Posts Tagged ‘photography’

Analemma| a Photograph With a Year of Sunshine

Analemma
The National Geographic website has posted an interesting collection of analemma a singular photographic specialty. According to Wikipedia illustrates a analemma is the curve describes the position of the sun in the sky if every day of the year he watches the same time of day and from the place of observation.

As can be seen in the images that illustrate this information, the analemma form a curve that is usually about one-eight. Analemma can be observed on other planets in the solar system, but have a different way to that observed in the Earth, Mars, for example, is very similar to a drop of water.

In this case, the authorship of the photographs is not for professionals but the National Geographic magazine’s website includes images taken by amateur astrophotography, including a Spanish Juan Carlos Casado, whose image is possibly the one with greater aesthetic value.

The first analemma was captured in 1978 and since then known more than twenty of these laborious and difficult pictures. In most instances, compositions analemma are the lower and higher, but not always.

The place to find beautiful analemma and many other astronomical images is The World at Night (TWAN), a website specializing in night photography.

How to Improve Our Pictures Using The Histogram

Camera histogram
The histogram is a tool that, today, can be viewed in all modern cameras. Also, this tool can be found in any photo editing program so it means a great help to improve our pictures. It can be used to balance the exposure problems that we can find to make a decision as to improve the lighting of a picture once we are revealing digitally.

What is the histogram?
The histogram of a technical, can be defined as a graphical representation of a variable in the form of bars. The vertical axis of the graph represent the frequencies of exposure and on the horizontal axis the values ​​of variable exposure.

In photography, an image histogram shows the frequency values ​​of the gray levels of the image or the primary colors (red, blue and green) of the same. Understanding this concept is very easy to avoid pictures with exposure problems (under-or overexposure).

Understanding the Histogram
The key to understanding is knowing that a histogram on the left side of the graph represents the dark tones of the image on the right highlights. One of the key issues when using a histogram is the fact that the plot reaches avoid those extremes. At these points reflects the area of ​​photography that has no information. If we see a vertical line on either end of the histogram mean we have no parts in the picture information and which can not be recovered in subsequent digital processing.

This means that even if we take a photograph in RAW, we can not correct these points with such disclosures. They will always be black (underexposed) or burned. To avoid this mishap we get used to display the histogram in the camera. If we perceive that, when shooting, the plot rises in one of the two extremes we will adjust the exposure to balance the lighting. When shooting in RAW does not have to worry about light or dark a picture, just for a picture without the end zones of lighting (no recovery).

The perfect histogram
Now that we know which are the important points to monitor in a histogram, we tend to find the perfect histogram. It may be difficult to achieve when taking the picture because they do not always have time for correcting exposure several shots but you can try to get back in the development process.

To understand the ideal histogram should have a mountain to higher ground (for further information on the full range of light and shadow) in the middle of the graph and narrowing towards the ends. This would give us a picture full of light and well balanced, with no areas too light or too dark.

Working with him
How to operate with a histogram is very similar both when taking the picture and at the time of digital development. If you take the picture we see that there are elements of the plot in one of the ends of the diagram we balance the exposure. This can be achieved by varying the exposure speed or aperture. Any of these parameters will make the more or less light in our goal. In the case of digital development, simply can move anywhere on the graph to get as close as possible to perfect histogram. Just remember that if you have areas without information in the graph (edge), can only be correct to take the picture, making it impossible in the final revealed.

Conclusions
In photography we try to use all tools at our disposal to improve our shots. The histogram helps us to understand how exposure to light and how we can work with them to achieve a balanced and beautifully lit photography. To learn more, we recommend the purchase of some good books on the subject.

Pornography and Eroticism in Photography

eroticsm ini photography
Formerly pornography simply meant the description of the activities of a prostitute. The meaning of nudity, obscene, erotic and pornographic images are a polysemy of concepts that depend on geographical location, its historical period and especially the mentality of its people.

The film, art and literature are a means to explicitly express very openly sexual acts and being more interactive lately from home, with telephones and internet erotic.

But no doubt the photo was the largest field of images from which the first and the first naked couples acts as explicit as heterosexual intercourse, embodied in sequences by Daguerre invented the daguerreotype. Besides monitoring is that from 1865 the authorities made some prostitutes through photography for the control of his genitals and was widely criticized at the time.

We can not forget the hard work and contribution from Larry Flynt and Salman Rushdie to pornography is a means of expression in the free and civilized societies despite being heavily criticized by church conservatives and some feminists.

Early erotic and pornographic image
An aide to Louis J.M. Daguerre named André Le Fevre, was arrested in 1841 for attempting to commercialize an erotic image of a woman and a colt, arguing that the image was pure art, which mimicked scenes from Greek mythology.

The explicit displays of the genitals, lesbian relationships, nudity, sex or heterosexual, were scenes that were beginning to show, but its anonymous authors were hiding under the persecution of the authority of the time that the fines or penalties of entering prison. “The monitor’s picture” was a newspaper in Paris in 1861, criticizing the rise for years of all those who traded with erotic or pornographic images of sexual content, and had as best customers to the higher classes.

The male nude in photography Emili Bayard, he was more between 1840 and 1890 academic, but the images of two naked men fighting, called “Animal Locomotion” from Muybridge Eadwweard in 1887, where he studied the movement of animals, not was well accepted, very timidly entering the puritanical American society. We also noticed the male nudes Gaudenzio Marconi, Eugen Sandow, Wilhelm Von Gloeden, Galdi and Rudolf Koppitz Vicenzo, and female nudes Frantisek Drtikol, Edward Steichen, Man Ray and Barry Pringle.

Since 1890 already the first photographic images, like a woman practicing explicit oral sex on a man. It was not until after the Second World War and the sexual revolution, when this issue started to be a more free and open and consequently the increase graphic erotic and pornographic images.

Pornography with eroticism are languages ​​and ways of expressing the society, the evolution of sexuality in current times we live. Photography is undoubtedly the best witness to that causing the viewer, immersion and dialogue in an atmosphere where sexual instincts and tendencies, riding at full gallop in search of a range of personal feelings, own one of each .

Photography Course| Exposure

exposure

The exhibit is one of the basics of photography that determines which colors are seen with all its brilliance and the objects are well defined. Exposure is directly related to light the fundamental element in photography, and is therefore one of the basics you need to know.

What is the exposure in photography?
The exhibition in the amount of light that is printed on film or in the case of digital cameras, the amount of light reaching the sensor. This will determine the image that then results in the photograph lighter or darker.

Not enough to know what it is, but how to play with her. In this respect, three main factors that determine exposure: sensitivity of the sensor, the shutter speed and aperture.

In a short definition, one can say that sensitivity is the ability to capture light. In turn the shutter speed is the time during which the sensor receives light from the camera, while opening refers to the arrangement of the diaphragm, a ring insert inside the lens that serves to regulate the passage of light . All three can rule in the digital SLR cameras.

How to measure light in photography: The Meter
To see if exposure is correct or not, you must first learn to measure it. In general, the cameras have an internal sensor that measures what is the correct exposure: the meter or meter.

This meter, which is the term most often used in photography, its measurement reflected on a scale that can be seen when on the eye to the viewfinder. Many models also covered by the digital display.

According to this scale, accurate measurement will be reached when the meter reads zero. As discussed below, it is sometimes interesting to check higher or lower values ​​depending on the light condition.

To approach the desired value, we must modify the values ​​of shutter speed and aperture, reducing them to get less light, if the meter dial a value greater than zero, or increase, the opposite case.

Photography tips to improve lighting
Do not make the measurement of light or very dark areas and bright. That will make the meter give a measurement or overexposed or underexposed.
The meter is the main ally of the photographer to get good pictures. Trust in his opinion, should get photos with good light, unless there are anomalies such as high contrast lighting.
However, in certain environments must change the camera exposure. For example, the luminosity in a snowy landscape photo will come out very dark, so it is advisable to overexpose measuring about half a point, depending on how much sun you have.
The same is true in very dark environments, which should be not to underexpose the image burn.
A good solution is to put the camera in manual mode and rule by the exposure values ​​according to the light that is in the sky, especially at times where the light is neither too strong nor too weak.

HDR, the perfect measure
When the image you want to photograph presents great contrasts of light, it is difficult to make a perfect measurement. Therefore, one has to resort to the technique of HDR (High Dynamic Range) for a well-balanced image with light.

This technique involves taking the same shot with several different exposures and then combine the images through digital processing of image editing. It can be done in analog form, blocking the film and taking on the same negative several images, but requires greater technical precision.

In this sense, combining images brighter and darker areas will enable all are properly exposed even in the original photograph was a great contrast of light.

The photography exhibition is a key element whose knowledge will determine the outcome of the photographs. Get calibrated measurements or know what times should be played with higher exposures or lower will result in some striking images.

Photography Course| Basic Photographic Material

basic photography
Digital photography tutorial that shows the essential tools necessary to make the best shots.

The material is a key concept in photography. Although having good tools does not imply that get great pictures if by magic, are often decisive for quality snapshots. Although the photographic material is expensive, indispensable tools are relatively inexpensive. However, it is important to know in advance that you will use the camera to acquire the most appropriate.

Basic material in photography: the camera
There are many types of cameras and it is often difficult to know what is best. From the compact, the possibilities are reduced to the level SLR with all kinds of parameters and interchangeable lenses. Compact cameras are sufficient for use in travel or family time, but are not suitable for taking pictures more seriously.

For starters, you can use the low-end SLR cameras, which are less expensive and give good results, as the 400D from Canon. These cameras can learn the basics of photography before moving on to more advanced models.

Before buying a camera, it is essential to consider the use that will give you and if you are willing to learn to get the best performance.

Photography course: books needed to learn photography
Within the material, you can also consider the theoretical material will serve to know how to use the other tools. In this sense, it is essential to have a good picture book, which go over the basics and delves into more complicated techniques, such as “step by step photography” by Michael Langford or “high quality digital photography” by José María Mellado .

Protect your camera, filters and bags
It is essential to protect photographic equipment. Although it may seem obvious, it is important to have a case to keep the camera. In case of carrying several items, such as lenses or flash, the bag must be prepared for no contact between them and so are not spoiled.

For most professional teams can be used as a backpack cover, which will facilitate transportation, or a strap around the waist for those who need to change lenses quickly.

The filters are also essential in SLRs. To protect the lens is often used UV filter or UV, which has virtually no impact on photography, but that prevents the lens from being damaged by scratches or bumps.

Material parts for cameras, cards and batteries
For those who never want to lose the opportunity to take a picture, it is essential that between the material parts are for cards and batteries. Every camera comes with its own battery, but is often not sufficient for a full day of intensive use. It is therefore advisable to always have a spare battery recharged, but will have to check before your purchase is compatible with the camera model.

More often the battery is usually depleted memory card, especially if they have limited capacity. It is therefore important to buy a replacement card and get a lead with a good capacity, especially if you take pictures in RAW format.

Another fundamental photographic equipment
There is an accessory that may lack any photographer who works in low light or want to play with the possibilities that the shutter speed, tripod. This element, which keeps the camera steady while the picture is comprised of three feet and are usually made of some lightweight metal. It is better to buy a small and not too heavy, otherwise they will be very heavy transport.

There are some other important stuff, but not necessary, as external flashes. They are very useful for portraits in low light or to correct the harsh light of midday hours, but it is probably the least important of the above materials.

Once you have some knowledge of photography can also buy new targets as those sold by the camera body are usually quite limited.

To take good pictures you need more than just a camera. The basic material is relatively inexpensive and can improve the pictures and have the camera always ready to pull the trigger.

10 Tips For Digital Photography

digital-photography-1
Did you just buy your digital camera? Are you interested in learning about photography and do not know where to start? The following article contains some basic tips that surely will help you to improve your technique and get amazing results.

Tip 1 – Use all available space
If the subject is clearly defined even pretend Focus photographed in it. Forget the bottom and center you capture the object of your interest.
Tip 2 – Analyze the silhouettes
Do not think in terms of objects. Think about how they have and discusses the best angle to blend and accentuate them. Try combining different shapes to create contrasts, curves, lines, etc.
Tip 3 – The movement in photography
Try not to capture moving images unless that is the object of your catch. For this you must play with the shutter speed. Often good results are obtained by photographing a moving object against a fixed background.
Tip 4 – Using contrasting colors
One of the elements that offer a greater number of possibilities is to play with contrasting colors. Allows us to highlight the most representative elements of a capture and add expression to the composition.
Tip 5 – as close as possible to the object
It is one of the most typical errors in digital compositions: not close enough to the item pictured. Rebuild and out think the object of interest is always possible, while increasing its resolution and / or size is possible up to a certain extent.
Tip 6 – Shutter lag
In digital photography it should be noted that some time elapses since triggers the shutter button to take the picture. Should therefore anticipate and be prepared. Often the magic moment is lost due to this factor.
Tip 7 – Monitoring
If the lighting conditions are right, the shutter speed your camera is not enough and you’re photographing movement, is to accompany the movement of the object of interest with your camera. You must make several catches, but it is likely that some of them allow you to collect the snapshot you’re dying.
Tip 8 – Multi
It may help to accompany the prior art multi-shot function that incorporates multiple digital camra models. Do not forget the multi-shot option is usually limited to a maximum number of shots per burst.
Tip 9 – Night photography
Night-photography is a specialty of great mystery and beauty. Do not forget to use a tripod to avoid blur or poorly defined by the high Exposition time necessary. If the illumination of the object of interest is too weak you may find yourself with the physical limit of your sensor noise.
Tip 10 – Reading the manual
And last but not least, read the manual. It is the best guarantee to get the most from your digital camera.
These are the 10 tips. It is now time to put everything into practice. Good luck!

Focal Length Lenses

focal lens

What is the focal length of a lens or lens?
The focal length is one of the first things that stand out from a target when you buy, or buy an SLR camera and comes with it standard. Said in very plain words, the focal length becomes something like the scope of the target. The higher the value, the target will have more “zoom” to put it in some way.

How do you measure focal length? Read the rest of this entry »