Daily Photo Tips Archive

Page 81

These photography tips are a record of new entries to the Daily Photo Tips RSS feed since November 2007. There are currently 1567 tips in the database! Contact Me to comment or add tips.

Daily Photo Tip

Chromatic aberrations (caused by small defects in every lens) make even a focussed image appear soft. Chromatic aberrations must be removed using a corrective algorithm that is very different than a sharpening algorithm, preferably prior to sharpening. (First published Nov 30, 2010)

20.Nov.08A 'low key' photograph (a term used often in black and white photography) is one that makes use of mostly dark or black tones, sometimes contrasting them with a paler subject.

19.Nov.08Even when you have a larger tripod along, a small tripod can come in very handy for working close to the ground. Large tripods can be bulky and get in the way, while a small tripod can fit easily around a small subject.

18.Nov.08Local contrast refers to the contrast between details of a photograph. A photograph with high local contrast will usually appear sharper and more detailed than one with low local contrast.

17.Nov.08Digital cameras with a 'magnification factor' do not change the focal length of the lens. They simply crop the image circle, resulting in a higher magnification of the given focal length.

16.Nov.08Blends of similar colours can unify and collect an otherwise awkward composition. Blending similar colours can free you to experiment with unusual compositions or challenging designs.

15.Nov.08Exposure compensation is a setting found on many cameras that allows the photographer to override the camera's decision. When used in Av, Tv, or P modes, the photographer can still control the exposure.

14.Nov.08One technique for proving a photograph is your own is to make many compositions of a scene when you first shoot it. This will enable you to show that you were indeed in the field making that particular photograph.

13.Nov.08When photographing at night, be wary of lens flare. When you're using long shutter speeds, even dim lights like streetlamps can flare and wash out a photo.

12.Nov.08Watch out for vignetting when using filters on wide angle lenses. Thick filters or stacks of filters can begin to block out the corners of the frame.

11.Nov.08You don't need a fancy computer to effectively run all aspects of even the best photography software. A simple up-to-date model is all that's required, though it may run a little slower.

10.Nov.08A well-developed photographic style is like a fingerprint – unique to the photographer. Develop your style by using your own judgment and taste, not by consulting others.

09.Nov.08Even if you're not including flash in your photograph, you can still use it to assist manual or automatic focusing before the exposure. This can be a great help in low light conditions.

08.Nov.08Use a model release that will stand up in court should a photography model ever contest the agreement. Be sure to provide compensation for the model's services, and note this on the release.

07.Nov.08If you're going to take underwater photographs, consider using a short prime lens. A short non-zoon will allow you to use slower shutter speeds – critical to photographing motion in dim light.

06.Nov.08CCD sensors in digital cameras tend to get dirtier than film. Since film is advanced for every frame, there is little chance for dust and dirt to build up on it.