The technological advances today have literally changed the landscape of the photo world. The use of a top photo editing software program allows the user to manipulate and sometimes completely change photos. With this type of software, a digital image can be touched up for a subtle change, or it can be completely overhauled for a completely different photo than you expect.
Many of the newer computer programs from Windows or Apple have photo editing tools that come standard with the program. Windows XP has the elementary Paint tool and the helpful program called Picture And Fax Viewer. Windows Vista and Windows 7 also come standard with a few updated programs for editing digital photos, Photo Gallery being the most popular. Photo Gallery allows the user to perform such tasks as adjust the brightness and color of the photos, as well as eliminate red eye.
Although these photo editing programs are sufficient enough to do a good job, there are times when extra editing power is needed. After all, these stock programs are very basic and can only do basic adjustments. Each brand of software offers a unique experience in photo editing features and abilities.
One of the most recognizable names in photo editing is Adobe.
The introduction of Adobe Photoshop took digital imaging to a whole new level with features not found on other programs. The most recent version of Photoshop, called Elements 9, has proven to be a very handy tool in photo editing.
New features have been introduced in all photo editing programs that makes it even easier to use. Photo Editorx offers features such as Before and After, a feature that lets the user see what happens to the image before committing to it. It shows the changes in the photo as it edits it. This helps the user choose which editing is needed to get the results that are desired.
Another feature is being able to merge two or more photos into one. This feature can combine the images to make one better image. An example would be changing faces in a photo to show a different facial expression. Photomerge will align the faces to best suit the image instantly. Photo Editorx has the ease and quality expected from the pros.
Thursday 31 March 2011
Wednesday 30 March 2011
10 Street Photography Techniques – Tips and Tricks
Get streetwise and realize the photographic potential in your urban wonderland with these tips:
1. Less is more
In terms of what equipment you use, less if more. If you are wondering the streets of a city for hours and hours, you’ll want to cut down on the fatigue, so a good comfortable pair shoes and a comfortable camera strap should be used. Additionally, you’ll want to blend in to catch subjects unawares; setting up a tripod or using a telephoto lens won’t suggest subtlety.
2. Off the beaten track
Street photography is not the same as tourist photography so don't be afraid to experience whats happening off the beaten track and capture what is being done away from the busy hot spots. Going out at an unusual time will help you find great shots as street photography is not dependent on perfect light. You have no excuse not to go out early and stay out till late.
3. True colours
Colourful clothing or backgrounds can be a distraction in the picture when you want to concentrate on facial expression and gestures. For this reason it is good practice to use black and white. However, there will be opportunities where flashy and ugly colors collide and it may be a shame to try and convert these.
4. In the background
By paying attention to the background, you can catch some great visual effects and stolen moments. Watch for billboards, signs, graffiti and other visual elements that could be used to make funny, ironic or compelling statements.
5. What a performance
Street performers make ideal photo opportunities but try to capture them from a different viewpoint than you would expect. Whether it’s a parade, buskers, free runners, skateboarders or break dancers, they all offer something different to your average street scene. Play around with your compositions and choose a high shutter speed to capture the action.
6. Off the streets
Despite its name, the genre does lend itself to other recreation areas, especially those where people expect cameras to be present. For example, try the seaside, fairgrounds, parks, sporting events or the zoo.
7. New angle
Try laying down or getting on top of a building for an unusual angle. Multi level car parks are great for taking pictures from as there are no windows interfering and you can have full access to all the levels giving you a multilevel viewpoint of the same subjects. Make sure you and your camera are secured, the last thing you want is to drop your camera and hurt someone.
8. Practice makes perfect
With your camera ready, pick a spot that interests you and proceed with calmness, excitement and poise. Don't be afraid to experiment with settings and vantage points. With practice, you’ll only get better at street photography.
9. Don't be afraid
A famous photographer once told me ‘If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.’ Shots taken in the middle of the action will draw the viewer in, so force yourself to press the button and prepare to deal with the consequences. Better that than regretting missing an opportunity that will never happen again.
10. Frozen Motion
Movement is the key part of capturing the human rat race, keep the shutter speeds fast and that hand steady or find something to support your camera. The fast shutter speed will also allow for a wider aperture to be used which will increase the depth of field of the subject. To capture people moving across the frame, a minimum of 1/125 sec is recommended and an ISO no slower than 400.
These are just a few of the many different tricks and styles that photographers will use to get unique photos.
For options on converting and changing colors within pictures you can try a good photo editing program.
1. Less is more
In terms of what equipment you use, less if more. If you are wondering the streets of a city for hours and hours, you’ll want to cut down on the fatigue, so a good comfortable pair shoes and a comfortable camera strap should be used. Additionally, you’ll want to blend in to catch subjects unawares; setting up a tripod or using a telephoto lens won’t suggest subtlety.
2. Off the beaten track
Street photography is not the same as tourist photography so don't be afraid to experience whats happening off the beaten track and capture what is being done away from the busy hot spots. Going out at an unusual time will help you find great shots as street photography is not dependent on perfect light. You have no excuse not to go out early and stay out till late.
3. True colours
Colourful clothing or backgrounds can be a distraction in the picture when you want to concentrate on facial expression and gestures. For this reason it is good practice to use black and white. However, there will be opportunities where flashy and ugly colors collide and it may be a shame to try and convert these.
4. In the background
By paying attention to the background, you can catch some great visual effects and stolen moments. Watch for billboards, signs, graffiti and other visual elements that could be used to make funny, ironic or compelling statements.
5. What a performance
Street performers make ideal photo opportunities but try to capture them from a different viewpoint than you would expect. Whether it’s a parade, buskers, free runners, skateboarders or break dancers, they all offer something different to your average street scene. Play around with your compositions and choose a high shutter speed to capture the action.
6. Off the streets
Despite its name, the genre does lend itself to other recreation areas, especially those where people expect cameras to be present. For example, try the seaside, fairgrounds, parks, sporting events or the zoo.
7. New angle
Try laying down or getting on top of a building for an unusual angle. Multi level car parks are great for taking pictures from as there are no windows interfering and you can have full access to all the levels giving you a multilevel viewpoint of the same subjects. Make sure you and your camera are secured, the last thing you want is to drop your camera and hurt someone.
8. Practice makes perfect
With your camera ready, pick a spot that interests you and proceed with calmness, excitement and poise. Don't be afraid to experiment with settings and vantage points. With practice, you’ll only get better at street photography.
9. Don't be afraid
A famous photographer once told me ‘If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.’ Shots taken in the middle of the action will draw the viewer in, so force yourself to press the button and prepare to deal with the consequences. Better that than regretting missing an opportunity that will never happen again.
10. Frozen Motion
Movement is the key part of capturing the human rat race, keep the shutter speeds fast and that hand steady or find something to support your camera. The fast shutter speed will also allow for a wider aperture to be used which will increase the depth of field of the subject. To capture people moving across the frame, a minimum of 1/125 sec is recommended and an ISO no slower than 400.
These are just a few of the many different tricks and styles that photographers will use to get unique photos.
For options on converting and changing colors within pictures you can try a good photo editing program.
A Photography Perspective – Advanced Tips
Master The Perspectives In Advanced Photography
Our eyes have the ability to determine the depth and perspective of scenes before us, such as endless tunnels and rolling mountains in the infinite distance. However, the camera needs help to transform what would be a flat photograph into the depth-filled image we see before us. If your photo would benefit with a bit of help in the depth department, then this can be done with a carefully considered choice of lens coupled with a good vantage point.
To exaggerate the effect of distance in a tunnel on a long straight road, you need to emphasize the converging verticals – a term referring to appearance of the scene squeezing to a point in the distance. You can do this by utilizing a wide-angle lens, which will widen the width at the front of the scene and the narrowness at the back.
Place yourself in the center of the scene so the converging lines look longer and consider giving the camera a slight upward tilt to really maximize the sense of distance between the beginning and the end of the scene.
Just as lines are important to perspective, they also play a important role in other aspects of photography too. The term “leading lines” is frequently used in photography and refers to structural elements in a photograph that lead the viewer’s eye into the picture.
The most popular line used when taking photos is that of the horizon – a perfectly straight line by which everything else is aligned around. Just think how noticeable it is when a scene has a crooked horizon, it’s the epitome of distraction and a serious childlike error, which separates the the bad photos from the good ones.
There are plenty of man-made lines to utilize all around us including buildings, power lines, cranes, vehicles and structures. Think about how lines feature in your scene and where they are leading. Are they a focal point of the scene? Are they leading the viewer into the scene or are they causing a distraction to what is really the purpose of the photo? Consider your viewpoint and perspective to establish how you can make lines work well in the picture.
Fine art photography uses the soft curves of the body to achieve a calming effect throughout the image. A race car’s speed can be adjusted by capturing it on a diagonal or a slight tilt, while an abstract image is given energy and dynamism by accentuating its angles and edges. Pick a theme you want to stand out and use the available lines to your advantage.
To take an image that really appreciates form, look out for areas of shading within your subject. The greater degree of shading and number of tones there are, the more pleasing the subject. Position yourself to capture as many shades as possible.
Hopefully these few tips will help you choose your scene and its outcome before you press the shutter.
Of course another way to deal with off center or crooked photos is to use a photo editing program where you can shift of even flip the entire photo to where you want it, giving it the effect you so desire.
Our eyes have the ability to determine the depth and perspective of scenes before us, such as endless tunnels and rolling mountains in the infinite distance. However, the camera needs help to transform what would be a flat photograph into the depth-filled image we see before us. If your photo would benefit with a bit of help in the depth department, then this can be done with a carefully considered choice of lens coupled with a good vantage point.
To exaggerate the effect of distance in a tunnel on a long straight road, you need to emphasize the converging verticals – a term referring to appearance of the scene squeezing to a point in the distance. You can do this by utilizing a wide-angle lens, which will widen the width at the front of the scene and the narrowness at the back.
Place yourself in the center of the scene so the converging lines look longer and consider giving the camera a slight upward tilt to really maximize the sense of distance between the beginning and the end of the scene.
Just as lines are important to perspective, they also play a important role in other aspects of photography too. The term “leading lines” is frequently used in photography and refers to structural elements in a photograph that lead the viewer’s eye into the picture.
The most popular line used when taking photos is that of the horizon – a perfectly straight line by which everything else is aligned around. Just think how noticeable it is when a scene has a crooked horizon, it’s the epitome of distraction and a serious childlike error, which separates the the bad photos from the good ones.
There are plenty of man-made lines to utilize all around us including buildings, power lines, cranes, vehicles and structures. Think about how lines feature in your scene and where they are leading. Are they a focal point of the scene? Are they leading the viewer into the scene or are they causing a distraction to what is really the purpose of the photo? Consider your viewpoint and perspective to establish how you can make lines work well in the picture.
Fine art photography uses the soft curves of the body to achieve a calming effect throughout the image. A race car’s speed can be adjusted by capturing it on a diagonal or a slight tilt, while an abstract image is given energy and dynamism by accentuating its angles and edges. Pick a theme you want to stand out and use the available lines to your advantage.
To take an image that really appreciates form, look out for areas of shading within your subject. The greater degree of shading and number of tones there are, the more pleasing the subject. Position yourself to capture as many shades as possible.
Hopefully these few tips will help you choose your scene and its outcome before you press the shutter.
Of course another way to deal with off center or crooked photos is to use a photo editing program where you can shift of even flip the entire photo to where you want it, giving it the effect you so desire.
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