Posted November 15th, 2008
by SFXsource
by SFXsource
Close-up photography is also known as macro photography. If your subject is small, you are able to photograph the small details by getting closer. Macro lenses are 1:1 (”life size”). This means that the image of your subject is the same size in real life. Listed below are macro photography tips to help you get started.
1. The first thing you will want to do is research the type of equipment you want. Experiment using the following: a macro filter, close-up lens, a telephoto extender, or a bellows attachment. For those of you just beginning, you may just want to invest in a macro filter.
2. In macro photography, it is important to know that the depth of field is different. Choose a high f-stop number such as an F16 or F22 (small aperture). Most of what is in the background will not be in focus.
3. Be careful when focusing your subject, because if you are not, the part you want to be in focus will end up blurry. Except under bright lighting conditions, you will probably use a slow shutter speed.
4. Lighting is another important aspect. Because you will be very close to your subject, there must be sufficient light between your lens and your subject. Ring flashes can be used to avoid this problem.
5. High film speeds will allow you to increase your shutter speed, since you will be using a slow shutter speed. It is recommended to stay at ISO200 or lower.
6. Have fun photographing a number of different subjects. Be aware of the shape and texture. Keep in mind composition as well as colors in the background.
You can experiment with light balance, use a diffuser, or use a tripod. Take your time with macro photography, and always have fun. Flowers and bugs are great subjects.
About the Author:
SFXsource publishes articles on a wide array of interesting subjects, hosts a sound effects library at
Sound Effects and offers vast amounts of royalty free production music which can be heard at
Royalty Free Music
Tags: art, Cameras, graphic arts, graphics, hobbies, macro, media, multimedia, nature, photographers, Photography, photos Posted in Photography
Posted November 10th, 2008
by SFXsource
by SFXsource
Though color photography is quite common, black and white photography is often a great choice for exploring your creativity. This article lists quick tips for black and white photography.
1. You can choose from different formats (different film sizes): 35mm (1″ x 1″), medium format- 120 (2″ x 2 “), and large format (4″ x 5″). Usually, beginning photographers will start off on a 35mm SLR (single-len reflex) camera. This camera allows the photographer to view and focus on the subject directly though the lens.
2. There are different film speeds for different situations; film speeds are rated by an ASA (American Standards Association) number. For brightly lit subjects, a slow film such as 32 ASA is used; slow film produces fine grain negatives. Outdoor photographers will typically use a medium film speed such as 125 ASA, and that produces medium grain negatives. A fast film speed, such as 400 ASA is best for indoor use, and produces coarse grain negatives.
3. The aperture is adjusted to control the amount of light entering the lens. F-stop is a measurement of the size of the lens opening. A smaller F-stop number is a bigger opening and allows more light to reach the film. A larger F-stop number decreases the amount of light that reaches the film. The following is a typical F-stop range: 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22.
4. Focal length is a measure of the lens size, measured in mm. For a lens with a longer focal length, the angle of view is narrower. A short focal length has a wider angle of view. The following are lens types and their focal lengths: normal (50mm), wide angle (21-35mm), and telephoto (105-300mm).
5. Shutter speed refers to the length of time the film is exposed to light. A fast shutter speed means the length of exposure time is short. A slow shutter speed means the length of exposure time is long. Shutter speeds: B, T, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500, 1000. Shutter speed time can be better understood if you place a 1 over the number to turn it into a fraction. When you place a 1 over the 2, that means the shutter speed is a second.
6. The B stands for bulb, and the T stands for time. Bulb means that the shutter will stay open for the amount of time you are pressing the button down. Time will keep the shutter open until you press the button again.
About the Author:
SFXsource writes articles on a variety of interesting subjects, hosts a sound library here,
Sound Effects and hosts vast amounts of royalty free production music which can be heard here,
Music-Royalty Free
Tags: art, Black and White Photography, Cameras, graphic arts, graphics, hobbies, media, multimedia, photographers, Photography, photos Posted in Black and White Photography
