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Self Expression through Nude Photography

You might hear people say that nude photography isn’t worth doing. They associate it with trashy, exploitative shoots or even pornography. But the truth of the matter is that these people are missing the point – there’s nothing ugly about the human body.

When done by a skilled photographer with the experience to make them work, images of our bodies in their most natural state is one of the most captivating art forms in existence. You shouldn’t let people who aren’t willing to take a second look at the beauty offered by the human body tell you there’s something wrong with it.

Nude photographs can be an expression of our own individuality, with nothing allowed to come between us and the rest of the world. There’s nothing to get in the way of expression of our true selves – not even clothing. That’s why, when done correctly, nude photos are some of the most personal images there are.

These kinds of pictures tell a story without words, and that story is about who lives in our bodies and what we’re really like under the clothing.

You don’t have to have a perfect body to take this kind of picture – after all, no one’s perfect. Media images are heavily retouched, and they hide the unique imperfections that make the model who he or she really is.

If you want to be sure you have an image that tells the entire story, you’ll need to think about nude photography. It doesn’t matter if it’s a series or just one image, or if you take photos along with someone special or just by yourself – this kind of imagery is powerful.

With nude photography, we have the ability to express our personality and our existence as sensual beings, without the interference of artificiality. These amazing photographs hide nothing.

Of course, the experience of making this kind of image is also a very special one, and you’ll need to be sure you have a photographer that makes you comfortable. This type of session is unique and personal, and you should never feel rushed, pushed, or otherwise made uncomfortable by your photographer.

Be sure you can find someone willing to work at the pace you need and in your comfort zones. They should only require you to show what you’re willing to, and should never push you without your permission.

Of course, a session that’s done without clothing doesn’t necessarily have to be seductive or sexual, though it certainly can be if you want it to. If you want some assistance in getting through shyness, however, make sure you talk about it to the photographer and anyone else involved to define the boundaries.

Nude photography is a unique experience in which we open our souls up to the camera and celebrate ourselves. No matter what you look like, how old or young you are, whether your skin is decorated or plain, you’ll be taking the most beautiful and true photos you can.

Celebrate yourself by contracting with an experienced photographer such as Viva Photo or a similar company to create this kind of image. It’s an experience like no other.

Tags: guide, naked, nude, photograph, Photographs, Photography   Posted in Photography

Adobe CS4 Details (Bridge, Photoshop, Release Date)

I came across an in-depth article that details a lot of information regarding Adobe CS4, mostly things about Photoshop CS4, Bridge CS4 and the launch date of the latest version of Adobe’s Creative Suite.

First of all, the launch is predicted to be around the time of Adobe Max, which takes place November 16th-19th in San Francisco. Typically Adobe Creative Suite product cycles are 18 months and since Adobe CS3 was released on April 16th, 2007 Adobe Max would mean 19 months since the last product release. Let’s look at some features that may or may not be included in Adobe CS4.

Adobe Photoshop CS4: Codename: Adobe Stonehenge CS4 Extended. Stonehenge is the splash screen. 1. The User-Interface is similar to CS3 however there are some minor polishes 2. Support for “Extensions” is listed under the “Window” menu 3. The extension manager is in every CS4 application 3. “Kuler” which is an Intranet color pallet collaboration tool for sharing color swatches with others on your team. 4. Support for Flash (more on this later)

Adobe Panel Configurator 1.0 (Alpha Version): 1. Allows you to create your own Photoshop toolboxes. 2. You can choose from over 860+ commands, tools and application features and from there create your own toolboxes that work in any CS4 application 3. Supports Actions and Scripts 4. Drag and drop text fields into toolboxes 5. Support for SWF and Quicktime video files in toolboxes 6. You can export the toolbar file and re-open it in any CS4 application.

CS4 Suite New Features: 1. Flash SWF support across all applications 2. You can play SWF files in any app 3. A tool is being developed for creating flash content without any coding experience

Adobe Bridge CS4: 1. New Interface (cleaner, more like Apple’s Leopard Finder) 2. Sidebar and search tool location are just like Mac OS Leopard 3. Folder navigation just like Windows Vista Explorer 4. Labels and star ratings are easier to access. 5. Filtered searches are now much faster even across thousands of images 6. List View in Bridge 7. Auto Photo Downloader to download photos from your camera is now easier and better than Bridge CS3 8. Improved slideshows. Spacebar starts slideshow (like quickview in leopard) 9. From Slideshow, just hit “r” and Adobe Camera Raw opens automatically. 10. Review Mode: (full screen review of photos) a. Just like a full screen version of Apple coverflow b. Loopt tool built in c. Open all photos and review photos and drop photos out of view that you don’t want and other stay in full screen d. Upon leaving review mode, photos you kept are now selected in bridge. Ones you dropped are still there but not selected. e. Ability to create photocollections from within review mode 11. Collections are just like Playlists in iTunes. Ability to group photos. Location of photo is not changed. 12. More sharing options a. Upload directly to FTP within Bridge b. Web gallery templates are easy and uses the same templates available in Lightroom 2 c. Ability to create flash galleries with a few clicks and upload instantly d. Uses the Opera engine to render galleries within Bridge e. Photoshop Web Gallery is going away and being replaced by Bridge Web Gallery 13. Bridge CS4 Menus (in order left to right) File – Edit – View – Sttacks – Label – Tools – Window – Help

Adobe CS4 Applications are exactly the same as CS3 but the text in the icons is black instead of white.

Tags: adobe photoshop, editing photos using photoshop, get photoshop, hobbies, internet, learn photoshop fast, Learn Photoshop now, learning photoshop, Photography, photogrpahy, Photoshop, photoshop guide, photoshop tutorials, software help   Posted in Photography

On Location Photography: Appreciating the Convenience

Photographs capture moments in time that we want to look back at later. Family photos are most valuable as the entire family is together at the same time. Getting the family ready for the event can be challenging if you have several young children. On location photography is a great service for the family with several young children. Imagine the following scene:

A young family is planning to have professional family photos made. They thought it would be nice to have a large family portrait to hang up, along with a nice package of photos to share with friends and relatives. So, they make an appointment with a local portrait studio on a day when there will be plenty of time to get 3 small children ready for the event.

The young couple scrambled to get everyone dressed and looking their best; the stress from the activity has given the 6-month old a nervous stomach; he keeps spitting up. Better take an extra outfit, just in case. On the way out to the car, the 2-1/2 year old trips and falls, getting grass stains on her dress. The oldest one is waiting by the car, actually, leaning on the car which should have been washed days ago! Dirt is smudged on his clothes. Oh well! Maybe the photographer can strategically pose everyone so the dirt doesn’t show in the pictures!

As Mom gets the children buckled into the car and they’re heading out, she realizes how this has already been an exhausting ordeal! They show up for their appointment and she feels like she has to repeat all the morning’s work again, fixing the children’s hair, straightening clothing, getting them to stay still until the photographer comes in. Oh, and the baby did manage to stain his clothing pretty bad; he will need a new outfit. To make matters worse, his face is red and blotchy from crying all morning.

See the picture? This beautiful, happy family, with their nerves wearing thin, is about to have professional photographs taken. What they thought would be such a great idea has turned into a nightmare. It sure would have been nice to just get everyone ready, once, and then have the photographer show up at their home to take the photos. No one would be stressed out, trying to get ready and get to the studio; therefore, the baby would have a much happier morning as well. Everyone would be more relaxed and the children won’t have had the chance to get dirty on the way to the car.

Too bad this family didn’t consider on location photography. The photographer brings everything that is needed to create studio quality professional photos. A family can have their own home as the background, or the photographer can bring special material to create different background.

On location photography is the best for recording weddings and special events like graduations, family reunions, parties and more. You just can’t beat the convenience of on-site photography, where the photographer comes to you, fully equipped with a traveling photo studio. It is so much easier for families with young children to have family photos taken right in their home; this way, they can easily include their pets too.

Tags: family memories, family photos, family records, friends, home, home and family, lifestyle, on location photography, on site photography, Photography, services   Posted in Photography

Resources – Hobby Ideas You Will Like

What is your favorite pastime? Hobby enthusiasts know that free time is not to be “spent”, but savored. If you have a past time that you enjoy, never look at his leisure in the same way again. If you are not sure what the last time your favorite hobby to you, here are some suggestions.

Many people listen to music as a hobby. There is much you can learn about all types of music. You can learn composers famous melodies, and all the performers in the past and the present. You can develop sophisticated tastes in jazz or classical music or to collect a wide variety of CD’s. Music is a great time hobby.

A lot of people love animals. Pets of all sorts can become your hobby. Perhaps you enjoy watching birds. If you have trouble finding them in the trees to watch, maybe you’d like to get a pair of canaries, a budgie, or a cockatiel. People who live in the country sometimes become interested in raising ornamental chickens, pigeons, or pheasants. It is very interesting to watch a mother bird take care of a nest of young chicks. Perhaps you can even raise some prize winners!

Dogs make a big hobby, too. Walking and enjoying a pet dog is one thing, but the breeding and raising show is another thing. Show dogs may require a bit of an investment, but many pups are free. There is also the aspect of training of a dog in obedience. Dogs love to give back to their owners, too, so that if you start a hobby of time spent caring for a dog, you will never be lonely. However, dogs require a bit of work and care, especially when it is forming, so keeping dogs is not for everyone.

Bicycles can be your hobby. Hobby cyclists are becoming increasingly common to see less traveled by bicycle along the highways up close and personal the campaign. Cycling requires a helmet and appropriate clothing, and a small tool kit for repairs side of the road. Or perhaps you do enjoy cycling on a smaller scale, simply taking pleasure walks with your family. The choice is yours.

The world is full of interesting things to learn and do. It is not limited to just sit and watch TV. Get involved in a past time hobby. It’s good for your mind. In fact, it could even prevent you go senile in his old age, if you stay active in a past time hobby. And it is a good example to our children and grandchildren if we spend our time doing something meaningful.

Tags: Collecting, hobbies, Photography   Posted in Photography

Restoring Old Photos Using Photoshop Elements

Often times people have older photographs in albums or frames that become damaged by the sun or wear and tear. It is easy to restore these cherished photographs thanks to the technology available through the computer and photo editing software, including Adobe Photoshop.

Photoshop Elements is an easy to learn program. Using Elements you have options that can help restore your photographs. One of these tools is the Dust and Scratch Filter which can be used to remove any marks, scratches and blots on your old photos. The Dust and Scratch Filter is found on the Menu Bar under the Filter Tab. A drop down menu lists your choices where you want to click on the Noise tab and then Dust and Scratches.

After selecting the Dust and Scratches menu, a pop up window will open with two control sliders. The first slider option is called the Radius and the other one is called the Threshold. You may also have another window open if the preview box is checked. Radius and threshold are the main options that are used in restoring the picture.

Adjusting the Radius slider removes any scratches. Please understand that overdoing it may make the edges blurred as well. If blurring does occur you can adjust the Threshold slider. This allows the details to return and makes the picture clearer. Also, be careful not to set the sliders too far or you will only create blotches on the picture.

To remove any marks on the photograph you will want to select only the part where the scratches are located, not the entire photograph. To select these areas you can use the Lasso tool.

Once the damaged areas are fixed you can use the feather tool to soften the edges of the selected area so that the fixed area will not be obvious on the picture. To use the feather tool you choose the Feather option and then the Scratch and Dust Filter. You may want to do the radius and threshold adjustment process again to get the correct texture and make sure all the scratches and marks are removed.

To finish the restoration process and make the photograph appear professional I recommend you crop the image to remove any rips or torn edges. You can also use the canvas to equally crop the image.

A person may add drama on the picture by adding a drop shadow on it. This will make the picture appear as if it has been lifted off the page. The color may also be removed using the controls Shift+Ctrl+U. He can then add color by putting a little amount of Sepia. He can do this with the Hue or Saturation tab. The contrast may be adjusted using the Levels option.

This is only one very easy way to remove blotches and marks on an old picture. It is also a good way to make the picture look new but still appear classical. It will be a pleasant and easy way to display pictures kept on old albums and cabinets for a long time.

Tags: adobe photoshop elements, free photoshop elements, free photoshop elements downloads, learn adobe photoshop elements, learn photoshop elements, Photography, photoshop elements, photoshop elements tuorials, photoshop elements videos, Recreation Sports   Posted in Photography

Taking Photos of Water

Water is a wonderful subject to photograph. Some people may think it is boring, but think again. Water is actually a very versatile subject. Here are some tips and suggestions for creating awesome water photos.

1. Plan a trip to the ocean. Sunrise and sunsets are beautiful over the ocean. Capture the different colors reflecting in the water. When there is a full moon, you can also get its reflection.

2. Moving water, such as rivers or waterfalls, can be shot with a fast or slow shutter speed depending on the effect you want. Film is exposed to light for a short amount of time with a fast shutter speed. Film is exposed to light for a long amount of time with a slow shutter speed. To create a blurred effect, use a slow shutter speed, and to freeze the water in motion, use a fast shutter speed.

3. Find reflections. What does the world look like in a puddle? Use reflections to create abstract images. Make sure you use at least an F11 stop to get the most detail (in focus).

4. If you are feeling adventurous, try underwater photography! It’s not likely you own an underwater camera, so just buy a disposable one. Your next vacation to the ocean will be a lot more fun if you can photograph the fish.

5. Don’t forget about mist, rainbows, clouds and snow! An important note to remember when photographing snow is that you will want to overexpose by one stop. So, if you are at F8, shot at F5.6.

6. Try using a polarizing filter. The filter will eliminate the reflection and make the water more transparent. When you look directly down on the water (from a bridge), you will eliminate the majority of the reflection.

When photographing water, the options are endless. You can find inspiring photos online, and then you are ready to go experiment.

Tags: digital camera, good photograph, photo, photograph, Photography, picture, pictures, Polaroid, snapshot, water, waves   Posted in Photography

Photoshop Elements for Photography Enthusiasts

Photoshop software is ideal if you want to retouch digital images, apply special effects to your images and will also help you prepare photographs for the web. If you need to resize images, add filters and styles, Adobe Photoshop is the software for you.

For the amateur photographer or the professional who is new to digital photography and computerized graphics, Photoshop Elements is easy to learn and comes with a low price tag and a host of creative tools that assist with manipulating and altering your images.

The brushes available in Photoshop give a massive choice for retouching images. Images are adjusted by painting with the brushes over the area you want to change. Red eye in a image can be removed in less that two minutes. Items can be removed from an image. For poor quality images there is a sharp tool to sharpen certain areas of an image.

In Elements you have the option of saving your images in any one of 15 types of file formats, giving you the possibility of creating images for a variety of different projects. This includes images for the web, for slideshows, and for many different forms of printing.

Photoshop elements also help you create images for the web easily. Most photographers at some time during their career will want to create a website, and with Photoshop, preparing images is simple. It also helps you to resize images that are being attached to an e-mail.

Creating a web gallery can be a lot of work but using Photoshop you can open a group of images, resize them, create a thumbnail gallery and create all the navigation HTML buttons for your site. It also creates a folder for your web files and saves it on your computer.

Photoshop Elements also contains a slide show, which is a very easy way of showcasing your images. Slideshow presentations are saved in PDF format making them easy to e-mail or download. To view a slideshow you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer.

Also included in Photoshop is a video frame capture tool. This allows you to capture any frame from a video and save it as a stand-alone image. Images created for frame capture can be edited the same as any standard image.

If you need to work on the color in your image Photoshop has a wide range of tools that will help. You can also turn your color images into black and white shots in less than five minutes. You can also work with filters to images to warm colors up or create different tones.

The most important feature of Photoshop is the Toolbox. The Toolbox contains all the editing tools that you need in order to burn, dodge, clone, blur, sharpen or smudge an image. This box also contains handy tools to crop and zoom in on an image.

There are many artists world wide who make a living by retouching images with advanced image software. Learning how to use Photoshop correctly will be a massive boast to your digital photography, and if you are a keen photographer it should become part of your digital darkroom.

Tags: adobe photoshop elements, elements, free photoshop, learn adobe photoshop elements, learn photoshop, Photography, photoshop elements, photoshop elements videos, tuorials   Posted in Photography