Search results for: photography tips solutions understanding studio photography
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by John Harris · Posted
It would be foolish to claim that there is only one way to take a portrait, but there are some accepted norms and basic camera settings that you should understand if portraiture is to become your area of photographic interest. Remember though, as you walk down your creative path, that a portrait is more than a headshot, more than a beautiful photo of your subject; it is an opportunity to get to know someone, to have a visual conversation with a person, and to use your photographic skills to pass that understanding of the person on to the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
The most engaging portraits seem to have direct eye contact between subject and viewer, as if the camera were simply a window through which we’re looking. But is it that simple? So much goes into making a good portrait, can success simply come down to eye contact between subject and camera and is it even necessary to concentrate on the eyes for a portrait? There are certainly wonderful portraits that do not focus exclusively on the eyes that illustrate character with other aspects of the body, from posture to hands, but as an introduction to
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
As you begin to research cameras, you’ll likely hear some technical jargon about sensors. While it’s easy to ignore some elements of any devices, there’s no way to work around sensors. But what is a sensor and what does it do? In this guide, we’re diving into the often confusing world of imaging sensors. By time we’re done, you’ll have a better understanding of the most significant component in our digital camera.
About Sensors
What Is an Imaging Sensor?
At the heart of our digital cameras sits an imaging sensor, which serves as the digital
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
Getting great pictures of your newborn or infant is certainly no easy task. Indeed, the window of opportunity for coaxing a perfect expression and a picturesque pose from your little bundle of joy is fleeting, at best. For parents (and others) who aspire to capture such moments, user-friendly gear, highly functional accessories, and photogenic props can make all the difference. With this in mind, here are our best recommendations to help make photo sessions with your unpredictable little darlings a success.
Pick the Right Camera for the Job
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 Trevor Collins · Posted
These days it often seems like everyone has a podcast. With so much competition and so many options for podcasting-centric equipment, it can be daunting to dive in headfirst without knowing the ropes. That’s where B&H comes in, with another all-encompassing guide to set you up for success and help you get your content off the ground as painlessly as possible. Let’s begin.
Why Make a Podcast?
The first topic couldn’t be simpler: Why even start a podcast? The answer is simple−because it’s the best way to get your content to the masses
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
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
The sun. Always on. Always overhead (of some part of the planet). Always free. Always a consideration for every photograph taken outside of a windowless studio or closet. The sun is nature’s free light source for photography and video. Regardless of whether you are making a landscape image, architectural photograph, portrait, macro shot, street photo, etc., sunlight, or the absence of sunlight, is a critical ingredient in the image.
Photographs © Todd Vorenkamp
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 Bjorn Petersen · Posted
There is a lot of talk about lighting and photography, and specifically how learning to use light can make you a better photographer. This is true, of course, but is also a notion that’s more often applied to working with artificial lighting, such as for portraits or products, where you can work in a studio with a strobe or LED to fine-tune how your shot looks. When it comes to landscapes, on the other hand, most likely you won’t have the ability to or just won’t want to use artificial lighting for your scenic shots. This is part of the
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
Have you ever tried to take a photograph of a snowy scene and later realized that your shot was underexposed, maybe with an overwhelming orange or blue hue, or just lacking a certain "something?" Frustratingly, and surprisingly, snow can be one of the trickiest environments in which to make a correct exposure. But, with a few tricks and techniques in mind, hopefully you'll be able to make easy work of these trying conditions.
It All Begins with the Light Meter
The culprit behind these wrong exposures is likely your light meter; but this light
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,