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How to Take Pictures at Zoos and Animal Parks

admin — Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Getting some great shots during your trip to the zoo can help your memories of the visit last a lifetime. However, because wild animals are far from accommodating, it can be challenging to get pictures that you actually want to keep. Here are some tips to help you get photos that youâ€™ll want to save and maybe even frame:

1. Use a good optical zoom: A good optical zoom (from 10x and up) can give your pictures the best quality and let you get the close ups that you want.Confused? This{{/tag} helps explain it more. If your subject is a static object or scene, you may be able to better plan your shot by first taking a regular photo.

Look for an area in the photo that would be a great place to start the depth of field. By playing with the depth of field, you can create a soft effect that is only noticeable in the far background or a prominent effect that makes for an eye popping photo where the focus is absolutely clear. By playing with the focal length and aperture, you’ll quickly learn how they work together and affect the depth of field.

Starting Out: Your Easiest Subjects

admin — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 00:00:00 +0000

You don’t have to set up a dark room and find out the local compare electricity rates in Houston rates to get started with recreational photography. It’s as simple as picking up a camera and shooting! If you’re just getting into the art here are a few places to start that will challenge your skills and show you where your aptitude lies Pets: Pets are one of the most challenging subjects to shoot, mostly because they never stop moving. If you’ve got one of your own it’s a good place to start but if not head to a park and start shooting. Plants: Flowers make excellent subjects and they’re a great place to play with filters, zooms and color washes. If you can’t make a flower look good on film you may want to reconsider photography as a hobby. Still Lifes: In the age of Instagram everyone’s taking pictures of everyday objects and passing them off as art. Challenge yourself outside the grainy, overexposed filters and work in tones of blue or with things that aren’t inherently beautiful on their own.

Using a Hand Held Light Meter for Fine Tuning

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Using a hand held light meter is an excellent way to fine tune your photographs. A hand held light meter is an essential tool for every photographer’s bag of gadgets. You will find hand held light meters are a versatile and helpful tool in helping measure ambient light and even flashes, helping you to balance your lighting to give your photos depth and life.

While your in camera meter is a useful tool it has one disadvantage, it averages the lighting over your whole photographic composition. This can lead to darker shadows than you want or areas of light that are washed out of detail and subtle coloring.

Take that light meter and measure the light on the side of your subject where the light is coming in. Now hold it to the shadow side. You want to open up the shadows? Adjust the exposure accordingly. If you are using studio equipment, you can use it to measure and balance your flash equipment for a more evenly lit photo. Some hand held light meters even have the capability to spot meter to help you control those hot spots or deep shadow areas.

The mastery of the use of a hand held light meter is an essential part of fine tuning your photos.

Which Is Better: Digital or Film?

admin — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Photography has changed a lot over the past few years. We have seen film go away for the most part and digital take over. While digital seems to be the most common and easy way to take photographs, film does still exist. It is harder to come by, but some photographers like it better than digital. So we will be taking a closer look at which is better and for what reasons. Let us get started.

Digital-
Digital photos are easy, quick and a commonly used way to share images or memories. But they do have their issues. Things like memory cards going bad or running out of room. Losing your photos over a glitch. All of those are painful enough, but when you rely on that alone it is often not good enough. You may like the easy use, but at the same time you accept an easy way to lose them as well.

Film-
Buying film, winding up and getting it developed is not for everyone. But to be able to have glossy prints and a way to keep physically is well worth the pain for some. Plus you can often find damaged film that can create an artsy feel. It is a good option for those who want more than an easy way to snap photos. It clearly is more for those who take photography seriously or want bigger options.

As you can tell, it really does come down to personal choice. The more advance you want to go or are in your photography, the better you will be with film based images. But for starting out or wanting to try out photography the more simple the better for you.

How to Select the Best Lens for Your Outdoor Shoot

admin — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

With the diversity of the outdoors and type of outdoor photography you wish to do, it’s important to pack the correct lenses that will do the job for you. To get superior sharpness, color and clarity, you’ll want to utilize the best lenses possible. From wildlife to portraits, different lenses will serve to help create that perfect image.

Outdoor Portrait Photography
The rule of thumb is not to use anything less than a 50 mm lens in portrait photography. If fact, the best outdoor portrait results are shot with lenses between 120mm and 200mm.

Outdoor Wildlife Photography
A good choice for photographing wildlife is to use a 100mm to 400mm telephoto lens, and 600mm if you are planning to photograph birds. These lenses gives you a good range for closer shots, and to those farther away.

Outdoor Landscape Photography
A wide angle lens will create less magnification while encompassing more of the scene which makes it a top choice out in the field. As you move in closer to the scene, a wide angle lens will expand perspective. You may also employ a telephoto lens for landscape photography if you plan to zero into objects from a great distance.
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The Best DSLRs for Beginning Photographers

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, digital photography has become extremely popular. Unlike using film, digital photography and digital cameras give individuals the images instantly. When a beginner photographer decides to take on this hobby, they will need the right equipment. The best equipment for any kind of digital photography is the DSLR camera. DSLR stands for digital single-lens reflex. DSLR cameras are very popular with photographers due to their ease and point and shoot capabilities. There are a couple of DSLRs that are perfect for the beginner photographer.

The Canon EOS Rebel T3i is the ideal DSLR camera for beginning photographers. This camera is extremely easy to use and it provides photographers with beautiful images every time. Its compact structure allows for easy maneuvering. The Canon EOS Rebel T3i has an three inch LCD screen, which gives photographers the ability to see their images. The price for the Canon DSLR varies from 600 to 900, depending on the extras included and whether the device is new or used.

First-time photographers can use the Nikon D3100 to take beautiful photographs. This DSLR is perfect for entry-level photographers due to its great features and attractive body. The Nikon D3100 has a guide mode within the camera that can help beginning photographers take pictures and capture videos. This DSLR comes with a 14 megapixel sensor, a light body and a LCD screen that gives photographers a preview of their work.

Both of these DSLRs include auto and manual modes, which gives photographers options when capturing images.

How to Take Prize Winning Photographs

admin — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Photography contests are always out there and if you’re thinking about entering one, there are some things that you should note before entering your photograph.

Read the rules: The first thing that you’re going to want to do is read the rules. Make sure that you know what is expected of your photo as well as make sure that you’re qualified for the contest. If you ever have questions in regards to the contest, be sure to contact someone that is in charge.

Center of attention: Whatever picture you’re going to take, make sure that this is the center of attention. For example, if the baby is the center of the photo, make sure that the baby is right there and at you. Don’t take a picture too close and also don’t take it too far away.

Lighting: Make sure that your room has enough light. If you have to, consider pointing a floor lamp or desk lamp near the area. Shadows can often throw off your pictures, making them look bad. Consider taking your pictures during the morning when the sun isn’t out in full force.

Take lots: Don’t just settle for one picture, but rather take as many as you can. If possible, take at least fifty to one hundred pictures. This way, you’ll be able to browse through them in the end and find one that suits your needs.