Proud Photography Blog

Modern camera systems have come far in recent years. Most SLR camera systems on the market now, be it digital or film-based, automate many of the processes that were strictly manual just a few years ago, such as automatic metering. In the not so distant past, metering was an essential process involving a variety of gray cards and meters…even some calculations were in order to ensure the correct exposure was selected. This is not to say these steps are no longer important. To the contrary, understanding metering is just as important today as it was in years past. The difference between now and then are the systems that are available to the photographer. As with all things that are designed to automate a process, there is a risk of experiencing some skill loss caused by automated dependency. This article will cover metering and how metering has an effect on the quality of your photographs. Read the rest of this entry »

In the olden days of film photography, depth of field was discussed quite extensively amongst photographers. Somehow, up and coming digital photographers seem to have lost their focus (sorry, I couldn’t resist) on the importance of understanding how certain camera settings greatly effect depth of field. I believe that in days past, a significant division existed between those who were SLR photographers and those who were not. Back then, auto focus was unheard of on a SLR camera. After all, where is the skill in letting the camera do all the work? Instead, the photographer had to set focus by aligning a split horizon and depth of field was determined by simulating the effects by pressing a DOF button, which was quite a nice feature that was available on some systems. So, to pay due tribute to those who long for their old SLR systems, let’s take a look at some of the principles relating to depth of field. Read the rest of this entry »

It is generally not advised to hang around old and derelict industrial sites. After all, there are a number of hazards just waiting to cause injury to the non-alert visitor. Most items found within these sites are rusted, sharp, most likely illegal, and truly uninviting. Uninviting, that is, if you are not a curious photographer. Industrial sites are a gold mine for those who have a keen eye and a sense for creativity. The valve illustrated in this article was the remnant of an irrigation system located in Baghdad, Iraq. Despite the hazards associated with the location to start with, I found this valve to be quite intriguing. I wondered who would have installed the valve and how long it had been there. I was curious about the functions the valve served and how often it had been operated. After a few moments, I learned to appreciate the circumstances by which this seemingly benign valve and I had crossed paths despite the circumstances which brought me to the location in the first place. Read the rest of this entry »

You may have noticed some digital photographs tend to have purple dots, or perhaps bands scattered throughout the print. Usually, these distracting specks are significantly more prominent when taking photographs at night. This effect is “grain” when discussing film photography and “digital noise” when discussing digital photography. So what causes these specks and how can they be avoided? Better yet, how can you use this effect to your advantage? This article addresses these questions and offers some suggestions on how to intentionally introduce this effect.

Long before digital cameras entered the marketplace, silver nitrate film was the standard medium. Film is rated by the International Organization for Standards (ISO) to standardized the film’s sensitivity to light. Read the rest of this entry »

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 your shots blown out from high contrast levels. Not to worry, there are ways to counter this undesirable 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 »