Mark W. Decker Photography Advice

By: MIKE SELVON

Digital wedding photography is a hotly debated topic in the world of professional wedding photographers everywhere. The debate of whether digital photography is better than traditional film photography rages.

Some professionals say that traditional film is better, with a warmth and quality that you can’t obtain with digital cameras. Proponents of digital marriage photography might say digital cameras are just as versatile as standard 35mm cameras. Which is best for you?

The quality of digital cameras has increased over the years. With more options available that are comparable to traditional 35mm cameras, professional marriage photographers are willing to take a chance with the new technology.

With the advances, digital wedding photography has gained some credibility among the professional photographers, and as time goes on, it’s possible that you won’t be able to tell the difference between digital marriage photography and traditional film photography.

For many situations, digital cameras offer a number of significant advantages. A digital camera provides immediate feedback to the photographer. This enables him or her to risk tricky or difficult shots, knowing that if anything needs to be corrected it can be.

This is especially important for photojournalistic wedding photography, in which many of the shots will be taken in ambient light conditions. A related benefit is the ability to take a greater number of shots. The photographer can shoot as many pictures as time and memory card will allow, without worrying about the cost of film.

Another major advantage of digital wedding photography is that all of the settings are internal. Rather than having to interrupt the proceedings to change film speeds or simply change out a film roll, the photographer can make changes quickly and easily.

Most couples today want their photos in a digital format as well as an album. While film photos can be scanned, moving digital photos around electronically is less labor intensive and therefore less expensive.

In addition, digital photos can be easily manipulated if the couple wants copies of certain photos in black and white or sepia tones, for example.

The major drawback to digital wedding photography at this time is that many marriage photographers are not yet completely familiar with the new style.

Digital photography is in many ways a completely different animal than film photography, and some very talented professional wedding photographers are simply not at their best with digital photography.

When interviewing possible digital marriage photographers, be sure that you ask how long the photographer has been using this style. Also ask to see copies of both his film work and his digital work for comparison purposes.

Digital wedding photography is increasing in popularity. The medium has many distinct advantages over film photography.

By: KenWilson

A realtor usually relies on a virtual tour provider to take the photos of the houses he or she lists. As well as that, they might opt to do the virtual tour photography themselves – this way they can save some money, but the result may not be as good as expected. What is the interest realtors have when it comes to using professional photographers for their virtual tours?

Although this matter depends on every particular realtor, the majority is very likely to think alike. Most of them admit they consider hiring an outside photographer as long as the prices are reasonable. In the United States it is likely for a professional photographer to take about $250 to go to a listing, take what he or she considers to be “staged” photos and to create a windows movie presentation to music on CD.

Some realtors may find that they like their own photos better; however, it is difficult enough to make time to go and take photos of every listing, much less to then sit and put together a tour (you should know that virtual tour photography takes time). They even admit they wouldn’t mind being able to email a virtual tour provider photos that they took and have them email them back a presentation which could be saved to disk.

Having said that, any virtual tour provider should consider doing that; it could be more profitable because they would not limit themselves to their local areas. Instead, they could provide the service to anyone, anywhere. Of course if they specialize in virtual tour photography and that is the only thing they are looking to do then they should market themselves by offering a “POGO” offer – that means Pay for One, Get One.

Have in mind that realtors do not really care for any of the virtual tours that require stitching because they always look like the “egg” tours, sort of distorted. Instead, they like the ones where the camera seems to zoom in and out. They may often seem picky to photographers, but they know what they want. If there would be a high quality 360 virtual tour out there, they would definitely consider it, but every so often they say they are not satisfied with the existing tours.

As a realtor it is important to meet a photographer who has had some sort of staging experience or who is at least able to say they completed a staging course – that would be essential for anyone who is interested in virtual tour photography. Also, a photographer needs to consider access to the homes. They can always ask the agents to meet and let them in but it might be easier to check with the local realtor board and see if they offer memberships. This way photographers can have a lockbox key and let themselves in at anytime. It may seem odd, but this is realtors’ perfect solution: paying someone who can let themselves in, take awesome photos, and make a nice virtual tour that can be used on the website, on CDs that accompany the brochures and so on.

By: MIKE SELVON

The art of photography is a wonderful creative outlet for all types of individuals. This art form has been around for decades, and companies have thrived on the production of equipment that is needed to ensure are great picture is taken.

Different types of photography are so varied, that a person can just be a novice to the art or they can become a professional that is driven by their passion. Photography is something that captures the moment for generations to come.

Which is better digital or basic film?

This is a question that only the person taking the pictures can answer. Digital is a relatively new concept that with the right equipment can allow for easy photo sharing via the internet.

A person can also send their digital pictures to a photo lab via the internet also. This allows for a family member several states away to pick up pictures quicker than having to wait for them to come through the mail.

But, if a person thinks that digital photography is too difficult to understand, they may opt to stick with the basic film camera. Again, depending on what a person wants to invest in, the choice is strictly theirs.

How can I become a professional photographer?

So many answers are available for this question. Photography school are everywhere, but if a person cannot attend photography classes on campus, becoming a professional photographer can be difficult.

However, the New York Institute of Photography allows for anyone in the world to become a professional photographer via correspondence. But, by doing a little research at the library, on the internet, and possibly interviewing local photographers to find out how they got into the business, a person can easily become a professional photographer.

How difficult is it to become a wedding photographer?

Wedding photography is one of the hottest types of photographers in demand today. Weddings are becoming larger and larger and the need to capture these special moments are in great need.

Anyone can take wedding pictures, but knowing how to accent with backgrounds, lights,and the right poses can make all the difference. Books and websites are a great place to start learning how to become an experience wedding photographer.

The most important thing when photographing a wedding is to remember to bring enough film and to plan in advance with the bride and groom which particular shots they want to include in their photo album. This planning can make all the difference and also can mean referrals which in turn means more money in the bank.

Which is better, the photography studio or location photography?

This depends on what is types of pictures are desired. A studio may have more equipment such as lights that can enhance the pictures better.

The location will more than likely not be able to accommodate all the equipment a photographer wants, but the area may be all that is needed for the perfect picture. The client and the photographer will have to make that choice together.

How hard is it to print my own pictures?

If a person has a camera with a compatible printer, all that is needed is a USB cable to hook the camera up to the computer. All major retail stores offer photo paper in various sizes to print the pictures on.

And, the pictures will be printed quickly and will look very professional at a fraction of the cost of a photo lab. To ensure quality printing, make sure your ink cartridges are fresh. Old ink cartridges can distort the natural colors of the photograph.

Author: Michael Russell
In almost every industry there is a need to capture records and moments. Are you interested in taking better pictures or becoming a serious photographer? There are things you want to understand before you get too serious. The fundamentals of photography aren’t just mere rules, but are foundations which determine how your photos will turn out.

Photography is the process of making pictures by using light. Light is one of the most important aspects of this art, because it determines color, brightness and shutter speed. The distance from the lens to the focal point is called the focal length. These lengths are measured in millimeters and will help in your choice of lens in the future. Longer focal lengths allow greater magnifications. If you want to take a picture of an object that is 40 feet away then you will need a large focal length. 50mm lenses see things normally and can be considered the view from your eyes. If the focal length is above 50mm it is known as a telephoto lens, while a focal length less than 50mm is a wide angle lens.

Focal length divided by the diameter of the aperture is called an F stop. This has an impact on how much light reaches your negative. If you are dealing with digital then you won’t have a negative, but the same rules apply here. F stops range from 1.4 -22 and vary on cameras. The cameras that offer the highest ranges offer more flexibility and options. These are usually pro models. Lower numbers have wider apertures and produce more light.

Shutter speeds are the length of the exposure or how long the shutter stays open. Once again this is a very important part of how light will be recorded. Shorter shutter speeds are needed for photos taken in bright sunlight, while longer shutter speeds are needed for night photos. Shutter speeds usually can be kept at around 1/250 of a second and will need to be adjusted accordingly. When deciding to take night photos you will need a tripod. Tripods are made in different sizes and vary in quality. A very sturdy tripod will be needed that can support your camera.

The resolution is digital cameras is measured in pixels. Although not found on film cameras, there is no need to worry because the image quality will be the same or greater. Digital cameras can be found with at least 12 megapixels today, but pixels that high would be on Pro models. Never buy a camera based on its pixel count, because that isn’t the deciding factor on the quality. Quality is determined by lens, sensor size, pixel count and quality of the camera itself.

Understanding these basic fundamentals will allow you to make better choices when taking photos in the future. When in doubt simply turn on your camera and take many pictures. Practice may not make perfect, but in photography the time you put into it will show. Just remember that when there isn’t enough light adjust your camera, which is the rule of thumb.

Author: Lonnie Kunkel

Create better pictures with these simple photography basics. Creating that extraordinary picture will become second nature. But remember that every rule has an exception, so if you are wowed by a scene or a subject, don’t be afraid to shoot! Enjoy!

The Pause. Before pressing the button stop to look through the view finder to make sure you cannot improve on the shot. Check to make sure everything is in the shot you want and there is not too much clutter.

Remove Clutter. When shooting a person make sure that no objects are behind or around the subject’s head. For example look for anything like a lamp that is behind the subject’s head, which will distract from the person.

Point of View. Shooting from different angles not just straight on can create a unique point of view. Stand on a chair, or even lie on your back. Turn the camera 90 degrees and take a vertical shot. This technique works great with any subject.

Steady the Camera. Time lag is necessary between pressing the shutter release and the exposure, because the camera needs a to adjust for pre-shot calibration and balance colors. Use a tripod.

Manual Focus. If you’re going to take a lot of action shots or be shooting through glass override the auto focus. Even if your camera has a buffer, the auto focus may not react fast enough to give you sharp pictures if you shoot too quickly or the light is too low.

White Balance. The default white balance setting for digital cameras is auto, which is fine for most snapshots, but tends to be a bit on the “cool” side.

Outdoor portraits and sunny landscapes require that you change the white balance setting from auto to cloudy. That’s right, cloudy. Why? This adjustment is like putting a mild warming filter on your camera. It increases the reds and yellows resulting in richer, warmer pictures.

Author: Dan Feildman

Why modify this digital camera setting? Experiments in exposure time can produce dramatic effects. For example: Take a photograph of a roaring waterfall in a well-lit area and adjust your digital camera’s exposure speed to take pictures as quickly as possible. In great lighting, and with some modern digital cameras, you may be able to see the individual drops of water falling!

If the histogram is weighted towards the right side with vary little if any curvature near the left, your photo will most likely be overexposed (too light). Use your exposure compensation tool to darken the image. Consider a faster shutter speed to force less light to enter the camera lens. Exceptions can occur. Are you taking photos of a bright sunrise? Then your photo will come out bright and your histogram will shift towards the right. And that will be OK.

What do you do when you leave your tripod at home and you see an awesome shot? There are several things you can do, its not the end of the world. If you are using autofocus mode, your digital camera may have a shutter button that requires you to press halfway down to focus, then fully down to take the picture. If you are experiencing camera shake, get the camera to focus on the subject by pressing the button down half-way, then press the button down fully and keep your finger pressed on the button until the camera has taken the picture.

While sunrise and sunset photos are nice, unless the scene contains spectacular colors, huge clouds, or fast-rolling waves (at a beach), too many of these photos can be bland. Try to add a silhouette, such as: A person or people; An animal, such as a bird or a dog; A sailboat or other watercraft; Trees or shrubs; An expansive bridge To get certain subjects into your photo may require patience, but they help add depth and perspective to your photos.

If you have a good optical zoom, here is an experiment you can do while taking digital camera photographs. When taking pictures of homes, skyscrapers, cabins, etc., zoom in on individual pieces of architecture. Take a minute to really look at your subject, and you may be able to find individual engravings, sections of paneling, or dents and scars in the wood of a cabin that may result in interesting pictures. The trick to taking better photos is to really observe a subject and see it from all angles. Go downtown, find some office buildings, and really take a minute or two to study them. You may find engravings or sculptures on or around the buildings that you have never noticed before.

Don’t damage your digital camera equipment, or yourself, when traveling on double-decker buses! Some tour buses in large towns use double-decker buses for large groups. That way, those who want to take photos can do so without having to shoot through the glass of windows. While this offers a good opportunity for photographers, especially if there is ample light to take fast pictures to offset the speed of the vehicle, be careful with yourself and your equipment! Some of these buses may pass very close to low-hanging trees or stoplights. Thus, you should never stand up taking photographs while the vehicle is moving, no matter how incredible the subject. If you are not paying attention and stand up at the wrong time, a limb or other object could knock your camera right out of your hand, or worse, something can knock you in the head!

While you should always try to take digital photos at nighttime that avoid the blurred results of ‘camera-shake’ due to long exposures with an unstable digital camera, realize that blur is not always undesirable. Some blurring can be used creatively, such as that created by cars driving on an interstate at nighttime. This effect is best performed if the roadway is next to a lit skyscraper or cityscape. Frame a photo containing the cityscape and roadway, and take an exposure of half a second or longer as necessary (use a tripod!). The skyscrapers should look clear and crisp, and the roadways will turn into streams of light.