How to Photograph Birds in Five Easy StepsBird photography is a supremely satisfying pursuit if you do it the right way and get results to show for your hard work. It combines knowledge borrowed from Ornithology with techniques that are used in wildlife photography and create a wonderful synergy. It’s a truly inspiring genre, to photograph birds that is, and brings together technology and the love for nature on a common platform. I have a lot reverence for nature. It never ceases to surprise or awe-struck me. She is also a great source of inspiration. She always manages to surprise me. Read more...
Microstock Secrets – What Kind of Images do well as Stock?There is a lot of misconception among first time stock photo contributors about the kind of images that sell well as stock. They feel if an image has the X-factor it must be a good stock photo as well. They feel swayed when their peers, colleagues and friends on social media leave rave reviews for their images. They feel those images would sale like hot-cakes on Shutterstock or iStockphoto too. They are disappointed when that don't happen. Looking for microstock secrets? Don't believe everything you hear, and certainly don't have pre-conceived notion about all things. Read more...
Finding the Right Light for Your Landscape PhotosThe art of photography is God’s way of saying man, he needs an audience. When his mighty yet subtle hands work their magic he needs someone to stand, behold and admire. Photographers are those blessed people who happen to be at the right place at the right time. Well when I say photographers I definitely mean landscape photographers. These are the people who spend as much time outdoors as they do indoors, finding the right light. This is one genre which is best placed to capture the truly stunning beauty of Mother Nature. Read more...
How to Process your Images for the Cinematic Look?Before we start processing a sample image for the cinematic look let’s first try and understand what the cinematic look actually is. Images straight out of the camera (SOOC) carry the default factory settings. They are overtly bright and saturated. I am referring to the JPEGs here. This is one of the reasons why pros prefer to shoot in RAW with all the settings somewhat neutralised. Read more...
The Uses of ND Filters in Landscape PhotographyOften, amateur landscape photographers tend to have lots of issues trying to balance an exposure in a scene where there is a lot of difference in ambient lighting across the frame. Let's say a sunset or a sunrise scene where the sky is extremely bright and the foreground is extremely dark. Exposing for one clips details in the other. Then there is the mid-afternoon harsh light. Ever thought about using long exposure under the mid-day sun? ND filters, allow you to do all of these and more. Let's look at the many uses of ND filters. Read more...
Match Total Exposure in LightroomWhile post processing a recent set of images I came across a few images that had wild exposure differences. It was one of those classic examples of how a photographer can get lazy between shots and forget to change settings. I had shot a few images prior to these in the shade and the exposure was longer. The scene changed and I was shooting under the sun with no shade and I forgot to adjust my exposure. Read more...
Product Photography Tips to Get StartedApart from portraiture, product photography is one of those few genres which can provide a steady year round source of income for a professional photographer. Product photography requires a simple setup – much of which can be done DIY. As a matter of fact you need very little equipment to get started. Once you have perfected the setup and lighting, you can shoot on that same setup year round making a handsome amount of money by shooting products for small and medium businesses. Here’s how you can get started. Read more...
Shooting videos with your digital SLR – An IntroductionToday’s digital SLR cameras are extremely versatile. They are ideally suitable for not only great quality stills, but also extremely useful for capturing family get together, vacations and any other social events that you may be called to shoot at. The fact that they are capable of shooting in full HD and being able to be used with a multitude of lenses means you can use these cameras for shooting professional quality footages for commercial and other uses as well. Read more...
Outdoor Photography Beyond the Golden HourLandscape photographers love shooting during the golden hour of the day. They love the warm mushy light that tend to hug and wrap around everything, changing everything that they touch into gold. It’s the Midas touch of sorts, so far as lighting is concerned. Landscape photographers make it a point to be where they wish to shoot from at this time of the day. Once they have the shots that they need they pack their gear and leave. Read more...