Photography Blog DigitalPixels.net

All photography needs light.  It’s at the heart of the word photography.  For the most part that light comes from the sun or from an artificial flash.  But today I’d like to talk about the use of fire as the primary source of light.  Fire, from a single candle to a raging inferno, presents some great opportunities to stretch your creative side.

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The Rules of Composition in Photography

There are a number of general statements about photography passed off as “the truth”. They are repeated again and again in introductory texts about photography and on the Internet. Repetition, however, doesn't make a false statement true. Here are the most common myths I've encountered

1. Autofocus works by measuring the distance to the subject
2. Unlike linear polarizers, you don't have to turn circular polarizers
3. A 50 mm lens on 35 mm systems is called “normal” because it delivers about the same view as the human eye

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“What qualifications do you need?”

Actually need? None whatsoever. I’ve not so much as an ‘O’ level related to photography.  I do have two degrees in unrelated subjects and I’ve previously run another business.

Having run a business before is what really makes the difference.

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Walk into most professional photographer’s studios and you’ll be confronted with truckloads of lighting equipment. To the average hobby photographer it’s enough to make your mind boggle - and for your stomach to turn as you think about the cost of it all.

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Ever wondered how to create those wonderful atmospheric exterior photographs where golden light from a house window streams into the cold, blue light of the street? You must have seen them – National Geographic photographers use this technique all the time when taking pictures of villages or towns.

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Here is a great lighting simulator to plan and test your portrait lighting with one light source + fill light if wished

When the photography world first came across the idea of candid portaiture - making informal shots of people who were not aware of being photographed or at least not posing for the camera – it was a Big Thing. This was because up to then, portraiture called for large studio cameras wound up with cranks, fancy studios with painted backgrounds and - you can guess - big bucks for the privilege.

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In some ways "nocturnal" photography is no different from most genres, and in other ways, there's a world of difference. This article will explore the similarities and differences, and give tips to overcome some of the specific issues that are rarely encountered in other fields.

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Many people dream of the long, languorous days of summer, with its gentle, warm zephyrs. But, as a landscape photographer I dream of the short days of winter, preferably with snow and ice. Despite what you may think this isn’t simply a case of me being contrary. No, honestly, it isn’t! For me there are many compelling reasons why landscape photography is a more worthwhile experience in winter.

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Composition is the combining of distinct parts or elements to form a whole.  In photography that thought is very important in taking good pictures.  The following guidelines are just to be thought about though, it is not necessary to try to use them with every picture you take or there wouldn't be any creativity in your work.  Once you learn these rules and strategies you will be more prepared to find great picture spots and opportunities.

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By 'exposure' we mean the amount of light that falls onto the film, or CCD if you are using a digital camera. In modern cameras the exposure is usually set to automatic by default and, most of the time, it can be left there and will produce beautiful pictures. There are times though, when the lighting conditions are difficult or we want to produce a particular effect and it would be nice to understand what is going on 'under the hood'.

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