Daily Photo Tips Archive
Page 86
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
A histogram is a chart analyzing the grey values of every pixel in a particular photograph. By looking at a histogram, you can tell how many pixels are white, black, and various shades of grey. (First published Apr 9, 2008)
06.Sep.08Especially with dense subjects, being able to move your camera freely while composing is important. Leave your camera off the tripod while you find the composition, and then attach it again to make the photograph.
05.Sep.08Studio strobes can emit a very bright light for the exposure and a dimmer light for setting up the photograph. Sometimes this is to save power; other times the strobes cannot maintain the 'flash' output.
04.Sep.08A lens with more aperture blades will usually produces a rounder aperture when stopped down. Very high end lenses have many aperture blades and can produce a nearly circular aperture.
03.Sep.08Whenever you're shooting into a bright light, be sure to check for lens flare. Partly shade the lens with your hand. If the photo becomes more contrasty, your lens is flaring.
02.Sep.08Many cameras beep when the autofocus locks onto a subject. Though it can be useful (when you can't give the viewfinder your full attention) be sure you can turn the beep off when you need to be quiet.
01.Sep.08Most quick release style tripod heads have a safety latch to prevent accidental release. Engage the safety latch anytime detachment of your camera could result in damage to your equipment.
31.Aug.08'Step-up' filter adapters are available for most lens sizes. This enables the photographer to use a larger filter with a smaller lens. The solution is fiddly, but can save a lot of money and bulk from multiple filters.
30.Aug.08The primary subtractive colours are cyan, magenta, and yellow. When cyan, magenta, and yellow inks are mixed in varying degrees, as in a colour printer, any colour of the spectrum can be produced.
29.Aug.08Not every moment translates well into the flat medium of photography. Despite our best efforts, photographers must realize that some instants are best enjoyed in person.
28.Aug.08When photographing in extreme heat, be aware that some mechanical components in your camera can break or malfunction. In particular, aperture blades can expand, causing them to bind and stick.
27.Aug.08Film can be 'cross-processed', or developed using a different process than the manufacturer recommends to achieve different effects. For example, E-6 film can be cross-processed as C-41 and vice versa.
26.Aug.08If it's raining or snowing, point the camera towards the ground and cover the eyepiece with your thumb when you're not shooting. This keeps the eyepiece and front lens element drier.
25.Aug.08To reduce the red eye effect in portraits, try bouncing the flash off a nearby object. By not aiming the flash directly at your subject, the red eye effect is reduced or eliminated.
24.Aug.08If it fits the camera, there is no disadvantage to using a lens manufactured for a film body with a digital. Though the focal length may be extended, the lens will perform just as well.
23.Aug.08Though stock photography libraries can be extensive, a good library should contain only good quality, usable photos. 'Filler' photos dilute your content and frustrate potential customers.