Info media photography : The time has come for me to consider buying a new camera. That time eventually comes for everyone if you’re shooting in digital. Camera models have a specific number of shots it will take before they won’t work anymore. For many dSLR cameras the number is in the hundred-thousands. To be sure, that translates into a long time, but if you use your camera a lot, that time will pass by quickly.

I have started looking around for a new camera and  I’ve narrowed down my decision to the new Canon D5 Mark II, which is pricey and the less expensive mirrorless camera, the Sony Alpha NEX-5.

The mirrorless cameras are the latest cameras to replace the dSLRs.

The Sony NEX-5 is one of newest camera models on the market, one of a few mirrorless cameras that is becoming very popular. The mirrorless cameras have large sensors and interchangeble lenses at an affordable cost (starting at $600). Currently referred to as mirrorless Micro Four Thirds cameras, they’re smaller than dSLRs, take high quality images and don’t have mirrors. They also have smaller lenses because the flange-back distance is half the length of that in a dSLR because there are no mirrors.

Today, Panasonic, Olympus, Sony and Samsung make the cameras. So far, Canon and Nikon have opted out, choosing not to produce similar models, although it is rumored that Nikon has one in the works. Models other than the Sony Alpha NEX-5 are the Panasonic Lumix DMC G10, Olympus PEN E-PL2 (new in 2011) and the Samsung NX10.

The Samsung NX10 is tough competition for the Sony Alpha NEX-5 because of the four models it is these two that have the largest sensors and the highest megapixel count. I’m considering the Sony because I have always liked the brand.

I am a bit skeptable about buying a mirrorless camera because the aspect ratio of the images are different that that of the dSLR. The mirrorless cameras are referred to as Micro Four-Thirds cameras because their sensor size aspect ratio is 4:3, the same as most point-and-shoot model cameras as opposed to most dSLR cameras whose sensor ratios are 3:2. The aspect ratio of the sensor determines the shape of your actural image.

Image cropped to match dSLR proportion. Image by Matthew Bamberg

Image with mirrorless camera proportions. Image by Matthew Bamberg

The standard size aspect ratio, which is based on dSLR camera models (and 35 mm film) for most books and magazines is a 3:2, the ratio in which pictures fit on many book and magazine pages. In order to get an image from a mirrorless camera that size, you have to crop it so that the ratio goes from 9X6.75 (a standard 4X3 ratio) to 9X6. This ratio is also important when you either print your entire image or put it on the web. Most of the time the crop works out; however, sometimes it changes the image significantly. Figure the top image shows the 4:3 aspect ratio and the bottom image shows the crop that was made takes away a significant part of the sky.

The new mirrorless cameras will give entry dSLR models a run for their money. Currently many more dSLR models are sold than mirrorless models; that, however, is likely to change, that is, unless Canon and Nikon come up with a mirrorless model with a sensor that has the same aspect ratios as the dSLRs.

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Info media photography : The time has come for me to consider buying a new camera. That time eventually comes for everyone if you’re shooting in digital. Camera models have a specific number of shots it will take before they won’t work anymore. For many dSLR cameras the number is in the hundred-thousands. To be sure, that translates into a long time, but if you use your camera a lot, that time will pass by quickly.

I have started looking around for a new camera and  I’ve narrowed down my decision to the new Canon D5 Mark II, which is pricey and the less expensive mirrorless camera, the Sony Alpha NEX-5.

The mirrorless cameras are the latest cameras to replace the dSLRs.

The Sony NEX-5 is one of newest camera models on the market, one of a few mirrorless cameras that is becoming very popular. The mirrorless cameras have large sensors and interchangeble lenses at an affordable cost (starting at $600). Currently referred to as mirrorless Micro Four Thirds cameras, they’re smaller than dSLRs, take high quality images and don’t have mirrors. They also have smaller lenses because the flange-back distance is half the length of that in a dSLR because there are no mirrors.

Today, Panasonic, Olympus, Sony and Samsung make the cameras. So far, Canon and Nikon have opted out, choosing not to produce similar models, although it is rumored that Nikon has one in the works. Models other than the Sony Alpha NEX-5 are the Panasonic Lumix DMC G10, Olympus PEN E-PL2 (new in 2011) and the Samsung NX10.

The Samsung NX10 is tough competition for the Sony Alpha NEX-5 because of the four models it is these two that have the largest sensors and the highest megapixel count. I’m considering the Sony because I have always liked the brand.

I am a bit skeptable about buying a mirrorless camera because the aspect ratio of the images are different that that of the dSLR. The mirrorless cameras are referred to as Micro Four-Thirds cameras because their sensor size aspect ratio is 4:3, the same as most point-and-shoot model cameras as opposed to most dSLR cameras whose sensor ratios are 3:2. The aspect ratio of the sensor determines the shape of your actural image.

Image cropped to match dSLR proportion. Image by Matthew Bamberg

Image with mirrorless camera proportions. Image by Matthew Bamberg

The standard size aspect ratio, which is based on dSLR camera models (and 35 mm film) for most books and magazines is a 3:2, the ratio in which pictures fit on many book and magazine pages. In order to get an image from a mirrorless camera that size, you have to crop it so that the ratio goes from 9X6.75 (a standard 4X3 ratio) to 9X6. This ratio is also important when you either print your entire image or put it on the web. Most of the time the crop works out; however, sometimes it changes the image significantly. Figure the top image shows the 4:3 aspect ratio and the bottom image shows the crop that was made takes away a significant part of the sky.

The new mirrorless cameras will give entry dSLR models a run for their money. Currently many more dSLR models are sold than mirrorless models; that, however, is likely to change, that is, unless Canon and Nikon come up with a mirrorless model with a sensor that has the same aspect ratios as the dSLRs.

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Info media photography : Oh baby photography, Its funny because some photographers find it extremely easy while others find it scary and difficult.  I personally feel like baby photography is enjoyable and easy. I have found over the years that there are a few tricks that every armature or pro photographer  needs to know to capture great baby pictures.  I hope by the time you finish reading this topic that you will feel confident and motivated to capture priceless baby pictures.

Play Time

Image by Kyle Miller Photography

I will start by saying taking pictures during play time may be the easiest trick I have in my baby photography belt. If you are trying to get a 9 month old baby to stop and smile you are going to go crazy, as you can only imagine that will not work. When you see pictures where the baby is sitting in a chair in a Sears Portrait Center I bet you have the same reaction that I have….gag.  The picture is very boring  with no emotion.  I know I say this over and over but good pictures show emotion. If you are looking at a set of pictures I bet you are not going to keep the flat picture where your new baby is just staring into the camera. I am willing to bet you are going to keep the one where he/she is showing a silly face or smile.  So back to my point if you are wanting emotions to show, capture your baby during playtime, not in a stale photography studio. So my objective is to show enjoyment so when I am taking pictures of babies I always do it during play time.  I try to actually not interact at all, have somebody help you (mom or dad) I feel by just observing I can spend my time taking pictures and not worrying about what he/she is doing. Now with that said I still do help set the staging, for example in the picture above I know that I could get a good reflection off the glass so I had mom move some toys on the table to invite our baby to the table.

Accessorize with Color

Image by Kyle Miller Photography

Color is an important part of all good pictures (in my opinion), Cameras today can capture such rich and vivid colors so I say set up environments where your camera can excel.   I try and pick outfits that go well with skin tones and eye color so in the above picture she has very blue eyes so I selected a bright pink stripped out fit that I knew would make her eyes pop.  I picked the pink outfit so I also wanted to find a bright toy that would enhance the color palate I was going for. I had the option to put a very bright yellow toy in her hand but thought that would be a bad idea as she has a lot of yellow undertones in her skin, not to mention the pillows behind her have lots of yellow.  This is just one example but spend the time trying to add color to  your photograph, as I know you will like the end result.  If you are having a difficult time selecting and understanding just remember if you pick colors on opposite sides of the color wheel the image will have a pop to it. Where if you select colors that are close to each other on the color wheel your image will have a more calming affect.  

Camera Angle

Your camera angle is very important for all photography but I feel like its very important with baby pictures. I am sure we all have baby pictures where the camera was at the photographers hight looking down at the baby. I am not saying these are bad but for good images you need to get down on the level of your baby. Baby photography is a little harder on your knees  because when I am taking baby pictures I spend the hole time laying/kneeling on the floor. In the below image I was actually laying in the dirt so I could have the camera in the grass, as I know it creates a cool look.  This tip is easy just remember to get down on the floor.

Image by Kyle Miller Photography

 Telephoto Lens

Just like taking all good candid photos you need to have a telephoto lens or zoom into your subject, I think this very important with baby pictures. When I am taking any baby picture I use a telephoto lens  (70-200mm) because I want to get in close to my subject without actually being in their face. If you remember from my play trick having a telephoto lens or zooming in is important because the baby will forget you are there. I have found in the past if you are close to the action he/she will try and grab the camera, which actually is a cool photo but that trick only works once.  This is a side comment but when you use telephoto lenses and you zoom your image begins to compress.  When I say compress I am not saying quality I am talking about the distance between foreground and background. This is a great trick for all portraits because is make those big ears and noses look smaller, while if you use wide angle lenses it makes them look bigger. In the end aren’t we trying to make everybody look as good as possible?  

Image by Kyle Miller Photography

 Fishing

Taking pictures of babies/kids is kind of like fishing. It is difficult to set up a great picture and capture emotion in one try.  When I am taking baby pictures I may take 200 images in an hour or so, then edit out all the bad images.  With babies you need to shoot fast and often as facial expressions are changing so fast. 

Image by Kyle Miller Photography

The next time you are photographing your baby just think of these tips/ideas and you will see great improvement.

Baca selengkapnya »

Info media photography : Oh baby photography, Its funny because some photographers find it extremely easy while others find it scary and difficult.  I personally feel like baby photography is enjoyable and easy. I have found over the years that there are a few tricks that every armature or pro photographer  needs to know to capture great baby pictures.  I hope by the time you finish reading this topic that you will feel confident and motivated to capture priceless baby pictures.

Play Time

Image by Kyle Miller Photography

I will start by saying taking pictures during play time may be the easiest trick I have in my baby photography belt. If you are trying to get a 9 month old baby to stop and smile you are going to go crazy, as you can only imagine that will not work. When you see pictures where the baby is sitting in a chair in a Sears Portrait Center I bet you have the same reaction that I have….gag.  The picture is very boring  with no emotion.  I know I say this over and over but good pictures show emotion. If you are looking at a set of pictures I bet you are not going to keep the flat picture where your new baby is just staring into the camera. I am willing to bet you are going to keep the one where he/she is showing a silly face or smile.  So back to my point if you are wanting emotions to show, capture your baby during playtime, not in a stale photography studio. So my objective is to show enjoyment so when I am taking pictures of babies I always do it during play time.  I try to actually not interact at all, have somebody help you (mom or dad) I feel by just observing I can spend my time taking pictures and not worrying about what he/she is doing. Now with that said I still do help set the staging, for example in the picture above I know that I could get a good reflection off the glass so I had mom move some toys on the table to invite our baby to the table.

Accessorize with Color

Image by Kyle Miller Photography

Color is an important part of all good pictures (in my opinion), Cameras today can capture such rich and vivid colors so I say set up environments where your camera can excel.   I try and pick outfits that go well with skin tones and eye color so in the above picture she has very blue eyes so I selected a bright pink stripped out fit that I knew would make her eyes pop.  I picked the pink outfit so I also wanted to find a bright toy that would enhance the color palate I was going for. I had the option to put a very bright yellow toy in her hand but thought that would be a bad idea as she has a lot of yellow undertones in her skin, not to mention the pillows behind her have lots of yellow.  This is just one example but spend the time trying to add color to  your photograph, as I know you will like the end result.  If you are having a difficult time selecting and understanding just remember if you pick colors on opposite sides of the color wheel the image will have a pop to it. Where if you select colors that are close to each other on the color wheel your image will have a more calming affect.  

Camera Angle

Your camera angle is very important for all photography but I feel like its very important with baby pictures. I am sure we all have baby pictures where the camera was at the photographers hight looking down at the baby. I am not saying these are bad but for good images you need to get down on the level of your baby. Baby photography is a little harder on your knees  because when I am taking baby pictures I spend the hole time laying/kneeling on the floor. In the below image I was actually laying in the dirt so I could have the camera in the grass, as I know it creates a cool look.  This tip is easy just remember to get down on the floor.

Image by Kyle Miller Photography

 Telephoto Lens

Just like taking all good candid photos you need to have a telephoto lens or zoom into your subject, I think this very important with baby pictures. When I am taking any baby picture I use a telephoto lens  (70-200mm) because I want to get in close to my subject without actually being in their face. If you remember from my play trick having a telephoto lens or zooming in is important because the baby will forget you are there. I have found in the past if you are close to the action he/she will try and grab the camera, which actually is a cool photo but that trick only works once.  This is a side comment but when you use telephoto lenses and you zoom your image begins to compress.  When I say compress I am not saying quality I am talking about the distance between foreground and background. This is a great trick for all portraits because is make those big ears and noses look smaller, while if you use wide angle lenses it makes them look bigger. In the end aren’t we trying to make everybody look as good as possible?  

Image by Kyle Miller Photography

 Fishing

Taking pictures of babies/kids is kind of like fishing. It is difficult to set up a great picture and capture emotion in one try.  When I am taking baby pictures I may take 200 images in an hour or so, then edit out all the bad images.  With babies you need to shoot fast and often as facial expressions are changing so fast. 

Image by Kyle Miller Photography

The next time you are photographing your baby just think of these tips/ideas and you will see great improvement.

Baca selengkapnya »

Info media photography : There are a lot of different lens choices on the market today. How do you know what to get? Obviously there is no correct answer as every photographer is different, and shoots different subjects; For example if you are only taking pictures at your son’s soccer game you would be smart to by a zoom (70-200) as you would not have to much need for a 15mm fish eye. Before you go out an purchase a new lens I encourage you to look at prime lenses.

When photography was just starting, back when dirt was new, you were only able to use prime lenses. Prime lenses do not have the ability to zoom they are fixed at a focal length. (for example 50mm)

A lot of photographers like prime lenses as they have high quality glass, don’t get me wrong zoom lenses now can have some high quality optics, but not to long ago zoom lenses where much lower quality.

One of my favorite parts about prime lenses is its low cost to get into faster glass. (2.8); a great example of this is actually one of my favorite sub $1000 lens , It’s the Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro.

This is a great portrait lens and it doubles as an amazing macro. I use this lens at every wedding for detail shots of cake, rings, dresses. etc. The best part you can get this lens for about $500.

Another great prime lens that is very popular on the market is the Nikon 50mm 1.4. This is great as it simulates more of what you eye actually sees. so it’s a great lens to learn on, and only runs $400. If you are looking for a good learning lens you should look at the 50mm 1.8. It’s not super high quality as the glass is actually plastic, I think, But it’s a great learning tool for the $50.

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Info media photography : There are a lot of different lens choices on the market today. How do you know what to get? Obviously there is no correct answer as every photographer is different, and shoots different subjects; For example if you are only taking pictures at your son’s soccer game you would be smart to by a zoom (70-200) as you would not have to much need for a 15mm fish eye. Before you go out an purchase a new lens I encourage you to look at prime lenses.

When photography was just starting, back when dirt was new, you were only able to use prime lenses. Prime lenses do not have the ability to zoom they are fixed at a focal length. (for example 50mm)

A lot of photographers like prime lenses as they have high quality glass, don’t get me wrong zoom lenses now can have some high quality optics, but not to long ago zoom lenses where much lower quality.

One of my favorite parts about prime lenses is its low cost to get into faster glass. (2.8); a great example of this is actually one of my favorite sub $1000 lens , It’s the Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro.

This is a great portrait lens and it doubles as an amazing macro. I use this lens at every wedding for detail shots of cake, rings, dresses. etc. The best part you can get this lens for about $500.

Another great prime lens that is very popular on the market is the Nikon 50mm 1.4. This is great as it simulates more of what you eye actually sees. so it’s a great lens to learn on, and only runs $400. If you are looking for a good learning lens you should look at the 50mm 1.8. It’s not super high quality as the glass is actually plastic, I think, But it’s a great learning tool for the $50.

Baca selengkapnya »

To continue the guide on stock photography, I bring you the next installment: Item Stock Photography.

Item Stock Photography is a pretty self explanatory type of stock photography. Basically, it is stock photography for various items or objects. This might seem similar to the concept of product photography, but it is not quite the same, even though they do share many different concepts. Item stock photography typically does not focus on selling an item, rather it focuses on displaying an item. What the difference you may wonder? Well a pretty big difference, actually.

A product shot is designed to highlight specific traits of an object that may be used as a good selling point such as a creative design or a special feature. An item stock image is set up as an artistic showcase or B section image. This means that an item stock will usually be an artistic look at a specific item, or a broad mundane look made to make an item look generic. Setting up an item stock is somewhat similar to setting up a product shot.

Arrange Your Items in a Generic and Unique Way

Image by Richard

This comes back to the idea of shooting both the mundane and unique aspects of a stock image. You will want to set up your item in a generic looking way first to get the boring shots over with. A good way to identify the best generic way to set up your object is to consider what would be the easiest to cut out in Photoshop. This means straight on shots with plenty of dead space. Afterwards, you should set up your item in a unique way. This can includes shooting your object at interesting angles, such as an upward angle. After the mundane shots just have fun and experiment with the item and how you shoot.

Setting up your lighting

Image by Fender5

Since item photography deals with smaller objects, you should use a light box when you are shooting. By using a light box you can create a canvas area that allows you to make a continuous background with a completely controlled lighting system. By placing your item into the light box you can adjust the way it sits, and the way the light diffuses over the object. Using this tool you have complete control over the what you shoot. You can create long or no shadows, or any other type of lighting scheme by placing your lights to illuminate different areas of the light box. To shoot an item with a complete whiteout (no shadow or defining lines in the background) all you would need to do is place a light shining in the top and on both sides. You can also create unique lighting effects by moving one of the lights to the back or only using a single light. For item stock it is a good idea to shoot several whiteout images before playing around with the lighting too much.

Composition, Angles, and Interest

Image by Cherry Sweet Deal

Since item stock does not require that you showcase an item, but rather capture both generic and interesting shots of and item. What this means is that you do not always have to show the entire item in each image. Try setting up the items in interesting ways and crop out some areas of the object to create a better composition. For example you can align or stack your items to create interesting versions of the item stock, or try changing the background of the light box. Remember that while you want to provide some generic shots, you want to make sure that you capture interesting images as well.

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