As much as I love to take candid pictures, not all people will appreciate the pictures especially the subjects you took into the pictures. There are people who don't like to have their face in pictures and I learnt my lesson the hard way during a few days back.
I was having dinner with a group of friends and being a photography fanatic myself, how can I miss the chance of getting the food and all the friends into the picture? But there was a particular friend of mine who refuse to get into the picture. She only told me that she hate to be in pictures. I should have listened to that instead of being rebellious and follow her face around with the camera. I thought it was funny and it was challenging. I told myself that the more you hide from me, the more I want to get your picture.
When I finally got her picture and showed it to her, she snapped (luckily she didn't snap my camera). She was furious and scolded me for disrespecting her. She was quite loud and almost all the diners and waiters turned to our table. I was shocked with her response and it took me a while before I realized that I might have violated her and started to apologize. I immediately deleted her picture and showed her that I don't keep her picture. Only then, she nodded and warned me again not to take her picture.
So, you see, there are people who are sensitive about you taking their pictures. And I am still bothered by the fact that she said I disrespected her. I was just trying to have some fun. I never thought I can offend somebody by just having fun.
But to think about it, it is my fault to be scolded. She did tell me that she wanted to be excluded from the pictures and I ignored her and chase her around with the camera. So, to my friend (you know who you are),
"I am sorry."
So, the next time you take a candid shot, remember to get your subjects' consent. If you are taking a picture of a stranger, I think it is good that you can go up to the people and ask for their approval before you keep the pictures and walk away. You don't want someone to chase after you and scold you on the street that you offended them.
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Digital Photography Tips For You
I know that point and shoot cameras do come shorthanded when you compare them with DSLR camera. Still, that doesn't mean that you can only get low quality picture. You can still get nice picture with compact digital camera when you look at the following tips,
1. Macro
Have you ever saw pictures that the background is blurred and the object seems to stand out in the picture? Don't you feel that the pictures are amazing and don't you wish you can do that?
The blurred background you saw in those pictures are actually created by shallow depth of field and you can see that when you activate the "macro" mode of your compact digital camera.
Then, you just frame and snap the picture and you will get a nice blurred background picture of your own. But a word of cautious is that the effect of the shallow depth of field may vary depend on the camera manufacturers. Still, you will know your practice time is well spent when you see the final result of your picture. :-)
2. White balance
Most of the white balance in digital cameras are usually set as "auto" when they are release from manufacturing. And that might be the reason why sometime you feel that your pictures are clammy. Try adjusting the white balance when you are taking pictures and you will notice the differences in the pictures.
Again, take some time and get acquainted with the white balance so that you will know how to leverage on the feature when you need it.
3. Flash
Time and time again I have advised you that you need to take control with flash when you are taking pictures. This is especially true when you are using point and shoot camera because you don't have much control over the intensity and direction of the flash on your camera.
Although it is great to use natural light for your outdoor pictures, the light sometime might be too strong and you need to activate the flash to give certain burst of light to counter the shadows on your subjects.
And when you are indoor, try to stick a small piece of white paper near (don't stick on) your flash unit to absorb some of the flash so that your pictures won't be too 'bright'. However, you might need more time and practice to get this right. And if you don't want to do that, you can probably take a look at DSLR camera.
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
1. Macro
Have you ever saw pictures that the background is blurred and the object seems to stand out in the picture? Don't you feel that the pictures are amazing and don't you wish you can do that?
The blurred background you saw in those pictures are actually created by shallow depth of field and you can see that when you activate the "macro" mode of your compact digital camera.
Then, you just frame and snap the picture and you will get a nice blurred background picture of your own. But a word of cautious is that the effect of the shallow depth of field may vary depend on the camera manufacturers. Still, you will know your practice time is well spent when you see the final result of your picture. :-)
2. White balance
Most of the white balance in digital cameras are usually set as "auto" when they are release from manufacturing. And that might be the reason why sometime you feel that your pictures are clammy. Try adjusting the white balance when you are taking pictures and you will notice the differences in the pictures.
Again, take some time and get acquainted with the white balance so that you will know how to leverage on the feature when you need it.
3. Flash
Time and time again I have advised you that you need to take control with flash when you are taking pictures. This is especially true when you are using point and shoot camera because you don't have much control over the intensity and direction of the flash on your camera.
Although it is great to use natural light for your outdoor pictures, the light sometime might be too strong and you need to activate the flash to give certain burst of light to counter the shadows on your subjects.
And when you are indoor, try to stick a small piece of white paper near (don't stick on) your flash unit to absorb some of the flash so that your pictures won't be too 'bright'. However, you might need more time and practice to get this right. And if you don't want to do that, you can probably take a look at DSLR camera.
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Quick Tips For Portrait Photography
Have you ever wonder what makes the perfect portrait photography?
I personally like candid pictures. I like to take pictures when people are drinking, eating, laughing and especially when they are thinking. If you look at the people around you, you see that there are a lot of interesting thinking faces. And these faces vary among people. They almost are like a trademark to the thinkers.
Sometime it is fun to snap the picture only to have the thinker to look at you in shock. It seems that they suddenly woke up from a trance and is embarrassed that you caught them in deep thinking. But that is OK, you just go up and show them the picture. Of course you need to ask them whether you can keep the picture and whether they want a copy of it. If they refuse, you must delete the picture in front of them. But with my personal experience, my subjects rarely ask me to delete the pictures. I even made some friends when I showed them their thinking faces. :-)
And if you are in any photography business, I think this can be a good way to increase your contacts and to get some job later. I am not sure how successful this can be but I think it is a worth a try.
People sometime do ask me what I like about candid photography. I can hardly answer that. Maybe is because I just like the natural side of people. I think that is the purest and most spontaneous moment of one can be. That is the time when you take your guard down and let your emotion roam free. I don't have picture of people crying though. It feels a bit wrong to take picture when people are crying. Well. That is just me. :-)
Another tip for you to good portrait pictures is to give instruction to your subjects. It is common for people to pose as they like but that doesn't mean that their poses are good for pictures.
So, it is your duty to tell the subjects that there is a better way to pose for the pictures. And if you are serious about portrait photography, sometime you have to take both pictures (one is your subjects comfortable pose and one if pose under your direction) to your subjects that you are right. Don't be afraid to give instruction because you have the same objective as your subjects. You too want to show the best of your subjects.
Also, if you are making money with portrait photography, you have to learn to give instruction to ease your job. But before you start pointing your subjects around, it is important that you established a clear understanding about what your subjects want and how you are going to do that. When both of you understand each other, you will save a lot of time and energy making the photography session a success.
Besides that, please remember to be gentle when you are directing your subjects. They are your customers after all.
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
I personally like candid pictures. I like to take pictures when people are drinking, eating, laughing and especially when they are thinking. If you look at the people around you, you see that there are a lot of interesting thinking faces. And these faces vary among people. They almost are like a trademark to the thinkers.
Sometime it is fun to snap the picture only to have the thinker to look at you in shock. It seems that they suddenly woke up from a trance and is embarrassed that you caught them in deep thinking. But that is OK, you just go up and show them the picture. Of course you need to ask them whether you can keep the picture and whether they want a copy of it. If they refuse, you must delete the picture in front of them. But with my personal experience, my subjects rarely ask me to delete the pictures. I even made some friends when I showed them their thinking faces. :-)
And if you are in any photography business, I think this can be a good way to increase your contacts and to get some job later. I am not sure how successful this can be but I think it is a worth a try.
People sometime do ask me what I like about candid photography. I can hardly answer that. Maybe is because I just like the natural side of people. I think that is the purest and most spontaneous moment of one can be. That is the time when you take your guard down and let your emotion roam free. I don't have picture of people crying though. It feels a bit wrong to take picture when people are crying. Well. That is just me. :-)
Another tip for you to good portrait pictures is to give instruction to your subjects. It is common for people to pose as they like but that doesn't mean that their poses are good for pictures.
So, it is your duty to tell the subjects that there is a better way to pose for the pictures. And if you are serious about portrait photography, sometime you have to take both pictures (one is your subjects comfortable pose and one if pose under your direction) to your subjects that you are right. Don't be afraid to give instruction because you have the same objective as your subjects. You too want to show the best of your subjects.
Also, if you are making money with portrait photography, you have to learn to give instruction to ease your job. But before you start pointing your subjects around, it is important that you established a clear understanding about what your subjects want and how you are going to do that. When both of you understand each other, you will save a lot of time and energy making the photography session a success.
Besides that, please remember to be gentle when you are directing your subjects. They are your customers after all.
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
Friday, June 26, 2009
Tips To Taking Automatic Pictures
Ever since digital photography has been introduced to the consumers, taking pictures has never been easier. You can just frame the image and snap the picture immediately. The most you need to do is to select the correct mode and the digital camera will adjust itself and give you the optimum pictures. The following tips are going to show you how you can leverage on this automatic mode to take some nice pictures.
1. Getting the camera ready
Select the dial on your camera to automatic mode (refer your manual for the right icon or indication) and frame your picture. Press the shutter button halfway down to let the camera gets the focus and exposure of your subject. When the digital camera is done, it will either give a beep or light and you can then push the shutter down completely to take the picture.
2. Focus
When you are in automatic mode, the digital camera will do this for you. If you are using a compact digital camera, it is common to see green boxes on the LCD screen when you are pushing the shutter button halfway down. These boxes indicate the focus zone selected by the camera. So, when you take the picture, these areas will the sharpest part of your picture. You can however change these focus areas by letting go of the shutter button and press it halfway down again.
3. Exposure
If you have read about how to get the right exposure for your picture, you probably will be confused by what you read. You need some photography experience before you can properly get the right exposure.
So, if you are like me, you will let the camera do its job. Digital cameras come with an exposure system to measure the light coming from the scene and use the measurement to give you the best exposure.
4. Flash
Looking at the autoexposure reading, the digital camera will then decide to activate the flash or not. But depending on the manufacturers, some compact digital cameras might have flash that is too strong and some is too dim. Sometimes, it can be quite frustrated to be unable to control the intensity of the flash.
This can be different if you are using a DSLR camera. You just need to take the extra step to point your flash unit away from the subject and the flash will be dispersed. You might need some practices with this.
5. Aperture and shutter speed
And judging from the light in the surrounding and exposure system, your digital camera will automatically adjust the aperture size to allow the total amount of light entering the camera.
If the light is not enough, the aperture will be opened wider so that more light can enter the camera and vice versa. By the way, the shutter speed will go opposite of the aperture just to achieve the same purpose. That means the shutter speed will be lowered when the aperture size increases if more light were needed for the picture and vice versa.
Confuse? Is OK. All of these are being done automatically by the digital camera once your select the automatic mode. You don't need to fuss about them.
I hope the tips just now have given you some insights to how you can leverage on the automatic mode to take nice pictures. :-)
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
1. Getting the camera ready
Select the dial on your camera to automatic mode (refer your manual for the right icon or indication) and frame your picture. Press the shutter button halfway down to let the camera gets the focus and exposure of your subject. When the digital camera is done, it will either give a beep or light and you can then push the shutter down completely to take the picture.
2. Focus
When you are in automatic mode, the digital camera will do this for you. If you are using a compact digital camera, it is common to see green boxes on the LCD screen when you are pushing the shutter button halfway down. These boxes indicate the focus zone selected by the camera. So, when you take the picture, these areas will the sharpest part of your picture. You can however change these focus areas by letting go of the shutter button and press it halfway down again.
3. Exposure
If you have read about how to get the right exposure for your picture, you probably will be confused by what you read. You need some photography experience before you can properly get the right exposure.
So, if you are like me, you will let the camera do its job. Digital cameras come with an exposure system to measure the light coming from the scene and use the measurement to give you the best exposure.
4. Flash
Looking at the autoexposure reading, the digital camera will then decide to activate the flash or not. But depending on the manufacturers, some compact digital cameras might have flash that is too strong and some is too dim. Sometimes, it can be quite frustrated to be unable to control the intensity of the flash.
This can be different if you are using a DSLR camera. You just need to take the extra step to point your flash unit away from the subject and the flash will be dispersed. You might need some practices with this.
5. Aperture and shutter speed
And judging from the light in the surrounding and exposure system, your digital camera will automatically adjust the aperture size to allow the total amount of light entering the camera.
If the light is not enough, the aperture will be opened wider so that more light can enter the camera and vice versa. By the way, the shutter speed will go opposite of the aperture just to achieve the same purpose. That means the shutter speed will be lowered when the aperture size increases if more light were needed for the picture and vice versa.
Confuse? Is OK. All of these are being done automatically by the digital camera once your select the automatic mode. You don't need to fuss about them.
I hope the tips just now have given you some insights to how you can leverage on the automatic mode to take nice pictures. :-)
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Photography Tips To Help You Take Pictures
Today, almost everyone can afford a digital camera and the hobby is getting cheaper and cheaper by the day. Looking at the speed that cameras are being launched in the market, you can get quite a fair deal of camera with backdated technology. Since digital camera is not the issue anymore, let's look at some tips to help you take nice pictures. By the way, I am focusing the tips today only about outdoor photography. If that doesn't interest you, you might want to come back later. :-)
1. When you are thinking of including the background in your pictures, try to look for something that complements your subject. It is nice that you can get a picture of your girlfriend sitting in a garden of lavender (just don't let her wear the purple dress).
2. If unfortunately, you can't find a complimenting background, you can always blur the background by activating the 'macro' mode of compact digital camera or increasing the aperture (same as lowering your focal ratio or f-number) when you are using a DSLR camera.
But either you are using a compact or DSLR camera, it is better that you can stand further from your subjects and zoom into them to get better effect of blurred background.
3. When you are taking pictures outdoor, it is very important that you be cautious about your environment. It is quite frustrating that when you have composed your shot and something budge into the frame to ruin the moment.
Even though you haven't snapped the picture, you will automatically look away from the frame and focus on the intruders. There are occasions that I nearly snap on the kid who run into frame and spoil my mood. Quite a grumpy photographer I am. Hehe. :-p
4. If you have any experience, it is quite difficult to get a nice portrait when you are visiting tourism spot. People are everywhere. If that is the case, you can either wait them out which will kill if you are as impatience as I am or you can compromise and take the picture anyway.
But after a recent trip, I have developed something improper. I will find an angle which I take the least part of other people (usually I keep them at the edge of the picture) and then I will use the photoshop to rub away the 'participants'. Now, this might mot work well for every picture. For those pictures that didn't work, I will try to add something with the photoshop again to try to cover them up.
5. Lastly, remember to take candid pictures. Now, this might not be a good tip to you because I personally like candid outdoor pictures. I don't know why but I think you should have fun and enjoy the outdoor. You should laugh, jump, run, and do all the wacky stuff outdoor.
Probably I have been too serious and stress at office and at home. Anyway, this is entirely up to you. If you are uncomfortable to do it, don't force it.
After all, digital photography is about having fun and appreciating the art.
I hope you have enjoyed my outdoor tips and I welcome any comments. :-)
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
How To Take Wonderful Pictures
Since you now have your own digital camera, it is time that you hit the road and start snapping pictures everywhere. And I believe you have done there even before you read my blog. But if you are like me, you probably think that something is missing in your pictures. So, I hope the tips below can help you to improve in your digital photography skills.
When you are taking portraits, unless you want to include the background, try to take your pictures vertically. You can then see the difference in your pictures. Sometimes, you will see something even better when you take the picture slightly slanted and vertically.
By the way, you can use the same technique to take pictures of building. Imagine you are taking picture of an entrance of an old building. If you are taking the picture horizontally, you might include unnecessary background that make your viewers confuse about the real message you want to tell through your pictures.
Sometimes, your pictures can be dull when take them at normal angle. Have you ever thought of taking the same picture from bottom to up? This will give a totally new feeling to the picture.
Lastly, you will want to learn more digital photography and improve on your skills. So, if you are not struggling financially, remember to join some photography courses or subscribe to digital photography magazines.
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
When you are taking portraits, unless you want to include the background, try to take your pictures vertically. You can then see the difference in your pictures. Sometimes, you will see something even better when you take the picture slightly slanted and vertically.
By the way, you can use the same technique to take pictures of building. Imagine you are taking picture of an entrance of an old building. If you are taking the picture horizontally, you might include unnecessary background that make your viewers confuse about the real message you want to tell through your pictures.
Sometimes, your pictures can be dull when take them at normal angle. Have you ever thought of taking the same picture from bottom to up? This will give a totally new feeling to the picture.
Lastly, you will want to learn more digital photography and improve on your skills. So, if you are not struggling financially, remember to join some photography courses or subscribe to digital photography magazines.
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Some Tips of Portrait Photography
I believe most of you are having digital camera nowadays and I think you must be happy taking pictures of your family and friends. But sometimes things can get awkward when you miss the shot. So, below are some tips to help you boost your portrait photography skills.
LCD screen
The LCD screen has been great help in digital photography. Do you remember the last time missed the body part when you were with film photography? Aren't you upset with yourself for not paying enough attention with your subject?
But you shouldn't repeat the same mistake with LCD screen on your digital camera. You can now see clearly every part of your subject before you snap the button. If you see the head is cropped, you can adjust the camera and get the complete picture.
Besides, LCD screen nowadays are build bigger and bigger into the digital camera and some LCD screen even occupied the whole back side of some compact digital cameras in the market now. And with the increased size of the LCD screen, you take advantage on the benefit to improve your portrait photography skills.
Background
I think a lot of you must have problem that the background steal the shine from your subject. Have you ever tried to blur the background before?
You can always activate the 'macro' mode on your compact digital camera, focus on your subject and you will get a blurred background picture. When the background is blur, you will be able to highlight and bring out the uniqueness of your subject.
However, there are also cases where the background can actually enhance your subject. However you might need certain skill to appreciate and leverage on the background. So, if you are not comfortable with including the background, you can blur it. At least until you have developed your skills.
Lighting
Please understand that proper lighting will bring out the details of your subject. If you are taking picture outdoor, the natural daylight will be good enough to make your subjects look good. Another tip for you is that when daylight is too strong for your picture, you can use the flash to shine on your subjects so that your subject will not seen dark.
And when you are taking picture indoor where lighting is always the problem, you need to be careful when you are using your flash. Because if you don't use your flash, your pictures will turn out dark; on the other hand, if you use your flash, your subjects can look too bright in the picture.
So, if you are using a compact digital camera, you can stand further from your subject (far enough that it doesn't affect your subject's details) and zoom into your subject. Then you will get a better picture.
If you are using a DSLR camera, you can always disperse the flash so that it is not pop directly to your subject. You can either disperse the flash to the ceiling or to the back of you.
I hope these tips help you to improve on your portrait pictures. :-)
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
LCD screen
The LCD screen has been great help in digital photography. Do you remember the last time missed the body part when you were with film photography? Aren't you upset with yourself for not paying enough attention with your subject?
But you shouldn't repeat the same mistake with LCD screen on your digital camera. You can now see clearly every part of your subject before you snap the button. If you see the head is cropped, you can adjust the camera and get the complete picture.
Besides, LCD screen nowadays are build bigger and bigger into the digital camera and some LCD screen even occupied the whole back side of some compact digital cameras in the market now. And with the increased size of the LCD screen, you take advantage on the benefit to improve your portrait photography skills.
Background
I think a lot of you must have problem that the background steal the shine from your subject. Have you ever tried to blur the background before?
You can always activate the 'macro' mode on your compact digital camera, focus on your subject and you will get a blurred background picture. When the background is blur, you will be able to highlight and bring out the uniqueness of your subject.
However, there are also cases where the background can actually enhance your subject. However you might need certain skill to appreciate and leverage on the background. So, if you are not comfortable with including the background, you can blur it. At least until you have developed your skills.
Lighting
Please understand that proper lighting will bring out the details of your subject. If you are taking picture outdoor, the natural daylight will be good enough to make your subjects look good. Another tip for you is that when daylight is too strong for your picture, you can use the flash to shine on your subjects so that your subject will not seen dark.
And when you are taking picture indoor where lighting is always the problem, you need to be careful when you are using your flash. Because if you don't use your flash, your pictures will turn out dark; on the other hand, if you use your flash, your subjects can look too bright in the picture.
So, if you are using a compact digital camera, you can stand further from your subject (far enough that it doesn't affect your subject's details) and zoom into your subject. Then you will get a better picture.
If you are using a DSLR camera, you can always disperse the flash so that it is not pop directly to your subject. You can either disperse the flash to the ceiling or to the back of you.
I hope these tips help you to improve on your portrait pictures. :-)
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
A Simple Tip To How To Be A Good Photographer...
My personal tip to be a good photographer is to Get Up and Start Taking Pictures and I don't care you are taking indoor or outdoor pictures.
It is common for photographers to start digital photography with a camera in the casing while they are looking for tips online, reading articles and magazines and researching about the strategies to be a good photographer. Well I have.
While it is great to improve your knowledge about digital photography, there is nothing better compare to experience photography with your finger snapping the shutter button.
Have you ever felt that your picture is not as good as other photographer even both of you are using the same camera and lens? That is where the skill makes the difference. And you can only learn the skills through taking pictures and improving your skills along the way.
It is OK that your pictures look awkward initially. Every photographer went through the same thing. You will get better as you take more pictures. :-)
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
It is common for photographers to start digital photography with a camera in the casing while they are looking for tips online, reading articles and magazines and researching about the strategies to be a good photographer. Well I have.
While it is great to improve your knowledge about digital photography, there is nothing better compare to experience photography with your finger snapping the shutter button.
Have you ever felt that your picture is not as good as other photographer even both of you are using the same camera and lens? That is where the skill makes the difference. And you can only learn the skills through taking pictures and improving your skills along the way.
It is OK that your pictures look awkward initially. Every photographer went through the same thing. You will get better as you take more pictures. :-)
Happy taking pictures,
Michael Wong. :-)
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