Saturday, May 16, 2009

Photo Paper



Choosing Print Paper For Your Photos
by Christine Peppler

For those who purchase a digital camera hoping to print their photos at home, there are numerous decisions to make before creating photo lab quality images. The printer, ink, paper, and print settings selected will all be important. For the easiest and surest way to get the best results most experts would recommend that the printer, ink, and paper should be produced by the same manufacturer. There is good reason behind this, as manufacturers develop these products specifically to work together and they can vary significantly between makers.

There are a variety of sizes, finishes, textures, and so forth to choose from when selecting the paper to be used. Using plain printing paper is generally not sufficient for printing images from a digital camera, as the ink tends to absorb too quickly resulting in puddles of ink and fuzzy images. This paper, typically used for printing text documents, may also curl or warp and offers no real protection from fading due to exposure to air and light.

A porous coated paper is a somewhat better choice and it allows quicker drying resulting in a more acceptable image. However, these papers generally don't produce a photograph that will stand the test of time as they are not well protected from the air. Fading will occur rather rapidly.

Photo paper is designed specifically for producing and preserving photos taken with a digital camera. This paper will produce a more color saturated image. Some of the paper is described as "swellable, non-porous" paper. This swellable attribute means that the paper swells as ink is absorbed and then shrinks as it dries, resulting in a barrier that protects the ink from exposure to air. Although offering better fade resistance, this swellable paper is generally a bit more expensive. However for those who are willing to accept a slower drying time and live in a low humidity environment, it is a good choice.

There are numerous finishes available. In most instances, a glossy, high gloss, or satin gloss finish is preferred by most consumers for color photographs while a matte finish is generally the choice for black and white photos. Glossy photo paper is among the most expensive but is highly recommended for most color prints to assure the best image and greatest durability. Images produced on glossy photo paper tend to make images from a digital camera look most similar to those created in a photo lab.

The size of paper used depends upon the images that will be printed and, of course, the printer's capability. Common sizes include 4x6, 8.5x11, 11x 17, and 13x19. Although 4x6 is the traditional size of most prints, larger paper can allow the user to fit multiple prints onto a single page. Specialty sizes are available for printing panoramic shots, gift cards, and other odd size images.

The digital camera has brought many conveniences to the world of home photography. The ability to produce high quality, durable photographs without a photo lab is quite possible using the right paper, printer, and ink.


Creating your own prints at home is simple. Let the author show you how. Visit her online home electronics store, homemedias.info. Visitors to the site can also shop for devices such as a digital camera or camcorder.

Article Source: http://www.articles-heaven.com/articles/?Choosing-Print-Paper-For-Your-Photos&articleid=3414

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Monday, May 11, 2009

Rules of Photography


One of the most beneficial rules of composition is the rule of thirds. This is helpful to the professional and amateur. You will find that the rule of thirds can help you to get your composition set up. It is not difficult to learn. Keep this rule in mind so that you can see an improvement in the quality of the pictures that you take.

Fortunately, our minds think in a Rule of Thirds mode, even if we do not know it. If your viewfinder has a grid option, use it. This was set up to make using the Rule of Thirds easy. If your camera does not have this option, you’ll have to imagine it. When looking at a frame, you will want to draw a mental note of a tic-tac-toe box so that you can see lines that are running horizontally and vertically.
Next, check out your subject matter in relationship to the horizontal lines. Your picture will have the most impact if the horizon is placed close to one of these lines, so that your sky occupies about 1/3 or 2/3 of the picture. This will have a visual impact. The next step is to look at your subject matter in relationship to the four points on the grid where the horizontal and vertical lines meet. Also known as “sweet spots” for photographers. By placing visual importance in these spots, your picture will look more balanced.

A good photographer will include diagonal lines. It will appear more pleasing if they run through one or two of the sweet spots. keep this rule in mind when you are taking pictures. Understanding the importance of these elements will help you to make great shots, however having said that remember not everything will fit picture perfectly in the sweet spots. But keeping the rule of thirds in mind will help you to create wonderful pictures with more of an impact. You can practice using it when it comes to still life shots, landscapes, and when arranging portraits. You can take good pictures and make them great within a few seconds.
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Thursday, May 7, 2009

Best Digital Cameras

HOW TO FIND THE BEST DIGITAL CAMERA

It seems that every month, if not every week, different manufacturers are coming up with the latest digital cameras to entice potential clients. And it's just not working for us!

After spending sizeable amount of time at the mall figuring out which is the best digital camera for us, we finally have enough money to buy for that eye-popping, 7 mega pixel, 10x digital zoom, potable, candy colored, up to 512MB expandable memory of super hi-speed SD memory card and not to mention very portable, (that will be the envy of almost everyone we know). We march to the mall armed with our life savings and lotsa pride in ourselves, when we pass by a new display - an eight mega pixel, up to 1G expandable memory, with built it mic and stereo surround, video playback capable, with 22 scenic modes kind-of-camera. And we sigh because the producer of this amazing gadget claims that this is the best digital camera yet out in the market. And so as we always want to have the best, armed with our life savings and a few credit cards, we buy the "best digital camera." But then again, that doesn't last too long, after two months or so, there's another "best digital camera."

And so it confuses us. What makes a digital camera, the best digital camera?

Well, there are certain factors to consider when looking for the "best digital camera" for us.

MEGAPIXELS. One of the most important features of digital camera to make it into the best digital camera category is its mega pixel property. The higher the mega pixels the better the actual photograph will come out. A mega pixel is equivalent to one million pixels. The resolution of your image is based upon the mega pixel property of your camera. This means that as you enlarge the picture, you would get more detail and less blurry colors.

LCD SIZE. The best digital camera will always have a large LCD to help you frame your subject without having to squint to the viewfinder. This is also helpful when reviewing your images, some cameras enable touch up and editing features with its LCD. A 1.5-inch display is average, a 2-inch LCD display is good, but the best LCD size would be 2.5 inches or higher.

ZOOM. Most digital cameras have both digital and optical zoom. A higher optical zoom is always better than a higher digital zoom. Digital cameras are usually furnished with optical of between 3x to 10x. The better the optical zoom, the higher it climbs up to the best digital camera category.

MEMORY CARD. Always make sure that your memory card is the right one for your digital camera. There are different types of memory card like the xD, SD, Flash card and the likes. And these types of memory cards go with certain types of digital cameras. of course memory storage is also up there in choosing the best digital cameras. Choose the size of memory that you need, if you're a photo junkie, you might need more than 32MB. Memory cards can go up to 1G.

The key point to find the best digital camera is to find one that will best fit you and your lifestyle. Don't just buy the latest or the one that claims they are the best digital cameras out in the market. You wouldn't want to buy a DSLR and use it with your home activities or family outing and have to lug it around?! Or you don't want to buy the latest point and shoot camera when you're serious about being a professional photographer. (Of course, you can use this for starters, but if you're not a novice photographer anymore, you wouldn't want to get this kind of camera.)

Actually, the best digital camera is the one that you will enjoy and use. Not the type that you'll just leave rotting in its box or after a few weeks of usage or so, up there in the attic.
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Thursday, April 30, 2009

Landscape Photo


For those who are doing their first landscape shot, you may be disappointed when the prints don’t look as professional as you would like them too..

Although it helps to have a breathtaking view to start with, landscape photography is an art just like setting up a portrait or still life is. However, you will learn to use what you've got when it comes to making a landscape work for you and the pictures that you desire. First, remember the basics. Always think with a photographer’s mind. You may not be able to move the scenery, but you can learn how to pick good scenery to work with and also where you can apply many of the rules and techniques that you can learn about when studying photography. The scenery cannot move, but you can, so look for the perfect host to employ composition techniques such as the rule of thirds. Be conscious of where your horizon line falls, and look at how the elements of the frame work together to create diagonal lines. Although, if the shot isn’t so perfect, you will want to learn to move on and find other places to capture it’s essential beauty.
You will also want to keep in mind the time of day and the season. Night shots can be beautiful, but it is very disappointing when you want to shoot a sunset and you arrive just as the last rays disappear behind the mountains. When you aren’t familiar with the location, you will want to listen to local weather stations so that you can steer clear of the rain and other bad weather and capture the perfect sky in the background. Gardeners familiar to the area are useful for this as well. They can tell you what weekend the autumn leaves will be the most brilliant or which month certain flowers bloom on the hillside.
Nature is one of the best snapshots that you can capture. Animals might even give you an added surprise. You will want to prepare to make the most out of your time in a specific location. You will want to be camera ready so that you can make the most out of any surprise shots, and capture the beauty of the moment.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

CANINE PHOTO



Why not take pics of your favorite Pet....
Meet my dog FLO she's a good ole' Boxer
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Wednesday, April 22, 2009

BLACK and WHITE


Many professional photographers will choose not to do their work in color. Black and white pictures creates a classic look, and help save on film. Black and white photography is something that is easy for beginners, they will be able to learn the techniques easier in black and white. They will also be able to focus more on light and composition and character, rather than worrying over getting the colors right.

For black and white pictures, you will find that they can be more rewarding some times than getting the pictures in color. You don’t always have to have a perfect shot and the perfect conditions for the shoot either when you go with black and white. What may look excellent in black and white can often make a washed out, mediocre color photograph. Consider black and white photography especially when shooting outside on overcast days. If you don’t have a lot of lighting you can still get a great shot in various colors when you use the colors that fade in and out of the picture to make some wonderful prints. On the other hand, you won’t be able to see this effect in black and white, so your picture will be focused more on the actual subject matter. Whether you’re exploring a new area on vacation or simply want some prints of your hometown, if the day isn’t bright and sunny, consider black and white film.

You will find that black and white is a good choice to have for portraits. Skin tone is a tricky thing in many color photographs—people tend to dislike close-up shots because they can clearly see blemishes in coloring. Also, with black and white pictures you will be able to conceal some imperfections. Black and white photography can also get rid of the stark contrast between someone’s bright face and the dull background. The black and white photography will help you to see things in a classy look. Also it can add some whimsical romance to set a mood. That’s why it is perfect for a wedding.

Learn how to use black and white film to help others pay attention to the finer details like shapes and lines. Black and white pictures can help you to create contrast and interest in your masterpiece.

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Sunday, April 19, 2009

Tips on Buying a Digital Camera


There is a lot to consider when it comes to buying new digital cameras. You will find that it can be hard if you have never owned one before. Also digital cameras will be a lot more in cost. But some features makes this well worth the price,for example you will no longer have to purchase film and you can delete pictures that you might not want as well as having a good zoom feature.So there are many advantages to owning a digital camera. You will want to go through the purchasing cycle keeping your budget limit in mind, when it comes to getting the right camera because You will need to find what the best deals are for your money and a camera that meets all your needs.


For those who aren’t using a digital camera for professional purposes, you may want to think about going with a lower resolution so that you can save some money. You will want to decide what is important to you. The quality of the camera as opposed to the price you can afford. Caution! having said this if you don’t like something, then don’t buy it because it fits into your price range. You will want to purchase something that feels right to you. There is usually a return system for most stores, but you will want to find out before purchasing. Now get out there and go for it!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Digital Camera

When most people first begin looking at digital cameras, the question in their minds is picture quality. On a digital camera, this is measured by megapixels. Higher is better—megapixels, in short, are simply the little dots on the camera’s screen that make up the picture. If you own a personal computer, think about what something looks like when it is “pixilated.” The less pixels, the more grainy your picture will be, so you’ll probably want a camera that is at least at a 2 or 3. However, once you start going above that, you won’t see much of a difference in your shots unless you are taking professional photographs that are going to be blown up or need to be of impeccable quality.


If you are going to buy your first digital camera, you will want to research your purchase so that you don’t end up being clueless on things like megapixels, you do have a lot of options, but you don’t want to get confused. You will find that when you do a little bit of research before you go to buy a camera, you will be able to save some time and possibly money .Good hunting!

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Photography As A Career



For those who love photography, you may want to start a career in the photograph business and it might be perfect for you and your life right now. There are three different areas of photography such as, general, commercial, and advertising. You will find that most people will go into the area that best interests them and sometimes it is just in general photography. You will find that if you get some formal training in photography, you will be able to experience a lot of success when it comes to commercial or advertising photography. No matter how much experience you might have with taking pictures, when you take the classes or training program you may be able to learn something new about the art of photography. Many of the courses that you will focus on you will be able to focus on the business end of the field. You will be able to decide if you would like to join an existing company or start up your own company. You will also be able to find your niche in the photography market!