 30 seconds and bulb
Sensitivity : Auto 100 - 6400 Continue reading »

Tags: Sony Cameras, Sony Dslr