Great Pictures of Newborns

A newborn baby is a precious thing, and capturing that brief time can be so important. They are only that small and fragile for so long. But it can be difficult to take great photographs of them. They're tired, crying, drooling, squirming, doing just about anything they can to ruin your picture. So how can you take the best photo? Here are some techniques that can help you get that great digital photograph.

The easiest time to get your prized picture is when they are first born, between one and three days old (granted that you are home and feeling up to it). During this time, newborns are so completely passed out, that you can put them in virtually any position you want without them waking up. Use this to your advantage. It is a very small window!

"Sleeping" pictures capture the innocence and preciousness of a newborn. No, you won't get all those adorable smiles or funny faces yet. That is further down the road. This is also when they will be at their smallest; they only get bigger from here! Use this to your advantage. Use something to help with scale to demonstrate how small they really are. For example, someone holding the baby in one hand, with their hand as the only part of their body in the picture. Using these types of contrasts can really make a great photo.

Try focusing on parts of the newborn. You can take a picture of just their eyes, or feet, etc. Photography does not have to be limited to a whole subject. Sometimes just looking at parts can be better and more creative. As they grow a little older, it will get a little more challenging. Finding, and getting them to, that perfect pose is no easy task. Remember to have lots of patience and work with what they are giving you. Don't be afraid of capturing all the facial expression, even if they are crying. It's a thing all babies do and I think it can make a great creative photograph. Your baby could be doing just about anything, and as long as you have the shot set up right, you can get that great picture.

So stop worrying about what your baby is doing and pay attention to what you are doing. Try shots from different angles. Most people take pictures head on, front and center. I say "BORING". It makes for a flat, fruitless picture that no one will take a second glance at (OK, maybe they will because your baby is so darn cute, but you can do better!). Try profiles, from above and below, and close up. You would be amazed at the way a newborn's inner soul can show through a photo when you capture "the moment" and not just "a pose".

Pay attention to WHERE you are taking the photos. Having your baby on the floor with your dirty laundry in the background is NOT going to make for a great photo. Try for something simple. I prefer a dark background that helps the newborn "pop" with their light skin tone (or a light background for a dark baby, contrast is key). Or try going outside. Green foliage can be a great background and helps to give texture and depth. The sunlight can light up your newborn gracefully, or can cause nasty shadows. It's a little harder to work with, but well worth it.

Your newborn is already the cutest thing in the world. It won't take much to capture that essence in a photo for all to see. Just remember to be patient and try different things. That is the beauty of a digital camera, experimenting is easy and well worth it. You never know what you may capture!

For more tips and techniques for taking a great digital photograph click here http://www.creativedigitalphotography.info/

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How Do I Find a Great Wedding Photographer?

I am often asked what brides should consider when choosing a photographer, so I decided to post this to answer those questions.

How to choose a wedding photographer

Often overlooked, wedding photography is perhaps one of the most important decisions you will make in the arrangements of your wedding, the only tangible memories will be the photos and making sure you choose the right photographer is very important.

Choosing a photographer with a good 'eye' and a style and vision that matches your own, can be the difference between stunning photos and disappointing bland images. You will only being doing this once, so it's best not to leave things to chance. I often hear about bride's biggest regret is a lack of thought when choosing a wedding photographer.

Wedding photography is an art form and one that should be left to a true professional. It's about telling the story of your day through photographs, and not just capturing the day's events. in a haphazard fashion.

When choosing a wedding photographer you should consider a full time professional who you can trust and not a ' weekend' shooter' most professional live and breath photography, they photograph in a superior technical way, use correct lighting, and composition and care about the precise post production and retouching of your images.

It really is a 'case of chalk and cheese' with a full time pro and a part time amateur, just by viewing the photos on websites, the difference is obvious to see.

A full time professional will tell the brides story with beautiful images, images that will have the WOW factor while also documenting the finer details of the day, 'weekend shooters or hobbyists' generally do cheap deals and burn to CD and call it 'wedding photography' while the professional will retouch all the photos and present them to you in beautiful albums.

When looking at wedding photographers work,ask your self,do they show fun,romance? Great moments are often crafted by skilled photographers, when viewing a photographers work, they will show you the finest photos at this stage, judge them on what you see. It's easy to take three or four amazing photos at each wedding but taking 200 or more excellent and unique photos at one wedding is a different matter, you should have an instinctive feeling and really like the photographers work, the photos should move you in some way.

Try to see as much work as possible from a photographer, you will be able to understand the style and whether or not it suits your needs and expectations for your wedding. Choosing a photographer on price alone is ill advised can can result in disaster, bad photos, poor production and upset all round.

If the photos you view are flat, too dark, too light, no detail in the brides dress, group shoots look messy and not well organised, bride and groom looking awkward or uncomfortable,strange backgrounds, poor composition, no WOW factor on important bride and bride and groom shots, then it is likely the person who took the photos is not a professional.

There are exceptions to this rule of course in some photojournalistic styles, where people are not expected to be looking at the photo or posed, but an a general rule, look for these elements when viewing.

Make sure when you are booking a professional that you:

Ask to see insurance certificates

Ask is the photographer a full time professional or is this a part-time addition to their full time job?

What is the photographers background and experience?

How long have they been in business?

Do they supply a contract with the booking?

Do they ask you what photos you want taken and in what style?

Do you feel a good rapport when first meeting the photographer?

You will have to work with this person on the most important day of your life, so it's important you feel comfortable with the photographer.

It's true there are photographers charging practically nothing for their wedding photography, the old adage that 'if it's too good to be true, it probably is' is so applicable to this area of wedding photography,but remember that once the photos have be taken, if your not happy there is nothing that can be done to mend the situation and the pictures can't be taken again.

The professional photographers day at your wedding is not just about organising group shoots and motorwind shooting anything that moves, a professional will be considered in his photography and will endeavour to capture important moments, create beautiful images of you together and create a record of the day that will live on for years to come and will become a family heirloom for your children and grand children.

An album can be kept forever, in my experience brides who choose the CD only options generally end up with it in the drawer or get inferior prints from local chemists etc, that don't do justice to the photos taken, the album is an important consideration that will be kept in your family on the bookshelf for years to come, unlike a CD which will be forgotten about in a drawer, how often have you taken photos on your compact camera, downloaded to your computer and never looked at them again, your wedding photos deserve better than that.

Another important consideration is obviously the personality of the photographer, who wants a grumpy, bossy so and so upsetting guests, the photographer you choose should take control of the photography in a polite and courteous manner and display his professionalism at all times.

Remember good photographers are often booked in advance so try not to leave it to the last minute to get the person you want,

Once the cake is eaten, the dress put away, and the honeymoon over, the only thing remaining is the photos, you will only have once chance to catch those special moments, there are no retakes or second chances, and that is why you should consider photography to be one of the most important investments of your wedding, choose a truly professional photographer with a proven track record who will do fantastic photos and get the results you want, it's too important a day and the photos too precious to leave to someone who you don't trust 100 percent.

Paul Cooper is a professional wedding photographer based in Cheshire helping brides realise beautiful wedding photography throughout the UK and Internationally. http://www.paulcooperphotographer.com/

Wedding Photographer Cheshire

Wedding Photographer Manchester

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Great Spots for Wedding and Engagement Photography in the San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco Wedding Photographer - Great Spots for an Engagement Portrait!

There is no doubt that the San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most beautiful and sought after places in the world to say I do! Brides and Grooms are 'Spoilt for choice' when it comes to selecting a perfect location for their Engagement Portrait! We have some of the most fabulous natural and man made beauty in the world here in the Bay. From the sweeping views of downtown San Francisco to the lush vineyards of Sonoma and Napa, the San Francisco Bay Area delivers a world class package when it comes to Wedding and Engagement Photography. One of the benefits of being a San Francisco Wedding Photographer, is that I get to photograph couples in a variety of locations with breathtaking natural beauty. I thought that this would be a good place to give you my take on all this, so here we go!

You're Engaged!

Once you're engaged, one of the things on your to-do list will probably be the hunt for a fabulous Wedding Photographer. One of the best, most exciting parts of Wedding Photography is shooting an Engagement Portrait! Its so much fun for the couple and the Wedding Photographer to spend an afternoon together in a relaxed atmosphere with no pressure or time constraint. One of the biggest benefits of having an engagement portrait is that it gives you the chance to get to know your Wedding Photographer - most couples that have taken an Engagement Portrait are more relaxed when taking photos on their Wedding Day as they already know how their photographer works and they feel more at ease. It's tough having your picture taken by someone you have never met! Most of the great Wedding Photographers I know typically include an Engagement Session as part of their Wedding Packages.

So, you're Engaged AND you've found that fabulous Wedding Photographer - but how to and where to take photos?! In my experience, i'ts important to head for locations that are meaningful to you, places that stir emotion and feeling between the two of you - maybe the site of that first stroll along the beach, or a first kiss, the proposal, the spot that 'I love you' was first uttered or a favorite place that you both go to be alone with each other. There are so many special places to take your engagement portrait! Here are a few of my favorites....

Golden Gate Bridge from Baker Beach

Some of the most spectacular views of the Golden Gate Bridge can be seen from Baker Beach. It's like a postcard, the Marin Headlands visible to the east coupled with the rugged cliffs of Baker Beach, clean sands and the crystal blue and green Pacific Ocean surf. I love shooting here. Two of my favorite engagement portraits at this location include Shavon and Stefan and Vikhyath and Anusha.

Golden Gate Bridge from Crissy Field

Photographing your Engagement Portrait from Crissy Field gives a different perspective from that of Baker Beach. Crissy Field is Bay side, south of the Golden Gate and offers sensational views of Marin County and some San Francisco landmarks, including the Palace of Fine Arts. I recently photographed Tom and Gretchen's Engagement Portrait at this location. Crissy Field is located north of the Marina District in San Francisco, close to Golden Gate Park and the Presidio.

Sutro Baths

Sutro Baths provide a really great rustic look with beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean, the Farallon Islands and the famous Cliff House. Here is a sample of an Engagement Portrait that I shot at this location. Sutro Baths are located at the north end of Ocean Beach close to Geary Boulevard.

The Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is unique in that it offers both a refined and rustic appeal full of San Francisco character and artistic history. It really is a fabulous location - grand and glorious. Here are some photos from an Engagement Portrait at this location.

The Palace of the Legion of Honor

One of San Francisco's most famous landmarks, the Palace of the Legion of Honor offers staggering views of the city, the pacific ocean as well as offering a plethora of wonderful locations within the grounds of the palace for beautiful pictures. the Palace of the Legion of honor is among my favorite places to photograph an engagement portrait. Below is one of my favorite images from a shoot at this location. Click on the picture to see more images!

Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park has acres and acres - 1,017 acres of gorgeous, lush parkland to take world class engagement portraits! I have photographed many couples here. There are so many locations within the park that make for amazing pictures. Some of my favorite spots include the Botanical Gardens, The Japanese Tea Gardens, JFK Drive, The Conservatory of Flowers and Stowe Lake. Golden Gate Park was the site where Anthony proposed to Karen, so we shot part of their Engagement Portrait there! I also photographed Ginger and Fernando's Engagement Portrait in the park.

Potrero Hill

For those who love sweeping city views, Potrero hill is a fabulous location - especially on a clear day. Potrero Hill sits within one of the best micro-climates in San Francisco and the views of the City are usually unobstructed by the fog. Here is link to one of my favorite photoshoots in Potrero Hill.

China Basin

On a clear, sunny day China Basin offers some of the most wonderful bayside photo opportunities. You can get close to the water with fabulous backdrops such as the world famous Giants Stadium and the Bay Bridge as backdrops. China Basin has undergone significant development in recent years. As a result, it's a great spot for those seeking clean lines and a modern, sharp feel to their pictures. I photographed Michael and LaNeisha at China Basin.

China Town

China Town is full of color and variety. I have found that this area works well for those who are looking to draw sharp contrasts between clean lines, vibrant asian colors and the bustle and grime of a working market that never sleeps. It's a fabulous place to shoot! Recently I conducted a styled model shoot in china town. We went for an Audrey Hepburn feel and I placed the model in places that would draw attention to the strong contrast between her and the environment that she was in.

University of California Berkeley

The University of California Berkeley is an absolutely wonderful location for an Engagement Portait. With a plethora of buildings dating well over a hundred years old and all the character that comes with structures of this era the campus offers a wealth of gorgeous backdrops that are both romantic and striking. This year I photographed Fre and Al's Engagement session on campus. I think that the campus would be a great location for a Wedding too - i'm looking forward to doing that one day!

Lawrence Hall of Science, Berkeley

Nestled in the Berkeley Hills high above Cal Berkeley, the Lawrence hall of Science offers some of the most breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay Area I have ever seen - pick a clear day and you'll hardly believe the views. After photographing Fre and Al at Cal we drove up the hill to the Lawrence Hall of Science to capture the amazing view and incredible sunset. Gorgeous scenery and world class views make this a prime spot for a terrific engagement session! Check out photos from their Engagement Session by clicking here.

The Japanese Tea Gardens - Golden Gate Park

The Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate park are a tropical paradise - a garden of Eden for Wedding Photographers!! Perhaps the most difficult part of photographing a couple in the gardens is working out exactly where to photograph them - everywhere you look there are amazing spots!! I photographed Ron and Jills June Engagement Session in the gardens and I plan to go back again!!

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Landscape Photography - How to Get Those Great Photos

Almost everyone who takes photos, takes some landscape and scenic photos. It's just that the landscape photos you took didn't capture what you remember. You might be asking your self, what happened? Why didn't the photos come out like I remember? How can I get my landscape photos to be memorable? There are a few things I can do to make my landscape photos look more professional.

The first thing first, you must get to know your equipment. Take the time to read your manuals, understand how everything works, what it does and practice using your equipment at home, not on a scenic tour. Practice until everything thing becomes second nature.

Second, is to get everything organized for your photo shoot. Have your camera and all your accessories clean and in their proper place, have enough empty memory cards and all the batteries charged. It would be devastating to get out there and find your memory cards are full and your batteries are dead.

Good landscape and scenic photography takes time and planning. You can't just go out there and start snapping great photos. Of course you may get a good one every now and then, but you won't consistently get great photos. Take your time, plan your shots, and try several different angles and different positions. Don't always put your subject in the center of the photo. You may want to try several shots with your subject in different locations. But, while you are moving around to get that perfect shot, remember where you are, no shot is worth tripping over something and getting hurt. Take your time and stay safe.

If you want to get that crisp, clear, detailed landscape photo, you may want to use a tripod and a shutter cable to eliminate any camera movement. If you don't have a tripod, you may try leaning against something, pulling both elbows back into your ribs and holding your breath as you squeeze the shutter button, never snap it.

Something else to consider is the time of day for taking great pictures. Early morning and late afternoon or early evening is what is called the "Golden Hour." Just when the sun is coming up or going down, this is when the shadows are at their best; this will also add depth, texture and life to your photos. During midday, the sun will wash out the color and make your photos look flat and lifeless.

A few years ago, when I was in Death Valley, California, it was overcast (which is very unusual in desert country) while I was taking a few photos of what is called "Painters Pallet." The side of the cliff had vivid reds, greens, blues and yellows in the rock. There were deposits of iron, copper, magnesium and sulfur in the rocks that had oxidized. The colors in these photos stood out very nicely. The next day, it was bright and sunny, when I stopped in at the same place to take a few more photos, I couldn't even see the colors in the rocks with my naked eye. The full sun had totally washed out the beautiful colors I had seen the day before.

When taking distant landscape pictures, you may want to move where there is something in the foreground, like a tree, a bush, the edge of a log cabin... this will give your photo depth, contrast and frame the scene you want to capture. You may also want to give your distant landscape photos the greatest depth of field possible by using a small aperture setting. This may be done by setting your F stop at around f/22. Something to remember, the greater depth of field you need, the larger the F stop number should be, which will provide a smaller aperture setting.

One other thought, when composing your photo shot, take note of the horizon, you want your camera and the photo to be square with the horizon. It was terrible to have a great photo and the horizon was so off that it ruined the shot. There was a time when I was in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and I was taking a picture of the antler arch, at the town entrance, with the Grand Teton in the background. The picture was great, but the horizon was at such a bad angle that it totally destroyed the picture. I don't know about you, but that made me sick.

I hope these tips and suggestions will help you capture those wonderful landscape and scenic photos you have always dreamed of.

Have a great photo experience.

Thank you

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There Are Two Great Ways to Reduce Expenses If You Are Photographing With Film

Many people are still photographing with film and the expense of purchasing, processing and printing can run into a small fortune. There are two possible solutions to help save money and time.

First, one of the easiest ways to save money is by controlling the amount of film being used. Basically, take the best possible exposures from the beginning and this will save on the quantity of film you use. How much film goes to waste because of bad exposures, or playing the guessing game on camera settings due to uncertainty or inexperience? It's a good idea to know how your camera works and how to set your camera properly. Therefore, you will prevent unnecessary exposures that lead to a waste of film, time, money and even aggravation. As they say, "Knowledge is Power," so exercise a little power and control the amount of film you are using or wasting.

Second, instead of having the film processed and printed at the lab. Just have the negatives scanned and burned onto a CD. It then becomes a digital product. You can upload the images onto a computer and use a photo software program for deleting or editing. You will be able to make any necessary corrections or enhancements. This is a way to allow viewing the images and make adjustments before any printing takes place. Print what you want because today you have a choice. There is no longer a requirement to print in order to see the image. The marriage of photography and computers has opened doors for not just digital photographers, but for film photographers as well.

They can enjoy the freedom to upload and edit images just like digital photographers. There are numerous differences between photographing and capturing the image with digital and film; but both start out analog before they become zeros and ones. Once the image becomes a digital file, manipulation through software programs is the same. Film photographers have the ability for almost instant viewing which is a plus. One more thing, on the "Green Side" it helps the environment with the use of less paper, so it lessens the demands of trees being cut down and the amount of water usage for needless printing.

The best bet is to learn how to photograph correctly and have your images burned onto a CD for easy access and manipulation. The better photographer you become the less waste in purchasing an unnecessary amount of film and paper. My advice, improve your photography skills is not only an investment in yourself but also more green in your wallet and the environment.

Diane May has been a professional photographer for over 20 years. If you found these two photography tips helpful, drop by to grab a complimentary copy of 5 tips to better photography => http://www.learnphotographyathome.com/

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Top 10 Qualities of a Great Photographer

What are the top 10 qualities of a great photographer? It takes more than just a nice camera and a desire to take pretty pictures in order to be successful in this creative yet technical professional field. Whether you want to work for newspapers, magazines, portrait studios or as a freelance event photographer, there are a few qualities that you should try to cultivate as soon as possible.

1. Ambitious Nature
Photography, like many other creative professions, is a highly competitive field. You'll need the ambition to keep going and striving for the best if you're going to make it.

2. Detail Oriented
A big part of great photography is the ability to focus on the tiny details as well as the big picture. This means capturing the tiniest details when it's necessary, and knowing when to edit the tiniest details out when they're not adding to the picture.

3. Coordination
If you don't have good hand-eye coordination and a steady hand, you better start doing as many exercises as possible to help develop these skills now. This is vital to photography careers.

4. Creativity
This one should be obvious. You either have it, or you don't. However, photography school can often help to cultivate what you have if you feel your creative skills are somewhat lacking.

5. Legal Knowledge
This may not seem so obvious. Photographers do, however, need to be knowledgeable of certain laws, particularly those related to copyright issues and contracts.

6. Knack for Marketing
You can't just expect to sit back and let the work come to you. You need to get your name out there and have a professional looking portfolio to let people know what you can do.

7. Networking Know-How
Yes, you will need to network and "schmooze" to make it in the photography biz, regardless of whatever professional level you have your sights set on.

8. Mind for Business
This is a profession first and foremost, so it's necessary to have the business skills to manage your career and make the decisions that will benefit your bottom line.

9. "People Person"
You've got to have people skills to make it in a competitive, creative field like photography. Being personable will get you far in this profession.

10. Technical Skills
This is a no brainer. Photography is all about using the best equipment, tools and software and knowing how to use them all correctly.

Want to start career in photography? Find detailed information about top photography schools and photography degree programs at ArtandDesignDegreesU.com. Choose best art and design school in your preferred location and start your path to a rewarding career.

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