Be A Fine Art Photographer

How do you proceed to grow and develop as a Fine Art Photographer? Basically, regular use of your camera with deliberate intent, while paying attention to the following, is what brings it about.

1. PURSUE THE GOAL: to make images that stir the viewer's thinking and emotions.

2. DEVELOPE YOUR 'SEEING' SKILLS: its the first and most important skill that you need to learn.

'Seeing' exercises: Set aside 45 minutes from time to time around your home, with your camera and a subject that has your sustained interest. Relax for a few minutes then start taking pictures. Study part of your subject for a moment or two, then re-focus on another part of your subject and study it for a while. Become aware of colors and shapes. See how many details you can find. Then note the following:

* Personal responses : You're 'tuning in' to your feelings/thoughts to locate the subject matter, or portion of it, with most personal interest for you.

* Impression : look at your chosen subject matter, or any part of it, and see it simply as a geometric shape or an arrangement of geometric shapes. Note the position where things look most graphically appealing.

* Expression : What does the subject matter seem to express in the way of:

- Sensation; rough/smooth? hot/cold? sharp/dull? hard/soft? moving/still? Etc.

- Emotion & Mood: love/hate? joy/sadness? anger/delight? peace/turmoil? Tranquility/disturbance? Respond with your perceptions of sensation and emotion.

* Meaning : What ideas does the subject matter seem to suggest? Respond with your intellect.

*Subject Theme: In view of your personal responses, the graphic impression, what is expressed and seems to be said, decide upon a subject theme, the main idea/feeling you wish to convey to the picture-viewer.

3. DEVELOPE NEW FRESH WAYS OF 'SEEING': You can get into a visual rut of looking for the same old subject matter and then photographing it in the same old way, producing yet again the same old kind of pictures, etc. You become bored, and find yourself in the doldrums. When this happens, or better yet, before it happens, you need to know what to do about it.

A good way to break habitual 'seeing' rules that gain unwanted control over your picture-making is to, first of all, write them down. Next, with list in hand, make about 40 pictures while deliberately contradicting your visual 'habit' rules.

When you examine the resulting images keep an open mind. Remember, you're looking for new ideas so look for either images you strongly like or dislike. Then take some time to figure out in each case what makes you feel that way, and how you might go about making more similar-but-improved pictures. Bear in mind, you want to be sensitive, and open, to chance.

Finally, be sure to apply the new things you learn as soon as possible. And remember that the exercise above, for thinking and 'seeing' in new ways, can be done almost any time and anywhere, not just when you're taking pictures. Performing this exercise from time to time will keep you out of a rut in your fine art photography and also help you find new ways of 'seeing' and making fine art photographs.

4. DEVELOPE YOUR IMAGINATION: making fine art photographs involves the use of free imagination; Enrich your imagination by going to art galleries and studying art in various media, and noting your Personal Responses, the Graphic Impression, Expression and Meaning. Practice pre-visualizing before going out to take pictures; imagine yourself taking pictures, see the resulting pictures, fantasize photo-adventures, etc. Start a train of photo thought just before going to sleep and then 'sleep on it'. In these ways you can develop your imagination.

5. PRACTICE ISOLATING AND CHOOSING: making fine art photographs also involves:

Isolating - separating the various parts of the subject matter from the whole; looking at a subject and noting: 1) what evokes your 'personal responses' 2) what constitutes the elements of 'impression', 'expression', and 'meaning'. You can, and should, try to improve in your abilities to isolate by means of practice, and you can practice almost anywhere, anytime.

Choosing - picking out the essential subject matter elements from everything else, in order to bring about the most effective arrangement within the picture, through camera position, focal length, depth of field, shutter speed, over/right-on/under-exposure, etc

6. INCORPORATE 'EXPRESSION' AND 'MEANING':

With regard to your subject matter's inherent 'expression' and 'meaning', it comes about through symbolism. You need to become acutely aware of the symbolism(s) inherent in any subject matter. Such are called 'symbols of content. 'You also need to become aware of those symbolisms that can arise within your picture because of the way you choose to photograph the subject matter, 'symbols of style'. The symbols of 'content' and 'style' have to work together. An analogy; the words of a marriage proposal (content) and the tone/inflection of voice used (style) must go well together, being ear-pleasing ('impression'), having appropriate feeling ('expression'), and clearly expressed thoughts ('meaning'), for effective communication of a main, central idea - 'will you marry me?' ('subject theme').

Expression: Bear in mind that people in general respond with different sensations/emotions to different shapes, textures, lines, tones, colours, patterns, etc on the basis of qualities they perceive in them. Thus, a picture of snow can express the sensation of cold or the emotion of sadness. There is something inherent in the snow's shapes or color that evokes a sense of coldness, or sadness. Through color and shape, etc we recognize the expression of sensations and feelings or moods. Whenever something draws your interest, try to notice first the inherent expression. Respond to your subject matter with your perception of sensations, emotions and moods.

Meaning : Not only do people respond with perception of different sensations/emotions to the visual elements in subject matter, but they also respond with perception of different ideas about them. Thus, a picture of a mountain may suggest ideas such as majesty, permanence or isolation. So, try to notice inherent meaning in your chosen subject matter. Respond mainly with your intellect to this aspect of the subject matter.

7. EXERCISE CONTROL BY AWARENESS OF PHOTOGRAPHY'S UNIQUE PROPERTIES: There are a number of fundamental characteristics of photography that distinguish it from other visual media, and you need to be aware of them when making pictures:

a. An existing object always in front of the camera.

b. Ability to precisely render detail.

c. Choice of the moment of picture taking.

d. The speed of exposure.

e. Can take advantage of fortuitous events.

f. Complete dependance on light

g. Camera sees some objects differently from the human eye, because we mentally correct distortions while the camera does not.

h. Different camera lenses see space in different ways.

As a fine art photographer you must examine the picture carefully through the viewfinder in order to preview what the camera will record and be sensitive to any elements that will not be recorded as the eye perceives them. Then you can consider whether or not they need to be corrected and, if they do, how to go about doing it.

8. EMPLOY THE BASICS OF GOOD COMPOSITION: The fine art photographer's thinking and efforts to visually arrange a picture's various elements within the camera's view-finder, according to the principles of visual design to effectively communicate what he sees, feels, and thinks, in connection with the subject matter, doing so simply, freshly, and to as many as possible.

Elements: The graphic components, basic visual things, that make up a picture. Keep in mind that each of these elements not only contributes to the 'impression' of a picture but also to the 'expression' and 'meaning' as well. The components are:

Lines, Shapes, Tones, Colors, Mass, Space, Texture, Perspective

Principles: The basic guidelines that need to be applied in making a fine picture:

Subject Theme: The paramount principle. At the very outset of making fine art photographs the selection of an appropriate 'subject theme' is essential. It is a thematic idea which can readily underlie the subject matter, and is developed or elaborated upon in a picture of the subject matter. Making an extended,detailed, and specific word description of things is the quickest, most helpful, and practical means of deriving an appropriate subject theme.

Order: Organization of the picture to bring about simplicity and clarity to the overall impression,expression, meaning and subject theme.

Dynamics : contrasts of any sort produce tension, and bring dynamics into a picture; a sense of force,vitality, life, etc; much of it is already present in the the subject matter with all of it's inherent contrasts (inlines, shapes, tones, colours, etc) - the challenge is simply to control, direct and organize them.

Dominance: some aspect of the composition influences it more strongly than all other aspects. The dominant part of a photograph is often called the centre of interest.

Balance: there are two kinds of balance; symmetrical(formal) - conveys regimented formality, stiffness, staticness, etc, and asymmetrical(informal) - is more dynamic, with tension between objects of different size, colour, shape, etc. Balance may be achieved either through the 'impression' of objects in the picture,or through their 'expression' and 'meaning' in the picture.

Proportion : has to do with the relative size of objects in the picture space. The proportion of space allocated to a major object in relation to that given a minor one

Pattern/Rhythm: are closely related. A pattern is a specific configuration of visual elements - a design. Rhythm involves repetitions of a pattern, at regular intervals. It brings both order and a sense of the dynamic to a picture

Deformation : the deforming (altering the overall shape) of visual elements which makes them unstable,creating tension. It can also create perspective (the impression of depth) in the picture or subject matter.Both camera position and lens choice affect deformation strongly.

9. USE VARIOUS APPROACHES, TYPES AND AVOID THE PITFALL OF FORMULAS

Picture Approaches: there are three basic approaches to composing fine art photographs:

- The Introspective approach: in which primarily your personal feelings and ideas for the subject matter determine the picture's design and composition.

- The Extrospective approach: in which, regardless of your natural response to the subject matter, you're guided solely by the subject matter's inherent visual characteristics in determining picture composition.

- The Ambispective Approach: an approach which is some combination of the two foregoing approaches. It is the best approach and the one to use most often.

Picture Types: A fine art photograph may be one of the following types as determined by the artist:

- Documentary; the picture's emphasis is on simply portraying the subject matter, transmitting visual information about it as accurately as possible.

- Interpretive; the picture's emphasis is on conveying the artist's feelings and thoughts about the subject matter, which can result in a very impressionistic image.

- A Combination; picture emphasis is some combination of interpretive and documentary

Picture Formulas: Do not turn your fine art photography into a set of technique formulas. It will stifle intuition, and emotional input, and put technique ahead of 'expression' and 'meaning'.

10. WATCH FOR THE INTERESTING AND PRACTICE COMPOSITION: Always watch for things that excite your interest. When something does so, examine it closely and begin verbalizing, 'What is it that attracted me?' Visually explore the subject matter and give thought to the subject matter's impression, expression, and meaning, etc, all the while verbalizing to yourself as you do so. Decide on a picture-making approach and a particular picture-type.

With the ambispective approach you will proceed by crystallizing and condensing:

1) your personal thoughts and feelings about the subject matter;
2) what is the most graphically appealing aspect of the subject matter;
3) what the subject matter inherently expresses; and
4) what the subject matter inherently says, into a concisely worded subject theme, while seeing in your mind's eye a final picture which nicely and effectively conveys it. Your chosen subject theme serves as your primary guidance for all of the compositional efforts that follow.

11. CONTINUALLY MAKE PICTURES: The most important thing you can do with your camera is use it. By shooting a few minutes every day, you'll develop your skills and abilities as a fine art photographer, and soon have an extensive collection of fine art photographs. Otherwise, you will lose your skills and ability. To have the joy of doing good work, and growing as a fine art photographer, you have to continually make pictures!

John Maxymuik authored this article for those photographers who want to transition into fine art photography.

This article is the condensed version of a much more detailed one found on John's website at: http://ambienceimages.net/id83.html

To see examples of John's art photography go to his art photography website at: http://ambienceimages.net/

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How to Become a Photographer - Picture Taking Made Easy

Photography can be a wonderful and rewarding hobby. The question is how to become a photographer, and where to start this process. We will discuss things like equipment, portfolios, patterns, skills that may be necessary to learn, and where to find good material for your photos. By examining these points we will discover how to become a photographer.

The first thing you want to look at is the equipment that you will be using. There are hundreds of different cameras out there ranging from disposable to complicated monorail cameras. For the person just starting out you will want to look at digital cameras. They come in a variety from point and shoot (no focusing or exposure setting necessary) to more complicated DSLR (digital single lens reflex) models. I recommend the DSLR camera as it allows changing of the lenses for different focal lengths, such as wide angle, or telephoto lenses.

Once you have acquired your camera it is time to go out and start taking pictures. Your camera should have a memory card, if not go get one. It allows you to take and save hundreds of pictures. In order to learn how to become a photographer you have to take pictures. Lots and lots of pictures.

Digital photography allows for a great deal of experimentation, so don't be afraid to try weird and wonderful things. Yes you will make mistakes, but that is one of the joys of digital photography; you can delete those mistakes. Just remember what you did, and don't do it again. Conversely you will also get some wonderful images. Try to remember what you did and be sure to try it again. This is how you can learn the skills and the art of picture taking.

When you go out to take pictures you must learn to slow down and take a look at the world around you. These days people are in too much of a hurry and tend to miss the beauty of their surroundings. Keep your eyes open for patterns in nature.By seeing what is right in front of you some stunning images are possible.

By going out and photographing the world around you, an understanding of what kind of photographer you will want to become will begin to assert itself. You may decide that you wish to try some studio photos as well... go ahead. Again, it never hurts to experiment. In the studio you have more control over the lighting of your subject material and other aspects of more advanced photo techniques.

Your next step will be to compile a portfolio. This is a collection of the best shots that you have taken in as many different areas of photography as you like. If you decide for instance that you would like to be a portrait photographer, there should be an abundance of portraits in your portfolio. However, it is a good idea to include pictures of other genres of the photographic arts in your portfolio.

I hope that examining these points have helped to point you in the right direction of how to become a photographer. Just remember to keep on clicking that shutter.

Author bio:

Dave Grierson is an avid photography buff and blogger. To learn more about digital photography click on the following link: http://learndigitalphotographynow-daveg3.blogspot.com/

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5 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer When You Meet With Them

Here are 5 top questions to ask your wedding photographer when you are meeting with them for the first time. These will help you get the information that you really need to ensure that you are getting a true professional in the photography industry.

1. Do you have all your business licenses and retail sales tax license (assuming your state requires collection of retail sales tax)?

a. A professional should have a business license for their photography business. If they do not they are operating a black market photography business and may not be taking photography seriously. Often people will book their photographer 6-12 months in advance and you want them to be in business by the time your wedding comes.

b. A photographer should be collecting retail sales tax if your state requires it. The last thing you want is for them to be shut down by the government for not operating properly. It is worth the peace of mind to know that your wedding photographer is going to be there on your big day, even if you have to pay a little extra.

2. Do you have backup equipment that you will have with you on our wedding day?

a. Accidents happen. A wedding day is busy with all the hustle and bustle of the events of the day and your wedding photographer is right in the middle of it. Cameras get dropped, or knocked around, and sometimes they malfunction no matter how well you take care of them. It is really important that they have a full set of backup equipment for those just in case moments.

3. What happens if you get sick? Do you have more than one photographer at my wedding?

a. Just this weekend I got an email from another photographer that was looking for help an hour and a half before the start of a wedding because they had gotten sick. If this person had a second principle photographer that they regularly used this could have been avoided. Often, if they have a second principle photographer, they will also have additional assistants that could fill in should someone get sick.
b. Also with more than one photographer at your wedding they can get different angles of the same event and also not miss moments even though one may be taking a break.

4. Are the pictures going to be edited when I get them?

a. No matter how "good" the technology is, the files from the camera to the computer go through an interpretation processes, and do not always look the same as they do in the camera. A professional photographer will go through all the photographs and touch them up to correct the colors and make them look consistent throughout the day as well as basic corrections.

5. Can we take some time during the day to take some amazing photos of me and my new husband?

a. The amazing photos that you see on websites and blogs take some time to go take. It is worth the time to go sneak away at some point during the day and get some of those amazing photos of yourselves. Consider it your first family portrait. Those are the photos that you will post online and keep in a frame at your office. Unfortunately, it takes some time to make images like that so you should reserve some time during your day to make spectacular photographs like that.

With these 5 questions, it should help you determine the level of professionalism of the person you are interviewing. These are some very important issues that you might not have thought about asking. It is okay, go ahead and ask the questions. You may really save yourself some head aches if you sort out these things early in the planning process. The biggest piece of advice is this, ENJOY your day, and at the end of the day you will be married even if everything doesn't go perfectly!

Jay Evans runs Picasso Perfect ? Photography, LLC. which is a photography company based in Columbia, SC that specializes in Wedding Photography. Picasso Perfect Photography travels throughout the world to capture the special memories of wedding days. They recommend scheduling a no cost wedding photography consultation to see what Picasso Perfect Photography - Columbia wedding photography can do for you.

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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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Family Photographer - Finding the Perfect Lifelong Print

Many people probably remember their favorite family photographer when they either went to their studio to get family pictures taken or that particular photographer came to their home. You may remember the days of sitting in those uncomfortable positions and positioning your head in ways that may have seemed unnatural. Then came the part of the photograph session where, regardless of how you were feeling at the time, the photographer would say something like 'smile' or 'say cheese'.

Even though these times may have seemed boring and completely uncalled for, each time you walk down your hall or visit your parents home you'll see these pictures and remember exactly what you were doing and what you were thinking when those pictures were taken. This is extremely powerful because each and every moment that was captured, whether it was on the holidays or just a family get-together, these photographs can be remembered for a lifetime always bringing you back to that special moment in time when you and your family were altogether as one.

What you'll find today is that some people have decided that there is no specific need for a family photographer therefore they have taken to picture taking on their own. Many people have gone out and bought cameras to take family pictures and have experienced something very unique. Some have found it is very hard to take family pictures and include everyone when the person taking the picture needs to be in the picture as well. So they need to go out and buy a more expensive camera that has the delay which will allow them to take a picture with everyone included.

What people initially find is that there is much more to a family photographer than meets the eye and unless they want to spend hours, days, or months only learning how to use their camera properly, they'll be better off allowing their photographer to handle all of their photography needs. If you miss the good old days of going out for a photo shoot with the family there is a way to select a professional family photographer that will meet all of your photography needs year round. If it is extremely important for you to capture family moments that are precious, simplistic, and eventful, you'll want to select a person that works well with you and your family.

Professional photographers understand what it takes to get quality original photographs of you and your family that will last for a lifetime. If you're not working with a professional family photographer then chances are you'll be missing out on all the benefits that are included in the type of packages they provide for you. So if you want to get started this will mean choosing and booking the services of a professional photographer that can work with adults and children alike. Experience is key because this will ensure that all the pictures that will be taken will be exactly what you want and how you want them.
Key points in choosing a family photographer include:

How long have they practiced family photography
This is important because you'll always want to know that the person you are hiring has done this type of work in the past and they have some type of portfolio you can look through enabling you to feel comfortable with their services.

Are they a part of any type of accredited Association
Many people aren't aware that it is important to choose your photographer based on their professionalism and this includes being a part of an association that's accredited, holding them to a higher level of service. This will ensure that you are truly working with a professional that is focused on ongoing education in the field of profession in which they are practicing.

What type of services they provide
The type of service they provide will determine whether or not you can use them for your family photographs. There services may only include studio visits, or home visits, or both. This will be very important to know especially if you like your family photographs taken at home in a more comfortable and relaxing setting.

There are other important areas that you'll probably want to discuss such as cost and the type of equipment they use. These areas of concern can be talked about at an initial meeting or over a phone call. A family photographer plays an important part in capturing extremely important moments in time so your family, children, and your children's children can enjoy these memories for a lifetime.

Cooper Studio is a boutique family photographer in Perth.

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Indispensable Tools For The Traveling Photographer

When you're on the road or overseas, there are things you want in your gear bag you might not need to drag around with you close to home. Besides a backup camera or spare camera body, there are a few tools that have saved a shoot on more than one occasion for me.

A Small Tool Kit

The kind I carry is made by Black & Decker and has a ratchet handle and variety of screwdriver, hex heads, and small sockets. I'm constantly amazed at what you can fix with this small kit.

A Flashlight

Don't leave home without one. I actually pack several. At Home Depot you can sometimes get small, push-button LED flashlights, with batteries, for a dollar. At that price they're almost disposable.

I carry two in my vest and one more in every equipment bag I carry. Besides those I carry a Nebo Redline Tactical Flashlight with a built-in strobe.

A Pocket Knife

Hard to get through airport security these days but indispensable in the field, there are few things more useful than a good pocket knife.

You don't need to carry a folding bayonet, just something with a pocket clip and sturdy blade. I carry a Kershaw 1620. Be sure to check transport rules and blade length laws where you're going.

A Copy of Public Law 106-206

If you're shooting on government land or U.S. parks, carry a copy of this regulation with you at all times. Sometimes park staff will try to claim you need a permit to shoot on federal land, but that's only true if you're using models, non-natural props, posing a risk to the public or you require extensive assistance from park personnel.

I'm constantly surprised how often park personnel don't know their own rules and try to bluff their way through. That's why I started carrying a copy of the regs.

Set of Jewelers Screwdrivers

Almost anything that's going to need tightening on your camera is going to need a jewelers screwdriver. I've also used mine as distance markers and framing references stuck in the ground (not recommended by the manufacturer).

Gaffer Tape

A habit I picked up shooting video. Gaffer tape is the duct tape of the visual arts. You can tape something down and it doesn't leave a sticky glue residue behind. If you ever go to a movie set, there will inevitably be one or two production assistants running around with a loop of different colored gaffer tape hanging off their belt.

Extra Lens Caps

You'll lose one, eventually. It's inevitable. I always, always put my lens cap in my left front pants pocket. A habit picked up over the years and yet even I lose one once in a while.

Carry a spare cap in your vest and you'll always have one.

Shower Caps and Disposable Ponchos

You can get disposable shower caps and clear rain ponchos by the box at the Dollar Store. They're cheap and life savers in bad weather.

One time I was in a mountainous part of Oregon, miles from the car when a weather front moved in. I was able to take two ponchos and a roll of gaffer tape and fashion a crude shelter. When my friends got back, soaked to the bone, they found me warm and dry under my tent on a recliner made of equipment bags.

There's traveling, and then there's traveling in style.

You'll learn even more with Proud Photography - one of the best online photography schools available today at http://www.proudphotography.com/

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Destination Photography - Through the Eyes of a Wedding Photographer

As a professional wedding photographer, my most challenging assignments are those that require working as a destination wedding photographer. It is also a challenge to the wedding planner and the couple, as everything is out of the country (mostly) and there are millions of things that can go wrong.

Local photographer - To be or not to be

While choosing a photographer cum videographer for your destination wedding, the common dilemma couples face is whether to hire a local photographer who is familiar with the sights and surroundings or to fly in a photographer whom the couple know well and are comfortable with. Both the points are valid, but evaluating each solely depends on the budget.

If you can save up money on travel and other arrangements, you can always afford to fly in someone you know for the job. Knowing doesn't essentially mean personally, but knowing would suggest having an idea about the person's work from previous weddings (friend's or family's).

One thing you need to know is that not all the countries allow photographers from abroad. Some places require the photographer/videographer to have a government permit often requiring a nominal fee to be paid to obtain the permit. This can also take few weeks to months. So plan ahead.

If you were to hire a local, you might need to meet the person face to face to talk about your ideas and gauge their talent. This is important not only to get a clear picture of what the photographer can offer you, but also to see whether or not you are comfortable with the photographer and his/her approach.

'In-house' photographers

Some locations, like resorts and clubs have 'in-house' photographers on contract. In such a case, an outside photographer is strictly prohibited from working on the wedding. I once had to refuse an offer because the resort wouldn't budge from their decision to not allow outside photo and videographers! The bride was devastated, but what was done, was done.

This is a good time to point out that you need to check with the hotel or resort on their policies on bringing in hired photographers.

Bottomline

Go for the one who has the better experience. A wedding photographer who has travelled a lot is bound to have plenty more ideas and experience when compared to a local. However, you might also find that some of the locals have better talent than the photographer you personally know from your own place.

Get referrals from people who have used both local as well as hired destination photographers from their own countries. Decide for yourself as to which one fits the budget and what are the requirements to fly in such a person and his/her crew into the destination.

Happy destination wedding planning!

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How to Get Experience As a Wedding Photographer

It seems like a viscous circle right? You can't get work without experience and you cant get experience without doing the work. But you need to remember just how important wedding photography is to our customers. These could be the only lasting memory of the most important day of their life, so why would they trust it to an amateur? Any budding wedding photographer knows that in order to succeed you need a strong portfolio from multiple weddings. One or two shots is never going to do it either your going to need to demonstrate a constant flow of a whole wedding day. Its a highly competitive market and everyone with a camera thinks there a photographer these days, so your images need to be the best every time. So just how can I find the much needed experience in the wedding photography industry. Photography School. There are loads of photography classes out there these days that will give you hands on wedding photography experience.

Often they will be run by local studios who will hire models and run group sessions. You will get to spend time shooting a "bride" with an experienced photographer at your side to help with any tips and advice. There are also some great part time photography courses run by colleges that can give your hands on basic photography skills. Do a quick google search for Photography School or Photography Course and your sure to find something suitable. Contact local Photographers. So we all know to get experience you need to get yourself shooting at a wedding. The only problem is this can seem near impossible. Most city's and towns will have more photographers than you can imagine some good, some not so good and some great in my opinion competition is a healthy thing and there are plenty of weddings to go around. The problem is not all photographers think like this so finding a photographer in your area who is willing to take you under there wing and show you the ropes may be easier said than done. Many photographers see it as training up new competition. If you are willing to travel a little further you may find it's a little easier. Contact a photographer who is not in direct competition with where you will one day be working and ask if you can do some unpaid work as an assistant. Working as a photographers assistant does not mean you will spend all your time with a camera in your hand, it does not mean you will get hundreds of shots to use for y our portfolio but it does mean you will get a taster for what a wedding day truly involves. You will be asked to carry the bags, run errands, upload images, fetch the photographer a drink and all other seemingly meaningless jobs.

If however you use your eyes and your ears and pay close attention to everything you can I guarantee you will pick up tons of skills? Build relationships. While it may feel like jumping from one photographer to the next to gain, as much experience as you can is the best thing you can do, nothing can beat a good working relationship. Try and get on as many weddings with one photographer as you can and make it a regular thing. If they call you with a last minute shoot cancel your plans and take up the offer. Over time the photographer will trust your skills that little bit more and will let you take on more responsibility, who knows they may even let you take the lead on a wedding with there assistance. Free Wedding Photography There are many amateur wedding photographers out there who start there career by offering free wedding to photography to couple on a budget in order to learn the skills needed. Always remember that no matter how little the couple has paid they are skill a client and if you make a mistake on there wedding day they could still destroy your reputation and your career before it has even started. If you have the skills to shoot the wedding then charge the going rate for package. Don't forget even if you are shooting the wedding for free you will still have many expenses and you will still need insurance on your gear and your liability. Practice your skills on a model One of the most important things about being a wedding photographer is that your basic skills are mastered. You need to be able to handle every possible scenario and need to be confident in many styles of photography. Many of these skills can be mastered on a model. Try and practice using very little set up time and only very little time per shot. Set up a shot take the shot and move on to the next, this will help to simulate the fast pace of wedding photography. Only after gaining experience on as many wedding as possible (I would say about 20 weddings minimum) should you think about taking on a clients wedding solo. Even if asked by friends and family to shoot there wedding ask yourself honestly if you are ready to guarantee stunning photography no matter what you are faced with. Good Luck

Andy Warner-Simpson is the head photographer of A.S Photography,Milton Keynes. With 10 years professional wedding photography experience and hundreds of weddings shot. For more details on wedding photography Milton Keynes and Wedding Photos Buckinghamshire than please visit our website http://www.as-photography.co.uk/

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My First 3 Years As a Wedding Photographer - Lessons Learned

Wow, it's been a roller coaster ride for me in the last 3 years. As well as holding down a full time job as a marketing manager I've also been building up my wedding and portrait photography business. Whilst it's been very challenging juggling the two elements in my life, it's also been richly rewarding, and I've learned some very valuable lessons. So what advice would I offer other like-minded photographers looking to build a career in social photography? Here are some of my top tips:

1. Plan your week ahead - When you are juggling both a job and a business it's absolutely critical that you manage your time effectively. A great tip is to spend an hour every Sunday afternoon planning your week ahead. Also, plan in time for your different 'roles', such as 'Photographer', 'Day Job', 'Father' and 'Husband'. It's vital to keep some balance in your life, so plan in some down time and recreation.

2. Look at other photographers' work, but keep true to your style- Whilst it's great to look at other photographers' work and style to get inspiration, you shouldn't overdo this. It's important to develop your own unique style and trust your own artistic instincts. At the end of the day it's your own unique vision and style that you must sell, and this is what becomes your brand identity. Rest assured that you are probably much better than you think you are!

3. Write a business and marketing plan- If you don't set yourself objectives for each year, and write out a plan of how you will achieve them, there's a high probability you won't achieve them. Sorry if this sounds harsh, but it's a fact! We write a business plan every January for the year ahead, set out all of our objectives and then work on a marketing action plan for how we are going to achieve them. Write a plan, but more importantly, work the plan!

4. Keep networking- Keep building links with other wedding suppliers, such as other photographers, make up artists, venues and dress makers. It's a great way to raise the profile of your company and also generate leads. If possible join a local business networking group.

5. Maintain a positive mental attitude- This is less tangible but incredibly important. It's tough getting a business off the ground in the current economic climate, and you're going to face knock-backs and challenges along the way. You must keep your objectives in mind through it all, and remain positive. You have to build up some mental resilience. In addition I would say that you should try to adopt the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen, which basically means that you seek to continuously improve every aspect of your business and photography.

Good luck! Keep positive and above all persist, and I'm sure you'll make it as a professional photographer.

Matt Foden Photography are Wedding Photographers in Surrey. You can check out their site here:

http://www.mattfoden.co.uk/

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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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What All You Need To Consider When Choosing A Wedding Photographer

Wedding photos are treasures for lifetime. They symbolize the union of your beloved and you. Everybody wants their wedding day to be special. They want the best clothes, best food, best venue and the best wedding photographer. There are numerous photographers in Brisbane; however, selecting the best Brisbane photographer or best Sydney photographer will depend largely on your research along with your tastes and preferences.

Nonetheless, there are quite a few common resources that will help you zero on a suitable photographer for your big day. Consider the following tips:

Dig references: This should be your first step in selecting a photographer, Brisbane. You must start collecting references of individuals involved in photography in Brisbane. If you know any of your friends or family members who have recently tied the knot, you must ask them to refer their wedding photographers to you. After having a brief discussion with all the photographers referred by your families or friends, shortlist a handful of them.

Gauge the work: Almost all photographers have their portfolio uploaded on their websites. It is a good idea to visit their websites and understand what kind of work they do. If you are looking for a creative tinge in your wedding photography, you must check for versatility in their work. Once you visit the sample portfolio, try and gather as much as information as you can about the photographer.

Communicate: It is best to have a telephonic conversation with the shortlisted photographers whereby you can tell them about your requirements in brief, ask for a quotation or schedule an appointment for a face-to-face meeting. A face-to-face conversation will definitely help you communicate your requirements in a better manner. It is best to go prepared with all possible questions that you may want to clarify with the photographer.

Potential questions may include break up of charges, idea about additional charges, types of services offered in the package, types of packages offered and so on. You must also communicate the types of photos you want. This would also include themes and poses related to the wedding. Do not miss out on checking about cancellation policies and last-minute no-show charges. This will help you in getting a fair idea about the overall deal.

To sum up

After you are done with all the above mentioned steps, it is a good idea to book the photographer by paying a certain amount in advance. No doubt you have spent substantial time in selecting the right photographer for your dream wedding!

Looking for information on photography or an excellent photographer to capture the memorable moments of your big day? Then, look no further and visit Carly Costello Photography right away.

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The Best Compact Camera for the Amateur Photographer

Finding the best compact camera can be maddening for the average person. What makes it even harder is that most information out there is of the technical sort, full of terminology and data that most people can't make sense of. A helping hand pointing the way for the average, everyday photographer is much more helpful than any spec sheet I have found to date.

Unfortunately, there aren't many resources that not only tell you who makes the best compact camera, but also why it's the best. The best compact camera for amateur photographers is the Panasonic Lumix LX5 point and shoot model. Luckily, you don't have to take my word for it, because there are literally thousands of customer reviews stating the same fact. We'll get to some of those in a minute.

It's important to point out the main features that make the Lumix LX5 the best compact camera for amateur photographers.

IMAGE QUALITY

Let's face it, all the bells and whistles in the world don't matter if the best compact camera can't take top quality photos. Five minutes with the Lumix LX5 model is all you need to produce brilliant, vivid, and dare I say, amazing photos regardless of the setting and scene.

The Leica 24mm equivalent wide-angle lens is one of the best lenses available for point and shoot cameras and the Lumix LX5 takes full advantage of its capabilities.

SUPERIOR LENS

While the Lumix LX5 outperforms the competition in most categories, the best compact camera really shines in low-light and continuous shooting environments. You see, the 24mm wider-angle lens means the best compact camera can capture more light than competitors and has faster shutter speeds than virtually every other point and shoot camera on the market.

The Leica lens even adds another industry leading ability -- True Macro. Most point and shoots have a minimum distance of 5mm for image capture, but the Lumix LX5 has a minimum macro range of 1 mm! That's not a typo; it's can actually capture perfectly clear images 5 times closer than the competition.

COMFORT & HANDLING

One of my biggest pet peeves about compact digital cameras is they're so small and hard to handle that its kind of annoying to even use them. The Lumix LX3 was actually one of these cameras, so I was surprised to see how much better the ergonomic design of the LX5 felt in my hand.

The button layout is sensible and intuitive, also very important. No one wants to find out they accidentally changed the shutter speed or aperture setting while trying to capture a one-in-a-million moment. Another reason the Lumix LX5 is the best compact camera.

HD VIDEO RECORDING

This is not nearly as important as the previous points, but HD video capture is a major plus in a point and shoot camera. Most of us carry these types of cameras to vacation spots and the ability to easily switch to 720p HD video mode to record a special event with family and friends is an awesome feature. Not only does the best compact camera offer amazing HD video recording, it also adds zoom and aperture adjustments during recording. Guess what?

It's the only compact model that offers these functions together.

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK

Onto the true litmus test. The proof is in the pudding after all. By a virtual landslide, customers are raving about their experience with the best compact camera --Lumix LX5. Here are just a few of them:

"This camera is really fantastic and a nice upgrade from the LX3. "

By Mic

"The ultimate serious photographer's point & shoot."

By

Photo guy

"This camera is the first compact I ever owned that produces superb images which I don't find myself complaining about. The images actually look like the original scene."

By

Carl (Maryland USA)

The Lumix LX5 deserves to be named the best compact camera because of the superb image capture, near perfect ergonomic design, and robust features packaged at one of the lowest prices in its category.

You can find out more technical information and pricing for the best compact camera with a simple click.

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