Five Top Tutorials for Digital Photographers
June 30, 2009 by Melanie
Filed under How To's, Photography
I’ve spent a whole day looking for great photography tutorials for digital photographers. (There’s a lot of real drek out there!) Here are the best tutorials I could find on digital camera basics.
The first two are for beginners and the next three are for more advanced users who have an adjustable camera.
Robert Vasquez, is a photographer from Fontana California. He owns and operates Photo Magic which is an on location photography and video service.
Photography Tutorial 1 (Fundamentals)
This is a MUST for beginning digital photographers. It explains the top three digital photo concepts: aperture, shutter speed and ISO. Just knowing these three things will immediately improve your photography!
Photography Tutorial 2 ( Insider Advice)
Robert is a working photographer, in this video he gives you some advice that comes from his years of business and photography experience.
The next three videos are “the basics” for more Advanced Photographers.
Digital Photography 1 on 1: Episode 1
In this episode Mark Wallace explains how the shutter works, shutter sync, and how to control the ambient light exposure while using a flash.
As I was watching this video I kept on thinking “wow, I didn’t know that.” The explanations are fabulous, illustrated graphically and easy to understand.
Digital Photography 1 on 1: Episode 2
In this episode Mark Wallace describes the two types of light meters. He answers the questions, “What meter should I buy?” and “How do I use a light meter?”
Digital Photography 1 on 1: Episode 3
In this episode Mark Wallace talks about the kinds of lighting equipment you need.
RESOURCES
Portable Lighting Studio
Here is what one happy customer had to say: Great item for the money. Folds up to a carrying case that holds the lights and tripod. Tripos is metal and holds my Fuji S5000 without issue. Feet on tripod need to have a non slip surface though as the tips are plastic and easily slide. But again, you CANNOT beat this deal as it is the perfect choice for a beginner or novice.
Digital Concepts Ps-101 Portable Lighting Studio
Can’t Afford Photoshop?
June 15, 2009 by Melanie
Filed under Programs - Utilities - Gizmos
Unless you are one of the lucky people who can get an educational version, or somehow “poach” a free copy … you may have experienced the shock of Photoshop’s hefty sticker price.
If you have not purchased a photo editing package because of the price, you will be very interested in my latest discovery.
Aviary.com
Aviary is receiving rave reviews and rightly so. It is a powerful combination of design and image editing tools that allow you to indulge your creativity to the max.
The cost? Free for the basic tools and tutorials … and a mind blowing $24.95 per year for the full range of editing tools and advanced tutorials.
The tutorials are fabulous and easy to understand. So far, I have found the image editing tools to be intuitive and easy to use.
AND, there is no downloading necessary … everything you need is online.
Take a look at what some of the Aviary devotees have created:
Take a look at this really GREAT video review of Aviary:
Resizing Your Photographs
April 30, 2009 by sidekick
Filed under How To's, Photography
You are back from a holiday in Venice and have a load of photographs that you want to share with family and friends. But each photograph size is so big that it is taking you hours to upload to enable online viewing. What can you do to resize your images for online use without compromising on photo quality?
Before we get into details, let us first understand the format in which a picture is saved in the camera. Generally pictures are saved in the JPEG format. If your camera does not save in the JPEG format, be sure to save your picture in the JPEG format before you start any editing or resizing.
One of the simple ways of reducing the image size is to crop off portions in the photograph that you do not require. All photo editing software have an option to edit the photographs. They will also have an option to resize the photographs.
Open the image that you want to resize. Save the image under a different file name. It is highly recommended that you do not change the original photograph. The Image menu has an option to resize. This will lead you to a dialog box to select the image size. You can choose the size that you want but be sure to also select the Constrain and Resample options. This will retain the image aspect ratio of the original photograph and the resized imaged will not be stretched or distorted.
When you are compressing, be sure to opt for medium to high quality. The issue with JPEG format is that the compression scheme it follows makes the image loses clarity every time you edit and save. In order that your image does not become blurred and lose detail, edit and save only once. If you are resaving use the same compression settings as the initial save.
But I have all the holiday photos to be resized for online viewing. What do I do? Editing and resizing photos one by one is time consuming. The solution to this has been provided by almost all photo editing software wherein you can do a batch resize.
BlueFive’s PixResizer is a program that enables you to quickly and easily resize your photographs. It is a free to use software and saves your resized files in a different folder so that your original images remain untouched. It is a handy tool for photographers. So why wait? Go ahead and show off the beauty of Venice to one and all on the web!
Another low cost alternative is Batch Photo Factory
Batch Photo Factory has the ability to batch process the photos. You can batch add frames and watermarks, convert,resize and rename a great number of your photos in ease. It is a useful and easy tool to prepare pictures for websites, making the photos smaller and lovelier and protecting your photos’ copyrights. All of the process can be done in batches.
RESOURCES
Black & White Photography Techniques with Adobe Photoshop
Microstock Photography: How to Make Money from Your Digital Images
Free 10-Week PhotoShop Course
I struggle with Photoshop. I’ve never taken a course, but kick and scream my way through it learning only what I have to when I have to. I’ve done online tutorials and half the time don’t understand what is happening so I end up giving up. When I saw this free on-line course given by CreativeTechs, I immediately signed up. Why?
~in real time
~real person teaching
~lots of time for questions and answers
Here is what you will learn:
Week 1, Feb 26 – Interface, Tools, and Shortcuts
Week 2, Mar 5 – Photoshop Layers
Week 3, Mar 12 – Selections
Week 4, Mar 19 – Advanced Selections
Week 5, Mar 26 – Masks
Week 6, Apr 2 – Pen Tool / Shape Layers
Week 7, Apr 9 -Drawing Tools / Brushes
Week 8, Apr 16 – Retouching
Week 9, Apr 23 – Color Correction pt 1
Week 10, Apr 29 – Color Correction pt 2
And yes, you can pass this offer along to friends, or even post it on your blog. Help spread the word. We need a minimum of 1,000 people enrolled to make this free class viable.
Because it’s in real time, I guess a BIG concern is WHAT TIME? I was happy to see that I’ll actually be awake for this. Here are a few time samplings:
Q: What Time Do Classes Start?
A: That depends on where you live. People attend these workshops from all over the world. We start at 11AM Thursday mornings in Seattle. Here are the start times for time zones in the United States:
2PM – Eastern (New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Florida)
1PM – Central (Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas)
12PM – Mountain (Denver, Phoenix)
11AM – Pacific (Seattle, Los Angeles)
10AM – Alaska
9AM – Hawaii
And of course, the big question … Why are they doing this for free? Suspicious right?
We are trying to make a big splash, and we love working with a large audience. Help us spread the word. If we continue to attract a full audience, we’ll be able to keep offering these types of free courses for InDesign, Illustrator, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, and other Adobe products.
Check it out and if the timing is right … join me!
Melanie
Greeting Card, Calendar and Poster Markets
March 6, 2009 by Melanie
Filed under Photography, Writing
Here is a list of over 50 companies that purchase photos, illustrations, concepts, verse or prose for their products.
Greeting Cards, Calendars, Posters and Related Products
Publishes publishing life-size standups which are cardboard displays of celebrities. Needs photos of celebrities.
Publishes open edition reproductions for the decorative and gallery market.”We Believe in our Artists. Our philosophy is to cultivate and nurture our artist relationships. We take an individual approach to working with artists; offering support, feedback, direction and new ideas to help develop and support your career.”
See artist submission page: http://www.artinmotion.com/artistwanted.aspx
Produces photographic greeting cards and related products. Interested in humorous, narrative, colorful, simple, to the point photos of babies, children and animals.
Publishes prints and posters. Interested in figurative, Southwest, architecture, cities, urban, gardening, interiors/decorating, rural and food/drink photography etc.
Publishes greeting cards that are designed especially for western businesses.
Interested in various types of winter scenes, unique and creative Christmas still life images, and scenes that express the warmth and romance of the holidays.
BON ART/ARTIQUE/ART RESOURCES INT. LTD
Publishes posters and open edition fine art prints. Purchases photos of landscapes, scenics, wildlife, architecture, cities, gardening, interiors and decorating, rural, adventure, health and fitness, and extreme sports.
Publishes greeting cards. Uses photos of babies/children/teens, couples, families, parents, senior citizens, adventure, events, hobbies, and humor.
Utilizes photos on gift items. Interested in religious, nature, and still life.
Publishes greeting cards. Purchases nautical scenes for Christmas and everyday card illustrations.
Publishes gift products: gifts, t-shirts, clocks, watches, pens, mugs, frames. Needs photos of celebrities, environmental, wildlife, humor
Publishes greeting cards, invitations, notepads, games, gift wrap. Looking for images of wild, outrageous and shocking adult humor.
Publishes bookmarks, greeting cards, calendars, postcards, posters, framing prints, stationery and gift wrap. Purchases photos of nature, seasonal, domestic animals, dogs and cats, religious, inspirational, florals and sceneries.
Publishes bookmarks, calendars, decorations, gifts, giftwrap, greeting cards, ornaments, posters, stationery, computer. Photos of animal humor, b&w and hand-tinted photos of children.
Publishes wall decor, fine arts for reproduction for the high-end art market.
Publishes mid-size greeting cards. Looking for humorous subjects.
Publishes greeting cards. Needs photos of babies/children/teens, couples, multicultural, families, parents, landscapes/scenics, pets, religious, rural, humor, performing arts, travel, technology and computers.
Publishes CD-ROMs, decorations, house wares, posters, wallpaper, murals. Needs photos of architecture, interiors/decorating, and religious subjects.
Publishes posters and framing prints. Needs all subjects
Royalty-free art services, stock image content, trade publications and creative services training. Publishes CD-ROMs, clip-art. Interested in holidays and seasonal, retail and model-released people photos.
Publishes greeting cards, postcards, postcard books, books, posters, stationery, T-shirts, note cards. Needs photos of babies/children/teens, celebrities, couples, multicultural, families, parents, senior citizens, cities/urban, pets, automobiles, entertainment, events, humor, performing arts, and travel.
Publishes greeting cards. Purchases photos of landscapes/scenics, wildlife, gardening, pets, religious, automobiles, humor, sports, travel, product shots and still life.
Fine Art Reproductions.
Publishes posters. Needs photos of babies/children/teens, celebrities, multicultural, disasters, environmental, landscapes/scenics, wildlife, cities/urban, rural, adventure, automobiles, entertainment, humor, performing arts, sports, and travel.
RAYMOND L. GREENBERG ART PUBLISHING
Publishes posters. Needs photos of cute cats, children, florals, romantic couples, religious still life, Americana, wildlife, landscapes and scenics.
Publishes calendars, bookmarks, mugs, CD-ROMs, posters, books for the tourist industry. Needs photos of wildlife, scenics, US travel destinations, national parks, theme parks and animals.
Publishes Christian posters. Needs photos of babies/children/teens, celebrities, couples, multicultural, families, parents, senior citizens, cities/urban, gardening, pets, rural, adventure, events, food/drink, health/fitness, hobbies, humor, performing arts, sports, political, science, technology/computers.
Publishes greeting cards, calendars, postcards, posters, art prints, stationery, gift wrap, decorations, mugs, school supplies, food tins, and playing cards.
Publishes posters, framing prints, and wall decor. Interested in b&w: still life, floral, figurative, and landscape.
NEW YORK GRAPHIC SOCIETY PUBLISHING GROUP
Publishes fine art reproductions, prints, and posters.
Publishes greeting cards. Needs photos of pets, and humor.
Publishes greeting cards. Needs photos of humor, nostalgia, unusual and interesting b&w and color, Christmas and Valentine, and wildlife.
Publishes stationery, scrapbook and paper crafting papers
Needs photos of landscapes/scenics, architecture, gardening, adventure, travel
Publishes napkins, plates. Needs photos of babies/children/teens, architecture, gardening, pets, food/drink, humor, and travel.
Publishes posters, fine art prints. Interested in photos with a fine art/decorative look
Publishes posters. Purchases photos of landscapes/scenics, architecture, cities/urban, rural, hobbies, sports, and travel.
RECYCLED PAPER GREETINGS, INC.
Publishes greeting cards. Uses photos of babies/children/teens, landscapes/scenics, wildlife, pets, and humor related topics.
Publishes consumer magazines, books, calendars and occasionally posters and cards
Needs photos of families, senior citizens, landscapes/scenics, gardening, rural, travel, agriculture, Amish lifestyle.
Publishes representing photographers and artists to manufacturers for licensing purposes. Needs photos of celebrities, architecture, entertainment, humor, sports, travel, floral, coastal
Publishes greeting cards, gift wrap, calendars
Needs photos of greeting card themes, outrageous, satirical, ironic, humorous photos
(including male and female nudes and semi-nudes)
Publishes visual aids and reference charts for Sunday schools, Christian schools, churches, libraries
Needs photos of major religions and religious groups
Publishes calendars, games, gifts, giftwrap, greeting cards, mugs, party supplies, posters, stationery. Needs photos of babies, children, teens, couples, parents, and humor.
Publishes packaging design, full-color art, novelty gifts, brochure design, poster design, logo design, promotional P.O.P. Needs photos of babies/children/teens, couples, jewelry.
Publishes art prints of special events and families.
Publishes posters, greeting cards, calendars and t-shirts
Needs photos of social content, reflecting a consciousness of diversity, multiculturalism, community building, social justice, environment, liberation, etc
Publishes scenic and generic advertising calendars
Needs photos of babies/children/teens, couples, multicultural, families, parents, senior citizens, wildlife, architecture, gardening, interiors/decorating, religious, adventure, automobiles, food/drink, sports, travel, motivational, inspirational, b&w scenic
Publishes calendars, books, note cards
Needs photos of landscapes/scenics, wildlife, architecture, gardening, interiors/decorating, pets, religious, adventure, automobiles, entertainment, events, food/drink, health/fitness, hobbies, humor, performing arts, sports, travel
[Publishes fine magazines and books of Wisconsin]
Publishes calendars portraying seasonal scenics, some books and activities
Needs photos of nature, landscapes, wildlife and Wisconsin activities
Photos used for artist reference in oil paintings
Needs candid, heart-warming, and endearing photos of children with high emotional appeal between the ages of 1-2 capturing the magical moments of early childhood
RESOURCES:
How to Make Money in Greeting Cards and Calendars – Part One
How to Make Money in Greeting Cards and Calendars – Part Two
Here are a few books that I have found to be useful!
How to Write and Sell Greeting Cards, Bumper Stickers, T-Shirts and Other Fun Stuff
Writing for Quick Cash: Turn Your Way with Words into Real Money
The Market Guides … especially for Photographers and Artists provides you with lists (and contacts) for Greeting Card companies. I would suggest either the photographers or artists guides even for writers.
2009 Artist’s & Graphic Designer’s Market
Here are several books that show you how to write query letters to approach publishers with your ideas or submission packages:
How to Write Irresistible Query Letters
How to Write Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters
Writer’s Guide to Queries, Pitches & Proposals
Here are two resources I recommend for photographers:
Shooting & Selling Your Photos: The Complete Guide to Making Money with Your Photography
