Basic Photography

In photography, while it is true that having your own reliable and trusted equipment helps in producing beautiful photographs, it helps even more if you clearly set your mind even before the moment you take a shot about what you are trying to catch or capture in your photographs. Having wonderful photos involves nothing more than a bit of thought. However, to help people who are novice, non- artistic, or non- technical picture takers, a set of guidelines is mentioned below intended to improve their photography.

[b]Pentax [/b]

First is to move in closer. In order to have a better shot of your prospect, it is suggested for you to move closer. Having your subject fill almost the frame allows better details of your photo thus making it more interesting than an overall view. This also makes your viewers appreciate and understand more your photo. In this way, you will be secured that the photo will truly reflect your subject.

Second is to be quick. There are situations in which your subject is in motion. In this case, it would be better to shoot right away.

Third is to keep the balance. A picture with balanced elements with one level or another is better appreciated. Even though you don't intend to sell the picture, it is important to have an effort to keep the picture balanced and beautiful.

Fourth is to be selective. You need to reflect on what really are your interests. You may place your efforts in attaining the best photograph of this prospect. Then be certain that there are no distractions in your picture. A way of doing this is to watch the borders your camera.

After that, recompose if anything appears distracting to your picture. Finally is to look at the light. To look at the light does not mean to look directly into the sun, but it is to see what kind would you be working with. Which way do the shadows fall? Unless there is a need for a silhouette effect, it is suggested to shoot with the sun behind you. In knowing how to handle the light that is present is the best way for you to achieve a picture that you really wanted.

These are only some of the tips in photography that can be used in order to have beautiful photos that can be for keeps.

Basic Photography

Photography Today

From a box brownie to a Nikon D3 in 50 years

I have been a professional photographer for over 30 years and the changes that have taken place over that time are just incredible.

My first pro camera around was a Rolleiflex 2.8 which I still have to this day - in working condition as well. I used these cameras - Rolleiflex, Bronica and Mamiyaflex over the years for Weddings, Portraits and Press Photography.

In the early 70's I bought a Pentax S1A and a Nikon 35mm camera but only used them for certain jobs mainly because of the quality I could get from the 6cm cameras.

So most of the time until the 90's I still used the medium format cameras for weddings and portraits but gradually moved over to Nikon cameras for press work.

Towards the end of the 90's things changed so quickly with the introduction of digital cameras, so much so that gone are the hours and hours in the darkroom processing films and printing photographs in black & white for the press.

Now, I use Nikon digital cameras for virtually all the photography that I undertake. So now, instead of standing in the darkroom for hours I now sit in front of a computer for hours doing everything digitally.

Obviously, it makes things easier with retouching photographs etc., moving heads and figures and converting colour pics into black & white or sepia at the click of a mouse but it doesn't save me hours & hours of time in work. That is progress for you.

Camera Lenses Explained - What Lens For What Photography

Camera lenses vary a great deal and so do the various types of photographic subject you could be engaging with and the a plethora of types of camera and lens mount.

[b]Pentax [/b]

Certain fields of view (focal length) are more suited to different subjects and some camera lenses even have particular functions which appeal to particular requirements, such as a macro facility to have closer focussing for insects, plants etc... All types of photography favour a length of some kind.

So not only it is often difficult to know which camera lenses are best for your needs but also you need to find out which lenses will fit onto your camera or into your photographic system. This is due to what is called the lens mount.

In short each manufacturer has their own (not entirely true but its a great place to start)... There are many lens mounts out there including the widely established Canon EF/EF-S lens mount system (Canon EF and Canon EF-s), the large Nikon range of lenses and then the Pentax, Sony/Minolta, Four Thirds and the new Micro 4/3rds, Sony E-Mount and Samsung's NX fit. then of course Sigma, who make lenses for everyone elses cameras, have their own fit as well. Across this there are consumer and professional glass classes.

For types of photography you consider the type of lens. With this there are a few categories of lens from specialist Tilt and shift, Macro and then wide, standard and telephoto lenses. Below is a list which is by NO MEANS definitive.

Macro: - Insects and plants

TSE - Architechtural

Wide Angle - Vistas, Documentary and Landscapes

Standard - Portraiture, Events, Editorial, Photo Journalism, Weddings

Telephoto - Sports, Wildlife, Events, Journalism

To see a MASSIVELY exhaustive list of currently available lenses and their photographic applications check out the article lenses and types of photography by Park Cameras.

Camera Lenses Explained - What Lens For What Photography