Top Valentine's Day Gift Idea - Boudoir Photography

Valentine's Day is an ideal holiday to romantically scheme how to top the last gift exchanged with your significant other. The regular Valentine's Day gifts, such as preparing someone's favorite dinner, giving flowers and receiving a couple's massage, are good notions; but why not add an unconventional twist.

Why not present him/her with a glamour shot of yourself. The photograph is a treasured present admired by your lover forever. It is timeless, unbreakable and never outdated. So where do you start? How do you pick the right photographer? What should you expect?

Choosing a Wedding Video and Wedding Photography Package

Congratulations, you are looking forward to planning for your wedding day: the clothes you'll be wearing, the meals, the wedding entourage, the ring and the vows but there is one essential feature for the success of your wedding day.

That is the photographer you appoint to capture the memories of your wedding day on film so that you can view them in the future. Whether you just want basic wedding photographs or a complete wedding video and wedding photography package it pays to choose wisely.

Take great care in selecting an experienced wedding photographer for your special day. Not only must they be skilled, it is important that he or she is someone you feel comfortable working with and has a top quality portfolio. When you have made your choice of photographer you need to choose a suitable wedding photography package.

Photography Course Online - Release the Power of Your New Camera!

So, the Holiday Season is behind us. Hopefully, your gifts will have included a marvellous new digital camera that you just can't wait to use. If you are anything like me, within minutes you have that beautiful piece of equipment in your hands and are snapping away. Stop! This time next year, wouldn't you like to be able to say you took the most amazing and stunning pictures. Now is the ideal time to learn how to use a camera properly, and invest a little energy into following a photography course online.

It is fair to say that there is not a major step between ordinary pictures and potential masterpieces - it's just knowing how to do it that is the key. Importantly, it is not always necessary to own a top of the range SLR. Most modern digital compact cameras can be used to create memorable images.

Imagination is key. Once you learn to think like a photographer you will be surprised how inventive you can become. Try taking a shot from an extremely low angle and see the difference it can make from the same shot taken standing up.

Beautiful Story Telling With Modern Asian Wedding Photography

The first thing to note is that Asian wedding photography is an interesting term which means more than photographing at an Indian or Pakistani wedding. It is the art of telling the story of the Indian or Pakistani wedding beautifully, artistically and unobtrusively.

You are likely to find that wedding photographers who specialize in Asian weddings offer a combination or reportage or photojournalistic coverage together with artistic couple portraits, but good Asian wedding photographers need to have far more than excellent reportage and portraiture skills.

Setting the Scene

To tell a complete story of your wedding day, your wedding photographer will need to be a story-teller and able to photograph the events, people and details in a way which sets the scene. Like the elements of a written story, the setting and mood needs to be conveyed.

Digital Photo Tips - The Art of Photographing Women

A quick glance around any museum will reveal an amazing number of images of the female figure. Women have been used in art throughout history. Today, women are the chief focus of photography used by the fashion industry and "glam" magazines, and they appear in newsstands by the thousands each week, where they are seen as brides, movie stars, homemakers and athletes.

So, how do photographers insure they are capturing women at their best? While a whole host of studio "tricks" and software "improvements" are used commercially, through some simple techniques and efforts the photography of women can be achieved with great results.

For example, those "glam" girl images that are becoming popular again can be achieved in a variety of ways. Black and white images of the popular World War II era "pin up" girls are achieved in well-lit studio settings.

It is important to remember that bright light can wash away dark circles under the eyes, the appearance of cellulite and even brighten a smile. While this may be the most simplified lighting scheme, some photographers examine studio photographs from the golden age of Hollywood and copy the dramatic lighting that was employed to great affect.

For example, a wash of light across the eyes of a black and white subject can deliver a great deal of glamour. Additionally, many photographers will apply filters to soften the appearance of the face or flesh of the subject.

Another form of glamour photography is the later "pin up" trend in color photography. The classic images were inspired by popular art, and features buxom ladies in "rockabilly" dress. These images also call for special lighting, and many photographers apply the effects desired in their software program and not the studio. It is important to remember that such photos are never intended to be crude, but instead should be alluring and always feminine.

Another highly feminine manner of photographing women is as brides. For many brides, their wedding day is a highly emotional event, and it may be challenging for a photographer to capture her at her best. One method commonly used by professionals is to review a list of required shots the bride would like taken, this way she will be able to compose herself during these moments.

Additionally, the photographer should examine the sight where the wedding service and reception are to be held to get a good understanding of the lighting required for the best photographs.

Photographing women in creative ways is a wonderful way to experiment in photography, or even earn a living. The images can be romantic or artistic, and should always seek to capture the subject in a flattering manner.

Take your photos to the next level! To learn more tips visit Digital Photo Tips

Boudoir Photography - What is It?

Boudoir photography (also known as glamour photography) is a style of photography designed to create a set of sensual images of adult women of all ages, shapes and sizes. Boudoir literally means a woman's dressing room or bedroom, and so the bedroom is typically the setting of boudoir photography.

This style of photography has become popular recently as a form of a gift from a woman to her significant other. Specifically, a collection of boudoir photographs has become fashionable as a wedding gift from the bride to the groom. Boudoir photography is also popular as a Valentine's Day, birthday, anniversary or even a surprise "anytime" gift.

Boudoir photography is designed to highlight a woman's sensual side. The pictures are tasteful, fine-art portraits of the client. These photographs can be taken while the woman wears whatever she chooses, from a wedding dress to lingerie to sports jerseys. (Yes, some sites do recommend things such as jerseys or male work clothes to help bring a piece of the guy's world into the pictures.)

In many studios, nudity is allowed, but once again these are very tastefully done. In other studios nudity is off-limits, and the pictures focus more on the "suggestion" of nudity. This is to say that the woman is pictured in such a way that nudity is implied but never fully revealed.

In the world of glamour photography, the emphasis is all on the client. The uniqueness of each individual woman is what is most important. While many women may worry whether boudoir is right for them, glamour photographers and studios beg to differ.

Boudoir photography is not about being a model. Many studios stress that no modeling experience is necessary at all. Furthermore, it is not necessary to tan, get a make-over, or even a haircut before the shoot. It's actually frowned upon in most cases.

The point of these photos is to celebrate the individual, to explore the natural elegance and beauty already present in a woman. As one site instructs: "Remember, your significant other loves YOU."

In this vein, it is also important to note that boudoir photographs are completely customized and tailored to the desire of the client. How much or how little is shown, how to pose and what to wear are all in the hands of the woman being photographed. This overall personalization is a cornerstone of the boudoir business.

Boudoir photography is typically conducted in a studio with a very small number of employees present. The client will have access to a hairstylist, a make-up artist, and whatever other services the studio offers, but the shoot itself is a private affair more often than not.

The idea is to create a comfortable atmosphere, one in which the woman can truly relax, be herself, and focus on how she wants her pictures to turn out.

In many cases, after the photographs are taken the client will have access to them and may be allowed to pick and choose the final proofs as she likes. The photographs will then undergo a digital retouching during which lighting will be adjusted and "trouble areas" will be eliminated.

Just as many studios insist that their clients need not be models, they also reassure their potential customers that no matter how perfect a woman's body, she may be uncomfortable with some areas such as stretch marks, cellulite or scars. In the end, the customer is left with a series of photographs that highlight her own unique and elegant beauty.

Craig Bennett is a freelance copywriter and former college instructor in Business Administration. For several years he was a professional freelance photographer. You may learn more about the excitement of glamour photography and how to enjoy this art form either as a photographer or as the one being photographed at his blog:http://www.LearnBoudoirPhotography.com

Choosing the Best SLR Digital Camera

For many looking to take the next step in their photography endeavors, the digital SLR camera is a logical choice. For those that don't already know, SLR stands for "single-lens reflex," which refers the internal mirror mechanism that allows the photographer to see the complete image before the shutter is clicked.

Unlike older point-and-shoot style cameras where the viewfinder image may not match the final image, an SLR system allows the user to see the image as it will be captured on the digital media. While all modern point-and-shoot digital cameras contain a LCD screen that essentially serves the same purpose as an SLR's mirror system, there are still several distinct advantages that a SLR has over any other camera type.

Amateur and professional photographers alike continue to choose the SLR for the simple fact that no LCD screen can match the visual superiority of a direct-viewed SLR viewfinder.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of an SLR camera is the ability it offers to interchange lenses of different types to achieve an array of different results. Although many fixed-lens cameras contain an outstanding general purpose lens, this one lens cannot accomplish all things.

This is particularly true when the goal is to capture images in unusual situations (low light, extreme telephoto) or when performing macro or other specialty photography. So, what is the best SLR digital camera option for you?

This is a question that can only be answered through careful analysis of your individual situation. The points listed below should help to get you on the right track.

1. Identify Your Price Range - as with anything you're looking to research, it's important to first identify your desired price range. The last thing you want to do is to get excited about a particular camera only to realize that it's out of your price range.

Fortunately, there are SLR's at every price range that will satisfy the basics of image capture. Prices typically go up based on specific requirements (resolution, speed, crop factor, etc.). Typically, an entry level SLR camera is priced at around $500-700.

2. Intended Usage - there is no point in spending $5000 on the most advanced full frame digital SLR if you intend to use the camera to take casual photos of your children or friends. An entry level camera will perform such tasks extremely well and will be priced much more attractively.

Ask yourself the following questions - what types of photos do I typically take? What types of photography might interest me in the near future? How important is portability and camera weight? What size prints will I be printing?

3. Brand preference - I started taking photos using the Canon system and have since purchased many Canon SLR cameras. While Canon certainly isn't the only producer of high quality cameras, their cameras have a certain look and feel that I've grown accustomed to.

I can pick up just about any Canon camera and instantly grasp how to operate it. Be sure to try out several different brands to find one that works for you. The camera should feel right in your hands and the button layouts should made logical sense for you.

By following the simple suggestions mentioned above you will have an advantage over other consumers that are in the market for a digital SLR camera, and you will be less inclined to make an irrational purchase that you will later regret. For more information on cameras and specifically on pink digital cameras, please visit http://pinkdigitalcamerareview.com

Tips For Night Photography

When you are taking pictures, you may feel like you are restricted to daytime photography to accurately capture the lighting in your images. However, nighttime can present a number of wonderful photo opportunities, such as family pictures under Christmas lights and even casual shots of groups of friends going out at night.

Luckily, there are a number of adjustments that you can make to your camera to help you make your night pictures either as true to life as possible or as stylistic as you want.

First, let's take a look at how cameras actually capture images. Whether you have a digital camera or a film device, the most important thing is the light that comes into the machine. Light activates a photosensitive object inside the camera, basically burning the image into it.

With film cameras, the photosensitive object is the film itself. In digitals, there is a charge-coupled device, or a CCD, that basically translates the amount of light received into an electronic image with pixels.

There are three very important things in adjusting the amount of light that comes into a camera. First, you have the aperture, or the diameter of the lens opening. This is important because a wider diameter lets in more light. This can be very helpful if you are taking pictures at night so that you can fully capture all the light that is present, brightening up your entire image.

Second, the shutter speed is key as well. The longer the shutter is open, the more light hits your photosensitive substance. While this can make for streaky images, it can also allow the light to be more strongly burned into your picture.

Lastly, you can change your ISO settings. ISO refers the sensitivity level of the film or CCD. If you have a film camera, you can buy film with different light sensitivity levels. If you have an adjustable digital camera, you may be able to change your ISO setting manually.

For night photography, making your ISO more sensitive can be helpful, although you walk a fine line between making something too sensitive and not sensitive enough. This is because the higher your ISO, the more "noise" or graininess you have in the picture.

A good rule of thumb for night photography is to make the most of the light you have. This can mean lengthening your shutter speed, widening your aperture, and making your ISO a little more photosensitive.

However, you may have to experiment a little to find the perfect balance between these three adjustments. Making your camera more reactive to light can help you take a sharper, more realistic photo.

If you want to experiment with more stylistic night photos, consider lengthening your shutter speed as much as possible as lights pass by. This will make them all blur together in one big streak. This style is popular with taking pictures of highways and even pointing your camera up at the stars.

Joseph Devine

Once you know how to successfully adjust your camera, you can come closer and closer to taking the picture that you are looking for. When you get the perfect shot, you don't want to let it hide away in a small picture frame. To fully display your photo, consider having it made into a canvas. For more information, check out YourCanvasPhotos today.

The Best Time To Choose A Wide Angle Lens

Wide Angle Lens. When is the best time to choose a wide angle lens, and how does one choose the appropriate wide angle lens for a particular shot?

First things first, the best time for a wide angle lens is to be used is when you are planning to take a beautiful shot of a landscape.

Another important aspect of landscape photography is the selection of the appropriate light as well as the perfect location of the landscape shot. As much as possible, and depending on what it is being shot, the selection of the appropriate day to catch that landscape picture perfect landscape view is everything. Lights, location and action

When the location has finally been chosen for the wide angle lens shot, try to notice the light effects visible on the area that you plan to shoot in over a whole twenty four hour day. This ensures that you know how the lights play over the range of mountain, sand or seas. This also helps you plan just how it is you are to go about taking that shot, when and how.

When you finally know, it is therefore time to be a little bit creative. You may include elements in your picture’s foreground in order to have an additional scale and depth to your pictures. Also, feel free to look around from other points in the area where you think the shot could just as well be taken. This may add a little bit of interest to the final picture. Also consider taking a variety of levels and positions.

Time is always of the essence

Believe it or not, in order to avoid any shadows that may appear harsh on the picture, the best time to shoot is early during the morning as well as late in the golden afternoon.

During this time, take your camera out and set it up using a tripod. Then, take a reading of any area of the shot using a light-meter. Once the appropriate measurements have been taken, adjust the speed of the shutter and the aperture.

After all these, all you need to do is to press the release button and take a beautiful picture.

Make use of natural effects

If there are any natural creations occupying your shot, try to use a backlight or side lighting that provides the leaves, – for example – grass, water or smoke an appearance that these seem to be translucent, almost ethereal.

Pictures of a beautiful sunset are best taken just when the sun has gently touched the horizon and immediately a maximum of five – count them - five short minutes just after the sun has finally set.

It is best that you use or position yourself to a geographically high point.

A filtered polarizer may also be used in order to heighten the sky’s color or tone, thus delivering a picture befitting a postcard.

A wide angle lens helps a lot in increasing the picture’s scope.

Do not forget to relax. This prevents the camera from unnecessarily shaking and helping you focus on the subject more than anything else.

Supply yourself with much needed supplies

Since landscape photos are usually taken far from the city and well into the country, it is best that you pack up a host of equipments that enables you to take pictures even during temporary obstacles.

A flashlight always comes in handy, bottled water is another (to keep the photographer replenished and not thirsty), as well as a lot of extra rolls of film. This is one equipment that photographers generally can't do without.

Basically, a wide angle lens has a focal length that measures less than forty millimeters. Be aware as well as be wary that the length of the lens changes how an image is seen.

All in all, determining the best lens to use for a particular shot requires a lot of patience, skill and practice. The art of mastering landscape photography doesn't have to be difficult. And the best lens to use for such kind of photography is a wide-angle lens.

Getting that that shot right takes not only skill but the strength, stamina and endurance to get to where the location of the landscape is and the energy – upon reaching that location – to get the job done. And when that moment arrives, the job has only just begun.

by Photography Is Now My Business