Search results for: photography tips solutions understanding light sources
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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
When it comes to improving your wedding photography, you're likely to hear a lot about gear. We've done our fair share of these gear guides from using fast lenses to complicated lighting set ups. Now, we want to talk about techniques you can use to up your wedding photography game.
Let's take a step back and return to the basics. In this guide, we're going to look at five simple things you can do to up your wedding photography game. These tricks will aid us in both our understanding of the job, marketing ourselves, and client relations.
Be
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
As photographers, we are faced with a wide array of lighting conditions, ranging from bright sunlight to dimly lit interiors. Using ambient light as your main source is often preferable; however, in a situation such as an event or portrait where time is of the essence, you will need to know how to properly expose all these varying scenes using both natural and artificial light sources.
Being resourceful with your lighting setups lends greater efficiency, and having a lighting system you can easily move from one situation to the next quickly is
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Despite what you might have seen on the internet, you don’t need all the money and time in the world to photograph wildlife. Sure, an African safari would be nice, but it is by no means the only way to capture stunning images of wild animals. In fact, regardless of where you live, odds are there’s a vast ecosystem that likely goes unnoticed. If you have trees in your neighborhood, you’re off to a great start.
What You Need to Photograph Wildlife
While gear plays a crucial role in our ability to photograph wildlife, it isn’t everything. In this
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
If there’s one area of wildlife photography that challenges even some of the most consummate artists, it’s birds in flight. A dynamic flight shot shows action, and a bit of technical prowess. As you can imagine, capturing birds in flight is no easy feat.
To consistently capture these shots, one must be proficient with their gear and have a knowledge of animal behavior. We’d go as far as to say you need a bit of luck too, but what is luck if not preparedness meeting opportunity. In order to make the most of the opportunities that present
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
If you’ve been around photography for any length of time, you’ve probably heard of ISO. ISO is one of the three settings that determine our exposure in photography. These settings are collectively referred to as the exposure triangle. ISO is unique in this equation, and in this guide, we’re going to explore why.
ISO can be referred to in two ways. It’s most commonly spoken as an abbreviation, but it is also sometimes referred to as a word pronounced as eye-so. General consensus is that you call it whichever you like. After all, it’s not what
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Photographing pets is something you likely do daily, whether it be with a phone or a dedicated camera. I don’t know about you, but I have thousands of pics of my pup filling up my photos app. After all, pets are part of the family, and we want to capture them in the best possible light. In this quick guide, we’re going to look at 10 ways you can improve your pet photography with practical creative tips and techniques as well as gear.
1. Get to your pet’s level. If there’s one trick to make your images more engaging, it’s to physically shoot
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
For macro photographers, having the right gear is essential. Magnification and lighting are key, but you don’t necessarily need the biggest, priciest macro lenses out there to get close-up shots. If you’re a macro photographer yourself or buying a gift for one, we have some excellent recommendations for every budget.
Gifts Under $50
1. Close-up macro filters (like this Macro Lens
by Tim Ireland · Posted
Macro photography allows photographers to explore the intricate details of subjects at a 1:1 or greater magnification ratio. However, capturing sharp, stable, and well-lit macro shots can be challenging, due to factors like camera shake, focusing difficulties, and lighting issues. This comprehensive guide will delve into the support systems and related tools that can enhance your macro photography experience, addressing specific challenges that may arise.
Stabilization Tools
Studio Stands: Studio stands are large, stable support systems
by Tim Ireland · Posted
Photography is often described as painting with light, and understanding how to manipulate light effectively is a fundamental skill for any photographer. While natural light has its place, using strobes and lighting modifiers can give you greater control over your lighting conditions, especially for product photography. Having a solid understanding of basic lighting gear and lighting modifiers will introduce you to simple yet effective lighting techniques, helping you take your product photography to new dimensions.
Understanding Strobes
Posted
In the final installment of this four-part Introduction to Photography series, Sony Artisan of Imagery Tony Gale breaks down various sources of lighting, from natural light to LEDs to strobes.
0:00 - Introduction
5:07 - Understanding Lighting
11:06 - Quantity and Quality of Light
12:20 - Color of Light
14:20 - Natural Light
23:24 - Available Light
28:48 - Constant Light
33:07 - Speed Lights/Flash
41:07 - Controlling Light
46:17 - Balancing Strobe and Constant Light
48:39 - Q&A
Watch Parts 1–3 here:
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by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Photography is all about capturing light. In fact, the etymology of the word “photograph” is basically “light drawing.” To make a photograph that we can see, we have to control both the amount of light that is exposed to a photosensitive surface, be it film or a digital sensor, and also control the sensitivity of that surface to the light. In this series, we will discuss a bit of the physics and characteristics of light and then how a camera and lens combine to control exposure by using what is commonly known as the “Exposure Triangle.”
by Cory Rice · Posted
Once your portrait needs have advanced beyond what natural and available light can provide, it is time to begin exploring studio lighting. The best way to build any lighting kit is one light at a time. This allows you to grow with your setup, developing an understanding of how and when to use your lights along the way. One of the simplest creative setups to experiment with when working with your first light is low-
by John Harris · Posted
Bokeh is a word that carries a lot of weight in modern photography circles and can, surprisingly, breed heated conversations, but what does it really mean and how does it apply to portrait photography? As an introduction, consider the word—which is derived from the Japanese term for “blur” or “haze”—to mean the aesthetic quality of the out-of-focus parts of an image surrounding an in-focus subject. It is not simply something not in focus, it is a product of shallow depth of field and can be quite beautiful on its own, but also lends to
by Cory Rice · Posted
When Nicéphore Niépce invented the first permanent photographic process in the early 19th century, he named it heliographie—or, sun-writing. Nearly two hundred years later, the sun continues to provide a quality light source to photographers at a fraction of the cost of its competitors. Like any creative decision, using natural light for portraits has its pros and cons. Its popularity stems from the facts that it is free, accessible,
by Jill Waterman · Posted
The photo community has a unique advantage over other art forms. As the most democratic of the arts, photographs, by their very nature, are among the most easily shared and viewed. This has given rise to an abundance of photographic portfolio reviews. In recent years, the portfolio review has become ubiquitous in the field of photography, providing a venue for photographers of all levels, from students to enthusiasts to accomplished professionals. Opportunities for critique, feedback, and professional connection are also available within a