Archive for the ‘Digital SLR Cameras’ Category
79% of Our Readers Shoot In RAW (at least Sometimes) [POLL RESULTS]
September 6th, 2009 | 
Author: A couple of weeks back we ran a poll here on DPS asking whether readers are shooting in RAW. The results are in and it seems that most of you are - at least some of the time.
Over 17,000 readers have voted in this poll and 79% of them shoot in RAW at least some of the time.
We asked our readers this same question just over 2 years ago and back then the Yes/No split was a lot more even (about 50/50) - so it looks like RAW continues to grow in popularity.
Further Reading on RAW: RAW vs JPEG
Don’t Forget to Vote in our Most Recent Poll - How Often Do You Take Photos?
Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.
79% of Our Readers Shoot In RAW (at least Sometimes) [POLL RESULTS]
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15 Inspiring Underwater Images
It’s slowly warming up in my part of the world (Australia) and with a vacation planned to Northern parts of the country I’m looking forward to some underwater photography. Here’s some underwater shots that we gathered a couple of years back here at DPS to get in the mood. Enjoy!
Three Books on Underwater Photography
- Master Guide for Underwater Digital Photography
- The Underwater Photographer, Third Edition: Digital and Traditional Techniques
- Adobe Photoshop for Underwater Photographers
Post from: Digital Photography School - Photography Tips.
15 Inspiring Underwater Images
10 Questions to Ask When Taking a Digital Photo
What goes through your mind in the moments as you raise your digital camera up to take a shot and before you press the shutter? If you’re like many digital photographers you’re not thinking about too much – you just want to capture the moment and then move on.
However getting in the habit of asking some simple questions can help take your images to the next level. Here’s 10 questions to get in the habit of asking while framing your shots. I’ve included links in each one to further reading on the topics. I hope you find them helpful:
1. What story am I telling?
This is an important question and one that should help you to make any number of decisions in terms of composition, framing, exposure etc. In essence what you’re asking is ‘why am I taking this shot? What is it’s purpose and what am I trying to convey?’ Is it purely a way to keep a record of a moment, are you trying to capture the emotion of a moment, is it possibly a shot to give to someone, is it part of a larger series of shots or will it be the only shot to commemorate the moment etc. Read more on telling stories with photos
2. What is the visual focal point of this shot?
What will viewers of this picture naturally have their eye drawn to in this scene? Once you’ve identified this focal point you can think about where to place it in the frame (consider the rule of thirds for example).
There are a variety of ways that you can enhance a focal point – some of which we explore here.
3. What competing focal points are there?
Once you’ve identified what you do want your viewers eyes to be drawn towards and have placed it in the frame – scan your eyes over the shot and see if there are any competing focal points and ask yourself whether they add to or take away from the image? Secondary focal points can add depth to shots but they can also be very distracting and so you might need to reposition yourself or adjust your focal length and/or depth of field to accommodate or remove them from your shots (read more on removing clutter from photography). Also keep in mind that if your shot has more than one focal point that it might be worth taking two shots, one of each focal point, in order to keep things simple.
4. What is in the background and foreground?
One of most common places for distractions in digital photography is the background of your shots. Run your eyes over the space behind your subject to see what else is in the image (do the same for the foreground). Consider whether you want the background in focus or nice and blurry.
Read more on getting backgrounds right.
5. Am I close enough?
Another common mistake in digital photography is taking shots where your subject is too small in the frame. Shots that fill the frame with your subject tend to be much more dynamic and show a lot more detail of your subject. To get this effect you have the option of moving yourself closer, moving your subject closer or using a longer focal length to give the effect of closeness.
Read more on filling your frame.
6. What is the main source of light?
Always give consideration to how your subject is lit. Without light you’ll lose detail and clarity in your image and your camera will have to compensate by doing things like increasing ISO and lengthening shutter speeds (which could lead to noisy and blurred images). What is the main source of light, where is it coming from, is there enough light, do you need artificial light sources (flash etc), do you need to stabilize your camera on a tripod to stop camera shake due to low light etc. Read more on using artificial light here and here as well as photographing moving subjects in low light conditions.
Image by Darren Rowse7. Is my Framing Straight?
It’s amazing how many otherwise good photos are spoiled by framing that is slightly offline. Sloping horizons and slightly leaning people or buildings should always be in the back of your mind to check. Read more on getting horizons horizontal and getting other lines straight.
Also related to this question is that of ‘Am I holding my Camera correctly?‘ Many people don’t and as a result suffer from camera shake and framing mistakes.
8. What other perspectives could I capture this subject from?
Put 10 digital camera owners in front of a scene and most of them will take exactly the same shot from the same position. Make your images stand out from the crowd by challenging yourself to not only take the standard shots that everyone else will get but to find creative and fresh angles and perspectives to shoot from.
Read more on adding variety to your Digital Photography.
Image by Darren Rowse9. How would holding the camera in the other format change this shot?
Many photographers get into the habit of always holding their camera the same way (horizontally/landscape or vertically/portrait). While it’s OK to have a preference one way or the other it’s also worth remembering that changing the format can drastically change the impact of the shot. Don’t forget you can also hold your camera at an angle for an effective result too.
10. How will the eye travel through this image?
This is related to asking about focal points but gets in touch with the fact that while you’re photographing a still image your viewers eyes don’t remain still as they look at an image. People tend to follow lines and are attracted to shapes and colors so considering all of these different visual elements and cues can help improve your shots considerably. Read more on horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines and how they impact a shot.
Of course you probably won’t remember all the questions and you’re unlikely to go through each of them with every shot you take – however next time you head out with your digital camera concentrate on asking yourself at least one or two of them as you take your shots. As you do you’ll find that they become more automatic and in time you’ll naturally take digital photography shots that take into account all of these elements.
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Post from: Digital Photography School – Photography Tips.
10 Questions to Ask When Taking a Digital Photo
Weekend Landscape Photography Challenge
Landscape by Philipp Klinger
The weekend is here (at least it is here in Australia) and so it’s time for a little group photography challenge.
This weekend your task is to drag yourself out of the house and away from the computer (DPS will still be here when you get back), to grab your camera and to get out there and take some Landscape shots.
If you can’t get out into the countryside your landscape photography could be more of an Urban landscape – but by the end of the weekend come back to this post and share your best Landscape shot from the weekend.
To share it simply upload it to your favorite photosharing site (like Flickr) or to your blog/photoblog and then share a link to the page where your best landscape shot is. If you’re able we’d appreciate you noting in on your photosharing page that you’re participating in this challenge (a link back to DPS would help spread word of the challenge too – but it’s not mandatory).
Next week I’ll go through the images submitted and put together an image collection for everyone to see with some of the shots that I enjoyed (by leaving an image you give us permission to republish it in that post – if you don’t want it to be included please note that in your comment).
Before you grab your camera and head out to take some shots – here’s a little pre-reading on the topic to get you shooting to your best!
- 11 Surefire Landscape Photography Tips
- 4 Rules of Composition for Landscape Photography
- Where to Focus in Landscape Photography
- Why You Need a Telephoto lens for Landscapes
- Urban Landscape Photography Tips
Post from: Digital Photography School – Photography Tips.
Weekend Landscape Photography Challenge
5 Tips for Gorgeous Infant Photographs
It’s possible that Infant Photography is among the most priceless treasures of family memories. There are few things more remarkable than reminiscing about how far someone has come in life. After all, no matter where someone may end, up, everyone has started from the same place: as a helpless, tiny, 8lb~ person.
Infant Portraits have the power to preserve the precious naivete of an life, no matter how far they stray from it. To many parents, there is nothing so priceless.
Infant Portraiture is challenging. You must be incredibly sensitive to the Mother’s comfort, and extremely careful with the infant. You must be artistic. You must be technically sound. And on top if it all, you must be swift and precise. Here are a few tips to help you sort out your first Infant Portraiture session:
1. Work with the Mother: You don’t want to be responsible for the infant becoming injured during the shoot. A mother will know how best to handle her baby, and possesses the gentle touch to keep it safe. Make suggestions on posing, while asking the Mother, “is it possible to…”
2. Work with available light: If possible, shoot in an area that will not have challenging variables with light. Set up next to a window, or use strobes positioned and tested before you begin.
3. Determine the importance of surroundings: Some families want portraits of the Infant in “natural” contexts. On the parents bed. On a blanket in front of the couch. Sometimes they want to achieve a more “Anne Gedes” look in painstakingly set scenes with special props. Or, the look may be a simple studio backdrop with beautiful lighting. Know ahead of time. You will organize and plan your entire shoot based on this information.
4. Watch Details: Face shots, toes, fingers holding a blanket – all these details are important aspects of your documentation. Use them to add variety and artistry in your shots.
5. Go for the eyes: An infant’s eyes reflect purity and innocence like no other. If the infant is awake, make an effort to engage and pull out expressions. Be gentle. Be quiet. Smile. Tickle the baby. Talk to to the baby. Laugh together. If you connect, you will be able to pull out emotion from the eyes of this little person in ways you didn’t know were possible.
Post from: Digital Photography School – Photography Tips.
5 Tips for Gorgeous Infant Photographs