tips are a record of entries from the Daily Photo Tips RSS feed, beginning November 20, 2007.  The most recent entries are listed first.  If you're feeling lucky, try out the Random Photo Tip tool!  Contact Me to add your own tip ideas, or to comment on an existing tip.

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Many photographers prefer lenses from 80mm to 135mm (35mm equivalent) for portraits. These lenses provide a pleasing background blur, and are small enough to not intimidate the subject. (Oct 11, 2008)

Allow yourself to respond emotionally to your subject. Connecting with your work will allow you to see it and communicate with it in new and interesting ways. (Oct 10, 2008)

Pincushion distortion is the tendency of a lens to bend straight lines towards the middle of the frame. Pincushion distortion is usually most pronounced towards the frame edges. (Oct 9, 2008)

Good portraits require a strong connection between the model and the photographer. Good portraits are created when the model feels comfortable and at ease. (Oct 8, 2008)

If you want to learn to use bokeh (blur) in your photography, try composing totally blurry photographs for awhile, only introducing sharp elements into your work once you're comfortable with using bokeh in its own right. (Oct 7, 2008)

Large format cameras, because of their large image circle, produce a very dim image on their large focusing screens. This usually requires the photographer to view the screen from under a dark hood. (Oct 6, 2008)

'Lens reversing rings' are available for some older small-format camera types. A reversing ring attaches a normal lens backwards to the camera body, allowing you to use it as a powerful macro lens. (Oct 5, 2008)

Occasionally, try removing all orientation cues from your photograph. Not knowing which way is 'up' forces a viewer to consider a photograph's other elements more closely. (Oct 4, 2008)

If you have a digital camera, you can easily check depth of field after making the photo. However, it is often easier and faster to check using the depth of field preview button beforehand. (Oct 3, 2008)

Autofocus lock (AF lock) is a feature found on most modern cameras that allows the photographer to lock the autofocus system at a point until the next photograph is taken. (Oct 2, 2008)

If you're using a polarizing filter, keep in mind that even the best polarizers will add a blue tint to your photograph. For very colour sensitive photos, a polarizer is best avoided. (Oct 1, 2008)

Certain colour spaces are suited to certain viewing methods, like viewing on a computer monitor or transferring to print. Be sure to work in a space that suits your intended end result. (Sep 30, 2008)

When someone buys 'one time rights' to a stock photo, they are buying the rights to use the photo in one campaign. The photographer is not restricted from reselling the photo. (Sep 29, 2008)

A 'lens element' is a refracting piece of glass inside a camera lens used to bend light and form the image presented to the film. Camera lenses typically employ many lens elements. (Sep 28, 2008)

Film can be 'pushed' or developed at a higher ISO than the manufacturer recommends. For a film to be pushed, it must be exposed at the intended ISO, usually not more than 2 stops above normal. (Sep 27, 2008)

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