How to Make Shaped Bokeh {Photography Tutorial} Making shaped bokeh can add a touch of fun to your holiday photos. In this free tutorial, our contributor Dana Suggs shows you how to create bokeh shapes. Last year, I posted the above photo of Brooklyn’s letter to Santa on Facebook. Here it is again for those that don’t stalk me on Facebook. I know…..sweet huh? But I got a lot of comments on the beautiful snowflake bokeh in the background. (Not the best photo, I had a different camera last year that did not do high ISO very well. That’s my Chandler in the top photo. But, my favorite shape this season, was probably the snowflakes. Yes, even my amazing turkey from Christmas dinner last year, was NOT immune to my obsession of the fun shaped bokeh! OK, yes, I may be totally odd, but I’ve come to terms with it. Wanna know my secret? Don’t be jealous….it’s a sin you know…. Yes, that’s a poorly cut circle with a snowflake hole punched in the center, or what passes as the center, on solid black construction paper. I told you not to be jealous.
Photo community, get inspiration, get love Be Inspired - Be Better - Be Great Learn photography, get tips, feedback and recognition. Share your experience and get rewarded with massive global exposure. Points and Levels As you complete objectives and use the site you will earn experience points (XP) to increase your Level from 1 to 25. Increasing your level unlocks special rewards, badges and offers, helping you to learn more and get exclusive offers. Upload a photo10 xpFavorite a photo1 xpReceive a Favorite4 xpRePic a photo2 xpReceive a RePic8 xpWrite a comment5 xpWrite a critique15 xp 15 seriously useful cheat sheets for every photographer We all remember cheat sheets from school. The following tips will help budding photographers learn the ins and outs of photography and will refresh the knowledge of professionals. Bright Side shares 15 cheat sheets that will lead you to masterful shots. Source: coapp.pro
32 tips and tricks to make a basic camera more powerful | Digital Camera World Most of us dream about owning a camera that's more capable that the one we currently use, but there's a good chance we're not using our current kit to the fullest. Today's cameras are sophisticated tools and even cheaper, basic models will typically offer a number of clever features that you may have never through to call upon. Combined with using the right accessories, you may find that even a budget model can shine much brighter with very little effort on your part. Here are 32 ways to get the most out of even more basic cameras. 1. When you pop an empty memory card into the camera for the first time, make sure to format it using the Format or Format card option in the menu. This will set up the necessary folders for all your images and videos, and will ensure your camera is saving everything as efficiently as possible to it. 2. It’s entirely possible that your viewfinder is showing focus a little out of line for your eyesight. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
free Lightroom presets - digitalcameraworld Image: Santypan, Getty Images It's OK to be lazy when it comes to photo editing. When you've done all the hard work out on location, lumping around your kit and waiting for the perfect shot, it's more than understandable to not want to spend hours in front of your computer perfecting what you've captured. That's why Lightroom presets are such a godsend. But why? What is a Lightroom preset? Lightroom presets take the hassle out of editing, applying stock effects for you without you having to fiddle with levels and sliders for what might seem like forever. So, if you want to achieve a particular look, instead of having to guess which combination of contrast, saturation, white balance and so on would achieve the desired effect, you just apply these with just a click, and tweak to perfect if needs be. You can download many different types of presets for many different genres. Take the time out of editing and dive into these 63 free Adobe Lightroom presets. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Scott Kelby's Annual | Worldwide Photo Walk 40 Famous Photographers to Inspire You [2020 Updated] Are you already familiar with the work of these famous photographers? Photography like any art, should not be practiced in an echo chamber. In order to become better at your craft you need to see what other artists are doing. This is how people grow and hone their specific skill set. Trying to emulate famous photographers work is not stealing, its merely a practice of your skill. The act of creating something new and unique comes out of this practice. Here’s our list of the top 40 famous photographers of all time! Annie Leibovitz Annie Leibovitz is a very prominent photographer. If you were to pick up a current issue of the magazine she would probably have shot some of the images in it. She uses a very distinct lighting setup which delivers a muted almost painterly image. If you want to emulate Annie Leibovitz, you must become a master in studio lighting. You can purchase amazing off brand speed lights from amazon for about a quarter of what you would pay for name brand ones. Vivian Maier
Software to Help Restore Old Photos Old photos can serve as a treasure trove of nostalgia and old memories, but time is rarely kind to them. What may have once been a fond memory may now lay creased, marked, and speckled. You can fix up an old photo by taking it to a professional, but this is often a slow, expensive process that you may simply not have the time or money for. Luckily, there are other solutions available to you. Software that lets you restore your old photos exists, and at a range of different price points. 1. First up on this list is PhotoGlory, an impressive editing suite with a solid range of tools. To begin with PhotoGlory, all you need to do is select the image that you want to work on. The core of the actual program can be split into two major functions: image repair, and image colorization. Image repair can be done a couple of ways, though the easiest is the one-click restore old photos function. You can also adjust images manually using PhotoGlory’s healing brush. 2. 3. 4. Read Next
Queen's jubilee photography project of a Union Jack The Queen's Jubilee weekend in the UK is nearly here, and whether you're a royalist or not, it's hard not to pick up on the excitement surrounding the event. This year Her Majesty The Queen becomes the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee that marks 70 years of service. During the the Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend (June 2-5) people across the United Kingdom and indeed the world are marking the celebration in their own unique way over the bank holiday weekend. Read more: See these rare photos of The Queen (opens in new tab) With that in mind, here's a tutorial that will show you how to photograph the Union Jack flag in an abstract and fun way using things that you've already got lying around your kitchen. The mission The mission: Create vibrant abstract art by making reflections in oil and water Time: One hour Skill level: Intermediate Kit needed: Flash or strong lamp, macro lens (optional), tripod (optional) The key here is in customising our light source. Light source
How to make a stop-motion animation from the comfort of your home Photography was always something I wanted to do for a living. The only problem was when I was a teenager, everyone told me it was too much work, too insecure, or just too hard. So instead I abandoned the idea and joined the US Air Force. I didn’t properly touch a camera again for 15 years. When I did, though, I instantly knew again that it was what I wanted to do for a living. Having played in bands throughout my youth, I started photographing the music scene in Cambridge. I started experimenting with another interest of mine: stop-motion animation. I had found my new passion. You can see more of George’s work via Facebook. 01. I have become known for the colors that I use in both my photography and my stop-motion work. Once the background color is selected, I go through my storyboard. 02. A tripod is absolutely essential for creating a stop-motion. 03. The position and lens that I use will be determined by the type of shot that I will be doing. 04. 05. 06. 06. Read more: