Proud Photography Blog

Millions of people flock to the beach every summer…and who can blame them. Lying on the sand in the summer sun is a passion for many beach goers. There are tons of activities to enjoy and if you get too hot, a refreshing dip in the water is close at hand. With all the goings-on, there are many opportunities for great shots when taking photos at the beach, but there are many things to consider when taking photographs at the beach.

The sand and water tend to intensify photographic highlights exponentially. Although there are many opportunities to take great shots during your outing, one must be especially aware of how to work with the bright sun. When the sun is directly overhead you can expect to have most of your shots blown out from high contrast levels. Not to worry, there are ways to counter this effect. Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to selling real estate, the next most important element that can directly effect a sale besides location is presentation. Photographs are extremely important when selling property, especially when Internet sales are a factor. Take a few minutes to peruse through an Internet real estate site and determine for yourself which pictures portray the property well and which pictures fail to do the seller any justice. This article addresses some important elements to consider when photographing real estate.

It is important to first communicate with the seller before you schedule a photo shoot of the property. Read the rest of this entry »

Landscape photography is a form of photography that generally captures an outdoor setting. Landscapes generally do not include people or posed subjects, but may include animals that are part of the natural scenery. Although landscape photography sounds easy enough to capture, it takes a keen eye to capture the essence of a given scene. Very few have mastered this technique, such as Ansel Adams. It is easy to recognize a master of landscape photography since their work stands out ahead of all others. After studying the masters, it becomes apparent that the beauty lies within the simplicity of the shot. Here are a few tips to help the amateur photographer to improve their landscape photographs.

Simplicity is better than complexity. Landscape shots should include very few elements. Read the rest of this entry »

I have often thought of what it would be like to join an African expedition to photograph animals on safari. How great would it be to photograph a lion pride resting in the mid-day sun within the savannah? As much as many of us would like to photograph exotic animals in their natural setting, this type of adventure is simply unattainable for most. For those who missed the bus to join the National Geographic crew, we are left with the next best thing…the local municipal zoo.

Taking quality photographs of animals at the zoo is actually a little more involved than most may be led to believe. If you venture to the local zoo with your point and shoot camera in the mid afternoon, you will most likely be quite disappointed with your shots. This does not necessarily mean the animals did not want to be photographed, rather you may have been ill prepared for the session. Here are some do’s and don’ts to consider when photographing animals in captivity. Read the rest of this entry »

Becoming a good photographer takes time, patience, and a certain degree of understanding. Once you understand the principles behind photography, such as exposure, light control, composition, and positioning, becoming familiar with your equipment is the next logical step. Even the most rudimentary camera system takes time to understand before you can fully appreciate the technology and functions that are at your disposal. This article contains a few suggestions to help guide you to becoming more proficient with your equipment.

Read the Manufacturer’s Manual

It is safe to say this is the least favorite step for most people. After all, who wants to read the manual when you have the camera sitting in front of you? A little bit of will power goes a long way with this critical step. Read the rest of this entry »

While on Cape Cod, Massachusetts taking care of some personal business, I was able to find time to venture out to take in some of the local scenery. Cape Cod is very rich in scenery and provides a target rich environment for photographers. From the railroad drawbridge in Buzzards Bay to the Provincetown Tower, this quaint environment is a treasure trove of sensory delight. No matter what time of year you visit, there is always something to see and do.

One of my stops brought me to the Truro Lighthouse, shown here. The lighthouse was located on a magnificent piece of property. The lighthouse was originally constructed in 1795, but has since been moved back from it’s original location as a matter of preservation. The cliffs on which the lighthouse was originally constructed are in a constant state of erosion. Read the rest of this entry »

Photography fits very well with many sciences and research projects. One of the most complimentary marriage between photography and science is Ornithology, or the study of birds. Ornithologists have a long history of developing graphical representations of their specimens, weather through sketches or through photography. Even the most novice bird watcher can contribute greatly to the ornithology societies by contributing photographs, geolocation coordinate tagging, and documenting observations. This article contains a few suggestions intended to help you refine your photographic bird watching activities.

Do Your Research

You can easily identify common birds common to your area by conducting a little bit of research. There are many web sites that provide locations and types of birds commonly found int your area. Read the rest of this entry »

In the not so distant past it was necessary for a photographer to have a solid understanding of photographic principles to avoid burning excessive amounts of film on bad photographs. Processing photographs generally meant sending the roll of film to a processing lab. For those who had the resources, a darkroom with chemicals, enlargers, and cropping equipment set the photographer back several paychecks. Digital photography has not only made photography easier with immediate review, but processing has become a breeze. Unfortunately, the cost associated with post production has limited many photographers from reaching their potential. No longer is cost a factor in digital photo processing. This article covers three fully functional and free photo processing applications.

GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)

http://www.gimp.org/

The GNU Image Manipulation Program, affectionately known as GIMP, is by far my favorite open source photo retouching application. GIMP is very similar to other high-end applications, but without the price tag. Read the rest of this entry »

Most animal lovers will agree, having professional portraits taken of their pets is often a source of pride. Unfortunately, the pets often demonstrate less enthusiasm over the ordeal than their owners. It is quite uncanny how many animals know when they are being set-up to have their picture taken. Some pets can be trained to sit still for quite some time, but introduce a camera and it is game-off. At least this is how it often is with my pets. The reality is many people find it difficult to take exceptional photographs of their own pets. For those who have patience, a love for animals, and who are allergy-free, pet photography may offer an excellent opportunity to extend their photographic niche.

Mobility

When considering developing a niche in pet photography, the mobile studio may be your best solution. Read the rest of this entry »

Someone once said there is no such thing as a perfectly straight line. I believe it was the person who built my house, but I can’t say for sure. Come to think of it, this statement is quite true, just ask any calculus student. With math and home building aside, straight lines are cannot be readily found in nature, which is why we are drawn to photographs where straight lines are illustrated. Human beings like order, which is why linear, balanced photographs are pleasing to look at. With this in mind, let’s examine some samples where linear objects could make excellent photographic projects. Read the rest of this entry »