DIY – Beautydish

Beauty dish-ul este un modificator de lumina ideal pentru fotografia de portret sau fashion, insa prea scump pentru majoritatea fotografilor incepatori. E simplu de creat, efectul este acelasi si cu banii pe care ii economisesti poti face altceva. Modelul de mai jos este creat pentru blitzurile tip Speedlight sau orice tip de blitz extern ce poate fi declansat wireless.
Ai nevoie de:

• blitz extern cu declansare wireless;
• stativ + suport de montare blitz extern cu patina universala(optional);
• bol plastic/inox cel putin Ø30cm;
• oglinda convexa (numita in comert oglinda lupa) – o gasiti in Bricostore;
• un capac de plastic rotund cu diametru cel putin egal al oglinzii;
• 3 suruburi si 9 piulite;
• 2 spindle cake box;
• folie de aluminiu;
• spray vopsea neagra;
• o bucata de platbanda;
• rabdare.

Presupunand ca ai tot ce iti trebuie, primul pas este sa masori dimensiunile capului de blitz pentru a taia bolul in asa fel incat blitz-ul sa fie centrat. Urmeaza sa faci acelasi lucru cu un spindle cake box si sa desenezi un triunghi echilateral in colturile caruia vor fi suruburile, iar oglinda trebuie lipita de unul din cele 2 cake box, ca aici:

     
Urmeaza sa confectionezi suportul pentru blitz din bucata de platbanda(in forma de „L”). Acesta poate sa fie fix, prins direct de bol si de stativ cu ajutorul stand-ului cu care a venit blitz-ul, respectiv poti folosi 2 spigot-uri si un suport de montare blitz extern cu patina universala.     

     
Et voilà! Ramane doar sa il vopsesti si sa ii modifici distanta dintre blitz si oglinda folosind piulitele pentru a obtine lumina si efectul dorit.

Spor la pozat!

Calcularea campului de profunzime

 

Campul de profunzime(DoF) este reprezentarea distincta a detaliilor subiectului, adica de zona clara din fotografia noastra fata de locul in care a fost facuta focalizarea.

In fotografiile pe care le facem, fata de subiectul principal, avem zone de claritate si neclaritate. Astfel, identificam zona din fata subiectului fotografiat, numita si zona anterioara, in care claritatea creste si zona din spatele subiectului (zona posterioara), in care claritatea descreste.
Pentru a mari sau micsora aceasta zona de claritate trebuie sa tinem cont de ce anume influenteaza campul de profunzime:

– distanta de fotografiere – cu cat subiectul fotografiat va fi mai departe de aparat, cu atat campul de profunzime va fi mai mare si invers;
– diafragma obiectivului – cu cat diafragma va fi mai deschisa (numar f mic), cu atat profunzimea de camp va fi mai redusa si invers, cu cat avem numarul f mai mare, avem si profunzimea campului mai mare;
– distanta focala – cu cat distanta focala a obiectivului va fi mai mica, cu atat vom avea un camp de profunzime mai mare.

Daca avem nevoie de un camp de profunzime calculat, sa punem in valoare numai subiectul fotografiat, vom avea nevoie fie de un obiectiv fix, fie de un calculator al campului de profunzime.
Bineinteles ca cea mai simpla metoda va fi folosirea calculatorului. Un website dedicat acestui lucru este DOF Master.
Trebuie doar sa completam casutele cu datele cerute si vom avea rezultatele.
ATENTIE! Trebuie ales modelul camerei corect pentru a calcula distanta focala in functie de factorul de crop.

Daca nu avem la dispozitie un calculator cu internet pentru ca suntem pe teren, dezvoltatorii de aplicatii pentru telefoane mobile s-au gandit si la noi. Gasesti mai jos aplicatii, platite sau gratuite in functie de tipul de telefon:

– DoF Calculator pentru Android gasesti aici
– DoF Calculator pentru Iphone gasesti aici
– DoF Calculator pentru Nokia gasesti aici

 

10 motive sa inveti sa faci fotografii mai bune (engleza)

Everybody has a camera, so why should you bother taking pictures? Let someone else worry about shooting the family reunion, the kids, the sports. You can always ask them for prints. Right?

Maybe not. You could be missing out on a lot if you settle for someone else’s photos instead of learning to take good pictures yourself. Here are 10 reasons why it’s well worth the effort to learn to take good photographs yourself.

1. Photographs are personal. Only you know how you see the world.
Everyone views the world differently. Your perspective is unique. Your sister will not capture your family reunion like you would. She will focus on the kids, while you like how many generations are in your family. Your best friend with her fancy camera does sweeping landscapes. You were with her on the shoot. While she was fussing with her tripod, you were fascinated by the kids fishing with their mother. She never even thought to look. Only you can capture the world you live in. Leaving it up to anyone else will mean your vision is lost.

2. Photographs provide an historical record.
Maybe all those Little League games you go to seem tedious after a while, but 20 years from now, your kids will love looking at those pictures, recalling their glory moments (and they will remember some), the kids on their teams, and the coach who kept believing in them. Same goes for other things in your life. Taking photos of your house will remind you of what you once valued, and what your tastes were. Cars change, woods give way to roads, property is sub-divided, old homes are torn down. Having photos of how things are now will give you a record when things “ain’t what they used to be.”

3. Taking photographs will kick your brain into a creative mode.
Simply by looking through the camera and deciding what part of the scene in front of you belongs in the picture will kick your creative side into action. The more you shoot, the more your creativity will come out. It’s a wonderful part of you. Let it play.

4. Photography is great therapy.
This is close to number 3, but it goes beyond creativity. Photography can help you see the world differently. If you’re upset, grab your camera and go out looking for beauty. You’ll find it. If you’re down, spend an hour shooting photographs – of anything – your house, your yard, your city, flowers, animals. Life through a camera lens is full of wonder. Focusing on how the world around you looks can also help break through your negative thoughts.

5. Photography is a great way to make new friends.
Photographers – amateurs, hobbyists, and pros alike – love to talk about photography. You’ll never lack for company if you join a photography club. You’ll also learn a lot more about photography by someone who takes good photographs than you’ll ever learn in a book.

6. Photography is a way to share your life with others.
Sometimes it’s hard to talk to family members. Just because you share relatives doesn’t mean you have much in common. Sharing your photographs with them is a good way to break through barriers, to show someone what’s important in your life. You can also share travel photographs with groups interested in the area you visited. The photos you took of soil eroded around a river might be just what a environmental group needs to get a grant to save the area. The possibilities are endless.

7. Photography is a gift you can give others.
Cards with your photographs on them make great gifts, and a calendar of family photos is a perfect present for your parents who have everything they could possibly want or need. Getting cards and calendars made has never been easier; you can even have it done online. You can also use your photographs on mouse pads, shirts, mugs, and even postage stamps. What could be more personal?

8. Photography will improve your web site and/or blog.
Your words alone aren’t likely to keep people on your web site for very long, so you need to include graphics. You can always use someone else’s work, but your own will be easier, more personal, and say a lot about you. Don’t overlook the power of a good photograph. It can take your web site to a new level.

9. Photography brings accolades.
Your images might not make you famous, but being known as someone who takes good pictures is a real self-esteem builder. It’s great to hear, “Wow! That’s beautiful! Can I get a copy?” Even a simple, “You take such good photographs. How do you do it?” makes the effort worth while. Praise is good. None of us can get enough of it.

10. Photography can bring in money.
Yep, it’s true. Take good photographs, and chances are you can pick up some extra cash. Whether it’s taking your neighbor’s kid’s high school senior pictures, winning a little cash in a photo contest, or selling your cards on a web site, photography can bring in some extra cash. Maybe someone backs into your neighbor’s fence and they need a photo for court. Who knows, maybe you’ll get so good your work will be published in newspapers or magazines some day. You could start small. Lots of magazines, especially women’s magazines, pay $25-50 for cute kid shots. There are lots of possibilities.

The more you learn about photography, the better your photographs will be. The better they are, the more confidence you’ll have – not just in your photographs, but in yourself. Don’t waste another minute — Grab your camera and start shooting!

Sursa: http://www.photography.com

Portofoliu fotografii 101

At some point in your journey into photography, you will know the time has come to show your work to people beyond your circle of friends and family. As wonderful as it is to know that time has arrived, it can also fill you with self-doubt. Letting those doubts hold you back could keep you from doing something that will bring you great rewards, and, the truth is, everyone has doubts. So take a deep breath and move on to a new step: develop a portfolio to show to art directors, gallery owners, and prospective clients.

Building Your Portfolio
A portfolio is a body of work with a central theme. It shows your vision and holds images that showcase your photographic talent and insight into your subject.

Every portfolio has a theme. Before you put your work together, find the themes that run through your images, then determine one that showcases your work. What subject matter shows the most insight? Pretty pictures alone won’t impress an art director or gallery owner. Your work has to have your unique stamp on it. Which body of work does this well?

It’s sometimes hard to judge your own work, so you may want to ask someone you trust for an opinion.

Purpose and Audience
Clearly define your purpose for assembling a portfolio. Who do you want to reach? Do you want to get jobs or have your work shown in galleries? Know this before you begin so you can select images and prepare your portfolio accordingly.

Once you figure out who your audience is, familiarize yourself with the kinds of photography that will interest it. An ad executive specializing in high-end clients is going to want to see slick, cutting-edge work. A portrait photographer who specializes in families will want to know you can capture groups of people. Art galleries also have their own preferences, so do your homework and make sure your work is something the gallery you are interested in shows. Don’t show nudes to a gallery that specializes in landscapes. No matter how striking your nudes, if that’s not what they’re looking for, you’ll be wasting your time, and theirs.

Selecting the Images
Gather all the images you think will interest your audience. Now sort through your prints or slides, eliminating anything that isn’t perfect. Slightly out of focus won’t do. Forget about trying to slip in any shots that are less than original. And keep your theme in mind. Don’t even let yourself think, “But everyone raves about this one. I’ll just slip it in at the end so they can see I really have an eye for things besides landscapes.”

If you have more than 30 prints after your first round of elimination, go back and eliminate some more. Aim for between 12-20 images. Maybe you can stretch your portfolio to 25 prints, but beyond that and you will tax the viewer’s patience and show that you are not yet a pro. Gallery owners, clients, and art directors are never shy about asking to see more of your work if they’re interested, and they will set up another appointment to meet with you to see it.

Either color or black and white is fine, but don’t mix the two together. The same usually holds true for the format you used when you took the pictures.

Presentation
There are several ways to go here. Some people send prospective buyers or gallery owners to a web site or send a CD. I advise against this. If your images will be shown as prints, provide prints. Computer screens simply don’t have the same color and textures as actual prints. You also have no idea how the viewer’s monitor is set up, so what looks great on your screen may be way too dark on the one your viewer will use. Don’t risk it.

One of the popular ways to organize your portfolio is in a binder that zips on three sides and has rings inside that hold clear pockets for your prints. These come in a variety of sizes, are professional, and you’ll be able to find one to fit your budget. Some photographers also use a briefcase style. Look around until you find one that fits your style.

If you’re going to show your images to a gallery, I recommend you purchase a portfolio box, which a photo store geared for professionals will carry. You can also find these online at lightimpressionsdirect.com or similar web sites that carry photo equipment for professional photographers. Always mat your work for this type of presentation. Neutral mats are best. Mats should be identical for every print in your portfolio, although the windows in the mats can vary.

Present your images in a logical order. Choose a cover image to represent the portfolio as a whole. This doesn’t mean it should have the name of your portfolio on it, but rather it should be the first image in your portfolio and should be an excellent representation of your theme.

Choose a size that works best for your work. Make sure your presentation case holds your prints comfortably.

Always keep your images fingerprint and damage free. If a mat is damaged, replace it immediately.

Other Things You Can Include in Your Portfolio
While your work is certainly the most important part of your portfolio, some photographers like to include additional information, including:
• an artist statement,
• a list of the photographs in the portfolio,
• a CD of the portfolio to leave behind, and
• thumbnails of photographs to leave with the art director or gallery owner.

Where to Find Supplies
Photography stores and web sites geared to the professional photographer will sell quality portfolio products, from carry cases and boxes to mat supplies and plastic sheets through which to view your work. Art supply stores are also good places to check out.

Putting together a portfolio is one of the best things you can do for your work. Even if you don’t feel quite ready to hit the galleries, your portfolio is a statement that your work is worthy of a professional quality presentation. There’s no feeling quite like the one you get when you have completed a cohesive body of work.

sursa: http://www.photography.com

Fotografia de portret – tehnici de iluminare

In video de mai jos avem exemplificarea a 5 tipuri de lumina folosind diferite surse de lumina:

• Rembrant Light
• Butterfly Light
• Split Light
• Broad Light
• Loop Light

100 de sfaturi in fotografie

Mai jos gasiti cele mai bune 100 sfaturi in fotografie, conform  unui fotograf  strain pe nume Martin Gommel.

1. Niciodata sa nu faci fotografie pentru a deveni un rock-star. (un sfat irelevant din punctul meu de vedere)
2. Bucura-te de ce fotografiezi
3. Pregăteste-te pentru o sesiune foto
4. Ia-ti întotdeauna o haină mai calduroasa decat crezi ca ai avea nevoie
5. Fii atent la gandurile si emotiile tale in timp ce fotografiezi
6. Stabileste-ti obiective pe care le poti atinge
7. Scrie sfaturi despre fotografie, pentru că scris este, de asemenea, învăţare
8. Niciodata sa nu mergi la o sesiune foto fără un trepied
9. Fi mulţumit cu micile reusite
10. Construieste-ti prietenii cu alti fotografi
11. Priveste locul pe care vrei sa-l fotografiezi mai întâi cu inima, apoi cu aparatul foto
12. Întotdeauna stai calm
13. Ia la cunostinta că ai tendinţa de a te supraestima
14. Perspectiva este criminalul
15. Dedica-te fotografiei, dar niciodata nu te intimida prea mult
16. Alature unei comunitati de fotografie
17. Ai grija de aparatul de fotografiat, pastreaza-l curat
18. Nu te compara cu alţi fotografi indiferent de context
19. Găseste-ti propriul stil de fotografie
20. Încearca să lucrezi mai mult la compozitie si sa faci mai putine cadre
21. Cauta şi invata să accepti critica asupra fotografiilor tale
22. Fa ceva diferit
23. Inspira-te din munca altor fotografi
24. Critica ta sa fie onesta, dar nu uita de respect
25. Obţine feedback din partea prietenei/prietenului tau
26. Nu copia stilulaltor fotografi
27. Fi indraznet
28. Pastreaza-ti in minte regula punctelor de aur
29. 10 mm rocks! (la propriu)
30. Realizeaza autoportrete
31. Citeste cărţi despre fotografie
32. In cadrul unei fotografii landscape e recomandat sa introduci o persoana
33. Fiecare sesiune foto este altfel decat te-ai astepta
34. Tine cont de linii si curbe
35. Întotdeauna trage în RAW
36. Păstreaza senzorul curat, astfel încât să poti evita editarea fotografiilor in post procesare
37. Descopera lucrurile pe care le consideri frumoase
38. Este nevoie de timp pentru a deveni un fotograf bun
39. Cel mai bun echipament este că ceea ce ai acum
40. Nu poti fotografia totul
41. Încalca regulile de fotografie cu bună ştiinţă
42. Acorda atenţie la modul in care lumina cade pe diferite părţi ale scenei
43. Punctul de contrast atrage atentia
44. Norii intensifica atmosfera unui peisaj
45. Începe un Photoblog
46. Accepta lauda şi spune „mulţumesc”
47. „Nice shot” sau pe romaneste „tare poza” nu este un comentariu util
48. Exprimarea precum „Amazing!” aka „Misto” nu este nici ea utilă. Încerarca să descrii exact ceea ce iti place sau nu la o fotografie
49. Tu nu esti un aparat de fotografiat
50. Pune o întrebare la sfârşitul comentariul tău referitor la o fotografie pentru a dezvolta o conversaţie cu fotograful
51. Poti sa faci o revizuire a arhivelor foto în mod regulat
52. Întotdeauna clarifica punctul de focus care va fi in imaginea ta
53. Nici o imagine nu este mai buna decat una proasta (principiul autosugestiei probabil tradus putin gresit)
54. Toata lumea incepe de la 0
55. Parerea ta despre fotografie este importanta
56. Lasă un comentariu amuzant, dar profund
57. Vorbeaste despre experienţele tale cu prietenii tai fotografi
58. Limiteaza conceptul de fotografie
59. Participă în concursuri cu teme fotografice
60. Post procesare = Optimizareafotografiei pentru a obtine cel mai bun rezultat
61. Trage latitudini de expunere cât mai des posibil
62. Utilizeaza Photomatix cat mai rar posibil, HDR are întotdeauna o parte ireala
63. Întotdeauna aminteste-ti ce te-a adus la fotografie
64. Nu fotografia niciodata o persoană care nu vrea acest lucru
65. Uita-te in jurul tau, uneori cadrul mai bun este chiar în spatele tău
66. Este vorba de cel din spatele camerei, nu camera
67. Greselile sunt permise! Cu cat faci mai multe greseli, cu atat inveti mai mult!
68. Daca ai o idee si crezi ca nu o sa mearga, pune-o in aplicare oricum.
69. Înţelege şi uita-te la histogram în timpul fotografierii. Aceasta oferă informaţii foarte importante despre imaginea ta
70. Cunoaşte-ti aparatul de fotografiat, deoarece căutarea meniului pe bajbaite inseamna timp pierdut
71. Trage cât mai des posibil
72. Crede in tine
73. Nu-ti fie frica sa te murdaresti
74. Acorda atenţie calitatii imaginilor tale
75. Fotografiile tale sunt o hartă personală a psihicului
76. Verifica mereu setările ISO. Este gresit sa lucrezi cu setarile gresite.
77. Fii recunoscător pentru comentariile lungi şi bine gândite asupra imaginilor tale
78. Niciodată sa nu te bazezi pe monitorul LCD. În mod normal, este mai luminoasă şi mai clară decat imaginea originală.
79. Pastreaza suficient spaţiu pe hard, pentru că este ieftin şi vei avea nevoie.
80. Învaţă să te bucuri de momentele frumoase atunci când nu ai un aparat de fotografiat cu tine.
81. Întotdeauna trebuie sa ajungi cu cel puţin o jumătate de oră mai devreme înainte de răsărit / apus
82. Încearca să amplifici limitele mentale şi fizice. Mai trage niste poze in plus atunci când crezi că e suficient
83. Acorda atenţie „structurii” cerului şi aşteapta până când aceasta se încadrează corect
84. Vizitează acelaşi loc cât mai des posibil, intotdeauna vei gasi altceva interesant.
85. Imprima-ti imaginile în dimensiuni mari.
86. Calibreaza-ti monitorul.
87. Nu te gândi la ceea ce altii ar putea spune despre fotografia ta. Dacă iti place, merita sa fie publicata.
88. Niciodată nu-ti adresa reproşuri. Învaţă din greşeli si mergi inainte!
89. Lupta cu lenea! Creativitatea vine după disciplina.
90. Intreaba-te: „Ce vreau să transmiti prin fotografia mea?”
91. Gandeste liber, largeste-ti orizonturile si strange noi idei de fotografii pe care ai putea sa le faci
92. Cauta un mentor.
93. Fotografia nu este niciodată o pierdere de timp.
94. Fiecare comunitate are dezavantajul ei. Nu o parasi in urma unui răspuns emoţional.
95. Întotdeauna vor exista oameni carora nu o sa le placa ceea ce faci.
96. Henri Cartier-Bresson a avut dreptate când a spus că „Primele 10.000 de fotografii sunt cel mai rele.”
97. O camera mai buna nu garanteaza imagini mai bune.
98. Întotdeauna sa iei printarea in calcul atunci când iti editezi fotografiile.
99. Fotografia este echitabila: Castigi publicitate datorita calitatii imaginilor tale. In cazul in care imaginile sunt furate, nu există nici o modalitate mai mare de te pacali pe tine insuti.
100. Scrie o lista cu 100 de lucruri

Unele sunt interesante, altele nu. Poti sa le consideri reguli dupa care sa te ghidezi sau daca te afli in impas, majoritatea iti vor ridica moralul.
Apropos, din cele 100, tu cate ai urmat sau ai realizat?Ti s-au parut utile?

Preluate si traduse de pe: http://www.digital-photography-school.com