Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Move in close

Move in close

Many camera phones lack a zoom lens, so make sure you move in close to capture your subject. Often, you'll be taking pictures with your camera phone that you wouldn't necessarily take with your regular camera, like your latest find at a yard sale. Fill your phone's display screen with your subject to create pictures with greater impact. Up close you can reveal telling details – a wrinkled nose or an arched eyebrow. But don't get too close or your pictures will be blurry and distorted. As a general rule, stand about one to two feet from your subject.








Better


Too far

Try turning your camera phone sideways to take horizontal pictures. Many things look better in a horizontal picture, like group shots. While you're at it, experiment by taking pictures at different angles from your subject – above, below, diagonally – you might like what you find.









Horizontal


Shot from above

Holidays and events, like weddings and reunions, provide wonderful picture-taking opportunities. Here's how to make the most of them.



Whether it's baby's first, junior's sixth, or great-grandmother's ninetieth, these tips will make your birthday photos special.




The happy couple radiates true love, the parents beam with pride, and the flower girl's 100-watt smile lights up the room. Be ready to capture these moments, and get pictures that everyone will treasure. Follow these tips to get the best pictures possible with your digital camera.



Take candid pictures
Catch the unexpected. The ring-bearer squirming in his unfamiliar suit. Aunt Bea straightening the bride's bow. The bride greeting new family members. Old friends joking with each other. Don't worry about taking a lot of formally posed portraits—the professional photographer will take plenty of those.




Tuesday, August 21, 2007

General Photography Tips

Photography

A good nature photographer should be a keen naturalist, as well as a skilled photographer able to select the right techniques and equipment for a given situation.

General Photography Tips

Digital Photography Tips
Detailed Photography Tips
  • Several sets of spare batteries
  • Print film speeds of 200 to 400 ISO give good results in all conditions
  • Recommended slide film is 100 ISO such as Fujichrome Provia and Sensia, or the new Kodak 100 ASA. For low light, try Sensia 400 or Kodak Elite 400
  • Bring film, film, and more film (as much as two to ten rolls per day)
  • Waterproof carry bag
  • Ziplocks for camera and/or garbage bags for camera bag or backpack

For casual photographers

  • Point-and-shoot 35-mm
  • Flash for people pictures
  • Don't forget extra film and batteries and a waterproof bag

For avid photographers

Cameras

  • Medium format or 35 mm single-lens reflex are the most versatile
  • Consider a second camera body so you can quickly shoot with different film and lenses. A spare also provides a valuable backup. "An immediate insurance policy!"

Lenses

  • The most useful lens is a zoom of about 28-105 mm
  • Consider another in the 70-300 range
  • Lenses longer than 300 mm will only be useful on land

Equipment

  • Lens tissues
  • Tripod
  • Polarizing filters to cut glare
  • Graduated neutral-density filters are good for some landscapes

Items to carry on a photo shoot

  • Cable release for use with the tripod
  • Extra lens caps
  • Batteries, batteries and more batteries!
  • Lens hoods to shade from the sun
  • Exposure meter (useful for spot metering & as backup)
  • Lens cleaning fluid and a cloth
  • Permanent marker for marking exposed rolls of film
  • Notebook
  • Pens
  • Tape recorder a good way to take notes
  • Repair kit
  • Zip-lock freezer bags
  • Large plastic garbage bags (lawn bags) for covering gear in rain
  • Camera bag - a comfortable shoulder bag or backpack
  • Rubber boots for beach landing

Bring your own work !!!

Please bring a selection of your own images to share with the group, either slides or prints.