Photos and Slideshows

This post offers a number of techniques (selective focus, light and shadows, lines, and texture) which you can use to create abstract images. Each one of these techniques may be used with many different types of subject matter. The goal is to understand the techniques then apply them to whatever subject matter is discovered that will create impressive abstract images.


Selective Focus


Selective focus is one of the most common techniques employed when making abstract images. To apply this technique, a large aperture is needed to produce a very narrow depth of field. The camera is then focused on the center of interest of the image. Everything else is going to be out of focus.


When using selective focus, there are a couple of ways that the technique can be made more effective. First, the color of the background should be different than the center of interest. This will make the center of interest get noticed. Second, curves enable you to help direct the viewer's attention to the center of interest.


Light and Shadows


Using the interplay of light and shadows can create drama within an image. Many photographers have a tendency to think only in terms of light. This can be a mistake -- for light is nothing without shadows. Shadows are not simply a dim mass that borders the light. Instead, shadows are an entity as alive as the light. It is the shadows that shape the light, that bring attention to the light, and that integrate with the light to make striking photographic opportunities. This is particularly true with abstract images.


When using this technique, the primary purpose of the shadows is to enhance the forms within an image. As a result, for this technique to achieve success, it's important to start with quite interesting or remarkable forms.


One more thing to note with this technique is the fact that it usually is most effective if the shadows are fairly dark. This creates the contrast that brings drama to an image.


Lines


Lines can be very effectively employed in abstract images. For this technique to work, the lines must be the principal characteristic of the subject matter. You might say, the lines pretty much become the center of interest.


The lines need to be either graceful or dynamic. Additionally, all the lines must work in harmony. Just having a lot of aimless lines going in every which direction is not going to work.


One last point is that, when utilizing lines in this manner, it is almost always best not to have very strong, saturated, or contrasting colors in the image because this can detract from the lines and weaken the image.


Texture


A technique that is very similar to the use of lines is the use of texture. In actual fact, texture and lines are often used jointly. To be used successfully, the texture should be one of the most dominant characteristics of the subject matter. Furthermore, the texture must work in harmony with any lines that are present.


As when using lines, it is almost always best not to have very strong, saturated, or contrasting colors in the image in order to avoid having the colors detract from the texture.


Synopsis


With these four techniques, you have a nice beginning on creating some fascinating abstract photos. On the other hand, there is a lot more to learn about Abstract Photography.

Four great techniques for creating abstract images are presented in this article: blur, zooming in, partial image, and Photoshop filters. When the techniques have been mastered, they can be applied to various subject matter to produce great abstract images.


Blur


The deliberate blurring of objects can create very interesting images. Dreamy or romantic images work best with this technique Therefore, it is important to select the subject matter carefully.


This technique can be done in a number of ways. Soft focus lenses produce soft images. An alternative is to attach a soft focus filter to a regular lens. If you would prefer to save some money, panty hose stretched over the front of a lens also works. Of course, the blur can always be added during image editing with Photoshop (or any other editing software).


As a last comment on this technique, deliberately blurred images often print best on matte paper. Matte paper produces a softer, gentler image than glossy or luster papers.


Zooming In


This next technique requires a zoom lens. A long shutter speed is used, and the focal length of the zoom lens is changed during the exposure. Generally, it is best to start at a wider angle and zoom into a narrower angle.


There are a few important points with this technique. A tripod is a necessity. Otherwise, there will be blurring caused by camera movement during the exposure. A strong center of interest is required. Without a strong center of interest, the image just ends up being a blur of lines with nothing to grab the viewer's attention. A contrast of tone or color between the center of interest and the background is necessary. This contrast makes the center of interest stand out. Last, this is a trial and error technique. It requires many images to be shot in order to produce one outstanding image.


Partial Object


With the partial object technique, the entire object is not photographed. Rather, the image focuses on just a part of an object. This technique depends heavily on form, color, and lines. The use of lines tends to be particularly important.


Photoshop Filters


Abstract images can also be created during image editing. An easy way to do this is to use Photoshop's filters. Photoshop has many filters that can be found in the Filter menu. The key here is to try different filters until one is found that produces an interesting abstract image.


One thing to keep in mind is that abstract images created during editing often look best when printed on matte paper.


Summary


Each of these techniques can create great abstract images. Now, all you have to do is grab your camera and try them out. While these four techniques are a good start, there is a lot more to learn about Abstract Photography.

Inexpensive digital cameras make it easy and affordable for anyone to become a good photographer. Unfortunately, it takes more than a camera, even a good camera, to take high quality pictures. You must also educate yourself on the proper use of digital cameras.

Photography is an art form. It takes a certain way of looking at things to be able to take pictures that are truly impressive and rise above the ordinary. Fortunately, this can be learned and the skills get better with practice.

Let's begin by analyzing some common mistakes people make when taking digital pictures.

Not Knowing Your Camera

Your camera's manual is a valuable resource. Using it will help you to get the most from your camera's features.

Not Using a Tripod

Tripods help you to achieve sharper pictures, even in low light conditions. It's well worth the extra time and effort. You may not always be able to use a tripod, but it can greatly improve your results when this is possible.

Not Allowing Enough Time for the Camera to Focus

Digital cameras need some time to focus properly and to get the right exposure. Depending on the situation and camera, this could take a fraction of a second to several seconds. Get in the habit of accounting for this when taking pictures. A little patience goes a long way in improving your photographs.

Relying too Much on Zoom

Zoom is a great feature, but it does make the picture grainier, so it's preferable to get closer to the subject then to rely too much on zoom. Of course, keep safety in mind, too. A grainy picture is preferable to entering an unsafe situation.

Relying too Much on the Flash

Natural light generally provides the best pictures. Flash can make pictures look harsh and unnatural, so it's preferable to use natural light as much as possible.

Not Taking Enough Pictures

A digital camera with a good memory card can easily store many hundreds of pictures. This makes it easy to experiment. Try many different angles and compositions and simply delete the pictures you don't like.

Always Putting the Subject in the Exact Center

Pictures like this can get boring. Learn the rule of thirds in composition and you will achieve better, more interesting photographs.

Forgetting to Check the Horizon

If you can see the horizon, make sure its horizontal in the picture. This can be a good way to level your shots.

Selecting a Low Resolution Setting

It's generally not necessary to select a low resolution setting on your camera. It's better to buy additional memory for your camera than to rely on a low resolution setting just to save memory space. Digital memory keeps getting cheaper and it's a good investment for photographers.

Trying to Include too Much

Don't try to cram too many objects and or people into one picture. Pictures are usually more effective when they focus on a single subject. Simplicity is often better than unnecessary complexity.

Not Using the Camera

You never know when you will get a good opportunity to take some great pictures, so make a habit of always having your digital camera with you.

If you have a digital camera and enjoy taking pictures, chances are you have thought about making some extra cash with your photos. Digital photography is a hobby that is becoming more and more popular, as most people today have a digital camera in their home. If you just have a little bit of creativity digital photography can turn into a money making business. There are several different ways that you can use your camera to make money.


All it takes is a little imagination, a flair for showmanship, a bit of salesmanship and the willingness to do some work - and you are set.


If you are a digital photography hobbyist, the chances are good that you already have the equipment you need to get started. The first thing that you are going to need for this is a digital camera with features similar to those of a SLR film camera, along with a tripod for some occasions. You will also need an excellent printer or printing service.


You will also need good digital photo editing software. The best applications that you can use are Adobe Photoshop CS3, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Corel Paint Shop Pro X, and Adobe Photoshop Elemts 5.


You might want to invest a few hundred dollars in these programs if you want to get off to an excellent start.


Before we move on, this is a good time to clear up one misconception. Many people believe it's impossible to make money at photography these days. They explain that almost every person has a digital camera or a camera phone. Most people think that no one will pay for pictures when people can take their own pictures.


The answer is simple. The fact of the matter is that everyone has some sort of camera. However, how many people can really use them?


If you look closely at the pictures that most people take, you will see what I mean. Let's be honest. They're horrible. There are usually motion blur pictures from holding the camera the wrong way. bad color or lighting, Akwardly positioned objects. No composition skills. There are shadows on the subject of the picture. Even those people that know how to use photo editing software may need help when it comes to taking amazing pictures. You can only do so much with correcting a bad photograph.


What do you think is going to happen when these people try and print their photos. Undoubtedly, you?ve seen some of these images. The prints have poor resolution. This happens when the photographer had no idea how to adjust the camera settings to produce printable photos.


This is where you come in. Use your extensive digital photography skills to work up a few samples that you can show to potential customers and reel them in.


Maybe you do not think this is likely. I attended a birthday party recently and I am going to tell you about it. The hostess hired an amateur photographer who was striking out to start her own business, much like you are.


Almost everyone at the party brought their own digital cameras - but once the party got rolling, who remembered to take pictures? Those of us who did take snapshots were poorly positioned and usually couldn't get a good view of the scene.


The photographer received payment for her services. She then uploaded the pictures to her own website. Party-goers received the link by email. The photos were then downloaded, printed, or saved to the computer of those that attended the party.


This photographer had a good gig, since she didn't even have to bother with printing and delivering the work, although she received generous pay.


Pretty awesome, huh?


You can do this too. So, learn all you can about photography and photo editing, create a marketing plan, and get out there!

Digital photography is quickly becoming the preferred method of taking pictures for both amateurs and professionals. This popularity is a result of the fact that digital photography has numerous advantages over traditional photography for most people.

Reduced Expense

Generally, digital photography is far less expensive than traditional photography, in the long run. Digital photos are recorded electronically in a digital format so they can be downloaded directly to your computer. This allows you to avoid the repeated costs of buying film and photo developing. You can also send unlimited electronic copies of these pictures by email at no extra cost.

Speed

Most digital cameras allow you to see your pictures right away. This is immensely satisfying and provides immediate feedback on your photography techniques. You no longer have to wait until you use all of your film and then get your pictures developed before finding out if they even turned out. This is especially valuable for capturing precious family moments that you can send right away to friends and relatives.

Editing

Most digital cameras have easy to use, built in editing features. You can easily crop and center the picture or sharpen the image to produce a picture that's worthy of printing. If you buy inexpensive photo editing software, you can do much more with your digital photos including applying special effects.

Convenience

You can avoid the hassles of running out of film, because even a small memory card for a digital camera can easily store many hundreds of pictures. There's no need to ration your pictures. You can easily take several and just delete the ones you don't like.

It's not surprising that digital photography is becoming so popular. Digital cameras and digital memory are becoming so inexpensive that it makes it pretty easy to get started with digital photography. Even an inexpensive digital camera can often produce good results in the hands of a beginner. You can always invest in more expensive equipment after you become more experienced.

Digital cameras come in a wide variety of different sizes, shapes and colors. Features and quality also vary greatly form one model to the next. It's no wonder that choosing a digital camera can be a very confusing experience for many people. However, there are simple ways to make this process easier and to ensure that you'll find a digital camera that will satisfy your needs and fall within your budget.

Here are five criteria to help you choose a digital camera that's appropriate for you and your photography needs.

Cost

It's helpful to first consider the amount of money you can set aside towards purchasing a new digital camera. You can then limit your research to just those digital cameras in your price range. This will help you to avoid becoming distracted by a lot of fancy features you may never need or that are unsuitable for your current level of experience.

Your Photography Needs

What kind of pictures do you want to take? Will most of your pictures be portraits? Or do you favor landscapes and nature photography? Will you use the camera mostly indoors or outdoors? If you will be taking a lot of the pictures of people, it can be helpful to have a camera with face recognition and red eye reduction features. However, if you will be taking a lot of pictures of moving objects, such as at sporting events, you may want a camera with high speed burst shooting.

Printing Your Pictures

The way you share or print your pictures can help you determine the quality of camera and how many megapixels you will need. For example, if you plan on printing poster size pictures, you will probably want to a camera with ten megapixels are more. However, you won't need that many if your printing needs are more modest. If you only share your pictures online or by e-mail, then you can get by with even fewer megapixels.

Who Will Use Your Camera?

You might not mind learning the advanced features of an expensive camera, but if your friends, spouse or children will be using it, then you may want to choose an easier to use camera with automatic program settings and image stabilization features. Some of these cameras are even easy enough for children to use.

How Serious a Photographer are You?

Do you expect to always remain an amateur photographer or do you plan on become an advanced user or even a professional who earns income from photography? If you want to grow in your photography skills, then look for a camera with features that will grow with you. For example, a camera which allows you to set your own aperture, shutter speed, focus and other settings will give you plenty of room for experimentation and the ability to gradually improve your photography skills.

You can use these criteria to make a short list of digital cameras that will meet your needs and expectations. You can then take this list to a nearby electronics store and personally look at the cameras on your list. You will want to pay attention to how each camera feels and how easy it is to reach the buttons. Be sure to consult the salespeople if you have any questions. I hope your new digital camera will bring you many years of enjoyable use.