Tips on How to Choose the Right Background for Your Photo Shoot - Noise and Conflicting Messages

by http://michaelabela.weebly.com/

Many photographers spend a lot of time in selecting the right model, discuss her wardrobe, hairstyle, makeup and what have you. Yet, they tend to overlook a very important aspect; the background. This is a vital part of any photographic set up and needs the proper attention. It can make or break the composition, feel and dynamics of a photograph. Are you still not sure about the importance in choosing the right background? In following article, I want to bring to your attention two important factors that we tend to fail to notice when choosing a background. These can apply for both outdoor and indoor photo shoots, though since most of my work is done outdoors, I will focus mainly on outdoor situations.

Excessive Background Noise

From my experience, I have learned that the simpler a photograph is the better. By this I mean, when shooting a model you aim to have a background that compliments your model not compete with it. Let us consider a scenario in which you are to shoot a model in a cowboy costume. To complement the model you decide to shoot the session on a farm. You are faced up with two choices. In your first option, the model poses inside an old barn, with bails of straw and a couple of tools in the background. As a second choice, the model sits on a tractor with horses grazing in the backdrop.

You can realize that in the second instance there are too many things going on. The massiveness of the tractor and the moving horses are likely to overpower your model. On the contrary, inside the barn the background is not stealing the viewer's attention but rather it directs it towards the model.

Always keep in mind that your choice of background never overshadows your main subject; your model.

Conflicting Messages

Have you ever tried to convey a message through your photos but the results said otherwise? One evening I received a call from a friend telling me that he had some great pictures that wanted to share with me. He said he had found this 'great' shooting location.

Upon seeing the photos I was terrified. The location looked more like a damping site than the country side he was trying to portrait. To be fair there was a beautiful pond surrounded by fantastic weeping willow trees, but the copious amount of damp scattered all over the area was a shame.

Do you sincerely thing that a glamorous shoot can be done in such a location? Such a situation could be termed as juxtaposition, meaning that the message conveyed would say that the model and the whole set is purely rubbish.

This kind of situation is observed in my magazines and newspapers, sometimes intentionally other times out of neglect or lack of knowledge. Keep your eyes wide open for these kinds of circumstances.

Conclusion

As you can see, in choosing the right background there is more than just colours, shapes and shades. It is a complex scenario in which conflicting details and complementary elements all play a part in your final product.

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Author: Michael Abela

Source: http://michaelabela.weebly.com/

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Implied Nudity - A Way to Create Tasteful Nude-Like Photos

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Another way to shoot nudity without actually a model having to pose nude, is termed as implied nudity. This is a very popular way of shooting nude-like photos without the model actually posing nude. The photo would imply that the model is nude yet not showing any private parts. This can also be a stepping stone for both photographers and models, who are interested to test the waters before plunging in nude photography.

As a photographer it is another way in which you can experiment and come up with some really interesting ideas. It is a means by which you can expand your portfolio. If you have never given it a thought, I encourage you to take in the following tips and put them in practice.

What to Wear Underneath?

The first question that most of you will ask is; what should the model put on for this type of photo shoot? In tackling this problem you want to see it from two different perspectives. You got to satisfy both the photographer's and model's needs.

The model should feel comfortable with what she is wearing, not too revealing yet giving enough space for the photographer to be able to work. Having said that, a model can always opt to work nude in which case the issue of what to wear underneath would be averted.

From a photographer's point of view, the smaller the clothing items the better. This will make it easier for you since it will not limit your creativity. Later on you will come to appreciate this more, since you will spend less time behind your computer, as less editing would be required. While shooting it is important to make sure, that at no point in time should the slightest clothing item be visible.

Ideal Clothing Items

Again it is up to one's choice, still there are certain clothing items that I feel are better than others.

As for the top part body I suggest that the model wears a small skin coloured boob tube. Since it does not have any straps you can incorporate the model's shoulders in your artistic photos with ease. Also you do not have to worry about skin marks normally associated with bra straps.

A skin coloured g-string is the best choice when it comes in choosing a bottom. It is very practical.

Props for Implied Nudity

If you are still not sure how you should go about it, I suggest you start by using some very basic, yet effective props.

A Hat

It is very effective when held against the breast.

A Towel

This can be used in various ways especially if it is a big towel.

A Bed Sheet

Again, the set ups are unlimited, particularly if the photo shoot is done in a bedroom.

An Umbrella

It can cover a large area and be used in various interesting scenarios.

One can easily say that the sky is the limit. If you have never tried out this type of photography I invite you to give it a second thought. You will be amazed by various themes and ideas you can come up with. Thinking outside the box is a sure way to fire up you imagination and go beyond the limit. Only by doing so you are guaranteed to produce original and impressive work.

Needless to say, being familiar with how to pose your models is a necessity for implied nude photography. You must be confident in knowing how to direct and manage your models so as to get the best results.

Posing Secrets - The Photographer's Essential Guide Vol.1  by Malcolm Boone is a unique and practical tool which will guide you step by step, in mastering the art of posing a model.  I strongly suggest that you give it a thorough look.  It is definitely worth the money!

Author: Michael Abela

Posted by: http://michaelabela.weebly.com

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Be a Photoshop Pro - One Click at a Time

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Photoshop is really on a rampage these days. From the average person to the corporate graphic design world, this application has been used widely and extensively. There are a lot of pictures being modified with cool Photoshop effects to create something spectacular that will keep the online world abuzz for days.



Julie Ordon

You can download and install the application to your computer, either by buying the full version or simply installing the trial version to get you started. There will be simple yet cool Photoshop effects you can start with such as devil eye modifications, bubble effect or creating water reflections. There will be entry-level visual effects you can add by playing around with the available tools within the application.

If you do not know where to start, there are available online tutorials that will help you manipulate the tools available to achieve cool Photoshop effects to your photos. You can browse them and follow their instructions on what options you need to click and adjust to achieve the effect on your photo. Most online tutorials will offer screenshots to guide you in the entire process. However, be careful with the version being used with the tutorials as they may be using older versions than the one you have.

The application is not only available for common folks but also to the professionals such as graphic artists, photojournalists and even web site designers. The professional world really entails a huge demand for more advanced Photoshop effects to create more graphically intensive scenes, backdrops or even texts on the design. Graphic design will be less difficult to materialize with the use of Photoshop. With the right tutorial to help you, you can put amazing and cool Photoshop effects to your design. One thing to note is that achieving these professional-level cool Photoshop effects on your design may entail more effort and time spent to perfect them.

Miranda Kerr

Even if you are not a graphic or web designer, you can still follow these online guides to help you create eye-popping details to your photos. There are tutorials that will help you create impressive photo effects, abstract watercolor effects and fantasy photo manipulation with specific themes. Some online tutorials even offer steps on how to manipulate your photos to have movie-like effects.

Photoshop can be very daunting in terms of the available tools and options you can tinker within the application. Familiarizing yourself with the available options and tools will do wonder for you as it will make it easier for you to add cool Photoshop effects on your design. With great courage and online tutorials to help you, you can master this great application in no time.

Author: Madrey Cattier

Posted by: http://michaelabela.weebly.com/

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Do you want to create fantastic and spectacular photos? If yes, I recommend taking a look at Trick Photography and Special Effects by Evan Sharboneau in order to boost and enhance you photos with outstanding special effects!

They Say a Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words - I Say It Can Also Be Worth a Thousand Dollars

by http://michaelabela.weebly.com/

Money can be simply earned through the use of stock photography agencies. Their aim is to represent a photographer and sell his photos through their company. The 'micro stock' domain of the agency deals with low price photography. These are generally web-based allowing quick uploads. The customer benefits by simply selecting and downloading the photo of interest in a matter of minutes. This is much appreciated in today's hectic world.

Candice Swanepoel

Create a Portfolio

The first step for a photographer wishing to make use of a micro stock agency is to create a portfolio. In order to do this correctly, you must be able to choose the most appropriate photos from your collection. Ideally, the photos should communicate a clear idea or concept to the customer, which would make the latter deem the photo as beneficial.

Be Aware of Anything Protected by Copyright

Your next task is to prepare the photos according to the micro stock website guidelines. Depending on the different requirements of each individual site, it is expected that you upload your photos in the correct format and resolution. At all costs, there cannot be any copyright material evident in your photos; all trade-marks, labels and logos must be removed.

Do Not Forget Those Model Release Forms

If needed, a Model Release Form signed by the person modeling in your photos must be enclosed. It is important to note, that though there might not always be an identifiable person in the photo, consent of the model to be photographed is necessary.

The micro stock agency's reviewers check hundreds of photos that are being submitted and will refuse to accept them if they go against any of the said guidelines.

The Importance of Key Wording



Reon Kadena

Getting exposure on the micro stock site is a must. Because competition is high and thousands of new photos are added weekly, it is crucial that your photos are key worded correctly. It serves you well in making an effort when choosing which keywords to insert with your photos because the keywords attract potential buyers. In turn, you will get a good rating and better sales. In other words, these keywords are vital to customers in finding the right pictures they are mostly interested in.


How Do You Get Your Money?

Once the hard work of compiling a good portfolio is completed, it is usually not before long that the small amount of money earned for each photo is multiplied by volume. The result can add up to a tremendous amount of money. Generally, as a photographer using an online micro stock agency, you will be paid when a predetermined amount is reached. The payment would then be received by means of a cheque or through the use of a PayPal account.

The Sky is The Limit

As your confidence gears up, you might wish to make use of more than one micro stock agency. This way you increase your chances in making more sales, thus making more money. Most of the sites are not exclusive, so there is no reason why you should refrain from doing so.

If you are still a novice and you do not know from where to start, I strongly suggest that you have a look at this incredible product - DigiCamCash A step by step guide on how to turn photos into cash!

Author: Michael Abela
Source: http://michaelabela.weebly.com/
Photo Source: http://www.listal.com/