Specific Subject Tips

Animals

• shutter speed > 250
• make sure at least one eye is in focus
• panning - 1/30 or 1/60
• single focus point unless flying birds, then all points
• use burst modespot metering, use exposure compensation button (+/-)
• use a blind
• scenic (animal + environment) vs closeup (animal only) vs portrait (head)
• Sunrise / Sunset lighting best 30 min before and after sun comes up/goes down

Cloudy

• f/8, 1/125

Fireworks & Lightning

• shutter < 30

Ghost

• shutter >2.5 sec

Landscape

• 20-70mm

Long Exposure

• on tripod, use leash
• don’t point camera at sun for long periods on manual - may damage sensor

Macro

• ring light
• spray leaves & spiderwebs with water in spray bottle
• f/16 max
• copy work - longer lens better, sensor parallel to artwork, lowest ISO possible, if refection problematic, put up black board with hole for lens cut out
• use SLR focus lock : after pushing halfway, switch to manual

Mechanical Action

• shutter speed > 500

Ocean / Surfing / Sports

• low tide so sand is wet
• surf - shutter 650-800
• sports stop action >250

Portraits

• blur background
• people - put eye line 1/3 down from top; don’t crop frame on a joint
• make sure eyes are sharp

Real Estate

Star effect on Lights

• smaller aperture w/ long exposure

Star Trails

• 28mm including rock/tree & horizon
• 35mm or 50mm including rock/tree & pole
• f/4 or f/5.6
• telephoto lens @ pole 20-30 min
• ISO 100
• interrupt star trails by holding black cardboard in front of lens
• amp up to f/16 to have visible stars to one end

Still Life

• Glass Objects
  • use black background/tablecloth to see edges strong
  • set us translucent barrier between lights and glass object
• Jewelry

Sunny

• f/16, 1/250
• add 2 stops if under shade in bright location

Travel

• figure out points of interest to photograph
• pick up local newspapers to help if you are going to produce article with pictures
• cityscapes & architecture
• highest point in major cities
• street festivals, markets, street life
• traditional dress opportunities
• natural settings, wilderness
• landscapes

Water

• waterfall - shutter < 1/30
• running water < 1/8
• to keep liquid bubbly, add salt
• droplets - add glycerin

Photoshop

Suggested Workflow

1. open photo in bridge
   1. File -> File info -> Description tab
      1. add title, author, keywords
      2. add copyright - Mac option-G; Microsoft Ctl Alt C; Alt+0169
   2. open in camera raw
      1. click on link under photo
         1. Space : sRGB
         2. Size : choose based on preference
         3. Resolution: see below
      2. Basic tab
         1. rotate image if necessary
         2. straighten image
         3. use ‘Recovery’ to dissolve ‘blinkies’
         4. crop
         5. adjust exposure
         6. adjust saturation
         7. adjust temperature
      3. Detail tab
         1. sharpen: see below
      4. open in photoshop if necessary
         1. levels adjustment (ctl-L) see below
            1. hold white end, ALT-drag until see something other than black, pull back a bit & release
            2. don’t adjust if they have something all the way across
         2. curves adjustment (clt-M)
            1. use to modify colors vs levels - more points to tweak
            2. leave endpoints alone, click on area to affect, pull curve in the middle to bow line
         3. color correction
         4. repair image defects - clone tool, spot healing
         5. apply filters

Resolution

• screen resolution - 72 ppi
• print resolution - 300 ppi
• use bicubic sharper to make smaller
• use bicubic smoother to make larger

Sharpening

• start with 500% amount, 1.5 radius, 0 threshold
• adjust radius until it looks good - .5 -> 1.5
• back off amount - 200 -> 300
• fine tune threshold

Histogram

• want lots of midtones
• flattening out ends
• if heightened on either end - adjust shutter to compensate

Contrast

• if too much, yellow filter

Warp

• puppet tool to warp elements
  • use to adjust for wide angle lens distortion
• logo creation - smush and stretch letters
  • make letter using text tool
  • layer -> ratserize -> layer
  • edit -> transform -> warp

Color Profile

• RGB = imaging
• CMYK = printing
• Adobe 1998 RGB color space broader than sRGB

Equipment

General

• main camera body
  • battery charged
  • card formatted and in camera
  • exposure mode set (center, spot, matrix)
  • ISO set (lowest)
  • auto focus turned on
  • motor drive set (fastest, burst mode)
  • focus point set (single)
  • lens and sensor clean
• lenses
  • 50mm fixed lens - shutter -> 1/100
  • telephoto - 28-300mm - shutter -> 1/250
  • wide angle - 18mm maximum -> 1/50
  • macro - 50mm, 90mm or 180mm ; teleconverter - 1.4 and 2x usually only allow autofocus for f/4 or larger; will lose one stop
  • telephoto compressor - 500mm, f/1.7 - use on tele & macro - - shutter > 1/500
• shutter release cord or remote
• tripod / monopod
• blow / brush tool
• microfiber cloth
• battery charger
• card reader
• light meter
• notepad with details for repeatable shots
• checklist / set camera when putting away

Studio Shoot

• flash unit - make sure it has “power ratio” so that you can turn it down to a lower setting, and that it can sync to a fast shutter speed
• reflectors - gold, silver, white
• clean background
• softbox for product shots

Location Shoot / Travel

• waterproof bag
• moisture-absorbent packet
• magnifying light
• extra lens covers
• spare memory cards
• photo storage device (eg MemoryKick)
• compact camera
• spare battery
• gloves, hat
• water repellent zippers
• sunblock
• card saying ‘return to ...’
• business cards

Photo Tips

Camera Handling

• always use UV or skylight filter
• apply cleaning solution to tissue not lens
• have camera cleaned annually
• reformat card, not ‘delete all’ as images on reformatted card are recoverable.
• lens recommendation 50mm prime (f/1.8)
• 80 or 100 focal length = no distortion
• to clean out CCD, turn to manual mode, open shutter, face camera down, remove lens, blow out with bulb, not canned air
• noise reduction off for less time between shots
• hold arms against body and move body, not camera
• 50mm matches human field of view
• less than 24mm produces curvature issues
• shoot blank wall out of focus to see where dust/imperfections are in camera

Aperture

• depth of field
• front push button = depth of field preview
• 3.5 - only object in focus will be clear, other distances fuzzy
• 22 - everything sharp

Shutter Speed

• to prevent blurring, shutter speed should be greater than 1/focal length, increase sensitivity (eg 1/300 for 300mm lens)
• need tripod if shutter < 1/60
• long exposure - custom setting 5 - on ; reduces noise ; use leash ; turn off VR vibration reduction

ISO = sensitivity to light

• use lowest ISO possible
• start getting noise around 800 (depending on camera)

White Balance

• color temperature of existing light
• white balance - prefer ‘cloudy’ - top dial WB + rear dial (camera 3)
• degrees Kelvin
  • 8000 = blue white
  • 5600 = sunlight
  • 3200 = lightbulb
  • 1900 = candlelight
• if in raw mode, no white balance bracketing (pencil 11,12):
  • ISO=200
  • auto white balance
  • color mode = auto (camera 7)
  • tone compensation = auto (camera 6)
  • sharpening = auto (camera 5)
  • hue = 0 degrees

Exposure

• exposure wheel
• use gray card to meter correctly - put in spot you want to meter correctly, note/freeze values and use those values when take card away
• bright - f/16 & 1/125
• auto exposure lock
• to meter a dark object w/ light background, move close to subject, meter, get numbers, move back and snap
• over- and under-exposure compensation (+/- button) : +lighten, - darken
• auto exposure lock = off (pencil 15)
• metering : (o) - center; O - spot; circle in square - matrix
• each stop doubles the amount of light

Focus

• focus - af area - single cross; dynamic 5 crosses for moving objects;
• closest subject focus priority (pencil 20, 21)
• to lock focus & exposure, push & hold AE-L/AF-L (pencil 14) or push half way and switch to manual
• focus mode front switch - still (S), moving (C), manual (M)
• hyperfocal distance: 50mm lens - f/16, 17’ away, 8.5’ to infinity in focus; f/5.6, 50’ away, 25’ to infinity in focus
• continuous focus - focus moves with object
• servo focus - subject moving toward you

Light

• natural light best 30 min before and after sunrise or sunset
• overcast = even lighting
• winter sun is softer because of lower angle
• subtractive - adding colors together makes them muddy (eg paint, CMY=black)
• additive - added together makes white (eg light, RGB=white)
• transmission - through water, glass, smoke
• absorption - black absorbs
• reflection - based on surface of object
  • diffuse reflection using white paper
  • direct reflection using dark glass/mirror - use family of angles to include/exclude light/object - eg lights on framed art at 45 deg from each side, not straight on when taking photo straight on
• if you move a light source 1/4 more away from object, the object will have 1/2 less light
• lighting setups
  • main / key light
  • short light - main light on part of face turning towards light - makes face look narrow
  • broad light - main light on part of face turning away from light - makes face look round
  • large diffused
  • main light + fill
  • backlit - from below, behind subject
  • hair light - from behind/below/above
  • rim light - from side
  • rembrandt / key triangle - light from above at 45 deg
  • butterfly - light on either side
  • moving larger light closer gives you a softer light
  • smaller light = harsher
  • ring light - straight on, dark edges
  • lighting with umbrella - pull umbrella toward light source until light is not spilling out the side
• flash
  • black sides absorb flash white
  • flash meter - put under chin
  • keep flash duration short to make it crisp
  • to avoid red eye, flash should be 2” from lens for every 5’ from subject
  • strobes - start shutter at 1/125, then look at histogram to figure out how to adjust
• lightmeter
  • reflective - measures light reflected off object - use for dark scene
  • incident - measures direct light falling on object - use for one-object focus
  • average - averages over large area
  • center weighted - uses values in center
  • spot meter - use for primary object

Filters

• yellow filter makes everything slightly darker, yellow will appear slightly lighter ; use if too much contrast, want blues darker
• green filter makes reds darker, green lighter
• red filter makes blue & green darker, red lighter, skin lighter, use for landscapes
• blue filter makes sky panchromatic
• polarizing filter cuts glare, darker, more contrast ; pulls down exposure 2 stops
• neutral density filter - so you can take really long exposures (8min+) without blowing out the highlights; one way to make - get welding mask glass, glue to rim to make filter; cuts light reaching film overall by 1-2 stops
• filters absorb the light of the compliment - makes compliment darker

Studio Backdrop

• keep subject as far away from background as possible to avoid showing wrinkles and shadows
• use papers for background, eg papyrus

Computer Considerations

• important to calibrate monitor - white = 255-255-255; black = 0-0-0, gray = 128-128-128; #s above 245 will print as white, below 20 will print as black; white point target 6000K- 6500K
• ICC profiles - match camera to monitor to printer ; Adobe RGB superset of sRGB ; www.hutchcolor.com ; www.chromix.com ; www.colormall.com ; www.rodsandcones.com
• HDR - min 3 exposures, can use exposure bracketing ; expose 1 for inside/shadows, expose 1 for outside/brights, expose 1 for ‘normal’ capture ; keep camera in same spot, aperture consistent; photomatix software or photoshop
• bit depth = tonal subtlety ; bits per pixel ; 1 bit = black & white ; 8 bits = greyscale ; 24 bit = jpeg color ; 48 bit = raw color

Location Tips

• instead of zoom, walk toward subject
• if shooting from car, can use beanbag on open window
• on tripod, put mirror up. wait a sec, then take pic -> makes image very crisp
• captions, model releases, active folks, elders, hi tech, sports, couples, families

Composition

Principles of Design

• balance
  • symmetrical
  • radial - around a central point
  • asymmetrical
  • color, shape, focus
  • tense vs casual tones
  • balance of interest - foreground vs background; big & small
    • points of reference for size (or not)
• structure
  • formal / informal
  • visible / invisible
  • interrelationships of forms - detachment, touching, overlapping, interpenetration, union, subtraction, intersection, scale, proportion
• proximity
  • hierarchy, emphasis/subordination, focal point, center of interest, dominance
• repetition & rhythm
  • recurring, repetitious, nonrandom variation
  • keeps eye circulating
  • architectural
• contrast
  • anomaly, contrast, conflict, opposition
• unity
  • cohesion, consistency, oneness, coherence, integration
• scale / proportion
  • directional forces
• clarity, color, composition

Aesthetics

• line emphasis - contour, actual, implied ; horizontal = stability ; vertical = assertiveness ; diagonal = movement ; leading lines
• shape repetition - geometric : rectilinear (straight intersection), curvilinear (curving intersect); organic - biomorphic (resembling biological entity), amorphic (not derived from nature or geometry); positive (what you focus on) or negative (what’s left over)
• value - lightness / darkness ; hi key, low key; white ->pure hue->black ; complimentary color 1 -> dulled -> complimentary color 2 ; contrast - degree of difference between shades of gray; emphasis & subordination ; value more important than color ; high key = light value print ; low key = moody, dark value print
• texture - actual/tactile = rough, smooth, hard, sharp; visual - use line & color ; use side lighting to capture
  • 4 layers of texture to be interesting
• color
  • eye goes to lightest spot
  • R-O-Y-G-B-Violet
  • analogous colors - use one before and one after with primary color = harmonious
  • complimentary - opposite colors on the color wheel - pop
  • warm - moves toward you
  • cold - recedes
  • local color - under normal light
  • optical color - perception of color
  • soothing - monochrome, different shades of the same color
  • color sense
    • black - authority, grieving, serious, stable, strong
    • white - purity, cleanliness, safety, neutrality, creativity
    • gray - practicality, timeless, solid
    • red - attention, movement, excitement, life
    • pink - calming
    • blue - calming, steadfastness, wisdom, loyalty, focus, too much = cold
    • green - growth, nature, money, light green = calming, envy, good luck, generosity, fetility, peace, harmony, support
    • yellow - cheerfulness, happiness, optimism (not too bright)
    • orange - fun, happy, energetic, ambitious
    • purple - wealth, prosperity, sophistication, mystery, wisdom, respect
    • brown - reliability, stability, friendship, mourning=India
  • color wheel:
• space
  • point of view - worm’s eye view, bird’s eye view, fore shortening - distorted if object starts close and lays away
  • fore shortening
  • perspective
  • figure-ground relationship
  • foreground normally positive space, background generally negative space
  • subtended angle - parallel parallel lines in distance don’t look parallel /
  • angle/distance from subject to viewer
  • thru texture gradients, brightness, color saturation, warm vs cool; overlapping = collage
  • reflections in composition
  • incongruent background
  • fill the frame with subject
  • rule of thirds - points of interest should be where lines intersect: divide frame into horizontal 1/3’s - top, middle, bottom; put horizon in top 1/3 for day shot unless sky is significant. Not in middle
  • determine framing based on what’s going on in the edges, not what’s in the middle
  • framing - camera tilt, shooting down, horizontal vs vertical
  • slimming - shoot from above, neck out
  • simplicity - single focal point
  • incorporate depth - use angles and diagonal line, run eye across frame with diagonal line
• time & motion
  • kinetic vs implied - viewer infers motion
  • subjects entering photo with space in front of them, to indicate/show where they are going, leading space

Quality of Light

• diffused - no/soft shadows, low contrast
• direct - hard shadows, high contrast
• brightness - luminance values
• use multiple kinds of light
• high key - mostly light, low contrast, diffused
• low key - dark tones prominent, high contrast, edge lighting
• put sun in right or left, not center
• shine light through vase
• sun should be behind or on the side of photographer
• light & form unexpected intersection

Concepts to Depict

• perspective - have one
• focus on motivation, message
• ambiguity
• find your voice
• make art about what you know
• literal vs symbolic/figurative interpretations of a theme
• juxtaposition - one thing next to another suggests third thing
• metaphor - one thing makes you think of another
• synecdoche - part to whole relationship
• metonomy - associations are triggered
• meme - meanings and messages culturally transmitted over time, between generations
• how things look vs how things are
• displace an item/person in an environment that is opposite of their natural one
• challenge - find beauty in shot when subject is not
• environmental portrait - putting a person in context of their interests / job
• identity transfer into object
• symbolism
• meaning
• intention
• impact
• theme
• representation
• narrative

Jewelry Photography

Tips:

→ wear neutral colored clothes with patterns so that you are not obvious in any reflections → when possible, use natural light instead of side lights - set up softbox outside on sunny day → if not in the sun, use 2 diffused lights on sides, one direct light from where camera is (that can move around) → use a ring lightlight from front to flatten defects → set lights at angles to heighten sparkle → colored acrylic platform - shine focused light through diffuser directly onto the acrylic to give it that soft  spotlight look → make sure background is smooth, no cracks, gaps or creases → set aperture about f/9 to capture entire piece, f/5 for close ups of specific features → if using telephoto, have it half way open

Equipment:

√ SLR camera √ good lens with decent zoom, suggest 16-85mm √ tripod √ softbox √ ring light and/or 'sparkler' √ acrylic or glass platforms √ opaque platform √ material for backdrop √  use dental wax or museum/prop wax to hold up pieces on a hard platform √ empty mat (from picture framing) with 2 strings of fishing line strung across (clipped), one to hang earrings the other to pull the bottom forward

Pricing averages in San Diego (2013)

∞ $25 - $40 per piece up to 10 photos ∞ $10 per piece (min 10) for simple 1-view shot

For examples, please see my website:

Blissed Baubles

Real Estate Photography

Technique:

→ wear neutral colored clothes with patterns so that you are not obvious in any reflections → camera should be about 4' off the floor → make sure house is orderly - livable but lack of clutter → turn on all lights in house → when possible, use natural light - best if light outside is roughly the same as lighting inside → best lighting/color about 20 minutes before/after sunset , also good lighting if it is cloudy → set aperture about f/11 for best results in room shots → use bracketed exposure shots for best chance of getting single shot and also to use in HDR post processing (D100: pencil 11 AE, BKT AE, rotate til '3F 1.0' for 3 shots each 1 stop off) → use polarizing filter for daytime outdoor shots → use Photoshop File -> Automate -> Photomerge to put a few pictures shot down a line together panorama-style, especially useful for small spaces → use Photoshop Edit -> Transform -> Perspective or Warp to line up walls vertically, especially if using wide angle lens or if you merged multiple photos together → if sky is gray and you can't reshoot on a sunny day, in Photoshop, use magic wand to select sky, then click on styles window -> chiseled sky; then use paint bucket to fill → use Photomatix to create HDR photos

Equipment:

√ SLR camera √ wide angle lens - preferably 10mm or 12mm max √ polarizing filter √ tripod √ monopod to lift up to get 'aerial' shot of property √ 1000 watt soft box light √ up to 4 speedlights, Nikon SB-80DX recommended √ HDR software - Photomatix recommended

Pricing averages in San Diego (2013)

∞ up to 2000 ft² $150,  -> 3000 ft² $200 -> 4000 ft² $250 ∞ add virtual tour $50 ∞ add single page website incl custom domain name ($20+$10/mo), with realtor badge ∞ floor plan with links to photos

For examples, please see my website:

BlissedAbodes