Showing posts with label photography tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photography tips. Show all posts

22 February 2013

Bad news with Getty and IStock Photos



I was really disappointed with Getty and istock when I read this article.  It is a reminder to make sure that we read ALL of the fine print for stock photo and agency contracts.  Remember instagram?  Photographers beware.  We work hard to build up our photography portfolio costing us years and years in development, not to mention the prices of our equipment, gathering model release forms, archiving.  We cannot allow these agencies to take our work and sell them for pennies then drop us like we never existed.

No matter how hard it is for us to compete with the cell phone point and shooters, we must hold strong and keep our art at top value.

Reposted from PhotoStockNotes

Lauren Margolis: “Earlier last month, we learned that Getty agreed to license some 5,000 stock photos to Google, and paid the image creators a one-time fee of $12. Many members of the Microstockgroup forums planned to deactivate images on iStockphoto (a counterpart of Getty Images). 
Stock photographer Sean Locke - who has contributed more than 12,000 photos to iStockphoto and sold nearly 1 million licenses - criticized the deal early on and now Getty isterminating his account in 30 days.” http://blog.photoshelter.com/2013/02/istockphoto-terminates-top-contributor-in-aftermath-of-gettygoogle-deal/ 

TAKEAWAY: Photographer Locke has announced that he will migrate to other venues with his microstock photos. The dismissal of Locke (for expressing his opinion) turns out to be a hidden blessing for all microstockers. It’s a reminder that as a microstocker, you can simply migrate your photos from one site to another without missing a beat as they all (all millions of them) seem to come from the same catalog.

14 April 2012

Canon vs Nikon? Which Camera to Buy?


Susan Brannon
Entry Level Camera's

For starters, I use the Nikon.  Why?  Through the years, I have seen tons of images from friends, online, at exhibitions and after a while I noticed that the quality of images that I liked and choices of lens's was from a Nikon.  In the end, that is all that I purchase.  The newer Digital camera's have a nice feature that you can interchange the lens (of certain type) from a Nikon or a Canon

So, who am I go write an article on a Canon vs Nikon camera?  Well, in my work, I have had many clients in my workshops that have Canon's and I have had to become familiar with them.  Don't get me wrong here, they are nice camera's and take wonderful images.  I think that in the end, it really depends on your "style" and taste. 

Both the digital SRL Nikon and Canon cameras are "user friendly" easy to navigate and quick with the shutter speeds.  I have noticed that each type of Nikon or Canon, has a different interface.  It sounds like I am talking about computer's and software, which in reality, that is what these digital camera's are.  So, if you are not tech savvy, trying to decide on what camera to use can be a bit challenging. 

If you walk into a real camera store, you know the ones that only sell cameras and the equipment that go with them, not the Targets or other retail stores, the salesperson will sound like me.  He or she will gear you towards the camera of their choice.  This is why I say that it is a matter of taste, in the end.

Okay, so in reference to my last article, "Photography: Getting Started: What Camera to Buy?"  I will go into some more detail.  I don't want to overwhelm a new photographer, so I like to make things as simple as possible.  Nikon and Canon are always in competition with each other, when one company comes out with a new camera, the other company announces a camera that is competitive.

What a Nikon D3100 offers:        What a Canon T3 (1100D) offers:
cost: $550                                                $500
Megapixels:  12.2                                     14.2
Stabilization: In lens                               In lens
Memory Card: SD/SDHC/SDXC           SD/SHC/SDXC
Max. Shutter Speed:  1/4000                    1/4000
Max. Photo Capture:  3 per sec.                3 per sec.
ISO Range:  100 to 6400                        100 to 12800
Movie Modes:  Quicktime MOV               H.264
              1280 x 720p(30fps)                   1920x1080p; 1280 x 720; 640x424
LCD:  Static 2.7in                                  Static 3in
Viewfinder: Pentamirror (95%)               Pentamirror (95%)
Autofocus:  9 point                                 11 point
Face Detect AF: No                               Yes
Sensor Dimensions: 22.2 x 14.8              23.6 x 15.7
                   (1.6x crop)                         (1.5x crop)
HDMI Port: Yes                                   Yes
Live View:  Yes                                      Yes
Built in Flash: Yes                                Yes
Compatible Lenses: All Canon EF        Nikon AF-I and AF-S
           and EF-S
Demensions: 5.1 x 3.9x 3.07 in              4.9 x 3.8 x 3.0 in
            129.5 x 99 x 76 mm                124 x 96 x 75 mm
Weight:  17.46 oz (495g)                      17.8oz (505g)

You will notice that there is not much of a difference in the camera's.  The one difference is the Rebel T3 and the Nikon D3100 is that the Nikon D3100 is NOT 100% backwards-compatible with older Nikon lenses -  while the Rebel T3 works well with large number of Canon and third party lenses.

You can look at the "image quality" by searching for image reviews and view the image differences and see which ones you may like best.  In the end, a lot will be decided on how you intend to use the camera, and how you plan to upgrade.



Related Articles:
Photography: Getting Started

02 February 2012

Framing Your Subject: Quick Tips


Susan Brannon
There are various ways to "frame your subject"  Framing can help to draw the eyes through the image towards the subject.
Look for Items:
Search for items you can frame your subject with.  Ask yourself if you can use a tree, a slope, or a window frame. These items can be used to "frame your subject" for added quality to your image and help to draw the viewers eye into the subject.  You can look at the geometrics of the area.  For example, is there a line of bushes that lead towards your subject?  These are lines that lead or draw towards your subject and can have a powerful impact on your images.

Making Use of the Rule of Thirds

Described in a prior article, I discussed the use of the rule of thirds. By breaking up your frame into 9 equal boxes, you can place your subject matter in a more interesting location within the image.
Balance Your Image Elements
Look around and see if you have secondary elements to balance your image with while using the rule of thirds.

Now, go out and try it!
Related lessons:
Aperture and f/16 Rule
Shutter Speed Basics
Bracketing
Depth of Field
Focused Bracketing or Photo Stacking