Black and White Digital and Film Photography Lab + Tips, Learning Resources, and Gallery

Perspective is Essential to Every Photograph

2007-04-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Do you ever notice how a subject which appears interesting to you at first is far less interesting once captured with your camera? Often framing is to blame. But if your framing is good, the light is good, and yet the image still feels odd, consider the height from which the image has been captured. It may seem strange at first, but think about it... Not all subjects look their best when they are captured off-eye-level. Animals, especially smaller ones are often much more interesting, when they appear to be at eye-level in your image. Do not be afraid to get lower, or higher, and anywhere in between. Explore all possibilities before taking the shot. Try to get lower for smaller objects. As you shoot straight or up at an object, you increase its dominance in the image, when you shoot down on it, you decrease it. Keep that in mind, and your photographs will have more interest, and will stand out.

Don't Print Daily - Keep your Inkjet from Clogging

2007-04-18T06:00:00.000-07:00

Like most folks who shoot photos and print their own, I do not print all that often. Once a week is very common for me, sometimes less frequently than that. After all, we do not always shoot and print, especially since most of us are part time shooters. To keep your printer from clogging its head, this is even more important with Pigment Inks, since they are thicker than Dyes, turn your printer on a few times a week, let it cycle on, and it will run a very small cleaning which will purge just a little ink from the head. This is not wasteful, but will keep ink from drying inside the head, and causing for a lot of headache.

Specs of Dust on Your Camera's Sensor

2007-04-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you are like me you no doubt shoot with your camera in less-than-ideal environments. While most cameras are fairly well sealed, they still allow for dust to get inside. As the mirror flips up, and the shutter opens, even a fraction of a second is enough to trap specs of dust on the sensor. Now you notice a little spec on every picture you take, and you have to clone it out. You cannot prevent this, but with a good blower you will rid your camera of pesky dust every time. Never try to use any liquid chemicals to clean your sensor. There are expensive tools on the market that will clean your sensor safely, but for far less money, a blower is just as effective, and safe. When cleaning your sensor, flip the camera so that the lens mount is looking towards the ground. This way, once the dust particle has been loosened, gravity will take charge and let it drop away from your sensor. Blow gently into the cavity, and keep the lens mount looking down. This way dust has little chance of settling on the sensor. A few good blows is typically enough. Put the mens back on, and shoot a piece of white paper to check for the dust being gone.

Shoe-mount Bubble Level for your Camera

2007-04-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

If you ever struggle with shooting a straight horizon, perhaps your tripod does not have any built-in levels, then this one is for you... Consider acquiring a bubble level which mounts on your camera's hot shoe. Look for a level which give you two mounting options top shoot portrait and landscape, and if you plan to shoot panoramas, look for one with a bubble on top feature which allows you level your tripod base. Remember, if the base is not perfectly level, your pans will not be accurate.

Shooting Panoramas with a Dedicated Bracket

2007-04-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

If you are thinking about getting into the business of shooting and stitching panoramas, you need to get yourself a panoramic bracket. I have recently had the pleasure of testing a bracket from a Canadian firm panoramabrackets.com, and was happy I got my hands on it. The product is solidly built, and their 4th generation version is a far improvement from their gen 3 product. This unit is easy to use, it is light, and fairly compact. However, unless you level the tripod base, and have your bracket correctly adjusted to your lens, you will have trouble. I will add a series of tips regarding Pan shooting. Here's a first, get a tripod with a level at its base. When the base is off-level, your ball head, or panhead will follow the curvature and cause your pan to be off center. The longer the pan, the bigger the problem.

Tip of the Day: Vanguard Photography Gear

2007-01-20T11:29:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard of Vanguard USA brand? Probably not. I have not either, until I started looking to get a new photo backpack, which had to be large enough for all my gear, have space in the top for clothing, water and other stuff, and most of all, be durable, and easy to use. As I began researching I came across a company which supposedly produced different photo storage gear, and became intrigued. The company is Vanguard USA. They are not easy to find, and their site leaves much to be desired. Nonetheless, their gear looked interesting, and the bag which I liked in particular seemed spacious and fairly well built. I ordered this bag from Buy.com, and hoped for the best. I got the bag about a week later, and I am still raving about it. The quality of the product is on par with Tamrac, Lowepro, Kata, and other high end brands. The bag, Kenline 60, is huge, more pockets than you will ever use, and extremely comfortable. I am thoroughly impressed, and wanted to pass this onto others searching for a high quality durable home for all your camera gear. Consider their products. Visit Vanguard USA.

Tip of the Day: Landscapes and the Sky

2007-01-16T12:00:00.000-08:00

One thing that many people have trouble with when planning their photographic adventures is the sky. More often than not, we check the weather reports and the report calls for a beautiful sunny day which is great, but without a cloud in the sky, deep blue is just not very interesting. Next time you are planning your photographic adventures, look for days with partially cloudy conditions. There is nothing better than the sky breaking through the clouds as it brings out the definition, texture and interesting transitions in the otherwise boring sky. To make things even more interesting, look for days with very light wind, which will assist in architecting interesting patterns in the clouds and if you are shooting near bodies of water there will be a presence of motion which will make for more sweeping views.

Tip of the Day: Maintaining your Camera's Battery

2007-01-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

Of all your photographic gear, batteries receive least amount of consideration and care. While batteries seem like a trivial item, they are absolutely paramount to your photo shoots. Don not forget, no power, no photos. Most modern cameras, primarily digitals, are equipped with rechargeable Lithium-Ion(Lion) batteries. Most of these batteries perform very well over their lifetime, however there are things you can do to make them last longer, and work better. Though cleaning your battery is not something you may have considered, clean contacts mean good connection with the camera, and less errors. Clean contacts on your battery with a soft cloth, and use some alcohol if necessary. Drain your battery fully before recharging every month or so, and it will last much longer. Do not recharge the battery more than needed, or keep it in a charger for trickle charging, this will diminish performance.

Tip of the Day: Wide-Angle Cokin Holder

2007-01-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

Cokin Filter system is really an excellent tool, and has the potential of offering significant savings since one filter matches several lenses. However, there are some disadvantages to using this system. For example, when using a wide-angle lens, the corners of your image will vignette at the widest end, up to approximately 30mm in 35mm Format. If you shoot digital, the same applies, only because of the APS sized sensors the issue occurs with wider lenses. Nonetheless, this is a rather annoying issue. So, if you feel the same way about it, consider switching your Cokin holder to a Wide-Angle Holder, which you could get for about 10 bucks. It allows for only one filter at a time, but hey, better than nothing, right?

Tip of the Day: Early Morning Photography

2006-12-28T06:00:00.000-08:00

Every day Earth rotates around the Sun, and presents us with shooting opportunities that are unique to that day. However, one thing that is always true is that morning sun is typically much softer warmer, and offers excellent shooting opportunities. There are some things to keep in mind though to get the most out of your early morning photography. Always use a lens hood in the morning; flare, and low angle light will no doubt ruin some of your shots if you do not. Do not shoot into the sun. Look for shadows. Early sun offers low angle light and long deep shadows. Take advantage of them. Use a polarizer. Try to keep the sun at a 90 deg. angle to your lens to maximize the effect of the polarizer. Look for reflections. Low angle light likes to bounce off reflective surfaces and offer beautiful shimmering artifacts.

Tip of the Day: Cold Weather Photography

2006-12-21T18:34:00.000-08:00

It is winter time now, and in many areas of the country a great time to go out and shoot. There are of course things to keep in mind to make our outings more productive. Batteries, especially rechargeable batteries, drain very quickly in the cold. Always carry more spares than you think you will need, because if you do not, you will surely need them. Always, be sure you are completely safe, and layer your clothing. People who do not plan ahead often return early and disappointed. Check all your gear before you go out, and attach things like hoods ahead of time. Doing all this with cold hands is less than pleasant.

Tip of the Day: Universal Lens Hoods

2006-12-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

If you still wonder why you even have a lens hood, you are likely not getting as much out of your lens as you expect. The hood is a wonderful accessory. It keeps stray light away from the lens, which reduces reflections, loss of focus, washed out photographs, etc. If you do use a lens hood, but hate having one for each lens, consider getting screw-in adjustable rubber hoods. They thread into the front of the lens, and because they are rubber, they can roll in and out to accommodate anywhere from a wide angle to a telephoto lens. The prices are typically low, around 15 dollars. This is definitely a worthy investment.

Tip of the Day: Maximizing Sharpness in Photographs

2006-12-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

We all strive for tack-sharp photographs, unfortunately more often than not our images are not as sharp as we had hoped. There are few basic improvements which we all can make to our workflow to improve sharpness in our photographs. First, if you are not already using a tripod, you should start. Hand-held photographs, even when shot at a very small fraction of a second (fast shutter speed) will exhibit some softness, which will be greatly exaggerated when shooting with a telephoto lens. The longer the lens, the more problematic camera shake will be. If tripod is not an option, shoot with a shutter speed greater than 1 / lens' focal length (i.e. for a 50mm lens DO NOT use shutter speed slower than 1/50 sec). Avoid shooting in the wind, whether with tripod or without. When long exposures are a must, stabilize your tripod, use a remote release, do not touch the camera, and make sure there is no zoom creep, if a telephoto zoom is used.

Tip of the Day: Purchasing a DSLR Camera Body, or a Camera Kit?

2006-12-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

We are right smack in the middle of holiday season, and if you have been thinking about getting a new Digital SLR, whether to replace your digital point-and-shoot, or a film camera now is a perfect time to make that purchase. Retailers are eager to make sales, especially now, during the holiday season. Manufacturers are also on board, and several released new models and packages including a camera and a lens or two. Naturally, you are wondering if you should get the kit, or just the body. I tell people that if they are just getting their first Digital SLR, or switching from film, they should get a kit, because the kit lenses are typically quite good, and you will get a very good deal altogether. Plus, there are many rebates available on camera kits. Manufacturers are eager to get you onto their system, and they offer good starter lenses to get you to become their permanent customer.

Tip of the Day: Personalized Holiday Greeting Cards

2006-12-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

We are of course nearing Christmas, and other religious holidays. If you are still thinking about what special thing to give people in your family, consider Personalized Greeting Cards. Kodakgallery.com is offering a large selection of styles to choose from, as well as layouts. Personalized cards are great for those who create scrapbooks, and of course anyone else in the family. They will no doubt leave a lasting impression, and will make a great gift for those with a tight budget.

Tip of the Day: Shallow Depth-of-Field in Photography

2006-11-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

If you shoot portraits with a fast lens, such as a 50mm f1.4 or f1.8, you may often run into a situation where part of the face feels soft, while another part of the face is in sharp focus. This is due to a very narrow depth of field which occurs when your lens is set to a very wide aperture. To resolve this issue, either stay back from your subject, or stop down the lens. If you need more blur in your backgrounds, try to separate your subject from the background, and it will be thrown out of focus.

Tip of the Day: Increasing Sharpness in Portraits

2006-11-29T12:00:00.000-08:00

Well, this tip may not make sense right away, but I promise this technique works. When the background in a photograph is distracting, a portrait will not look right. The more out of focus the background is, the better. This is because our brain will not pay as much attention to elements that are not in focus, and will naturally cause the eyes to seek out elements in focus. To increase the sharpness of the portrait, consider blurring out the surrounding area. Applying additional blur around the face will not make it sharper per se, but will cause an increase in perceived sharpness, because the rest of the photograph will be much blurrier. The easiest way to do this with Photoshop is with a layer mask. Create a copy of the background layer, and apply a blur filter to it. Once you got the blur the way you want it, create a layer mask, and use a soft brush to cover the area of the image which should remain sharp.

Black and White Photography Conversion Service

2006-11-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

Folks, I am happy to announce that we are finally offering a long time coming All-Digital Black and White Conversion Service. We have been working on Building this service for quite some time, and it is finally Live. Please, check it out. The service is ideal for Wedding Photography, Formal Photography, Portraiture, etc. We have perfected a Custom Process, which was based in many ways on Ansel Adams' famous Zone System. Check Out this new Black and White Conversion Service.

Tip of the Day: Cleaning Film Before Scanning

2006-11-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been disappointed with the quality of a film scan, because of small dust particles looking like dirty snow flakes on your screen? If so, you are not the only one. This happens to all of us. Rexton Anti-Static Film Cleaner is an ideal product. It , as the name implies creates an anti-static layer, which helps the film to stay clean. It is just an excellent product, and will keep your film dust-free, for scanning.

Tip of the Day: Using After-Market Inks

2006-11-12T12:00:00.000-08:00

If you are an advanced amateur, and are looking to switch to after-market inks, you have to take a few things into consideration first. Do not just go for the cheapest stuff out there, as you know, you get what you pay for. Name brand inks such as Media Street, and Lyson are of excellent quality, and meet, if not exceed manufacturer specifications. Keep in mind, you will need to refill cartridges, or use a bulk feed system. If you have never refilled a cartridge before, you may want to avoid the process, and get a bulk-feed system. Also, you will need to get your inks color-profiled, since they are not the same as the OEM. Creating a profile is not easy, and will likely require you to either pay a service to do it for you, or you will need to acquire a special color reader and profiling software. If you are comfortable with this, you are good to go.

Tip of the Day: Keeping your Gear Ready

2006-11-11T12:00:00.000-08:00

There is nothing worse than having to arrive at your shooting destination with little time before the actual shoot, and find that your lens or lenses are dirty and need to be cleaned. Surprisingly, this happens to many people, and causes them to loose great shooting ops. Clean your lenses ahead of time, and be sure they are ready to go.

Tip of the Day: A perfect Sunset

2006-11-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

Sunsets are a subject we all love to photograph. They are tricky, yet rewarding. They are short, and we often miss them, before we got that great photograph. Next time you plan to shoot a sunset, arrive early, at least 30 minutes before. To find out when the sun will be setting, check weather.com, and look up the Zip code of your shooting location. Determine which lens you will be using, and if you are planning to use more than one, make sure it is ready. If filters are to be used, attach them ahead of time. The setting sun is best about 20 minutes to until about 5 minutes before the sunset.

Tip of the Day: Using Cokin Filters for Landscape Photography

2006-11-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

Here's an easy tip. Instead of using round screw-in type filters, try a Cokin system for you landscape photography. The Cokin system is essentially an attaching filter holder, into which you can drop a huge variety of filters. Essential filters, such as split Neutral-Density, and other graduated filters become adjustable, and much more versatile. Plus, one filter will work on different sized lenses, with a lens adapter ring.

Tip of the Day: Zoom Lock

2006-11-07T12:00:00.000-08:00

If you are looking to purchase a long telephoto Zoom lens, consider getting one with a Zoom Lock feature. Due to the heft of some long zoom lenses, the barrel sometimes shifts, when the camera, with the lens attached is tilted. Many modern lenses come with a Zoom Lock, which will prevent this unwated creep.

Tip of the Day: Capturing Patterns in Your Photography

2006-11-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

By nature our minds and our eyes are drawn to patterns. When we try hard, we can find patterns in almost everything. A simple example is a picket fence, or a textured pattern on textiles. Interesting patterns also create interesting photographs. Look for old architectural elements such as doors with repeating patterns, windows, even shingled walls. Try a different angle, and you will find interesting images where you never thought to look before.

Tip of the Day: Why is Focal Length Important?

2006-11-05T12:00:00.000-08:00

Focal Length is a measure of how much closer you can bring a distant object. A normal lens in 35mm format is 50mm. Normal is a closest measure of what your naked eye sees, when you look at any given subject. In other words, Any lens above 50mm focal length will get you closer to your subject. This, for example means that a 500mm lens will get your subject 10x closer than a standard 50mm. The longer the focal length, the closer distant objects appear, and the narrower the angle of view is. On the other hand, wide-angle lenses have short focal lengths (16mm for example), and have a broad angle of view.

Tip of the Day: Manual Focusing

2006-11-04T12:00:00.000-08:00

Autofocus on most modern digital and film cameras is wonderful, quick, and in most cases very accurate. However, there are instances when it fails. Rather than wasting time trying to achieve focus in such a situation switch your lens, or camera to manual focusing. If you are lucky enough to have a distance scale on the lens barrel, learn to use it, and it will become a wonderful shortcut.

Tip of the Day: Concentrate on Textures

2006-11-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

Even the best of us sometimes run out of things to photograph. If you hit that point, it is time to move on to something else. Consider refocusing your efforts on textures. Photographing textures is often difficult, and require a lot of attention to detail. I find that old things, buildings, doors, and other many natural subjects have an excellent and often unique texture. Remember, textures are usually lost in direct sunlight. Look for shadows, and indirect lighting. Look for partly lit scenes. Be sure to close in on the subject enough to capture its texture. Do not be afraid to crop in tight and use a bit of flash as a way of creating shadows, which will make the textures pop.

Tip of the Day: Photography in the Snow

2006-11-02T12:00:00.000-08:00

The winter is coming and the snow season is around the corner. Shooting snow is often a rather bothersome endevour, never mind frustrating. Because cameras seek to average out the scene, in order to get a good overall exposure, the snow, being a lot white than anything else is usually exposed gray. Not what we want. Next time, take a meter reading of the snow with you camera, lock the exposure, and add another 1 1/2 to 2 stops. Recompose the scene, and shoot. Now we are talking, white snow!

Tip of the Day: Insulating your Tripod

2006-11-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

I do not know about you, but my tripod's bare legs get stone cold on windy cool fall and winter days. Many modern tripods are equipped with insulation sleeves pulled over their legs. If yours is not one of them, here is a quick and easy fix. Check your local hardware store, like Lowes, Home Depot, or Ace, and pick up a piece of pipe insulation. Typical 1 inch and 1 1/4 inch insulation will work very well, and keep you from freezing off your fingers. Look for self sealing insulation, which has an adhesive liner in the slit. Cut it to size, and you are good to go. Three to four bucks, and your fingers will thank you.

Tip of the Day: Cold Weather Shooting

2006-10-31T12:00:00.000-08:00

The winter is almost here, and you no doubt want to go and shoot some winter scenery. Before you go out into the cold, remember to protect your gear. If the temperature is below freezing, the camera will collect snow, which will quickly turn into moisture; not good for your camera. Get a disposable shower cap, and use it like a glove for your camera. It does work, and you still have full control over your camera.

Tip of the Day: Leaves and Macro Photography

2006-10-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

Now is the perfect time to pick a day and go out to your nearest park, or any other wooded area and collect some beautiful leaves. Look for leaves that just fell off, or are still attached. They will still have all the brilliance and luster. You could always take a few shots while there, just forget a tripod. Take the most attractive leaves with you, and shoot them when you get home. Hopefully you already have at least a minimal macro setup, which you could use to capture their intricate details.

Tip of the Day: Photographing Coins

2006-10-29T12:00:00.000-08:00

If you are a collector and trader of coins, you may have already experienced the struggles with photographing your coins. If so, this tip may help. Good lighting is essential when shooting coins. To produce an evenly lit coin, consider acquiring a light tent with a open top. This will allow you to shoot down, into the tent. If you do not have any artificial lights, consider placing the tent on a small table next to north facing window. Any overcast day will present an excellent opportunity to shoot your coins. If a tent is not in your budget, a cylinder made out of a large sheet of white paper will work as well. Different paper has different thickness, and thus passes light differently, so do not use cardboard. You may need an external light source, like a desk lamp lighting the side of the cylinder. If you are planning to photograph a lot of coins, and need to get very accurate photos, you will need a tripod with tilting center column. This type of a tripod allows for the center column to become horizontal, which will hang the camera directly above your tent, instead of an angle.

Tip of the Day: Photographing Light Rays

2006-10-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I am always captivated by photographs with beautiful light rays streaking through the leaves, or a tree canopy. This is not the easiest thing to photograph, so here are some tips on getting it right. First, the time is typically early in the morning when the sun is just getting up. Look for a misty day, any fog, or other atmosheric conditions create exellent artifacts, which make your photographs more surreal. Use a smaller aperture, perhaps f/11 and above. Be sure to have a tripod. You may not need any filters, but bringing a graduated neutral density will not hurt, and may proof rather useful.

Tip of the Day: Depth of Field in Macro Images

2006-10-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Are you starting to shoot macro with your digital camera? If so, you no doubt have been trying different modes, including the macro setting. If however, you are still not quite satisfied with how much of the image is in focus, it is time to switch to Aperture Priority Setting. Most digital cameras, and ALL digital SLRs have this setting. Depending upon what you shoot, set it anywhere between f/8 and f/22. Experiment, and you will eventually achieve the results you want.

Tip of the Day: Capturing Rainbows With Your Camera

2006-10-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

Driving through the park one day, I realized how easy it is to capture rainbows, when there's sun and the sprinkler systems are running. On a sunny day, make a trip out to your neighborhood park, and find a sprinkler running. Look for the sun, and if you position yourself directly facing it, through the stream of water, you will see a beautiful rainbow. Slow your camera down enough to capture a smooth flowing stream, somewhere around 1/30 to 1/60 sec. and take some shots. Use a tripod to avoid blur.

Tip of the Day: Intentional Blur

2006-10-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

While blur is something we try to avoid, in most cases, sometimes it is actually desired. I have seen some very interesting abstract photographs where blur was used. Consider going out to a nearby park, a forest, or another densely planted area, look up into the tree canopies, and take a few shots introducing shake purposely. I must admit, digital will help a lot in this case, as you will be evaluating and deleting a lot of photos.

Tip of the Day: Holiday Special Cards

2006-10-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Are you wondering what to give your family members for the holidays. Looking to give something memorable? Consider turning your holiday photographs into beautiful Fold Cards. While you could make them yourself, with a little creativity, consider having them done by a Photography service such as Kodak Gallery, or Mpix.com. Both offer choice of papers, sizes, and a host of other creative opportunities. Put your pumpkin patch photographs to work, and get cards customized for your family.

Tip of the Day: Tokina 80-400mm Super Telephoto Lens

2006-10-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

The All-New Tokina AT-X 840 AF D 80-400mm f 4/5.6 is a a lot to love. This lens makes super-telephoto photography affordable to more casual and amateur photographers. This lens is fairly light for its range, 35.9 ounces. This lens is very sharp, and the contrast is excellent, thanks in no small part to new coatings developed for D-SLRs. The lens is built very well, and while it is not the fastest lens in this focal range, it is certainly the fastest in the price range. While the retail of this lens is lsted at $1,240, you will find it for a lot less. Expect to pay no more than approximately half the retail cost, plus shipping. Lens is equipped with a tripod mount, and a cleverly designed hood. If you are looking to move into the field of outdoor telephoto photography, this lens will get you there, and not break the bank.

Tip of the Day: The Sun is the Center of Everything

2006-10-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Several hundred years ago we considered the sun to be at the center of the universe. We know better today. While the sun is beatiful at times, it should not always be placed right in the center of your shot. Consider offsetting the sun either to the left or to the right. While I am not big on sticking to rules in photography, the rule of "Thirds" applies in this case. Try placing the sun in either the upper or lower left, or right corners of your shot. This creates a sensation of either a sunrise or a sunset.

Tip of the Day: Sunsets, How to Get the Light to be Just Right!

2006-10-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

Sunsets are a magical time when the sky is filled with brilliantly glowing bands of multi-colored light. The light is beautiful, and all subjects below the split of the horizon are enhanced under this glow. However, capturing sunsets with a camera is complicated, due the dynamic changes in the lighting across the scene. To make your shooting easier, learn to use the meter on your camera, and if you are shooting with a more than a basic digital point-and-shoot camera, or an SLR, you will no doubt have an "Exposure Lock" button, which will in many cases have an Asterisk [*] icon representing it. Point the camera away from the sun, as it will cause the camera to under-expose the photo. Press the Exposure Lock button while looking at a fairly neutral part of the scene. Remember, the camera measues light through the lens, so where you look is where the camera is going to look. After you pressed the "Exposure Lock" button, recompose the shot, and take the picture.

Tip of the Day: Shooting Architecture

2006-10-19T18:49:00.000-07:00

Architectural photography is a difficult subject, simply because architecture is so complex at times, and requires a lot of attention and patience. Try to shoot buildings without tilting the camera upwards, or downwards. This emphasizes lens distortion and causes buildings to "lean". Try to shoot buildings to excentuate their geometry. Look for repeating elements which stand out, and attempt to isolate them. Take perspective into account, and try to shoot down a hallway, a stairway, or a row of columns. Use a wide angle lens, which increases depth, and creates an illution of grandure. Pay close attention to the edges of your image; if the camera is tilted enough, the edges will not be straight, and the buildings will seem asymmetrical. Use a tripod, and take your time to fine tune the image.

Tip of the Day: Photoshop Adjustment Layers

2006-10-18T20:13:00.000-07:00

If you are using Photoshop to fine tune your photographs, and find yourself adjusting the saturation, or the levels quite frequently, consider using Adjustment Layers. Since Photoshop CS, Adjustment Layers have been introduced, and became extremely popular with many Photoshop users. The big advantage of the layers is how quickly you can apply them, and how quickly the changes could be made. You can of course stack them, and hide and un-hide them at any time to compare results. Simply click on a round, semi-filled icon in the Layers Palette, and choose from the many available tools. I almost always create a Curves Adjustment Layer, which lets me adjust for blacks and whites, and I always aim for a smooth S-Curve which saturates the colors and increases contrast.

Tip of the Day: Light Tent and Macro Photography

2006-10-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you are starting to fiddle around with macro photography, but are not ready to spend hundreds and hundreds of dollars, I have a tip for you. Get a light tent. If you have never seen one before, you need to check them out. Just do a search on line, and you will find many different ones. The most common are square, and made of a translucent white material. They are open in the front, which allows you to position your "subject" inside and light it up from both sides. A light tent diffuses light coming in and creates soft pleasing textures, and subtle shadows. Check out eBay for ready-to-go kits with two lights and a light box.

Tip of the Day: A Simple Reflector for Merchandise Photography

2006-10-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you are looking to shoot merchandise for eBay, or other sales purposes, it is important to make your photographs look professional, and clear. If your budget is small, this will get you started on the right path. Place a small table near a northern window, since it will offer softer more diffuse light, and use a large white poster board bent down the middle at 90 degrees. Place it on its side to form a triangle on the side opposite the window. Overcast days will be best, as the light will be very soft. Even this simple setup will produce excelent photography which will satisfy 90% of your needs.

Time to Visit a Pumpkin Patch

2006-10-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is Autumn again, and it is probably snowing in some parts of the country. However, a little snow should not stop you from leaving home to visit a near-by pumpkin patch. Yesterday, I visited near-by country side, and was surprised to see so many people with their digital and film cameras out, and their kids on top of giant pumpkins. This is the time for kids to have fun, and you to get some good photos. Even when the days are overcast, the color of pumpkins is a beautiful orange, and creates a lot of interest in photographs. Since kids enjoy pumpkin hunting to begin with, take them out, and get some close-up shots with them on, near, and on top of the pumpkins. If there's snow, the contrast will be much greater, so try to avoid anything really dark in the photo, as the snow may be averaged out by the camera to a pale gray. Be creative, and use hay, or other props that are so common to pumpkin patches. Counterintuitively, try some photos in black and white, and you will be surprised as to how good they actually are.

Tip of the Day: Cleaning Your Digital SLR Camera

2006-10-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you just got your first Digital SLR, or you are just not sure how to go about cleaning out the camera behind the lens, this quick tip should help. First, purchase a quality bulb blower. My personal favorite is a Giotto's Rocket Air. This blower is made out of 100% natural rubber, and pushes a lot of air on every squeeze. To clean: take the lens off, and flip the camera so that the lens mount is facing towards the ground. Blow air directly below the opening. Repeat several times, and check the camera. Most if not all dust should be gone. Do not flip the camera up, and use the blower, because you will only be pushing the dust back in. If the mirror is really dirty, use cotton swabs dabbed in pure alcohol (nothing less than 92% pure), and clean the mirror. Use a microfiber cloth, designed for optical cleaning to clean your camera's body, and the lens element. Alcohol will help to clean tough stains and grease.

Tip of the Day: Shooting Around Gray Skies

2006-10-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

It is that time of season when saturated blue skies in many states are replaced by often textureless, lifeless, dark gray tarps. Not exactly the most desirable skies for an outdoor photographer. While it is next to impossible to change the sky, try to use a graduated blue filter, which will help add color to your skies, and improve your shooting opportunities significantly. Even when the sky does not cooperate, consider going out to wooded areas, since many trees are at the peak of shedding beautiful red, golden, and yellow foliage. Instead of shooting landscapes, collect some beautiful leaves, and shoot some macros.

Tip of the Day: Bean Bag Photography

2006-10-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

Next time you are planning a trip, whether a family vacation, or a dedicated photography adventure and you do not expect to need a tripod, consider getting the POD. It is essentially a bean bag with a tripod mount scew on it. The 1/4 inch screw attaches to your camera, and the bag may be fitted securely in many different areas, whether on a tree branch, the hood of your care, any flat serface, whatever. You will quickly begin wondering how you survived without it before.

Tip of the Day: Shopping for a New Digital Camera

2006-10-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you are in the market for your first digital SLR, you are no doubt trying to decide amongst the large selection of brands and cameras. It has never been better to buy a digital camera than it is today. Of course, one thing holds true about technology: it ages very quickly, and will continuously improve. Nonetheless, today, a good consumer Digital SLR will run you around 1000 dollars, and will capture images at a resolution high enough to produce excellent 13x19's and larger, even when the image is cropped. Recently, Canon released their upgraded Digital Rebel, which they named XTi. This camera was built as a direct competition to Sony's Alpha 100. Both cameras have a 10 Megapixel Digital Sensor, and have many features of high end digital cameras. You cannot go wrong with either camera. Aim for a camera with a sensor no less than 8 Megapixels, so even cropped images will have enough resolution to print larger than 8x10's.

Tip of the Day: Used Photography Gear

2006-10-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

One question my friends and co-workers often ask me is: "How can I get a very good camera for little money?" The answer is simple. Buy the equipment used. A used camera, or a lens, if taken care of properly will mean significant savings, which will allow you to get a much higher end camera than you would if you were to buy new. Keep this in mind: a high-end used camera or lens is still better than a low-end new camera or lens. Buying used has become much easier with places like eBay. Many stores on eBay are selling used photography gear. Look for a reputable seller, who provides a good description, and good photographs of the gear. Most good sellers rank their product on a scale, which helps you understand how used it really is. With a little luck you will get good gear that will last you for years for as much as 90% off from the original price. Ask questions, quick and good responses mean the seller is commited.

Tip of the Day: Photographing Sunsets

2006-10-10T18:23:00.000-07:00

During those few precious moments, when the sun is setting down, the skies, as well as everything else lit by the setting sun is golden and beautifully colored. Sometimes though, when we shoot, the pictures we capture do not do justice to what we actually saw. To resolve this problem, consider getting a sunset filter. Yes, there is such a thing. It really makes those yellows, oranges and reds Pop! A sunset filter is graduated, which means that its strength is decreased gradually to compensate for a split between the sky, and the land. If you are using an interchangeable lens camera, consider a square type filter, since you will be able to use it on several lenses. If your camera has a fixed lens (permanently affixed to the camera) find a screw-in filter which will match the size of the lens.

Tip of the Day: Bird Photography

2006-10-09T09:52:00.000-07:00

Many people enjoy photographing birds. Many challenges are presented to you as the photographer if you choose to shoot birds. First, most birds are quick, they fly, and are very tuned into their surround. As the photographer, you will need a long telephoto lens, skill and patience. Most of us cannot afford Fast and Expensive telephoto lenses, so we have to settle for slower budget ones. To compensate, try to shoot during the day. While many birds are most active at dawn and dusk, shooting in bright light will give your budget telephoto enough speed to suppress blur. If blur is intended, try to pan the camera horizontally on a tripod. Horizontal panning is ideal for flying birds. To practice, spend some time shooting pegions. If you live in a city, there are thousands of them everywhere.

Tip of the Day: Reflectors Improve Lighting

2006-10-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

Many people think that reflectors are only used by pros, and those very serious about photography. This could not be further from the truth. The fact is, reflectors are cheap, easy to use, and are extremely useful in many different styles of photography. You may find a folding multi-reflector from major retailers such as Adorama, and BH Photo and Video for under 40 dollars. If you are on a real budget you can make your own. Look for an article which will be coming out soon, about making a DIY reflector. Keep in mind, reflectors can reflect and at the ame time modify light. Try a golden reflector, and it will bounce warm light onto your subjects. Remember, they are not just for studio use, take one outdoors, and see how much better your portraits could be.

Tip of the Day: Macro Attachments for Digital Cameras

2006-10-07T12:00:00.000-07:00

Many people love to shoot macro photography. Whether you choose to hunt for ladybugs and spiders in your nearby park, or the small berries hanging from the bush in your yard, the choices are endless. Unfortunately, unless you use an Interchangeable Lens Camera, shooting Macro is too difficult, because most compact cameras are not really designed for macro photography. However, there is something that may help. There are Close-up adapters available for many Point-and-Shoot cameras. These adapters allow you to focus close to your subject, thus increasing magnification. Beware, some are better than others. If it is priced very low, chances are, the quality is the same. Check out eBay, as the selections of these close-up adapters there is great!

Tip of the Day: Beautiful Fall Colors

2006-10-06T19:43:00.000-07:00

Fall is the time to go out and capture all its beautiful color. Depending on where you live, the nature is different, but the colors are equally brilliant. Fall colors are at their most brilliant in the early hours of day, and close to sunset. Use a wide angle lens to capture vistas. Consider shooting streaming water against red and orange foliage, as the contrast is vast. If the reds are not red enough, use an enhancing filter, which increases saturation in red and yellow hues.

Tip of the Day: Shooting Fruits

2006-10-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Food photography is as much art as it is science. It is almost unbelievable how much work professional food photographers and their help put into capturing a plate of food. Do not be fooled; it is no easy task, but here are a few quick suggestions to make it easier for a more average photographer. First, be sure to light your fruits either with natural light, or artificial. Try to make the fruits side-lit. Low side lighting will introduce texture, and increase shadows. Color will be more saturated as well. Consider using a reflector, even if it was made from a piece of cardboard, and foil. Try to lightly mist the fruits with a spray bottle, but don't over-do-it. Mix a little sugar, or glycerin, which will make the droplets slightly larger, and more sticky. Try to use fruits that are rougher, like peaches for example, because they will retain droplets longer.

Tip of the Day: Long Exposures with a Timer

2006-10-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

If you shoot a lot in the dark, and use a tripod, you really should already have a remote control, or a remote shutter release for your camera. It is essential to make sure that your camera is completely still, when shooting long exposures. Any small vibration, even from pressing the shutter, may cause blur. There is an easy solution to this. Try to use a timer next time you shoot from a tripod. Enable the time and press the shutter. This way, the camera will have time to dissipate the tiny vibrations from you pressing the shutter, and the image will be sharper.

Tip of the Day: Essential Filter for Landscapes

2006-10-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you like to capture nature, there are a few filters which will turn good images into great images. If you were to only have one filter, a circular polarizer would be it. It is a must, especially when you are shooting skies. A good circular polarizer sqweezes all the beautiful colors out of the skies. At the same time, you can use it to turn water from puddle green to beautiful blue, solid black, or soft aqua. It saturates colors, and increases contrast in vegitation as well. Some polarizers are tinted, and turn any scene from beautiful red to sephire blue. These effects are great, and are very easy to apply with a single, extremely useful filter.

Tip of the Day: Taking Advantage of the Sun

2006-10-01T12:00:00.000-07:00

We all enjoy outdoor photography, and there are many reasons for it. First, we are outdoors, we are exploring, we are on an adventure. We are experiencing new places, new scenery, etc. Next time you plan to go out to shoot outside, maximize the use of the sun. If you have a place scouted, get there early, as the morning sun rises quickly, and the beautiful red, yellow, and golden skies disappear very quickly. Don't shoot around noon, because the sun is directly above you, and washes out saturated colors. Wait until later, when the sun is setting. You have approximately 30 minutes to capture beautiful sunset skies.

Tip of the Day: Panning your Camera

2006-09-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Panning is a rather difficult effect to perfect. There is no easy way to do it, but there are a few things you can do to make it easier. First, practice with a digital camera. Try to practice on cars. Get far enough away from the road to be able to track a vehicle, and set your camera to a fairly wide aperture. You want the background to display enough motion blur to make the image more realistic. At the same time the vehicle, or your main subject needs to remain relatively sharp. Experiment, and you will find a sweet spot, in terms of distance to your subject, and shutter speed. Try to use a tripod, and unlock the X axis to allow panning, you may find that it is easier to pan smoothly with a tripod, rather than hand-held.

Tip of the Day: Choosing Luster Paper Finish

2006-09-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Do you have some wedding photographs, or portraits in Black and White, and you are trying to pick a paper to print them? Instead of the more traditional matte, or glossy, consider Luster finish. This finish is somewhere between matte and glossy, and offers the best of both. It has a smooth sheen, and at the same time saturates colors, and darks. Your black and whites will look excellent.

Tip of the Day: Chrome, Reflective Photography

2006-09-26T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you run out of interesting things to photograph, consider chrome. If enjoy black and white photography, chrome is great. It will reflect, and distort anything around it, and creates very interesting images. In black and white appearance of chrome is unmatched. Just give it a try, and see where it takes you. Get closer, and use a wide angle lens.

Tip of the Day: Posting Photographs in your Album

2006-09-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

If your creative spirit calls for beautiful collages on large poster boards or use full page albums, and struggle with scotch tape every time, try this... 3M makes an ATG - Adhesive Transfer Gun, which dispenses thin strips of adhesive. All it takes is a couple of strokes across the back of the photo, and it is perfectly attached. Just make sure the tape you use is marked Acid-Free, as it will be safe for photography.

Tip of the Day: Remote Trigger

2006-09-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Ok, did you ever wonder why some of the shots you take from your tripod still appear blurry? It is because you had the trigger the shutter on the camera, and introduced a minute amount of motion which spoiled that great shot. If so, get a remote trigger. Most if not all modern cameras are equipped with a small port to which the release attaches. It is nothing more than a small controller with a cord, and a jack which corresponds to the port on the camera. It is much easier to shoot this way, and because the signal is electric, you do not have to carefully place your finger on the shutter, and hope that you will not blur the picture. This is a very useful device; get one!

Tip of the Day: Capturing Sunsets

2006-09-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

Photographing sunsets is sometimes frustrating, and more difficult than it should be. It is even more difficult if you have a point-and-shoot camera. Here are quick suggestions to improve your sunsets. First, get a tripod, and scout a nice are ahead of time. Your shooting time will be very short. The time sets quickly. When you are ready to shoot, do not point your camera straight at the sun, instead try to meter it against a neutral background, and lock the exposure. With a digital camera bracketing is easy, so bracket exposures. Do not use a wide aperture, make it small, and shoot from the tripod. Try using a polarizer, if you have one, the effect will be interesting.

Tip of the Day: Artisticly Mounting Photography

2006-09-22T12:00:00.000-07:00

Many people keep several albums with printed photography at home. Most of these people are very creative with mounting their photos in photo albums. I was hoping to offer another alternative, which I think many people will like. If you always apply the glue, or tape to the back side of the photos, consider doing the opposite. Use four pieces of acid-free linen tape, hand-torn, to secure the four corners of your photos. It may seem a bit sloppy at first, but it will grow on you, I promise. The hand-torn tape has soft and pleasing edges, and adds to the overall interest.

Tip of the Day: Intimate Outdoor Portraits

2006-09-21T12:00:00.000-07:00

Portraits tend to be more intimate than other types of photography. They are also much more difficult to capture, because every individual has that perfect angle, and even a slight variation of light's angle may ruin a lot of things. When you are outside with your loved one, or a friend and are shooting portraits there are a few things that will make your photos better. First, do not use a wide angle lens, as they tend to distort perspective. Use a lens in the range of 80 to 105mm. This is the ideal focal length range. Avoid standing too far away. Get close, turn on fill-flash, and try to capture a few candids. Do not shoot with the sun directly above, you will not be happy with the harshness of midday sun.

Tip of the Day: Scanning Old Film

2006-09-20T12:00:00.000-07:00

Are you jumping on the digital band wagon, and getting ready to digitze your film? If so, you have two options. One, you do it yourself, and two, you have someone else do it. If you have several hundred frames, which you want scanned, let someone else do it. It is worth shopping around, because many digital minilabs scan film, and put images on CDs or DVDs for you. Because of this competition prices are fairly low, and many places offer discounts on bulk orders. Unless you already have a good batch scanner, save your money, and let the lab do it. Sort your film ahead of time, this will make it easier for you later, since the film will be scanned in the order in which you submit it.

Tip of the Day: Mounting Photography into Mats

2006-09-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you are like most people, you simply go out, purchase a picture frame, and place your photograph right in. However, if you are starting to mat your photography, you are no doubt confused to some extent about which materials you should be using. The easiest and quickest way to start out, get an ATG, also known as the Adhesive Transfer Gun, made by 3M, and other manufacturers. Be sure to purchase Acid-Free tape. This gun applies thin strips of adhesive, and will make your matting and some framing tasks a breeze. You may also use it for your scrapbook projects. Keep in mind, this adhesive is very difficult to separate, so use caution when positioning photos.

Tip of the Day: What's a Lithograph

2006-09-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you are in the market for a very large photograph, or a poster, you may be looking at lithographs in your local gallery and not even know it. A lithograph is quite a bit different from a photograph, since it is not produced from a digital print file, or from a film slide or a negative. Instead, a negative is used to expose the emulsion which was applied to paper. This process creates a positive image. A special printing press is used then to apply colors to the exposed positive image on paper. The process is very complex, and interesting. However, should you consider such a print? Absolutely! If you are a fan of beautiful saturated colors, you will low lithographs. The prints are typically extremely saturated. Check one out, and you will no doubt want one.

Tip of the Day: Custom Frames

2006-09-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you shop for your photography online, or in local galleries you will discover that framed photography is usually much more expensive than if you just purchased it matted. Stop by your local Art supplies store, and find out whether or not they do custom framing; 9 out of 10 stores do. It will likely cost you less to get it framed in the store, and as a bonus you will have many, many more options in frame styles, colors and materials. It always helps to shop around.

Tip of the Day: DIY Padded Foam Inserts

2006-09-16T12:23:00.000-07:00

If you are like most people, every dollar counts, and expensive cases, bagpacks, and shoulder bags, which have been specifically designed for photography gear may be out of your price range. If so, consider this... Foam padding which comes with many computer parts today is an excellent material to use as an insert for a regular bagpack, or a shoulder bag. Consider getting a spacious shoulder bag, and with the help of foam inserts, line the bottom of the bag, and use as separators for your lenses and other gear. For a small fraction of the money, your gear will be safe and protected from moderate impact.

Tip of the Day: Keeping your Gear Safe

2006-09-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you travel with your gear a lot, keeping it all safe and secure is no doubt, at the top of your list. If so, consider Hardigg Stormcase iM 2306. It is built out of idestructable HPX Resin, and has nicely padded spaces inside to keep all your gear safe and secure. This case is not for everyone, however if your gear runs into thouands, this one is a must.

Tip of the Day: Simple Portraits Outside

2006-09-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Now-a-days most non-photographer types carry small digital point-and-shoot cameras. These cameras are not exactly ideal for capturing stunning portraits. However, with a little attention to details, and this tip you will do well even with a sub-compact. First, shoot in an area with a simple background. Some colors work better than others. If you are shooting lighter skin tones, darker background is best. Opposite is true for darker skin tones. Shoot with sun light to your side of in front. Avoid direct sunlight, especially if it is directly behind your subject(s). Get close to your subject, and crop in tight. Tighter framing is more intimate and personal. Staying close to your subject(s) will blur the background more, and make the faces appear sharper.

Tip of the Day: Metering in Difficult Light

2006-09-13T20:09:00.000-07:00

If you are trying to shoot in difficult lighting, and do not have a good spot meter, or a gray card to meter against, stick out your palm in front of the camera, and take a reading. Lock the reading and shoot. Nine out of ten times you will get an accurate exposure.

Tip of the Day: Trips to National Parks

2006-09-12T18:15:00.000-07:00

If you are planning to make your way to your nearest State or National Park, and plan to shoot while there there are several things that you can do ahead of time to improve your shooting experience. First of all, check the National or State Parks Web sites, and find out what the best months to visit are. Remember, the sun rises very early in the spring and summer months, so you will have to wake up with it, if you go at that time. Some parks look their best in Fall, others in Winter. Do your research. Bring only the absolutely necessary gear. You will need to travel light, especially if you are planning long hikes. Leave room for survival gear. Bring a wide angle lens, and a long telephoto zoom. A sturdy tripod is a must have. Extra flash cards are a must. If the weather is not in your favor, your batteries may run out more quickly. Make sure you have a way to charge them. Or do what I do, and bring a manual film camera as your backup.

Tip of the Day: Photographing Kids

2006-09-10T20:15:00.000-07:00

It seems to always be a pain to sit your children down, and get a very nice portrait. If you experienced this more than once consider getting your child, or children engaged in something they like to do, and try to shoot some candids. Granted, you will need to pick a photography friendly environment, but you will be amazed how good some of the candids will turn out. Avoid telling the kids that they are going to be photographed, as the expectation will likely reduce the possibility of candids.

Tip of the Day: Portraits in Natural Light

2006-09-09T16:29:00.000-07:00

While many photographers prefer a studio setup with several lights, diffusers, and other light modifying equipment, most of us simply cannot afford to do something like this. If you are trying to figure out how to take good portraits, while on a budget try these suggestions. First of all, natural light is much more diffuse than any artificial setup. Remember, the sun is BIG! A room with a large window is ideal. A west, north-west facing window is ideal. Aim for days that are somewhat overcast, as the light will be very soft. A muslin background is ideal, but may be too expensive for some people. To get a nice background for much less, make a trip to your nearest fabrics store. You will be surprised how good the selection is. You will also need to add a couple of hooks in your ake-shift studio, which will be used to attach the fabric. If you have a support stand to hang your background, even better. Don't worry about wrinkles, they add interest to the background. Position your subject 45 to 90 degrees to the window... Shoot...

Tip of the Day: Fill Flash to Unhide Details

2006-09-08T20:21:00.000-07:00

If you shoot a lot of portraits outside during day, you without a doubt have encountered situations where the background was rendered properly, but the individual in the foreground is very dark. Fill flash will save you, and help you properly expose both your foreground, and background. Every situation is different, but you should aim for -2 to - 2 1/2 stops of flash compensation. This will assure that just enough light is added to light up those shadows, and reveal precious detail.

Tip of the Day: Prints on Canvas

2006-09-07T18:40:00.000-07:00

Are you wondering whether or not you should get some of your photographs printed on canvas? If so, take this advice... Portraits are some of the best subjects to reproduce on canvas, with nature coming in at a close second. Send your photos to a reputable lab which uses high quality materials, and acid-free canvas. The Lab will use professional printers which will produce much better results than a typical inkjet people keep at home. Expect beautiful saturated colors, and while they are pricey, they are well worth it.

Tip of the Day: Shooting Nature's Landscapes

2006-09-06T18:33:00.000-07:00

Nature photography is the most popular photographic subject, and because the nature is in constant change, it offers an infinite number of possibilities. The same exact scene captured minutes apart will in some cases appear completely different. That's the true beauty of nature. To maximize your shooting potential, shoot either early at sunrise, or later close to sunset. If you are planning to capture a sunrise, or a sunset, scout, and setup ahead of time. Every minute is precious. Do not bring dozens of lenses, and more than one camera. Make your setup simple, and versatile. Bring a sturdy tripod, and a quality zoom lens. A zoom lens will help you maximize the scene, and capture more than one aspect of it without moving an inch.

Tip of the Day: Size your Frame to your Photograph

2006-09-05T18:10:00.000-07:00

Finding a perfect frame for your photo is not too hard. However, try to avoid one common mistake. People often get a frame which is too wide for the size of the photo. Smaller photos should be mounted into narrower frames so as to not detract attention from the photo itself. The frame should be eligant, but not overwhelming, and distracting. Remember, you want people to look at your photography, not the frame.

Tip of the Day: Choosing Paper for your Matted Photography

2006-09-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

Now-a-days, there are many different choices in paper, whether you print yourself, in the lab, or purchase your photography either online, or through your local gallery. Your choice of finish is ultimately your preference, however consider the following. Matte, and Lustre finishes ususally increase color saturation, and depth. Also, if there are rays of light striking the area where the photos will be hanging, or standing, glossy papers will create strong reflections, and the colors will look washed out, when the light hits them. Your other option is a canvas, which is not as common, but excellent for certain photography. I suggest you take a look at canvas in your local gallery. Canvas is especially good for photos 20x30" and larger.

Pesky Red Eye "Effect"

2006-08-27T08:31:00.000-07:00

If you are using a compact digital camera, you no doubt have noticed that many of the photos containing your family and/or friends, which you shoot in low light end up with that pesky red-eye. We all dread it, and try to do whatever it takes to avoid. Unfortunately, because of the compact size of your typical digital camera, the built-in flash is also very close to the lens. The trouble is, when the flash is so close to the lens, it strikes the eyes almost directly, and the reflection occurs, which in turn is bounced straight towards the camera, and is captured in your photos. If you have a digital camera with an external flash mount, consider getting a small external flash. Many digital cameras have these "shoes" (mounts), to attach an external flash. Moving the flash even a bit off-center will often do the trick, and give you good natural colored eyes. If this is not an option, consider shooting your subjects at a small angle, instead of looking straight at them. This will prevent direct reflections, and reduce or eliminate red-eye.

Tip of the Day: Matching a Mat to Your Walls

2006-08-25T19:46:00.000-07:00

Displaying photography on the walls does not take much effort. However, try to complement the color of the wall, and the tone of the image with its mat. Consider purchasing a small color wheel. They are typically cheap, and since they do not take any sort of abuse, will last, and last. They make it easy to find complementary colors, and will help you make the most of your matted photos.

Tip of the Day: Shooting on the Road

2006-08-24T17:07:00.000-07:00

If you like to travel, and capture photography while on the road, then you know you share the difficulties of shooting at night, or in other low-light situations. Often, a tripod is too cumbersome to lump around, and most aspiring photographers do not have assistants. Consider a sturdy monopod. They are much lighter, and take a lot less time to open up, and close. They are not as good as tripods, but much better than holding the camera with no support. Of course, if you have spare cash, opt for a lens, or a camera with built-in image stabilizer.

Tip of the Day: Check Your Flash Card before Traveling

2006-08-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

Most of us now-a-days shoot digital, and we rely on our flash cards to reliably capture and store our images. Before taking off on your next adventure, make sure you check your cards, and better yet, format them with your computer. If you encounter any problems with formatting, the card may have gone bad. And Yes, they do go bad. Do yourself a favor, and check them ahead of time.

Tip of the Day: Different Angle

2006-08-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

If your photography feels a bit uninspired, change the angle of view, or distance to the subjet. Surprisingly, even common everyday subjects become very interesting. Are you shooting historic architecture? Get close, and capture texture. Capture patterns to emphasize design. Shooting small animals, flowers or streams? Get very, very low, and use a wide angle lens.

Tip of the Day

2006-08-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

We are going to try and add a new tip every day.
Here's today's Tip:

Are you still using single-use batteries in your digital or film camera? Switch to rechargables. While the initial investment in a charger, and batteries may seem high, it will pay for itself quickly. Stay away from unknown brands. Consider Sony, Sanyo, Duracell, and Lenmar. Look for high capacity batteries ranging from 2500 to 3000 mAh. Batteries are usually labeled. With new batteries try to not drain them completely for the first few weeks. Drain them part-way, and recharge them. This will condition the batteries, and maximize their capacity, and life.

Looking for Contributors

2006-08-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

We are working hard to produce quality, well-written articles, which our readers will find helpful, interesting, and will hopefully make our Wiki a favorite of theirs. However, we need help! If you are interested in photography, or are seriously involved, please consider helping us, and join us as a contributor to WorldonPaper's Wiki. You will become an important part of the team, and will be helping others through your input.

New Article: Selecting an Album for your Photography

2006-08-16T19:55:00.000-07:00

Now-a-days there is an abundance of of photography, and preservation products on the market, and choosing the right photo album is not too difficult. However, there are a few things which you should consider before getting an album. This article will cover all the basics and give you a useful advise. This article will help get the right album, which you will enjoy for years. Read Article.

New Article: Wall-Mounting Matted and Framed Photography

2006-08-16T18:56:00.000-07:00

The final step to displaying great photography involves mounting it on your walls. While this sounds very simple, it may seem intimidating to people new to photography, and those who do not consider themselves do-it-yourself-ers. This article will give you all the information you need to get started. It will teach you which basic tools you will need, and how to properly space out and center your photographs, no matter how many you are planning to display. Read Article.

Sharing Your Knowledge with Others

2006-08-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

Most of us collect different, and often unique skills and approaches to how we do things, as we progress through our lives. Few of us decide that it is only fair to share the more useful skills and tips with others. If you are one of the few willing to share your expertise, and your skills with others, we hope you will consider using our Article Wiki. This system was built with customers and other photographers in mind. The Wiki is a great resource, and with the help of knowledgable photographers, decorators, designers, etc., we will make this system grow, and gain authority and popularity. So, consider contributing to our Article Wiki. You will be helping many, many others.

How do I Start Selling my Photography?

2006-08-10T18:29:00.000-07:00

Today, photography has become so common, every household has a camera. Every day more and more people buy a digital camera to replace their outdated film camera. Because of this abundance people give up on any hopes of making profit from their photography. Unfortunately, with a huge selection of photography available on the internet and many galleries which seem to pop up everywhere, selling is becoming harder every day. Now, I am not saying that it is impossible, just difficult. The toughest thing is competition, and in tern exposure. If you consider using a selling service such as WorldonPaper.com's, you will maximize your exposure, and will have someone dedicated working on driving customers to look at your photography. You could increase your exposure even more, if you add a link to worldonpaper.com, or straight to your photography to a signature that you use on various forums, boards, your email, and anywhere you leave comments. It may sound silly, but thousands of people will see your link, and many will follow it.

Don't Give, High Quality Photography is still just as rare as it has always been.

New Site Design Unveiled

2006-08-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

Finally, after several delays, our new layout has been unveiled. While at first glance it may seem less concentrated with color, and more flat, we have made several big improvements, which we hope you will enjoy. Our Article Wiki is now more integrated, and the layout overall is more fluid and accessible.

The goal was to make the site more user-friendly, and easy to navigate quickly. We are standardizing several design elements across the site, which will hopefully make it more pleasing to your eyes. If you have any comments about the design, we are very happy to hear them, please Contact Us, and share them.

New Article: Strengthening the Overall Theme with Photography

2006-07-25T17:42:00.000-07:00

A new article has been added to our Wiki. Many people feel that photography is not as well suited to decorate with, as paintings, or sculpture for example. This is just a misconception. Helpful insight is provided into integrating Photography with your existing Decor. While photography is a new medium, relatively speaking, it is on par with any other medium. Whether you already decorate with other mediums, or are just starting out, this article should help. Read Article.

Upcoming Site Redesign

2006-07-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

Improvements:

WorldonPaper.com has been in business for appx. 6 months with its current look and feel. This is going to be changing soon. We are currently working on a new design, which we hope will be welcomed by our visitors. We feel that our current design is not fluid, and smooth enough. The new design will conform to Web 2.0 specifications, which are changing daily. However, the core design will be based on current Web 2.0 standards , which are not expected to change. Multiple improvements will be introduced, including a horizontal versus our currently vertical navigation menu. Softer and lighter colors to reduce eye strain. Higher contrast fonts will improve readability of the pages. The overall feel will be better as well. While less space will be wasted, pages will appear less saturated with data.

Timeframe:

At this point the plan is to have our new design implemented in the next four weeks. This timeframe may of course change.

For now, if would like to take a sneak peek at the new design, just visit this Test Page.

New Article: Popularity of Black and White Photography

2006-07-04T15:12:00.000-07:00

We just added another article which was written as a reflection on the subject of Popularity of Black and White Photography. Interior Designers lead us into thinking that color is king, and that simply is not true. Read Article.

Is Black and White Photography still Popular?

2006-06-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

Lately, while seeing more and more beautiful color landscape photos, in the back of my mind, I kept thinking: "what is happening to black and white photography?" It seems as though with introduction of digital photography, and new color films, people are moving away from black and white, and towards color. This trend is especially true in nature and landscape photography. Troubling trend, it seems.

Black and White creates a different dimension in photography. It reminds us of the past. It reminds me of old manual equipment, the skill necessary to capture beautiful images, all the different filters, and the time which photographers took to produce that one remarkable photograph.

The lack of color is what makes these photographs so special. Subtle differences in tone are revealed through the many shades of gray. These same tones are lost, when photographed in color. Well, for all the people who still appreciate and enjoy Black and White, we promise to offer more photography either shot in B&W, or professionally printed in Black and White.