Top 3 Mistakes New Digital Photographers Make

New digital photographers often make mistakes that can result in discouragement or even failed careers. Here are 3 of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1 – Over Reliance on the “Latest Gear”

There’s often the misconception that having the latest and greatest in digital photography equipment will make or break you. The reality is, many great photographers are using cameras that are quite “old” and don’t have many of today’s fancy features.

A good camera is important to a photographer. No mistake about that. But a good camera will not make you a good photographer.
 

A great photographer generally has a camera that they’re intimately familiar with, that they know how to use inside and out. It may not have all the fancy new features, but it does what it needs to do reliably and quickly.

Taking a great photo depends a lot more on your understanding of photography than the equipment. Get a good camera, but don’t put the responsibility of taking good photos on your equipment.

Mistake #2 – Not Backing Up Photos

This is a lesson almost every beginning photographer will make – And learn from the painful school of hard knocks.
 

In old school photography, you would always always always keep a copy of your old negatives in case you wanted to produce any more copies of your photographs. These backups are the lifeblood of any photographer.

Yet with digital photography, photographers don’t think about backups at all. Internal hard drives have a failure rate of 3-5 years, external hard drives often fail in 1-2 years. That’s the average – But digital photos can be corrupted due to a number of reasons.
 

Computer viruses, drives failing early, stolen computers, etc are just some of the ways you could lose your photographs. The long and short of it is this:
If you don’t back up your photographs on a regular basis, at some point you will lose all your work. Don’t make this mistake.

Mistake #3 – Deleting Photos Too Early

One virtue and downfall of digital photography is how easy it is to take photos and to delete photos.
 

New photographers will often take many photos, then go through their photo libraries and delete out the photos that they didn’t think looked good to clear up clutter and save space.
 

This is a mistake!

The reality is, you cannot judge the quality of a picture on the small screen of your camera. You shouldn’t delete anything until you get home and have a chance to look at it on a larger screen, a high resolution monitor or an LCD TV screen.

There are often great photos that you might miss if you just deleted them from your camera. An ordinary looking street shot might have an incredible detail in the corner. What might look like mist covering the main shot in a camera might actually contain a slight rainbow in a sheen of see through clouds – Creating an incredible shot after all.
 

You really can’t tell on your camera if your shot is junk or if you captured magic. Don’t delete anything until you get home.

These are 3 common mistakes that beginning digital photographers make. Avoid these mistakes and you’ll become a great photographer much faster.
 

If you want to not only learn how to take great photos but to actually get paid for your art, take a look at this page.

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What to Look for When Choosing a Digital Camera

Ever since they became available in the market, digital cameras have been a best selling item.  It seems that everyone wants to own a digital camera.  With so many types to choose from, deciding which camera to buy has become very confusing.  Knowing what features are important is a big help when choosing a digital camera.

• Megapixels
  When digital cameras first came out, the number of pixels was a very important consideration.  While it’s true that a higher resolution produces sharper pictures, at some point the number of pixels becomes immaterial for the average user.  Digital cameras sold today have at least 5 or 6 megapixels, which is enough for standard size photo prints.  You will need more megapixels only if you intend to use your pictures on billboards or blowup an image to a huge size.  It is better for you to spend extra on other features.
   
• Optical Zoom
  Unlike megapixels, you want a higher number when it comes to the optical zoom of a digital camera.  This is an important feature to consider when choosing a digital camera.  The optical zoom allows you to take quality pictures at great distances.  Look for a camera with 5x digital zoom or higher.
   
• Picture Settings
  Look for a digital camera that offers a variety of picture settings.  This will allow you to take professional-looking shots more easily.  Some cameras offer portrait setting or scenery setting.  These settings will help you get different photo effects.  A portrait setting fades the background of the image, making the people stand out more sharply.  Although you can always edit your images, picture settings are something you should look out for.
   
• Shot Stabilization
  This feature is a relatively new one.  Shot stabilization in some digital cameras help the photographer take better pictures because it compensates for shaky hands.  The use of a tripod may even become unnecessary.
   
• Size and Personalized Features
  Before buying a digital camera, you should determine how it will be used.  Some people look for a small camera that can easily fit in a purse or pocket.  Although larger cameras usually have more and better features, it is possible that a smaller size camera may be more important for you. These days, it is also possible to buy a camera in different colors, instead of the usual black or silver.  This is a great way to personalize your digital camera. 

Before buying a digital camera, research the different features found in different models.  Read consumer reviews to help you in choosing a digital camera.  Every digital camera has something unique to offer, but you should only pay for the features you really need.

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How to Choose An Inexpensive Digital Camera

Digital cameras today are much cheaper than when they first came out, but they now have so many new features.  When we look for a digital camera we always want one with great features but affordably priced.  The most versatile cameras are found in the mid-range to high end markets.  However, inexpensive digital cameras that can take quality pictures are also available.

If you want a cheap digital camera, you will have to find a point-and-shoot camera.  Some of these compact cameras are affordably priced at around $150.  You can even buy an inexpensive digital camera for less than $50.  Naturally, you should not expect these cameras to have the same features as a more expensive one, or to be able to take high quality pictures.

Affordable digital cameras can have a variety of shooting modes including automatic, portrait, indoor, underwater, etc.  However, their resolution will be much lower than that of a more expensive camera, and the number of images that can be stored will be much less.  Surprisingly, you will often come across an inexpensive digital camera with superb features and high resolution. 

However, you should keep in mind that although a higher resolution allows you to take sharper pictures, a 5-megapixel or 6-megapixel camera is more than sufficient to take really good pictures.  Unless you want to blowup your pictures to poster size, you don’t need a 12 MP digital camera.

Before buying a digital camera, you should decide what features you want in your camera.  This will help you choose an inexpensive digital camera with the shooting modes, resolution, zoom capability, and other features you require.  Read different digital camera buyer’s guide s and photography magazines to help you choose an affordable camera.  You can also do some online research and read customer’s reviews to help you make a good choice.

It’s always a good idea to know where and how you plan to use your camera.  This can help narrow down your choices.  Just keep in mind that different camera models have different features and different prices.  You must be able to choose one with the features you want at a price you can afford.

Some of the more affordable cameras include the Canon PowerShot A550, Nikon L19, Olympus FE-5010, Fuji FinePix Z30, Samsung SL202 and Olympus Stylus 1050SW.  These inexpensive digital cameras cost less than $150.  They feature a high resolution LCD screen, optical zoom, 8MP to 12MP resolution, image stabilization, and many more.

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Food Photography Tips for Newbies

Taking great pictures of different food dishes isn't as easy as it appears to be in cook books and food advertisements. Great care should be exercised when taking these shots. Things that need to be considered include the dish's angle, composition, lighting, as well as problems that may arise. Here are some guides to help you improve the quality of your pictures.

Lighting
Consider the lighting in the kitchen or venue where you will shooting the dishes. It is a good idea to know this in advance so that you no longer have to make adjustments right there in the venue. Dark venues may be corrected by using a row of flourescent lighting which possesses diffusers. The drawback of this method is that the image will have a subdued shade of green. Depending on the camera that you have, it may have a setting that neutralizes the effects of flourescent lighting or a magenta filter may be used to compensate.

Stability of tripods
Since you are taking pictures of food, every shot is done at close range. Unlike shots taken at a distance, shots done in close up are sensitive to movement. Any sudden moves and the picture will be ruined. Focusing on the subject also becomes easier when using a tripod or even just a stack of magazines.

Food presentation
To get that professional look, cut the dish in geometric shapes. Proper arrangement of the food is also important so that you will be able to showcase the dish's ingredients as well as its strengths. Garnishing the food that you will shoot will enhance its natural colors, making it more appealing to the eyes.    

Focusing on the subject
A rather dull photo will become vibrant and dynamic if care is taken when focusing and adjusting the field depth of the camera. If your camera doesn't have manual focus, depressing the camera's shutter button halfway to lock the focus at that specific depth. Recomposing the focus can be done by changing the position of the camera while the shutter button is still depressed halfway. Automatic cameras usually lack aperture or depth of field. Some purposely adjust the aperture such that the background becomes a blur to heighten the subject's features while others prefer that a wider depth of field is used to capture the whole scene.

These are some of the things that you should know regarding food photography. Constant practice will help you produce better shots. Follow your instincts. Sometimes this allows you to take better shots.

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Digital Photography For Beginners

Planning to get your hands on a digital camera but not sure if you can make the transition from your old camera that uses film to one that utilizes a memory card? If you are afraid of things that are complicated, then don't worry. Although digital cameras may be advanced, that doesn't necessarily mean that they are not user friendly. Here are some tips that can help you in taking pictures with a digital camera.

Enhance the color tones of your picture
There are times when you think that your shots have a cold or clammy aura. This is because digital cameras have default settings for white balance at auto. This is ok for most shots but if you want to increase the reds and the yellows of your shots, adjust the auto setting to cloudy. This makes your pictures appear warmer as well as richer.

Macro Mode 

Activating the close up mode on your camera, usually called the macro mode, will make your shots have sharper details. This is very easy to use in digital cameras unlike in the conventional ones. To use your camera's macro mode, look for the icon that depicts the macro mode or "close up". Normally, the icon is that of a flower. Go as close to the object as your camera will allow. It is important to remember that you have a rather shallow field depth, thus it is important to focus on the subject's part that you consider to be the most significant.  

Invest on file storage

Having a memory card that is capable of storing a large amount of picture files is important. This gives you the freedom to take more pictures. The higher the resolution of your camera which normally ranges from 2 mega pixels to up to 6 or more mega pixels, the higher the memory size of you card should be. With an ample sized memory card, you don't have to pass the opportunity to take a shot. No more worries of having a full memory card whenever that perfect shot appears.

Always use high resolution

Your digital camera has many resolution settings. Always take pictures using the highest possible setting. Although higher resolution means more memory used up, it isn't a problem if you have already acquired a good sized memory card. You will never know when the best shot you'll ever take in your whole life may pop up, why take it in poor resolution?

These tips will help you with your new digital camera. Never hesitate to take as many pictures as you can! Remember you have enough memory, why worry?

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How to Capture those Perfect Wedding Moments

A wedding is undoubtedly one of the most precious moments in a person's life. Capturing it on film to be stored forever is even more important. Today, brides and grooms have so any options to choose from when it comes to choosing the kind of photography that they want for the most important day of their lives.

Here is a guide in achieving the wedding photography of a couple's dreams:

1. Choosing the right photographer

• In order to select a wedding photographer, a couple must first decide on the picture style that they want.
• Portrait photographers are perfectly capable to take both formal and casual pictures, but he will most likely concentrate on the formal ones.
• Photojournalists take shots that are candid and not planned. This kind of photographer usually has experience in journalism photography.
• Hobbyist photographers are those who are often a friend or a relative of the couple, and would likely offer his services for free or a very low price. It is hard to tell the kind of pictures that they will produce, and there is a risk that the pictures may not be as good as a professional's.

2. Getting the perfect camera

• Wedding photographers usually use two basic camera types: the 35mm and the medium format. The 35mm has the tendency to produce pictures that are a little grainy, but the only person who may notice the difference are the photographers themselves.

3. Color or black and white?

• Color is usually used in wedding photos, but those who want a more artistic feel may go for the black and white film. Black and white photos lasts longer than color ones, though color films capture the details of the event more appropriately. One option would be to take the pictures in color first, then have copies made in black and white.

4. Personality of the photographer

• Most couples want a photographer who can take great pictures but who is also friendly and sociable. Set an interview with the prospective photographer, and make sure to ask effective questions. Also, make sure to ask for references, and take a look at his previous work.

All these tips can help couples in getting those perfect pictures on their special day. Make sure that these pictures can be shown proudly to families and friends, and can be passed down to future generations.

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Photography Techniques That Will Help Anyone Take Great Pictures

There's nothing like a beautiful photograph to capture some of life's most beautiful moments. This is why cameras are always at hand during those special occasions such as weddings, birthdays, graduations, etc.

Unfortunately people behind these cameras are not exactly what you might call experts. They are more likely to be your friends, family, and next door neighbor. That is why some of the outcomes of these pictures taken leave something more to be desired. That is precisely why some people hire the services of a professional photographer. Not everyone has enough money to spare on a professional photographer and that is why they do with some  not so impressive pictures.

Here are some photography techniques that will make undesirable pictures a thing of the past!
 

1. For portraits it is important to have a fitting backdrop. Using a tripod helps to keep the shot from being blurred. It also helps to keep the photograph straight.
2. Avoid direct sunlight when shooting outdoors. If using the sun as a source of natural light, make sure it is behind the photographer.
3. Photographers have to develop a good rapport with their subjects. When taking portraits it is best if the subject's face is relaxed, and not fixed into a posed smile. Photographers can help their subjects feel at ease by engaging them in friendly conversation in between shots.
4. When taking group photos make sure that everyone gets included in the picture. Some directing on the photographer's part might be necessary. Position everyone so that they fit into the picture. The tallest persons should be in the back row, so nobody gets accidentally blocked from the shot.
5. Spontaneous shots are wonderful! They are a good break from the stiff, posed, smiles that people brandish at you once you point a camera at them. They are really great during parties, wedding pictorials, etc.  This doesn't mean that you should take one of those horrible candid celebrity shots that end up in tabloid magazines!

Photographers should try to catch their subjects when they are at their best and when they are at ease, being natural, and just plain having a good time. This way their personality, and true essence will be captured in the photographs.

Taking great photographs can be achieved by using some of these techniques. Remember that practice makes perfect. That is why individuals should take plenty of pictures until they become comfortable with being behind the camera. It won't take long until they start taking those award winning shots, and pretty soon develop some techniques of their own.

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