Digital Photography

A History of Pin-up Art & Glamour Photography

admin — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:17:20 +0000

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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Sports Photography - Capturing the Money Shot

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:34:55 +0000

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/

Canon DSLR Bargains

Telephoto Lens Tips For Aquarium Digital Photography

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 16:14:28 +0000

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.

Live the dream!

Landscape Photography Guide to Anglesey, North Wales - Benllech to Amlwch

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:11:59 +0000

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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Photography?

admin — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 20:39:54 +0000

purplepurp21 asked:

I have always liked to take pictures but never really wanted a career in photography its more of a hobby. well I just got time to start this hobby. I have taken pictures before. I seem to prefer black and white to color I think it looks better. Well for an amateur photgrapher what type of camera do you reccomend. digital,film, black and white color, fujii, kodak come talk to me.
what do you reccomend for an amateur photographer

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Photography?

admin — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:48:04 +0000

mcmanda asked:

I never took photography classes in High School. But i love doing purfect picture taking for the most weirdest reasons.

I love the idea of Art, since i love to edit my pics all the time that i take of myself and others.

Im planning on going to college for Nursing. But is there a way i can still be in college at the same time for photography (art) ?

photography

100% BRAND NEW ORIGINAL Nikon D700 12MP DSLR Camera

admin — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:54:13 +0000

commsltd asked:

Nikon D700 features an FX-format first introduced with the Nikon D3. Highly praised for its outstanding features, the D3 established a new level of professional performance in terms of overall image quality, extraordinarily low noise, ISO sensitivity range, continuous high-speed shooting, color gradation, image crispness, durability, weather-resistant operation, system versatility and more

1 Nikon D700 DSLR Camera

1 EN-EL3e Battery Pack

1 MH-18a Battery Charger

1 UC-E4 Data Cable (USB)

1 EG-D100 AV Cable

1 AN-D700 Strap

1 CD-ROM

1 LCD Protect Cover

For a person who cannot afford Nikon D3, the new Nikon D700 seems to be a piece of gospel because it is just like a D3 fitting into the body of D300, with a price slightly more affordable. It seems a very good deal, isnt it?

Nikons D700s package includes a Battery Pack, a Battery Charger, a Data Cable (USB), a Cable, a Strap, CD-ROM and an LCD Protect Cover.

The design of the D700 is more or less the same with D300, but D700s exterior cover, rear body and mirror box are built with magnesium alloy to reduce its weight and give it rugged durability. So although D700 is packed with the functions of D3, it is only a little heavier than D300. It is easy to hold, with a carefully made ergonomic grip.

The turn dial is especially welcomed - simply press a button with your left thumb and scroll with your right to get the settings just right.

The CMOS 12.1 mega-pixel FX-format and the sensors sensing area is 36 x 23.9 mm with sensitivity from ISO 200 to ISO 6400. It can even be pushed to HI 2 (ISO 25,600) and its noise is just as much as that of ISO 6400. Remarkable!

D700 supports only Type I CF, whereas D300 accepts both Type I and II, it is not really a huge setback though. Its battery lasts approximately 1000 shots which is pretty satisfying.

D700 complies with HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) that allows you to connect to HD TV. You can also find the video output, USB plug-in and DC plug-in in this slot.

The fact that it is made in Japan ensures the product is in high quality.

The SB-900 flashguns Multi-step auto zoom covers wide 17-200mm zoom range. Together with the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED lens, it completes the performance of D700.

The LCD monitor is the same as D3s 3-in., approx. 920,000-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing-angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment. It definitely allows a better composition of the picture than its D300 counterpart.

Users have to make two shots to get the picture they want. The first shot is a test shot for focusing and the resulted picture is blurred. The second shot would be the focused one.

D700s O-ring sealing also renders a better protection against dust and moisture than the square piece of D300. The biggest and most endearing changes is that Electronic Virtual Horizon can now be shown on Live View display, users do not have to especially enter the menu to access it. It makes taking a leveled picture even more convenient D700 has inherited most of the superior performance of D3 except D700s Viewfinder provides merely 95% of frame coverage instead of 100%, but it would not make a really big difference. The speed of continuous high-speed shooting for D700 is 5fps, if it is upgraded with a MB-D10 handle. The Scene Recognition System allows very accurate auto exposure, auto white balance and auto focus. The FX 51-point AF can detect subject with lens aperture as small as f/5.6. The 3-D tracking enables focus to swift seamlessly to track moving subject. Not only does the Picture Control System allow advanced shooters to adjust their own image parameters, but also provides novice with four customized settings (Standard, Vivid, Monochrome and Neutral) to let beginners pick up easily. Seeing the price of Nikon D700, we are still not sure if the age of cheapen full coverage DSLR camera has come yet, but if you cannot wait till the next generation of Canon EOS 5D to come, Nikon 700 can also be a choice.

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Let’s Get Digital: SLR Photography Basics

admin — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:16:53 +0000

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!

Nikon DSLR Bargains

Baby Pictures - 5 key points to Amazing Baby Photos

admin — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 23:15:07 +0000

Proud parents (or grandparents, god-parents or simply someone who loves babies) or crave photographing babies the way Anne Geddes manages to capture their various moods to make them look anything from cutesy to absolutely angelic to positively precious and innocently mischievous? You sure are in the right place to pick up some cues from professionals right here!

We have for you some great, easy to use and simple to apply techniques for getting those coveted cutesy baby photographs you always admired and thought were too good for amateur photographs to be able to capture: not anymore, especially if you have a handy digicam that allows you to assess the subject and the environment before you commit it to print.

No more wastage of camera film, batteries, fear of irritating the baby or even the frustration of having spent all your energies in one afternoon of elusive baby smiles on your box camera: the new-age Digital cameras allow for minimum mistakes as they offer auto-focus, zoom, red-eye correction features instantly so you capture spontaneous reactions of your little one in micro-seconds that they can actually change their expression in! Thus, from picture taking to storing and sharing (by uploading on your cell phone or PC to send across to others) and even printing at your convenience (you can visit online photo studios and send stored snaps from your camera across to them for prints and have these delivered to your doorstep in just a few hours/days)!

Now, getting the baby photos to look professional and memorable is the task we tackle here:

1. To be a better shot, you need to stay ready with the camera aimed at special occasions or at least keep it in a handy place where the baby spends most of his or her time. If using the old style camera, ensure it always has enough film to make up for wrong/missed shots and if using the digicams, ensure there is enough memory and battery life to see you through a series of inimitable candid kiddy moments!

2. Some parents even keep cameras loaded and ready to shoot in kiddy diaper bags or carry a second one along on outings in case the first does not live up to a spontaneous shoot moment, so they are not stuck for snapshots! It is best if you use the camera to capture candid, unstudied shots of the baby sleeping and smiling, which look natural and more lovable than shots they posed or dressed up for. Remember to also photograph baby’s toes and tiny hands, which are so cute to look at when they are past that stage and look cutesy especially next to other growing ones in an album.

3. Invest in a pair of zoom lens to capture sweet memories of your baby at a tender, exploratory age when they are curious about how things work, pulling down items from the dining room or living room table, lathering powder on themselves at the dresser or stepping into daddy’s shoes!

4. Do add in B/W shots in your color collection when taking baby shots as these add a period charm to the whole album; most digital cameras also have a black and white or Sepia-tone setting, which you can adjust to your advantage to give a classic, very elegant look to the baby photo.

5. If you have a digicam, take lots of pictures of a single moment so you can pick and choose the best; high-speed cameras work best to capture change in moods and movements of a baby.

Nikon DSLR Bargains

The Art of Celebrity Photography

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 07:03:45 +0000

Jordan Travis asked:

Many collectors of photography are interested in celebrity photography, and it doesnt always matter if its Bobby Jones photos, Robert F Kennedy photos, or Sophia Loren photos. What is important to the person who collects celebrity photography is that the person is or was famous in some way. They want to know that they have something of value and not just another photograph that is worth nothing out of their hands. Collecting celebrity photography is a hobby for many peoplethey enjoy collecting photographs of current or past celebrities regardless of who they might be.

Photographs of famous people are issues of importance with celebrity photography. Whether it involves a Cole Poerter photo or Tina Turner photos is of little importance. The only thing important to the collector of celebrity photography is that the person is well-known. Sometimes it doesnt even have to be someone who is famous in a good waysome people even collect photographs of gangsters and other infamous people from history. The choice of photographs depends on the collector and what they are looking to gain from the photos. Sometimes it may be someone who has a link to the past with that person or just a means of fantasizing. On the other hand, the collector may be someone who just happens to enjoy collecting photographs of anyone famous and will even collect Woody Allen photos because he is famous in the entertainment world.

Collecting celebrity photography can be both rewarding and expensive since some peoples photographs command a very high price among collectors. People have collected photos of famous people for many years, but sometimes they take it to a higher level and go beyond collecting the photos that appear in magazinesthey want real celebrity photography, real photographs to put in an album or hang on their wall. Condenastore.com has photos of many famous people to help indulge you in your hobby of celebrity photograph collecting.

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