Monday 16 April 2012

Fixing Red Eye with Adobe Photoshop

It is a common problem. Your have captured some adorable photographs of your new baby boy and can’t wait to show them off to your friends and family only to be disappointed, when you look at them on your computer or pick them up from the photo lab, by the terrible red eye.

Your precious child looks like a demon or something from a scary movie. This problem is commonly referred to as “red eye.”

Red eye is caused by the light from camera’s flash reflecting off of the retina in the back of the eye.

In low light conditions the iris of the eye is larger providing for a larger surface to appear red in your photos.

Unfortunately, it is in low light conditions that a flash is needed the most.

Red is becoming more and more of a problem and this is partly due to the emergence of digital photo technology. Since digital cameras do not need the same internal mechanics or space for film they are becoming smaller and smaller compared to their film counterparts.

This means that the flash is much closer to the lens. In fact, in most new point and shoot digital cameras the flash is directly above the lens.

This is the problem. When the flash is closer to the lens it causes the flash to enter the iris directly and reflect straight back to the camera causing the terrible red eye that has ruined your family pictures.

Most digital cameras have a red eye reduction feature built in which causes a pre flash immediately before the camera exposes the image.

This causes the iris to become smaller for the actual picture. Unfortunately, this function rarely completely eliminates red eye from your photographs.

Since most point and shoot digital cameras do not have a hot shoe allowing the photographer to add a flash away from the camera the only option for eliminating red eye is to fix it after the fact.

This is where Adobe Photoshop comes in. Photoshop makes it easy to correct even the worst cases of red eye in photographs.

Are you concerned that Photoshop is too complicated or difficult to learn? Don’t be. Even someone with no experience at all can quickly and easily learn to fix red eye like a pro using Adobe Photoshop.

Author David Peters: Master The Basics Of Adobe Photoshop In Under 2 Hours With Easy To Follow Instantly Accessible Online Video Tutorials.

Full Details Here: http://tinyurl.com/twohoursphotoshop

Transform you Old, Worn out Photos in Minutes with Adobe Photoshop By David Peters

Do you have old photographs that are faded, worn out, crinkled or even torn? Of course you do, everyone does. Many of these photos are likely very old family photographs that are simply irreplaceable should something happen to them.

In the past it was very expensive and time consuming to have old damaged photographed restored. It usually required a photo restoration expert and sometimes the results were not really that great.

Digital imaging, and more specifically Adobe Photoshop, has revolutionized the process of renewing and restoring old photographs.

It is amazing the results you can achieve with Photoshop. Old and damaged, even torn, photographs can be restored and renewed to their original colors and vitality using the tools available in Photoshop.

Adobe’s Photoshop is the number one choice digital photo editing software application among today’s professional photographers, graphic artists and web designers.

It is not only the best but easier to work with than you might think. Many shy away from Photoshop because there are intimidated by the complexity.

With the help of a good Photoshop tutorial you can begin to learn Photoshop within minutes and be on your way to restoring those old photographs and preserving your family’s memories for year to come.

There are less expensive digital editing applications but the problem is that they often have very limited capabilities when it comes to doing high quality digital photo restoration.

Those cheaper digital photo software packages often utilize a one size fits all approach to photo restoration and they just don’t have the functions to deal with all of the types of damage you may encounter in renewing your old photos.

The other benefit of using Photoshop to fix your old photographs it that you can work in layers.

The layers function ensures that you won’t waste an hours work with one little mistake. As you work your photograph you can save each new change as a new layer. If you mess up simply delete that layer and try again.

Photo restoration requires patience and attention to detail. Only Adobe Photoshop has the tools to do a quality job restoring your old photographs.

Learn Photoshop now and start bringing those old photographs to new life.

Author David Peters: Master The Basics Of Adobe Photoshop In Under 2 Hours With Easy To Follow Instantly Accessible Online Video Tutorials.

Full Details Here: http://tinyurl.com/twohoursphotoshop

Friday 13 April 2012

The Best Things About Being A Photographer

Being a photographer, as an amateur or for a living, can be highly enjoyable. It is one of those pursuits where you are able to create something and have a record of it for as long as you want to. Indeed, if you can make some money out of it, photography can be one of the most enjoyable things in the world. There are many beneficial aspects to it as a career and as a hobby.

For one thing, there is the opportunity to make really good money if you are a talented enough photographer. For organizations and groups who hire a photographer – modelling agencies, advertising companies and even families with a special occasion on the horizon, a good photographer is worth paying top dollar.

If you do make a living from photography, the chances are that you will also get to travel and see some of the most beautiful sights in the world. Admittedly, you'll see a lot of them through a viewfinder and this leaves less time to really appreciate them, but on your down time you can see the best of the world.

And there is also the advantage for an amateur that if you are taking photographs, you do not have to spend as much time on the other side of the camera with other people taking photographs of you. If you are shy, this is certainly good news, and it is also reassuring if you just aren't photogenic. It beats having to smile and pose, too.

Should I Get A Photographic Qualification?

There are many people who want to become professional photographers, and there is plenty of reason why they would. If you are a highly sought-after photographer, then you can get paid a lot of money to travel the world taking photographs of stunning locations, beautiful people and remarkable occasions. So is it worth getting a qualification in photography?

The answer to this question, frustratingly, is “it might be”. When you get down to it, there are not so many companies or agencies who will demand that you have a certificate to prove you can take photographs. The best way to document a talent for photography is by showing the photographs that you have taken. That said, doing a photography course may help in other ways.

It cannot be denied that, if you take a course in photography that is taught by a professional who has worked worldwide, you should learn a lot from them and may also be able to make contacts in the business. There is a major difference between being able to take impressive photographs, and being able to get the perfect shot when you are on the clock and conditions are being unkind.

It is not so much the certificate that will be given to you on graduation that will be important, but the things that you learn during the course. There are all sorts of tricks that can make a photograph look better, and make a good photograph great. Informing yourself about these is worth the effort.

Seeing It Through The Right Filter

There will always be divided opinion on the merits of “artistic” photography. For some people, a photograph which depicts an everyday face or item in a different way is worth looking at because it is interesting. For others, it will be considered the hight of pretentious idiocy. The view that you take on this conundrum will probably depend on how interested you are in photography.

There is a difference, one which needs to be noted, between taking such a photograph for artistic reasons, and doing it because you have seen it done elsewhere. The photograph may make the item look like something else, or it may show people a side of the subject that had not been seen before. If it is done because “it looks a bit arty” then it will usually be fairly obvious.

Many of the photographs taken to depict a subject in an unfamiliar way do so by making use of filters. Filters can be purchased and fitted to the lens of a more old-fashioned camera to provide soft-focus looks, a sepia tone or some other form of tinting. They may, alternatively, be added at a later stage to digital photographs using Photoshop. Some cameras, indeed, have specific filtered settings.

If you want to take a photograph that has an interesting look, give some thought to photographs you have seen. Are you bringing something new to the table, or experimenting with what you yourself are capable of doing? Or are you, alternatively, taking a photograph of a table through a sepia filter because you think it is what you are supposed to do?

Wednesday 11 April 2012

When Everything Was Black And White

Color photography was actually invented a lot longer ago than most people believe – indeed, there were experimental color shots taken as long ago as the 19th century. However, the use of color photography was hugely uncommon until the 1960s, and it was another few decades after that before newspapers printed color shots with any kind of regularity.

This – combined with the presence of old-fashioned black and white movies – gives an impression of age and for some people an impression of depth to photographs taken these days using black and white film or filters. Many of the iconic photographs of all time, taken as they were in the early half of the 20th century, are known to us in black and white.

One of the most famous images – the assassination of President John F Kennedy, an incident that took place in 1963 – happened after color photography was introduced, but before it was widespread and before color photographs could be widely reproduced. Hence, it is an incident we “remember” in black and white.

Photographs of the first Moon Landing do exist in color, but the most iconic – of Neil Armstrong descending the ladder onto the Moon's surface – is also in black and white. Whether it is for reasons of historic grandeur, or because of the questions left unasked, many people even in this age of color photography still like to use black and white for more artistic shots.

Photoshop – Cheating Or Necessity?

Unless you have been hiding in a cave somewhere, you are probably familiar with Photoshop to at least some extent. Even if you have not used it, you will have seen photos that have been manipulated using this program, which has become a feature of many websites in recent years. The basic idea of Photoshop is that it can be used to enhance or add to a real photo.

For example, if a picture has been taken which, on closer inspection, carries traces of something that the viewer “should not see” - for example, blotches on the face of someone in the photo, or a stain on the carpet – the use of Photoshop can remove that undesired intruder. Similarly, Photoshop can be used to add things such as color or light.

A more esoteric use of Photoshop can be seen on countless sites around the Internet where photographs are deliberately and obviously manipulated for (usually) comedic effect. Whether it is putting someone else's head on the body of an animal (or another person), placing a person against a background with comic potential or creating the impression that someone is a hundred feet tall, this is a popular pastime.

You may love or hate Photoshop. Some people will use it to enhance their own photographs before putting them on social networking sites, and create the impression that they are more attractive than they really are. This may not have been the initial purpose of the program, but people will use it how they wish.

Saturday 7 April 2012

Should I Get A Photographic Qualification?

There are many people who want to become professional photographers, and there is plenty of reason why they would. If you are a highly sought-after photographer, then you can get paid a lot of money to travel the world taking photographs of stunning locations, beautiful people and remarkable occasions. So is it worth getting a qualification in photography?

The answer to this question, frustratingly, is “it might be”. When you get down to it, there are not so many companies or agencies who will demand that you have a certificate to prove you can take photographs. The best way to document a talent for photography is by showing the photographs that you have taken. That said, doing a photography course may help in other ways.

It cannot be denied that, if you take a course in photography that is taught by a professional who has worked worldwide, you should learn a lot from them and may also be able to make contacts in the business. There is a major difference between being able to take impressive photographs, and being able to get the perfect shot when you are on the clock and conditions are being unkind.

It is not so much the certificate that will be given to you on graduation that will be important, but the things that you learn during the course. There are all sorts of tricks that can make a photograph look better, and make a good photograph great. Informing yourself about these is worth the effort.

A Sense Of Occasion

Even in the light of all the changes that have taken place over the years, allowing us to take more photographs in a shorter space of time and to publish them within seconds, the fact is that sometimes less is more. You will not become a good photographer by taking a lot of photographs. You will never win the Tour de France on a bicycle with training wheels.

What this means for amateur photographers is that, just because it is easier to take a photograph these days, it does not mean that you can replace quality with quantity. It is better to critically survey your photographs, delete the ones that don't pass muster, and keep in mind what you got wrong initially and how you can get it right next time.

You see, if you just snap away in the hope of getting the right shot, you are as likely to get twenty shots of which maybe five will be good enough to be considered “decent”. If, on the other hand, you take the time to get it right, you can get five photos of which all are impressive. Making the effort to get the shot right gives the shot a sense of occasion.

Photography is not easy, and anyone who attempts to claim otherwise is being either naïve or ignorant. Getting the right shot makes demands of a photographer, and the sooner you learn to meet those demands, the easier you will find it as time goes on.

Tuesday 27 March 2012

What A Photograph Means

In the most basic terms, a photograph is a still image representing a scene and captured on film by a camera, but of course it means a whole lot more than that. The truth is that any photograph can have as many different meanings as there are people who look at it. While a photograph depicting a holiday scene can bring back wonderful memories of the holiday for one person, it can have a different meaning for someone else.

The definition in the first sentence above is – without looking at a dictionary – the most prosaic way of describing what a photograph does. But as soon as you allow yourself to admit that there is more to making a definition than the most basic facts, you must admit that a photograph is more than that. It is a representation of a moment, a time, a bond.

This is why we keep photographs in albums, or frames, or somewhere safe, and look at them years after they were taken. As times move on, we experience different times, different places and friendships, but the photographs remain as a document of that time, and they can have an important part to play in encouraging us to seek out old friends who we haven't spoken to in too long.

Photographs can bring back all sorts of memories – good, bad, important or throwaway – but they are important because when all we have is our memories, they allow us to ensure that those memories are accurate.

The Practical Use Of Photography

It is commonplace to think of photographs as being just a simple document of times that we have enjoyed in the past, but the fact of the matter is that photography is a versatile medium and has various uses for different people. While there is no better way to document a holiday or a wedding, photography has played a major part in many other ways over the years.

In the case of crime fighting, any sealed-off crime scene will soon be attended by photographers who take pictures of potentially important scenes. They will look to capture pieces of evidence, show the crime scene as it looks to someone who was there and look to preserve the scene for the defence, prosecution and jury to have some idea of what they are dealing with.

In sport, the importance of photography goes well beyond the illustration of game day reports. For example, athletics places a great importance upon the use of photographic technology to help separate two athletes that appear to have finished dead level. A photo finish can separate athletes to the nearest thousandth of a second, and even closer.

Then, of course, there is the use of photography in medicine. There are a few different ways that this can be applied. Pinhole cameras can be used to get an internal picture of a patient to find the cause of an illness or to guide surgery, as well as X-ray photographs which are often essential for diagnosing bone fractures and other injuries.

The Diversity Of Photography

Photographs are a lot more versatile than we really take time to consider. From their initial invention as a way of depicting a scene, usually artistically, they concept of photography has gone off in several other directions, making the technology which is used to capture a scene indispensable in many different ways.

For instance, thermal imaging cameras have become vitally important in various scenarios. As an example, in the aftermath of an earthquake there will be a necessity to find what survivors remain and seek to free them. By detecting body heat, thermal imaging allows this to happen. Thermal imaging is also used by police and by armies to detect suspects and adversaries who are hidden.

Night vision cameras perform a similar job to thermal imaging, by using a different form of light to bring things into sharper image. When night falls, it becomes a lot easier for people to hide and a lot harder for anyone to see movement and individuals. For early detection of a potential threat, night vision is vitally important, and is also useful for use as evidence at a later date.

Who knows, when the use of photography was innovated all those years ago, whether anyone saw the eventual extent to which the use of other forms of photography would become essential in such important situations? It is certain that, today, we would be a lot further back without the many and various innovations that have taken place. That, and we wouldn't be able to look at funny cat pictures!

The Basics of a Photography Camera

The field of photography is very wide and there is something for every kind of photographer, whether you are a novice or a seasoned veteran. The difference in experience can often be observed by the camera you decide to use. The following is a breakdown of some of the photography cameras commonly used today.

Point and Shoot

This is probably the simplest device of them all and can be used by virtually anybody. Just like the name suggests, this camera does not have a lot of operations and user simply has to point it at the subject and capture the image by clicking on the shutter release. Most of these basic cameras have a fixed focus meaning that the shooter cannot control the distance and focus quality of the subject. These cameras are often made for the mass market.

SLR (Single Lens Reflex)

This kind of camera is characterized by a prism and mirror system that is used to create a direct optical path to the subject. By using this form of camera the photographer can view the exact image compared to viewfinder cameras that may not give an accurate representation of the image that is to be captured. The modern forms of SLR cameras are the digital single lens reflex cameras that differ from the film-based cameras which are installed with imaging sensors instead of film. Most professionals use SLR - based photography cameras due to their accuracy and superior image quality. They also offer flexibility by allowing users to use add-ons such as lenses, filters and flashes to enhance image capture.

There are certain factors to consider when purchasing a photography camera and they include some of the following:

Use

Think about your photographic needs; do you need a basic camera for domestic use or do you require high quality photos that can be published in various publications.

Budget

You will need to consider how much you are willing to spend on a camera before you can go ahead with your purchase.

Explore

Once you have narrowed down your list of cameras you intend to purchase, you will need to get information about the device and understand its specifications.

Accessories

A camera cannot work on its own and requires additional components; this means that you will need to find out what accessories will be needed to ensure image capture is done appropriately.

Monday 19 March 2012

Nikon D4 Hands-on Review



Almost 5-years since the D3 was released and with the D3X and D3S sandwich fillings in between, Nikon finally bring out their latest top of the line professional DSLR, the Nikon D4. We arranged some fast action to see how it fares.

Click here to read more!

Being Part Of The Action

Taking a good photograph is about so many things, far more than just pointing the camera when you see a scene worth preserving. If you want to get an image that will be looked at and remarked upon by all who look at it, you really have to create an impression of “being there”. This is all the more difficult if you are taking photographs of live action rather than still life.

If you go to a sports match, for example, it is perfectly understandable that you will want to capture some images of it to look at later on and to show to your friends. However, you are competing with a lot of different factors to get a really good picture of the occasion. There is the fact that a moving target is harder to catch, there is the problem of a crowd which is unlikely to be keeping still, and often there is an issue of lighting.

Without a doubt, someone wanting to get good action shots will need the right shutter speed – faster action will require a faster shutter speed in order to avoid becoming too blurred. On the other hand, some blurring can be beneficial in conveying the action that is taking place. How you position the camera, and even how you move it, will play an important part.

Timing is of course the central issue when it comes to capturing action shots. If, for example, you are watching a basketball match, you can get a good feel for motion by taking a photograph of something that cannot happen without motion. Snapping a photo of someone hitting a slam dunk – an image that can only happen while the person is in motion - is one good way of doing this.

Camera Phones – So Much To Answer For?

If you are a social networker, then the chances are that you have seen more bad photographs than you would ever care to remember. People are more prone these days to take a photograph than they used to be, and the reason for this – or at least, the primary reason – is that they can take photographs and see them instantly without having to pay for them.

The invention of the camera phone was a pivotal moment for cell phone companies, who have been able to sell loads of phones on the strength of their multiple usability. It has also resulted in people being willing to take a lot more photographs than they used to be. Time was that you needed a camera, plenty of film and a lot of patience to take photographs.

You see, once you had used a frame of film, you couldn't delete it and you were stuck with it. And when you had used the whole film you needed to carefully remove it from the camera so that it didn't get light on it, and take it to be developed (either at a dedicated outlet or in your own dark room, if you had the facilities). The whole process would cost money.

Now, if the photo you take is bad, you can delete it – but many people don't. A lot of online photo streams now have lots of blurry images of someone's right knee because the photographer was drunk and using a phone to take the pictures. With progress, sometimes, you have to accept the bad with the good.

Wednesday 14 March 2012

Canon EOS 5D Mark III is available at DigitalRev finally!

DigitalRev may be the first one having it in stock with both body and lens kit. This camera is not in stock anywhere in AU, US, UK, and CA, probably other countries too.

The camera is a full frame DSLR, which is relatively priced at a higher range, and that means you’ll have a higher commission earning by promoting this camera on your website. The current price is at $3,780 USD, and you can earn even more with the lens kit or buy together deals on our website.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III camera body and lens kits are in stock at DigitalRev! Be the first to Own it today!

Tuesday 13 March 2012

Camera Phones – So Much To Answer For?

If you are a social networker, then the chances are that you have seen more bad photographs than you would ever care to remember. People are more prone these days to take a photograph than they used to be, and the reason for this – or at least, the primary reason – is that they can take photographs and see them instantly without having to pay for them.

The invention of the camera phone was a pivotal moment for cell phone companies, who have been able to sell loads of phones on the strength of their multiple usability. It has also resulted in people being willing to take a lot more photographs than they used to be. Time was that you needed a camera, plenty of film and a lot of patience to take photographs.

You see, once you had used a frame of film, you couldn't delete it and you were stuck with it. And when you had used the whole film you needed to carefully remove it from the camera so that it didn't get light on it, and take it to be developed (either at a dedicated outlet or in your own dark room, if you had the facilities). The whole process would cost money.

Now, if the photo you take is bad, you can delete it – but many people don't. A lot of online photo streams now have lots of blurry images of someone's right knee because the photographer was drunk and using a phone to take the pictures. With progress, sometimes, you have to accept the bad with the good.

Picture The Scene

Having a good subject will make any photograph a lot easier to take. There is a good reason why the photographs that people are happy to look at again and again tend to center around a particular place, person or occasion. And while no subject is good enough to make a bad photographer look like a genius, it does give you a handy frame for your image.

Some people can get away with photographing any old thing, because they can bring something new to it – an interesting perspective, a unique touch – that makes it worth looking at. But if you are just starting out, then as interesting as you might find a particular building, it can fall flat for others who are looking at it.

Models are among the most notable subjects for photos. It is often imagined that any pretty girl or handsome man can be a model just by standing there and letting someone take pictures. However, we all know deep down that that is not true. You surely know someone who in motion looks good enough to be a model, but who photographs badly.

The most important thing about a subject is that they, or it, need to be the main thing in focus in the photograph, and seen in their best light. The Grand Canyon can look pretty unimpressive if it is photographed badly, from too close, in the wrong light or any number of other ways to get it wrong. What good photo subjects all have in common is that the right light is easier to find.

Everyone Is A Photographer These Days

Opinions are always going to be divided on the question of whether making something easier makes it better. Once upon a time, a camera was pretty much a luxury item – or at the very least, something that you would need to have a real interest in if you were going to own one. These days, every cell phone sold has a camera incorporated into it, and digital cameras are inexpensive.

Because we are all on the Internet, there has been an explosion of people taking photographs of anything that you can name. With the increasing number of sites that act as a digital photo album, people are looking to document their lives in a way that does for photographs what blogs do for the written word. You don't need to be a professional to have a portfolio these days.

People are always going to be skeptical with regard to whether this is a positive development. The argument that many people bring is that everyone considers themselves a photographer just because they took a black and white photograph of a park bench which was partially in shadow. And while some people's online portfolios tend towards the pretentious, this is a fairly cynical argument.

Photographs are important to people because they capture a moment in time. On social occasions and holidays, someone will always have a camera, because they want a graphical depiction of a memory. And while it may get annoying to see people posting photographs of their whole life, you can always just not look.

Wednesday 7 March 2012

Canon EOS 5D Mark III Review By Joe Pollicino



Suffice it to say, March 2012 is a notable month for Canon. Not only does it mark the 25th anniversary of the first EOS SLR, but it's also ushering in Canon's latest addition to its full-frame DSLR lineup. That gorgeous beast your eyes are feasting upon is the company's new EOS 5D Mark III. That's right folks, this isn't a replacement for the Mark II, but rather an updated variant meant to sit between the workhorse of four years and the company's soon to arrive EOS-1D X. At a glance, the shooter is nearly indistinguishable from its older sibling, although a closer inspection reveals a new name badge, improved weather- and dust-resistance and some slight tweaks to its top-mounted info display and buttons on the back.

Don't be fooled, however, as there are obviously major changes here worthy of the new moniker. Key specs include a larger 1,040,000-dot 3.2-inch rear LCD, Digic 5+ processor, 22.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, 61-Point High Density Reticular autofocus with 41 cross-types (all of which are borrowed from the 1D X), dual memory card slots (SD and CompactFlash) an extended ISO range of 50 to 102,400 (100 to 25,600, natively), OVF with 100 percent coverage (versus 98 previously), and a maximum 6 FPS burst speed. Naturally, the 5D Mark III is no slouch in the video department: it can capture h.264 footage at HD resolutions up to 1080 at 24/25/30p or 720 at 50/60p, with an effective ISO range of 100-128,000 -- and of course there's a stereo mic input for the microphone of your choice. Better yet, not only does it allow for real-time control of your audio levels during filming, but also monitoring, being the first EOS-series DSLR to come equipped with a headphone jack (!) -- something that's been sorely missing in the world of ILC cameras. We've only skimmed the surface, however, so join us past the break for further details and a quick video overview.



Although we didn't get to use the pre-production 5D Mark III seen here, Canon filled us in on many of intricacies, so we'll have to take its word on the matter for now. In terms of processing speed, the Digic 5+ is rated 30 percent faster than the 5 and a healthy 17 times quicker compared to the 4 found in the Mark II. Paired with its CMOS sensor, we're told that JPEG shots are roughly two stops cleaner than that of the Mark II and that video will also be noticeably smoother with less artifacting and moiré. For example (with photos), the amount of noise you'd see at 6,400 with the II only creeps up to the III at 25,600. Conversely, Canon cites the 1D X as being one stop cleaner than the Mark III, ensuring its reign as the top dog in the lineup. Of course, RAW images won't benefit from the in-camera noise reduction, but we're told that they should still be quite pleasing given the new internals.

When you're done shooting, you'll be able to use the camera's "comparative playback function" -- a quick button press allows you to view two photos (and their metadata) side by side on the LCD for on-the-fly checks of how your shots are shaping up. The Mark III also is also capable of shooting HDR images, with your choice of up to seven exposures (up to three stops over and under) to work with. Other features new to this puppy are "in-camera RAW processing, Scene Intelligent Auto mode, two forms of movie compression (ALL-I and IPB), and support for high-speed UDMA 7 Compact Flash memory cards." By the way, you'll still be restricted to 29 minutes and 59 seconds of shooting time (Canon's way of avoiding those European HD camcorder taxes as it has on many of its DSLRs).



Remember the updated button placements on back that we mentioned? Along the left side of the screen you'll notice a rate button (for starring photos quickly during a shooter and a creative photo button, while on the right there's now a dedicated Live view toggle, along with a multi-function button near the shutter button (we're told these placements could change once the final version is set in stone). You'll also find that the power switch has made its way over to top left, positioned directly behind the now pro bono locking mode dial on the top left. Notably, the inner portion of the circular control-wheel is actually touch sensitive -- since you'll be able to make adjustments to parameters such as exposure and audio levels while recording, it'll spare your tracks of any annoying clicks that could result otherwise.



Alright, we get it; all of this info is dandy, but now you want to know about availability, accessories and pricing. The EOS 5D Mark III is slated to hit shelves by the end of March, priced at $3,500 for the body-only and $4,300 as kit with an EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM zoom lens. Also available at launch, will be Canon's new $630 Speedlite 600EX-RT and its $470 Speedlite Transmitter ST-E3-RT (essentially all the tech of the former, minus the flash itself). Once April rolls around, you'll also be able to get your mitts on the $390 GP-E2 GPS receiver, $850 WFT-E7A Wireless Transmitter, and of course, the $490 BG-E11 Battery Grip (weather-resistant, with room for two batteries). On a related note, Canon also informed that Mark II will soon be get's its price reduced, but there's no word on an exact number just yet. We'll be sure to get some shooting time in with the Mark III as soon as we can, but in the meantime, check out the galleries and press release below for more of the nitty-gritty.

Click here to pre-order Canon EOS 5D Mark III now!

Canon EOS 5D Mark III




Click here to pre-order from Amazon.com!

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Why Is Composition So Important in Photography?

In simple terms, composition refers to the systematic arrangement of objects for a particular purpose or to achieve a specific result. This aspect is important in the field of photography and in essence it refers to the arrangement to object within the view finder with the aim of emphasizing certain aspects. This composition process may be done to bring out an object(s), the foreground or background. For instance sometimes you may view a picture that has a blurred background or slightly obscured main object and this may have been done intentionally so as to bring out a particular effect or highlight another object.

Composing a picture is usually done at the discretion of the person taking a picture and most compositions are simple and only highlight the main object captured. In some cases the composition may be a bit abstract or asymmetric in nature which may be done by the photographer for a specific reason.

Composition basically adds value to captured images by highlighting the main objects in a manner that makes pictures esthetically appealing. You may have the best camera equipment that money can buy but if you cannot arrange captured objects accordingly through the viewfinder, the results will be less than favorable.

Once you are able to compose a photograph well, the resulting images will turn out as intended on most occasions; while for those who are still unable to compose well will need to several pictures before achieving the desired result.
Composition of a picture also involves proper use of light and color. In the day time when outdoors, positioning yourself well and using the sunlight and ambient colors well can make the difference between an ordinary picture and an excellent one. Colors, sunlight, texture and shadows can enhance object well and even add a great 3D effect.

The right picture composition can be achieved by using a basic rule of thumb which involves the division of any image (as seen on the viewfinder) into three equal horizontal portions (sometimes referred to as the thirds rule). This will give any object a sense of balance and this will help you capture the right proportions of the subject. With a little practice it is possible to significantly improve your picture composition skills by using the 'thirds rule' as well as locating the main subject and deciding which angle and viewpoint will best bring it out best.

For more information, kindly visit http://www.photographyxfactor.com

How to Improve Your Photography Skills Without Spending Unnecessarily

Once you have managed to gain insight into the basics of composing pictures and shooting, it would be advisable to go a notch higher and improve photography skills. By doing this you can turn it into a serious hobby or better yet, make a career out of it and get paid to take pictures. The first thing that you should ensure that you do is master all the basics such as camera handling framing, composition, and lighting. Once you are sure that these are all these aspects are at your fingertips, then you are ready to move on to the next level.

Readiness
In many cases, the best way to get a perfect shot is to be in the right place in order to get the right shot. Ensure that you have your camera with you at all times and use it as much as possible in order to give yourself more confidence as well as the getting used to spontaneous shooting which in many cases produces the best pictures.

Equipment
There is nothing wrong with basic or entry level equipment; however, if you want to step your game up as far as photography is concerned it is advisable for you to invest in professional equipment. This will help you significantlyimprove photography skills and though it may cost you quite some money, you are bound to notice a significant improvement of photographic content.

Stop looking and start seeing
By this I mean that you should move away from the notion that only conventional objects can be photographed. Don't just look at an object as it is but also focus on how the object relates and interacts with the surroundings. Begin to notice the interaction of lines, textures, patterns and colors in different spaces. You will be surprised at how much there is to capture with your lens.

Emotion
If you are taking photographs of people, one of the most distinctive characteristics of great images is the emotion that is captured. Expressions, gestures and feelings can be spectacularly captured especially when photos are taken spontaneously.

Subject matter
A good photograph often consists of something that captures the eye of the viewer. In order to improve photography skills it important to know how to look out for interesting objects, people, expressions and scenarios that are captivating enough to capture the attention of viewers and evoke some kind reaction.

For more information, kindly visit http://www.photographyxfactor.com

Saturday 11 February 2012

The Photography X-Factor E-Book Review

The X-Factor Photography e-book is a brand new e-book which teaches the most advanced techniques for taking only the highest quality of top quality photos. Photography is a very respected profession nowadays, but if you struggle with photography even if you love it so much, then you won't see yourself being respected and taking on many photography jobs. 


The program goes into every aspect and detail about taking the most beautiful photos possible. The overall concept is to teach you how to take pictures for you to do whatever you want in the photography business, whether that means becoming a wedding photographer, celebrity photographer, and a photographer who sells stock photos online.


What's inside of the e-book?
Inside, you'll discover some pretty nifty techniques for getting that perfect photo. Most people spend years just to learn how to take that perfect picture, and so did the author himself, but he teaches it in this guide exactly how this business works and how to succeed at taking pictures. It isn't a difficult task like the way most people think, and he makes the entire process easy even for those who have a hard time. 


The e-book is titled The Photography X-Factor because it teaches you exactly what you need to do in order for your photos to have that X-Factor. The e-book itself is nice because he teaches so many methods for successful photography, and he goes into different aspects like what equipment you need, whether or not you should take a certain photo at this angle, and how to actually make money from your photos as soon as today.


Most guides similar to the X-Factor only teach and go into one thing like making money from your pictures, but the author goes into all of them because of how hard he knows this business is. He used to be a struggling photographer who had no talent at all with photography. He dreamt of becoming a good photographer, but it just wasn't possible at certain tines. Until several events started to take place and he finally discovered everything to get the perfect picture and gain the X-Factor in whatever object he took a photo of. His story is truly magnificent, and you can read it in his guide how much he wants to help ordinary photographers learn how to find that special something in their pictures.


The guide has 70+ pages of pure Gold. It's outstanding information is brought out with crystal clear images, strong words, and an easy to read format. The e-book has every information very well compiled together, so everything he's ever learned from photography is put into the e-book. There usually is more pages than normal in other ebooks, but it's only 72 pages long because the tips and techniques are all too simple to understand, and it doesn't have to take weeks or months before you finally become a great photographer. 


You can visit the official website at http://www.photographyxfactor.com.

How Do Shutter Speed and Aperture Affect Your Photography Shots?

Photography today has been overrun with automation so much so that words such as shutter, aperture and the like have virtually become extinct. A lot of the equipment on the market hardly needs any expertise to use. For those who want to understand photography well, it is important to know how the major parts of the SLR based cameras work.
Professional photographers will not let cameras determine the exposure of photographs and instead they will adjust the shutter speed, aperture and lighting accordingly in order to determine the final exposure. Without making these adjustments, the camera usually just uses default settings that produce medium tone.
Shutter speed
The shutter is a sort of flap that is positioned within the body of the camera and which opens up, allowing light to reach either the film (analog cameras) or light sensors (digital cameras) from the lens. Shutter speed is hence the amount of time that the shutter takes to open and close. The time is usually measured in fractions of seconds; hence the values may appear as 1/500 or 500 to represent 500th of a second. Shutter speed has a great effect on the sharpness of the image and usually the higher the shutter speed, the sharper the image. To get a good final picture, the right amount of light has to reach the sensors or film and this is why a fast shutter speed will just allow the right amount of light to capture a moving object clearly. Shutter speed can also be used to create and effect on the final image for instance if you want to emphasize motion on a moving object you can set a lower shutter speed which will create a sort of blur that signifies movement.
Aperture
Aperture and light are all related and they can be synchronized accordingly to achieve the desired outcome. The aperture refers to a diaphragm-like opening within the photographic lens and determines how much light will be sent through the shutter when a shot is taken. It opens up in a circular manner and the aperture size refers to the measurement of this opening when shooting. It greatly determines the outcome of a picture by determining the depth of field and the quality of the final exposure. The aperture works much like the pupil of the human eye which regulates the initial amount of light that gets into the eyeball by either increasing or decreasing in diameter. This ultimately influences the quality of image that the viewer sees.
The key to a good photograph is how much light is passes through the camera and once you learn how to adjust the shutter speed, aperture and flash, you will be sure to capture great photographs.

Wednesday 8 February 2012

Lighting Photography Techniques


Lighting techniques determine the overall result of your image and plays a critical role in revealing the texture and form of the subject. Understanding where the source come from is critical in photography. For photographers, natural and artificial (studio) light are two available sources.
In outdoor photography, light changes constantly. Always consider the angle and intensity of the source as well as its distance to the subject. A thorough understanding of natural light will help you control the brightness in your images. Moreover, understanding this important element in photography helps to create and recreate many different effects in a studio environment.
Most photographers are interested in portrait lighting but do not understand how to do it. Same concepts can be used with flash unites, however you will not be able to see the effect until after shooting it. In order for you to control the harshness of the light, you need to practice. Wrong technique will result in narrow or round face. There are four main styles of lighting namely, broad, short, butterfly and Rembrandtlighting.
The Importance of Temperature In Photography
A photographer must also understand the sun's color scale (color temperature) which is the actual colors that human eye can see. Color temperature defines visible light. It is measured in Kelvin (K) degrees. Yellow to red are called warm colors, blue to white are called cool colors (see Color temperature).
If you observe carefully, the sun evokes hues in the morning and neutral colors during the afternoon. These neutral colors occupy a part of the definition you'd like to include in your photographs. Afternoon offers warmer tones with reds and yellows.
The Importance of Angle
The sun is the source of all daylight. The angle or its direction can bring plenty of shadows or remove them. The day light changes throughout the day creating two main light effects: hard and soft light. These two sources are also used in studio photography.
Hard Light
Simply means director bright sunlight. It is equivalent to the brightest time during the day when the sky is clear. It is harsh and could be used for amazing effects. This method is used for contrast as it results in more definition and shadow. The angle of this technique determines the overall effects.
Above are just a brief explanation about lighting photography techniques. Whats more important is constant practice as well as basic understanding of how it works.

Monday 2 January 2012



Hi there and thank you for visiting this awesome blog


I would like to share the secret technique that I've discovered over the years so that you can get a jump start on getting inspired to turn your photography snapshots to top class photos without wasting money on expensive accessories and months of practice...YES, almost instantly!




This eBook is structured so that at any point in time you can jump to just about any page and start getting inspired with new ideas and techniques. With that being said, however, this eBook will not transform you into a professional photography overnight! But if you follow the steps and advice, and practice them regularly, you will DEFINITELY improve your photography skills.

If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, testimonials, corrections, new ideas or photos that you would like to see in future editions of this eBook, feel free to e-mail me at thephotographyxfactor@gmail.com. I'm happy to answer questions and respond to feedback.


You can also find me on the following websites:
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Take care!

Gerald.