When Pictures Paint a Thousand Words

Portrait photography is probably the best kind of photography that defines human interest. Although it is considered as the easiest area of photography compared to others, portrait photography appeals to many people and photographers alike because it is quite interesting and challenging.

Since it’s all about taking people’s photos, a portrait photographer should possess a genuine interest in people that would eventually become their subjects. They should care about people and are natural conversationalists to break the ice.

Above all else, portrait photographers should also possess the skill to observe their subjects’ characteristic gestures and expressions and can easily identify a person’s best side and angle.

GETTING STARTED

If you think you have what it takes to be a portrait photographer, then you should familiarize yourself with the different areas of portraiture. Basically, there are different types of portrait depending on the usage or purpose.

Some of the common categories in which portrait photography falls into include amateur portraits of friends and family, photos of people in a social gathering, editorial portraiture where pictures are taken by photographers for newspapers, magazines and other publications’ use, fine art portraiture where photos are taken specifically for display in museums and galleries, formal portraits where subjects pose for the purpose of a photograph and informal portraits or ‘action shots’ where the subjects do not intentionally pose for the camera.

THINGS TO CONSIDER AND RECONSIDER

Many photographers would agree that the intention of the photographer is what sets a photograph apart from a portrait. If you would want to try portrait photography, here are some of the things you might want to consider:

1. Camera. In portraiture, any 35mm SLR (single-lens-reflex) are fine. If you can afford a Digital SLR, it’s better because you can save on film and processing. Never opt for a zoom point and shoot because it can’t provide sharp outline and accurate results.

2. Lenses. There will be times that you need to emphasize or de-emphasize a specific feature of your subject at a certain distance. These are what the different kinds of lenses are for—to highlight or conceal any good or bad feature of the subject.

Many professional photographers suggest 300mm or 600mm lenses but for starters, typical portrait lenses that are between 90 and 135 millimeters long for 35mm cameras are okay. Nikon 105/1.8 (MF only), Canon 100/2 USM, and Canon 135/2 USM are some of the recommended portrait lenses available in the market.  

3. Film. Since digital cameras no longer require the use of rolls of film, this should not be a big trouble for you. All you need is to look for a good compact flash that has high memory to produce high-resolution photos. But if you have a manual or SLR camera, purchase black and white and color films to provide choices to your clients.

4. Location. An ideal location for any portrait photography shoot is a studio. Aside from providing enough working space to work at, having a photo studio also ensures the safety of your equipment. But if you can’t set up a studio yet, it is advisable to find a space that can provide you a working area.

In setting up a studio, consider the rental cost, size, accessibility to target market and the facilities offered. If you take environmental portraits, you wouldn’t need a studio that much because your shoots will depend on the surroundings that create great impacts on your subject.

5. Lighting. If you have a portrait studio, consider the sources of light that would flatter your subjects. If your shoot is outdoors, it is advisable to choose an overcast day to avoid shadows in your photos.

Action Photography

Of all the kinds and styles of photography being practiced today, sports photography is probably the most exciting—not to mention the most difficult—of all. Since this kind of photography involves so much speed and action, photographing the subjects or players would require more than the usual knack for good angles but also the strength to endure physical limitations during the shoot.

Sports photography usually include shots that are taken during the game or while the subjects are in their respective field. Aiming to “freeze” moments during the actual event, sports photographers should be equipped with the right photography equipment, trained with enduring tenacity, and fueled with an overwhelming desire to capture each moment and emotion at their best.

PHOTOGRAPHING DIFFERENT KINDS OF SPORTS

The best thing about sports photography is that the photographer can freeze a single moment that contains pure and raw emotion and share it with the public in print. If you’re into photography and quite interested in taking adrenaline-pumping shots, you should familiarize yourself with different kinds of sports first. Since each sport varies, the styles and techniques used in capturing and freezing each moment also vary.

If you are already in the field taking photos, it is a must that you have a brief background about the sport you are covering. Knowledge in the fundamentals of coaching style, sport rules, and players will help you identify their most interesting angles. It is also a must to identify your “safety” (a shot that is easy to shoot and can be published if you don’t get good photos all throughout).

Here are some basic sports photography guidelines fit for common sports:

Baseball. Most seasoned sports photographers would agree that baseball is one sport that is hardest to shoot because of its unpredictability. Make sure that you get your safety first before getting experimental shots.

Basketball. Unlike baseball, this is the easiest sport to shoot because you only have to focus on two subjects: the player who handles the ball and the net. But its simplicity limits you to different angles, so make sure you get plenty of shots to choose from.

Football. This is another easy sport to shoot but it is considered as the most equipment intense sports because it would require waiting for the perfect shot. Although it’s easy to get safeties, it’s still up to you to produce action shots that would be a stand up.

Soccer and Hockey. Because of the speed and sudden movements involved in these sports, auto focus cameras are recommended.

Volleyball. Although it is one of the rarely covered sports events, volleyball is also one of favorites because dramatic shots can be derived all throughout. Since moves in the sports are quite tricky, make sure that you turn your camera’s auto focus on.

Golf. It’s hard to shoot photos during the game due to the nature of the game itself. What you can do is to camp at one location and take shots as players pass by or use a cart to follow the individual players.

Track and Field. Though access can be limited, this is one sport that is fun to shoot because movements are predictable and easy to shoot. All you need is good timing.

Gymnastics and Figure Skating. One basic rule in these sports: NO FLASH. Since they involve individuals performing, the use of flash is restricted because it distracts the players. The major problem you’ll encounter is lighting but this can be solved once the venue is lit up.

Motorsports and Racing Events. These are fairly easy to photograph because you can get away with slower lenses. But since you’re far from the track, you need longer lenses for the shoot.

"Kabarawan" - Quezon Bulan Sorsogon

Date taken: April 19, 2016
Camera: Sony DSC-T300
Place: Quezon Bulan Sorsogon, Philippines

 

 

Photography Jobs That You Can Get Into

It is true that you will earn money in photography. In fact, there are some photographers who have reached the top of their field. There are lots of jobs that a photographer can get into. Pictures and visuals are important in most media and talented “lens” men are very much in demand in the market especially now with the age of multimedia.

Below are just some of the areas where photographers can get into and believe it, one can earn big bucks in each!



Magazine and newspaper photographer

Although it is more lucrative to do freelance photography, it is best for photographers who are ,just starting out to first establish contacts and build a name through magazines and newspapers. This is also the best place to earn experience in photography as you will encounter different kinds as well as interact with different kinds of people.

Newspaper photography is harder and more spontaneous compared to magazine photography, which is primarily shot in locations. When working for newspapers, one must be able to develop an eye for photos that will capture the readers attention as well as tell a story with its images.

Advertising agency

Another area where a photographer can get into is to work for an advertising agency where they will be conceptualizing ads for campaigns. One can start as a photographer and then gradually climb up through the ranks. One can even become an art director or if there is talent in conceptualizing, even a supervisor for overall operations.

Fashion shoots

A photographer can also work in fashion shoots. With much experience, they can even conceptualize a shoot and be its overall director. Most fashion houses hire photographers when coming up with a new collection for the season.

Event Photographer

Events like concerts and special occasions like weddings and debuts will require photographers who will document the event. Pictures are actually a large part of the preparation for the event and is almost as essential as the food.

Freelance photographer

Although it will be harder for photographers that are just new in the field to establish a career as a freelance photographer, there are a number of markets where they can contribute their work. For instance, most international agencies like UNICEF hire photographers to document their various projects in far-flung areas. There are also some who are hired to contribute generic photographs that will be used in newsletters and brochures.

Photography Equipment and Accessories

Photography is one of the most costly interests that a person can get into. Not only the camera, one will also have to buy films and invest for the developing. Furthermore, as you turn out to be  more enmeshed with the activity, you will most likely be adding a list of different add ons for your camera or even purchase special cameras that perform specific tasks.

One of the most common add-ons that professional and even amateur photographers spend their money on is the lens.  This is one of the most basic parts of the camera and yet the most crucial. There are different kinds of lens that function according to the needs of the photographer.

Most cameras especially those that are used by professionals have the option to interchange or add lens. There are actually to main types, the fixed focal lenses, which are also called the prime lenses and the zoom, which is primarily used to alter the focal length and lets you take shots of objects that are really far away.

Wide angle lens, for instance, will allow you to take photos within short distances. This is ideal in photoshoots that are done with limited space. With a wide angle lens, the photographer need not walk backwards to be able to get the whole image. Telephoto lens, on the other hand, will allow you to narrow down the angle of view. This is also called the long focus lens because it allows one to take pictures in long distances. One kind is the short telephoto lens that are especially great with pictures from head and shoulders. This is why it is also called portrait lens.

Another kind of lens is the zoom lens, which come in different focal lengths. You should remember that there are zoom lens that can also function as a telephoto or wide-angle lens. This is why some photographers invest in good zoom lens instead of buying separate lens. In addition to the convenience in price, buying zoom lens will also lessen the equipment that you have to carry.

Other equipments that a photographer have to invest in are tripods and of course a good camera case that will protect it from all kinds of weather. Tripods are used to minimize the shakiness of the camera that will result in blurred or double images. For personal use,  tripods are handy if the photographer also want to be included in the photo.

Lighting Tips in Nature Photography

Lighting is very important in taking photographs of natural subjects. Unlike with studio shots where you control the lights and the shadows, taking photos outdoor is different and complicated. In addition to not being able to control your subject, you also have to take into consideration the elements especially the lighting.

Of course for the seasoned photographer, natural light is no longer a hindrance. In fact, most photographers use light to create great effects and put color into an otherwise drab picture. Hence there are photos that play up the shadows or those that capture the different colors of the sky. This is especially true with landscape shots or those that capture flowers and other objects in the environment.
   
Light can have a lot of sources. In the morning, there is the sunlight while in the evening, there is the moonlight. There is also what photographers call the natural light, which is not as direct as the two previously mentioned. One can use any of these sources of light. The trick is to know how to use it by angling the camera and the subject to achieve the exposure that you want.

This is often done by studying the effect of the light and its corresponding shadows to your subject.  For instance, if you want a more dramatic effect, some photographers will use shadows as their main light instead of the natural light.

There are four main directions that photographers must learn in order to take advantage of the light outside. Overhead light for instance has high contrast and harsh shadows. This is achieved when the light is directly above the subject like when it is noontime. Using lights at the front will result with a flat shot.

This is usually seen with shots that use flash in the camera. Often, pictures shot in this direction will lack depth and dimension. Light at the back, on the other hand, may require an additional fill or reflector at the back to bring out the color of the subject. Often, with a light at the back, the shadows may ruin the photo.

Shooting with the light at the side is perhaps the most recommended when it comes to the direction as this will bring out the texture and the shape of the subject that one is using. For instance, with a light on the side, there will be parts that will be highlighted and parts that are not.

Great Tips in Photographing People

Unlike taking photos of inanimate objects, photographing people can be more difficult as they are dynamic. They move. They can think for themselves. This is the reason why it is much harder for one to anticipate their moves and their expression. One needs to be always in his toes when capturing people. A great deal of experience is needed to be able to produce a great picture.


Know your equipment

This is one tip that you should not take for granted when photographing people. Remember that with people, you have to know every trick of the trade and every part of your equipment to keep up with their spontaneity.

There is no time to look for clasps and buttons when dealing with people. Everything must be instinctual and bullet-fast. In fact, one famous photographer even advised amateurs to know their equipment so well that they will be able to find the parts even with their eyes closed.

This can be achieved by constant practice. Start with people in your family. Another great training is taking photographs of people in events where everything is spontaneous. Try to capture their various expressions and their actions.

Focal lengths

In terms of the focal lengths that you will be using, it is best to use lengths from 28-105 mm., depending on the subject of the picture. Taking close-up photos are better with pictures that deal with people because this way you will be able to show through your photograph the expressions on their faces or the look in their eyes.

Capturing movement

One of the most fascinating subjects in photography is the human body in motion. With a good eye and instinct for taking photos, you will be able to capture a moment that will otherwise be lost in time. One problem with taking pictures of movements is the fact that there are cameras that are not able to capture them.

Too much movement will only result in blurred photos. It is best to either use a tripod to minimize the shakiness or use a camera where you can manually adjust the shutter speed.

Focusing 

In focusing, it is best to aim for the eyes of people. This will add a glint of light in their eyes as well as ensure that the expression in the eyes is captured clearly. This is one of the most important part of photographing people as expressions convey a story in itself.