3 Tips For Digital Photo Printing

With all the pictures we take, learning digital photo printing is essential. If we don't learn the best way to to do it then the pictures we print will look less than wonderful. Many people who still prefer to take traditional pictures with its limited number of shots available, and the expense of film and developing, do so because they claim that digital cameras just can't take pictures as good as a regular camera. But chances are, they're just not taking the best pictures they could, and they're setting everything up properly before they print.

Free online photo sharing services are excellent for letting you choose the photos you want printed without you having to actually do any of the printing work. But you'll want your photos to look fantastic before you order and pay for digital photo printing, so that you end up with a product that looks great. And if you're printing the photos yourself, you'll want good photos to work with to minimize your own frustration with the process, which can be daunting, especially if you've never done it before.

A number of things can lead to low-quality digital photo printing, not the least of which is taking poor pictures to start with. But assuming your photos aren't poor, there are some things you can do beyond learning to use your camera and following some basic good photography principles to take great shots.

Some digital shots can look fine even they're not the greatest quality. Digital photo printing, however, will show every flaw. There are ways to minimize and eliminate these flaws right from the start.

• Take the highest resolution shots possible. All but the most basic cameras offer choices in this area. For the highest quality digital photo printing, choose the highest resolution. For great looking wallet-sized photos, or larger album-sizes photos, up to a 5 x 7 print, use a resolution of at least 2 megapixels. For larger photos like 8 x 10, use a minimum resolution of 3 megapixels. These will make the shots sharper and clearer
• Make sure your camera and your imaging software is set to save these photos in TIFF format. While JPEG is common and great for photos you're putting online or sending through email, because it compresses the image and makes the file smaller, TIFF pictures are much larger because they retain all the detail in the photo. For printing, TIFF format is highly superior to JPEG, which loses the fine detail in the compression process.
• When you've downloaded your pictures on to your computer, use the software that came with your camera or a separate image program to enhance the photographs for the best digital photo printing experience possible. Touch them up like a professional by removing red eye, blemishes and anything else you wish. Most photo programs have extensive instructions to help you do these things. You can change adjust the lighting in the picture, even alter the color a little, soften the edges and add any kind of special effects that appeal.

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Photo of the week

Nintendo Games

Author: Kassandra
Source: www.photosight.ru

Simple Ways to Improve Any Photo

Thanks to digital cameras photography has never been as easy as the present. But, there's quite a difference between shooting an image that is a fair representation of a subject and creating something that is exciting. A few simple tips in the areas of composition, lighting or exposure will help you improve you images quickly, simply and sometimes even dramatically.

Don't forget that when trying to improve your photography, do it small bites. In the same way as the old adage says you should eat an elephant. Simple steps to a goal will get you there quicker and easier than trying to remember everything at once and getting nowhere. A logical and systematic approach will allow you to work at each simple step, conqueror it and then move on to the next. Don't forget though to evaluate along the way to see if you've learnt each step or if you need to revise.

Remember to take your time with each step and master it before moving on to the next. So here goes:

1. Every photo needs a focal point

Without it the image is dull and uninteresting and does nothing for the viewer. You need to get the viewer's attention and hold it, drawing their eye into the photo. Remember the subject is king. Without one is like a wedding missing a bride or a coronation missing the queen.

2. Create a sense of depth in your photo by using a frame

For example, a hole in the wall of a broken down house, a window frame or a natural or man-made archway. Shoot through these objects focusing on a subject on the other side. Place a frame around the edges of your image that the draws the viewer into the image.

3. If your photos aren't good enough then you are probably not near enough to your subject

Get in closer. Use your feet first and then if that is not possible, use your zoom. The closer you are to the subject the greater the impact of the image. We tend to stay too far away from our subject thereby including too much unnecessary clutter. If you want to remember people

4. Before your press the shutter look for clutter

While looking through the viewfinder check the edges of your frame and see if there is anything unnecessary you want to exclude from the image. It may be easily removed by zooming a little or walking in closer or perhaps you may need to change your viewpoint or the angle. Find a way to exclude the messy edges and your image will improve a hundredfold.

5. A more dynamic image can be created by having diagonals running through the image

Like a fence or a pathway. These tend to lead the eye to a point so make sure that it disappears into the distance and is not cut short at the edge of the image. Diagonals will add a new dimension to your photos and look fantastic as well.

6. If at all possible use natural light in your images

The humble flashgun is not the answer to all of a photographer's lighting challenges. The flash is always and only a substitute for natural light. You can't compare the quality of natural light to a flash. So when inside shoot near a bright window. Bright overcast days are perfect for shooting outside as the cloud cover acts as a large diffuser giving you natural and even light.

7. In most situations keep the direction of the light coming from behind the camera

Shooting into the light has many challenges and you need to have a greater understanding of lighting to use it to its best advantage. Don't always worry about shadows either. Strong light from the side gives great character to otherwise bright flat images. Always be aware of your lighting source whether indoors or outside.

8. Always shoot using the highest quality image resolution settings on your camera

Never shoot for e-mail in a low resolution format. You can always lower your quality but you can't increase it once the shot has been taken. Often when reviewing your images on a computer you'll find a great shot that cannot be printed because you shot it in a low resolution.

9. If you're shooting action shots set the shutter speed to fast in order to capture frozen movement

By slowing it down you'll create blurred movement. Both these techniques can give you amazing shots if your overall composition is right. Panning is a technique where you move your camera evenly while tracking a moving object and then pressing the shutter. This blurs out the background and keeps your subject sharp.

10. When taking portraits get in really close and exclude clutter

Focus on your subject's eyes and make sure that you focus carefully. Sharp eyes stand out in a good portrait. Even if the face is sharp and the eyes are out of focus, the whole image will look out of focus. As they say, the eyes are the window to the soul. Make sure they are sharp, clear and sparkling with colour.

So there you have it. These are just some of several techniques I use to improve any photo. They might seem basic but they will improve your images immediately.

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10 Digital Photography Techniques

Digital photography has revolutionized picture taking, no more old school film and driving to the drug store and waiting for film to develop. Digital cameras allow the photographer the luxury of concentrating on taking pictures and simply delete away those that are not up to standards.

Prior to looking at effective digital photography techniques, it is important to understand the difference between the old school film cameras and the new digital technology. Same as the old school film SLR (single reflex lens) cameras, digital SLR or DSLR (digital single reflex lens) camera use lenses and mirror. But instead of a film that records the image, a DSLR camera uses light sensor chips and digital memory. In other words, a DSLR camera is the computerized version of the traditional SLR camera.

Using these simple and effective digital photography techniques can aid those taking photographs with a DSLR cameras in capturing the best images using the new art of digital photography.

10 Digital Photography Techniques

1. Probably the greatest feature of digital cameras is the fabulous LCD screen that allows for real time preview of pictures as you take them. One of the best and most practical digital photography techniques is to make sure to utilize the LCD to its fullest potential by previewing each each picture and making sure it is perfect, if it's not just click delete it and re shoot.

2. Try to get a digital camera with image stabilization. If you don't have that feature then here is a digital photography technique to get clearer pictures without any blur. Hold your hand steady when taking pictures to prevent it from shaking and moving. Also, it is better to hold your eye up to the optical viewfinder when taking pictures, rather than the electronic viewfinder. This helps you to see exactly what your capturing and also helps to keep the camera steady when taking pictures.

3. Flash seems to be a challenge for most beginner photographers. Most flash technology can only light up a up a subject within an average of 10 to 15 feet. Make sure to move in closer, or add more light to the subject area.

4. Because digital cameras can take slightly longer to focus than film cameras, a good digital photography tip to avoid blurry and out-of-focus shots is to half-depress the shutter button until the camera has had time to lock the focus, and then completely press the button to take the actual shot.

5. The law of optics remains the same whether using new digital photography technology or an old camera. For instance, if the sun is behind an image, the picture will be silhouette. If light is in front of the image, the picture will appear squint.

6. Another digital photography technique is when using a polarizer, be sure that the source of light is perpendicular to the object. If you do not have polarizing filter capability then a good digital photography technique is to use a quality pair of sunglasses. Place the sunglasses as close to the camera lens as possible, then check their position in the LCD viewfinder to make sure you don't have the the sunglasses rims in the picture.

7. Instead of film, digital photography uses memory cards to save shots. A good digital photography technique that can prevent lots of regret is to always have back up memory with you. There is nothing worse than missing that great shot because there is no more storage available in your camera.

8. A good digital photography technique for shooting bright landscapes and outdoor portraits is to change your white balance setting from auto to cloudy, this will yield brighter and clearer shots. This will give a warming filter on your camera and increases the reds and yellows resulting in richer and brighter pictures.

9. Zoom in to emphasize a certain asset or characteristic of the subject being captured. Avoid getting too large of a focus shot, evaluate what you want to capture and focus in on that image, avoiding backgrounds like buildings and landscape, this will give you clearer and better pictures of the object you want.

10. Practice is probably the best tip. The best digital photography technique is to practice using your camera. Get to know it and all the controls and what they do. Take lots of pictures and analyze what works best with your camera and soon you will be an expert with your own list of digital photography techniques.

Digital cameras have really simplified photography and made picture taking so much more mobile and convenient. And employing some of these digital photography techniques will deliver the best pictures of life's memories.

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Digital Photography Vs Traditional Photography

Digital photography may be one of the late 20th century's most innovative technologies. It is about half the cost of traditional photography, with the results being of equal or better quality. You waste nothing; there's no film required, and since you only print the pictures you need, digital photography is both cost effective and environmentally friendly. Perhaps the most compelling aspect of digital photography is the idea of showing pictures to people wherever they are, as long as they have a computer and an internet connection.

Photography

Photography is a popular hobby, pastime, or even a career for many people. Photography has come a long way since its early days and its popularity has not waned. In fact, digital photography is becoming even more popular and it is slowly replacing film photography, especially in professional environments. Even for experienced photographers, the move to digital capture brings with it a significant learning curve.

The Digital Camera

A digital camera is, in effect, a little computer. Picture quality varies from camera to camera. The quality of digital cameras has increased over the years, yet many people feel it isn't quite as good as a regular camera yet. When you're shopping for a digital camera keep in mind that it doesn't matter how much your camera costs, or how big it is. You're looking for the camera you're happy with, and that is what's most important. One of the things I like about digital cameras is that, unlike film, you can reuse the storage media over and over again with no extra cost. If you've ever used a film camera, you will remember how annoying it was that you could only store a few pictures on the film, without the ability to delete them once they were made.

The Digital Age

In a sense, digital photography adds a whole new step to photography. It is no longer just photography, it is digitally post-processed photography. The digital age has brought about the greatest transformation in photography since photography was invented.

Conclusion

Digital and traditional photography are complimentary arts. They each have their respective places in the lives of amateur and professional photographers. The skills acquired in traditional photography will definitely be passed on to the digital world. We can easily see that the world of photography has room for both digital photography and traditional photography. Let's just hope that digital and traditional photographers can make the best of both worlds and continue to produce great work. After all, digital photography is just another tool of modernization in an ever-changing world.

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