Archive for the ‘photography’ Category
Anticipation: Shoot from the Hip Photography Part 6
When shooting weddings, etc. some of the best shooting opportunities come after the ceremonies are over. If you 
remain unobtrusive and stay in the background and use your anticipation, you can say goodbye to those same ol’ same ol’ photos of persons either looking self-conscious or giving you big bright smiles with a wave, and instead catch a lot of unaffected, natural candids. During the post-ceremony festivities of an engagement, I noticed two little girls having an involved and animated tete-a-tete. Watching them from the side of my eye and staying in cover of some guests, I hovered around, keeping my distance so as not to make them self-conscious and destroy the spontaneity. As I watched them exchange their girlish confidences I anticipated a very pretty candid, and did what I had to do to capture the right moment.
Estimating the distance, I pre-focussed my zoom lens, set the flash on the narrowest aperture (aperture-control through flash) for that distance as I was estimating the distance and needed to maximize depth-of-field, and telephoto’ed up on my 70-210 mm zoom lens, not wanting to get too close to the girls but wanting a tight composition. Anticipating the moment when I observed one little girl (the one on the right) lean in, giving me a profile, and the other wearing an excited grin, giving me a three-fourths, I took a step or two toward the girls, raised my SLR; just as one of the little girls looked right at me with an impish grin while her little friend was solemnly whispering something (amusing? mischievous?), and that was the moment; I took one touch on the focus and zoom ring, and click! All this took less time than it did for you to read about it! I got a pretty and tightly-composed portrait (notice the white borders around this full, uncropped image) maximizing the film’s coverage area. With one little girl full-face, the other one in profile; one little girl thrilled; the other serious, my anticipation paid off.
What this means is that when you’re anticipating a great shot, not only are you ready and prepared, you do have some time to set yourself up for the perfect picture. These moments are fleeting so you may not have time to change a lens but you do have time to zoom it; perhaps ‘pre-zoom’ it to the desired estimated focal length. Your anticipation also allows you to set just the right shutter-speed and aperture combo, or over/under the EV. But, above all, when you have anticipated the perfect candid, well, that means anticipate the instant at a future point that it’s going to occur by carefully and unobtrusively tracking the play or movement or reactions of your subject, and . . . shoot!.
Synchronisation: Shoot from the Hip Photography Part 5
I was aboard a ship docked in Madras and a few hours before departure time I learnt that a gypsy troupe was about to give a performance in the main hall. Already on board and with no plans, I thought I would check it out and just as well because the performance turned out to be a photogenic one, full of colour and movement. The 36 exposure roll in my camera was nearly finished; I had four or so frames left of which I used on or two during a song-and-dance routine, not knowing what was to come (else I would have started with a fresh roll!). What came next was a strange setup of two or three men lying flat on the ground with fruit on their chests and a blindfolded gypsy in brilliant clothes and an urn-like thing balanced on his head, whirling and twirling and leaping with a pair of knives in one and the same hand, accompanied by other dancers, to music. Soon he brought down the pair of knives on a man’s chest in a lightning quick move, splitting the fruit but leaving the man untouched. Instinctively I shot, but the angle was wrong and my timing was off and the image (as expected) turned out to be no good.
Knowing the game now, I changed position: I sat a little distance from one of the supine men, the gypsy’s ‘prey’, trying to cover a sufficient area so as to capture the gypsy dancer when he did what I knew he would. (I do not recall or know what flash setting I had chosen. For technical reasons, it would have been smartest to have chosen the widest aperture that would give sufficient depth of field and consequent coverage for any slight mis-focus.) Now there was no question of ‘anticipating’ anything, I knew what I was going to see in a minute or two. The challenge was to synchronize the shot with the gypsy’s lunge and lightning-quick thrust. When the gypsy, my ‘quarry’, came near his ‘prey’, I kept my viewfinder on and around the prey while tracking my quarry, finger on the shutter; when he moved away, I relaxed. I wanted to freeze the split-moment after he chopped the fruit; that meant I should probably squeeze the shutter at the same instant that his knives made contact with the fruit on the man’s chest. That’s what I tried to do with the very last frame of my roll. As I then knew, the moment came very suddenly but, having set myself up and with finger on the trigger, I fired in conjunction with the gypsy’s lightning-quick thrust.
(Can you believe me when I say that the gypsy’s knife thrusts were lightning-quick? Does the photo offer any clues to verify or disprove my assertion? Observe that a piece of banana has been frozen in mid-air by the flash, as is the piece falling off the man’s chest; but the man’s knives are a blur.)
This image, though certainly not ideal, is a good enough one, a nice talking point. Furthermore, it is a natural one; for advertisements, magazine stories, etc. such photographs are posed or set up, i.e. a subject is hired to perform his routine or stunt and the pro photographer takes shot after shot (in trade lingo this is known as a ‘shoot’). Notice my fellow passengers in the background which indicates that this split-second photo is authentic. I would not have been able to capture this image or anything close to it if I had not covered the bases of readiness-preparedness-anticipation. But even if had done that but had not acquired the skill of split-instant synchronization; the opening of the shutter curtain / firing of the flash with a split-instant of a fast-paced event; I could not have frozen this image. Synchronization requires split-instant foresight and being one with your camera, specially its shutter-release delay.
Split Second Foresight: Shoot from the Hip Photography Part 5
Instantaneous ‘Shoot from the Hip’ photography; which is not limited to persons and pets; natural events and city incidents lend themselves to this type of photography; is the diametric opposite of portraits and interiors, as mentioned, and requires a different mental approach. When you approach a portrait or still life, you give careful consideration to camera angles, aperture, lighting, focal length, filters, etc. You use a tripod. These are virtually no considerations at all in instantaneous shoot from the hip situations because you have only milliseconds to minutes to work with. The common thread in almost all instantaneous shoot from the hip situations is split-second foresight with synchronization. For four of the five photographic situations described earlier, had I clicked the shutter just milliseconds before or after I did, I would not have frozen the images presented here.
Awareness and foresight of how a particular situation involving persons, animals or inanimate but moving objects (trains, wind-disturbed clothing, etc.) is going to unfold or pan out will let you foresee the precise split-second of interest and then synchronize the image-capture with blink-of-an-eye instant. For this reason, if you’re interested in applying this kind of photography to a particular area or subject, you must learn or observe that subject’s behaviour so that you can foresee when it is going to do what. For example, first-rate bird photographers are not just experts in photography; they are experts in bird behaviour.
You can roll off a large number of exposures on auto (done in the old days with an attachment to the camera body called a ‘motor drive’) but that is akin to using a machine gun in the hope of getting one good shot. (Modelling shoots are done in ‘machine gun mode’.) That is very much a hit-and-miss approach. As opposed to a machine gunner, a sharpshooter usually fires only one shot; but he makes it count. If you try to absorb the methods illustrated in this primer and try to practice and apply them, you can be a photographic sharpshooter. Next, I describe a photographic situation in which, to paraphrase Vince Lombardi, foresight plus synchronization was not everything, it was the only thing.
Shutter release delay: Shoot from the Hip Photography Part 4
Here is one practical application of my exhortation to make your camera an extension of your body. Every camera’s shutter button (by way of the shutter release mechanism) activates the shutter curtain after some or another slight ‘shutter release delay’ that is measured in milliseconds. (The finer and more expensive the camera, the briefer the shutter delay, and vice versa.)
By practice and more practice, you will intuit your camera’s shutter-release delay and you will gradually learn to shoot some milliseconds in advance of the moment-to-be-frozen; if you deliberately set out to do so. (All digital cameras use AutoFocus (AF) unless you go with manual focussing in the high-end DSLR models. AF delay in high-end non-DSLRs can be as long as half a second and that is enough to eliminate an instantaneous opportunity.) H
ad I not known how fast (slow) my Canon A-1 released the shutter, I would not have been able to take the photo of Rusty at the moment she was on her back, legs up. As for the photo of the reared-up cat, my old snapshot digital camera has a looong shutter curtain delay. I consciously ‘pulled the trigger’ a split-second earlier than I thought the subject cat would be in optimum position. With trial and error and experience with one and the same camera, you will learn this skill.
That said, this difficult skill is, paradoxically, quite easy to acquire with a simple method, specially since the advent of digital cameras as you can monitor your synchronization (or lack thereof) immediately on a per-attempt basis. Make sure that you use the same camera with which you’ll be doing your shooting from the hip. Affix or hang a target on a wall and set your camera’s coverage with the target in the centre and about five feet of space on each side. Have a friend gently toss tennis balls across the target. You must not pan the camera to track the arcing ball; you are to snap a picture of it in flight as close to the target and as much in the centre of your frame as you can (assuming your friend’s toss is accurate). You will almost surely find that your first few or several attempts are shot much too late. After a little practice, you will consistently be able to shoot the balls when they’re near the middle of your frame. Voila! you now know your camera’s shutter’s behaviour and are on the way to making it an extension of yourself.
Preparedness: Shoot from the Hip Photography Part 3
I set out to take some action photographs of an adopted cat playing with a toy, a dangling rubber ring. Though, in this
Photo Courtesy K.S
case, I was setting out to take a particular type of photo for which I was ready, for one thing, it still required me to shoot at precisely the right split-second; cats bat their paws lightning-fast (Flash, distinct and separate from shutter-speed, helps to ‘freeze’ motion; that is a topic for a separate discussion.) No matter what, it was going to be an instantaneous shot. However, as things panned out, had I not been prepared from the get-go, I would not have captured this image.
I had fully anticipated that the cat would keep playing with the ring and I would have my choice of shooting angles, poses, and such; wrong! First she batted at the ring a couple of times, quickly snatched it, got it in her mouth, and, bored with the toy, moved away after playing with it for, I reckon, less than twenty seconds, and all I got were three or four images. What’s more, the picture you’re seeing is the very first one; and I only got that because, even though I was not anticipating it, I was prepared: as soon as the ring swung near the cat, she jumped up to bat at it; being prepared, I had the area of interest in the LCD panel, so when the cat immediately reared up on her hind legs to bat the ring away, the instant I thought she was at full height, I shot. I was prepared because my camera was on, flash was ready, I was at the right distance, and I had the subject covered in the LCD panel.
This is the full uncropped image. Tautologically, I was ready for the shot (else I could not have taken it) and it is self-evident that I was not anticipating it because this (full, uncropped) image shows that it is not composed sufficiently tightly and the shooting angle is less than optimal (being too steep). Nevertheless, in terms of camera and flash readiness and having the subject covered, I was prepared for it.
This photograph of the cat is one that was partly ‘made’ rather than strictly ‘found’ or stumbled upon as was the first photograph of the dog. That said, it still required readiness and, in this case, preparedness, besides the experience to freeze the moment.
The lesson to be learnt is that even though you may not be anticipating the great shot, it cannot hurt to be ready and prepared, and it can only help. If you know or sense that some subject may do something worth freezing on film (read magnetic media), simply keep your camera on, flash on if necessary, train it on the area of interest (which may not even have a subject or the subject of interest; see underneath) and keep yourself at an appropriate distance, finger on the shutter.
Readiness: Shoot From the Hip Photography Part 2
One evening I saw my dog Rusty regally stretched out on a petal-strewn section of a patch of grass in our compound. I 
went indoors, got my camera and flash, returned to my dog and, murmuring affectionate words to try to get that happy expression dog-lovers know so well, took a photograph. Half-a-second later, taken with the attention and affection, my dog did something she would seldom do: she started to roll around on the petal-strewn grass; an opportunity for a pretty shot that cannot be posed or set up.
Though, with camera in hand and at the right distance from the subject, I was ready to shoot, I was not prepared for the shot: my flash, low on juice, was still recycling so I was out on a limb in the evening light. I did not even have my dog in the viewfinder, having let go of my camera so that it was hanging by its strap. And clearly I had not anticipated it otherwise I would not have spent my flash on what was basically a ‘posed’ shot.
I did not wait for the flash to recycle; using the ambient evening light and going with AE, I snapped at what I tried to make the right instant. As it happened, in my excitement (Rusty was doing something she rarely did) and the low shutter-speed I got, I was not steady enough to notice the camera shake. At the same time, the low shutter speed (and lack of flash!) fortuitously introduced a sense of motion in the image, while I did get reasonably good focus square on Rusty’s face.
Had I waited for the flash to recycle, thinking, “any second now,” I would have ended up missing the moment (or freezing Rusty without any blur or sense of motion). Because I was ready (by chance) and, for the most part, made the right instantaneous decisions, I got a cute, somewhat comical, photo of my pet.
The lesson to be learnt is that you cannot even be prepared for, let alone anticipate, every good split-second shooting opportunity. And if you spend any time to get that perfect shot, you may well lose the fleeting opportunity. If you’re just camera-ready, then simply use your instincts, talent, and experience to make the most of the moment. When you’re faced with the now-or-never moment, forget the photographic details point, if necessary hold off a split-second for that precise moment, and shoot.
Fire! How to capture those Instantaneous ‘Shoot from the Hip’ Situations (an indepth class)
That killer, sparkly-eyed, from-the-heart, smile that flashes for a split-second. A cat jumping straight up in the air in fright. Two children at boisterous play; and one suddenly twirls in glee. Two moving objects colliding and shattering. Are these examples of ‘lucky shots’?
Not quite: capturing such photographs seems to be a knack or a talent that some photographers just have and others don’t. From a photographic perspective, this kind of shooting is the diametric opposite of, say, still life and portrait shooting and the photographer must mentally orient himself/herself to it accordingly. This primer covers those situations that are not posed or set up in any way but which occur naturally, of their own accord, and last but a fleeting instant.
If you have ever thought, “How I wish I could have shot that instant when . . . ,” then this primer is for you.
Shooting from the Hip requires both skill and art
That said, this particular photographic skill is not one that can typically be taught and learnt: shooting instantaneous situations ‘from the hip’ is not an area of photography that lends itself to traditional teaching or learning, or to mechanical, 1-2-3 explanations. It is part skill, part art that is either acquired by dedication and experience and best imparted by illustrating it with examples; the main objective of this expository article.
Structure and Overview
The prerequisites are that you must be well grounded in the fundamentals, possess good technique, and be ‘one with your camera’ (it should be an extension of yourself). Over and above that, to freeze dazzling images in now-or-never situations, the three essential qualities are: Readiness, Preparedness, and Anticipation (and, yes, a bit of luck). The fourth point, a common thread in all situations, is the acquired skill of Synchronization.
We will examine, with examples, each of these qualities and see what can be learnt from each situation, and then look into an additional situation in which all three qualities were engaged to capture a fine photojournalistic image. One photograph is used to illustrate one essential quality that was the principal factor behind that image being captured, another photograph for the acquired skill, and a fifth for the putting-it-all-together situation.
Without question an element of luck is involved in freezing those blink-of-an-eye events. But apart from luck, significant skills and technique come into play. By learning from the examples (below), following some simple guidelines, and adhering to the ‘lessons’ imparted, you can significantly increase your chances of capturing some photographs that will bring you ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’.
- Introduction: Ready, Fire Shoot
- Part 2 – Readiness
- Part 3 – Preparedness
- Part 4 – Shutter Release Delay
- Part 5 – Split Second Foresight
- Part 5 – Synchronisation
- Part 6 – Anticipation
- Part 7- Checklist
- Part 8 – Conclusion
Countdown: 7 Rules for Surefire Holiday Snaps
Gaudi's La Casa Mila (credit)
On holiday, you shoot a lot of the ‘sights’ from city buildings to scenic landscapes. Do it as you usually do. Then, change the angle. Get low, get high, get to a side, go around, work in some foreground experiment. For example, if you go to Barcelona and are enthralled by one of Antonio Gaudi’s several fascinating buildings, shoot them from where you’re standing, sure. But then, try entering another building across it, get to its top floor, and take some images of your personal Gaudian delight from your new vantage point.
6. The Tuesday Rule: Natural Lighting
What they say is true: the mid-day and afternoon sun’s flat hard light makes for dull, lifeless images (try a polarizer). Instead, take outdoor photographs in the morning and evening. Sure, you’ll get shadows but early and late sunlight makes for better colour and finer detail. That said, you’ll get the best lighting when the sun is playing peek-a-boo with dark clouds, or after a rainshower. Such sunlight brings out deliciously rich hues while at the same time filling in shadows. (This effect varies in intensity in different regions of the world.)
5. The Wednesday Rule: Reference Points
When a reference point is available, consider whether working it into your photograph would create a better picture. It can be a signpost, a street sign, a neon display. Try placing it in a corner or an edge of your composition. Pros do this quite often. Not only will it answer your friends’ question “Where?” but when memories have faded your photo will have a built-in marker telling you where you had taken it. So when your fellow travellers are lunching at a roadside cafe in Paris and you step out to take a snap, get the signboard into the frame!
4. The Thursday Rule: Shoot the Locals
3. The Friday Rule: Group/Family Photos
Don’t forget to take plenty of family photos, specially at key scenic spots and include yourself; it’s safe if you know how to do it. Don’t use the timer and put your camera where a thief can snatch it and run off, especially in suspicious areas. When using the timer in a populated area, place your camera in a safe, protected corner. That said, would you believe the best option is to ask a nearby person and hand your camera to him/her? Here’s who: One member of a foursome of two couples, a woman in high heels, anyone with a backpack!
2. The Saturday Rule: Batteries, Memory cards, Uploads
It’ll happen. Sooner or later you’ll run out of space or run out of juice and it’s only if you have a working camera that you can take any holiday snaps, good or bad! So always keep a spare set of batteries and a memory card or two. If photographers could carry a couple of extra rolls in the days of film, you can surely carry a couple of extra SD cards! Also, whenever you’re able to, upload your new photos to your online filespace. That way if you lose your camera you don’t lose your precious photos and, in a pinch, you can erase photos off your card and re-use it.
1. The Sunday Rule: Keep your camera with you at all times!
Many years ago on a Sunday at a lodge at Lake Manyara, Tanzania, a sleepy chap wandered into the upstairs dining hall for breakfast and took a corner seat by one of the huge, joined windows, enjoying the view. Just about when coffee and breakfast arrived, he took another look out the window, and what a sight! A few open-bed vans, loaded with food and provisions with canvas tied tightly over the bed, had been parked below in the compound.
A large baboon had got atop one van and was untying the rope! A worker was trying to shoo him away, without success Ð the baboon just snarled at him. After a second of gawking, the visitor swung into action, opening his camera case while watching the baboon, who was evidently very skilled at untying knots, as he drew back one corner of the canvas cover.
Then the visitor hesitated, he needed to remove his 50 mm lens and get his 70-210 mm zoom on. Did he have time? He saw a couple more workers came out to the aid of their ineffectual mate, and the three started picking up stones. No he didn’t! So the visitor shot a photo with his 50 mm lens . . . and encountered the end of the roll just as the workers started stoning the baboon, quickly driving him away.
It’s far from a good photo he got, but had the sleepy fellow not carried his camera with him, he would have had no photo of a memorable sight. It was worth the lukewarm coffee and tepid eggs.
100+ Resources that will change your photography forever
At Brilliant Prints we are all passionate about photography. We have a number of skilled photographers on staff (so the discussions can sometimes get pretty heated).The following resources represents a distillation of our collective wisdom. They are an eclectic selection of communities, discussions, resources and portfolios that have helped inspired us in our own search to become better photographers.
We believe every photographer (no matter how advanced) can take something away from this list. We also welcome suggestions, criticisms and additions.
General Websites/Portals/Communities
For every photographic passion, there is matching community on the internet. These resources are an invaluable way to connect with people interested in different photographic techniques and processes. Each site also has a treasure trove of resources that will assist in developing every aspect of your photography.
photo.net http://photo.net/
From the community to the community, a complete resource for all photographers.
PopPhoto http://www.popphoto.com/
More than equipment reviews and how-tos, PopPhoto features a photo of the day gallery, blogs, contests, events and forums.
APUG http://www.apug.org/forums/home.php
A dynamic community stimulating the practice of analog photography in the digital era.
The Luminous Landscape http://www.luminous-landscape.com/
Illuminating the art of landscape photography through educative resources, forums and essays.
photographycorner.com http://www.photographycorner.com/
Surprisingly vast the list of resources that you can find at the corner!
alternative photography http://www.alternativephotography.com/
A community based website devoted to unusual and unique photographic processes.
ProPHOTO HoME http://www.prophotohome.com
Professionals feel at home in this site, featuring technical reviews, forums, hot news and “rumors”.
Photography.com http://www.photography.com/
Read the news or articles, post your questions on a forum, buy your camera and sell your photos without ever leaving photographers.com.
PROFOTOS.COM http://www.profotos.com/
Professional grade solutions for photographers.
PROPHOTO RESOURCE.COM http://prophotoresource.com/
Committed to building a professional community supporting the business and art of photography.
Forums/ Newsletters/Search Engines/Directories
For new photographers, it can often be difficult to establish connections to share, discuss and receive feedback from other photographers. Participating in online forums gives you the opportunity to share with photographers from all around the world. This section also includes some handy directories that will be useful starting off on a photographic career.
openphotographyforums.com http://openphotographyforums.com/
Share images, thoughts, ideas, vision, and open your mind to the world within each photograph.
SHUTTERTALK http://www.shuttertalk.com
A friendly community forum for enthusiasts of digital photography. You can explore and contribute to it with articles, images and resources.
The PhotoForum http://www.thephotoforum.com/
With an emphasis on equipment and technical discussions, this forum welcomes professionals and amateurs from all walks of photography. Prove your worth in their fun contests section.
photographers.com http://photographers.com/
Find and be found in this directory of photography professionals with several search options.
Photojojo http://photojojo.com/
A quirky and creative newsletter that gets anything and everything about photography to your inbox.
PhotoLinks http://www.photolinks.com/
A link directory and search engine focused on photography websites.
photoblogs.org http://www.photoblogs.org/
Started as a small community of photobloggers that now has several thousand in its listings. If you looking for a photoblog you should start here.
Photo Competitions http://www.photocompetitions.com/
A directory of amateur and professional contests with links to related resources.
photographysites.com http://www.photographysites.com/
Search for a website or list your own place on the web in this directory.
Opinion/Reviews/Critique/Blogs
Unlike traditional media, blogs allow for both in-depth analysis and interactive discussion about emerging issues. The blogs on this list cover everything from photo criticism, unusual techniques and photographic news. As part of developing your photographic skill-set we suggest trying to read something new from the list each day.
PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG http://www.photographyblog.com/
A blog and much more, with reviews, buying guides, technical articles and community features that include open competitions.
Constientious http://www.jmcolberg.com/weblog/
Constientious brings the best (and the worst) of the fine art at surface.
JOE MCNALLY http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/
The weblog of a professional, more than photography, a life in photography.
usefilm.com http://www.usefilm.com/
Here, film and digital enthusiasts can learn through critic evaluation of their work, by reading the articles or by exchanging questions and answers in the forum.
PHOTOPRENEUR http://blogs.photopreneur.com/
Identifying opportunities in the ever-changing world of photography.
STROBIST http://strobist.blogspot.com/
Light is of the essence. Strobist blogs about it.
PHOTOSIG http://www.photosig.com/go/main
A community site where critique is exchanged among peers.
photocrati http://www.photocrati.com/
A photograph, a niche, a community, a blog for all of them. Photocrati promotes discussion about technical, artistic and professional aspects of photography.
The Online Photographer http://theonlinephotographer.com
A daily news blog with a wide array of contributors.
Photocritic.org http://photocritic.org/
An unexpected site cultivating the unexpected.
I heart PHOTOGRAPH http://www.iheartphotograph.blogspot.com/
A blog for enthusiasts of contemporary photographic arts.
Archives/History/Museums
We have always been inspired by visits to our local museums and archives. There’s something almost spiritual about immersing yourself in fantastic photographic art. However, the tyranny of geography means that many of these collections are available only to those who are lucky enough to enjoy geographic proximity. Luckily, the following sites are from organisations who have opened up some of their amazing collections to an online audience.
ALINARI http://www.alinari.com/
The Fratelli Alinari built a successful tradition in photography that is reflected on the deepness and importance of their historical archive as well as on the quality of and scope of their services and products.
MoMA Photography http://www.moma.org/explore/collection/photography
Get yourself comfortable and enjoy the exquisite online displays of the fine art at the MoMA’s website.
GRIFFIN MUSEUM OF PHOTGRAPHY http://www.griffinmuseum.org/
The Griffin features snapshots of the current physical exhibits, a virtual gallery and a critic’s pick section.
UCR CMP http://www.cmp.ucr.edu/
The University of California Riverside/California Museum of Photography holds a searchable database of its collections that include works of photography, animation and stereography.
GEORGE EASTMAN HOUSE http://www.eastmanhouse.org/
Following George Eastman’s tradition of bringing photography to the masses, the House website showcases an impressive historical display of photographic art (from Daguerreotypes to contemporary photography).
MoCP http://www.mocp.org
Encompassing a diverse array of contemporary aesthetics and technologies the Museum of Contemporary Photography displays works of critically acclaimed art photographers.
Photomuse http://www.photomuse.org/
Featuring historically valuable exhibits, Photomuse attempts to inspire photographers and to promote understanding of the evolution of the fine art.
Galleries/Collections
While the previous selection of sites covered everything from historical photography to fine art, the following list concentrates on outstanding fine art images that left some of our staff transfixed.
Photography now http://www.photography-now.net/
An elegant and exquisite web gallery of fine art photography. Portfolios are accompanied by information about the authors and their work.
Photography SERVED http://www.photographyserved.com/
Critically chosen work from the Behance Network served to your screen.
Peter Fetterman Gallery http://www.peterfetterman.com/
Peter Fetterman’s Gallery is focused on works that use the classic black and white medium with a humanist vision. The website showcases a virtual gallery, information about artists and a splendid exhibition archive.
flakphoto.com http://www.flakphoto.com/
In its own words, Flak Photo is a daily celebration of the “art & culture of photography online”. It features photography projects and art reviews.
OSWALD GALLERY http://www.oswaldgallery.com
A large scope and a taste for the exceptional qualify the artistic vision and ambition of the Oswald Gallery.
SCOTT NICHOLS GALLERY http://www.scottnicholsgallery.com
With a distinguished list of artists this gallery showcases one of finest collections of photography.
LOOK AT ME http://www.moderna.org/lookatme/index.php
An unlikely collection of found photographs. The disconnected nature of these pieces of lost memory evoke the mystery that lies within each photographic capture.
The Pinhole Gallery http://pinhole.org/
Explore and learn about the art and craft of image making at its basics.
GALLERY 339 http://www.gallery339.com/html/home.asp
A space for creative fine art photography.
Photo Web Hosting
Traditionally, building an online portfolio would require assistance from dedicated technical support staff. However, the following sites will help you build an online portfolio or gateway for your clients with minimal technical knowledge. Many of the sites are suitable for both professional and amateur photographers.
SmugMug http://www.smugmug.com/
A devoted host for your priceless photos, Smumug is becoming popular among professionals and amateurs for its sleek design and integrated functionalities.
liveBooks http://www.livebooks.com/
The hosting site of choice among top professionals that require tailor-made solutions. Flash based and highly customizable.
FolioSnap http://www.foliosnap.com/
Html based host enabling professionals to display their portfolio in practically any device connected to the web.
flickr http://www.flickr.com/
Enabling photo sharing to anyone, flickr is rapidly growing into a dynamic community space for enthusiasts.
SiteWelder http://www.sitewelder.com/
Getting your portfolio to the web becomes a simple process when you have the Welder working for you.
Stock photos
Although stock photography is a competitive market, it can represent a great source of additional income for photographers who can create strong, general images. Many of the sites below represent marketplaces for fine art photography. Some of them provide photography to some of the top creative agencies in the world.
Stock Photo Expert .com http://www.stockphotoexpert.com/
Selling and buying images online made easy.
corbis http://pro.corbis.com/
A distinctive resource for media creatives.
gettyimages http://www.gettyimages.com/
A stock photo media giant that outreaches to the community though grants, awards and education programs.
maXximages http://www.maxximages.com/
Creative and dynamic stock photos company open to new photographers.
ABOUTtheImage http://www.abouttheimage.com/
Get the latest news on the stock photography world.
Can Stock Photo http://www.canstockphoto.com/
Here you can sell your stock photos in a simple, straightforward manner.
Equipment/Technique
Any discussion started with a photographer about their preferred techniques is likely to be very long and involved. Everybody has different ideas about the best equipment or the process for even the simplest of techniques. The following list is divided between recommended sources for photographic equipment (albeit with a US bent) and collections of insightful and challenging articles about photographic technique.
thinkTANKphoto http://www.thinktankphoto.com/
Inventive carrying solutions with a focus on speed and accessibility.
megapixel.net http://www.megapixel.net/html/index.php
News, reviews and general information on digital cameras.
dpreview.com http://www.dpreview.com/
A comprehensive technical resource for digital photography.
B&H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/
The media professional superstore.
Unblinking Eye http://unblinkingeye.com/
A personal website welcoming contributors with an unblinking focus on technical articles.
DarkroomSource http://www.darkroomsource.net/index.shtml
Shedding light on aspects of Darkroom designing, construction and technique.
PhotoNotes.org http://photonotes.org/
Dedicated to providing information about cameras and how they work.
Photo tidbits at wrotniak.net http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/
At Wrotniak website you can find an interesting and at times exquisite set of articles, technical reviews and a tidbits section in blog format.
imaging resource http://www.imaging-resource.com/
Imaging resource helps you to choose, buy and use your digital camera.
Educational
Every photographer has to start somewhere. Many times we are lucky enough to benefit from the advice of other more experienced photographers (although this may not always be possible. Most of the following sites provides tutorials, lessons and articles for photographers at all stages of their career. They are usually distinguised by their friendly community spirit and their emphasis on sharing knowledge for new photographers.
Digital Photography School http://digital-photography-school.com/
Beginners and amateurs of digital photography will enjoy the freely accessible learning environment available at DPS.
Guide to Film Photography http://guidetofilmphotography.com/
Comprehensive tool for adepts of film photography.
BetterPhoto.com http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp
A dynamic educational website with community spirit.
CAMBRIDGE IN COULOUR http://www.cambridgeincolour.com
Digital photography tutorials and a gallery of images with a focus on low-light conditions.
New York Institute of Photography http://www.nyip.com/
From the world’s oldest and largest photography school comes an array of instructive online resources, including courses, forums, newsletters, articles and podcasts.
PhotoSecrets http://www.photosecrets.com/
A commended website that shares the secrets of travel photography.
Mike Ware Alternative photography http://www.mikeware.co.uk
Cultivating the art, craft and science of alternative photography.
SOLARGRAPHYgallery http://www.solargraphy.com
Mapping the world with solargraphs and exposing the exquisite craft behind them.
PICTURE CORRECT http://www.picturecorrect.com
Tips and reviews for photographers of all kinds.
International Center of Photography http://www.icp.org/
An acclaimed museum and school that offers several resources.
School of Photography http://www.schoolofphotography.com/
School of Photography has an extensive list of free educative resources for beginners and much more for online students.
Organizations/Centers/Groups/Agencies
Agencies and photogaphic centres have helped drive the field of photography forward. While some of these sites are community oriented, offers offer opportunities for brilliant emerging photographers to have their work showcased on a global scale.
WORLD PRESS PHOTO http://www.worldpressphoto.org/
The WPP contest showcases the most stunning and important work in photojournalism.
ipa ~ international photo awards ~ http://www.photoawards.com/en/
ipa welcomes and promotes diverse photographic work organized in a multitude of categories. In its winner’s gallery one can find an exhibit of outstanding photographic pieces.
photolucida http://www.photolucida.org/
Creating luminous connections by stimulating the contact between revered professionals and other photographers, through contests and critical review.
UTATA http://www.utata.org/
Developing photographic projects in group, UTATA is a great example of how community activities can stimulate the development of artistic and creative work.
lomography http://www.lomography.com
A global community of creative and experimental film photographers curiously equipped.
prc http://www.bu.edu/prc/
The Photographic Resource Center at Boston University website features online exhibitions, projects and resources.
UTATA http://www.utata.org/
Developing photographic projects in group, UTATA is a great example of how community activities can stimulate the development of artistic and creative work.
IAPP http://www.panphoto.com/
At the International Association of Panoramic Photographers website you can immerse in the world of panoramic imagery.
Magnum photos http://www.magnumphotos.com/
A distinctive photographer owned agency focused on portraying the world, its players and events.
Online Photo Editors
Many photographers are lucky enough to benefit from access to high end photographic software like Adobe photoshop. However, not all of us can always afford expensive pieces of software. It can also be useful to have access to editing software while we are traveling and away from our home computers. The following online photo editors offer surprisingly advanced tools for all kind of photographic editing.
Pixlr http://www.pixlr.com/
A reliable and smooth online photo editor with a very practical plug-in for the also reliable Firefox browser.
Aviary http://aviary.com/
Aviary gathers a set of on-the-fly editing tools for media professionals.
FotoFlexer http://fotoflexer.com/
A flexible editing tool known for the array of advanced features and connectivity options.
Snipshot http://snipshot.com/
Snipshot enables RAW editing online in the Pro edition.
Photoshop.com https://www.photoshop.com/
For users that need to perform simple and fast editing on the go.
splashup http://www.splashup.com/
If you need to perform editing in batch you will enjoy Splashup’s multiple image editing feature.
Contemporary Photographers
As with our Photographic Master’s section, this list inspired plenty of spirited debate. Everyone had different ideas about the contemporary photographers that had most catalysed their own photography. However, we believe that the work of each of the following four photographers helps illumine a different and unique aspect of their photographic sphere.
Michael Wolf http://www.photomichaelwolf.com
Conceptual portraiture of man-made landscapes.
JIM BRANDEBURG http://www.jimbrandenburg.com
In the spirit of his work, Jim Brandburg’s feature full website welcomes an international audience interested in natural landscape photography.
STEVE MCCURRY http://www.stevemccurry.com/main.php
Capturing life’s essence to create magnificent images of human and social documentary.
phil borges http://www.philborges.com/
Carefully documented photographic work of indigenous and tribal populations.
e-Magazines/Online Publications
Everyone loves photographic magazines and the following sites allow you to indulge yourself from the comfort of your internet browser. From the well known, to the niche there is something for everyone.
National Geographic http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography
Spectacular photos, tips and contests from the earth’s magazine.
Outdoor Photographer http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/
A resourceful website for the outdoor enthusiast.
pdn photo district news http://www.pdnonline.com
News, interviews, profiles and reports on the photo industry.
lensculture http://www.lensculture.com/
An online publication that celebrates the culturally and artistically diverse universe of contemporary photography.
Digital Photo http://www.dpmag.com/
DP magazine guides you through the world of digital photography.
FILE http://www.filemagazine.com/
Cultivating unexpected and original perspectives on different photographic subjects.
THE BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHOTOGRAPHY http://www.bjp-online.com/
The BJP online constitutes on the most feature full online editions, with access to latest issues and a wide list of resources for amateurs and professionals.
LensWork http://www.lenswork.com/
A magazine about the creative process and the vision behind the lens.
ePHOTOzine http://www.ephotozine.com/
With forums, directories, news, reviews, galleries and technical articles is not surprising that ephotozine.com became a popular website among photography enthusiasts.
makingroom http://www.makingroom.com/
Dissecting the image-making process with room for discussion and careful examination.
ApogeePhoto http://www.apogeephoto.com/
A free online magazine with a wide scope.
musarium http://www.musarium.com/
Photography and storytelling come together to create innovative and powerful media pieces.
b blueeyes magazine http://www.blueeyesmagazine.com/
Nurturing the growth of documentary photography projects into mature and intricate compositions.
Masters
This list is exceptionally short because we had trouble achieving consensus (the originally list was much, much longer). Eventually after a no-holds barred, bare-knuckle fight to the end we can agree on the fact that these two photographic masters helped inspire our own photography and hopefully will yours.
RICHARD AVEDON http://www.richardavedon.com/
The Avedon foundation website features the stunning work and generous legacy of a master.
Edward-Weston.com http://www.edward-weston.com/
Please let us know what you think of the following list.
Making money as an artist: giclee canvas print reproductions
If you are an artist you will be familiar with the complex blend of passion and frustration that is central to your craft. All artists seek to express a deeper artistic truth to those who view their work. However, achieving financial return can be far more difficult.
In this article, we will discuss one of the ways that BrilliantPrints can help you achieve a commercial return on your art. We will step you through the way we produce canvas fine-art reproductions. We will outline in detail some great reason for choosing to have your painting, drawing or illustrations reproduced in this fashion.
Won’t it lessen the value of my work?
In talking to our customers, many of them are initially against the idea of creating a giclee canvas print from one of their masterpiece. Somewhat understandably, they feel that the sustained effort they spent painting or drawing would somehow be lessened, or that by producing copies they would diminish the financial value of their work.
The way we usually answer these kinds of questions is by pointing out that producing a quality canvas reproduction is not an easy task. Even experienced printers with access to good quality inks and great quality canvas can sometimes lack the appropriate expertise or the right equipment to undertake this kind of task. At BrilliantPrints it has taken us a number of years to develop the artistic skill and technology to master the reproduction process. However, we are confident that we have reached a point where we can create a canvas print that is almost indistinguishable from the original piece of art. To find out more about what makes us different – check out our quality canvas tour.
Why would I be interested?
If you want a financial return from your art, giclee reproduction is an easy way to sell your work.
As part of our canvas reproduction service, BrilliantPrints can offer you a ‘print-on-demand’ service. After we capture your original image, we can produce prints only when you need them to meet a definite order. This allows you to make the most efficient use of your time, producing and selling your art in a way that directly matches customer demand.
Some of the most amazing art can be incredibly time-consuming for the artist to replicate. One of the best things about this process is that it allows almost perfect copies to be made. This ensures that all your clients are receiving exactly the same high standard of work.
How will they be reproduced?
People often tell us that they’ve always thought that canvas printing was only suitable for digital artwork. However, paintings, collages, drawings or any other type of flat artwork can be successfully copied with this process.
At BrilliantPrints we use different methods to capture the initial image:
We use a dedicated large-format scanning machine for smaller, less delicate pieces of art.
Any work that is delicate, is significantly textured or is of a certain size will be photographed by our in-house photographer. By carefully manipulating the lighting conditions we can make sure that this produces a seamless copy.
What do you do next?
Once we have captured your image, we can print it on one of large-scale printing machines onto textured art canvas. The canvas is then wrapped around our premium, hand-profiled hardwood frames.
For your convenience, we can keep a copy of your image on file – or give you a copy to keep on a CD or through email. This will allow us to produce perfect, high-quality giclee reproductions of your original artwork at any point in the future.
A final word
At BrilliantPrints we’ve had a first-hand opportunity to empathise with the frustrating heartbreak of many of our clients who are artists. Our fine art reproduction services are not a guaranteed path to commercial success, but are one way of flexibly providing high-quality, consistent, on-demand pieces of art to interested clients.
If you are interested in finding out more about this service please contact us.
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