Friday, July 31, 2009

All About Photography

Photography is the art of reproducing pictures of people, objects or places in their exact likeness. These images can be transferred on any photosensitive material. Photography includes taking and printing pictures.

The backbone of photography is the camera, the instrument or device that works on the principle of optics. The camera and photographic techniques have undergone phenomenal changes since the time the first camera was made. The earlier model did not contain the film; instead, it had a small light-shield box with lens and translucent screen on either side. The image that traveled through the lens was stored on the screen. Known as 'camera obscura,' it was no more than a sketching device for artists.

Then the scientists discovered the quality of silver nitrate that changes its color when exposed to light. This was the beginning of photogram, a method of making permanent images.

They would place objects on the paper dipped in silver nitrate and expose it to the sunlight. After sometime the area covered under the object stayed white while the rest of the space turned black. However, the image formed was temporary, so the method did not last long.

Over the centuries, the principles, the method and the material used in photography went through many changes. After experimenting with various methods like Daguerre and calotype process, finally collodion, or the wet plate technique was universally accepted.

Modern photography has given a totally new meaning to the entire perception of life and privacy. Photography has made it possible to capture and preserve special moments, in private and in public life. History became more authentic with pictures, and photographs served as evidence in many cases. People made their family tree in their albums. Suddenly life was so much more fun and meaningful.

With the tremendous technological advances in the art of photography, it is no more just fun and frolic but has acquired the dimensions of a full-fledged profession. Photography has many branches and types, such as:

- Aerial photography is the art of taking photographs from the air.

- Art photography is devoted to beautiful pictures for the sake of beauty only.

- Studio or advertising photography is dedicated to promotion of products and institutions.

- Photojournalism takes pictures of events to support the news story and to create awareness among the people.

- Outdoor and travel photography is focused on taking pictures of landscapes and natural places.

- Sports photography records images of the sporting events and games that take place in the world.

- Some types of photography like the macro and scientific and macro or close up photography are restricted to specific fields and are not widely known.

The charm of photography lies as much in the end product as in the process of taking pictures. Looking at an album is like taking a trip down memory lane; it makes us feel highly nostalgic and emotional.

Photography In Practice

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Advertising Photography

We've all seen it. That picture in the ad of the fruit that looks so fresh and plump and ripe you could almost reach out and take a bit. That's advertising photography. Or that big juicy, fresh hamburger, steaming on a soft bun, looking so delicious that it makes your mouth water. Thats advertising photography too. What about that happy couple so in love, enjoying their coffee? That's dvertising photography. Or those beautiful, sexy people all looking so smart, smoking their cigarettes? That's advertising photography. It is all advertising photography. And it is designed to make you buy things, make you do things, designed to make you feel things.

Advertising photography is very manipulative. Advertising photography is very cynical. Advertising photography is visual fiction that is designed with one purpose in mind, to influence you. And most advertising photography is designed to influence you to part wit your money. Oh, sure there are the public service campaigns that use advertising photography to maybe affect your thinking about a subject or to get you to do something for your health, but this advertising photography is in the minority. Most advertising photography you see has a lot of thought and money behind it in order to make a sale.

Advertising photography is designed to move the merchandise off the shelves. Advertising photography exists to make the cash register ring. And advertising photography will use any tricks it can to accomplish its goals. Pictures sell products. And good advertising photography sells a lot of products. It doesn't matter to the advertiser if the advertising photography is misleading. It doesn't matter to the advertiser if the advertising photography makes you want a product that is bad for you. It doesn't matter to the advertiser if the advertising photography sells products that are environmentally unsound or unsafe. It only matters to the advertiser that the advertising photography sells you the product. It only matters to the advertiser that you buy the product either now or later, but that you buy.

We are all so accustomed to looking at photography now that we don't stop to think that the advertising photography that we see is not a casual thing. The advertising photography we see is not candid, even if it appears that way. Our minds are trained to accept as fact something we see with our eyes and advertising photography takes advantage of that fact. But that is what is so cynical about advertising photography. The advertisers using advertising photography are taking advantage of you and they are fully aware of it. In fact, it is planned and carefully orchestrated.

Des Moines Iowa Photography

Friday, July 17, 2009

Advertisement Photography.

Advertisement photography is by far one of the most competitive forms of photography. This is mainly due to the fact that you can earn far more money than in any other aspect of photographic industry.

Every day companies pay millions of dollars on advertisement; with one goal - to sell their product. Companies want to tell the reader that their product is best - so you must be able to match this.

The photographers work must be to the highest technical quality and he/she must have the ability to create a masterpiece from something simple. Close enough is just not good enough. Close enough will not sell a product.

To become an advertisement photographer one must first understand the market and understand what the client is looking for. The best way of understanding this is pick up a magazine and look at the ads. Study each image. Study the images you see on billboards or images that are used to advertise movies.

Most parts of advertisement photography can be classed as still life photography. So if you are interested in taking images for the advertisement market your first job is to set up your own home studio. This can be a great place to practice.

Every thing in your home can be photographed. Start off with a few glasses. But remember you are not trying to make the glasses look nice - you are trying to sell them.

The second thing you need is a large format camera. Buy a range of the best lenses. Slide film is your best choice for advertisement photography. The client may want to blow up the images to a billboard size.

The most important thing when starting off is creating a portfolio of your work. This can be sent to advertising agencies or can be shown directly to a company. Always have a few copies on standby. Also set up a web page. On-line advertising is growing at a spectacular rate. Your portfolio should also consist of a different range of images.

If you are thinking of using an advertisement agency, get their guidelines from them. These should be very helpful to you in understanding the market. Dealing with a well established agency should be very profitable for you if your photography is to par.

Advertisement can be seen everywhere - and about eighty percent of all ads use photography. Most advertisement these days consists of a few words and a stunning picture that should attract the viewer’s attention.

Photographer

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Adventurers Need Small Camcorder Bags

With warmer weather comes activities and adventure for many travelers. No adventure retreat is complete without a camcorder to capture the most amazing of events. For all travelers, a quality small camcorder bag is just as important as the camcorder inside. Whether your traveling to the Yellowstone to see the wildlife, of traveling aboard to visit foreign culture, travel with a quality small camcorder bag like those made by M-Rock to ensure your equipment is safe. M-Rock is becoming the leaded in camcorder bags. Continue reading to find out why.

For the adventurer, a small camcorder bag has many advantages. A quality camcorder bag like those made by M-Rock keeps camcorders protected from falling and breaking. M-Rock small camcorder bags have comfortable shoulder straps and belt loops so the bag can be kept at your hip, on your back , or across the chest for easy access and comfort.

M-Rock small camcorder bags are very protective. Small bags offer triple protection from the elements with a rain-flap, zipper, and front buckle. The equipment inside is protected by thick foam and durable water resistant material. And if that is still not enough, all M-Rock camera bags come with a weather jacket that acts as a dry bag when the weather acts up.

M-Rock offers several sizes and styles of small camcorder bags. The Biscayne Bay, The Mesa Verde, and The Yosemite, are all great small camcorder bags that hold several different models of camcorders. The Niagara is a vertical bag that holds camcorders with lenses up to seven inches and comes with rubber straps to hold water bottles. All camcorder bags come with two additional side pockets for storing accessories.

Whatever type of travel or adventure you take this season, don’t forget to take along a camcorder, and don’t forget the camcorder bag. Visit M-Rock.com today to see the products they have available and see why everyone is switching to M-Rock.

Wedding Photographer