1. A Guide to Preparing Photographs for Print

    Digital technology has brought with it many advantages to photography. It is much easier to capture the perfect photo without worrying about how many more shots you can take. This does present a small issue. Only having the images confined to the computer just isn’t good enough.

    Whether it’s personal photos or for a client, we often want the best of our work as a physical print to display proudly in a photo frame or album. Now the solution isn’t as simple as clicking on the print button. You should prepare the photographs for print to get the best results.

    Monitor Calibration

    Before you do any kind of editing work, make sure you calibrate your computer monitor. This is an essential step to guarantee the colours you see on the screen will accurately translate when printing. There are hardware and software tools you can purchase to achieve accurate monitor calibration. Companies such as Datacolor and X-Rite make a range of display calibration devices to meet the needs of photography enthusiasts and professionals.

    With your monitor fully calibrated, you should also set up the right environment before you get to work on the images. Ensure there is sufficient lighting when viewing and editing any photos. If you are sending your photos to a lab for printing, ask them for advice on the colour profile you should be using.

    Photo Editing

    For most photos, no matter how perfectly you took the shot, some light editing will help improve the final print version. Some basic options to consider are the image size, resolution, file type and colour spacing. Image resolution is best left at the default value to retain as much of the detail as possible. Though, you may need to slightly crop an image to have the correct aspect ratio for printing on your chosen paper size.

    Sharpening the image can also improve the final look of the print. This should be done as the last step in the editing process. But don’t forget to zoom in to 100% to accurately see the results. Adjust the sharpening effect until you are happy with the final result.

    Some labs will also provide a soft-proofing profile. This allows you to see exactly what the image will look like once the lab prints it. Check the guidelines of the printing lab to make sure you give them correctly formatted images before uploading the files.

    Test Printing

    You’ve done all the hard work, but there’s one last thing to do before sending all the photos for printing. Any reputable lab will send you a few sample prints for free so you can check the final look of the prints. The last thing you want is to have a large number of photos printed, and then to notice a small problem that could have easily been fixed. This will also let you see what the different types of paper are like, before choosing one for the final printing.

    With just a little planning and preparation, you can make sure you get perfect looking photograph prints every single time.

    This is a post by Jamie from Digital Exposure whom specializes in product photography for advertising and commercial purposes.

  • The Impact of colours on photographs

    Some colours just launch themselves out of a photograph than others. The most powerful of all the hues is without a doubt red. Just a tiny splash of crimson in an image is enough to draw the eye. Using this trick to your advantage can have strong results. A red object such as a rose in the foreground of your composition can transform an otherwise uninspiring photograph into a great one.

    Red Poppy Field

    Red Poppy Field

    Others colours that are capable of this same effect are yellows and pinks. Often a subject works well in photographs because of the use of these vivid hues. Often an identical object in a more neutral colour will leave the image looking very ordinary and without a central feature.

    Luckily a photographer can deliberately seek out these colours and use them to create a composition. Even if it’s as simple as asking a model you are photographing to wear a pink scarf as opposed to a blue one.  Seek red objects to add to an image instead of a grey. Used well, this trick can add a strong focal point to your picture however you have to be careful to avoid detracting from the main focus of the shot if the focus is not the red/pink/yellow feature.

    This same rule works well when selecting a photograph to display such as print on canvas, or if you are buying artwork. You might experiment with a series of three images for example, with one being red and the other two less striking colours. The two, less vibrant panels will lead the eye to the central image causing a striking and memorable overall effect.

    Just as some colours, such as reds and yellows scream out to be noticed, others tend to recede into the distance. Blues and greens, for example, often appear to blend into the background.  Combining colours from these dominant and recessive groups can be a powerful way of adding more depth and drama to your pictures.

    Choosing Pairs of colours to create impact has to be done with care, there is always the danger that they will clash. The best effect is usually achieved by combining complementary colours. Pairing Red and Green is a potent combination, as is Orange and Blue, or purple and yellow.

    Unfortunately photographers can rarely be as fussy with the palettes as painters – it is usually simply just a case of noticing when two colours in a scene complement each other well and taking the photograph in such as way as to pair the two. The blues of the sea and the skye are often a useful backdrop as they provide a recessive, non-competing, and extensive backdrop against which to frame brightly coloured subjects.

    This article is brought o you by Blue Horizon Printing, experts in printing photographs onto canvas and transforming a good photo into a great work of art. http://bluehorizonprints.com.au .

    photos@bluehorizonprints.com.au or 1300 632 332.

  • Black & White Photography

    Amazing Eiffel Tower Paris photoThere is resurgence in the popularity of black and white photography. The crisp and clean tones with its patterns, shapes and lines appeal to many keen photographers, art lovers and home owners alike. Black and white goes back to the very origins of photography; it is honest and true to itself. No flashy jazzed up colors to get in the way and delude the eye. It’s art in all of its glory, plain and simple. From the deep dark richest blacks to the crisp clean clear whites, it tells a story that begs the eye to draw in closer and discover the real story beneath the surface.

    This is the way photography began in its true form before the invent of colour images. These prints with their moody grays and soulful off whites are a reminder of what a great print should look like. Before the gaudy mistress of colour came into the affray this is what photographers used to convey emotion and feelings. Nowadays we see a bright blue and white clouds and miss textures and emotions, light and the absence of light that this photo would have conveyed had it been in black and white.

    It has been said that there is something profoundly sexy about black and white photography that you just can’t get from colour. I firmly believe that this is true. Once you remove the color from a photo it is like stripping a scene down to the bare bones removing the layers and textures and leaving just the form.

    What exactly is Black & white photography?

    Early plates and films had limited sensitivity to longer (red) wavelengths of light and produce a certain interpretation of the subject, later films had a much more even response to colours  (panchromatic) that led to a different look altogether. The differing chemistry and manufacturing processes used by various manufacturers resulted in different films producing subtly different renditions of the same scene. These small nuances were often unique to particular manufacturers and gave great character to the finished work.

    It was however quickly discovered that adding a coloured filter in front of the lens caused a big change in the overall look of the image. An example would be that by adding a red filter to a photograph of the sky cut out some of the blue light while letting in the red component of the white light from the clouds. This resulted in the image displaying darker skies which added emphasis to the clouds giving them texture and depth. Other more complex uses of coloured filters allowed equally stunning changes to be made with the tones of human skin and flowers. Each photograph would vary depending on what film was used, what filters and where the image was developed.

    Six tips for taking great black and white photos

    Practise….  a lot!

    The art of taking a good black and white photo is to learn to see the world without colour. They have trained their mind to pick up contrast and tone while blocking out distracting colours around them. This isn’t a skill that you can pick up in a short amount of time and comes with a great deal of practice. One of the great things about digital photography is that you can take as many photos as you like then delete at will. Dont be afraid to experiment.

    Focus on the contrast

    Black & white photography is about the black, the white, and all the tones in between. The human eye is built to pick up two things: light intensity and color. When you remove the color, your eyes become much more sensitive to the intensity of the light. Our eyes naturally pick out areas of contrast; its how we determine what objects are. As a monochromatic photographer, your ultimate objective is to convey a point using shades of gray. Use contrast to demonstrate whats important and what not. Learn to seek out scenes that display signs of high contrast naturally, this way your black & white photos will be more compelling immediately.

    When processing a black & white image after it has been taken, the use of Photoshop techniques such as levels, curves, and layer blends give you a wide variety of output options. Photoshop will also let you add any filters that you would have ever dreamed if using with a camera before.

    Pay attention to the texture

    Texture is really just another form of contrast however it is perceived very differently. In reality texture is the regular or irregular (as the case maybe) pattern of shadows and highlights at various intensities. Black & white photography really lends itself to texture because colour generally adds another layer of complexity, therefore masking the most subtle textures. In black and white these distractions are stripped away. Art is all about textures and form.

    Capture the image in colour

    As mentioned earlier, many cameras allow shooting in black and white however If your camera gives you the option of shooting in color or black & white, however you should always avoid this as you are losing a great deal of what black and white photography is all about. The camera is really capturing colour, then converting it into black & white. Photoshop (or similar) can do a much better job of this colour conversion, in addition to adding a great deal more flexibility on the output of the final image. Its astonishing how different a photo can look solely based on the post-processing phase; therefore it makes sense not to limit you before the photo even makes it out of the camera.

    Use colour filters

    Black & white film photographers make use of colour filters to change the tones in their photographs. Most black and white images that you see have used filters to achieve effects such as a dark sky with puffy white clouds.

    Although decreasingly common, using a colour filter with a digital camera is perfectly acceptable and at times has definite benefits however it is no longer necessary. Digital software such as Photoshop has the ability to apply non-destructive color filters. These filters will produce the same filter effect with as click of a few buttons. Isnt technology great!

    Ben Burnes is an independent writer for Blue Horizon Printing, specialists in printing photos on canvas. Premium quality canvas prints at unbeatable prices. http://bluehorizonprints.com.au/ .

    Photos on Canvas Perth, Paddington, New Farm, West End, Mt Gravatt, Holland Park, Wishart Springwoord and Daisy Hill, Canvas prints. We deliver to all of Australia…FAST.

  • How to Take Panoramic Photographs

    Remember the breath-taking view that you saw from the edge of the cliff on your last visit to the mountains? How much you had wanted to capture that, but your digital camera would only click a small part of it that was not even close to the real thing.

    Panoramic photography is meant for a similar situation, where you would want to join together different photographs to create an effect close to the real thing or even a tad better. A panoramic photo not only captures the view in front of you, but also the peripheral areas.

    Alpine Lake smA panoramic photograph can be taller or wider than a normal picture and can be created by stitching together different images above or on sides of each other.

    Although, a number of modern cameras have in-built panorama feature, most of such pictures are created in the traditional way by sticking together different photos with the help of computer software.

    While taking pictures that will be used to create a panoramic image, remember to tilt your camera a little after every shot to overlap atleast 25% of the area from the previous image. If possible, place a noticeable item in the overlapping area of the pictures for easy covering.

    Camera mounted on a tripod is highly advisable as it will help keep the camera stable and at the same height throughout the process. If you do not have a tripod, you can still take the photo by keeping your body at the same level as you rotate. Remember to shoot a number of images and choose the best while creating a panoramic photo.

    Avoid taking pictures of areas with too much movement such as a tree swaying in the breeze or a flock of birds flying over a wide area.

    Give your image the desired depth by using changes in light to your advantage. Avoid clicking pictures when the sun is at its brightest.

    Capture each image with the same camera exposure and other settings to avoid visible differences. Using filters is also a good option to modify colour and lighting.

    To create a panoramic photo, you will need to download pictures from your digital camera onto your computer. It is better to take photographs at high resolution, which will allow you to have more control over the final output. Use a photo editing software to join the photographs by placing one over the other and the save the resulting image.

    Tip: The most important thing to remember while creating a panoramic photograph is that you are using a photograph to display the abundant bounties of Mother Nature and should do it in a way that onlookers should admire and want to discover the hidden details in the picture.

    About the author

    Mark Phillips works from Blue Horizon printing, based in Sydney, they are specialists in printing photos on canvas and selling a massive variety of canvas prints. Visit them at www.bluehorizonprinting.com.au or call on 1300 632 332 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1300 632 332 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

  • Tips to click water drop photograph

    Water drop images are rather easy to click and they look superb. These photographs of still water drops splash in the water, or on the way in the water are easy to click. Such photographs are not at all difficult to get as long you can have the patience, and right tricks to follow. So let us look at few basic ideas for creating these images. http://www.bluehorizonprints.com.au/wall-art-online

    Introduction There are actually three types of high speed photography, water drop, insects and birds in flight. The insects and birds require special skills but the water photography does not require any special kits. You just simply need the body of camera, a lens which would allow you to take close up, tripod, a colored background, and flashgun: which would be very effective to use.

    Get started So first you have to think what would be the lay out. The camera must be placed where the drop of the water would be dropped. Then lay the background. Flash needs to be placed at the right side of the place the drop would drop and facing on a background. The flash will rebound of a background and it would give a good color which would depend on the color of the background also it would give attractive reflection.

    Click the photos Then, you should create a little hole by a pin in the base of a bag. It would help you to build a stable flow of water and if you want the flow to be faster than you can actually make a bigger whole. But do remember that you have to fill your plastic bag with the water before making a hole. After this you can switch on your camera at manual focus. Set the manual mode of the camera at 1/60s, f/22. Also ensure that you are working in the dark also, as this would help you to improve the colors and your flash would also work in a better manner. Remember there should be a continuous flow. Just grip down a shutter for 7 shots, you can than have a look and can repeat the process as many times.

    How would you achieve the drops in colliding? Well this would come with the hole in your plastic bag, if you create the hole of the right size while experimenting; you will finally get the rapid flow of the drops. It is kind of miss and hit; you have to be patient enough, so if you are clicking 500 shots, then just expect the only 5 would come good.

    About the author: Arvind Sharma is an amateur wild life photographer. He is associated with Pixpa – an photography portfolio website solution provider which provides portfolio website for photographers.

    This article was brought to you by Blue Horizon Printing. Photos  on canvas Sydney, Photos on canvas  Melbourne, Photos on canvas Adelaide, Photos  on canvas  Brisbane, Photos  on canvas  Tasmania, Photos  on canvas  Canberra, Photos  on canvas  Darwin.www.bluehorizonprints.com.au

  • How to photograph small items like glass, beads and jewelry

    decorative-jarsThe small items like glass, jewelry and beads are quite tough to Photograph. These items are quite small and highly reflective, so just pointing the camera and clicking a photo would result in bad results. People see lots of images in a day so you just need to create a photo which people would notice.

    Most of the times pictures fail as they fail to initiate an emotional reaction with viewer. Use various things to create your picture best therefore when people see your image they should be impressed and your photo should leave some impact on them. So let’s see some tips which would help us to click photos better especially small items.

    Lighting The main secret of a good Photograph lies in the lighting and the set up. Create the effect of dramatic lighting. The effect can be achieved by the direct lights angle to raise the essential parts of the jewelry. Normally the jewelry is reflective that if you would use the direct lights than you will get the black reflections. Gemstones, polished gold and diamonds normally reflect 100 % of light. You need the soft lighting to mold a form which gives an illusion of 3d and depth. This can be done by just using the soft boxes or light tents to filter the studio lights. This approach would help to create your model good. Pearl necklace is the one special case where we can have a best shot by just using the source of single light. This would help to give a spherical nature. If you want to create more impact than the soft light can be combined with the directed hard lighting. Different usage of backgrounds can also provide you silver and black reflections.

    Glass photography Taking the good pictures of glass objects could be intimidating. Though, there are few simple techniques which would help the photographers to get the impressive results with fewer efforts. You just need light tent, light panel and studio lights. The light panel should be placed under the glass piece. To create the backdrop for a glass, we need a good background. Use the light tents of different sizes. Also make use of graduated background.

    Beads and necklace Here it is essential to use the spot focus, so you need a tripod and the light tent. Putting a light panel would help you to lighting the interior of beads. The basic keys to a good photography for small objects are exposure, lighting and focus.

    About the author:

    Avind sharma is an amateur wild life photographer. He is associated with Pixpa – an photography portfolio website solution provider which provides portfolio website for photographers.

    Article brought to you bu Blue Horizon Printing prints premium quality photos on canvas for a large number of Photographers in and around Australia and New Zealand. www.BlueHorizonPrinting.com

  • Selecting a Wedding Photographer

    Wedding photography prices vary widely, and couples can be forgiven for being confused and bamboozled by the offerings.  If you are on a budget, be realistic about what you expect.  Rather than going for an inexperienced photographer, or getting a friend to shoot your wedding, perhaps you might be better off still booking that professional, but taking fewer options, booking for less time, or investing in the entry level album.

    When trying to decide on your wedding photographer, ask yourself the following:

    1. What do you want for your wedding coverage?  Do you require the photographer to be there for the bridal preparations?Do you want the first dance captured? Speeches?  Family groupings? If so, you are probably looking at least 7 hours commitment from your photographer.
    2. What do you want to do with your photographs?  If you simply want some nice enlargements for the wall, it seems silly to book a photographer who will capture your mother putting on your veil.It is unlikely that you will select this image as a lasting reminder of your day.
    3. Would you like a wedding album?  An album is a particularly special reminder of your day.  Many brides remark to me that they think it will be just left in a drawer.  Well, yes, that’s likely the case.  Left in a drawer, and pulled out on those special times you want to sit back and remember your day.  Or when your children want to learn about their parents and their life before they were born.  Or, when you are gone, when THEIR children are making sense of their family history, where they come from, where they fit in. The album is a lasting reminder of your family ties and bonds.  And when it begins with preparation images, and ends with the bride and groom exiting, it beautifully conveys the day in a story fashion, with style.  If you are considering an album, never skimp on your photographer’s time.  An album that only contains a handful of images does not reflect your wedding day as it was.
    4. Do you require digital negatives? Please bear in mind that when you are granted the rights to print the digital files, you are granted a limited personal license, and it is unlawful to modify or alter these images in any way. Many photographers will offer discount services which include a couple of hours coverage and the files on disk.  You need to be very clear what you are getting with this service. Will the files be corrected for colour?  Will there be full Photoshop edits done on them to remove distracting backgrounds and enhance the images or are they straight out of the camera? Some photographers will charge higher for the digital files and will take the time to fully edit the images to a print ready stage.  This is a time consuming task, and they will be priced accordingly, but will be much better value than straight out of the camera images that you are prevented from altering.
    5. How will your images be archived and protected?It’s a known fact that images on disk have a very limited life span compared to print items, and most couples simply don’t have the backup systems on their personal computers to ensure that the images will be protected long term.  As your photographers what sort of archival processes they offer.  Will your images be available for some time?  Are they removed from the system after a certain date?
    6. How experienced is your photographer?  In this digital era there are many people who own an SLR camera, and many of them who also go into business. But just as owning an oven does not make you a chef, simply having a camera does not make them a photographer. By the same token, there are many people with talent who have no formal training and do a wonderful job.  Don’t select someone who will simply record your day if you value beautiful, well-composed portraits.
    7. Does their style suit you?  Photography is an art form, and like all artists, a good photographer will have developed a strong personal style.  Does this style suit you? Des their work speak to you on a personal and emotional level?
    8. Finally, how do they present. The photographer’s job on your wedding day is much more important than you may think. The photographer is responsible for making sure everyone is on time, and for making snap judgments to alter the plans if that timing is thrown out.  A good photographer will know exactly what you require, and will work out a schedule of shooting to ensure it can all be achieved.  Photographers also need to make you feel relaxed, and to ensure that the time you spend away from your guests for your wedding photos is enjoyable, and a special part of your day.  You need to gel with them, and feel you can put your trust in them.

    As with everything to do with wedding planning, there is a lot to consider.  You will need to weigh up your preferences against your budget and decide what you are prepared to compromise on, if anything.  A bad wedding photographer is a waste of money, no matter how inexpensive they are, so make sure you are really getting what you want; this day can’t be redone.

    About te author:

    Janine Guidera is a wedding photographer based in Perth, Western Australia. Janine also conducts engagement sessions, bridal boudoir and trash the dress sessions.   Her work can be seen at www.figmentsweddings.com.au

  • How to Take an Excellent Landscape Photo

    http://www.bluehorizonprints.com.au/photos-on-canvas-sydney

    Landscape photography has an amazing ability to teleport its viewers to another place without them actually going anywhere. Anyone with a camera has the ability to take a landscape photo, but to take a truly compelling photo is an art form that can be learned. Nearly every great landscape photo will have common elements. For example, they all have some sort of framing, something to focus on in the foreground and will usually comply with the rule of thirds. Following these simple rules will help you to be able to take a great photo worth printing onto a stretched canvas.

    Foreground Elements

    To show the true depths of a landscape photo it is necessary to include some kind of foreground element. Without a focal point in the foreground is impossible for the viewer to distinguish different sizes and distances. This is because everything will look closer to the camera and flat. The foreground element will help your photos look much better and help prevent them from being dull and boring.

    Almost anything can be used successfully to complement the foreground of your landscape photo. As you would imagine, some things work better than others. For example, you could use something like a boat sitting on a beach as a foreground element. Or perhaps something as simple as long grass with open fields as the background.

    It is possible to make your photos more compelling by having a foreground that does not fit the background. As an example, you may have trees in the foreground with skyscrapers in the background.

    Framing Elements

    Framing is an excellent tactic that can add something extra to your photo. This is done through the use of anything such as a window, doorway, or even trees. A great example would be something such as tree branches pointing out over the landscape or long grass bent over as a tiger moves through it. The use of framing elements will often add extra meaning to the subject at hand by creating more focus on the main point.

    A common error that surfaces with framing is overcooking the focus on the framing element itself. When using this technique, be sure to focus on your main subject.

    The Rule of Thirds

    The rule of thirds is commonly used by amateur and professional photographers alike. Photographers who make good use of his rule will often create fantastic landscape photos. To use the rule of thirds, you need to divide the frame into three vertical and three horizontal sections. Where the lines intersect is a great place for the important parts of your photo. Generally, only one third of your photo should be horizon or foreground. The rule of thirds is quite handy for a landscape photographer as it can help them to determine how much of the photo they are actually using for each part.

    Although implementing the above strategies can take some practice, they can also help you to create some absolutely stunning landscape photos. With time and practice you’ll be able to use the aforementioned strategies without even thinking about it.

    Ben Campbells picssmall 041

  • Learn Digital Photography: Tips to Improve Your Photos

    11Dec08-57s

    Article on canvas prints and photography by Blue Horizon Prints:

    With the modern day circulation of digital cameras, photography is an art form practised by many thousands of people around the world, from amateurs to professionals. However, photography really is an art form and there is a big difference between capturing an image and creating a superb piece of artwork. A little bit of knowledge in the area of lighting and composition will have you capturing a perfect image in no time.

    Focal Point

    Every photo needs a good focal point. Without this a photograph will be dull, uninteresting and turn a viewer away very quickly. You need to be able to draw an onlookers attention and hold it. The goal is to draw their eye into the photograph. With photography, your subject is your god. Without a subject to photograph, is like holding a wedding without a bride.

    Distance Is the Enemy

    It can never hurt to get a little closer. Move closer with your feet first if you can. If this is impossible you can use your zoom. Getting closer to your subject can greatly increase the impact of a photograph. Most photographers, particularly amateurs, tend to leave too much distance between them and are subject. In the end the photo can include too much clutter.

    Diagonals Create a More Dynamic Image

    A good idea to help create a dynamic image is to include something like a pathway or fence. Such objects usually tend to lead a viewers eye to another point somewhere in the image. When doing this it is best to use something that disappears in the distance rather than having it cut short at the edge of your photograph. This process is great to add an extra dimension to your photos and will help improve their quality.

    Use Natural Light

    A flash is not the answer for all of your lighting problems. A flash should only be used when there is not enough natural light. Natural light is of a far greater quality than the light produced from a flash. On this, you should always seek the natural light where you can. Perhaps take photographs near a bright window when inside. Overcast days are by far the best for photography. In such weather the clouds can act like a diffuser providing you with even and natural light.

    Light Direction Matters

    In most cases it is best to keep the light shining from behind the camera. Taking photos of the light coming straight at the camera can be a challenge and one needs to understand lighting to use it to their advantage. Also shadows can be a good thing. Light coming from the side can be good to add character to an otherwise flat image. When taking photographs you should always be aware of where the light is coming from whether you are indoors or outdoors.

    The above techniques can be used to improve any photo. These are only a few of the basic principles of photography and will provide you with fantastic results almost immediately. My suggestion is that you experiment with different photographic techniques and you will soon discover what works and what doesn’t.

    Blue Horizon Prints offers a great range of unique canvas art and canvas prints Sydney.