How you see a Photo..

What I mean with how you see a photo, well have you ever seen something and think “Wow, that would be a cool photo”, Then when you take the shot it doesn’t look anything like what you had in mind.

When you see a photo in your mind try and put it in the frame of your camera as well, I know that’s sounds like a “Duh” moment, But many of us don't do that. Good photography takes a little bit more time then just taking a shot. Composition is one of the little things that can make a very big difference.

Often when a shot is taken we put the subject write in the middle of the frame, and that's ok if you doing a close up, but try moving the subject a little to the left or the right. I know that sounds like an odd thing to do, but lets just say your taking a photo of your kids at an amusement park , try this, put the kids and the park sign together in the frame of your shot.

When people see this they get a realistic view of what the photo is about. You don't have to say “That's my kids at the park”. You have just started to make great photo's with just that information.

In the photo above notice that the sun coming up in the background is to the left and in the foreground just a piece of a tree on the right. This gives the viewer more of a powerful affect then putting the sun in the middle.

Simple things like that is what makes the difference between a photo and a photograph.

10 Things you should never say to a photographer

Well not all photographers want to to be complimented but there are things that they really don't want to hear from you and these are the following:

1.Your camera takes really nice pictures!

2.Can't you just Photoshop it?

3. I wanted to invite you to (birthday party,wedding, or other important events). Bring your camera!

4.Why is the background all blurry like that?

5.The work of (Other photographer) is like this,can you make this shot like that?

6. Can you make it black and white but leave our eyes in color?

7. Geez! You charge that much? We only pay __ at ___!

8.Gosh! Your job must be easy! You just click a button all day!

9. What's the discount if I edit the pictures myself? There's so many editing softwares for pictures nowadays.

10. Can you take your watermark off the photos you posted in facebook? My mom wants to print them.

Posing in a bench?

Bench is a place where we can relax and have a good time to rest. This is a good place to think out of this world things. While I was sitting in one of the benches at school, I saw my friend then I let her join me sit in the bench. Since I had my camera back then and my friend was so eager that I should take a photo of her, I just let her pose in the bench.  The posing bench should be set at an angle to the camera. When the bench is square to the camera, people tend to sit on it with their shoulders square to the camera This puts their shoulders straight across the picture and such a pose exaggerates the width of the shoulders. This pose is obviously inappropriate for a woman. When your subject is a male dignitary (VIP), a pose like this enhances those qualities.

Very few people have positions that demand such a pose. Having the posing bench at an angle to the camera before the sitter arrives should automatically suggest to the subjects that they sit with their shoulders turned slightly from the camera. With the shoulders turned slightly from the camera and the head turned back toward the camera, a sense of motion is created. Even more motion and alertness can be suggested by having the subject lean slightly forward.

 

   

  Remember that where ever you are, you can get great pictures without putting much effort.You just have to create a little art out of it!!

Paguriran Island,Sorsogon

More like a Paradise!

Paguriran Island is not a very famous tourist spot here in the Philippines and I really wonder why a beautiful place like is not well-advertise by the Department of Tourism.This place maybe a bit far away from the city and you will be satisfied after you take few hours of trip

Paguriran Island or Lagoon is located at Sawangga,Bacon District Sorsogon City (Bicol Region).Sawangga is the last Barangay of Bacon before touching the soil of the Municipality of Prieto Diaz. Sawangga is just near Bon-ot where Pagol Beach is located. Paguriran is a wonderful place specially for nature lovers. Paguriran is like a basin within the sea. It is just near the shore. During low tide beach goers can just walk by going to the island or lagoon but during high tide people shoul rent a boat to go to the lagoon. It is also perfect for those who are fond of snorkling. Cottages and parking space are just besides the shore to accomodate visitors.

Anyway, since my friend suggested this place we immediately packed up to get there. The trip here from Legazpi City takes 4 hours. A long ride but worth it! It's like a paradise.. We shoot a music video here. Watch the video guys..It's quite funny though because my classmates are not professionals, they just enjoy the moment that we had there.

And here is another music video for the pictorial we had there:

I hope you can visit this Island and enjoy to the highest level like we did..

30-sec guide to taking great pics of people

Have you ever heard the name "Jeff Elder"?

Well if not, I'd like to have a brief description of him even if I'm not too familiar with. He's Marketing director at Storify. Former syndicated newspaper columnist. Studied social media at Stanford. Led social for Fortune 50. He's been recently posting some interesting pictures and topics in twitter that caught my attention. What he posted in his account entitled "30-sec guide to taking great pics of people" is really true and can be useful to us guys.

The following tips are great so take time to read it:

Example of light behind camera

1. Light behind camera,in front of subject . 

•  It’s best to put the light source behind you, so that it illuminates your subject. I suggest that you don't shoot when it's really bright outside because  when the sun is high in the sky the light is most intense. . If you have to shoot during midday, try to find a shady spot to shoot in. Or, if you don’t care too much about getting the eyes of your subjects, consider shooting them from the side or from behind like the example picture shown in the right side. This kind of shot simply create a dramatic photo.

Normally, beginners just use the flash of their camera to save what would normally be an unusable shot like this picture (in the left side). The set-up of this is one umbrella camera right, slightly in front of the subject and one umbrella camera left, slightly behind the subject.






   For professionals, the set up of the lights is like this:

This lighting is pretty much expensive and a bit complex other than using flash only. You really can get a good photograph if your studio has something like this.

     2.Never shoot from belly up.

• A shot like this can make your subject really big so try to avoid doing

     3. Don't let subject's torso dominate frame

• What to include in the frame is one of your most important decisions. Many photographers try to include too many elements which clutter and distract. So, it is important to be discriminating about what you leave in and out. Perhaps the best thing you can do is ask yourself two simple questions. “What is it that most impresses me about this scene?” And, “How can I best communicate what I like about it?” Remember the size of the subject within the frame is important. If it is too large you may not get enough context, that is, sense of location and place, if that is important. If it is too small, there may be too many other competing or distracting elements. If a scene has lots of potential, take a lot of photos at different focal lengths. Experimenting like this will help you discover what you like and serendipity may surprise you too! Below are some examples, poor and better.

The subject clearly dominates the frame of the photo. (POOR QUALITY)

A better photo not dominating the whole frame.

      4.Shoot head and shoulders with subject off-center to show where you are.

      5.Try photographing your subject from unusual angles.

Giant Gal in Makati

• Photograph from the ground looking up or from up higher looking down. Try angling your subject for a more unique look. Don't be afraid to take a lot of photos. It often requires taking dozens of photos to come up with just the right one. Not only does practice make perfect, but it could be that last shot that gives you just the right image.

Co-Founder of Mountain Flower Studio

Meet Ivy Jocy Montaña: A Sopistikada

"Let's just cross the bridge when we get there," is Ivy's favorite motto and became mine too. Really,it became our motto in our college days and even in our adventures too. She influenced me a lot even though she talks in assertive way but I don't think its rude because she's just telling what's on her mind. She's confident,strong and direct to the people around her. But she's so sensitive when it comes to her family. I really admire cool her personality and aside from that we both love photography. That's why when we get rich we have to buy these cameras!

The pictures above were taken at Bicol University,Legazpi City and photographer by me..

Iah Levitt's Photoshoot at Boulevard, Legazpi City

Recently, Ivy and I went jogging in Legazpi City new Embarcadero de Legazpi. We found that place pretty refreshing and a good place to have your exercise too. Then suddenly realized that it's a nice area for a photoshoot and since Iah is eager have her dress shoot, we decided to have a quick drop by there.

 

        

We had splendid time in this boulevard. I hope you can visit and take pictures here too!!

Top 5 DSLR Cameras you can’t afford to miss this 2012!

A professional photographer may be an employee, for example of a newspaper, or may contract to cover a particular event such as a wedding or graduation, or to illustrate an advertisement. Others, including paparazzi and fine art photographers, are freelancers, first making a picture and then offering it for sale or display. Some workers, such as policemen, estate agents, journalists and scientists, make photographs as part of other work. But before becoming a photographer,you need to have great camera that can make you shoot vast photos. I have here the top dslr camera which are out in the market that if you can afford,you can have it.

The Canon EOS-1D Mark IV is one of the fastest professional DSLR cameras on the market. With a long battery life, strong HD recording capabilities and a Dual DIGIC 4 image processor, this device excels at excellent and fast images, though the price is a bit high.This costs roughly $5999 or in peso value 245,959.00.

The Nikon D3X is a remarkable camera, perhaps one of the best available right now, but it’s very expensive when compared to similar professional DSLR cameras. However, the resolution and images are incredible, making this an excellent addition to a photographer’s toolkit.

 The Nikon D7000 is an easy-to-use professional DSLR camera and is designed to be user-friendly. With a durable body, full HD recording and HDMI connectivity, this device offers some of the most recent technology to ensure that you receive the highest quality and the most professional-looking photos and videos.

 The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark III features advanced technology, such as 5 frames per second continuous shooting and Live View technology, which makes this a tough professional DSLR camera to beat. It doesn’t shoot video, which might be a deal breaker for some, but the 2,200-shot battery life is a standout feature on this device and sets it apart from several similar products.

Overall, the Nikon D700 is a good FX, full-frame sensor camera. While it doesn’t feature video, it but is still a quality professional DSLR. The technology is definitely aging, evidenced by its ability to only shoot five images per second, but there are no hints from Nikon on a replacement for this affordable FX professional DSLR camera.






Whoa!The cameras discussed above are really superb. I'll buy all of them if only I got a money though.So what do you think is the best camera that suits your taste?

Why I am passionate about photography..

Passion is a a feeling of unusual excitement, enthusiasm or compelling emotion, a positive affinity or love, towards a subject. For me this emotion is far more exciting than the physical ones and I found this through the fervor in discovery and exploration which is the mightiest of all passions. I applied this two sensations in camera. The moment I hold unto this thing, my world turns into a different one. It unveils me into a place where everything seems to be perfect. Every little thing is beautiful and can become my subject .

My photographic approach is something that is instinctive, as an impulse that prompts me to press the trigger at a specific time and place, atmosphere, people. I love capturing every single moment I found an interesting and adventurous place. It really freaks me out when I found an attractive place yet I don’t have my sister (camera )beside me. It feels like I missed the last trip of the bus that should take me home and wait for the dawn to come.

Actually, I don’t have a professional camera because I cant afford it yet. But I believe that whether you shoot with film, a high ISO, or simply just edit, a little bit of grain can make pictures interesting.As for me, my friends are usually my subjects.During our hang-out, I'm always the photographer. I usually am not in the pictures with them because it's a hassle thing to bring my tripod along with me. I have this very simple idea: just keep one object or person in your black and white shot in color and that object will catch everyone’s attention.

Well here are my sample portraits of my friends..

Photography is an art where you can express yourself,what character perhaps you have. It really takes long way to be a great photographer but if you put your heart in what your taking or doing then you can satisfy yourself utmost. Personally I find all types of processed and unprocessed pictures unique in their own way. ‘Photoshopped’ or not, a photograph is still reliant upon the eye behind the camera and the skill of the creative mind. What may be amazing to one viewer may be considered terrible to another.

These art plays a big part of my life,what’s yours?