You are here: Home / Archives for Creative Digital Photography

Easy Digital Photography Classes!

July 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Mastering your camera can be a long hard slog or it can be a fun and perhaps a profitable stroll. Everything depends upon how you learn to do the shot. Digital photography classes provide the answer that almost all people are searching for.

Here is the issue…

Nearly all of us get a brand new camera – we open the box – read simply enough in the manual to learn to turn it on and we start shooting away!

The problem being, that without any formalized, systemetized education, we customarily wind up just putting the camera on its automated settings and thinking that’s “ok!”

It’s not ok!

True the camera on its fundamental programmed settings can perform a useable job in trouble-free, basic situations, but there is a whole new, creative world out there that we’re missing!

To get past the snapshot point – where we view our snapshot once and then “file it away” never to be seen again – to creating shots that get people to say “WOW”… We absolutely must take the camera off automatic and begin controlling the darned thing.

That’s when we commence our trial and error, random strategy of trying to figure out all the varied knobs, dials and buttons. Some we’ll learn use, some we are going to get a completely WRONG understanding of, and other options we won’t ever even know exist.

The bad news is…

Using this trial and error tactic, we end up with gaping holes in our photo training. It’s not that we are not smart enough to understand, it really is that we just do not know enough of what creative opportunities are workable to ask the correct questions.

There IS an easy resolution…

Take a formal course. Therefore, the materials are presented in a systematic logical manner which will plug many of the holes in out random education. It’s surprisingly effortless and speedy!

We don’t have to enroll within a degree program, there are tons of cheap internet programs where we can get the needed information on our own schedules and at our own pace.

When searching for a web based course, don’t shy away from a course that starts in the very basic beginnings. It’s startling how few of us truly understand the basics.

Two areas to avoid in the beginning…

Don’t bother using the free “101 tips” form of information. That tends to be just more of a haphazard training we are trying to avoid. AFTER you finish your systematic digital photography classes, THEN is the perfect time for 101 tips sort of thing.

Avoid courses that cost many hundreds dollars…

There are many – top notch – courses that cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. For the most part, they are far too involved for what the majority of us need. You can get into one of those if you happen to later decide you need to turn pro or really get into advanced techniques.

Like Goldilocks, you can also find online digital photography classes which are “perfect for you!”

To learn more about <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link/2624795']);” href=”http://www.OnTargetPhotoTraining.com”>Digital Photography Classes</a>, and to get a FREE copy of my new e-book:

“7 Secrets To Creating Stunning Photos!”

Check out my website at:

<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link/2624795']);” href=”http://www.OnTargetPhotoTraining.com”>http://www.OnTargetPhotoTraining.com</a>

Filed Under: Creative Digital Photography Tagged With: , , ,

Composition and Emphasis in Still Life Photography

July 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

One of the most important functions of the design of a photography, apart from creating an aesthetically appealing or interesting picture, is the organization of the way in which the image is seen by the viewer. This organization and therefore the ultimate reaction of the viewer is dependent to a number of factors: picture content, shape and size of frame, distribution of tones and colors and the arrangement of lines, points and shapes.

The necessity of controlling all these aspects of composition exists, of course, in all kinds of image making, but it is a necessity peculiarly associated with studio work. The key to successful still life photography is control, which therefore makes it one of the easiest forms of photography in which to judge composition.

The various factors mentioned above are constantly at play in any one picture. To being with, the frame of the picture acts as a gentle guide to the viewer’s eye to move in a certain direction. This is generally in a slanting line from the top left corner of the image. This movement, however, can be modified in cases where the central image fills the frame and where the most salient individual element appears as a point. Pulling back, for instance, from a close view of a second object, so that it occupies a smaller place in a larger background, can often concentrate more attention on the object. Indeed, one of the most basic aspects of compositional control is the need to focus attention on one part of the image without making it more dominant in size. The other parts of the picture area can then be used more creatively to show other objects.

The lines surrounding a small object – the edges of other objects or the direction of their arrangement – provide one of the most effective ways of directing the eye off-center and towards the object. Careful arrangement of such lines within the overall design can almost ‘point’ the eye to one part or other of the picture.

Two kinds of line, especially – diagonals and curves – seem to have the quality of expressing movement, encouraging the eye to travel along them. Even if the lines of the various objects within the picture are not arranged to lead towards a point of interest, then the lines of perspective can still guide the eye. A low viewpoint and a wide-angle lens will automatically make the eye travel from the foreground to a higher point of the picture, thus exercising another form of control over the viewer’s attention.

Another noteworthy compositional technique is the use of striking graphic devices, which draw attention simply because they are unusual. An object seen close to the frame of the picture, for instance, will draw an immediate though probably unknowing response from the viewer, especially if its tone and color are distinctive.

Sources:

http://photoinf.com/General/NAVY/Photographic_composition_Balance.htm

http://www.brighthub.com/multimedia/photography/articles/956.aspx

http://www.livingroom.org.au/photolog/tips/digital_photography_composition_tips.php

Written by RonaldMarbles

Find More Creative Digital Photography Articles

Filed Under: Creative Digital Photography Tagged With: , , , ,

Shooting More Creative Digital Photography Is Easy

July 10, 2011 By Leave a Comment

After we’ve moved past the initial beginnings of understanding the way our cameras and lenses operate… once the “photo bug” has attached itself – we photo junkies all want even more creative digital photography. (Of course that assumes you use a digital camera – if not, you’ll have a yen for more creative film photography! )

Let’s face it we’ve all been there. We look at the pictures we run across in books and magazines, then we look at ours and obviously something is missing. The beginnings are there, a good exposure setting, correct shutter setting, clear focus and so on, but it just isn’t up to snuff.

Don’t Possess The “Creative” Gift?

Sure there are geniuses around! Possibly a handful spread throughout the world. Our photographs will never compete. (No one else’s phots will either!) But for the most part, we aren’t competing with that miniscule group… we are comparing our pictures to the every day production of average, everyday Joes who truly are NOT any more creative than we are.

Generally, our first thought is that we are lacking and just don’t have the “creative” talent! Most of us tend to discount our own photos, and overvalue the work of others.

Creative digital photography can be LEARNED.

The main differentiation between “us” and “them” is that they’ve been taught how to put their creative vision into their cameras – and we haven’t.

Remember, creativity CAN be learned! And it’s fairly easy and QUICK!

The technique is modeling. By that, I’m saying… If you shoot the same subjects, in the same conditions, with the identical camera settings they’re employing, you’ll wind up with the same results.

It has to work that way! The camera is a machine. It doesn’t care who pushes the shutter. It’s not going to operate more creatively for one photographer over any other. It doesn’t wonder who is studying the scene through the viewfinder.

If we copy the others correctly, we can be shooting the same type of work they are, in no time.

Here’s what you do…

Whenever you find a shot you like, cut it out of the magazine and tape it into your photography journal. You do keep a photography journal, right? All the best photographers do!

Then, closely study the photo. Try to figure out what the lighting conditions were. What time of day it was shot, how many and directionality of the lights (reflectors and mirrors are light sources too ). Try to determine the focal length of the lens. Did they mount the camera on a tripod, what was the f-stop, shutter speed and so on?

Now, make a note of ALL this data in your journal.

Now it’s time to test.

Get out there and attempt to duplicate the photo. Test your guesses on how they built the shot. The ideas that get you closer to success, make a note of them in your journal. Write down the theories that don’t work too!

As you get closer and closer to the wanted end result, you’ll be having a lot of fun and learning a TON of new photo techniques.

Eventually, you WILL achieve the result you were after. It won’t take long. Insert YOUR photo in your notebook, with all the technical details. Now, you’ll forever be able to re-create that technique! Just by looking at your notes! You’ve now learned the secret to being creative!

Every time you do this, it gets easier.

Now, repeat the process with another photo you like. Each time you do this experiment, you will add a new technique to your photo arsenal. And, it gets simpler to do because you’re increasing what you’ve discovered before.

So, there’s the formula for creative digital photography. Give it a shot, you’ll like it. Before you know it, you’ll be creative digital photography any time you want.

To learn more about <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link/2591125']);” href=”http://www.OnTargetPhotoTraining.com”>creative digital photography</a>, and get a FREE copy of my e-book: “7 Secrets To Creating Stunning Photos!” Check out my website at:
<a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link/2591125']);” href=”http://www.OnTargetPhotoTraining.com”>http://www.OnTargetPhotoTraining.com</a>

This is a quick descriptive lesson on the Creative Shooting Modes found on the Canon 40D. These modes are also found on nearly all SLR digital cameras, so it should be helpful to anyone wanting to now. I hope you enjoy it. The complete crash course DVD training on the Canon 40 D can be purchased from this link: michaelthementor.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Related Creative Digital Photography Articles

Filed Under: Creative Digital Photography Tagged With: , , , , ,