Photography - Taking Better Zoo Pictures

Here are a few tips on how to take good pictures at the zoo. Everyone wants to take pictures when they go to the zoo. Here are a few points on how to make those pictures better.

Don't try to lug around a lot of equipment. Remember, you are at the zoo and probably around a lot of children and you are going to do a lot of walking!

繚 Don't bring a tripod. Chances are that it will get tripped over by a child. Most SLR digital cameras have a built in stabilizer to reduce camera shake. When you get ready to take the picture, take a breath and hold it, then snap your shot. You might want to try to brace yourself against a fence or wall for a little more stablization.

繚 Don't try to carry around a big camera bag. An SLR digital camera or even a good point and shoot digital camera with a small zoom capability will be just fine. The animals are put as close to you as safely possible by the zoo. If you have a gradient lens for your SLR camera, that will help reduce the glare from the glass and not wash out the sky.

繚 Do bring an extra camera battery. To catch that great shot, you are probably going to take several shots of the same animal and you are probably going to be there most of the day. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

繚 Do bring an extra flash card. It's rare that one goes bad, but again I would be on the safe side.

繚 Do bring some type of glass cleaner wipes. Windex has small packages of window cleaner wipes. Children and going to have put their little hands and probably noses, against the glass and you need to clean the glass to get a good, clear shot. (A small bottle of hand sanitizer wouldn't be a bad idea either, just because!)

繚 Do wear comfortable shoes! Remember you going to be doing a lot of walking!

The best times to take pictures at the zoo.

Try to time your trip during school hours. It will be a lot less crowded and you don't have to worry so much about tripping over little children while you are trying to take that perfect shot.

Go as early of a morning as you can. First thing of a morning the animals are being fed and are more likely to be outside their "dens" waiting for their food. It is also cooler earlier in the day and will be more likely to be out walking around. In the heat of the day, they are going to be resting either inside their "dens" or lying around in the shade.

If possible, try to go on a day that is going to be overcast. Hopefully you can choose a day that it doesn't rain, but the overcast skies will really help. You won't have to fight the light and shadows issue and your colors will be more subdued.

A few more tips...

Set your camera on multi-shot if you can. As the animals are walking around, you may get that great shot you weren't really expecting.

"Rattle their cage." You can call the animals, talk to them and make all the little noises you want to, to try to get them to either turn around or come towards you. It's not going to work. They hear that all the time and have learned to just ignore it. What they do pay attention to is either the sound of the cage being opened or the sound of keys. When I say, "rattle their cage", I don't mean to get aggressive with it, just try to make it sound like you are opening it. Jiggle your car keys. All these gates and enclosures have locks on them. They are used to hearing keys rattle when their food is coming in.

When taking pictures through glass, a gradient lens will really help adjust your pictures. Either with or without the lens, you want to put your camera lightly against the glass at about a 25% angle and shoot the picture. (Remember to have wiped the glass clean first.)

Don't worry about using your flash. The animals are very used to flashes and if it not allowed somewhere within the zoo, it will be clearly posted.

When taking pictures through fences or caging, get as close to the fence as possible. (Of course, stay within the safe boundaries set by the zoo.) You want your subject to be rather far away from the fence. This will let you zoom in on the subject and blur out the fence.

Well there are a few thing I hope will help you take better zoo pictures. and make your picture- taking trip to the zoo a little better! Remember, above all, make it fun. Oh! Watch the monkeys closely, because they like to throw poo! Have a great trip!

The 4 Best Extra Income Ideas With Photography

With just a digital camera and a need for extra income it is absolutely amazing how many good money making opportunities are available. One of the reasons there are so many options in digital photography has to do with the incredible need for illustrating the never ending increase of web pages on the internet.

Another reason is that it is so easy to share photos online with friends and family. People that can't be bothered to shoot and share the old film-style photos are now eagerly seeking photos that are digital.

Despite the many people that shoot their own digital photos there will always be a need to hire photographers that have a good eye and a system for consistently delivering clear and interesting shots.

Here are 4 of the best ways to earn extra income with a digital camera.

Child and Pet Photography: Children and pets will always evoke a tremendous passion from those closest to them. Where there is passion there is usually an eager market of people willing to open their wallets.

The secret of success in this market is to offer higher quality creative photos than the customers can produce on their own. It is also important that you start your business as simply and inexpensively as possible.

A young, stay-at-home mom and construction worker husband started a child and pet photography business part time that eventually became their full time source of family income. To keep the start-up costs low they used just an average priced digital camera and a spare room in their house for a studio.

They also avoided buying lots of different expensive backdrops buy shooting the children in front of one plain back drop. Using the popular software program, Photoshop, they would digitally place the children into almost any scene imaginable including an old fashioned wash tub. The results were highly unique, fast, low cost to produce and very profitable.

Wedding Photography: This market comes about as close as any to being recession proof because people are always getting married despite the economy. Another great thing about the wedding photography business is that there is always room for one more photographer. Since most weddings take place on the weekend, no one photographer, no matter how popular, can handle more than just a few of them.

Organization is the secret to success in this business. For example, checklists are needed to make absolutely sure that all of the essential shots are captured. Great control over your equipment is essential to prevent a disastrous malfunction. After all there is only one chance to get the job done right.

Finally you must be a master of managing a variety of personalities in order to get the essential group shots in a timely manner.

The bottom line is that Wedding Photography is hard work but lucrative. Some people even make a good full time living just doing weddings on the weekends.

Youth Sports Photography: You might think that with so many people taking pictures of their sons and daughters playing sports why would they pay for additional photos? The key is that most people are not very good at getting action shots.

Can you imagine how thrilling it would be for someone to have a clear shot of the exact moment their grandson slides into home plate for the first time. Might they jump at the chance to have this once in a lifetime shot on a key chain or mug? What if they could go online after a game and select a shot or two and create a full size poster just like you see in the major leagues?

The key is to get the shots no one else does then offer creative packages that can be conveniently ordered online.

Sell Your Photos Online: It's no secret that there has been an almost volcanic explosion of web pages on the internet. As a result there has been an increase demand for inexpensive photos to illustrate just about every topic imaginable.

Extra income seekers have learned which photos are in the biggest demand then posting them on sites like istockphoto.com to sell them over and over. The most successful amateur photographers have found that a nice collection of at least several 100 photos is necessary to begin to earn a consistent monthly income.

As with any extra income ideas, your photography business will be successful when you learn all of the essential tips and tricks for marketing and operating in a smooth and consistent basis. This is why it is always a great idea to seek the advice of those that have gone before you in this business. Consider interviewing photography business owners in-person or finding eBooks and DVD training programs that offer first-hand insights.

Popular Modern Artists of This Century

The Twentieth Century had produced many renowned artists who include Painters, Musicians, Instrumentalists, Rock Artists and Sculptors. It has been a decade since the new century was born and many magnanimous and versatile artists have already started to conquer the mindsets of masses. These include artists from US, Europe, Russia, India and Australia.

Beginning with Sculptors, the name of Andy Goldsworthy is significant. He was born in 1956 in Cheshire, UK and is a Photographer and Environmentalist too. He is accredited with producing site-specific sculptures and land arts situated in natural and urban settings. David Hockney, born in 1937 is another leading British artist and has been voted the UK's most popular living artist.

Another name to worth mentioning is Lucian Freud who was born in1922and is possibly Britain's greatest living painter and portrait artist. All his works are protected by international copyright laws until at least 70 years after his death.

Antony Gormley is another sculptor who has explored the human image using his own body as a subject, tool and material over the course of the last 25 years. His work has been exhibited extensively both in the UK (such as the Whitechapel, Tate Modern, Hayward Galleries, British Museum and White Cube) and abroad. Gormley was awarded with the Turner Prize in 1994, South Bank Prize for Visual Art in 1999 and Bernhard Heiliger Award for Sculpture in 2007.

In US, the name of Chuck Thomas Close as a modern painter tops the list. He is known for his self portraits and portrait paintings. Other popular artists from US of international repute are Kiki Smith, Stacy Brown, Irvin Bomb, Kimberly Conrad, Rebecca Darlington, Marcus Jansen, Ray Yano, M.E.Whitehill, Karen Jacobs, Iwaski and Michael Khandros.

Indian contemporary art in the break of 21st century is as varied as it had never been before. From the elitist business houses and royal families, it has now entered the drawing room of the middle class buyers and from domestic market, it is now traveling offshore to fetch immense; often astronomical prices. Some of world famous artists of this century are M.F. Hussein, Jatin Das, Satish Gujral, Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh and A Ramachandran.

Russia too continues it's legacy of artistic richness. Prominent and World famous Russian artists include Alyona Dergiliova, Ilya Kaverznev, Ekaterina Moré, Nataliya Ivanovna Duritskaya, Nikolay Tretyakov.

Marc Riboud, Georges Rousse, Pierre Toutan Dorbec, Bettine Rheims, Ange Leccia and Sophie Calle are World famous French photographers who have been successfully able to transform photography into an art. Popular French artists of 21st century include many heavy weights like Patrick Mimran, Y Liver, Jeylina Ever, Andre Vanden Busshe who is both a sculptor and a Painter. Dominique Sanson (who currently lives in Spain), Jacques Pellegrin and Zaven Pare, Gilles Rouaut, grandson of the famous French artist, George Rouaut are the promising artists from France. From Italy, the land of Picasso, many new artists have come up like Carlo Maria Mariani, Francesco Clemente and Sandro Chia. Popular German artists include Markus Lupertz, Gerhard Richter and Anselm Kiefer.

The list is endless and will be added on to as the years go by.

Why Black and White Photography Makes Such an Impact

Colour photography has now been with us 100 years yet black and white (monochrome) photography is as popular as ever and for very simple reasons unrelated to trends or nostalgia.

A colour image with strong vibrant colours will, irrespective of the subject matter grab the viewers attention and nourish and satisfy the brain with a kind of visual sugar much like a new big screen TV with nothing particular on.

Without colour the brain searches for something more.

The viewer is immediately drawn to the Shapes, textures and emotions of the picture and the absence of colour might not even be noticed.

The understated horror of the shiny black blood in Robert Capa's American soldier lying dead from a sniper's bullet, Ansel Adams' seminal images of Yosemite National Park, All pictures you would expect to be in colour yet they're all in monochrome and the best of their kind.

The raw emotion and sheer horror of Capa's war images is unequalled, always shot from very close we can feel the risks he took, something that eventually cost him his life. In stark contrast the silent beauty of Adams' landscapes draw the eye to the textures, tones, and shapes within the landscape. Undistracted by colour the viewer searches and sees deep into the image.

Where black and white can work for you

Photograph your children in black and white and suddenly all the distracting colourful Toys and fabrics so often present in the scene are neutralised and the child's smile and eyes dominate the image.

I offer my family photo shoot clients proofs in both colour and monochrome, first showing the colour images, then with those safely tucked away, the black and white options. And it's these they so often order, timeless and enduring just like the pictures Julia Margaret Cameron took almost one hundred and fifty years ago.

It's always best to shoot in colour then remove the colour on the PC because not only do we retain the colour option but it allows us to create different styles of black and white images.

Using simple software like iPhoto, or even better Adobe Photoshop Elements we can control the conversion of the colour image into black and white. Blue skies can be adjusted to be darker to bring out clouds, street scenes can be made contrasty and gritty and portraits can be given the soft graded skin tones that work so well.

Think about the most powerful photographs of the last 50 years.

Were they in colour?

Female Erotic Photographers Top 5

Jody Frost
An ex-dancer who uses herself as the main source in her portraiture, Jody is interested in the female form in all its animated glory. She seeks to understand movement in her pieces and the physicality of a mime or movement. Many of her works display confident dancers expressing themselves in a variety of situations which have a sense of muscular drama as well as being detached from time and space. Her self portraits in more static poses carry a similar sense of majesty as well as disreputable elegance and chic immorality.

Elizabeth Prouvost
The artist behind many films and a famous photography book, 'Edwarda', Prouvost is a highly regarded erotic cinematographer who has won awards at the highest level, including at the Cannes Film festival. With a grounding in the fine arts, she is interested in the work of Francis Bacon and has used religious imagery in her own pieces. She is also influenced by renaissance artists which inform much of her later photographic work.

Francoise Lacroix
Another inhabitant of the UK Lacroix makes her art come alive by placing her subjects in absorbing backgrounds which have a personal significance as well as befitting the situation. Her work has been used in many situations, including as backdrops to television shows and she has exhibited widely across Europe where her beautiful work has often been well received by her eager viewers. Since graduating from one of the world's best art colleges she didn't rest on her laurels, but instead chose to beat a path to the top of her trade. Now she can be rest assured some of her portfolio is strong enough to ensure she is always in huge demand.

Sarah Ainslie
An English photographer who works in London Ainslie is a film and television specialist as well as a theatre connoisseur. Her daring work challenges stereotypes of women and men in all their vulnerability as being weak or somehow dispossessed when lacking their clothes. Her powerful nudes exude power and energy as well as portraying esoteric glamour and keeping us guessing. She went on to take photos of sports figures such as Arsenal Football Club players which goes back to her earlier theme of nudity as strength. Having accomplished a lot in her career already she is also undertaking projects involving strippers at clubs in London.

Anja Muller
Born in Germany in 1971, Anja Muller, is an interesting female erotic photographer who is known to produce erotic portraits. She has written several books such as 'Schonner Kommen-Das Lesbensex Buch' and 'Mannen'. Her work is primarily focussed on the lesbian, gay and transgender communities where she lives and works, providing the viewer with seemingly detached voyeuristic forays into her model's lives. However her work in actually fairly confrontational in essence, at least in its subject matter of nude women chained to iron beds and close-ups of sensual bodies under fast-pouring showers. Thanks for reading this article about female erotic photographers and if you are interested in erotic photography and fine art painting check out Russ Trotter who is an interesting figurative artist, also captivated by the power of the human form, with influences drawn from the above five photographers.

Professional Events Photographer - Qualities You Must Have to Become One!

Perhaps you have always enjoyed photography as a hobby and believe you know how to take excellent pictures, or you simply think that the events photographer's work is so easy that you could easily learn what it takes.

Creative Flair
Many people think that taking photographs of weddings and other events involves no great skill and if they are made redundant from their regular job they think they can make a success of event photography. While it may be the case that some people seem to have a good eye for what makes an excellent photograph, the skills required to be a top events photographer should not be underestimated. The fact that there are so many photography and film schools and course and certification in this field should be sufficient indication that there is a great deal the professional photographer needs to learn.

Organized and Responsible
For a start if you are not a well organized person this is certainly not a job for you. An events photographer needs to have completed all their camera equipment setup and have arrived at the event well in advance of the time it is due to start. If you have a poor memory and are likely to forget items in your studio, this is another factor that should deter you from trying to make a career in this field.

Sound Technical Knowledge
Investing in acquiring the technical knowledge that goes into making first class photos is also absolutely essential. To take one example, a good photographer knows how to take quality photos regardless of the light conditions. For church weddings it is common to find that the natural light is poor and so the photographer needs to first of all find out if they are allowed to use the flash gun. Assuming that use of the flash is permitted, there is the question of deciding if bouncing the flash is going to be effective. Bouncing the flash off a stained glass window is likely to produce an interesting light effect but will the resulting photos please the customer?

Good Social Skills
In addition to the technical talents required to use photographic equipment effectively, the events photographer must have well developed social skills. He or she has to know how to get the subjects of their photos to cooperate in posing in a way designed to produce the best quality pictures. A photographer should not be over aggressive but at the same time an excess of timidity can lose that precious shot that is going to add so much to the album.

How to Take the Perfect Jumping Photos

Jumping photos are fun to take and be in, so we are giving you some tips of how to take the perfect jumping picture, without a professional photographer or even a top of the range camera.

The first on how to take the perfect jumping picture is always to get close so that you look higher and enhance the effect of the jump. This also means, depending on the context for the jump, getting as much of the sky or background in the photo as possible to enhance the height of the jump. It also helps the impact, to create proper enhancing perspective, to be sure to have some of the floor or ground in the image. This helps to give a clear indication of the difference of depth between the jumper and the context. It sometimes also helps, specifically if this is your first attempt at achieving the perfect jumping photo, to take the image portrait rather than landscape in order to enhance the height of the jump. A flash and/or different lighting also helps to create the impression that the motion is frozen by extenuating the lighting and dramatizing the height or energy of the jump.

For a beginning start, it helps to start practicing and playing around with a wide angle lens, low angle and close range to take the perfect jumping picture. You don't need the highest of the range camera to achieve the perfect jumping photo, it just takes a little patience to get familiarise yourself with how you need to take the photo, the composition you need of the surrounding context jump and how to manipulate the camera and the jumper to achieve the perfect jumping photo... so play around with it. It often helps to fiddle with the shutter speed and set it to around 1/500 or faster to perfectly capture the jumping motion and freeze it to create a 'flying' motion.

Timing is also extremely important when working out how to take the perfect jumping picture. You ideally want to capture the image at the highest point of the jump and place the person at the apex of the image so to provide the greatest focus on your person and jump. In order to do this, for beginners or depending on the speed of your reflexes, try to capture the image, just before the person reaches the height of the jump so that you can get the image captured at the height of the jump. This is rather tricky to do, depending on your photographic experience level, or using a new or unfamiliar camera, so it will take some time to practice and play around with different effects, jumps and camera angles. It is worth spending some time to decide what you want to do with the jumping photo as this will change the way that you plan and take the jumping photo.

Jumping photos are not the easiest to take but once you get more familiar with the perfect timing to capture the photo, and how to enhance the image that you want to achieve, you are set on the way to achieving the perfect jumping photo.

Here is a Quick Way to Enlarge Your Photos

Photo enlargement is an online tool or service available on the World Wide Web. Today, it is easy to edit and modify pictures for anyone from anywhere who wants to resize image quickly in easy steps. There are so many websites available which are giving easy and quick facilities to enlarge, reshade, crop, stretch pictures according to your requirement and creativity.

How these services are helpful for tourists

Tourists or travelers who used to take pictures of different heritage places, monuments, wonders and other popular attractions using digital camera can take benefit from this services. They don't need to look whether photography enlarger is available on cafes computers or not. Just open World Wide Web and go to any website, register yourself using your email id and start using this facility. If you don't have any email id you will first need to create it using yahoo, gmail or hotmail.

Tourists always wanted to share their clips with the friends as soon as possible. So, using these services they can quickly share their photos with their relatives, friends and people from their native places by uploading it on the internet. Sometimes you want to edit pictures to give it clarity and sometimes you want to enlarge it so that everyone can look it closely. So, Photo Enlargers are sufficient in providing all the tools needed for picture editing.

However, sometimes tourists desire to look at each and every side of the picture closely. So, while taking pictures, set the dpi of digital camera a little bit high from the standard. It will help you to use highest efficiency of photographic enlargers. You will be able to look pictures more closely and very clearly without pixilation loss.

There are a number of online websites that offer free online image resizing services. On these sites you can use tools like cropping, stretching, smoothing, sharpening, denoising etc. You can also apply different visual effects such as brightness, contrast, background lightening etc.

The tools have different uses:

Stretch: If the image is not the same aspect ratio as the selected resolution then use stretch to fit it.
Crop: You can use Crop if you want to cut the image into parts. For example, if you have any photo with your friends and you want to separate your photo from the group you can use this option and click resize it.
Sharp: Using Sharpening get stronger edges for higher values.
Denoise: Using this option will work well for the noisy, grainy and poor quality pictures.
Smooth: You can use this option if you want to maintain good quality picture. Smoothing picture will reduce more noise and compression during resizing. I found reshade website to be the best in this area.

Are There Other Types Of Photography?

As we have discussed there are many avenues open to a professional photographer. Some actually graduate from the world of business into corporate photography. Corporate photography has many facets; it is used for publicity, in the form of advertisements; for public relations, for historical purposes, and for in-house brochures. Some corporate photographers can work for the same company for many years. They cover special events in the companies' history, as well as being as in some cases an important aspect of industrial history. The history of the steamboat, the transition from the Agrarian to the Industrial revolution has all been captured on film.

Not only industrial history but history has been captured on film. War photographers usually by press photographers' have captured history.

In the 1940's Ansel Adam's was probably the best-known American photographer. He captured images of the enforced internment of American citizen's of Japanese descent at the Manzanar War Relocation Center in California. These prints record history in another way as the Photographic Division of the Library of Congress show digital scans of his negatives as well as his prints; this allows a student to study his dark room techniques.

The art of action photography is a specialised art that presents unique challenges, requiring both technical skills in capturing a moving image, as well as knowledge of the activity you are photographing. A sense of timing is vital as well as having the ability to pre-focus. Some types of photography has peak moments, such as the hour before dusk, action photography has peak milliseconds! Your sense of timing has to be well developed to know when this is going to be, because you have to shoot a millisecond before that to give the camera time to actually shoot. This is where knowledge of the activity is very helpful to allow you to anticipate the peak second. However, this is a very specialised aspect of the photography business, your techniques can be improved. Sport photography is easier than moving wildlife, or breaking news stories, as it is more predictable in its outcome. Common sense is fairly important with your positioning, you need an interesting backdrop, as well as a place that allows you to make best use of ambient light, be it also to keep yourself in a position of safety. The Pulitzer Prize for photography is no use to anyone when they are dead. Often these skills can be refined at amateur sporting events, where you do not need a press pass.

Another specialist type of photography is underwater photography, partly because you also need to be a qualified diver and partly because the equipment is specialised. It is possible to take shots underwater, with a normal camera, but amphibious cameras, get better results, unfortunately they are expensive, with a lot of things to learn and the possibility of very expensive repairs. As with action photography this is best left to the specialist and it is not a feasible option, unless you work in this media for the majority of your time. The sea can be a dangerous medium to work in, and it presents special challenges such as night, and wreck photography, as well as drift photography, all of which challenge both your diving skills as well as your technical skills.

Scientific photographers take images of a variety of subjects to illustrate or record scientific or medical data using knowledge of scientific procedures. They typically possess additional knowledge in areas such as engineering, medicine, biology, or chemistry. Often the photography of this type of record is an adjunct to a scientific career.

Assignment photography is the delivery of material for a specific assignment, often with limited appeal. It includes portrait photography, as well as wedding photography. Portrait photographers often have their own studios, as their clients come to them to have a formal portrait photographed. SLR digital cameras are often preferred to do this type of work, as there are more opportunities to "view real timework", you do not have to wait for the negatives to be printed to see if you have created a shadow on the face with a hat. Also they can be retouched, pixel-by-pixel, which means the small time imperfections can be glossed over. The adage the camera does not lie has never been completely true, but in today's world is even less so. A portrait photographer has the opportunity to go out on assignment and covers events such as weddings, and christenings.

Photo Journalism is another branch of photography that covers the breaking of various events; it can be general, on a local paper, covering local events such as school plays etc. International freelancers often cover specific areas such as war photography. Press photographers are often characterized under the banner of "journalism", as they collect, edit and present news material, yet despite this they use images to tell a news story.

It is distinguished from documentary photography, street photography and the photographing of celebrities because they have a timeline in that they tell a story in a chronological order. A narrative to further complete the story nearly always accompanies the work. Implicit to a degree in this type of work is a level of objectivity rather than creativity, as the images are recording real events in real time. For these reasons it differs from a wedding photographer, even though in theory he covers an event in real time and for publication.

A further aspect of photography is the "celebrity" and "Society" photographer. The two are distinguishable, though the person being photographed can fall in both categories. The society photographer may be also a photojournalist himself. In Europe at least the Society photographer, is nearly always of the same class, partly on the ground that they have the "breeding" to cover such events, which may be Wimbledon, or the Melbourne Cup, or even a charity-raising gala. It is implicit that the Photographer has permission to take the photograph. That's quite different to the inherent distaste often applied to the methods used by the celebrity photographer, whilst at the same time the public retain an insatiable desire to be able to see the photographs. Celebrity photographers are often these days called paparazzi, after a famous Italian photographer known for his dogged determination to trail after celebrities, and publish photographs taken in an unguarded moment.

Fundraiser Auction Entertainment Ideas - Portrait Photos and Boothomatic

Three of my auction fundraisers this past year have had professional portraits offered on-site. The photo offers guests a remembrance of your benefit auction. Portrait photography works especially well for charity auctions which tend to have co-workers attending, such as corporate and hospital foundations. Guests look spiffy, so the photos show employees in their best light (all the better, considering those photos may show up on the company intranet).

This auction idea works for four reasons:

- The activity allows company departments and smaller teams of co-workers to have their photo taken together, which is a nice touch.

- A photo with a traditional background seems more professional with your co-workers than, for instance, a backdrop of Las Vegas.

- The photos allow for more flexibility later, such as if the company's foundation wanted to include a photo of the work team in an issue of the company newsletter, or even in a proposal for a prospective client.

- When individuals have a portrait taken, the finished headshot can be used for business cards or on the external company website.

Near the entrance to the silent auction is usually the best location for the photography station. The photographer will show guests where to stand and offer basic instructions to capture the best angle and shot. For group photos, the photographer often takes a hands-on approach to ensuring everyone is in the photograph. Guests are given a photo, often housed in a cardstock black frame.

The developed photos are displayed on a table near the check-out area so guests can take their photo as they leave. Photos with groups of people are developed multiple times so each person in the photo can take a copy home.

In short, this is a good activity for fundraising auctions. The big perk is that you can use those photos in a multi-purpose way long after the event is finished.

A second photo option for charity auctions

I read an article from BizBash's newsletter entitled "The Photo Booth That Can Capture the Whole Party." http://www.bizbash.com/newyork/content/editorial/16574_a_photo_booth_that_can_capture_the_whole_party.php It talks about a new portable photo-booth AKA, the Boothomatic which rolls around the party, enabling guests to take photos wherever they might be.

After reading the short article and checking out the photo, here are my immediate thoughts as to whether the Boothomatic would work in a benefit auction environment.

My immediate thought is that this is something for a younger crowd. I can see as where Generation Y or Generation Z would totally get into this! But I don't envision most of the guests at my benefit auction (age 40+) comfortably jumping in front of the booth without encouragement from an outgoing photographer.

I'm still unclear after reading the article as to whether a photographer supervises the booth. If he does and if that photographer is a gregarious type who can comfortably corral guests for photos this would work. But if the booth is not supervised, my crowds would ignore it.

In many hotels, the Boothmatic would work fine. But if the auction is to be held in an unusual facility such as a historic home or even an outdoor garden, I'd consider alternative forms of entertainment. You'll want a venue (and a floor!) that allows the booth to roll unencumbered.

I love that photographs of the event are available for download from a website! They also offer customized packages. My only concern is that once again some of my less savvy older guests won't understand how to download photos from a site. Those same guests *would* take home a photo of themselves if it's printed onsite, but they would be less likely to check a website in the days following the gala.

The price in New York is apparently $2500 for a 4-hour rental. I don't know NYC rates well enough to gauge if this is in-line with other forms of photo entertainment or not. But given that there are no printed photographs available to guests onsite, I would hope that the Boothomatic would be less in price than something, say, like portrait photography.

Copyright (c) 2010 Red Apple Auctions LLC

Starting A Photography Business 101

Starting a photography business is something that every ambitious young photographer has thought about. If you are considering it, then there's no time like now to venture forth into this business. After all, as pictures in magazines and newspapers will tell you, a lot of trash gets printed nowadays and I you believe that you can do a better job then go right ahead!

Getting Funding

Whether your business is a home based business or if you are thinking along larger lines, you will need to draw up a business plan for it. After you have a good business plan, you will need to obtain funding for your business. Angel investors, private investors and venture capitalists will always be willing to invest in you, provided you give them a good enough reason to do so.

In order to obtain funding, you should draw up a finance plan, which will include a break-even analysis, sales projections, projected cash flow and profit and loss and also expenses. You should also consider including an expense timeline - which will include expenses for the next couple of years or more, sales timelines, which will project sales for the near future etc. This collection of data is very important if you want to start your own business and get a good amount of funding.

Equipment and Insurance

Then, with your newly acquired cash, you should proceed to buy your photography equipment. One thing is for sure, whether your business is a one man show or whether you intend to set up a photography lab with lots of employees, you will need lots of equipment and the kind of equipment required for starting a photography business never does come cheap.

This is the basic reason why you will need funding, because it isn't possible for someone who belongs to a middle class home to buy all of that! A lot of smart young photographers take the easy way out by renting expensive pieces of equipment if they require it occasionally.

Another important thing for every aspiring photographer to keep in mind is insurance. Did you know that most photographers benefit a great deal from liability insurance? This is especially true, if you have clients who visit your studio - your centre of operations!- from time to time. This category of insurance is really important because of all the hi-tech equipment you'll be having. If, for example, your client accidentally knocks over an expensive lens, then you don't have to bother your head over it, because you'll be having insurance!

Lastly, every new photographer would do well to study their competitors. Check out photographers and photography businesses in your region which produces more or less similar pictures to what you plan on producing. Do not be cowed down by people who have a larger list of qualifications than you. You can overcome your shortcomings by being creative and bringing something new to your offering platter. Starting a photography business is not an easy task, but if you love taking pictures, then this is your field of expertise!

Digital Vs Film Photography: A Graphic Designer's Dilemma

To be a graphic designer in the fast-paced professional design world takes a lot of creativity, and plenty of savvy technical skills. To name a few, a graphic designer must know a lot about web interfaces, typography, sketching, and professionalism when dealing with employers or clients. Aside from all of these skills, these days graphic designers have been incorporating photography into their work more and more. In fact, photography classes have even become a staple in most graphic design degree programs. However, a graphic design school student begins to learn about photography, how are they to know the advantages and disadvantages of shooting film photography vs. digital photography? Below is a thorough breakdown of the benefits and pitfalls of both photography mediums.

The truth is that film came first. Film cameras have obviously been around for much longer than digital ones. In fact, the first image was captured on film in 1826 by a French scientist named Joseph Ni矇pce. Since then, film has come a long way. In the early 1900's the first film cameras were mass-produced and made available to the general public. Since then, cameras have become regular household items for the masses. Though digital photography has risen in popularity since the 20th century, many people still prefer to shoot with film for many reasons. First off, film is rather easy to obtain. If you have a solid camera, you can pop into just about any chain drugstore and buy rolls of film to load your camera with.

You can also buy a disposable film camera for just about the same price as a pack of film. Secondly, many argue that the quality of image on film negatives is higher than the average digital camera's image quality. Additionally, negatives are light and easily stored, and if you keep them in a small box you have access to reprint your photos whenever you want. When you keep negatives, you have physical copies of your images that don't take up digital space, and aren't in danger of being lost if a hard drive or a computer crashes. You can also scan your negatives onto a computer if you should wish to store them that way. Film images often come out with extremely saturated color and an old-fashioned looking, grainy touch. Graphic design school students might find that they can use this old-fashioned effect to their advantage when working with photography images.

On the other hand, the possibilities of digital technology seem endless in today's world, and digital photography is no exception. Once you spend the money on a digital camera and memory cards, your images are free, whereas you must pay to develop negatives when working with film. Since the images are less expensive to produce, you have the freedom to shoot many more images, and put less pressure on each exposure to turn out well since you can shoot a limitless amount of images. You also have the advantage of instant feedback when working with a digital camera.

Instead of waiting until your negatives are processed, the LCD screen on the camera lets you see the image immediately after you have shot it. You also have the advantage of being able to digitally change the film speed and shutter speed settings, whereas on a film camera you would have to adjust them manually. The digital camera certainly has many advantages over film photography methods, however there are some major setbacks as well. Digital images can only be stored, well, digitally! That means that there is a risk of losing them if hard drive or computer technology happened to fail on you (which it often does).

Whether you choose to shoot with a film or a digital camera, you must keep your images fresh and creative if you want to achieve success as a graphic designer!

How to Study for a Career in Photography

A career in photography can be a lucrative and rewarding experience and the choices are many for any budding photographers in today's modern and digital world. The photography industry covers a wide range of disciplines including:

• Digital Photography
• Photojournalism
• Editorial Photography
• Fashion Photography
• Advertising Photography
• Photographic Art
• Photojournalism
• Wildlife Photography
• Fine Art Photography

However, competition is fierce in the photography industry with only the most dedicated making a successful career for themselves. So if you are serious about this career path you need to be prepared to study hard and learn as much as possible about the art, techniques and industry as a whole.

Those choosing to study photography at an academic level will have the edge on other hopeful photographers because they gain all the basic knowledge required and also have the opportunity to network with photography professionals. An education course also enables students to try out many different forms of photography and decide what's best suited to them.

Choosing the right photography course is no easy task on its own. There is a wealth of photography courses available in the UK alone, from Foundation courses and national diplomas in photography to university degrees in photography. Some of the most widely respected Universities in the UK which run photography degree courses include the University of Westminster, London College of Communication, and the Surrey Institute of Art & Design University.

Would-be photography students should have a look at the UCAS website and see which courses are available at various universities. Then look closely at the course curriculum and decide if it matches their career ambitions. There are many great universities and colleges so it's important to look closely at each in terms of location and the success rate of their graduates.

One of the major obstacles for photography students and any students today is the cost. Tuition fees have reached record levels in the UK (瞿9,000 per year in many cases) so this can deter many students from study. However there are other options, cheaper options such as online learning or distance learning.
Distance learning photography courses often come in full-time or part-time format, making it perfect for those already with jobs or perhaps with children that they need to take care of while studying.

The best known distance learning establishment is the Open University which offers a number of photography courses but there are also others who specialise in distance learning such as the Interactive Design Institute who currently offer online photography courses online.

As in any other discipline, the career prospects for photography graduates are not guaranteed in today's economic climate. However, employment prospects can be improved greatly by networking while at study, and spending time gaining work experience through established agencies or professional photographers.
Once photography students have gained the required experience along with the qualifications, they are then faced with the choice of either working within an agency or as a freelance photographer.

The Internet is a great tool for modern photographers and there are any online communities full of great advice and real life experiences for potential photographers. Portfolios can be shared and reviewed online from peer groups and this can be invaluable for photography students.

Studying for a career in photography is not easy, requires dedication and a lot of hard work for a few years before gaining the position in employment sought by students. But the rewards can be fantastic both in monetary terms and job satisfaction.

How to Make Money From Travel Photography

Doing what you love and earning money at the same time is undoubtedly anyone's dream job. Traveling and photography are two most promising hobbies you can use for earning money. Combine the two hobbies and get even more benefit.

Here are some things you need to prepare for travel photography:

1. Have your own camera. This is the most basic requirement you need as a travel photographer. Do some research to figure out which camera suits you well.

2. Learn the right mindset and techniques from photography classes and books.

3. Be aware of and sensitive to once-in-a-lifetime events or things that might happen around you.

4. Always have your camera ready on the go. Be always prepared for capturing unique moments out there.

5. Learn about the places you are planning to visit. Get to know the landmarks, tourist attractions, local customs, exhibitions, and local cuisine in your destination.

6. Create online portfolio. Online portfolio is helpful to introduce your shots to larger audience and connect with other photography enthusiasts.

7. Promote yourself. Once the portfolio completes, get ready for the real job. Work for the tourism section in a tabloid, magazine, or anywhere you can use your photography skills.

8. Make a good first impression with outstanding work ethics and skills. You have to stand out if you want to succeed in this field.

Now, as you are fully prepared for the professional traveling photographer post, it is time to start earning more money from the job.

Write Hotel Reviews for Travel Agents

Many travel agents and websites are more than willing to pay you for reviews and photos of hotels and hostels. This is your opportunity to earn a little extra cash while traveling. Your hotel reviews will be more convincing if you actually have the experience of staying at the said place.

Put Advertisements in Your Photography Blog

Good photos of attractive places or events will invite travel and photography enthusiasts to your blog. Join affiliate marketing by posting ad banners or writing product reviews in your blog. The more people visit your blog, the better chance you'll get the money from the ads.

Sell Stock Photos

Join stock photography websites that accommodate and sell your travel photographs. Your selling stock photos for designers who look for instant pictures for low budgeted projects can be beneficial. When these designers download your work, you will be properly rewarded.

Participate in Competitions

This is probably not a real job, but if you are quite adept in photography, participating in some photographic competitions never hurts. The prize you get from a competition can be higher than what you get from selling regular photos.

Write and Sell Photography Book

With photo book you can reach your customer directly. Photo book functions just like a photo blog for people who opt for the printed version. Your book can function as a bible for travelers as well as an inspiration for other traveling photographers.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to become a traveling photographer and earn money from it, it's time for you to take action by picking your camera, order a ticket to travel, and start capturing moments!

Great Ways to Make Money From Home With Photoshop

Who really takes "conventional" pictures anymore? The photo world has gone digital and most of us have followed suit. Adobe Photoshop has actually been around for years but as more people have began relying on digital rather than printed images its use has exploded.

A growing number of people are also using Photoshop to make money from home. The software is not cheap (unless you get lucky on eBay) and the actual learning curve is quite steep. But if you are a creative soul by nature and have a knack for picking up computer programs there are a number of ways you can get a great return on your investment. Here are just some of them:

Start a Photo Editing Business - Put in the most basic terms you take clients flawed image and turn it into a digital masterpiece. You become a sort of "photo doctor" if you like. Photoshop has some incredibly powerful editing tools (do you really think the models in the magazines are quite that flawless?) and if you master them you can work wonders.

Start a Stock Photo Business - If you have some actual photography skills to go with your Photoshop knowledge you can potentially do very well selling images to stock photography sites. Most websites have plenty of pictures and the owners have to source them from somewhere so they turn to one of the many online stock image sites. Many of them accept submissions from freelance amateur photographers and pay a commission of between 20% and 65% on a single photo sale.

Start a Photo Restoration Business - Many people still have plenty of old fashioned photo prints around, but the problem of course is that as these paper images age they degrade. Many an old phot5ograph can be saved and/or enhanced by someone skilled with Photoshop and a lot of people are happy to pay to preserve their precious memories.

Create Social Media Backgrounds - More and more businesses of all sizes are venturing onto social media sites like Twitter and Facebook and need to promote their brand on this sites. One way to do that is by utilizing custom backgrounds and avatars, things that are easy and effectively created in Photoshop.

Greeting Cards, Invitations and Announcements - Personalized versions of all these things can be created in Photoshop to the highest professional standards. However much we venture into the Internet age there is still a huge demand for wedding invitations, birth announcements and an e card will never truly replace the feeling of happiness that a printed greeting card can evoke.

Create Tutorials - After you have taken the time to learn all the ins and outs of Photoshop why not earn money while helping others do the same. Create video tutorials, white reports, even e books and sell them to people who need an extra hand to master the art of photo editing.

Steps That a Photographer Can Take to Be Prepared For a Photoshoot

A photographer needs to demonstrate competence. Demonstrating competence will result in repeat business and higher orders. One way to show competence is to be well prepared at every photo shoot taken. This article describes steps a photographer can take to be well prepared.

1. Know the location in which you will be shooting. There are different levels of effort required for accomplishing this task. If a photographer has shot in a location many times in the past, performing this test can be quick. Just arrive a few minuets early so you can see where the best lighting is given the time of day and weather. If you have never been to the location before and you know the location is not one that is usually used for photography, go to the location at least a day before the shoot and plan where and how you will setup your portraits. You want to identify where there is sufficient shade to provide good lighting and where the best back drops can be found.

2. Chat with the client about their expectations the shoot. If it is a wedding you are shooting you will want to know a number of details including who should not be shot with whom. families are complicated and there are usually a few in the extended families that do not want to be with each other. In addition, the bride usually has friends and family that she wants to make sure is photographed with her.

3. Make sure you equipment is ready. Make sure you have at least one spare camera available. Make sure you your flash cards are empty and ready to take another shoot. Make sure your camera has sufficient batteries.

4. If you are bringing an assistant, prep him/her on the game plan for the shoot a day or so before the shoot.

5. Send out a form offering some suggestions as to how the subjects should dress and what they should expect during the shoot.

6. Bring duplicate equipment. Bring at least two cameras. You should also have back up lenses. While doing this is always important, it is particularly important for weddings. Often modeling pictures can be shot again; however a once a wedding is over, it's over. It's essential you are ready for any mechanical malfunctions which may arise.

Being prepared for all of your photo shoots will make things run more smoothly and inspire confidence in your clients of your abilities.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Starting Up Your Own Business

In this article we are addressing the advantages and disadvantages of starting up your own business. People have different motivations for wanting to start out on their own - for example, to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming their own boss or because they have been made redundant.

Whatever the reasons you may have it is really important to consider carefully the pros and cons involved in making this decision because this is a really big step. Take some time to consider a few of them below so you can make an informed decision as to whether it is right step for you to take.

Advantages:

1. You will be your own boss and as such you will be able to set your own working hours.

2. There is the potential for higher income if things go according to plan - you get to essentially write your own pay check and enjoy the perks of life.

3. Your direct involvement in all aspects of the business decisions including input in the creative aspects of your business means a greater sense of fulfillment and achievement.

4. You are in the driver's seat providing direction for the business regarding its growth and future.

Disadvantages:

1. Starting up your own business means you will need to raise some capital or seed money to get the business off the ground. Where will this money come from - your lifelong savings or a bank loan? You will also have to consider how you will fend for yourself and your family if you have one until the business can produce for you.

2. With this investment comes a greater financial risk as there is the possibility of losing all your capital if things go pear shaped and turn sour. If you have had to borrow money to fund your business you will certainly need a backup plan for making the repayments.

3. Even though part of the attraction in running your own business is the fact that you can set your own working hours you may find that at the start that you will have to work very long hours. Are you prepared to make the commitment and give your business what it takes to get the business off the ground and attain a level of success?

4. The business, as with all businesses, is vulnerable to economic changes. You must be prepared to be dynamic and make changes to your business to accommodate changes in the economy whether favourable or otherwise.

Whatever business you decide to embark upon, as you can see there are clearly advantages and disadvantages to consider. Starting up a venture is not for the faint hearted, however, if after careful consideration you choose to go ahead, the good news is there is always help out there.

When you do encounter challenges, as we all do in business, do not be afraid or embarrassed to seek help because as the saying goes "if it's going to be (successful), it is up to me". So it is entirely up to you to bring about your own success. Once you have overcome a certain challenge you will be better able to handle it the next time around. A good support network will go a long way to leverage your chances of success, especially if you lack experience and it is wise to look for that help and take advantage of it.

Re-Awaken Your Natural Photographic Memory!

Hi, friends! Would you like to supercharge your learning ability? Like to be more organized, get more stuff done in less time? What about so-called learning disabilities like ADHD and dyslexia? What if you could accomplish all this simply by tapping into a seldom-used natural ability?

That dormant ability we call Mental Photography. Before you entered the school system, your brain was working perfectly, mentally photographing everything you saw. You were learning about your world, taking in information at faster than-light-speed. But then something happened around the age of 5. You started school! And you learned to READ! Yuck! The way we are taught to read in school is an unnatural method of gathering information. First, you are taught to make sounds symbolized by "letters." Then you are taught to vocalize syllables, then words. Next, you are instructed to "read to yourself" quietly. This reading to yourself is also called "sub-vocalizing" and is WAY slower than how your brain normally takes in data. Your brain can naturally process data 1,000′s of times faster than you can subvocalize, yet this is how we get our "education." The word education actually means "a deepening of insight," yet your so-called education is slowing you down!

There is now a method to re-awaken your inner genius. Through brain management training, you can regain your lost ability to mentally photograph information, with an initial improvement from an average reading speed of around 250 words per minute to an astounding 25,000+ words per minute! This initial quantum leap in learning ability is only the beginning! If this seems like a great idea, click the link below. Try it for a few weeks. If you're not totally satisfied, you get your money back. To the Stars!

Intro to Black & White Printing Paper Contrast

Have you looked at the various types of paper choices for your prints? Want to have greater control over your printing results? Then have a look at the various types of papers offering differing contrast methods. Maybe you could be using a more appropriate paper for your prints and achieving higher quality.

Printing papers come in one of these contrast states:

1. Fixed grade
2. Graded
3. Multi-grade

1. Fixed Grade

Fixed graded papers are historically how the first printing papers were supplied. Fixed grade means the paper has no contrast latitude built in; the photographer has to produce negatives to print at this contrast level or the photograph cannot be printed successfully. These papers are generally fixed at grade 2 level; what is now considered to be average or normal grade with many papers.

Some fibre papers are still manufactured in fixed grades. They are generally papers of extreme high quality and your negatives have to be processed to match the paper's contrast rating. If your negatives are not matching the paper's contrast rating, you will need to modify your development system to compensate.

2. Graded

Graded papers are manufactured with a contrast range measured in stops from grade 0 to 5. This gives the photographer a 6 stop contrast range to work with. Grade 2 or 3 is considered being normal depending on the manufacturer.

With graded papers, it is still the objective of the photographer to target grade 2. But if your negatives miss grade 2, there is always latitude to compensate for error by changing grade in either direction.

Apart from assisting with contrast adjustments, graded paper can be used for special effects or emotional responses. The lower the grade of the paper, the softer the image will be. The higher the grade of paper, the harder the image will be.

3. Multi-grade

Multi-grade paper in concept is similar to fixed grade, except this paper allows you to vary your grade by use of acetate filter kits or by dial-in filtering on a dichroic color head on the enlarger. The paper itself is not graded; the filters create the grade of contrast.

If using dial-in filters the contrast range is infinitely variable. To find the enlarger filter combinations, you need to check the specifications that come with your brand of paper.

Filter kits must match the paper you are using. If using Ilford paper, you must use an Ilford Filter Kit. The kits generally come in grades 0 to 5 and include half stop increments.

These filters degenerate over time and must be replaced with a new set. A good way to measure your filter kit is in optimum working condition is to purchase two sets at the same time. Only use one and store the other, keeping it in pristine condition. Use the stored kit to compare with the working set. Any deviation with contrast settings, you will know it's time to buy a new working set.

Both fibre and resin coated papers are available in these forms. RC tends to be only available in the multi-grade form.

Choose a paper system that is most appropriate for your particular work and get to know the system. Having a competent grasp of paper contrast will improve the quality of your prints enormously.

Four Simple Interesting Camera Shots

We have all been there. The subject is bland and beyond your own
ability to manipulate. Event coverage is the most common situation
for this but your creativity has two choices: One, it can shut down
and shoot the boring subject and become a boring video, or two, you
can maximize the potential by implementing the following four shots
that will keep your audience interested and prevent you from falling
asleep during the shoot.

POV: Point of View Shot

This means shooting the action from the point of view of the
subject itself. One of the most memorable POV shots I have ever
seen is during the film The Patriot when the cannon ball comes
right at the camera and then cuts to a soldier being hit by that same
cannon ball. It ignites interest and instantly forces the audience to
become part of the action. Utilize POV shots when there is a lot
of shots of the same action.

Rack Focus: Changing the focus between a close subject and a
distant subject.

These are cool because it puts the camera man in direct control of
the audience. By switching the camera focus manually between
subjects distant and close allows you to include two totally distinct
subjects without cutting or moving the camera. The audience is
forced to follow the focus since anything blurred cannot be easily
interpreted. It adds a professional look to any video.

Crooked Angle: Turn the camera to the side so that the ground is no longer parallel with the square of the viewfinder.

I am consistently amazed at how interesting these shots can be. I
do not recommend a lot of movement during such a shot unless you
wish to see the audience get sick and vomit on your leather couches.
Very slight movement at crooked angles is an easy way to create
interest and cast your subjects in a new light.

Track Shot: Moving the camera in a definite path

I recently watched new music video where the camera zipped
around the band on a carefully built track. The band didn't do
much other than simply perform but the speed of the camera
flying around and cutting between the shots kept me interested
during the entire song. This effect can easily be imitated by
putting the camera on a wheelchair, skateboard, or even in your
hand as long as it keeps a steady path.

These four classic shots will exponentially increase the interest
of your productions and will leave your audience wanting more.

Digital Photography Secrets

Has it ever occurred to you that you would like to sell your photographs to some of the stock agencies online? Have you visited websites only to be disappointed by the high cost of the equipment needed to produce the goods? Many of the large agencies require large file sizes which require professional equipment which cost thousands.

Let me let you in on a secret. There are many small stock agencies that trend to a different market altogether. The large image files required by large agencies are what are needed by advertising or marketing companies. But what about the smaller companies and the rest of the world?

There are many small companies that cannot afford the prices offered by the large agencies. There is also the self employed and the small business man that need a few pictures for their website or marketing campaign. Some colleges that are on a limited budget still need good pics for their workshop or for tuition. This is where you and your digital camera come into play.

With a 3 mega pixel or higher digital camera you could supply the agencies I am talking about with the images they are looking for.

You try to keep the prices of the images low for the consumer, but they are perfect for the types of institutions I have just described. The payout is less for the photographer but you get a lot more sales and you will earn a nice residual income as long as your images are online.

Many of your photos can be sold over and over again if you have a good subject and they are of good quality. Many types of photos are needed in many different fields. If you have a large quantity of photos your chances of making more sales are increased.

Photo topics include sporting activities, children, hobbies, transportation and many many more. If you have images stored on your hard drive or just need a reason to get out into the world and do something constructive, give it a whirl.

This will require some work but it allows you to get out into the world and really have some fun taking pictures, not to mention how much money you can make.

How to Take Great Photos of Barcelona, Spain and Choose a Barcelona Photography Course

Barcelona is known as one of the most creative Cities in Europe to visit and live in. There is a compelling blend of ancient (Barcino was the Roman City upon which Barcelona is built) and modern (Barcelona is an important place for tech start ups and Spanish internet entrepreneurs).

Barcelona is also great for photographers and photography. The Barri Gotico (Catalan for Gothic Quarter) is a beautiful mix of narrow streets and unique shops. Because the bright Spanish sun reflects off the warm coloured buildings, the light in the shade in the 'Calles' is warmer than other Cities like London; giving a summery feel to photos of Barcelona made there.

Most visitors and tourists will become familiar with La Rambla or 'the Ramblas'. It's an old street that joins Placa de Catalunya with the sea (well, the port...). It isn't a particularly nice place, having been spoiled by rampant tourism and the petty crime that follows.

However, smart photographers will want to check out the ancient Mercat de la Boqueria (the Boqueria Market) half-way up La Rambla. There is a vast array of food on display, and it makes for some of the best photographs in the City.

It is advisable to hire a professional Barcelona private photography guide instead of attending a tour if you want to get the most out of the Market's varied photographic opportunities. A photography tour guide will usually have too many people to look after his students there.

A photography tour of Barcelona usually includes a visit to the Catedral de Seu (the Barcelona Cathedral) and perhaps the Passeig de Gracia (the best shopping in Barcelona).

Few photography tours visit the peaceful Placa de Felip Neri and most tourists miss this enchanting place. The Placa Sant Felip Neri was featured in an Evanescence video and the excellent art-film Vicky Cristina Barcelona movie.

Barcelona photography courses give visitors the chance to experience Barcelona through the eyes of a resident Barcelona photographer; learning to See, as well as seeing sites that most visitors will miss out on.

Photography classes in Barcelona can also cover everything from people photography in the Raval, to Street photography in the trendy Born area or even Landscape photography in Montjuic or even further afield at Montserrat with private photography tuition.

Barcelona also has several excellent parks, chief among them is the Parc de la Ciutadella near the Port Vell and Barceloneta beach. The W Hotel is one of the coolest of the many hotels in Barcelona, and the park is an easy walk from the hotel.

Those looking to hire a professional photography guide in Barcelona should look on Google for the best options among those offering Barcelona photography courses. Often, the advice given will improve your photography far more than the beautiful location; ensuring an investment is not only fun, but pays dividends even after you have to leave Barcelona.

Professional Photography - Portraits - Shoot From the Heart

Emotion first, logic second. A marketing fact: Consumers are emotional beings who make purchasing decisions based on feelings. Logic, in the end may be used only to justify what one likes. Successful photographic portrait studios over the years have recognized that they were in the "emotion business." Portrait photographers captured emotion; and when needed, took the time to create emotion. The portrait selling process emphasized how the photographer captured emotions unique to each client and how their portraits would be enjoyed for decades to come.

A good receptionist asked the necessary fact finding questions to determine what made the subject unique. When done properly, such information was invaluable in the camera room. Simple words or phrases elicited genuine smiles and that all important sparkle in the eye. The person's true self (soul) was then captured. With the aide of a proof book, each client enthusiastically engaged in the "show and tell" process proudly showing their images to friends and relatives. Word of mouth combined with the visual aspect of proof books was a sure way to build business. The subject's enthusiasm blended well with the selling process. Portrait sitting averages were commonly high because wall portraits were usually ordered. That was the way it was.

Today, digital photography has created a new culture based on "speed" which has led to far too many "turn style" studios. As a result, those photographers in many cases may have lost sight of what portrait photography with emotion is all about. Low sitting averages are not always attributed to the economy. Missing the heart in the camera room can often lead to minimal orders, plus making the selling process very difficult. Many times, relying on the "8x10 package" formula saves the day, but the profitable wall portrait and frame sale then becomes more of a rarity. In the end, each subject (senior) or family may become a clone of all other sessions: lacking in soul.

Also, when one is forced to become a technician and software specialist overnight, losing sight of the emotional aspects of good portraiture can easily happen to the best of photographers. A good photo lab can easily take on the "technology" burden to free up valuable time needed in the camera room where revenue is actually generated.

Ignoring the heart results in lost revenue. Losing sight of the fact that the lens must be "shooting for the heart" can be detrimental to the livelihood of any studio. Simply stated: A professional portrait photographer must connect with the subject whether an adult, senior or baby. The photographer's persona and personality are also crucial and critical factors to a successful and profitable photo studio, but only when combined with the ability to elicit emotions from the subject. This combination will 9 out of 10 times produce more revenue. And this process can be totally natural and need not be staged. Emotions do matter when building or maintaining a successful studio. Good portraiture capturing the true essence of the human being is still in demand.

Note: Adopting the "department/box store" format for taking pictures will lead a professional studio into uncharted waters filled with potential, economical disasters. Remember, there is a significant difference between a portrait and a picture. Professionals need to sell portraits complete with passion and emotion, not "say cheese" pictures.

Photography Educational Institutions

Many schools and colleges offer photography classes to students as an elective subject. However, there is no requirement to gain admission to an educational institution for a degree if you have studied photography for several years on your own or even taken some helpful classes on a non-formal basis.

Certainly you can learn the skills of a photographer even if you have not taken photography classes in school. But excellence in this field does require dedication, and more formal class training can be a great help.

Some institutions offer 'long distance education.' You can enroll in such institutions and - unlike typical college majors - do not need to reside on campus or sit in a classroom environment to learn photography. An example of such institution is New York Institute of Photography.

If you become part of a school like this, you will learn everything from camera lenses to a variety of photographic techniques. You can even study photography during journalism classes. While developing your skills, you also receive magazines and articles related to digital imaging, contests, and a number of other photography-related knowledge and events.

The photography program at the New York Institute is built around 30 lectures on wide array of topics. Initially you are given a brief introduction to the material to allow you to choose your specialized field of interest. A significant advantage of non-campus training is that you can perform your regular job and learn photography simultaneously. And there is no time limit for learning photography; whenever you are free, you can learn and practice.

During the training, you will not only sit under the tutelage of a professor, but will also be provided sample pictures allowing you to study great photography to compare and apply your knowledge on a practical level.

A common belief among those interested in this field is that to become a photographer, you must have your own dark room to develop photos. You will be happy to know that this isn't the case anymore. Some of the most well known photographers in this business don't do their own development anymore, paying others instead to do so for them. This affords more time to focus on learning to take great shots.

Another great benefit of photography training is that there is no age limit. Knowledge is a path open to anyone of any age who possesses sufficient interest and motivation. And the rewards you gain from learning photography are incalculable. You have the opportunity to earn good pay through professional photography or simply engage in this activity as a hobby or "labor of love."

Photography educational institutions not only provide students an environment in which to learn, but also assign specific camera work activities to help their students assess just how much they have gained from the training. And it is all quite fun once you get started!

Becoming a Documentary Photographer: Career Opportunities

The job role of a documentary photographer is developed in the photography schools itself where the concept of photography is divided into different sub categories based on the requirement of the respective industries. Compared to other types, the usage of documentary stills is prominent in the field of newspapers, magazines and websites. At times, books related to documentary purpose also require documentary photographers to provide relevant content.

Developing a career in the field requires exceptional skill which can be developed over time and before venturing into the competitive scenario it is always wise to gain theoretical experience at a photography school. At the Academy of Art University, the graduation courses on photography is designed to tap the potential of a student and focus their visionary thought in a perceivable manner besides helping them create the perfect portfolio. Typically, photographers are freelancers and for a documentary photographer the milieu is no different as he or she will be required work on stills which are required for documentation purpose.

Typical work scenarios will include capturing the authenticity of old era, providing a brief pictograph of images that ranges from one culture to another indicating the change of generation, stills depicting landscape, monuments, historical buildings, and surveying images used for governmental organizations. There are striking similarities between a documentary and a press photographer but the work of the former is vast. Photography schools impart studies which is formed to teach on the research involved before picturing a old age or culture, planning methods for successful execution, developing story boards to relate the history to audience and managing photographical representations in a format which is ready for immediate publication in media or books.

Besides being an artist, a documentary photographer who is responsible for capturing the life of people and society needs to possess various assets such as the ability to communicate, understand the meaning and emotions behind a situation, deploying technical skills in unfavorable conditions, perceive the grief or fear of people to gain their trust and report it to the world, audacious to be in dangerous situations and co-ordination with press reporters for successful representation of the condition.

How Digital Technology Has Changed Photography

Photography has always been a part of our lives. It has helped people capture precious memories - both the good and the bad. Through the years, photography equipment and techniques have evolved to become its own art form. Technology continues to evolve, constantly changing the landscape in which a professional photographer works his trade. Here is a short background on the topic:

What is Digital Technology?

It is usually defined as any system using parts that make use of binary or digital logic which is 1 or 0. If your tool or equipment has a micro controller or a processor inside of it, or if it uses storage and a software program that can perform even simple decision making, that means the equipment you are using benefits from digital technology.

What is Digital Photography?

In simple terms, it means using photography to capture images using digital technology. In the past, photographic film was the main ingredient for photography. But through progress and development, photography has taken the next level in its evolution by utilizing digital technology. With digital technology, you can print, store, display and do so much more with your pictures than you ever thought possible! You can use your equipment to store the images or, if you have a computer, you have the ability to transfer and store your photos onto your computer's hard drive.

With digital technology stepping in, it certainly has changed traditional photography in so many ways.

• With this technology, you won't need to purchase film anymore. It has the ability for you to review the shot taken and if you don't like how it was taken, you can always capture the image over again. This helps save money because there is no waste of a negative.

• The storage capacity for digital technology is enormous - you can easily store your pictures and keep your lovely memories for as long as you wish. Traditional photography, on the other hand, can not do this and you will have to pay more to have them printed.

• Digital photography allows you to print them as well, if you want. If you don't want to print your digital images, simply delete them or store them in your computer for future use.

• Digital technology allows you to review and edit your images almost instantly after the image is captured. Traditional photography requires many more stages before the image can be reviewed and edited, and each stage costs additional time and money.

• With digital technology, you can perform enhancements and add information on the picture such as added text or even the date. This process can usually be performed within the camera itself.

• ISO speed settings are easier to change. In fact, all film settings are much easier to adjust and set on a digital camera compared with a traditional film camera.

• It saves time and enables a faster turn-around on investment when shooting for a client, since the traditional ways of photography took more time to show the customers the image results.

• The cameras used lately are a bit smaller much easier to carry around. They are handy and not bulky.

• There are digital photo printers and computers that are available almost everywhere. These eliminate the cost of expensive processing equipment - dark rooms are now a thing of the past.

Those are just some of the changes digital technology has made in the photography industry. If you want to learn more, visit your local digital camera shop and ask some questions. Make sure you visit a store that was designed with professional photographers in mind - the salespeople there will be much more knowledgeable than your local clerk at a typical chain store.

Photography Courses Online

There are also some excellent online courses available and some of them are free, just type "Photography free online courses" into your search engine. Morguefile is an example they offer sound technical advice on a variety of subjects, as well as aspects of types of photography, it is a good point to start with, showing the resources Jodie Coston, a freelance photographer, has made available online, after a series of classes she gave. The New York Institute of Photography offers an online course over a period of about eight months, with a few hours work a day at your own pace, they offer courses in Photography and digital photography.

Whilst they state they have been teaching photography for a hundred years, they do not quote their prices online, you have to contact them direct. They offer the information that most of their students are mature. Photo seminars offer a free workshop and a free lesson, so that you may you may evaluate the course before you buy. The enrolment cost is 39.00. U.S. dollars. They also offer links and resources. Better Photos, also offer a wide range of courses at different prices, with differing lengths, the subjects are either technical or cover "How to take more dramatic photographs". For these courses you need to transfer the photographic assignment you were given to a web page on their site, so you need access to a computer.

There are times when the free courses cannot teach you any more and you have to pay for further knowledge. There are excellent resources in the forms of e books that give you invaluable practical information.

If you are just starting digital photography, you will find that you need skills that are not covered in analog photography. You will need to learn how to use an editor Adobe Photoshop, which is the industry standard for desktop imaging. Whilst Adobe produce their own official training manual's, they are not the easiest resource for total beginner's (my apologies to the author, but they are hard), there are on line courses available at Beren Patterson is a professional photographer who offers free online courses at his Sister site tribalcog, most of his work is in the travel area, but he has interesting tips about telling a story with your photographs.

There are excellent resources for the committed photographer, as well as the passionate hobbyist offered by the Kansas public Library, they offer galleries, informative articles, history resources, and general photographic resources. It is a very easy place to lose yourself for a couple of days; it is certainly worth more than a cursory glance. As well as on- line courses there are excellent resources available to the photographer.

There are several sites for the professional photographer. The American Society of picture professionals is an association of professional who sell photographs overseas and at home. They have four types of members, and their fees range from 25.00 to 100 U.S. dollars. The American site of Media Photographers, have three aims. To protect and promote the interests of photographers whose work is for publication, to promote professional standards and ethics, as well as the promotion of friendship between photographers. They also have several classes of membership, as well as buying and selling photographs. The National Press Photographers Association has available some interesting free reports, and you do not have to be a member to read them.

There are an assortment of lessons both free, and paid for and also those available only to member's at the Web Photoschool, they offer a tour around their site, so you can familiarise yourself with its feel. The lessons cover all levels of experience from beginner's to professionals.

The Epsom Online Experience offers a unique and innovative course, for the digital photographer. For $29.95 you will receive five new video lessons per week for 12 weeks. It is run by professional photographers, Greg Gorman, Jay Maisel, and Bruce Dale.

They are available to teach you how the techniques, that they utilised to get their award winning shots. There is a library of ·"how to" that you have access to, as well as tutorials on how to use the scanner and printer to the best effects. Previews of the video are available on their site.

For those of you that feel you learn better under tutorial guidance, the School of photography offers courses 24/7 for you to work at your own pace. The courses are from beginner to the professional with a course on "how to freelance". They have a free course available on aspects of night photography, which is in three parts.

Exposure 36 specialise in photographic education, most of their courses are in centres in Canada and the U.S.A. but they offer CD's and also offer training on a one to one basis, or for yourself and a group of friend to set up a photographic workshop. They also have a series of articles aimed at all levels that are available for purchase.

For the nature lover in the U.S.A. there are online newsletters available that cover all aspects of photography in America, they are an invaluable introduction to the photographer who wants to explore new areas. The newsletters have been published for fifteen years, and back issues are available.

Not only are their online courses available, but also for those who need to brush on specific techniques, such as marketing - there are electronic books (e-books) available, most of these are written by professional photographer's already making money in a competitive market. These books cover how to market a small business, photographic techniques, and photographic markets.

Better Photos offer a wide range of courses aimed at all levels; they offer courses on techniques such as lighting, as well as courses on marketing aspects. Each week you are sent a lesson via electronic mail. Contained in this lesson is a practical assignment, which has to be completed within a fortnight.

Photography For Beginners - Types of Emulsions

If you are a raw beginner starting in the absolute beginning of photography i.e. with black and white emulsions (film), there have been several generations of film types over the years. The following is a breakdown of what was used in the past, and what is available today for you to use today.

ORTHOCHROMATIC MATERIALS

These film types were used in the early days of photography but orthochromatic film is still in use today. It is used in the graphic art industry as well as a niche film for photographic artists. However, its use has diminished greatly with the surge in digital photography. Similar results can now be achieved with Photoshop filters.

Blue Sensitive (actinic)

The first photographic emulsions were only sensitive to the blue spectrum. All silver halides in this emulsion responded to the longer wavelengths such as ultra-violet, violet, blue and green.

Isochromatic

The next emulsion included and additional dye claiming to respond to all colours. The claim was an exaggeration as the film did not respond to red at all, and the response to the remaining colours was not equal.

Orthochromatic

An improved emulsion was developed and termed orthochromatic, meaning correct colour. Again this was an exaggeration and the emulsion did not respond well to all colours of the spectrum.

The term orthochromatic is now applied to all emulsions that are not sensitive to red. These are the films that photographers and graphic artists to use today to create certain effects.

PANCHROMATIC MATERIALS

These materials are sensitised to the red region of the spectrum as well as blue and green, so therefore sensitive to the entire spectrum and termed panchromatic ie. sensitive to all colours. Panchromatic materials though do not respond equally to all colours and do not match the human eye's response to colour. They will record violet and particularly red, lighter than they appear to the eye and greens darker. Full matching can only be achieved with colour filters.

INFRA-RED MATERIALS

Infra red sensitising dyes were discovered early last century, but were not widely used until the 1930's. Infra-red monochrome materials are used with a filter to prevent any visible light or ultra-violet radiation entering the camera. This film is also somewhat sensitive to the red and blue region of the spectrum. This film is widely used in scientific photography and also by creative photographers, using the effect to produce ethereal photographs. The infra red effect can now be achieved by special purpose cameras built for scientific photography and the effect can be simulated with Photoshop.

COLOUR SENSITIVITY

Black and white emulsions reproduce colour as white, varying tones of grey and black. This is dependent on the spectral sensitivity of the B/W emulsion. We cannot judge whether these tones are correct without analysing and understanding the spectral sensitivity of our eyes.

THE EYE

Our eyes receive light rays through cone receptors that are of three mixed types, one particularly sensitive to blue and another to green and a third to red. The green receptors appear to be the most sensitive, closely followed by red receptors. Since all receptor activity overlaps, yellow-green is seen as the brightest colour of the spectrum in human visual perception. Shorter and longer wave lengths appear increasingly darker.

Under low levels of illumination maximum eye sensitivity shifts from yellow-green to blue-green. In addition to these response problems all humans respond to colour differently.

Black and white photography is not as straight forward as it may seem. An understanding of the emulsion types is first required and then a look into how we perceive is necessary. Once this is established it's on to the chemistry side of this fascinating area of photography.

Is a Children's Franchise Right For Me?

If you've always found yourself drawn to working with children, or are a parent yourself, you'll be pleased to know that there are a wide variety of child related franchises. These children's franchise opportunities can help you establish a popular business in your local community or online that helps parents with their children. Whether you're looking for a retail opportunity that sells children's clothing or a fun-filled franchise geared towards kid's parties, you'll be able to find it.

Owning a children's franchise just makes good sense. Your target market will never go away. People will always have children and be willing to spend money on them. Some of the other benefits include:

* Regular hours - Most programs focus on after school hours, weekends and summer time.

* Steady interest - Even in hard economic times, parents spend money on their children. Child related activities are often the last to be cut in the family budget.

* Lots of networking opportunities - Since there are so many types of child-centered businesses, you could easily network with others in your area to grow more business for everyone.

* Fun opportunities - Working with children is rewarding and fun! If you want something that offers an alternative to the 9 to 5 corporate world, a children's franchise is perfect for you.

Children's franchises run the gamut from child care services to party centers. Since adults are working longer hours, and today's parents see the benefit of regular extracurricular activities, franchise opportunities have grown by leaps and bounds. There's everything from arts and crafts opportunities to tutoring facilities. Other popular types of children's franchises include entertainment, health and fitness, photography and technology based businesses.

Starting a tutoring franchise is a smart move. Since public schools are underfunded and understaffed, good parents know that their children need outside help to make the grade. You can capitalize on this interest by starting a tutoring company with Kumon Math and Reading Centers. Established in 1958 this education service allows you to make a difference in the lives of students. Kumon has a nationwide presence and even national advertising to help you establish yourself in your local area.

If something a little more fun is your style, a children's business like Monkey Joe's may be right for you. This franchise helps you create a unique, fun-for-all environment. Kids can jump, slide, and climb; parents can check email, catch up on the latest news or watch sports; and younger brothers and sisters have their very own area where they're safe and can act like the big kids. In business since 2004, Monkey Joe's is starting to gain brand recognition for parents who want to treat their children (and themselves) to a good time.

Since childhood obesity has been such a major problem in recent years, a children's health and fitness franchise is sure to be popular in your area. Companies like Kinderdance help you motivate children to stay active through play-like games and activities that don't feel like exercise at all! Kinderdance was established in 1979 and offers basic movement and dance training for preschoolers and toddlers. There are also other franchise opportunities that cater to older children and teens to help them stay fit.

Children's franchises are here to stay, and there's no reason why you shouldn't capitalize on the interests of parents. There's a wide variety of opportunities to choose from, so a children's franchise offers something for everyone. Choose your perfect children's franchise or children's business at FranchiseGenius.com, where you'll find 1,800+ franchise opportunities to compare and evaluate.

4 Most In-Demand Home-Based Businesses

Having a part-time job is the best way to overcome financial crisis. However, it's not easy to find a part-time job if you don't like transferring from one office to another. Besides, it's hard to look for a job that lets you work whenever you want.

If you want to earn extra money, why don't you try working online at home? Many people have already ventured in home-based online businesses and most of them are happy with their choice. In my observation, the following are today's top four most in-demand online businesses.

Online selling and reselling are very in-demand these days because many people are now considering buying products online. If you have lots of stuff in your stockroom, you may consider putting them in an online auction.

If you love writing but you don't have time to process your articles for publishing, why not try converting it to an e-book and sell it online? Don't worry about making an e-book because there are several useful tips available online.

People who love content writing, programming, web designing, encoding, photography, and other computer-related jobs can earn money online by offering outsourced services. Individuals with knowledge in search engine optimization (SEO), technical support, and other internet-based services also have great chance of making money online.

You have nothing to worry about selling your products and services because there are websites that will help you find clients. Some of these sites are paid, but most of them are free. Examples of websites that connect freelancers and clients are oDesk, Elance, Freelancer, and Guru.com.

During early years of internet, blogging is just a hobby for most people. But at present, it is already one of the most in-demand ways of money-making online. The ways of making money through blogging includes displaying ads, selling advertising space, posting unbiased reviews of products and services you're promoting, and creating helpful articles about certain topics.

When writing an article for a paid blogging, don't forget to include link of an affiliate company where you have to lead your readers. When someone purchased a product or service from the site included in your blog article or in an advertisement displayed on your site, you'll earn commission.

Another most in-demand home-based internet business is advertising. It involves joining affiliate marketing and promoting websites owned by affiliate companies. It can be done by blogging and participating to social networking sites and online forums.

Aside from online marketing, selling outsourced services, paid blogging, and advertising, there are lots of home based internet businesses that may suit you and your skills. Remember, the opportunities here are endless. So, start building your own online business now and be a successful businessman online.