Fine Art Nature Photography - How to Compose a Perfect Picture

Photo By : Chris Yeong
Story By: Keith Spangler
Fine Art Photography : John M Fleming

As with other pictures , fine art nature photography is meant to communicate . Nature photos that are good will communicate well and put your subjects in the light you prefer . The composition is crucial for great results. Here's a look at some of the most important basic fine art nature photography techniques , and ways to use them. Remember - an amateur can take a great photo once in a while , but practice is needed to do this purposefully!

In photography, composition is referring to the visual elements and their arrangement. This is done using a variety of elements like tone, line, lighting, color, and more . It can seem daunting to remember them all when taking a picture, it's possible to simplify this issue . Simply ask several questions of yourself when you look through your viewfinder. What is the message in the photo, and how can you communicate it best ? If you figure these out , most of the other factors will fall into place .

Fine art nature photography becomes more successful if you have a message that is clear. Every photo that you take doesn't have to be an allegory or even a statement politically. These messages are usually pretty simple , and tough to put into words. But a message is found in good photos. You simply must think .

Keep it simple when you are composing, especially if you're getting your start in this type of photography . Don't use a photo to showcase many subjects - one is fine . Professional photographers often try to see what can be removed from the scene while keeping the composition strong . Through the viewfinder, find tune everything until as many distractions as possible are removed.

You must have patience. Good composition isn't instantaneous , while it may look that way with experienced photographers. Some nature photos take up to ten minutes to compose . Although fast point and shoot is needed in some photography , it's best to slow down as much as the subject will allow .

No part of the scene should be ignored . Keep the frame filled with interesting and on message parts. Zoom or get closer to the subject to avoid it being difficult to see. Don't forget about the verticals, either - many people only shoot horizontally . However, the mountains and trees are also important ! Lines can be found anywhere - recognizing them allows you to use them to make your pictures better , and don't let them get in the way .

Although great fine art nature photography involves practice, you'll be amazed at how your photos improve with some care . Try it yourself and you'll find out!

About the Author

Fine art nature photography captures an instant in time and brings great memories to anyone. Keith Spangler is a professional photographer that specializes in images of fine art nature photography.

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How to Maintain your Digital Camera.

Story By: Pesic Milos

At present, digital cameras have become a significant piece of equipment in any individual's life. As it is a very special item, it has to be dealt with supreme care, if you want to maintain it for a long period of time. Hence, the next hints are essential to be followed so as to preserve the maintenance of your digital camera.

You are all the time recommended to clean your device any time before using it. For this goal, use a lint cloth or muslin cloth. Or, you might clean it with a soft brush to take out the dust particles concentrated in the memory card slot.

Lens are the most sensitive spot in a digital camera, so the highest care is demanded. Otherwise, the quality of the image can be affected. You should never clean it with a paper napkin or paper towel. Clean it with fiber cloth or soft brush. Moreover, take Drawcircle professional lens cleaning paper.

It is recommended not to expose your digital cameras to direct sun because it might spoil the sensitive parts. Put your digital camera at some dry place and free from electromagnetic radiation. As Well, don't expose it to high temperature as it can damage the circuit board. It is not recommended to operate in low temperatures. Be sure you keep your camera at distance from water and other liquids as they might make your camera dysfunctional. Yet, if it anyway comes about that you spill water, at once take out the batteries and wipe it with a dry cloth and blow hot air throughout the camera body. A few minutes later, take the batteries back and switch on the digital camera.

Make sure to put your digital camera in a safety case in order to avoid jerks and shocks to your cameras. Specially, mountaineers need to take it in a special carry case.

Always be sure to pay a lot of attention to the LCD screens. You can cover them with a scratch safety device.

Avoid touching the screens with your hands as too much pressure may lead to malfunctioning or wrong display of the screen.

A digital camera memory card has to be in accordance with your memory card slot. You can take a brush or an air balloon to clean the slot. You must never apply damaged cards in to the memory slot.

The fundamental parts of your digital cameras are batteries, of course, as they make your cameras operate. Many digital cameras use rechargeable Li-ion batteries. Don't leave the batteries in the device for a long period of time. At times, it may occur that the batteries explode because of inadvertent discharge or short-circuiting. It can do damage not only to the camera but also to the consumer. Make sure your batteries are put in some dry place.

A specific care should be given while transferring the files from your camera to your computer. In that sense, you should not try to disconnect your device while the procedure. Your camera's memory system might be corrupted by certain malicious program or virus. Be aware of this.

Most of all, it is necessary to service your camera in the closest authorized service center once in per year, as it may increase its efficiency. Even So, if you stick to the aforementioned points, there is no reason to be upset about your camera's performance and longevity.

About the Author
If you want to read more about SLR Digital Camera you can visit my Digital Camera Rating site
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Basic Canon EOS 40D Shooting Modes

This is a short introductory lesson on the basic shooting modes as found on the Canon 40D.

However, many of these modes are found on all cameras, so it should be helpful to anyone interested in what those little icons mean. I hope you enjoy the video!

Canon EOS 40D Digital SLR camera is a highly recommended for pictures of sports events, art, portraits, landscape, entertainment and travel. Owing to its simple controls, powerful construction, excellent picture quality, quick shutter speed and bright LCD.

Pet Photography

Story By TJ Tierney Photo By: ChrisY

An area of photography that is becoming extremely popular, pet photography makes for a particularly tough challenge to any newcomer to photography, but if mastered successfully will be very rewarding for you and your customers.

Most families own some form of a pet and the techniques that you will use will be different with each pet you come across. Unlike humans, pets are not going to pose for you, you can’t give them instructions and they won’t sit in a studio posing in front of the camera. So how do you get successful pet photography portraits?

Pets are tricky subjects for any photographer to deal with - a pet photographer requires everlasting patience and must be capable of reacting quickly when the pet does something interesting. Try to think of unusual ways to photograph your pet. With a large pet, shoot in close and use a wide angle lens to emphasise the animal’s large size.

Try working at eye level to the pet, this may mean that you’ll have to get on the ground, and if you do, be careful of the background. Avoid distraction that will take from the pet portrait.

If you are shooting pet birds, take them out of the cage. Make sure that you close all the windows and doors before the shoot. Remove the perch from the cage and place near a window. This is the normal sitting place for the bird and the natural light from the window will give your image some extra mood. Use a macro lens to get in real close and fill the frame on your camera.

Dogs are the easiest pet to photograph. Always keep the owner of the pet on hand. Dogs will take commands from the owner and make your job a lot easier.

Bait may be used in controlling some pets. A small ball can be handy if you are photographing kittens. Placing food in a garden will also help in getting a pet to stay still. Young pets won’t stay still for two long so you must react quickly. Garden pets can also be easy to photograph. Rabbits will laze around the garden nibbling on grass and may make for an interesting image.

Shoot the pet in the hands of the owner or in the hands of children. This will create extra sales.

Pet photography can be a very profitable market if done correctly. Images of pets are used all over the world in magazines and other photography publications. After taking a photograph of a pet ask the owner if they will sign a release form that allows you to sell the pet image. Make sure that you carry these release forms at all times. While this may not be needed - it may save you hassle in the future when selling the pet photograph.

About the author:
TJ Tierney is an award winning Irish Landscape photographer. For more tips you can visit his photography site. To view his images visit his on-line gallery of pictures of Ireland or see his travel site.
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Canon EOS 5D Mark II AND Nikon D3x Digital Camera Review

Review By: Richard Walker

Canon has always been associated with some great futuristic technology in camera. In 2005 they had announced a new DSLR category when they had introduced their EOS 5 D model. This model was compact and had a full frame sensor. However, with the introduction of new cameras from Sony and Nikon, Canon has introduced an upgraded model namely the Canon EOS Mark II.

The Canon EOS 5 D Mark II has scored an edge over its predecessors in resolution and many other features. This camera is way ahead of Nikon and Sony in terms of resolution and features. The Canon EOS 5 D Mark II has some great features like 21 mega-pixels, 1080p video, 3.0 VGA LCD, Live View, higher capacity battery and lots more.

The Canon EOS 5 D Mark II Camera has anti dust features which means you don't have to worry about the dust clouding your lenses. It has a DIGIC 4 processor with 14-bit analogue to digital conversion capacity. The shooting rate has improved from 3 fps in its predecessors to an astonishing 3.9 fps.

We all know that Canon cameras give you great quality still pictures, but did you know that the Canon EOS 5 D Mark II is the first DSLR by Canon with high definition (HD) recording feature of 1920 X 1080 pixels (1080 p) at a speed of 30fps? This still camera boosts of the best quality video recording in full HD. The LCD screen has now increased to 3 inch and a resolution of 920 k dot/VGA. You can even connect your camera to HDTV with the HDMI port provided and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

The viewfinder of Canon EOS 5 D Mark II boosts of a coverage of 98% and the shutter speed is 150k cycles and 6 AF assist points with 9-point AF system. The Canon EOS 5 D camera is one of the best cameras today for all the photographers whether amateur or professional.

Nikon D3X review



Nikon D3 X camera boosts of a high resolution and comes equipped with a full frame sensor. Nikon has been a revered name in photojournalism and sports photography and has now digressed to making high quality image field cameras. The Nikon D3X has a resolution to suit the requirements photographers in the world of art, advertising and fashion.

The Nikon D3X has a reduced burst speed of five frames per second than its predecessor which boasts of a speed of nine frames per second which is primarily due to the high resolution images and increased number of pixels.

The body of D3X is similar to its predecessor D3 and is made of magnesium and has weather proof controls which make the camera ideal for photojournalists and landscape photographers who need to brave the elements for their assignments.

Since this camera has been made primarily keeping landscape photographers in mind it has a great Live View and an auto focus system which can be adjusted and used while the camera is on the tripod stand. The Live View mode also has the virtual horizon display which prevents scary tilts.

A professional studio photographer will find this camera a great help since it can transfer large image files to the computer amidst photo shoots through wireless or cable links.

About the Author
I enjoy taking pictures of my grandchildren and being able to share them with family and friends. Having a good Digital Camera that takes superb pictures makes them so much enjoyable. In my search for a quality digital camera this is the one I found to be the best in its price range and camera reviews at http://www.camerareview-blog.com Article Directory: http://www.articlerich.com

Differences Between Candid Photography and Professional Photographic Portraits

The secrets of sports photography
Story by : Tassos Makrakis

When discussing types of pictures that can be taken by a professional photographer, there are two main types. Candid photography lends a more personal feel to each photo, and captures life as it is happening. Professional photographic portraits on the other hand, are more about chronicling an event, and preserving it on film in a staged manner. Each method has its own place and time in which it is most appropriate, and the information below will provide you with the main differences between the two styles.

Positioning and Appearance

One of the main differences between candid photography and photographic portraits is in the way they are positioned, and in the way that they appear. Candid photographs are taken on the go when life is happening, and present pictures of an event as it was. Professional photographic portraits however, are staged using sets, props, and a predetermined position. These photographs capture an image and preserve it in the way that it was positioned to look.

The appearance of these two types of photography are quite different, in fact, candid photography can often look like it was not done by a professional at all. It can sweep you away, and remind you of a past event with it easy appearance and candid positioning.

Photographic portraits preserve things in their perfect condition. They allow you to look your best, or capture something or someone in an ideal way. Often, when somebody goes to a professional photography studio or hires a professional photographer, they will opt to have both forms of photography used. That is because while different, these two styles both have their own merits and value.

Equipment That is Used

Another major difference between candid and photographic photography is the equipment that is used for each. Candid photography is usually done with much lighter weight equipment. There is often no need for a tripod, lights, and certainly not backgrounds or props. It is often done outside with natural backdrops, and usually on the go.

Professional photographic photography is quite different on the other hand. It requires the use of heavy equipment, large tripods, elaborate lighting, props and backgrounds, and often other items as well. The idea behind photographic photography is to make an object or person look their very best, and a variety of measures and tools are used to achieve this.

When They Are Used

When looking for differences between candid and photographic photography is important to explore the difference between when they are both used. For instance, photographic photography is better suited for taking still photos that you wish to look professional and staged. These might be wedding photos, children's photos, family photos, or even pictures for cards or invitations.

Candid photography however, is generally used to capture the action of an event. That is why candid photography is often used to capture wildlife, sporting events, wedding receptions, or even news events.

While each of these photography styles has various times and places that they can be used. It is also possible for them to be used in the same situation at roughly the same time. In the example of a wedding, before hand you may wish to have photographic pictures of the wedding party taken. However, during and after the wedding you may wish for a photographer to use candid photography to capture the action in every moment of the day.

Both candid and professional photographic photography have their benefits and appropriate times to be used. While there are differences in these two styles of photography, they both require the skill of a professional photographer in order to present a beautiful finished product. When you know the differences between these two styles of photography, you can make the choice of which one is best for you.

About Author Tassos Makrakis :

At Momento Photoworks, our primary focus is to offer the highest quality of photography, products, and customer service to our clients. We enjoy what we do, and that shows in our beautiful portraits! To learn more about our Markham photo studio, visit us at http://www.themomento.com

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The Essentials to Choosing Photography Lenses

By: Randall Stevens

Photography lenses are the key elements in photography. The quality of an image is mainly determined by the lens being used. If you are interested in photography, you should understand the various types of lenses used in photography. Once you have your basics right, you can begin your photography experiments.

The most common photography lenses used are the Wide Angle, Normal and Telephoto. These lenses are defined according to their focal length, which determines the amount of magnification and angle of view a lens can see.

Wide Angle Lenses

A Wide Angle lens has a small magnification and a wide angle view. Lenses with 20mm to 35mm are called Wide Angle lenses. These lenses are the preferred choice when it comes to photographing landscapes, sweeping panoramas and other outdoor scenes. They are also good for group shots. These lenses offer deep depth of field, thereby making constant refocusing less important. This is why they are usually used in photojournalism, in which a subject is frequently moving.

Normal Lenses

Traditional or Normal lenses consist of 50mm focal length. They offer an angle view close to the human eye. These are the standard lenses that are supplied with an SLR.

Telephoto Lenses

Telephoto lenses offer high magnification and narrow angle view. Anything with a focal length of above 135mm is referred to as a telephoto lens. These lenses are used in sports, nature, and documentary style photography.

There is another type of photography lens which is known as Medium Telephoto lens. These lenses have a focal length of 85-135mm. They are perfect for portraits and that is why they are usually used in portrait studio photography. These lenses are able to isolate the subject from the background. Studio photographers use the increased focal length to slightly flatten the image and give it a more natural and flattering perspective.

One thing that becomes clear here is that you simply cannot use a single type of lens for all sorts of photography. For instance, studio photography is very different from wildlife or outdoor photography. Telephoto photography lenses are best suited for wildlife photography, while Medium Telephoto lenses work great for family or kid portraits.

Practicing

Once we have the basic knowledge about various lenses, we can begin honing our photography skills. The best thing to do is start taking pictures of your family. Good family photographers are always ready and are able to anticipate a photographic opportunity. Do not let the subjects know that you are taking pictures because that way you will get natural images. Plus if you set the aperture setting pretty low to narrow the depth of the field you can get some really cool images.

Tips

Another great way to practice your photography skills is to create children's portraits. In fact, kid photography is a very rewarding experience. It is all about being quick and understanding the psychology of the kids. Here are few tips to help you get great pictures.

-Get the kids interested in the settings. Let them explore the surroundings. That way you will get natural pictures.
-Choose the location very carefully. Beach, park, or a bridge over a creek offer a natural setting in which the kids can be kids. Moreover, you get an awesome background.
-Be quick because you never know when you can get that magic moment.
-You have to be patient because it might take some time to get the right pictures.
-Choose your lenses and equipments wisely.

With the right photography lenses and knowledge you can get some amazing shots of whatever that you are trying to take pictures of.

About the Author

For more expert tips and advice on photography lenses, cameras and digital imaging, visit us at http://www.photographynotes.com
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Sports Photography - How Most Pros Work

Photo by Visuallens ( Click on image to view enlargement )
By Peter Phun Platinum Quality Author

In Sports photography, access is key. Without access, you won't succeed even if you have the most comprehensive array of lenses out there. So if you have access, you've already improved your chances of success by at least 40%. The other keys to success?

You have to be able to anticipate and concentrate for long periods. Being knowledgeable and following a variety of sports, not just the popular ones, is crucial. And finally a good ounce of luck doesn't hurt either. What exactly should you be looking for besides shooting great action?

Faces

Back of heads are not terribly engaging. I think we are so in tuned to seeing faces, we don't realize it. We do want to see faces of athletes whenever possible. Grimacing faces add to the drama and excitement. Unfortunately some athletes hardly show any emotions even when they win. Faces in sports can be the difference between a good picture and a great picture.

Timing

Peak action is probably what you're after. There may be some luck involved but a softball picture without a visible ball is not as exciting. The ball, be it a hockey puck or shuttlecock tells your viewer what sport it is. Without the ball, you don't get a sense of how close the play was, how bad the throw was et cetera. With baseball and softball, the play at a base has to be close. If the throw is early or too late, the ball is either in the glove or out of your picture. But that's not your fault. It's just how the game goes. So the element of luck is there for sure.

A Different Viewpoint

Strive for a different viewpoint to surprise your viewers and to give them a fresh look of a "tired-looking" sport. This may be something as simple as shooting when weather is not so good sometimes. Or even simply being creative with your photographic technique. It may mean working harder by bringing in more equipment but your efforts will be rewarded. If it it doesn't work, you'll at least learn something new.

Backgrounds

Related to viewpoint but just as important is backgrounds. Shooting with wide open apertures on long lenses can only do that much sometimes, so be on the lookout for what's behind the subject at all times. If you're serious about sports photography, you should try photographing different sports.



Photo by AllSportsBlog

Golf

Just the same way most Americans don't get soccer, I don't get golf. I do know I would enjoy the sport if I play it. It's more interesting to play than to watch. That said, I don't particularly like covering golf. Here's why:

* expect to be hauling at least a 300 mm lens with a monopod and 2 bodies, maybe a flash, and a 70-200 mm zoom.
* you will be walking all 18 holes, more if it goes into playoffs.
* you don't get to hang out with just the same foursome
* if the leader boards are not kept current, you will be in a world of hurt trying to find a certain golfer when the lead changes suddenly.
* besides that, the light is usually extremely harsh. Faces are inevitably shielded by visors or baseball caps. You're never close enough to be able to fill flash or anything of that sort.
* Restrictions. You can't stand directly in the line-0f-sight of the golfers. You can't trip your shutter until they actually hit the ball if they're on the green during the short game. Don't forget you have to be absolutely quiet.
* if the game goes into playoffs, all those "great pictures" you took in the early rounds don't mean much anymore. It's like starting all over.

Soccer

My favorite sport soccer happens to be pretty tough to shoot because of the lens requirement. A 300 mm lens is probably the minimum and a 400 mm is more ideal. But that also depends on the sensor size of your camera body.

If you're shooting with a camera with full frame sensors, you might even need something longer.

Most of the time, depending on the lens you have, you park yourself on the field and just hope you're in the right place at the right time. So covering soccer is not as physically demanding as covering golf or football. You might move around when there's a chance for a set piece like a free-kick or corner kick. It helps if you understand terms like "in-swinger" on corner kicks. The rest of the time, because the action is non-stop and the ball moves around the pitch so quickly, it's difficult to physically move around.

Badminton

Anytime you step indoors to cover a sport, you are heading into low light and very limited options. The world's fastest racquet sport is also hardest to photograph because of the lighting conditions and how the indoor stadiums are lit. Understanding how a game like badminton or tennis is scored is crucial. How else would you know when it's the "critical match point' or the significance of a tie-break?

ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed & White Balance

Up till this point, I haven't mentioned these camera settings because these are variable depending on the lighting conditions and how well your camera handle digital noise. Generally speaking, the newer your camera, the better it handles low ISO and digital noise. Most sports photographers have at least a 300mm f2.8 lens at a minimum.

They will also carry a 70-200 f2.8 lens and most likely that has built-in image stabilization. And the majority of sports photographers take their pictures at f2.8 to blur out the background but also to get the highest possible shutter speed to freeze action.

Every now and then, they may need more depth-of-field but very rarely. That by the way, is why under the one of the Auto modes, you see the icon for Sports or someone running. It's also exposure mode that favors high shutter speed, Shutter Priority or Tv (Time value according to Canon)

So 2 camera bodies are pretty standard. One body is attached to the long telephoto which is mounted on a monopod for support. Depending on the camera body, the image sensor may be full frame or may have a 1.6x, so a 300mm will be 480 mm lens.

To successfully hand hold a lens like that with little camera shake would require you to make sure you have a minimum shutter speed of 1/500 sec.

But even professionals don't handhold long lenses, they use monopods. The one good thing about shooting in artificial lighting like a soccer stadium at night is this: once you have the exposure down, it doesn't change very much, unlike a daytime game.

In day games, you have to keep an eye on light levels especially if the game is in the evening. The other advantage is the crowd in the stands are not lit, so they aren't as distracting.

Since "Sports Photography" is a highly specialized field, there is just too much to cover in one article. These tips will hopefully get you on your way to getting better pictures.

Peter Phun teaches photography at Riverside City College. He does portraits, weddings and editorial work. Read an illustrated and more detailed article about sports photography on his blog. He writes about photography, Macs and the internet. He also designs websites and is a stay-at-home dad.

Previously, Peter worked as a staff photographer for 18 years at The Press-Enterprise, Southern California's 4th largest daily newspaper. He is the webmaster for the Mac user group in the Inland Empire. For more information about this Riverside based photographer, visit http://www.peterphun.com

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5 Secrets to Taking More Professional Photos

By: Phil Thornton

One of the most popular gifts this past holiday season was the digital SLR (single-lens reflex) camera. With companies like Canon and Nikon in fierce competition for the consumer market, the prices for high quality consumer level digital SLR's dropped significantly in 2008. If you are a proud owner of one of these amazing cameras but a little confused on how to operate them to their full potential then this top ten list is for you. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you create better photographs and introduce you to the world of digital photography.

1. Automatic Modes are not your friend

When taking your first photo with your new SLR you most likely shot in one of the automatic modes. Although these modes are by far the easiest modes to shoot in, they very rarely produce high quality photographs. When you shoot in automatic modes you are basically letting the camera make all of the decisions for you. The camera selects the aperture automatically, the exposure automatically, and sets the ISO automatically. In most cases it is also focusing automatically. To achieve that professional look in your images you have to leave the comforts of automatic modes and explore the other shooting modes your camera has to offer.

2. Aperture Priority Mode

This is probably the single most powerful tip on this list. If you only learn how to shoot in one mode on your new camera, this mode will give you the most dramatic results. Your aperture is what determines the depth of field in an image. Shooting with a low number set for your aperture (4.0 and lower) will leave your subject in focus while giving the background a nice blurred and out of focus look. This helps distinguish your subject and draw in the viewer's eye. Consult your manual for more information on shooting in this mode.

3. Composition

This is probably the easiest tip to begin practicing. Instead of centering your subject in the middle of every photograph try mixing it up a little! Photography should be fun and exciting! Experiment with different compositions to your photographs. Try tilting the camera slightly to the left or right. Don't forget to shoot vertically as well as horizontally. Vertical images are sometimes called "portraits" because they generally make for a better format for images of people. Study the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds is one of the most fundamental composition rules an artist uses. If you were to take your photo and divide it into thirds vertically and horizontally you would make a grid. The rule of thirds dictates that when interesting things are on the lines of this imaginary grid then it tends to look better. So put your nephew or niece a third of the way over to the right or left and add a little art to your images!



4. Start looking for light

The hardest skill to master in photography is understanding light, but taking a little bit of time to look for it and appreciate it can make a huge difference in your photos. Photography is simply the recording of light and the sooner you can wrap your head around that concept the sooner you will be able to improve your images. Don't just look at your subject; look at the light hitting your subject. When photographing people you want indirect lighting, lighting that is coming from an angle other than straight from the camera. Flashes, especially on-camera flashes, can ruin an image. That little pop-up flash that tries to jump up when you take your photos can easily ruin a beautiful image. Learn how to disable your flash and shoot with available light.

5. Shoot, shoot, shoot

If you are serious about becoming a better photographer the best thing you can do is practice. I know this might sound like common sense but people seem to quickly loose interest when they aren't creating amazing images immediately. Stick to it, photograph something everyday, make it part of your daily schedule. When you wake up in the morning grab the camera and find something to shoot, it could be your breakfast, your dog, your mailbox, anything. Being comfortable with your new camera is key and if you aren't shooting with it regularly you will never feel in control.

More products on aStore

About the Author
Phil Thornton is a Nashville Wedding Photographer and owner of Phindy Studios. Visit http://www.phindystudios.com for more information and photography resources.
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Close up Photography, an emotional approach to Nature Photography

Photo by : Home Photography
Story by: Phil McDermott

From wide open spaces to rugged mountains, rolling meadows to dramatic coastlines they all play an important part in the nature of landscape. However, with such a view it is often hard to appreciate the beauty because there is nowhere for the eye to settle and concentrate on.

Why not take a fresh approach to nature photography and concentrate on part of the view and take time to consider color, shape and texture to really appreciate the finer features of the scene.

Enter the world of close up photography that lies just beyond the familiar but so rich in detail and beauty. If we look through our close up lens with an open mind, imagination and childlike curiosity there are many close up photography opportunities for us to consider.

As nature photographers we can take this concept further, for example that distant bright yellow patch becomes on closer inspection a riotous stand of broom flowers. Closer still we see clearly the intricate detail in each flower and seedpod that we can record in our close up photography.

Now go really close, look at the seedpod with its gossamer covering of fine hairs and we start to appreciate how things fit together. Whilst this is not a scientific approach it provides a raw and basic understanding, offers enlightenment and lets us become an integral part of nature. So by going close up and concentrating on a small part of the whole we have simplified our close up photography subject, made it basic, powerful and memorable,.

There is no need to go far, finding close up nature photography opportunities should be seen as a journey of the soul, inner vision and contemplation rather than visiting a far off place. Often the deeper we look into our close up photography subjects the more rewarding they become. Without hesitation they reveal their treasures allowing us time to admire their quality. With this awareness the nature photographer with a passion for close up photography is indeed privileged.

Appreciating that all these parts form an important relationship with each other makes it is easier to understand that the whole is made up of many unique parts and like pieces of a jigsaw they combine together to create a complete picture. Indeed, only by appreciating the significance of the smallest parts of our surroundings can we can start to make sense of nature as a whole and incorporate this awareness into our close up photography.

Emotion and drama and be found in often overlooked close up photography cameos, like a delicate flower growing defiantly in a boulder crevice, its tenuous grip on life dependent on the sustenance from the crevice debris. Yet it lives on year after year, testimony to its determination and resilience. It is this inter-action that is so enduring and compelling that makes these interesting subjects perfect for nature photography.

As a close up photographer getting close up to nature allows a greater understanding and appreciation of the beauty of the natural world. For example a cold clear winter day with breathtaking crispness can be ideal for close up photography, in these conditions there are magical patterns in snow, frost and shimmering icicles. Ice patterns make perfect winter close up photography subjects; they literally capture a moment frozen in time. Depending on the prevailing weather conditions some have smooth curves whilst others show harsh jagged lines providing creative close up photography opportunities.

Early morning in spring and summer can be a wonderful time to find close up photography subjects. Flowers and grasses covered with dew or fine rain make fascinating close up photography studies, the fine hairs hold onto droplets of water almost defy gravity. In the right conditions there may be insects that after a night’s inactivity have become encrusted with minute droplets. Butterflies make excellent close up photography subjects and look stunning covered in dew as they sparkle like a myriad of jewels.

Light quality plays an important role in our close up photography, if it is too harsh the increase in contrast will actually block out the very close up detail we are trying to photograph. It is far better to have diffused light that occurs with high thin cloud cover. It provides a much softer quality of light and allows the detail, texture and nuances to be clearly seen and recorded in our close up photography. Color also influences our interpretation of the subject, vibrant colors like red and yellow for example suggest dominance and power, whereas muted tones like grey and browns convey basic, earthy and tranquil feelings.

So, if we approach our close up photography with childlike wonder and a renewed vision the natural world is undoubtedly a beautiful place. To fully appreciate it requires a little time and an inquisitive mind, it will reward you with the knowledge that even the simplest of things can bring satisfaction, contentment, harmony and inner peace.

About the Author
Phil McDermott, Scotland Commercial Photographer and Close up Photography Workshops Phil McDermott Photography. See our Photography Blog for Photography Tips and Ideas.
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4 Tips To Building A Career With Digital Photography

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It is always exciting and fun when you can make money with what you enjoy. Imagine that going to work is like spending your time with your favorite hobby. Doesn't that put a smile on your face? This article is going to focus on how being different, learning photography, having a portfolio and the right equipments can help.

Imagine that you are online, reading newspaper or watching TV. Have you ever had a moment that you fail to see a picture? And ever since photography went into digital, it has sparked more people to become professional photographer.

Often, how the pictures turn out depend on the photographer's experience. That is why famous photographers' pictures are more outstanding. Think about how much money you can make when your pictures stand out from the crowd.

Continue reading when you want to build a career with digital photography:

1. Learn the art

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that photography is an art. Like a professional artist, you need to know your profession. Professional photographers get their reputation today through continuous learning.

When you are starting out to make money with digital photography, make sure you learn the art through books, clinics and practice how to shoot right.

2. Equipments

You need to start looking at professional DSLR camera when you want to become a professional photographer. The compact digital cameras are just not meant to build your career with digital photography.

Luckily the DSLR cameras nowadays are getting more affordable. Today, you can get a DSLR camera and extra lenses with investment less than $1000. That just feels great doesn't it?

3. Portfolio

Now, you must have an impressive portfolio in order to make money with photography. This is to show your potential clients what you have achieved.

Put your best work in the portfolio as that is what your potential clients are going to judge you with. Your skills and creativity will determine whether you can land the job or not.

4. Being different

You need an identity in the market. Express yourself with how you capture your subject. Your potential clients will appreciate something different yet aligned to their needs.

The bottom line is Find Article, you need to be unique.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Do you enjoy taking photos? Do you want more digital photography tips and techniques? Michael Wong is happy to share his knowledge about digital photography with you and hope you enjoy them. 

How To Handle Cold Weather Photography

Cold weather presents a few unique challenges to digital photographers. In this post, Peter Carey offers some suggestions to keep you photographing when the mercury drops.

cold weather photography - Copyright Lachlan Hardy When the weather outside turns cold, there are a few precautions every digital photographer should take.

First, give your camera time to acclimate!

This one is very important and it’s a two way street. If you’re heading outside from a nice warm house, or if you’re coming back in from a shoot out in the cold, give your camera lens time to adjust to the temperature change. Going either direction will fog up your lens and viewfinder. Leave your lens cap on when going either direction and give your camera plenty of time to adjust to the temps. The amount of time depends on the the difference in temperatures from inside to outside. The larger the difference, the more time you should allow. 15 minutes is usually fine but more may be needed depending on how humid each environment is. You want a slow, gradual change so if you can, leave your camera in a camera bag as it gets used to the change. While this may take a bit longer, it does help ensure condensation won’t become a problem.


Next, you’ll want to protect your batteries.

Cold weather presents a few unique challenges to digital photographers. In this post, Peter Carey offers some suggestions to keep you photographing when the mercury drops.
When the weather outside turns cold, there are a few precautions every digital photographer should take.

First, give your camera time to acclimate!

This one is very important and it’s a two way street. If you’re heading outside from a nice warm house, or if you’re coming back in from a shoot out in the cold, give your camera lens time to adjust to the temperature change. Going either direction will fog up your lens and viewfinder. Leave your lens cap on when going either direction and give your camera plenty of time to adjust to the temps. The amount of time depends on the the difference in temperatures from inside to outside. The larger the difference, the more time you should allow. 15 minutes is usually fine but more may be needed depending on how humid each environment is. You want a slow, gradual change so if you can, leave your camera in a camera bag as it gets used to the change. While this may take a bit longer, it does help ensure condensation won’t become a problem.

Next, you’ll want to protect your batteries.

Besides the lens of your camera (even worse, your sensor) getting fogged over, batteries are the lifeline for digital photography. Unlike traditional film (with another set of cold weather challenges), digital cameras obviously rely on working batteries. The problem is cold saps batteries of energy even when they aren’t in the camera. Carry spare batteries in pant pockets where they are close to your body. The warmer the battery, the better it performs. Even when your camera indicates a battery is dead, warming it up in a pocket (especially one with a hand warmer!) can bring it back to life for a few dozen more shots. Get used to rotating batteries in this manner and you’ll be able to stay out shooting longer.


Let’s not forget your hands!

Once your camera has adapted to the cold, holding it for long periods of time can cause frost bitten fingers. Just having your hands exposed to subfreezing temperatures for more than a few minutes can make your digits fumble and feel quite painful. Obviously gloves are a requirement for outdoor photography, but what works well? You’ll need both the warmth of a puffy winter mitten but the dexterity and tactile feel of a thin, thin layer. Enter the Mountain Hardwear Power Stretch Glove! I’ve found these gloves to provide the best warmth while still maintaining all the feel of the camera I need. They keep the wind out and while they are no extreme winter glove, they get the job done.

Lastly, keep your camera out of the elements

While the snow may be falling and seem so much better than a rainy day behind the lens, be aware that snow can cause just as much damage. Carry a soft, water absorbent cloth to help dry off your camera while out and about. Also consider investing in a rain hood for your camera if it’s a DSLR, which allows you to keep shooting in the heaviest of downpours. In a pinch, wrapping a towel around your camera will keep the snow off.

There’s no reason to let the cold weather keep you inside or away from your camera. With a little preparation you can ensure great photo opportunities don’t pass you by this winter!

Are you looking for daily photographic inspiration? Peter hosts a Photo Of The Day RSS/Atom/email feed on his site, The Carey Adventures. Get inspiring photos from the world of travel and adventure delivered daily to your mailbox!