8. * know your camera
DSLR
Digital Single-lens
Reflex cameras
Point and Shoot
digital cameras
www.photography.com
9. * know your camera
DSLR Strengths
DSLR Weaknesses
• larger pixel sizes
• faster shutter speeds
and less grain
• can change lenses
• add other accessories
• fast shooting
• optical Viewfinder
• large ISO range
• manual controls
• models do not get
updated quite as often
• lenses are compatible
with other camera
bodies
• can provide many areas
depth of field
• expensive with
upgrade your lens
• heavy with many
lenses
• change lenses risk to
get dust in camera
• need professional
cleaning
• more noisy
• more Complexity –
DSLRs are designed for
manual use
DSLR
Digital Single-lens
Reflex cameras
10. * know your camera
Point and Shoot
Strengths
Point and Shoot
Weaknesses
• slim and light
• quiet operation
• Auto Mode - shoot
quite well
• are cheaper
• LCD Framing
• image quality is
generally lower
• smaller ISO range
• Speed – slower
• reliance upon LCD
• Manual Controls
limited
• Less Adaptable
Point and Shoot
digital camera
14. * type of photography
Photojournalism
• maintain the
integrity of the
original scene
• shoot only the
facts
• powerful images
• engage the
viewer with the
news story.
15. * type of photography
Documentary
• tell stories with
images
• any topic may
be the subject of
documentary
• serve as a
historical
document of a
political or social
era
16. * type of photography
Action
examples,
• sports
photography
• action shots
of animals in
nature
• a plane
taking off
17. * type of photography
Macrophotography
• close-up
photography reveals
interesting details
• pictures are taken at
close range
• advanced and
expensive
equipment
18. * type of photography
Microphotography
• images of
extremely small
subjects
• uses specialized
cameras and
microscopes
example,
microphotography
is used in
disciplines as
diverse as
astronomy, biology
and medicine.
The Biology of Algae (VHS)
larger image
19. * type of photography
Glamour
• is not
pornographic
• subject in
suggestive
poses
• emphasize
curves and
shadows
20. * type of photography
Aerial
Aaerial
photographers have
used planes,
ultralights,
parachutes, balloons
and remote
controlled aircraft to
take pictures from
the air
21. * type of photography
Underwater
• scuba divers
or snorkelers
• expensive
and unwieldy
underwater
photography
equipment
22. * type of photography
Artistic
•
•
can embrace a
wide variety of
subjects
photographs
must have
aesthetic value
to be
considered art
23. * type of photography
Portraiture
•
•
one of the
oldest types of
photography
capture the
personality of
the subject or
group of
subjects on
film
24. * type of photography
Wedding
• wedding
photos can be
retouched
and edited to
produce a
variety of
effects
• must have
portrait
photography
skills
25. * type of photography
Advertising
•
•
need for unique
and eye-catching
advertising copy
multiple types of
photography,
including
macrophotograp
hy and glamour
photography
26. * type of photography
Travel
•
•
•
span several
categories of
photography
depicts a
particularly
local or
historical flavor
capture the
feel of a
location with
both
landscapes and
portraiture
27. * Basic Rules for Better Photography
Simplicity
Color
Straight Horizon
28. * Basic Rules for Better Photography
•
•
frame can be
divided into
three
horizontal and
three vertical
sections.
Photographs
work better
when the area
of interest is
placed offcenter.
29. * Basic Rules for Better Photography
•
keep your
photo
relatively
simple
30. * Basic Rules for Better Photography
•
draws your eye
deeper into the
photograph,
and commonly
to the main
subject
31. * Basic Rules for Better Photography
•
“straight
horizons” may
seem a little
obvious and
not necessary
32. * Basic Rules for Better Photography
•
“Framing”
natural
surroundings
thoughtfully
can add more
meaning and
focus to your
subject
33. * Basic Rules for Better Photography
•
•
•
perspective can
add impact to a
photograph
try to take a
photo from a
different angle
You could even
invest in a
fisheye lens
34. * Basic Rules for Better Photography
•
•
•
Color in a
photograph can
create emotion
and mood
Blues and greens
are cool
Yellow and orange
are warm colors
35. * Basic Rules for Better Photography
•
•
•
sometimes you
just have to forget
about the rule of
thirds
just plop your
focus dead center
work well with
symmetry are
landscapes and
flora
36. * Basic Rules for Better Photography
the most important
thing to remember
about photography
besides the rules
“have fun”
and
“enjoy”
38. * keep it safe
JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group
• most digital cameras and imaging software support
• used most often on the Internet
• are smaller than most other file types (1/10 size)
39. * keep it safe
TIFF date file types, or Tag Image File Format
• are “lossless” data file types
• big size files
• no image quality is lost when it is saved and
compressed
• professional photographers and graphic
designers use
40. * keep it safe
GIF (graphic interface format)
• commonly used for graphics and digital images
• smaller sizes make them ideal for website use
• restricted to a 256-color palette
• insufficient to accurately reproduce photo images
• use for images and logos with limited colors
41. * keep it safe
PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
• lossless types of data files like TIFF
• suitable for long term photo archiving
• supported by a variety of imaging software
programs
42. * keep it safe
Download frequently
“If I want to find this later,
where would I look?”
43. * keep it safe
• Memory Cards
• Portable Drive
• PC/Laptop
• Share Drive , I: Drive
• Local Image Database
• Global Image
Database
44. * keep it safe
•
UNICEF Laos Image Database
IDB Stand alone desktop at B3
• Administrated by Saykoson
• Username: IDBImage
• Password: Image@335A
45. * use it well
• Publishers
• Reports
• Printing
• VDOs
• UNICEF website
• Social media,
facebook, youtube
etc..
48. * use it well
Images from www.google.com
Photography tips from www.photography.com
UNICEF Global Image Database
www.photos.unicef.org
or Free App from
Apple Store for iPhone/iPad
UNICEF Lao PDR Image Database
Username: IDBImage
Password: Image@335A
Editor's Notes
DSLR StrengthsImage Quality - I’ve already covered this above in my discussion on megapixels and image sensors – but due to the larger size of image sensors in DSLRs which allows for larger pixel sizes – DSLRs are generally able to be used at a faster ISO which will lead to faster shutter speeds and less grain.Adaptability – DSLR’s ability to change lenses opens up a world of possibilities for photographers. While my point and shoot has a nice little 3x Optical Zoom (and many these days have longer ones) my DSLR can be fitted with many high quality lenses ranging from wide angle to super long focal lengths depending upon what I’m photographing (and of course my budget). Add to this a large range of other accessories (flashes, filters etc) and a DSLR can be adapted to many different situations. It should be noted that when it comes to lenses that the diversity in quality of lenses is great. Image quality is impacted greatly by the quality of the lens you use.Speed – DSLR’s are generally pretty fast pieces of machinery when it comes to things like start up, focussing and shutter lag.Optical Viewfinder – due to the reflex mirror DSLR’s are very much a what you see is what you get operation.large ISO range - this varies between cameras but generally DSLRs offer a wide array of ISO settings which lends itself to their flexibility in shooting in different conditions.Manual Controls – while many point and shoots come with the ability to shoot in manual mode, a DSLR is designed in such a way that it is assumed that the photographer using it will want to control their own settings. While they do come with good auto modes the manual controls are generally built in in such a way that they are at the photographers finger tips as they are shooting.Hold it’s value – some argue that a DSLR will hold it’s value longer than a point and shoot. There is probably some truth in this. DSLR models do not get updated quite as often as point and shoot models (which can be updated twice a year at times). The other factor in favor of DSLRs is that the lenses you buy for them are compatible with other camera bodies if you do choose to upgrade later on (as long as you stay with your brand). This means your investment in lenses is not a waste over the years.Depth of Field – one of the things I love about my DSLR is the versatility that it gives me in many areas, especially depth of field. I guess this is really an extension of it’s manual controls and ability to use a variety of lenses but a DSLR can give you depth of field that puts everything from forground to background in focus through to nice blurry backgrounds.Quality Optics – I hesitate to add this point as there is a large degree of difference in quality between DSLR lenses (and point and shoot cameras are always improving) but in general the lenses that you’ll find on a DSLR are superior to a point and shoot camera. DSLR lenses are larger (more glass can add to the quality) and many of them have many hours of time put into their manufacture (especially when you get into higher end lenses). I strongly advise DSLR buyers to buy the best quality lenses that they can afford. It it’s the difference between a high end lens on a medium range camera or a medium range lens on a high end camera I’d go for quality lenses every time as they add so much to photos.DSLR WeaknessesPrice – while they are coming down in price (especially at the lower end) DSLR’s are generally more expensive than point and shoot digital cameras. Also consider that you might want to upgrade your lens (as kit lenses are generally not of a super high quality) or you may wish to add more lenses later and that this adds to the cost of a DSLR.Size and Weight – the only reason I take my point and shoot out with me is on those occasions when I don’t want to lug my DSLR (and it’s lenses) around with me. DSLRs are heavy and sizable and when you add a lens or two to your kit bag you can end up with quite the load!Maintenance – a factor well worth considering if you’re going to use a DSLR with more than one lens is that every time you change lenses you run the risk of letting dust into your camera. Dust on an image sensor is a real annoyance as it will leave your images looking blotchy. Cleaning your image sensor is not a job for the faint hearted and most recommend that you get it done professionally (which of course costs). This is a problem that is being rectified in many new DSLRs which are being released with self cleaning sensors.Noise – DSLRs are generally more noisy to use than point and shoots. This will vary depending upon the lens you use but while point and shoots can be almost silent when taking a shot a DSLR will generally have a ‘clunk’ as the mechanisms inside it do their thing. I personally quite like this sound – but it’s something that is a factor for some.Complexity – while DSLRs are designed for manual use this of course means you need to know how to use the tools that they give you. Some friends that have bought DSLRs in the past few months have told me that they were a little overwhelmed at first by the array of settings and features. The learning curve can be quite steep. Having said this – all DSLRs have fully Automatic mode and many have the normal array of semi-auto modes that point and shoot digital cameras have.No live LCD – in many DSLRs the only way to frame your shot is via the optical viewfinder. Some photographers prefer to use a camera’s LCD for this task. This is another thing that is changing with more and more new DSLRs having a ‘Live View’ LCD which enables you to frame your shots without looking through the view finder (update: please note that Live View isn’t perfect – check out the comments of NormMonkey below who shares more.Point and Shoot Digital Camera StrengthsSize and Weight - to be able to slip a camera in a pocket as you dash out the door to a party is a wonderful thing. These days point and shoot cameras can be slim and light – to the point of not even knowing you’ve got them with you. This is great for parties, travel and all manner of situations. Of course some point and shoots can be quite bulky too (especially some of the super zoom models on the market).Quiet Operation – this was the thing I noticed about my new point and shoot the most. Not only didn’t my subjects not notice I’d taken shots of them at times, once or twice it was so quiet that even I didn’t notice I’d taken a shot.Auto Mode – the quality of images produced in point and shoots varies greatly, but in general they shoot quite well in auto mode. I guess manufacturers presume that this style of camera will be used in auto mode (or one of the other preset modes) mostly and as a result they generally come pretty well optimized for this type of shooting (as do many DSLRs these days).Price – in general point and shoot digital cameras are cheaper. Of course you can go to the top of the range and spend as much as you would on a cheaper DSLR, but most are in a much more affordable price bracket.LCD Framing – as I mentioned above, many digital camera users prefer to frame their shots using LCDs. Point and Shoots always come with this ability and some even come with ‘flip out’ screens that enable their users to take shots from different angles and still see what they’re shooting.Point and Shoot Digital Camera WeaknessesImage Quality – point and shoots generally have small image sensors which means that the quality that they produce is generally lower. This is slowly changing in some point and shoots but in comparison to DSLRs they still have a way to go. It’s worth saying however – that if you’re not planning on using your images for major enlargements or in professional applications that the quality of point and shoot cameras can be more than enough for the average user. Manufacturers are making improvements all the time in their technology and even in the last year or two I’ve noticed significant image quality improvements.Smaller ISO range – once again this is changing slowly (my point and shoot has the ability to shoot to 1600 ISO) but in general ISO ranges are more limited in point and shoot cameras – this limits them in different shooting conditions.Speed – point and shoot digital cameras were always notorious for their slowness, particularly their ‘shutter lag’ (the time between pressing the shutter and when the image is taken. This is constantly being improved but the instantaneous feel of many DSLRs is still not there with point and shoots when it comes to shutter lag, start up and even focusing time.Reliance upon LCD - most point and shoot digital camera rely almost completely upon their LCD for framing. While some enjoy this others like to use a viewfinder. Most point and shoot cameras have view finders but they are generally so small that they are almost useless. Some models don’t have viewfinders at all (increasingly a trend).Manual Controls Limited – many point and shoot cameras do have the ability to play with a full array of manual settings and controls (or at least make it difficult to do so). They often come with ‘aperture priority’ and ‘shutter priority’ modes which are great – but quite often the manual controls are hidden in menu systems and are not as accessible as on a DSLR (if they are there at all). Less Adaptable - while they are highly portable point and shoot cameras are generally not very adaptable. What you buy when you first get them is what you are stuck with using for years. Some do have lens adapters to give you wider angles or longer zooms but generally most people don’t go for these accessories.
DSLR StrengthsImage Quality - I’ve already covered this above in my discussion on megapixels and image sensors – but due to the larger size of image sensors in DSLRs which allows for larger pixel sizes – DSLRs are generally able to be used at a faster ISO which will lead to faster shutter speeds and less grain.Adaptability – DSLR’s ability to change lenses opens up a world of possibilities for photographers. While my point and shoot has a nice little 3x Optical Zoom (and many these days have longer ones) my DSLR can be fitted with many high quality lenses ranging from wide angle to super long focal lengths depending upon what I’m photographing (and of course my budget). Add to this a large range of other accessories (flashes, filters etc) and a DSLR can be adapted to many different situations. It should be noted that when it comes to lenses that the diversity in quality of lenses is great. Image quality is impacted greatly by the quality of the lens you use.Speed – DSLR’s are generally pretty fast pieces of machinery when it comes to things like start up, focussing and shutter lag.Optical Viewfinder – due to the reflex mirror DSLR’s are very much a what you see is what you get operation.large ISO range - this varies between cameras but generally DSLRs offer a wide array of ISO settings which lends itself to their flexibility in shooting in different conditions.Manual Controls – while many point and shoots come with the ability to shoot in manual mode, a DSLR is designed in such a way that it is assumed that the photographer using it will want to control their own settings. While they do come with good auto modes the manual controls are generally built in in such a way that they are at the photographers finger tips as they are shooting.Hold it’s value – some argue that a DSLR will hold it’s value longer than a point and shoot. There is probably some truth in this. DSLR models do not get updated quite as often as point and shoot models (which can be updated twice a year at times). The other factor in favor of DSLRs is that the lenses you buy for them are compatible with other camera bodies if you do choose to upgrade later on (as long as you stay with your brand). This means your investment in lenses is not a waste over the years.Depth of Field – one of the things I love about my DSLR is the versatility that it gives me in many areas, especially depth of field. I guess this is really an extension of it’s manual controls and ability to use a variety of lenses but a DSLR can give you depth of field that puts everything from forground to background in focus through to nice blurry backgrounds.Quality Optics – I hesitate to add this point as there is a large degree of difference in quality between DSLR lenses (and point and shoot cameras are always improving) but in general the lenses that you’ll find on a DSLR are superior to a point and shoot camera. DSLR lenses are larger (more glass can add to the quality) and many of them have many hours of time put into their manufacture (especially when you get into higher end lenses). I strongly advise DSLR buyers to buy the best quality lenses that they can afford. It it’s the difference between a high end lens on a medium range camera or a medium range lens on a high end camera I’d go for quality lenses every time as they add so much to photos.DSLR WeaknessesPrice – while they are coming down in price (especially at the lower end) DSLR’s are generally more expensive than point and shoot digital cameras. Also consider that you might want to upgrade your lens (as kit lenses are generally not of a super high quality) or you may wish to add more lenses later and that this adds to the cost of a DSLR.Size and Weight – the only reason I take my point and shoot out with me is on those occasions when I don’t want to lug my DSLR (and it’s lenses) around with me. DSLRs are heavy and sizable and when you add a lens or two to your kit bag you can end up with quite the load!Maintenance – a factor well worth considering if you’re going to use a DSLR with more than one lens is that every time you change lenses you run the risk of letting dust into your camera. Dust on an image sensor is a real annoyance as it will leave your images looking blotchy. Cleaning your image sensor is not a job for the faint hearted and most recommend that you get it done professionally (which of course costs). This is a problem that is being rectified in many new DSLRs which are being released with self cleaning sensors.Noise – DSLRs are generally more noisy to use than point and shoots. This will vary depending upon the lens you use but while point and shoots can be almost silent when taking a shot a DSLR will generally have a ‘clunk’ as the mechanisms inside it do their thing. I personally quite like this sound – but it’s something that is a factor for some.Complexity – while DSLRs are designed for manual use this of course means you need to know how to use the tools that they give you. Some friends that have bought DSLRs in the past few months have told me that they were a little overwhelmed at first by the array of settings and features. The learning curve can be quite steep. Having said this – all DSLRs have fully Automatic mode and many have the normal array of semi-auto modes that point and shoot digital cameras have.No live LCD – in many DSLRs the only way to frame your shot is via the optical viewfinder. Some photographers prefer to use a camera’s LCD for this task. This is another thing that is changing with more and more new DSLRs having a ‘Live View’ LCD which enables you to frame your shots without looking through the view finder (update: please note that Live View isn’t perfect – check out the comments of NormMonkey below who shares more.Point and Shoot Digital Camera StrengthsSize and Weight - to be able to slip a camera in a pocket as you dash out the door to a party is a wonderful thing. These days point and shoot cameras can be slim and light – to the point of not even knowing you’ve got them with you. This is great for parties, travel and all manner of situations. Of course some point and shoots can be quite bulky too (especially some of the super zoom models on the market).Quiet Operation – this was the thing I noticed about my new point and shoot the most. Not only didn’t my subjects not notice I’d taken shots of them at times, once or twice it was so quiet that even I didn’t notice I’d taken a shot.Auto Mode – the quality of images produced in point and shoots varies greatly, but in general they shoot quite well in auto mode. I guess manufacturers presume that this style of camera will be used in auto mode (or one of the other preset modes) mostly and as a result they generally come pretty well optimized for this type of shooting (as do many DSLRs these days).Price – in general point and shoot digital cameras are cheaper. Of course you can go to the top of the range and spend as much as you would on a cheaper DSLR, but most are in a much more affordable price bracket.LCD Framing – as I mentioned above, many digital camera users prefer to frame their shots using LCDs. Point and Shoots always come with this ability and some even come with ‘flip out’ screens that enable their users to take shots from different angles and still see what they’re shooting.Point and Shoot Digital Camera WeaknessesImage Quality – point and shoots generally have small image sensors which means that the quality that they produce is generally lower. This is slowly changing in some point and shoots but in comparison to DSLRs they still have a way to go. It’s worth saying however – that if you’re not planning on using your images for major enlargements or in professional applications that the quality of point and shoot cameras can be more than enough for the average user. Manufacturers are making improvements all the time in their technology and even in the last year or two I’ve noticed significant image quality improvements.Smaller ISO range – once again this is changing slowly (my point and shoot has the ability to shoot to 1600 ISO) but in general ISO ranges are more limited in point and shoot cameras – this limits them in different shooting conditions.Speed – point and shoot digital cameras were always notorious for their slowness, particularly their ‘shutter lag’ (the time between pressing the shutter and when the image is taken. This is constantly being improved but the instantaneous feel of many DSLRs is still not there with point and shoots when it comes to shutter lag, start up and even focusing time.Reliance upon LCD - most point and shoot digital camera rely almost completely upon their LCD for framing. While some enjoy this others like to use a viewfinder. Most point and shoot cameras have view finders but they are generally so small that they are almost useless. Some models don’t have viewfinders at all (increasingly a trend).Manual Controls Limited – many point and shoot cameras do have the ability to play with a full array of manual settings and controls (or at least make it difficult to do so). They often come with ‘aperture priority’ and ‘shutter priority’ modes which are great – but quite often the manual controls are hidden in menu systems and are not as accessible as on a DSLR (if they are there at all). Less Adaptable - while they are highly portable point and shoot cameras are generally not very adaptable. What you buy when you first get them is what you are stuck with using for years. Some do have lens adapters to give you wider angles or longer zooms but generally most people don’t go for these accessories.
DSLR StrengthsImage Quality - I’ve already covered this above in my discussion on megapixels and image sensors – but due to the larger size of image sensors in DSLRs which allows for larger pixel sizes – DSLRs are generally able to be used at a faster ISO which will lead to faster shutter speeds and less grain.Adaptability – DSLR’s ability to change lenses opens up a world of possibilities for photographers. While my point and shoot has a nice little 3x Optical Zoom (and many these days have longer ones) my DSLR can be fitted with many high quality lenses ranging from wide angle to super long focal lengths depending upon what I’m photographing (and of course my budget). Add to this a large range of other accessories (flashes, filters etc) and a DSLR can be adapted to many different situations. It should be noted that when it comes to lenses that the diversity in quality of lenses is great. Image quality is impacted greatly by the quality of the lens you use.Speed – DSLR’s are generally pretty fast pieces of machinery when it comes to things like start up, focussing and shutter lag.Optical Viewfinder – due to the reflex mirror DSLR’s are very much a what you see is what you get operation.large ISO range - this varies between cameras but generally DSLRs offer a wide array of ISO settings which lends itself to their flexibility in shooting in different conditions.Manual Controls – while many point and shoots come with the ability to shoot in manual mode, a DSLR is designed in such a way that it is assumed that the photographer using it will want to control their own settings. While they do come with good auto modes the manual controls are generally built in in such a way that they are at the photographers finger tips as they are shooting.Hold it’s value – some argue that a DSLR will hold it’s value longer than a point and shoot. There is probably some truth in this. DSLR models do not get updated quite as often as point and shoot models (which can be updated twice a year at times). The other factor in favor of DSLRs is that the lenses you buy for them are compatible with other camera bodies if you do choose to upgrade later on (as long as you stay with your brand). This means your investment in lenses is not a waste over the years.Depth of Field – one of the things I love about my DSLR is the versatility that it gives me in many areas, especially depth of field. I guess this is really an extension of it’s manual controls and ability to use a variety of lenses but a DSLR can give you depth of field that puts everything from forground to background in focus through to nice blurry backgrounds.Quality Optics – I hesitate to add this point as there is a large degree of difference in quality between DSLR lenses (and point and shoot cameras are always improving) but in general the lenses that you’ll find on a DSLR are superior to a point and shoot camera. DSLR lenses are larger (more glass can add to the quality) and many of them have many hours of time put into their manufacture (especially when you get into higher end lenses). I strongly advise DSLR buyers to buy the best quality lenses that they can afford. It it’s the difference between a high end lens on a medium range camera or a medium range lens on a high end camera I’d go for quality lenses every time as they add so much to photos.DSLR WeaknessesPrice – while they are coming down in price (especially at the lower end) DSLR’s are generally more expensive than point and shoot digital cameras. Also consider that you might want to upgrade your lens (as kit lenses are generally not of a super high quality) or you may wish to add more lenses later and that this adds to the cost of a DSLR.Size and Weight – the only reason I take my point and shoot out with me is on those occasions when I don’t want to lug my DSLR (and it’s lenses) around with me. DSLRs are heavy and sizable and when you add a lens or two to your kit bag you can end up with quite the load!Maintenance – a factor well worth considering if you’re going to use a DSLR with more than one lens is that every time you change lenses you run the risk of letting dust into your camera. Dust on an image sensor is a real annoyance as it will leave your images looking blotchy. Cleaning your image sensor is not a job for the faint hearted and most recommend that you get it done professionally (which of course costs). This is a problem that is being rectified in many new DSLRs which are being released with self cleaning sensors.Noise – DSLRs are generally more noisy to use than point and shoots. This will vary depending upon the lens you use but while point and shoots can be almost silent when taking a shot a DSLR will generally have a ‘clunk’ as the mechanisms inside it do their thing. I personally quite like this sound – but it’s something that is a factor for some.Complexity – while DSLRs are designed for manual use this of course means you need to know how to use the tools that they give you. Some friends that have bought DSLRs in the past few months have told me that they were a little overwhelmed at first by the array of settings and features. The learning curve can be quite steep. Having said this – all DSLRs have fully Automatic mode and many have the normal array of semi-auto modes that point and shoot digital cameras have.No live LCD – in many DSLRs the only way to frame your shot is via the optical viewfinder. Some photographers prefer to use a camera’s LCD for this task. This is another thing that is changing with more and more new DSLRs having a ‘Live View’ LCD which enables you to frame your shots without looking through the view finder (update: please note that Live View isn’t perfect – check out the comments of NormMonkey below who shares more.Point and Shoot Digital Camera StrengthsSize and Weight - to be able to slip a camera in a pocket as you dash out the door to a party is a wonderful thing. These days point and shoot cameras can be slim and light – to the point of not even knowing you’ve got them with you. This is great for parties, travel and all manner of situations. Of course some point and shoots can be quite bulky too (especially some of the super zoom models on the market).Quiet Operation – this was the thing I noticed about my new point and shoot the most. Not only didn’t my subjects not notice I’d taken shots of them at times, once or twice it was so quiet that even I didn’t notice I’d taken a shot.Auto Mode – the quality of images produced in point and shoots varies greatly, but in general they shoot quite well in auto mode. I guess manufacturers presume that this style of camera will be used in auto mode (or one of the other preset modes) mostly and as a result they generally come pretty well optimized for this type of shooting (as do many DSLRs these days).Price – in general point and shoot digital cameras are cheaper. Of course you can go to the top of the range and spend as much as you would on a cheaper DSLR, but most are in a much more affordable price bracket.LCD Framing – as I mentioned above, many digital camera users prefer to frame their shots using LCDs. Point and Shoots always come with this ability and some even come with ‘flip out’ screens that enable their users to take shots from different angles and still see what they’re shooting.Point and Shoot Digital Camera WeaknessesImage Quality – point and shoots generally have small image sensors which means that the quality that they produce is generally lower. This is slowly changing in some point and shoots but in comparison to DSLRs they still have a way to go. It’s worth saying however – that if you’re not planning on using your images for major enlargements or in professional applications that the quality of point and shoot cameras can be more than enough for the average user. Manufacturers are making improvements all the time in their technology and even in the last year or two I’ve noticed significant image quality improvements.Smaller ISO range – once again this is changing slowly (my point and shoot has the ability to shoot to 1600 ISO) but in general ISO ranges are more limited in point and shoot cameras – this limits them in different shooting conditions.Speed – point and shoot digital cameras were always notorious for their slowness, particularly their ‘shutter lag’ (the time between pressing the shutter and when the image is taken. This is constantly being improved but the instantaneous feel of many DSLRs is still not there with point and shoots when it comes to shutter lag, start up and even focusing time.Reliance upon LCD - most point and shoot digital camera rely almost completely upon their LCD for framing. While some enjoy this others like to use a viewfinder. Most point and shoot cameras have view finders but they are generally so small that they are almost useless. Some models don’t have viewfinders at all (increasingly a trend).Manual Controls Limited – many point and shoot cameras do have the ability to play with a full array of manual settings and controls (or at least make it difficult to do so). They often come with ‘aperture priority’ and ‘shutter priority’ modes which are great – but quite often the manual controls are hidden in menu systems and are not as accessible as on a DSLR (if they are there at all). Less Adaptable - while they are highly portable point and shoot cameras are generally not very adaptable. What you buy when you first get them is what you are stuck with using for years. Some do have lens adapters to give you wider angles or longer zooms but generally most people don’t go for these accessories.
DSLR StrengthsImage Quality - I’ve already covered this above in my discussion on megapixels and image sensors – but due to the larger size of image sensors in DSLRs which allows for larger pixel sizes – DSLRs are generally able to be used at a faster ISO which will lead to faster shutter speeds and less grain.Adaptability – DSLR’s ability to change lenses opens up a world of possibilities for photographers. While my point and shoot has a nice little 3x Optical Zoom (and many these days have longer ones) my DSLR can be fitted with many high quality lenses ranging from wide angle to super long focal lengths depending upon what I’m photographing (and of course my budget). Add to this a large range of other accessories (flashes, filters etc) and a DSLR can be adapted to many different situations. It should be noted that when it comes to lenses that the diversity in quality of lenses is great. Image quality is impacted greatly by the quality of the lens you use.Speed – DSLR’s are generally pretty fast pieces of machinery when it comes to things like start up, focussing and shutter lag.Optical Viewfinder – due to the reflex mirror DSLR’s are very much a what you see is what you get operation.large ISO range - this varies between cameras but generally DSLRs offer a wide array of ISO settings which lends itself to their flexibility in shooting in different conditions.Manual Controls – while many point and shoots come with the ability to shoot in manual mode, a DSLR is designed in such a way that it is assumed that the photographer using it will want to control their own settings. While they do come with good auto modes the manual controls are generally built in in such a way that they are at the photographers finger tips as they are shooting.Hold it’s value – some argue that a DSLR will hold it’s value longer than a point and shoot. There is probably some truth in this. DSLR models do not get updated quite as often as point and shoot models (which can be updated twice a year at times). The other factor in favor of DSLRs is that the lenses you buy for them are compatible with other camera bodies if you do choose to upgrade later on (as long as you stay with your brand). This means your investment in lenses is not a waste over the years.Depth of Field – one of the things I love about my DSLR is the versatility that it gives me in many areas, especially depth of field. I guess this is really an extension of it’s manual controls and ability to use a variety of lenses but a DSLR can give you depth of field that puts everything from forground to background in focus through to nice blurry backgrounds.Quality Optics – I hesitate to add this point as there is a large degree of difference in quality between DSLR lenses (and point and shoot cameras are always improving) but in general the lenses that you’ll find on a DSLR are superior to a point and shoot camera. DSLR lenses are larger (more glass can add to the quality) and many of them have many hours of time put into their manufacture (especially when you get into higher end lenses). I strongly advise DSLR buyers to buy the best quality lenses that they can afford. It it’s the difference between a high end lens on a medium range camera or a medium range lens on a high end camera I’d go for quality lenses every time as they add so much to photos.DSLR WeaknessesPrice – while they are coming down in price (especially at the lower end) DSLR’s are generally more expensive than point and shoot digital cameras. Also consider that you might want to upgrade your lens (as kit lenses are generally not of a super high quality) or you may wish to add more lenses later and that this adds to the cost of a DSLR.Size and Weight – the only reason I take my point and shoot out with me is on those occasions when I don’t want to lug my DSLR (and it’s lenses) around with me. DSLRs are heavy and sizable and when you add a lens or two to your kit bag you can end up with quite the load!Maintenance – a factor well worth considering if you’re going to use a DSLR with more than one lens is that every time you change lenses you run the risk of letting dust into your camera. Dust on an image sensor is a real annoyance as it will leave your images looking blotchy. Cleaning your image sensor is not a job for the faint hearted and most recommend that you get it done professionally (which of course costs). This is a problem that is being rectified in many new DSLRs which are being released with self cleaning sensors.Noise – DSLRs are generally more noisy to use than point and shoots. This will vary depending upon the lens you use but while point and shoots can be almost silent when taking a shot a DSLR will generally have a ‘clunk’ as the mechanisms inside it do their thing. I personally quite like this sound – but it’s something that is a factor for some.Complexity – while DSLRs are designed for manual use this of course means you need to know how to use the tools that they give you. Some friends that have bought DSLRs in the past few months have told me that they were a little overwhelmed at first by the array of settings and features. The learning curve can be quite steep. Having said this – all DSLRs have fully Automatic mode and many have the normal array of semi-auto modes that point and shoot digital cameras have.No live LCD – in many DSLRs the only way to frame your shot is via the optical viewfinder. Some photographers prefer to use a camera’s LCD for this task. This is another thing that is changing with more and more new DSLRs having a ‘Live View’ LCD which enables you to frame your shots without looking through the view finder (update: please note that Live View isn’t perfect – check out the comments of NormMonkey below who shares more.Point and Shoot Digital Camera StrengthsSize and Weight - to be able to slip a camera in a pocket as you dash out the door to a party is a wonderful thing. These days point and shoot cameras can be slim and light – to the point of not even knowing you’ve got them with you. This is great for parties, travel and all manner of situations. Of course some point and shoots can be quite bulky too (especially some of the super zoom models on the market).Quiet Operation – this was the thing I noticed about my new point and shoot the most. Not only didn’t my subjects not notice I’d taken shots of them at times, once or twice it was so quiet that even I didn’t notice I’d taken a shot.Auto Mode – the quality of images produced in point and shoots varies greatly, but in general they shoot quite well in auto mode. I guess manufacturers presume that this style of camera will be used in auto mode (or one of the other preset modes) mostly and as a result they generally come pretty well optimized for this type of shooting (as do many DSLRs these days).Price – in general point and shoot digital cameras are cheaper. Of course you can go to the top of the range and spend as much as you would on a cheaper DSLR, but most are in a much more affordable price bracket.LCD Framing – as I mentioned above, many digital camera users prefer to frame their shots using LCDs. Point and Shoots always come with this ability and some even come with ‘flip out’ screens that enable their users to take shots from different angles and still see what they’re shooting.Point and Shoot Digital Camera WeaknessesImage Quality – point and shoots generally have small image sensors which means that the quality that they produce is generally lower. This is slowly changing in some point and shoots but in comparison to DSLRs they still have a way to go. It’s worth saying however – that if you’re not planning on using your images for major enlargements or in professional applications that the quality of point and shoot cameras can be more than enough for the average user. Manufacturers are making improvements all the time in their technology and even in the last year or two I’ve noticed significant image quality improvements.Smaller ISO range – once again this is changing slowly (my point and shoot has the ability to shoot to 1600 ISO) but in general ISO ranges are more limited in point and shoot cameras – this limits them in different shooting conditions.Speed – point and shoot digital cameras were always notorious for their slowness, particularly their ‘shutter lag’ (the time between pressing the shutter and when the image is taken. This is constantly being improved but the instantaneous feel of many DSLRs is still not there with point and shoots when it comes to shutter lag, start up and even focusing time.Reliance upon LCD - most point and shoot digital camera rely almost completely upon their LCD for framing. While some enjoy this others like to use a viewfinder. Most point and shoot cameras have view finders but they are generally so small that they are almost useless. Some models don’t have viewfinders at all (increasingly a trend).Manual Controls Limited – many point and shoot cameras do have the ability to play with a full array of manual settings and controls (or at least make it difficult to do so). They often come with ‘aperture priority’ and ‘shutter priority’ modes which are great – but quite often the manual controls are hidden in menu systems and are not as accessible as on a DSLR (if they are there at all). Less Adaptable - while they are highly portable point and shoot cameras are generally not very adaptable. What you buy when you first get them is what you are stuck with using for years. Some do have lens adapters to give you wider angles or longer zooms but generally most people don’t go for these accessories.
Shooting ModesIf you haven’t noticed, we’re in an age of all things being “ready made” and the same applies to digital photography. Pick any point and shoot camera or even a professional SLR camera and you will find pre-defined shooting modes that help you automatically adjust the camera’s focal length and exposure limits, depending on the picture you want to take. That could either be close ups, landscapes, night shooting or even dawn and dusk shooting. Or, even when shooting against a bright backdrop.Most photographers, including professionals, are known to shoot in the Auto mode, while very few rarely shoot in the full manual mode. There’s no right or wrong answer to this, but below is an outline you can follow for what shooting modes can do to a specific kind of photography. Here we go!For SLR and DSLR CamerasAperture Priority Mode (A or AV)This mode is a semi-manual mode where you choose the aperture while your camera chooses other settings, such as the shutter speed, white balance and ISO. It is put in place to ensure a balanced exposure level, thereby avoiding either under-exposed or over-exposed photographs. This mode is particularly useful to control a stationary object where you don’t need to control the shutter speed. Choosing a larger aperture level means the lens will get smaller and it will let less light in. That means you’ll have a larger depth of field (more of the area in focus), but your camera will choose a faster shutter speed.Shutter Priority Mode (S or TV)With this one, you choose the shutter speed and the camera chooses the rest of the settings. You can use this mode when you want to control the shutter speed. For example, when photographing moving subjects, such as some sporting action, you might want to choose a faster shutter speed to freeze the motion. On the flip side, you might want to capture the movement as a blur of the subject, like a waterfall, and choose a slower shutter speed. You may also want to use a slower shutter speed in low light conditions to get a better picture.Program Mode (P)Some digital cameras have this priority mode, in addition to the auto mode. With the cameras that have both, the Program mode is similar to the Auto mode, but it gives you a little more control over some of the other features, including flash, white balance and ISO. Check your digital camera’s manual on how the Program mode differs from the Auto mode in your particular model.Manual ModeThe name says it all. With this, you have complete control over all of the settings and you’re least dependent on any auto function of the camera. You set the shutter speed, aperture level, ISO, white balance and flash. This mode gives you the flexibility to set your shots the way you want them to be. This mode is essentially used by those photographers who are either experts or are willing to error in order to learn. If you don’t belong to either of those types, it’s best you stick to one or the other for better results.For Point and Shoot Compact CamerasAuto ModeThis is the mode used by most photographers. Although it works in most conditions, it’s really bad for indoor photography and some forms of outdoor photography as well. Indoors, a camera set on Auto would use the flash, blasting nearby subjects with light, while the background and subjects farther back are lost in darkness. If you master the various shooting modes, you could be using less and less of this mode, which is perfect for beginners, but not for those who are climbing up the learning ladder.Sports ModeRepresented by an icon of a sprinter, this is perfect for taking pictures of moving objects. This mode is also good for shooting children or pets in action. This mode can give you higher shutter speeds to stop action, along with a smaller aperture so that more of the action will be in focus. Raising the shutter speed and narrowing the aperture both decrease the amount of light coming through the lens. Some cameras then raise the so-called ISO sensitivity to compensate, while others keep the ISO unchanged to minimize picture noise.Portrait ModeThe Portrait mode is perfect for capturing solo subjects and taking passport photos. This mode sets a wide aperture of the lens so that the background behind your subject is softly focused. Here again, some cameras have modes within this mode, such as Portrait Right, if the subject is stationed on the right or Portrait Left. Similarly, there are sub-modes for Portrait Close-up, Portrait Couple (if there are two subjects) or Portrait Figure (if you want a waist upwards shot). However, with its deliberately shallow depth of field, this mode is not a good choice for group photos where members are at different distances from the lens. The Landscape Portrait mode or even just the Landscape mode would do better in that situation. Of course, there are some face detection features in some cameras, like Canon, that solve this problem, but it’s not found in most other cameras.Landscape ModeThis is represented with an icon showing a picture of a mountain range. This mode narrows the aperture, so both the subject and background stay sharp, but might zoom out to a wide angle to fit more of the background in. This mode also works well if you want to just capture nature without any subject in the foreground. You could also use this mode to showcase the architectural wonders of a building. Plus, if you have two people standing in the foreground against a mountain backdrop, some cameras have sub-modes, like Group Right or Group Left, to help you with that as well.Night PortraitThis mode is usually symbolized by a figure against a dark sky with a star. This mode fires the flash to illuminate a nearby subject and then holds the shutter open long enough for the background to be exposed. Scene modes for indoor photography typically turn the flash off to expose the whole scene equally. You can open the aperture to let more light in and turn on a stabilizing feature, given that longer shutter speeds are needed. For shooting after a sunset, night modes turn the flash off, hold the shutter open (use a tripod) and change the ISO sensitivity (not always raising it, as high ISO and long shutter speeds both commonly add noise to a picture).Scene ModesThere are at least a dozen different scene modes in any average compact camera. Flower icons set the camera for close up shots and some cameras, like Nikons, also have macro close up features that allow you to take shots of buds, petals, bugs and insects in a way that will leave you bowled. The Night Landscape mode (represented by a Manhattan-like skyline at night with bright dots in the building and a crescent in the sky) allows you to take great shots of stationery objects, whether they’re people, places or things during nighttime. But, remember to take the shot using a tripod, because it will expose the scene for a longer time. Any shake of the hand or camera could blur the picture.Similarly, the fireworks, beach and underwater modes are self-explanatory. Without these modes, such bright scenes would look dingy, because the auto exposure system, made for scenes of average brightness, dims brilliant scenes. Sunset modes emphasize reds, while the autumn modes often emphasize both reds and yellows.And Lastly…All of these modes are meant to equip you with a basic knowledge of what you can do in each of the different scene modes. The best way to learn photography is intense practice. Don’t shy away from experimenting one bit. The best way to know the difference between auto and the other scene modes is to shoot the same subject in both the settings and note the shutter speed, ISO level and aperture. The difference will be dramatic in some cases. Tweaking the various functions of the camera can result in some fantastic results that even textbooks can’t teach you. Go on and trial and error your way to better photography!
Shooting ModesIf you haven’t noticed, we’re in an age of all things being “ready made” and the same applies to digital photography. Pick any point and shoot camera or even a professional SLR camera and you will find pre-defined shooting modes that help you automatically adjust the camera’s focal length and exposure limits, depending on the picture you want to take. That could either be close ups, landscapes, night shooting or even dawn and dusk shooting. Or, even when shooting against a bright backdrop.Most photographers, including professionals, are known to shoot in the Auto mode, while very few rarely shoot in the full manual mode. There’s no right or wrong answer to this, but below is an outline you can follow for what shooting modes can do to a specific kind of photography. Here we go!For SLR and DSLR CamerasAperture Priority Mode (A or AV)This mode is a semi-manual mode where you choose the aperture while your camera chooses other settings, such as the shutter speed, white balance and ISO. It is put in place to ensure a balanced exposure level, thereby avoiding either under-exposed or over-exposed photographs. This mode is particularly useful to control a stationary object where you don’t need to control the shutter speed. Choosing a larger aperture level means the lens will get smaller and it will let less light in. That means you’ll have a larger depth of field (more of the area in focus), but your camera will choose a faster shutter speed.Shutter Priority Mode (S or TV)With this one, you choose the shutter speed and the camera chooses the rest of the settings. You can use this mode when you want to control the shutter speed. For example, when photographing moving subjects, such as some sporting action, you might want to choose a faster shutter speed to freeze the motion. On the flip side, you might want to capture the movement as a blur of the subject, like a waterfall, and choose a slower shutter speed. You may also want to use a slower shutter speed in low light conditions to get a better picture.Program Mode (P)Some digital cameras have this priority mode, in addition to the auto mode. With the cameras that have both, the Program mode is similar to the Auto mode, but it gives you a little more control over some of the other features, including flash, white balance and ISO. Check your digital camera’s manual on how the Program mode differs from the Auto mode in your particular model.Manual ModeThe name says it all. With this, you have complete control over all of the settings and you’re least dependent on any auto function of the camera. You set the shutter speed, aperture level, ISO, white balance and flash. This mode gives you the flexibility to set your shots the way you want them to be. This mode is essentially used by those photographers who are either experts or are willing to error in order to learn. If you don’t belong to either of those types, it’s best you stick to one or the other for better results.For Point and Shoot Compact CamerasAuto ModeThis is the mode used by most photographers. Although it works in most conditions, it’s really bad for indoor photography and some forms of outdoor photography as well. Indoors, a camera set on Auto would use the flash, blasting nearby subjects with light, while the background and subjects farther back are lost in darkness. If you master the various shooting modes, you could be using less and less of this mode, which is perfect for beginners, but not for those who are climbing up the learning ladder.Sports ModeRepresented by an icon of a sprinter, this is perfect for taking pictures of moving objects. This mode is also good for shooting children or pets in action. This mode can give you higher shutter speeds to stop action, along with a smaller aperture so that more of the action will be in focus. Raising the shutter speed and narrowing the aperture both decrease the amount of light coming through the lens. Some cameras then raise the so-called ISO sensitivity to compensate, while others keep the ISO unchanged to minimize picture noise.Portrait ModeThe Portrait mode is perfect for capturing solo subjects and taking passport photos. This mode sets a wide aperture of the lens so that the background behind your subject is softly focused. Here again, some cameras have modes within this mode, such as Portrait Right, if the subject is stationed on the right or Portrait Left. Similarly, there are sub-modes for Portrait Close-up, Portrait Couple (if there are two subjects) or Portrait Figure (if you want a waist upwards shot). However, with its deliberately shallow depth of field, this mode is not a good choice for group photos where members are at different distances from the lens. The Landscape Portrait mode or even just the Landscape mode would do better in that situation. Of course, there are some face detection features in some cameras, like Canon, that solve this problem, but it’s not found in most other cameras.Landscape ModeThis is represented with an icon showing a picture of a mountain range. This mode narrows the aperture, so both the subject and background stay sharp, but might zoom out to a wide angle to fit more of the background in. This mode also works well if you want to just capture nature without any subject in the foreground. You could also use this mode to showcase the architectural wonders of a building. Plus, if you have two people standing in the foreground against a mountain backdrop, some cameras have sub-modes, like Group Right or Group Left, to help you with that as well.Night PortraitThis mode is usually symbolized by a figure against a dark sky with a star. This mode fires the flash to illuminate a nearby subject and then holds the shutter open long enough for the background to be exposed. Scene modes for indoor photography typically turn the flash off to expose the whole scene equally. You can open the aperture to let more light in and turn on a stabilizing feature, given that longer shutter speeds are needed. For shooting after a sunset, night modes turn the flash off, hold the shutter open (use a tripod) and change the ISO sensitivity (not always raising it, as high ISO and long shutter speeds both commonly add noise to a picture).Scene ModesThere are at least a dozen different scene modes in any average compact camera. Flower icons set the camera for close up shots and some cameras, like Nikons, also have macro close up features that allow you to take shots of buds, petals, bugs and insects in a way that will leave you bowled. The Night Landscape mode (represented by a Manhattan-like skyline at night with bright dots in the building and a crescent in the sky) allows you to take great shots of stationery objects, whether they’re people, places or things during nighttime. But, remember to take the shot using a tripod, because it will expose the scene for a longer time. Any shake of the hand or camera could blur the picture.Similarly, the fireworks, beach and underwater modes are self-explanatory. Without these modes, such bright scenes would look dingy, because the auto exposure system, made for scenes of average brightness, dims brilliant scenes. Sunset modes emphasize reds, while the autumn modes often emphasize both reds and yellows.And Lastly…All of these modes are meant to equip you with a basic knowledge of what you can do in each of the different scene modes. The best way to learn photography is intense practice. Don’t shy away from experimenting one bit. The best way to know the difference between auto and the other scene modes is to shoot the same subject in both the settings and note the shutter speed, ISO level and aperture. The difference will be dramatic in some cases. Tweaking the various functions of the camera can result in some fantastic results that even textbooks can’t teach you. Go on and trial and error your way to better photography!
Shooting ModesIf you haven’t noticed, we’re in an age of all things being “ready made” and the same applies to digital photography. Pick any point and shoot camera or even a professional SLR camera and you will find pre-defined shooting modes that help you automatically adjust the camera’s focal length and exposure limits, depending on the picture you want to take. That could either be close ups, landscapes, night shooting or even dawn and dusk shooting. Or, even when shooting against a bright backdrop.Most photographers, including professionals, are known to shoot in the Auto mode, while very few rarely shoot in the full manual mode. There’s no right or wrong answer to this, but below is an outline you can follow for what shooting modes can do to a specific kind of photography. Here we go!For SLR and DSLR CamerasAperture Priority Mode (A or AV)This mode is a semi-manual mode where you choose the aperture while your camera chooses other settings, such as the shutter speed, white balance and ISO. It is put in place to ensure a balanced exposure level, thereby avoiding either under-exposed or over-exposed photographs. This mode is particularly useful to control a stationary object where you don’t need to control the shutter speed. Choosing a larger aperture level means the lens will get smaller and it will let less light in. That means you’ll have a larger depth of field (more of the area in focus), but your camera will choose a faster shutter speed.Shutter Priority Mode (S or TV)With this one, you choose the shutter speed and the camera chooses the rest of the settings. You can use this mode when you want to control the shutter speed. For example, when photographing moving subjects, such as some sporting action, you might want to choose a faster shutter speed to freeze the motion. On the flip side, you might want to capture the movement as a blur of the subject, like a waterfall, and choose a slower shutter speed. You may also want to use a slower shutter speed in low light conditions to get a better picture.Program Mode (P)Some digital cameras have this priority mode, in addition to the auto mode. With the cameras that have both, the Program mode is similar to the Auto mode, but it gives you a little more control over some of the other features, including flash, white balance and ISO. Check your digital camera’s manual on how the Program mode differs from the Auto mode in your particular model.Manual ModeThe name says it all. With this, you have complete control over all of the settings and you’re least dependent on any auto function of the camera. You set the shutter speed, aperture level, ISO, white balance and flash. This mode gives you the flexibility to set your shots the way you want them to be. This mode is essentially used by those photographers who are either experts or are willing to error in order to learn. If you don’t belong to either of those types, it’s best you stick to one or the other for better results.For Point and Shoot Compact CamerasAuto ModeThis is the mode used by most photographers. Although it works in most conditions, it’s really bad for indoor photography and some forms of outdoor photography as well. Indoors, a camera set on Auto would use the flash, blasting nearby subjects with light, while the background and subjects farther back are lost in darkness. If you master the various shooting modes, you could be using less and less of this mode, which is perfect for beginners, but not for those who are climbing up the learning ladder.Sports ModeRepresented by an icon of a sprinter, this is perfect for taking pictures of moving objects. This mode is also good for shooting children or pets in action. This mode can give you higher shutter speeds to stop action, along with a smaller aperture so that more of the action will be in focus. Raising the shutter speed and narrowing the aperture both decrease the amount of light coming through the lens. Some cameras then raise the so-called ISO sensitivity to compensate, while others keep the ISO unchanged to minimize picture noise.Portrait ModeThe Portrait mode is perfect for capturing solo subjects and taking passport photos. This mode sets a wide aperture of the lens so that the background behind your subject is softly focused. Here again, some cameras have modes within this mode, such as Portrait Right, if the subject is stationed on the right or Portrait Left. Similarly, there are sub-modes for Portrait Close-up, Portrait Couple (if there are two subjects) or Portrait Figure (if you want a waist upwards shot). However, with its deliberately shallow depth of field, this mode is not a good choice for group photos where members are at different distances from the lens. The Landscape Portrait mode or even just the Landscape mode would do better in that situation. Of course, there are some face detection features in some cameras, like Canon, that solve this problem, but it’s not found in most other cameras.Landscape ModeThis is represented with an icon showing a picture of a mountain range. This mode narrows the aperture, so both the subject and background stay sharp, but might zoom out to a wide angle to fit more of the background in. This mode also works well if you want to just capture nature without any subject in the foreground. You could also use this mode to showcase the architectural wonders of a building. Plus, if you have two people standing in the foreground against a mountain backdrop, some cameras have sub-modes, like Group Right or Group Left, to help you with that as well.Night PortraitThis mode is usually symbolized by a figure against a dark sky with a star. This mode fires the flash to illuminate a nearby subject and then holds the shutter open long enough for the background to be exposed. Scene modes for indoor photography typically turn the flash off to expose the whole scene equally. You can open the aperture to let more light in and turn on a stabilizing feature, given that longer shutter speeds are needed. For shooting after a sunset, night modes turn the flash off, hold the shutter open (use a tripod) and change the ISO sensitivity (not always raising it, as high ISO and long shutter speeds both commonly add noise to a picture).Scene ModesThere are at least a dozen different scene modes in any average compact camera. Flower icons set the camera for close up shots and some cameras, like Nikons, also have macro close up features that allow you to take shots of buds, petals, bugs and insects in a way that will leave you bowled. The Night Landscape mode (represented by a Manhattan-like skyline at night with bright dots in the building and a crescent in the sky) allows you to take great shots of stationery objects, whether they’re people, places or things during nighttime. But, remember to take the shot using a tripod, because it will expose the scene for a longer time. Any shake of the hand or camera could blur the picture.Similarly, the fireworks, beach and underwater modes are self-explanatory. Without these modes, such bright scenes would look dingy, because the auto exposure system, made for scenes of average brightness, dims brilliant scenes. Sunset modes emphasize reds, while the autumn modes often emphasize both reds and yellows.And Lastly…All of these modes are meant to equip you with a basic knowledge of what you can do in each of the different scene modes. The best way to learn photography is intense practice. Don’t shy away from experimenting one bit. The best way to know the difference between auto and the other scene modes is to shoot the same subject in both the settings and note the shutter speed, ISO level and aperture. The difference will be dramatic in some cases. Tweaking the various functions of the camera can result in some fantastic results that even textbooks can’t teach you. Go on and trial and error your way to better photography!
Shooting ModesIf you haven’t noticed, we’re in an age of all things being “ready made” and the same applies to digital photography. Pick any point and shoot camera or even a professional SLR camera and you will find pre-defined shooting modes that help you automatically adjust the camera’s focal length and exposure limits, depending on the picture you want to take. That could either be close ups, landscapes, night shooting or even dawn and dusk shooting. Or, even when shooting against a bright backdrop.Most photographers, including professionals, are known to shoot in the Auto mode, while very few rarely shoot in the full manual mode. There’s no right or wrong answer to this, but below is an outline you can follow for what shooting modes can do to a specific kind of photography. Here we go!For SLR and DSLR CamerasAperture Priority Mode (A or AV)This mode is a semi-manual mode where you choose the aperture while your camera chooses other settings, such as the shutter speed, white balance and ISO. It is put in place to ensure a balanced exposure level, thereby avoiding either under-exposed or over-exposed photographs. This mode is particularly useful to control a stationary object where you don’t need to control the shutter speed. Choosing a larger aperture level means the lens will get smaller and it will let less light in. That means you’ll have a larger depth of field (more of the area in focus), but your camera will choose a faster shutter speed.Shutter Priority Mode (S or TV)With this one, you choose the shutter speed and the camera chooses the rest of the settings. You can use this mode when you want to control the shutter speed. For example, when photographing moving subjects, such as some sporting action, you might want to choose a faster shutter speed to freeze the motion. On the flip side, you might want to capture the movement as a blur of the subject, like a waterfall, and choose a slower shutter speed. You may also want to use a slower shutter speed in low light conditions to get a better picture.Program Mode (P)Some digital cameras have this priority mode, in addition to the auto mode. With the cameras that have both, the Program mode is similar to the Auto mode, but it gives you a little more control over some of the other features, including flash, white balance and ISO. Check your digital camera’s manual on how the Program mode differs from the Auto mode in your particular model.Manual ModeThe name says it all. With this, you have complete control over all of the settings and you’re least dependent on any auto function of the camera. You set the shutter speed, aperture level, ISO, white balance and flash. This mode gives you the flexibility to set your shots the way you want them to be. This mode is essentially used by those photographers who are either experts or are willing to error in order to learn. If you don’t belong to either of those types, it’s best you stick to one or the other for better results.For Point and Shoot Compact CamerasAuto ModeThis is the mode used by most photographers. Although it works in most conditions, it’s really bad for indoor photography and some forms of outdoor photography as well. Indoors, a camera set on Auto would use the flash, blasting nearby subjects with light, while the background and subjects farther back are lost in darkness. If you master the various shooting modes, you could be using less and less of this mode, which is perfect for beginners, but not for those who are climbing up the learning ladder.Sports ModeRepresented by an icon of a sprinter, this is perfect for taking pictures of moving objects. This mode is also good for shooting children or pets in action. This mode can give you higher shutter speeds to stop action, along with a smaller aperture so that more of the action will be in focus. Raising the shutter speed and narrowing the aperture both decrease the amount of light coming through the lens. Some cameras then raise the so-called ISO sensitivity to compensate, while others keep the ISO unchanged to minimize picture noise.Portrait ModeThe Portrait mode is perfect for capturing solo subjects and taking passport photos. This mode sets a wide aperture of the lens so that the background behind your subject is softly focused. Here again, some cameras have modes within this mode, such as Portrait Right, if the subject is stationed on the right or Portrait Left. Similarly, there are sub-modes for Portrait Close-up, Portrait Couple (if there are two subjects) or Portrait Figure (if you want a waist upwards shot). However, with its deliberately shallow depth of field, this mode is not a good choice for group photos where members are at different distances from the lens. The Landscape Portrait mode or even just the Landscape mode would do better in that situation. Of course, there are some face detection features in some cameras, like Canon, that solve this problem, but it’s not found in most other cameras.Landscape ModeThis is represented with an icon showing a picture of a mountain range. This mode narrows the aperture, so both the subject and background stay sharp, but might zoom out to a wide angle to fit more of the background in. This mode also works well if you want to just capture nature without any subject in the foreground. You could also use this mode to showcase the architectural wonders of a building. Plus, if you have two people standing in the foreground against a mountain backdrop, some cameras have sub-modes, like Group Right or Group Left, to help you with that as well.Night PortraitThis mode is usually symbolized by a figure against a dark sky with a star. This mode fires the flash to illuminate a nearby subject and then holds the shutter open long enough for the background to be exposed. Scene modes for indoor photography typically turn the flash off to expose the whole scene equally. You can open the aperture to let more light in and turn on a stabilizing feature, given that longer shutter speeds are needed. For shooting after a sunset, night modes turn the flash off, hold the shutter open (use a tripod) and change the ISO sensitivity (not always raising it, as high ISO and long shutter speeds both commonly add noise to a picture).Scene ModesThere are at least a dozen different scene modes in any average compact camera. Flower icons set the camera for close up shots and some cameras, like Nikons, also have macro close up features that allow you to take shots of buds, petals, bugs and insects in a way that will leave you bowled. The Night Landscape mode (represented by a Manhattan-like skyline at night with bright dots in the building and a crescent in the sky) allows you to take great shots of stationery objects, whether they’re people, places or things during nighttime. But, remember to take the shot using a tripod, because it will expose the scene for a longer time. Any shake of the hand or camera could blur the picture.Similarly, the fireworks, beach and underwater modes are self-explanatory. Without these modes, such bright scenes would look dingy, because the auto exposure system, made for scenes of average brightness, dims brilliant scenes. Sunset modes emphasize reds, while the autumn modes often emphasize both reds and yellows.And Lastly…All of these modes are meant to equip you with a basic knowledge of what you can do in each of the different scene modes. The best way to learn photography is intense practice. Don’t shy away from experimenting one bit. The best way to know the difference between auto and the other scene modes is to shoot the same subject in both the settings and note the shutter speed, ISO level and aperture. The difference will be dramatic in some cases. Tweaking the various functions of the camera can result in some fantastic results that even textbooks can’t teach you. Go on and trial and error your way to better photography!
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Photography is an expansive art form that includes more than just portraiture, landscape or glamour photography. Both professional and amateur photographers may favor specific types of photography over others. While a professional photographer may work in photojournalism, an amateur may be particularly interested in macrophotography. Read on to learn more about the various types of photography.PhotojournalismAlthough amateurs may break into this field without formal training, photojournalism is often limited to professionals. One reason photojournalism is generally practiced by professionals is that serious photojournalists must be sure that their shots maintain the integrity of the original scene.Photojournalism requires the photographer to shoot only the facts: no alteration or embellishment of the photo is permitted. Photojournalism pictures are often powerful images that engage the viewer with the news story. Knowing how to take such shots to capture the original emotion is often learned only through years of practice and experience.Documentary PhotographyDocumentary photographs tell stories with images. The main difference between photojournalism and documentary photography is that documentary photography is meant to serve as a historical document of a political or social era while photojournalism documents a particular scene or instance.A documentary photographer may shoot a series of images of the inner city homeless or chronicle the events of international combat. Any topic may be the subject of documentary photography. As with photojournalism, documentary photography seeks to show the truth without manipulating the image.Action PhotographyWhile professionals who take action shots may specialize in a variety of different subjects, sports photography is one of the fastest and most exciting types of photography. As with any action shot, a good sports photographer has to know his or her subject well enough to anticipate when to take pictures. The same rule goes for photographers taking action shots of animals in nature or of a plane taking off.MacrophotographyMacrophotography describes the field of photography in which pictures are taken at close range. Once restricted to photographers with advanced and expensive equipment, macrophotography is now easier for amateurs to practice with digital cameras with macro settings. Macrophotography subjects may include insects, flowers, the texture of a woven sweater or any object where close-up photography reveals interesting details.MicrophotographyMicrophotography uses specialized cameras and microscopes to capture images of extremely small subjects. Most applications of microphotography are best suited for the scientific world. For example, microphotography is used in disciplines as diverse as astronomy, biology and medicine.Glamour PhotographyGlamour photography, sometimes confused with pornography, may be sexy and erotic but it is not pornographic. Instead of focusing on nudity or lurid poses, glamour photography seeks to capture its subject in suggestive poses that emphasize curves and shadows. As the name implies, the goal of glamour photography is to depict the model in a glamorous light. Consequently, many glamour shots carry flirtatious, mysterious and playful tones.Aerial PhotographyAn aerial photographer specializes in taking photos from the air. Photos may be used for surveying or construction, to capture birds or weather on film or for military purposes. Aerial photographers have used planes, ultralights, parachutes, balloons and remote controlled aircraft to take pictures from the air.Underwater PhotographyUnderwater photography is usually employed by scuba divers or snorkelers. However, the cost of scuba diving, coupled with often expensive and unwieldy underwater photography equipment, makes this one of the less common types of photography. Similarly, if an amateur has the equipment and the scuba know-how, taking shots underwater can be complicated, as scuba goggles are magnified and distort the photographer’s vision.Art PhotographyArtistic photography can embrace a wide variety of subjects. While a nature photographer may use underwater photography to create an art show based on sea life, a portrait photographer’s show may feature black and white artistic portraitures. In all cases, the photographs must have aesthetic value to be considered art.PortraiturePortraiture is one of the oldest types of photography. Whether the subject is your family or your pet, the goal of portraiture is to capture the personality of the subject or group of subjects on film.Wedding PhotographyWedding photography is a blend of different types of photography. Although the wedding album is a documentary of the wedding day, wedding photos can be retouched and edited to produce a variety of effects. For example, a photographer may treat some of the pictures with sepia toning to give them a more classic, timeless look.In addition, a wedding photographer must have portrait photography skills. He may also have to employ glamour photography techniques to capture the bride and groom at their best.Advertising PhotographyBecause photography plays a vital role in advertising, many professional photographers devote their careers to advertising photography. The need for unique and eye-catching advertising copy means the photographer may work with multiple types of photography, including macrophotography and glamour photography.Travel PhotographyTravel photography may span several categories of photography, including advertising, documentary or vernacular photography that depicts a particularly local or historical flavor. A travel photographer can capture the feel of a location with both landscapes and portraiture.
Basic Rules for Better PhotographyIt’s one thing to take a picture, but another to take a photograph. There are some basic rules that can help you take more interesting and eye catching photographs.Once you have the basic rules down, you’ll become more observant of the photographic opportunities that are around you. This is important in creating your “eye” for photography, and in creating your own style. It will be the difference between a snap shot and a photograph.Rule of Thirds:The “rule of thirds” has been around for centuries, and is the most recognized rule of composition used in photography and the arts alike. The rule of thirds states that the frame can be divided into three horizontal and three vertical sections. Photographs work better when the area of interest is placed off-center.I took this photograph using the rule of thirds. The balloon is off to the left. I usually put my center of focus on the left because in most parts of the world we read from left to right. This is more appealing to the viewer’s eye. They see the center of focus to the left and continue to look toward the right, taking in the rest of the image:Simplicity:The “simplicity” rule is just that. You should keep your photo relatively simple. If you’re zoomed in close to your main subject, make sure that the background is out of focus or make sure that nothing in the background stands out, causing any distractions. You don’t want anything pulling your eye away from your main subject.Here I have a photo of a tulip’s base, a very simple composition. I came in close, and whatever background you see is blurred out — there are no distractions:Leading Lines:The “leading line” draws your eye deeper into the photograph, and commonly to the main subject. The leading lines also direct your eye to an area of the photo that might not have been noticed otherwise. You have to be careful using leading lines. You don’t want them to distract the viewer or lead them away from the main subject.Here’s a photograph that I took in Death Valley, California. In this photo, there are a lot of lines leading up to the top of the mountain. The lines keep your eyes moving up the image. Lines can also go horizontal or vertical. Leading lines can also be rivers, roads, tree branches, bridges, or even building architecture:Straight Horizon:Talking about “straight horizons” may seem a little obvious and not necessary, but you’d be surprised to find how often it’s forgotten. Good thing this is an easy fix in most software programs:Framing:“Framing” natural surroundings thoughtfully can add more meaning and focus to your subject. The surrounding can be just about anything, from tree branches, bushes, and even doorways. Make sure that you are focused on your main subject, and use a high f/stop for depth of field.Here I took a photo of a golden monkey at the Bronx Zoo. I zoomed in close to get rid of any distractions behind the monkey. Then I used the tree branches to frame the image:Perspective:Sometimes a change of perspective can add impact to a photograph. Think about changing from your norm. Try crouching down, or moving to the left or right. Better yet, try to take a photo from a different angle, through a window, or a doorway, or even an archway. Experiment with lenses. You could even invest in a fisheye lens, which will give you a whole new perspective on everything:Color:Color in a photograph can create emotion and mood. Blues and greens are cool. Yellow and orange are warm colors. You can also use colors to create certain effects. Like a “wow” factor when colors jump out at you:Symmetry:Sometimes you just have to forget about the rule of thirds, and just plop your focus dead center, just because it works. Symmetry can come at a price; some may say it’s not interesting enough or even boring. Don’t listen to that. Subjects that work well with symmetry are landscapes and flora:The most important thing to remember about photography besides the rules, are “have fun” and enjoy what you’re doing. Then you can think about the rules. When you’ve finely tuned your skills, you can go ahead a break the rule. Now that’s a lot of fun.
Rule of Thirds:The “rule of thirds” has been around for centuries, and is the most recognized rule of composition used in photography and the arts alike. The rule of thirds states that the frame can be divided into three horizontal and three vertical sections. Photographs work better when the area of interest is placed off-center.I took this photograph using the rule of thirds. The balloon is off to the left. I usually put my center of focus on the left because in most parts of the world we read from left to right. This is more appealing to the viewer’s eye. They see the center of focus to the left and continue to look toward the right, taking in the rest of the image:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirdsThe rule of thirds is a "rule of thumb" or guideline which applies to the process of composing visual images such as paintings, photographs and designs.[1] The guideline proposes that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.[2] Proponents of the technique claim that aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would.[citation needed]The photograph to the right demonstrates the application of the rule of thirds. The horizon sits at the horizontal line dividing the lower third of the photo from the upper two-thirds. The tree sits at the intersection of two lines, sometimes called a power point or a crash point[citation needed]. Points of interest in the photo don't have to actually touch one of these lines to take advantage of the rule of thirds.[citation needed] For example, the brightest part of the sky near the horizon where the sun recently set does not fall directly on one of the lines, but does fall near the intersection of two of the lines, close enough to take advantage of the rule.
Simplicity:The “simplicity” rule is just that. You should keep your photo relatively simple. If you’re zoomed in close to your main subject, make sure that the background is out of focus or make sure that nothing in the background stands out, causing any distractions. You don’t want anything pulling your eye away from your main subject.Here I have a photo of a tulip’s base, a very simple composition. I came in close, and whatever background you see is blurred out — there are no distractions:
Leading Lines:The “leading line” draws your eye deeper into the photograph, and commonly to the main subject. The leading lines also direct your eye to an area of the photo that might not have been noticed otherwise. You have to be careful using leading lines. You don’t want them to distract the viewer or lead them away from the main subject.
Straight Horizon:Talking about “straight horizons” may seem a little obvious and not necessary, but you’d be surprised to find how often it’s forgotten. Good thing this is an easy fix in most software programs
Framing:“Framing” natural surroundings thoughtfully can add more meaning and focus to your subject. The surrounding can be just about anything, from tree branches, bushes, and even doorways. Make sure that you are focused on your main subject, and use a high f/stop for depth of field.Here I took a photo of a golden monkey at the Bronx Zoo. I zoomed in close to get rid of any distractions behind the monkey. Then I used the tree branches to frame the image:
Color:Color in a photograph can create emotion and mood. Blues and greens are cool. Yellow and orange are warm colors. You can also use colors to create certain effects. Like a “wow” factor when colors jump out at you:
Color:Color in a photograph can create emotion and mood. Blues and greens are cool. Yellow and orange are warm colors. You can also use colors to create certain effects. Like a “wow” factor when colors jump out at you:
Symmetry:Sometimes you just have to forget about the rule of thirds, and just plop your focus dead center, just because it works. Symmetry can come at a price; some may say it’s not interesting enough or even boring. Don’t listen to that. Subjects that work well with symmetry are landscapes and flora:
The most important thing to remember about photography besides the rules, are “have fun” and enjoy what you’re doing. Then you can think about the rules. When you’ve finely tuned your skills, you can go ahead a break the rule. Now that’s a lot of fun.
Data File Types for PhotosFile types for digital photos vary in the way each reproduces image quality, as well as the amount of space each demands on a hard drive. Data file types that work well in one situation may be the worst choices in another. For instance, while photo images saved as JPEG file types are excellent for emailing images, they are terrible choices for long term photo archiving.Choosing the wrong data file types can cause serious problems, including the loss or distortion of saved information. For example, just as archived image files can be corrupted if the incorrect data file types are used, so too can images saved in larger file types tie up an email program for hours.The four main data file types used to store photos and images are JPEG, TIFF, GIF and PNG files. The file types that digital cameras and imaging software support depends on each product’s specifications.Storing Images as JPEG FilesJPEG, short for Joint Photographic Experts Group, is a file type that most digital cameras and imaging software support. In fact, JPEG files are the types of image files that are used most often on the Internet. Because of their small size, JPEG files allow images and pictures to be easily emailed and/or uploaded to websites.JPEG files are smaller than most other file types because the images they store are mathematically compressed: the JPEG file may be one-tenth the size of the original data file. Because file size is an important consideration when emailing image files, JPEG data files are the best way to email images quickly without jamming up someone’s email program or overloading his inbox.However, the speed at which JPEGs can be emailed or loaded on web pages comes at a price that serious photographers are often reluctant to pay. When a JPEG file compresses data, it alters the image’s pixel data, deleting small areas that cannot be compressed easily. As a result, subtle variations in color and detail are often lost during JPEG data compression.Every time a JPEG file is saved, the compression process slightly degrades the image quality. Moreover, this effect is cumulative: repeatedly modifying JPEG file types results in corrupted files, as well as poorer and poorer image quality.Because JPEG file types degrade with use, they are called “lossy” files. The term lossy describes the fact that each time a JPEG is resaved some of the image quality is lost. Consequently, while JPEG photo file types are excellent for quickly emailing photos or uploading images, they’re not recommended for long-term archiving of image files.TIFF Data File TypesTIFF date file types, or Tag Image File Format, are “lossless” data file types, meaning that no image quality is lost when a TIFF file is saved and compressed. Professional photographers and graphic designers use TIFF files more than other photo file types. However, mid-range digital cameras may not have enough memory to support TIFF files.Image quality has made TIFF files the standard data file type for archiving images and photos. The only negative aspect of TIFF files is their size. Because they save all of the pixel information in data compression, TIFF files are much bigger than JPEG files. As a result, TIFF files require large amounts of memory to store images. Keep in mind that a compressed TIFF file is not appreciably smaller than an uncompressed file. For people concerned with the corruption of photo files, however, TIFF is a reliable choice.PNG Photo File TypesPNG (Portable Network Graphics) are also lossless types of data files. Like TIFF photo files, PNG image files are suitable for long term photo archiving. Although the average viewer may not notice the difference, PNG data files have even better lossless compression (they reproduce the images at a better quality) than TIFF files. PNG files are supported by a variety of imaging software programs.GIF Data File TypesWhile GIF (graphic interface format) data file types are commonly used for graphics and digital images, they are not well suited to storing photo files. GIF files are restricted to a 256-color palette, making them insufficient to accurately reproduce photo images. Graphic designers regularly use GIF files for images and logos with limited colors. Similarly, GIF files’ smaller sizes make them ideal for website use.Image Data Files and PhotographersChoose among the various types of data files according to the way the photo or image will ultimately be used. If you’re archiving photo files, TIFF and PNG are the best choices. However, no one wants to receive emails containing such large files that tend to stall computer programs and flood inboxes. Conversely, the smaller size of JPEG files makes them better suited for online use but not well-suited for protecting image quality.The best way to handle the differences among data file types is to use both. Save master copies of image files using TIFF or PNG. Then, if you need to take advantage of JPEG files’ compression abilities, copy the master image and convert it into JPEG format. By doing this, files can be easily emailed while you safely retain quality archival copies.
Data File Types for PhotosFile types for digital photos vary in the way each reproduces image quality, as well as the amount of space each demands on a hard drive. Data file types that work well in one situation may be the worst choices in another. For instance, while photo images saved as JPEG file types are excellent for emailing images, they are terrible choices for long term photo archiving.Choosing the wrong data file types can cause serious problems, including the loss or distortion of saved information. For example, just as archived image files can be corrupted if the incorrect data file types are used, so too can images saved in larger file types tie up an email program for hours.The four main data file types used to store photos and images are JPEG, TIFF, GIF and PNG files. The file types that digital cameras and imaging software support depends on each product’s specifications.Storing Images as JPEG FilesJPEG, short for Joint Photographic Experts Group, is a file type that most digital cameras and imaging software support. In fact, JPEG files are the types of image files that are used most often on the Internet. Because of their small size, JPEG files allow images and pictures to be easily emailed and/or uploaded to websites.JPEG files are smaller than most other file types because the images they store are mathematically compressed: the JPEG file may be one-tenth the size of the original data file. Because file size is an important consideration when emailing image files, JPEG data files are the best way to email images quickly without jamming up someone’s email program or overloading his inbox.However, the speed at which JPEGs can be emailed or loaded on web pages comes at a price that serious photographers are often reluctant to pay. When a JPEG file compresses data, it alters the image’s pixel data, deleting small areas that cannot be compressed easily. As a result, subtle variations in color and detail are often lost during JPEG data compression.Every time a JPEG file is saved, the compression process slightly degrades the image quality. Moreover, this effect is cumulative: repeatedly modifying JPEG file types results in corrupted files, as well as poorer and poorer image quality.Because JPEG file types degrade with use, they are called “lossy” files. The term lossy describes the fact that each time a JPEG is resaved some of the image quality is lost. Consequently, while JPEG photo file types are excellent for quickly emailing photos or uploading images, they’re not recommended for long-term archiving of image files.TIFF Data File TypesTIFF date file types, or Tag Image File Format, are “lossless” data file types, meaning that no image quality is lost when a TIFF file is saved and compressed. Professional photographers and graphic designers use TIFF files more than other photo file types. However, mid-range digital cameras may not have enough memory to support TIFF files.Image quality has made TIFF files the standard data file type for archiving images and photos. The only negative aspect of TIFF files is their size. Because they save all of the pixel information in data compression, TIFF files are much bigger than JPEG files. As a result, TIFF files require large amounts of memory to store images. Keep in mind that a compressed TIFF file is not appreciably smaller than an uncompressed file. For people concerned with the corruption of photo files, however, TIFF is a reliable choice.PNG Photo File TypesPNG (Portable Network Graphics) are also lossless types of data files. Like TIFF photo files, PNG image files are suitable for long term photo archiving. Although the average viewer may not notice the difference, PNG data files have even better lossless compression (they reproduce the images at a better quality) than TIFF files. PNG files are supported by a variety of imaging software programs.GIF Data File TypesWhile GIF (graphic interface format) data file types are commonly used for graphics and digital images, they are not well suited to storing photo files. GIF files are restricted to a 256-color palette, making them insufficient to accurately reproduce photo images. Graphic designers regularly use GIF files for images and logos with limited colors. Similarly, GIF files’ smaller sizes make them ideal for website use.Image Data Files and PhotographersChoose among the various types of data files according to the way the photo or image will ultimately be used. If you’re archiving photo files, TIFF and PNG are the best choices. However, no one wants to receive emails containing such large files that tend to stall computer programs and flood inboxes. Conversely, the smaller size of JPEG files makes them better suited for online use but not well-suited for protecting image quality.The best way to handle the differences among data file types is to use both. Save master copies of image files using TIFF or PNG. Then, if you need to take advantage of JPEG files’ compression abilities, copy the master image and convert it into JPEG format. By doing this, files can be easily emailed while you safely retain quality archival copies.
Data File Types for PhotosFile types for digital photos vary in the way each reproduces image quality, as well as the amount of space each demands on a hard drive. Data file types that work well in one situation may be the worst choices in another. For instance, while photo images saved as JPEG file types are excellent for emailing images, they are terrible choices for long term photo archiving.Choosing the wrong data file types can cause serious problems, including the loss or distortion of saved information. For example, just as archived image files can be corrupted if the incorrect data file types are used, so too can images saved in larger file types tie up an email program for hours.The four main data file types used to store photos and images are JPEG, TIFF, GIF and PNG files. The file types that digital cameras and imaging software support depends on each product’s specifications.Storing Images as JPEG FilesJPEG, short for Joint Photographic Experts Group, is a file type that most digital cameras and imaging software support. In fact, JPEG files are the types of image files that are used most often on the Internet. Because of their small size, JPEG files allow images and pictures to be easily emailed and/or uploaded to websites.JPEG files are smaller than most other file types because the images they store are mathematically compressed: the JPEG file may be one-tenth the size of the original data file. Because file size is an important consideration when emailing image files, JPEG data files are the best way to email images quickly without jamming up someone’s email program or overloading his inbox.However, the speed at which JPEGs can be emailed or loaded on web pages comes at a price that serious photographers are often reluctant to pay. When a JPEG file compresses data, it alters the image’s pixel data, deleting small areas that cannot be compressed easily. As a result, subtle variations in color and detail are often lost during JPEG data compression.Every time a JPEG file is saved, the compression process slightly degrades the image quality. Moreover, this effect is cumulative: repeatedly modifying JPEG file types results in corrupted files, as well as poorer and poorer image quality.Because JPEG file types degrade with use, they are called “lossy” files. The term lossy describes the fact that each time a JPEG is resaved some of the image quality is lost. Consequently, while JPEG photo file types are excellent for quickly emailing photos or uploading images, they’re not recommended for long-term archiving of image files.TIFF Data File TypesTIFF date file types, or Tag Image File Format, are “lossless” data file types, meaning that no image quality is lost when a TIFF file is saved and compressed. Professional photographers and graphic designers use TIFF files more than other photo file types. However, mid-range digital cameras may not have enough memory to support TIFF files.Image quality has made TIFF files the standard data file type for archiving images and photos. The only negative aspect of TIFF files is their size. Because they save all of the pixel information in data compression, TIFF files are much bigger than JPEG files. As a result, TIFF files require large amounts of memory to store images. Keep in mind that a compressed TIFF file is not appreciably smaller than an uncompressed file. For people concerned with the corruption of photo files, however, TIFF is a reliable choice.PNG Photo File TypesPNG (Portable Network Graphics) are also lossless types of data files. Like TIFF photo files, PNG image files are suitable for long term photo archiving. Although the average viewer may not notice the difference, PNG data files have even better lossless compression (they reproduce the images at a better quality) than TIFF files. PNG files are supported by a variety of imaging software programs.GIF Data File TypesWhile GIF (graphic interface format) data file types are commonly used for graphics and digital images, they are not well suited to storing photo files. GIF files are restricted to a 256-color palette, making them insufficient to accurately reproduce photo images. Graphic designers regularly use GIF files for images and logos with limited colors. Similarly, GIF files’ smaller sizes make them ideal for website use.Image Data Files and PhotographersChoose among the various types of data files according to the way the photo or image will ultimately be used. If you’re archiving photo files, TIFF and PNG are the best choices. However, no one wants to receive emails containing such large files that tend to stall computer programs and flood inboxes. Conversely, the smaller size of JPEG files makes them better suited for online use but not well-suited for protecting image quality.The best way to handle the differences among data file types is to use both. Save master copies of image files using TIFF or PNG. Then, if you need to take advantage of JPEG files’ compression abilities, copy the master image and convert it into JPEG format. By doing this, files can be easily emailed while you safely retain quality archival copies.
Data File Types for PhotosFile types for digital photos vary in the way each reproduces image quality, as well as the amount of space each demands on a hard drive. Data file types that work well in one situation may be the worst choices in another. For instance, while photo images saved as JPEG file types are excellent for emailing images, they are terrible choices for long term photo archiving.Choosing the wrong data file types can cause serious problems, including the loss or distortion of saved information. For example, just as archived image files can be corrupted if the incorrect data file types are used, so too can images saved in larger file types tie up an email program for hours.The four main data file types used to store photos and images are JPEG, TIFF, GIF and PNG files. The file types that digital cameras and imaging software support depends on each product’s specifications.Storing Images as JPEG FilesJPEG, short for Joint Photographic Experts Group, is a file type that most digital cameras and imaging software support. In fact, JPEG files are the types of image files that are used most often on the Internet. Because of their small size, JPEG files allow images and pictures to be easily emailed and/or uploaded to websites.JPEG files are smaller than most other file types because the images they store are mathematically compressed: the JPEG file may be one-tenth the size of the original data file. Because file size is an important consideration when emailing image files, JPEG data files are the best way to email images quickly without jamming up someone’s email program or overloading his inbox.However, the speed at which JPEGs can be emailed or loaded on web pages comes at a price that serious photographers are often reluctant to pay. When a JPEG file compresses data, it alters the image’s pixel data, deleting small areas that cannot be compressed easily. As a result, subtle variations in color and detail are often lost during JPEG data compression.Every time a JPEG file is saved, the compression process slightly degrades the image quality. Moreover, this effect is cumulative: repeatedly modifying JPEG file types results in corrupted files, as well as poorer and poorer image quality.Because JPEG file types degrade with use, they are called “lossy” files. The term lossy describes the fact that each time a JPEG is resaved some of the image quality is lost. Consequently, while JPEG photo file types are excellent for quickly emailing photos or uploading images, they’re not recommended for long-term archiving of image files.TIFF Data File TypesTIFF date file types, or Tag Image File Format, are “lossless” data file types, meaning that no image quality is lost when a TIFF file is saved and compressed. Professional photographers and graphic designers use TIFF files more than other photo file types. However, mid-range digital cameras may not have enough memory to support TIFF files.Image quality has made TIFF files the standard data file type for archiving images and photos. The only negative aspect of TIFF files is their size. Because they save all of the pixel information in data compression, TIFF files are much bigger than JPEG files. As a result, TIFF files require large amounts of memory to store images. Keep in mind that a compressed TIFF file is not appreciably smaller than an uncompressed file. For people concerned with the corruption of photo files, however, TIFF is a reliable choice.PNG Photo File TypesPNG (Portable Network Graphics) are also lossless types of data files. Like TIFF photo files, PNG image files are suitable for long term photo archiving. Although the average viewer may not notice the difference, PNG data files have even better lossless compression (they reproduce the images at a better quality) than TIFF files. PNG files are supported by a variety of imaging software programs.GIF Data File TypesWhile GIF (graphic interface format) data file types are commonly used for graphics and digital images, they are not well suited to storing photo files. GIF files are restricted to a 256-color palette, making them insufficient to accurately reproduce photo images. Graphic designers regularly use GIF files for images and logos with limited colors. Similarly, GIF files’ smaller sizes make them ideal for website use.Image Data Files and PhotographersChoose among the various types of data files according to the way the photo or image will ultimately be used. If you’re archiving photo files, TIFF and PNG are the best choices. However, no one wants to receive emails containing such large files that tend to stall computer programs and flood inboxes. Conversely, the smaller size of JPEG files makes them better suited for online use but not well-suited for protecting image quality.The best way to handle the differences among data file types is to use both. Save master copies of image files using TIFF or PNG. Then, if you need to take advantage of JPEG files’ compression abilities, copy the master image and convert it into JPEG format. By doing this, files can be easily emailed while you safely retain quality archival copies.
Data File Types for PhotosFile types for digital photos vary in the way each reproduces image quality, as well as the amount of space each demands on a hard drive. Data file types that work well in one situation may be the worst choices in another. For instance, while photo images saved as JPEG file types are excellent for emailing images, they are terrible choices for long term photo archiving.Choosing the wrong data file types can cause serious problems, including the loss or distortion of saved information. For example, just as archived image files can be corrupted if the incorrect data file types are used, so too can images saved in larger file types tie up an email program for hours.The four main data file types used to store photos and images are JPEG, TIFF, GIF and PNG files. The file types that digital cameras and imaging software support depends on each product’s specifications.Storing Images as JPEG FilesJPEG, short for Joint Photographic Experts Group, is a file type that most digital cameras and imaging software support. In fact, JPEG files are the types of image files that are used most often on the Internet. Because of their small size, JPEG files allow images and pictures to be easily emailed and/or uploaded to websites.JPEG files are smaller than most other file types because the images they store are mathematically compressed: the JPEG file may be one-tenth the size of the original data file. Because file size is an important consideration when emailing image files, JPEG data files are the best way to email images quickly without jamming up someone’s email program or overloading his inbox.However, the speed at which JPEGs can be emailed or loaded on web pages comes at a price that serious photographers are often reluctant to pay. When a JPEG file compresses data, it alters the image’s pixel data, deleting small areas that cannot be compressed easily. As a result, subtle variations in color and detail are often lost during JPEG data compression.Every time a JPEG file is saved, the compression process slightly degrades the image quality. Moreover, this effect is cumulative: repeatedly modifying JPEG file types results in corrupted files, as well as poorer and poorer image quality.Because JPEG file types degrade with use, they are called “lossy” files. The term lossy describes the fact that each time a JPEG is resaved some of the image quality is lost. Consequently, while JPEG photo file types are excellent for quickly emailing photos or uploading images, they’re not recommended for long-term archiving of image files.TIFF Data File TypesTIFF date file types, or Tag Image File Format, are “lossless” data file types, meaning that no image quality is lost when a TIFF file is saved and compressed. Professional photographers and graphic designers use TIFF files more than other photo file types. However, mid-range digital cameras may not have enough memory to support TIFF files.Image quality has made TIFF files the standard data file type for archiving images and photos. The only negative aspect of TIFF files is their size. Because they save all of the pixel information in data compression, TIFF files are much bigger than JPEG files. As a result, TIFF files require large amounts of memory to store images. Keep in mind that a compressed TIFF file is not appreciably smaller than an uncompressed file. For people concerned with the corruption of photo files, however, TIFF is a reliable choice.PNG Photo File TypesPNG (Portable Network Graphics) are also lossless types of data files. Like TIFF photo files, PNG image files are suitable for long term photo archiving. Although the average viewer may not notice the difference, PNG data files have even better lossless compression (they reproduce the images at a better quality) than TIFF files. PNG files are supported by a variety of imaging software programs.GIF Data File TypesWhile GIF (graphic interface format) data file types are commonly used for graphics and digital images, they are not well suited to storing photo files. GIF files are restricted to a 256-color palette, making them insufficient to accurately reproduce photo images. Graphic designers regularly use GIF files for images and logos with limited colors. Similarly, GIF files’ smaller sizes make them ideal for website use.Image Data Files and PhotographersChoose among the various types of data files according to the way the photo or image will ultimately be used. If you’re archiving photo files, TIFF and PNG are the best choices. However, no one wants to receive emails containing such large files that tend to stall computer programs and flood inboxes. Conversely, the smaller size of JPEG files makes them better suited for online use but not well-suited for protecting image quality.The best way to handle the differences among data file types is to use both. Save master copies of image files using TIFF or PNG. Then, if you need to take advantage of JPEG files’ compression abilities, copy the master image and convert it into JPEG format. By doing this, files can be easily emailed while you safely retain quality archival copies.
Organizing Your Digital ImagesHere are the steps I recommend taking.1. Only download your good images. If an image is blurry in your camera, it’s not going to miraculously come into focus because you’ve stored it on your hard drive.I highly suggest deleting images from your camera before you even begin downloading your memory card.If your downloading software allows you to select which images you want to download, delete unwanted images directly from your software program before you begin the download. It’s way easier than downloading the entire memory card and then deleting the images you aren’t crazy about. 2. Download frequently. I download after every shoot. Then I erase all the images on my card and reformat it. By doing this consistently, I always know my memory cards are empty and ready for the next shoot. It also usually means I’m downloading a manageable number of images to label and file. 3. Determine where you’re going to save your digital images and always store them in the same place. For example, if you have a My Photos location on your computer that you decide to use, then download everything directly to that directory. At the moment, creating a special folder called “For my eyes only” of naked baby pictures of your child might seem like a good idea, but a year from now, you probably aren’t going to remember where you stored those pictures.As soon as you complete your download, back up your images. That way if you make an error, you’ll still have the original download. Another alternative – the one I use – is to download everything into a folder called “Original digital files.” Then I do a “save as” for each image and name it at that point. I like to see the images enlarged, so this also gives me an opportunity to view each image full screen. Flaws show up that I can’t see in thumbnails, so it’s worth the time to do this. I can then delete images that just won’t work.4. Figure out a filing system that makes sense for you. This will take some thought. While many articles will advise you on various ways to file photographs, you know best how your brain works. Ask yourself, “If I want to find this later, where would I look?”Many people like to begin with a folder that includes the year the images were made – e.g., 2007, 2006, etc. This isn’t a bad idea, but it’s just the beginning.Inside each folder named by the year, create sub-folders so you can more readily access the images you want. For example, you might have sub-folders with the names of each family member, one called “Vacations,” one called “Nature,” etc. You can also create sub-folders inside of each sub-folder. If I have more than 50 images in a folder, I try to break it into sub-folders. If you are also scanning in old photos whose dates you are not certain of, you might want to create a separate folder for that named something like “Scanned Photos.” Then create sub-folders inside that named according to subject – e.g., sunsets, family outings, pets. 5. Name your photos. Be as descriptive as possible within the space limitations of your software. For instance, instead of simply naming your daughter’s photos Amy 1, Amy 2, etc., try something like Amy sleeping, Amy playing dress up, etc. This will make it much easier to find your pictures.I also put “bw” at the end of a file name if I’ve converted it to black or white.If there is more than one person in the image, use every person’s name in the file name. This will make it easier to find when you do a search.Digital photo software can be very helpful. There are numerous products available, and it may come with your camera or your computer. Additionally, you can either find it in shareware sites or you can purchase it. Features to look for include the ability to view thumbnails, rotate photos, assign key search words, and to assign batch names. It’s also really handy to have a lengthy description field that allows you to make notes about your pictures – like where you shot them, any special techniques or filters you used, where you’ve stored the backup, etc. Some software programs also automatically add dates to your photos. The best thing to remember about organizing your digital images is to stay on top of it. Don’t be a slacker when it comes to putting things in the right folder. Organizing photos balloons out of control with amazing speed. However tempting it may be to tell yourself you’ll put those pictures away later, the longer you procrastinate the more unmanageable it all is.
Organizing Your Digital ImagesHere are the steps I recommend taking.1. Only download your good images. If an image is blurry in your camera, it’s not going to miraculously come into focus because you’ve stored it on your hard drive.I highly suggest deleting images from your camera before you even begin downloading your memory card.If your downloading software allows you to select which images you want to download, delete unwanted images directly from your software program before you begin the download. It’s way easier than downloading the entire memory card and then deleting the images you aren’t crazy about. 2. Download frequently. I download after every shoot. Then I erase all the images on my card and reformat it. By doing this consistently, I always know my memory cards are empty and ready for the next shoot. It also usually means I’m downloading a manageable number of images to label and file. 3. Determine where you’re going to save your digital images and always store them in the same place. For example, if you have a My Photos location on your computer that you decide to use, then download everything directly to that directory. At the moment, creating a special folder called “For my eyes only” of naked baby pictures of your child might seem like a good idea, but a year from now, you probably aren’t going to remember where you stored those pictures.As soon as you complete your download, back up your images. That way if you make an error, you’ll still have the original download. Another alternative – the one I use – is to download everything into a folder called “Original digital files.” Then I do a “save as” for each image and name it at that point. I like to see the images enlarged, so this also gives me an opportunity to view each image full screen. Flaws show up that I can’t see in thumbnails, so it’s worth the time to do this. I can then delete images that just won’t work.4. Figure out a filing system that makes sense for you. This will take some thought. While many articles will advise you on various ways to file photographs, you know best how your brain works. Ask yourself, “If I want to find this later, where would I look?”Many people like to begin with a folder that includes the year the images were made – e.g., 2007, 2006, etc. This isn’t a bad idea, but it’s just the beginning.Inside each folder named by the year, create sub-folders so you can more readily access the images you want. For example, you might have sub-folders with the names of each family member, one called “Vacations,” one called “Nature,” etc. You can also create sub-folders inside of each sub-folder. If I have more than 50 images in a folder, I try to break it into sub-folders. If you are also scanning in old photos whose dates you are not certain of, you might want to create a separate folder for that named something like “Scanned Photos.” Then create sub-folders inside that named according to subject – e.g., sunsets, family outings, pets. 5. Name your photos. Be as descriptive as possible within the space limitations of your software. For instance, instead of simply naming your daughter’s photos Amy 1, Amy 2, etc., try something like Amy sleeping, Amy playing dress up, etc. This will make it much easier to find your pictures.I also put “bw” at the end of a file name if I’ve converted it to black or white.If there is more than one person in the image, use every person’s name in the file name. This will make it easier to find when you do a search.Digital photo software can be very helpful. There are numerous products available, and it may come with your camera or your computer. Additionally, you can either find it in shareware sites or you can purchase it. Features to look for include the ability to view thumbnails, rotate photos, assign key search words, and to assign batch names. It’s also really handy to have a lengthy description field that allows you to make notes about your pictures – like where you shot them, any special techniques or filters you used, where you’ve stored the backup, etc. Some software programs also automatically add dates to your photos. The best thing to remember about organizing your digital images is to stay on top of it. Don’t be a slacker when it comes to putting things in the right folder. Organizing photos balloons out of control with amazing speed. However tempting it may be to tell yourself you’ll put those pictures away later, the longer you procrastinate the more unmanageable it all is.
Organizing Your Digital ImagesHere are the steps I recommend taking.1. Only download your good images. If an image is blurry in your camera, it’s not going to miraculously come into focus because you’ve stored it on your hard drive.I highly suggest deleting images from your camera before you even begin downloading your memory card.If your downloading software allows you to select which images you want to download, delete unwanted images directly from your software program before you begin the download. It’s way easier than downloading the entire memory card and then deleting the images you aren’t crazy about. 2. Download frequently. I download after every shoot. Then I erase all the images on my card and reformat it. By doing this consistently, I always know my memory cards are empty and ready for the next shoot. It also usually means I’m downloading a manageable number of images to label and file. 3. Determine where you’re going to save your digital images and always store them in the same place. For example, if you have a My Photos location on your computer that you decide to use, then download everything directly to that directory. At the moment, creating a special folder called “For my eyes only” of naked baby pictures of your child might seem like a good idea, but a year from now, you probably aren’t going to remember where you stored those pictures.As soon as you complete your download, back up your images. That way if you make an error, you’ll still have the original download. Another alternative – the one I use – is to download everything into a folder called “Original digital files.” Then I do a “save as” for each image and name it at that point. I like to see the images enlarged, so this also gives me an opportunity to view each image full screen. Flaws show up that I can’t see in thumbnails, so it’s worth the time to do this. I can then delete images that just won’t work.4. Figure out a filing system that makes sense for you. This will take some thought. While many articles will advise you on various ways to file photographs, you know best how your brain works. Ask yourself, “If I want to find this later, where would I look?”Many people like to begin with a folder that includes the year the images were made – e.g., 2007, 2006, etc. This isn’t a bad idea, but it’s just the beginning.Inside each folder named by the year, create sub-folders so you can more readily access the images you want. For example, you might have sub-folders with the names of each family member, one called “Vacations,” one called “Nature,” etc. You can also create sub-folders inside of each sub-folder. If I have more than 50 images in a folder, I try to break it into sub-folders. If you are also scanning in old photos whose dates you are not certain of, you might want to create a separate folder for that named something like “Scanned Photos.” Then create sub-folders inside that named according to subject – e.g., sunsets, family outings, pets. 5. Name your photos. Be as descriptive as possible within the space limitations of your software. For instance, instead of simply naming your daughter’s photos Amy 1, Amy 2, etc., try something like Amy sleeping, Amy playing dress up, etc. This will make it much easier to find your pictures.I also put “bw” at the end of a file name if I’ve converted it to black or white.If there is more than one person in the image, use every person’s name in the file name. This will make it easier to find when you do a search.Digital photo software can be very helpful. There are numerous products available, and it may come with your camera or your computer. Additionally, you can either find it in shareware sites or you can purchase it. Features to look for include the ability to view thumbnails, rotate photos, assign key search words, and to assign batch names. It’s also really handy to have a lengthy description field that allows you to make notes about your pictures – like where you shot them, any special techniques or filters you used, where you’ve stored the backup, etc. Some software programs also automatically add dates to your photos. The best thing to remember about organizing your digital images is to stay on top of it. Don’t be a slacker when it comes to putting things in the right folder. Organizing photos balloons out of control with amazing speed. However tempting it may be to tell yourself you’ll put those pictures away later, the longer you procrastinate the more unmanageable it all is.
Organizing Your Digital ImagesHere are the steps I recommend taking.1. Only download your good images. If an image is blurry in your camera, it’s not going to miraculously come into focus because you’ve stored it on your hard drive.I highly suggest deleting images from your camera before you even begin downloading your memory card.If your downloading software allows you to select which images you want to download, delete unwanted images directly from your software program before you begin the download. It’s way easier than downloading the entire memory card and then deleting the images you aren’t crazy about. 2. Download frequently. I download after every shoot. Then I erase all the images on my card and reformat it. By doing this consistently, I always know my memory cards are empty and ready for the next shoot. It also usually means I’m downloading a manageable number of images to label and file. 3. Determine where you’re going to save your digital images and always store them in the same place. For example, if you have a My Photos location on your computer that you decide to use, then download everything directly to that directory. At the moment, creating a special folder called “For my eyes only” of naked baby pictures of your child might seem like a good idea, but a year from now, you probably aren’t going to remember where you stored those pictures.As soon as you complete your download, back up your images. That way if you make an error, you’ll still have the original download. Another alternative – the one I use – is to download everything into a folder called “Original digital files.” Then I do a “save as” for each image and name it at that point. I like to see the images enlarged, so this also gives me an opportunity to view each image full screen. Flaws show up that I can’t see in thumbnails, so it’s worth the time to do this. I can then delete images that just won’t work.4. Figure out a filing system that makes sense for you. This will take some thought. While many articles will advise you on various ways to file photographs, you know best how your brain works. Ask yourself, “If I want to find this later, where would I look?”Many people like to begin with a folder that includes the year the images were made – e.g., 2007, 2006, etc. This isn’t a bad idea, but it’s just the beginning.Inside each folder named by the year, create sub-folders so you can more readily access the images you want. For example, you might have sub-folders with the names of each family member, one called “Vacations,” one called “Nature,” etc. You can also create sub-folders inside of each sub-folder. If I have more than 50 images in a folder, I try to break it into sub-folders. If you are also scanning in old photos whose dates you are not certain of, you might want to create a separate folder for that named something like “Scanned Photos.” Then create sub-folders inside that named according to subject – e.g., sunsets, family outings, pets. 5. Name your photos. Be as descriptive as possible within the space limitations of your software. For instance, instead of simply naming your daughter’s photos Amy 1, Amy 2, etc., try something like Amy sleeping, Amy playing dress up, etc. This will make it much easier to find your pictures.I also put “bw” at the end of a file name if I’ve converted it to black or white.If there is more than one person in the image, use every person’s name in the file name. This will make it easier to find when you do a search.Digital photo software can be very helpful. There are numerous products available, and it may come with your camera or your computer. Additionally, you can either find it in shareware sites or you can purchase it. Features to look for include the ability to view thumbnails, rotate photos, assign key search words, and to assign batch names. It’s also really handy to have a lengthy description field that allows you to make notes about your pictures – like where you shot them, any special techniques or filters you used, where you’ve stored the backup, etc. Some software programs also automatically add dates to your photos. The best thing to remember about organizing your digital images is to stay on top of it. Don’t be a slacker when it comes to putting things in the right folder. Organizing photos balloons out of control with amazing speed. However tempting it may be to tell yourself you’ll put those pictures away later, the longer you procrastinate the more unmanageable it all is.
Organizing Your Digital ImagesHere are the steps I recommend taking.1. Only download your good images. If an image is blurry in your camera, it’s not going to miraculously come into focus because you’ve stored it on your hard drive.I highly suggest deleting images from your camera before you even begin downloading your memory card.If your downloading software allows you to select which images you want to download, delete unwanted images directly from your software program before you begin the download. It’s way easier than downloading the entire memory card and then deleting the images you aren’t crazy about. 2. Download frequently. I download after every shoot. Then I erase all the images on my card and reformat it. By doing this consistently, I always know my memory cards are empty and ready for the next shoot. It also usually means I’m downloading a manageable number of images to label and file. 3. Determine where you’re going to save your digital images and always store them in the same place. For example, if you have a My Photos location on your computer that you decide to use, then download everything directly to that directory. At the moment, creating a special folder called “For my eyes only” of naked baby pictures of your child might seem like a good idea, but a year from now, you probably aren’t going to remember where you stored those pictures.As soon as you complete your download, back up your images. That way if you make an error, you’ll still have the original download. Another alternative – the one I use – is to download everything into a folder called “Original digital files.” Then I do a “save as” for each image and name it at that point. I like to see the images enlarged, so this also gives me an opportunity to view each image full screen. Flaws show up that I can’t see in thumbnails, so it’s worth the time to do this. I can then delete images that just won’t work.4. Figure out a filing system that makes sense for you. This will take some thought. While many articles will advise you on various ways to file photographs, you know best how your brain works. Ask yourself, “If I want to find this later, where would I look?”Many people like to begin with a folder that includes the year the images were made – e.g., 2007, 2006, etc. This isn’t a bad idea, but it’s just the beginning.Inside each folder named by the year, create sub-folders so you can more readily access the images you want. For example, you might have sub-folders with the names of each family member, one called “Vacations,” one called “Nature,” etc. You can also create sub-folders inside of each sub-folder. If I have more than 50 images in a folder, I try to break it into sub-folders. If you are also scanning in old photos whose dates you are not certain of, you might want to create a separate folder for that named something like “Scanned Photos.” Then create sub-folders inside that named according to subject – e.g., sunsets, family outings, pets. 5. Name your photos. Be as descriptive as possible within the space limitations of your software. For instance, instead of simply naming your daughter’s photos Amy 1, Amy 2, etc., try something like Amy sleeping, Amy playing dress up, etc. This will make it much easier to find your pictures.I also put “bw” at the end of a file name if I’ve converted it to black or white.If there is more than one person in the image, use every person’s name in the file name. This will make it easier to find when you do a search.Digital photo software can be very helpful. There are numerous products available, and it may come with your camera or your computer. Additionally, you can either find it in shareware sites or you can purchase it. Features to look for include the ability to view thumbnails, rotate photos, assign key search words, and to assign batch names. It’s also really handy to have a lengthy description field that allows you to make notes about your pictures – like where you shot them, any special techniques or filters you used, where you’ve stored the backup, etc. Some software programs also automatically add dates to your photos. The best thing to remember about organizing your digital images is to stay on top of it. Don’t be a slacker when it comes to putting things in the right folder. Organizing photos balloons out of control with amazing speed. However tempting it may be to tell yourself you’ll put those pictures away later, the longer you procrastinate the more unmanageable it all is.
