When saving your picture it can be hard to know which format to choose. There are so many formats to save in, but which one is best for you? Do you want quality or a small file size? We are going to cover some of the most common file types and the reasons behind choosing them.

It seems a simple decision – but making sure you choose the right combination of file formats will help produce the best quality image for the best quality canvas print.

What are Lossy and Lossless formats?

There are two categories all image file formats fall into – Lossy and Lossless. There are reasons to save in both these formats. To understand the best one for your task you should first understand what each format means.

A Lossy Format is one which loses quality and data by being resized and saved repeatedly. The main Lossy file type is JPEG. Every time you press save with an image in this format – you are reducing the quality of the final image.

Lossless is a format in which the quality is retained when saving at any size. Examples of Lossless file types are PNG, TIFF.

How do I know which one to choose?

Lossless files are much larger in file size than lossless, but this is at the pay off of retaining the original quality of the image, which makes it perfect for archiving and editing. If possible, you should keep it in this format for as long as possible – this will allow you to make many edits of your image without sacrificing quality.

The JPEG (or other lossy formats) can cause problems if you are working extensively with an image. As well as a loss of quality, repetitive saving can also cause small jpeg artefacts or distortions on your image.

However due to the high compression and the low file sizes of lossy formats like JPEG lossy are the best way to send your image to us once you have completed any changes you would like to make.

Common formats

RAW

Raw format is the format your camera processes its images in. Using most modern digital cameras you won’t really encounter this format, it is tends to be automatically converted into a more familiar format like JPEG after the picture is taken. The RAW format contains more data about the image such as white balance, however it cannot be processed by computer until it is converted into a readable format like JPEG.

TIF

TIF is another style of bitmap image and is a lossless format. TIFs are of a much higher quality than formats such as JPEGS. The downside to the higher quality is that the file will be lot larger than its JPEG counterpart. It is best to work from a TIF if you are editing your image.

JPEG

JPEG is the most common format used on the internet to display images. This is due to the fact it compresses the image to a very small file size while retaining a lot of the original quality, at least to the human eye. However, repeated working from a JPEG will degrade the image resulting in blurring or blocky parts in the image. It is best to save to a JPEG format when you are sure about your image so as to maintain the highest quality overall.

Final Thought.

Saving in a Lossy format is great for most purposes such as sending images on the internet, due to their small file size. But when saving files for print it is best to only save as a JPEG once you are sure the image is as you want it, so the quality is maintained and you can do the most justice to your beautiful pictures.

This also makes our job easier when we are getting ready to produce your canvas print.

Regular readers of camera catalogues could be forgiven for thinking that the secret to improving your photography is to buy a bigger or better camera. However, the well-known photographer Ansel Adams often said to students, “You don’t take a good photograph, you make a good photograph.” This remains true even in the era of automated photography and digital cameras.

Capturing that perfect image takes more than the press of a button, and even if it did, that isn’t what true photography is about. There is tremendous satisfaction in capturing an image through foresight and planning, ‘visualisation’, as Ansel Adams called it. When you take a concept for an image and bring it to fruition it is an incredibly rewarding feeling.

Looking at a photograph

Many of us can view a photograph and make an immediate assessment about its artistic qualities. We are able to do this subconsciously, our brain measuring it against a predetermined list of factors. In this article, we are going to try and identify two of those factors and provide some simple hints for using them in your photography.

Composition

Composing a image involves a direct attempt to arrange the different parts of the photograph into a balanced and aesthetically pleasing arrangement. At its most basic level it also includes checking to see that all the important parts of your subject (like arms and legs!) are completely within the photographic frame.

There are many general formulas for composition that have been established (for a good discussion see:http://photoinf.com/General/Geoff_Lawrence/Composition.html) However, for our purposes we are going to focus on the way we can use space (and in particular the lack of space) to achieve better composition.

In looking at photographs of objects in motion we often subconsciously expect them to continue in the same direction. If our picture has captured the object just before it leaves the picture’s ‘frame’, the viewers eye is sharply blocked. By leaving an amount of space in front of the moving subject, we can create something that seems more natural and compositionally correct. This same rule applies where our photographic subject is looking at a point off camera. Our composition should allow enough space to allow our eye to follow the direction of their gaze.

Empty space can be used in dramatic and powerful ways. Many photographic manuals will tell you to arrange your photograph to focus on a single subject. However, a composition that includes empty space can often convey strong feelings of loneliness or freedom. The sheer simplicity of a longely figure standing on an isolated headland could not be communicated if there were more detail or visual clutter in our frame.

Symmetry

People who are beginning to explore artistic photography, will often capture the image of something reflected in still water. These photographs are often beautifully composed. In the same way, we will usually make sure that family portraits are symmetrical, because this kind of composition seems formal and dignified. However, breaking the rules of symmetry can create some of the most powerful photographs.

One of the most fundamental photographic techniques is the ‘rule of thirds’ which suggests that the subject of an image should be placed 1/3 of the way from the edge of frame. This kind of off-centre composition seems more natural and aesthetically pleasing. To see this rule illustrated see: http://www.photozone.de/4Technique/compose/third.htm

While a random placement of images in the photographic frame is not encouraged, strategically using asymmetry is something to explore. If the main elements of our picture are unbalanced, we force the viewer to reconsider what they think is happening in the frame.

A final word

While there are many more techniques to be explored as part of photography, understanding these simple rules can be an important part of developing your skills. An intuitive knowledge of these principles allows you to rapidly put them into practice when you are presented with the perfect photographic moment.

Hanging a canvas print in an effective way seems like a daunting task. How do you know the pictures will work together? How do you know where to place them? In this article, we are going to cover the basics of hanging a print and making it an effective part of a room.

What you will need?

Spirit Level, Drill, Painting hook, A good eye.

Stick-on painting hooks or screw-in?

Your classic painting hook is usually the best choice for hanging your canvas print. It fits easily into the wall, and provides a stable foundation to allow your print to sit evenly against the wall. 

Stick-on painting hooks can be obtained from most newsagent, art retailers or hardware’s. By using them you can avoid the need to mark or damage your wall through drilling. It is important to carefully follow the instructions given on the packet for preparing your surface – otherwise the hook could detach. 

Preparing the wall.

Mark the wall where you want to hang the canvas print. The mark should be at the point where the centre of the picture will be, and 25% of the length of the picture down from the top.

Hanging the Canvas Print

Drill a hole in the wall at the point you marked that is about three quarters the length of the screw part of the hook and a little thinner than the screw. Screw the hook in fully, and hang the picture.

Essential Advice and Basic rules

1. Prints should be hung at eye level. A commonly accepted standard in galleries and industry is 160cm.
2. When hanging a series of pieces that are the same size, mark the wall first with a light pencil using a spirit level as your guide. Keep to that line.
3. Don’t put a small canvas print on a big wall and visa versa,
4. Use White Space Effectively – Don’t be afraid of trying more space between pictures than you first think. Using white space well is a great way to focus your audience’s attention on your piece.

Hanging pictures effectively.

When grouping prints they should have a common theme. It could be subject matter, the artist, or just the colours. Having a common theme helps the pieces complement each other. Consider the space that the pictures are going in and try and bear in mind the colours of the room to make sure the pictures will fit. When arranging the pieces on a wall, using a grid will make it seem formal, which would suit an art-specific room. 

Using a square or rectangle as a base in which to put your pictures will give it a casual feel, which is more suited to homes.

A final word.

Now you know the rules remember you can break them. If your canvas print doesn’t look good at eye level, shift it by a few inches, we are a lot better at judging things than we think, if something isn’t right you will notice. When you’ve found the right place to hang it, you will know.

A picture is a great way to brighten a room and change its feel. Remember pictures are there to be enjoyed so you should display them in the best light you can. A little preplanning and thought can make all the difference and make your pictures look great.

At BrilliantPrints we are often sent images for printing on canvas that are a long string of numbers and letters. This is fine – until we try to talk to our customers about a particular digital print.

“I’m talking about DSC_9432…..no DSC_9345.”

It hasn’t happened yet…but there’s always the risk that some momentary confusion will end up with that photo you secretly hate (but put in to please your husband) being printed as a massive 3m canvas print!

This problem arises because most digital cameras will download the photos to your computer with a computer-tagged file-name.

In this article we will show you some quick and easy strategies to bulk-rename your digital camera images to make sure that your canvas printing experience is as painless as possible!

Rename in Windows Explorer

If you don’t come up against this problem too often – there is a simple 7 stage process you can use within Windows Explorer to rename your images.

1. Open up the folder that contains your photos in Windows Explorer.

2. Select View > Thumbnails

3. Press ctrl+A to select all

4. Right-click on the first file and select Rename

5. Type a name that generally described the photos and press enter

6. Every photo in the folder will be renamed in the following format – name (number)

7. If it doesn’t work the first time you might need to type in the file extension of the image – usually .jpg or .jpeg

While this is a quick and easy solution for most situations – you should remember that it probably won’t work if you are trying to rename 1000’s of files simultaneously.

Some free software solutions

If you need a little bit more control, or are likely to need to bulk rename photos on a fairly regular basis, than it is worth checking out some of the software programs available free on the internet.

The following options are just two of many, but should be more than sufficient for any of your needs.

Ant Renamer:

Check out “Ant Renamer” at: http://www.antp.be/software/renamer

Ant Renamer gives you great control over the renaming process. It has a full set of features that would be useful for anyone who need to do multiple renames. It’s only negative is that it requires a certain level of technical understanding as its user-interface isn’t as friendly as you might prefer.

The Rename Program

Check out “Rename Program” at http://www.nerdgeneration.com/info.php?item=200

 The “Rename Program” suffers from the same technical interface as the “Ant Renamer.” However, for a moderately experienced user – it should be something that you work out relatively quickly. This program would be most suited where you need to customise the name of your file to the greatest extent.

A final word:

The advantage of digital photography is that it allows you to take as many pictures as can fit on your card. This is great – until you are looking for a specific photo – and you are faced with a long afternoon wading through 100s of folders filled with files that are indecipherable numbers. Taking the extra time to rename your images can save you time in the long-run. Even better, it can help make sure that your canvas printing experience is as smooth as possible.

We sometimes accept Guest Posts from people we think about interesting information to share. Please contact us if you would like to make a contribution. 

If you are already an experienced photographer or simply hoping to enhance the quality of casual pictures that you take, there are a few techniques that you can use to your advantage in photography. This is your opportunity to enhance your craft and dramatically improve candid shots went out with friends and family!

• Give thought to your subject. If you have a model that you are shooting, it is important to understand his or her purpose, especially regarding the event. If it is for an ad campaign, you will want to capture what the advertiser is looking for, but if it is for a wedding portrait, you can focus on the personality of the bride to best bring it forth in pictures. Even if you are taking pictures of your children, this is your chance to use their favorite toys or activities to bring out their personalities within the pictures.

• Get experience with your equipment. If you just purchased a new camera, take it out for a test drive by taking pictures of friends and family members to make sure that you get comfortable before a photo shoot. Even if you simply purchased a new digital camera for your everyday life, it is ideal to take quite a few practice pictures to understand all of its features so that you can best use them to capture pictures when out and about.

• Consider lighting. This is something that the most experienced photographer takes to heart, and it is important to have the right sort of lighting for a photo shoot. If you are in the studio, you can use umbrellas, lights, and even mist machines to provide control, but if you are outside as a photographer, it involves skill and intuition. In the same manner, you can use light to your advantage for casual pictures that you take to make sure that your family members and friends look their best and aren’t overexposed in a shot.

These simple tips are just the beginning of perfecting your craft as a photographer and even enhancing your existing picture taking skills for your everyday life!

Bethany runs ‘The Coffee Bump‘. Check it out for a great selection of commercial coffee makers. 

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On wedding events, capture the intimate moments of the bride and the groom and the solemnity of the event. Be sure to be aware of when you click your shutter to not be inappropriate during the ceremony. Be sure to take shots of the flower girls in their innocent march, the happy teary- eyed bride walking thru the aisle towards her groom, and the groom finally taking her to his arms. Make sure that during this moment you capture as well the emotions of the family and friends of the soon to be newly-weds after all this is a moment both the bride and groom wanted to share to the people important to them. Be ready to be on the look out for raw mixed emotions in weddings, the tears, the smiles, the hugs, and the laughter.

Take candid photographs as the beauty of such moment is on its unexpectedness. Do not just focus on the well or formally posed photographs. Most likely the snaps of the bride nervously straightening her gown, the groom straightening his tie sharing a thought with the best man, the mother of the ring bearer trying to make him stop squirming, the flower girl playing with the petals in her basket, old friends sharing old laughter would make the couple smile in delight as they look back at what has been captured when they proclaimed their vows of being husband and wife.

Here are some of the things to remember in order to capture the essential details.

1. Prepare a shot list. This way you can keep track of the photo must-haves.
2. Take advantage of the lighting. Don’t use your flash all of the time. Take a photo of the couple against a plain background. A dim lighting will create a romantic silhouette.
3. Adjust your camera settings according to the scene. Most digital cameras have built-in automatic scene modes. Take advantage of this feature in order to get the best shot possible.
4. Shoot the small details. Take photos of rings, the details of dresses, flowers, menus, and table settings. Look at wedding magazines and emulate some shots.
5. Carry a spare camera. Set it up with a different setting. This will give you a different output and will provide a variety to your photos.
6. Switch on the continuous shooting mode at certain points. Expect the unexpected; you just don’t know when you will be capturing a wonderful moment.
7. Do not delete “mistakes” just yet. Always remember digital images can always be post processed on an image editing software.

Celebrate weddings by having fun with your shots. The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed the people around you will be. They will be giving you the genuine feeling which hopefully transcends to your photographs.

Professional and amateur photographers love going to the beach, not just to swim or relax in the sun, but enjoy the scenery and most of all take an infinite number of beautiful photos. Whether it is nature, people, or events, there will always be something going on and something to point a camera at. You can take photos of sand castles, sailboats, the romantic sunset, surfers, or even the sun (not directly though). The possibilities are endless. A photographer at a beach is like a kid in a candy store.

There are many websites available that teach a thing or two about beach photography. We at Brilliant Prints have narrowed down a few tips from all over the internet for your next trip to the beach.

Know the best time

Scheduling has often been discussed on most of the blogs featuring beach photography. It does makes sense, whether photography or not, people go to the beach for the sun and photographers want to maximize the time with the natural light source.

So, when is the best time to take photos? The best lighting is at the beginning and at the end of the day. The best photographers are often those who go very early and leave the beach late afternoon. If you do not have time to experiment with your camera, avoid shooting at noon. The shadows cast at noon are short; the result will be a loss of dimension of a shot. Also, when photographing portraits – the direct sunlight from above creates ugly shadows under the eyes. Try shooting during sunrise and sunset instead. You will produce dramatic colors and long shadows, adding depth to your photo. If you are planning to shoot a calm beach scene, then do not schedule your trip on a holiday. Pick a date when the beach is empty.

Composition

There is no other way of saying this as it is important to remember composition when we deal with any kind of photography. Lead your viewer into the scene by including some sort of foreground interest. This can be achieved by using leading lines, such as the curving shore line or footprints on the sand that will create a path for the photo. When taking beach photos always pay attention to the horizon line, it should be straight and exactly parallel to one of the sides of the frame. To get a more balanced natural look, the horizon line must be placed off center.

The Subject

Keep in mind to see the beach for what it is —a setting. What you thought were boring objects will suddenly get new life and make an interesting photograph. The first thing to do is to find something of interest and making it the main focal point. Then compose your beach photo around that object. Most of the dull beach photographs are those shot directly at the horizon with the usual trite elements. Try some of these ideas which can make for a great focal point.

Sand, rocks, and shells – Beach sand has interesting shapes and textures. Look for dunes or channels where water is flowing back to the sea. Sand castles and sculptures are interesting focal points as well. Find a way to compose the beach photo around these structures. Rocks and shells are always interesting with their array of shapes and sizes. Try taking a close-up photo of an intricate looking shell against the soft sand. 

Animals and plants – Starfishes, seaweed, crabs, dolphins, and birds, and the list goes on. The beach is teeming with flora and fauna. Building your photo around these creature focal points can be both exciting and interesting.

Water – The waves and the deep blue is quite difficult not to give notice to. Make it your focal point by playing with perspective and angles.

Boats, huts, and nautical flags – Don’t dismiss man-made structures and objects as they make interesting subjects as well. Especially those resort objects and structures that are weathered by time, they can give character to your beach setting.

Filters
Adding filters do come up often on beach photography websites. Although not a requirement or a feature in every camera, people use polarizing filters (whether it is ultraviolet, protective or skylight) to enhance colors and make the photos bright and vivid. They do not only enhance but serve as a protective layer as well to sand and salt water splashes. The sky and the water will look at its bluest with the right use of these filters.

Protect your camera
Do not get sand inside your camera. Do your best to protect it by always wearing the strap so you don’t drop it. When not in use, do not put your camera on the sand. Put your camera in a protective case and keep it away from sand and water.

These are only a few tips we have gathered from the internet. Surely, there are still a lot of other things to learn about beach photography but we will leave that up to you to discover. People go to the beach to have fun and relax, let that reflect in your photography.