Stock Photos

Tuesday 26 January 2010

Studying Photography just became so much easier

Ever thought that studying photography is hard work?

Many think that about learning photographic techniques or studying photography.

But ... you will surprised how easy it can actually be! Here's the link for the Online Photography Course that makes everything childs play. Even if you think you're above this, make sure you see the subject matter this covers. It's impressive and I wouldn't suggest this to you if it didn't impress me.

...make sure you are well equipped and ready for whatever happens in the future. Improve your skills, be creative and stay healthy.

...keep your mind focussed,

Krister



Saturday 23 January 2010

How to Succeed with Boudoir Photography

Boudoir photgraphy

Boudoir photography

Where does the term boudoir photography come from and why is it becoming more popular? The meaning of the french word boudoir is bedroom and is seen as having a romantic sensual feel about it more than most words with the same meaning. So too should the photographs. The demand for boudoir photography is growing rapidly for reasons I can’t explain because it’s not new yet its popularity is growing by the day. Do not confuse glamour photography or boudoir photography. Glamour photography is more general while boudoir photography is dedicated to a romantic bedroom theme.

It can be lots of fun because it’s so diverse. Meaning, attire can be altered to suit taste ie. a negligee, a man’s shirt, or perhaps something more elegant. The objective is to highlight the woman’s (models) elegant lines and female sensuality. Various types of lighting can be experimented to great lengths.

1. Nudity – This is a decision the client will make. However, in general, nude shoots in this category are subtle and implied rather than anything blatant. Remember, this is an extremely artful style of photography and can be difficult if not researched carefully. It is a form of fine art photography and your skill (or lack of) will be apparent. More information on successful nude shoots.

2. Don’t overlook the setting. Your set must be highly appropriate and so must the lighting. You will need to invest in bed covers and drapes in most instances if you want to take on this mode of photography.

3. Lighting – The lighting needs to highlight the finer, elegant points on the model and reduce attention to others. Soft lighting is more often used.

Make up and boudoir photography

Make up and boudoir photography

4. Make up preparation. Don’t muck around with this. A professional is needed to ensure success with photography makeup. I did try to apply my mode of make-up once and I failed so badly, my subject looked like Spock – I was embarrassed. Since then I’ve learned from other photographers to use a specialist make-up professional.

5. Posing skills. Remember that your client is unlikely to have read or learned any posing techniques. This can be frustrating if you haven’t prepared your self and added extra time to help pose your subject.

It is poor professional behaviour to have an audience in the room during the shoot. In some cases the subject or client may want their husband or partner present. If so, sit them down comfortably somewhere with a glass of water and something to read.

Lastly, it’s important to make this fun for the client. They will in most cases be hesitant and a little nervous about themselves.

In general, use soft lighting with an open aperture. Muted colours are best with some mother earth type tones. You’re allowed to experiment too but not so much that your bore your client and extend the shoot into an exhausting episode. If you think some help might come from nude photography research, try this eBook on nude photography here. I was particularly impressed with the content it covers on the subject. You’ll see the list it covers when you scroll down the page.

Tuesday 12 January 2010

People Skills for Portrait Photography

Taking great portraits is as much about people skills as it is about technical ability, or using the latest and greatest photographic equipment. Unless you can first see through your subject's eyes, and understand her as a unique individual, and then build rapport with her so you can unveil and accentuate her finest qualities, your portraits will remain mediocre at best. Some lessons learned along my journey as a photographer may help those who choose to follow.


Software Cinema DVD-Rom: Training: Portrait Photography For Everyone


Software Cinema DVD-Rom: Training: Portrait Photography For Everyone


1.
If using a tripod, compose your portrait and then take one step just to the side and forward from the camera. Do not look through the viewfinder as you capture your subject's image. This allows you to make eye contact initially with your subject, and then direct her in mood, expression, position, and the angle of gaze you are aiming for. When your subject interacts with your camera, the result can be a cold or lifeless rendering, but when you engage your subject through eye contact, expression, gestures and words, the result can be a warm and candid reflection, charged with mood or emotion.


2. If you are not using a tripod, you really should redouble your effort to maintain constant interaction with your subject. Many photographers tend to keep their eyes in the viewfinder of the camera, but this leads to your subject interacting more with the front glass in your lens than with you. Again, you do not want the sterile and lifeless rendering that most often comes when the camera serves to isolate you the photographer from your subject. Interaction with an inanimate object (your camera) can never be a substitute for interaction with another human being (you), when your goal is to capture the essence of your subject, and reflect the attitude and emotion she was feeling at that moment in time.

3. Allow your subject to be herself. A little girl dressed up in fairy wings for a special picture is very cute, and I suppose there is a place in this world for cute. But, contrast this with the little girl who just loves to dance. You put her in her everyday clothes, stand her in front of a plain backdrop, put on her favorite music and say to her, "can you show me how to dance to this song?" You should have no difficulty in capturing timeless expressions there. Now imagine a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy whose true passion in all of life is sailing. You dress him up in a tailored suit; formally pose him in front of a low key backdrop, seated in a Chippendale chair, and use classic loop lighting. What would be said of this portrait years later? "Who was this guy, an executive?" But just suppose, you photographed this same guy in his favorite t-shirt and blue jeans, at the helm of his beloved sail boat, on a beautiful late afternoon, just as the boat was coming about? What would be said of this portrait years later? "This was Charlie, doing what he loved most! That was such a glorious day." The point is, "keep it honest". Fantasy can be cute, but your subject being herself, years later this will be much more meaningful.

4. Allow your subject's expression to be honest. A frown or a grimace that is genuinely felt can be more interesting than a smile that is forced. I try to never just pose my subject and then say, "Okay, now smile for me." If you want your subject to smile then tell a joke, put on a face, or perhaps merely smile at her and she will smile back at you. People generally tend to reflect in their face what they see in yours, but in my experience this is not always so. Nevertheless, interaction with your subject is the key. That being said, the next time you have a difficult subject ask him to tell you a joke, to bring out a smile, if that's the expression you are after. If you are a professional, you know that smiles sell, but if you're an amateur, you are under no pressure to sell, so make your portraits interesting. Not everything in the world is to smile about.

5. Direct your portraits. Take control of the composition of your portraits! Do not be afraid to tell or show your subject what you want. Sometimes showing is best. I often find that actually demonstrating a pose I have in mind, works better than trying to direct my subject through words alone. If you are photographing a group, your life will be easier, if you arrange and pose the adults first. Then, work your way from oldest (or more mature and settled) to youngest of the children. The point to remember is, as the photographer, you should take charge of the shot. The success or failure of the portrait will be your responsibility, so take charge.




Engage your subject to establish and build rapport with her, to take your photos to a higher level. Make your portraits more meaningful by keeping them honest, and natural. We all know a fantasy photo can be cute, and a formally posed portrait can be graceful and dignified, if that is your subject's personality. But, a portrait that is true to the subject is always more meaningful. Allow your subject to be herself, and never force an expression. Learn to take charge and direct your portraits and you will move far ahead in your journey as a photographer. Practice your people skills with each portrait you take. People skills are the prerequisite to all else, if you want to take great portraits. Good day and happy clicking!















Wednesday 6 January 2010

How To Remove Unwanted Objects Or People

Here’s another video for you which shows you how to remove unwanted objects or people, (it’s another lower quality “YouTube” version of one of the video tutorials taken from the full edityourdigitalphotos.com set)

This is one of the most useful skills you can master, as an unwanted oject can often ruin a wonderful photo!

Just his the play button and it will start automatically (make sure you have your speakers on)…
…please leave your feedback below and let me know how you like it :)