PhotoStudioSupplies

Importance of Chroma Key Green Screen Gloves & Suit in Photography

2014-02-17T23:23:00.000-08:00

Chroma key is actually a technique that is used for editing of photos and video shooting, and in this editing process Chroma key green gloves play prominent role. Lets discuss in detail how these color full gloves and body suits works.

For instance - If we are shooting a video in which a teacup is placed on a table and background of this video is green, now you can shoot video in which cup will be freely flying in air, giving a magical feel. It seems to be impossible but using Chroma key gloves and suits this impossible can be turned possible, simply let a person wear green Chroma key gloves and suit and that person will hold cup and move it here and there. In video person will be not visible because of same background color and suit color, it will look like as if cup is flying.

It is an effective way for video shooting and this technique is very popular in Hollywood and has been used in several popular movies.

Usages of Chroma key accessories.

Chroma key accessories commonly used in photography labs and video shooting, here we have stated some of its very common usage:-

Use in virtual set technology or combining real time events with computer-generated environments.
To give various color affects in photos and videos
Some working professionals such as artist, spot boys often wear chrome key accessories for special affects

The first movie in which this technique was used is The Old Man and the Sea. Later this technique was used in movies like Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Star Trek and many more. Many amazing scenes in these movies were possible because of Chroma key gloves and suits. Certainly, Chroma Key accessories are reason behind many amazed and smiling faces in movie theaters.

By considering shooting location, using a premium quality green screen, lighting it evenly, using a camera creatively, you should be able to produce a magical effects and deliver a stunning green key shot. Though good Chroma keying requires skill and practice but the reward or end result makes the experimentation worth it.

Key points to consider before buying a DSLR

2014-02-11T03:48:00.001-08:00

DSLRs are growing in popularity among hobbyists and professionals alike due to their advanced functionality and friendly interface and more importantly their ability to provide better image quality, more control over settings, faster performance and versatility to switch lenses. Before you head to the store for buying one for yourself here are some basic features to consider before buying.

Megapixels myth - More megapixels do not amount to better image quality. The main advantage of having a camera with more megapixels is, it gives you flexibility when it comes to image cropping. More mega pixels help if you have to take print outs of your images else, higher megapixel counts also produces larger files which take lot of space in your memory card or hard drive. These days most of the camera offers minimum 8 to 10 mega pixels, which is more than sufficient for most of the shooters.

Sensor size - Another question to consider is how big the image sensor is. In general, a larger sensor has some advantages over smaller sensor like better image quality, less noise, faster speeds. Make sure to check the sensor size before buying a camera and compare it with other model you are considering for buying. The two common sensor sizes are Micro Four thirds and APS-C.

Adaptability in terms of lenses - Ability to mount different lenses is an important feature to consider, as it open up a whole world of possibilities for photographers. You can mount different lenses ranging from wide angle to macro lenses, telephoto lenses depending upon what you want to capture. Make sure what lenses are compatible with your camera before you buy.

Manual Controls - DSLR is designed in a way, that you get flexibility in terms of camera settings. With Manual controls, you can tweak your camera settings for exposure, depth of field, shutter speed and much more to get a desired shot.

Viewfinders - DSLRs come with three basic types of viewfinders such as Electronic viewfinder, Optical Viewfinder, and an LCD with Live View. The electronic and optical viewfinders are both eye level viewfinders whereas an LCD lets you preview a scene on the cameras LCD screen. When evaluating a camera, make sure viewfinder it offers is vivid, and the focusing screen is clear.

Flash - Some DSLRs offer built in flash while some have a mount that lets you attach an external flash to the camera when needed while other offer both. A built-in flash is good enough for casual photography but if you are looking for high quality flash that produces more consistent light than external flash is your best bet.

Depending upon your usage, you can evaluate different DSLRs model, and get started with your photography passion.

Tips for Capturing Great Candid Shots

2014-01-31T03:01:00.000-08:00

Candid photography is all about catching people in the act of being themselves. This type of photography demands lot of patience & practice at the photographers part, as being a photographer you have to wait for the right moment to happen and then capture it creatively. Candid shots are simple, natural and beautifully mirror essence of the moments. Capturing candid shots is not that easy as it may appear, so here are few tips to adopt when taking candid shots.

Keep your camera ready all time - Keep your camera available, as you never know when a fantastic frame will occur. Whenever you see a moment unfolding, capture it in your camera. Keep the camera charged enough, so that you do not miss any moments. Candid photography is all about spontaneity, so carry your camera everywhere.

Background - When taking candid shots, select a shooting position that provides a distraction free and clean background. You can shoot using a wide aperture; this will fill the frame with subject and blur the background. To overcome any background disturbances, you can frame tightly.

Capture people unaware - Now this sounds so obvious but the beauty of candid shots lies in capturing people unaware. This way you can produce shots that are more natural. Even if they know you are clicking pictures, let the scene play and keep yourself uninvolved in the scene. Wait patiently and let them do whatever they are doing setting their hair, dancing, laughing, talking to someone or whatever, when moment happens capture it in your camera without subject intentionally interacting with your camera.

Use different angles - Experiment with photographs using different angles like from the side, up above, from front, behind; this provides an unconventional angle and can give your photos an interesting depth. Especially when you taking candid shots of kids, get down on your knees while clicking photos.

Use continuous shooting mode - More the number of clicks, more are the chances of capturing interesting candid moments. For this, you can use continuous shooting mode on your camera and capture multiple shots, this provides you an edge when it comes to selecting best shots. When you watching a scene you want to capture, take at least 9-10 photos of the same scene, later you can select the ones that perfectly describes the moment.

Tips for capturing compelling Athlete Portraits

2014-01-21T04:23:00.000-08:00

An ideal Athletic portrait depicts an athlete’s true personality and magnifies their persona to their fans, teammates, and coaches. The professional athletic portrait can be considered a calling card to build their brand, reputation and career. Here are five tips for capturing compelling athlete portraits:

Eye Contact - Eyes are main attraction of face, and has remarkable impact on an image. When shooting portraits, the thumb rule is to focus on the person’s eye since eyes is the focal point of an image. Convey emotion in your shot, by including laughter, surprise, intensity & passion. These kinds of shots create relationship, and connection.
Composition - The most followed rule for composition is ‘Rule of thirds’ but there is no need of sticking to traditional techniques every time, you can push the creativity by placing your subject dead center or off to one edge. You can also enhance image quality by using a solid color backdrop that enhances their skin tone and uniform color and brings out overall color and contrast.
Lighting - While there are numerous lighting in portraits, the choice of lighting depends upon the kind of portrait you want to capture. You can experiment with side-lighting, back-lighting, and silhouetting the subject. For creating softness or hardness in shadows, you can make use of lighting modifiers like Soft boxes, reflectors etc. If you get inspired by seeing any existing lighting portrait, you can follow their lighting set up to achieve desired impact.
Candid shots - Though portraits are shot in pre-arranged settings, and are all about posed shots. However, you will be surprised to see the result, you achieve with the candid shots such as when athlete is tying their shoelace, adjusting their gear, playing with props, having a natural laugh. Candid shots are a great way to reflect true personality of the athlete and look natural. On the contrary, posed shots can sometime make them nervous or uncomfortable.
Props - Props are a great way to add point of interest in the image. For athlete portraits, props such as gear, rackets, trophies or medals, uniforms, balls, and sticks adds a story and drama to the image. Let them play around with prop, or make them pose with prop up close to their face, this will tell the subject’s full story in a compelling way.

A simple guide to Camera Lens Filters and their Usage

2014-01-14T22:29:00.000-08:00

Camera Lens Filters are widely used in photography for several different reasons such as to enhance contrast, reduce reflections, changing the exposure or capturing beautiful shots even in difficult lighting conditions. Most of the camera lenses have the ability to add filters, by mounting them on in front of the lens but there are some lenses, which require filters to be attached at the rear end of the lens. There are different types of filters available such as UV filter, Polarizer, ND filters etc and each serves a specific purpose.

UV Filter- UV stands for Ultra Violet and main purpose of these filters is to protect the front of a lens from dust, moisture, scratches and block the ultra violet radiations. Due to advancement in technology, now cameras are not really sensitive to ultra violet rays and that is why UV filters do not enjoy much prominence in digital photography. Their function is now mere limited to protecting the lens of camera as they are easy to clean and cheaper to replace.

ND (Neutral Density) Filter- These filters are used to reduce the amount of light that reaches the sensor, thus resulting in decreased shutter speed and increased exposure time. Without a ND filter, most lenses would not be able to use a larger aperture for a longer period. That is why ND lens are considered effective for capturing stunning shots of flowing waterfalls, rivers or moving people, in simple words useful for situations where motion blur needs to be created. They are most preferred filters for Landscape & flash photography.

Graduated ND Filter- These filters work great in high contrast situations, where the sky is much brighter than the foreground and the horizon is flat. These filters have same principle as ND filters, the only difference is, they do not have natural density effect on the glass. They are used for Landscape Photography. GND filters can be further divided into 2 categories such as Soft-edge GND filters and Reverse GND filters.

Polarizer Filter- Polarizing filters are favorite of photographers as it has the brilliance to dramatically improve the image quality. These filters reduces reflections, harsh glares and give better color intensity especially when shooting in sunny weather it gives bluer skies, greener foliage etc. They filter out polarized light and color saturation is significantly enhanced. There are two types of polarizing filters available Linear and Circular.

Macro Filters- Macro filters also known as close-up filters, allows a lens to focus closer on subjects. Technically they are not ordinary filters but accessory lenses. The insertion of a converging lens in front of a taking lens reduces the focal length of the combination. These filters are used for close-up or macro photography.

Top considerations while selecting a Tripod

2014-01-02T05:27:00.002-08:00

A camera tripod’s function is not limited to holding camera in a precise position rather it is a

necessary equipment for capturing razor sharp and quality images. It enables photos to be taken with less light or a greater depth of field, in addition to giving complete freedom with your exposure settings. Tripods come in various sizes, shapes, weight and price ranges, enlisted below are some important factors to consider, for selecting a tripod that fits best with your shooting style and gear.

Sturdiness- Stability and sturdiness is the most important feature of a tripod. Sturdiness of a tripod depends on several factors such as the no. of tripod leg sections, length of the legs, the material and thickness of the leg units or weather a center column is needed to reach eye level. The best way is to take a trial, place your camera on the top and take a few test shots.

Maximum Height- When selecting a tripod, make sure it extends to a level that you do not have to bend over to look into the viewfinder for every shot. Many tripods come with a fully extended center column, limit your choice to the one where centre column is extended only halfway or not at all extended, as they are more secure and stable.

Minimum Height- How small can it fold is very important especially for macro or landscape shooters as the minimum height will determine how low you can keep your camera for taking ground level shots. Now –a-days tripods come with 4, 5 or even 6 segments, the more segments in the legs, smaller it folds. In addition, tripods that come with a central column further limit its minimum height

Weight- Weight of a tripod determines its sturdiness, strength & portability. Light weight tripods are easy to carry and do not cause fatigue but make sure in lieu of portability you are not compromising on its stability as weight & stability are closely related. Lightweight tripods are good for outdoor locations especially hiking etc and heavy tripods are often used in studios where weight is not a concern. Depending upon your shooting needs, you can select the one, which is not too lightweight but still a quality tripod.

Material- There is generally two basic choices in materials for tripods: Aluminum, Carbon fiber.

Aluminum is heavier and cheaper than carbon fiber. Further, in aluminum there are two choice available casted and forged. If you want aluminum fiber, go with the forged one as they are more durable and weight a little less. Carbon fiber is much lighter and sturdy as compared to aluminum ones and can be carried along easily.

A quality tripod does not only supports your camera gear, but also helps you capture the ideal shot in all circumstances, without fear of camera move or shake. So, grab the one which serves your needs best.

Six Tips for capturing Great Headshots

2013-12-26T01:33:00.000-08:00

The aim of a great headshot is to capture the subject in a way that is flattering and true to their natural look. There are many techniques of capturing a great headshot, have a look at the tips given below:

Focus on the body posture - When you are capturing a headshot, do not neglect subject’s body posture. Though it does not appear in the photo but it definitely affects the upper part of the body. For instance if a person is standing in an awkward, drooping posture, it will tend to pull their head & neck downward too.

Keep the face firm - The best technique to capture a great headshot is tell your subject to stretch their head upwards and keep the face firm. Head shot is a close up and gives impeccable attention to the detail, so tighten the skin on their face about an inch perfectly. This trick will help eliminate fine lines, wrinkles, and gracefully firms up the skin.

Lighting Adjustments - Lighting can make or mar your image quality. To give a nice, soft light spread evenly across the face, diffuse your light with an umbrella, reflector, softbox, as per your liking. However, abstain from using sharp or excessively bright light directly at the subject.

Natural composition of the shot - Head shot photography is all about capturing natural expressions. Composition of shot should look natural, instead of forced. So forget about traditional way of capturing a headshot wherein your subject is always posing with a smile. Rather, talk to them jokingly to bring a natural laughter on their face and then capture by keeping the camera at eye level with your subject.

Backdrop - Keep the backdrop simple & subtle, for this best option is to keep plain white backdrop. Headshot’s aim is to draw viewer’s attention to the face of the subject, so avoid any distractions. Never clutter your image by adding fancy backdrops or props.

Jaw Line - Apart from eyes, the striking feature that draws in the viewer is jaw line. Therefore, another major point of focus should be your subjects jaw line. So, make sure you are shooting from a good jaw line angle.

5 Fantastic Gift Ideas for Lens Lovers

2013-12-16T00:23:00.000-08:00

As festive season approaches gift giving surly occupies our mind. If you are looking for best photographic gifts for lens lover in your life, we have done the hard work for you. Check out our list of best photography gifts, which will help you pick the best unusual presents in no time, without hurting your budget.

Backdrops - Weather he is a professional photographer or a hobbyist, Green Screen Backdrops or Muslin Backdrops are a good option. Backdrops can give your random clicks a professional look in no time and best part is they are available at a budget friendly price. You can also explore printed muslin backdrops such as Napa Gold, and Earth. These backdrops are perfect for both photo and video shoot.

Reflector Kit - If the photographer on your list does not have a Reflector kit; they will definitely love to receive it as present. This is hands down the easiest way quickly to set a custom white balance without the need of color adjustments. So gift a 5 in one reflector kit that provides 5 different panels to shoot in 5 different ways. These kits are lightweight and perfect for both indoor and outdoor locations. These reflector kits are economical and useful. So just, gift-wrap them for the photography enthusiast in your life.

Tripods - To capture sharp and clear images tripod is a great option. Tripods are flexible, light in weight and give you steady shots. They are suitable for studio and on location shoots as well. A Tripod is perfect to have on hand for all your family photos where you want to be in the shots too. They come at an affordable price and a must have. Who wouldn’t love this as a Christmas gift?

Green Screen Apparels - To give stunning special effects to all your photographs, green screen apparels are the best bet. These green screen apparels are available in varied variety such as Full cover green man suits, Chroma key gloves, Chroma key hoods and lot more. So express creativity and infuse interesting special effects to photos and videos by these apparels. Easy to gift wrap, inexpensive and an absolute delight for any photography lover.

Camera Lens - What can be a better gift for a camera lover than receiving a quality lens. An appropriate and high quality lens can remarkably improve your image quality. There are different types of Lenses available such as Wide-angle lenses, Standard lenses, telephoto lenses and Macro lenses. Depending upon the recipient’s need you can pick the one, which is most suitable. Any photographer would appreciate it in their Christmas Stockings!

With limitless photography options, it’s surely a daunting task to pick the best gift for the camera lover in your life. I hope after reading our gift ideas, now it’s easy and fun for you to pick the one which fits well with your needs. To celebrate Christmas with full fervor and enthusiasm, PhotoStudioSupplies is offering up to 10-70% discount on all these and many other photography supplies available on our online store. So grab your favorite gift without breaking your bank. Shop Now!

Useful and Demanding Tips for Fashion Photography

2013-10-31T23:43:00.000-07:00

Fashion world is full of glamour, fame and money. Fashion photography is therefore, a demanding profession that expects you to capture all these aspects wonderfully and showcase them appropriately. Fashion photography is not something unique, it is the same old photography packed in a creative way to make your subject look glamorous. The techniques to play with light are different as compare to shooting conventional portraits. Unless you don't innovate something new in your work, fashion photography isn't going to give you satisfactory outcome. Here are some helpful photography tips that might help you.

Fashion photography needs free minded work both from the photographer as well as the model. Of you see signs of anxiety, stress, and nervousness in your model, talk to her. Make her feel comfortable, so that her internal emotions aren't reflected in the pictures. If this is your first shot, you must feel confident or else you might spoil the shoot.
Fashion photography is all about the clothes, so make sure you choose a model whose looks matches the desired outfit and vice-verse. Also, the makeup should complement your model's outlook, style, and the outfit.
Fashion photography is all about playing with lights. Therefore, you must shoot indoors using your professional lighting equipments to modify light as and when you want. So you can easily control the lighting conditions over there. Remember to use all the measure to remove shadow for perfect lighting.
If you are shooting out in the sun or low light then you may require some lighting accessories such as light diffuser, reflectors, etc.
If you are using a flash then bounce it through a reflector, a wall or a ceiling to remove the shadow that might arise on your model's face especially under the cheek, chins and in the background. Unwanted shadows can spoil you effort, so make sure you address them appropriately.
Try for some tricky posing that reflects the models attitude and boost her attire. Experiment with lighting, angle, and direction.
Backgrounds are equally important in fashion photography. If you are shooting for fashionable clothes that are very much new and trendy than urban background would be perfect whereas for shooting for winter clothes you may consider rural areas, fields, and hilly backgrounds. Shoot your subject against the green screen or blue screen backdrops and later replace it with desired background. Do a rigorous research to come up with the most appropriate background.

Apart from all the basic skills, you need two specific attributes; dedication and innovation to come up with new ideas in each of your work. Versatility is preferred in fashion industry, so be ready to cater to the demand.

5 Tips to Make Your Photo Standouts

2013-09-23T02:34:00.005-07:00

Every photographer wants to shoot some of the best pictures of his life every time he uses his camera. However, pictures that actually stand out and grab the attention of the viewers are rare. If you love photography and want your photos to be unique and creative, you have to think different and act different. Although capturing stunning photos is really tough, proper techniques and rigorous practice will make it possible. Here are some useful photography tips that will help you achieve perfection:

Shoot your subject only when its relaxed

If you want some great and natural shots then let your subject relax and pose for you. For example - if you are shooting a kid, don't force him/her to look in the camera but bend down to his level to get the perfect shot. Sometimes it is better to get down to the level of the subject rather than making him look in the camera because that might make the subject feel uncomfortable.

Take your shots from close

Sometimes to get good and detailed shot of your subject, you have to eliminate the background or simply defocus it. If you want such standouts shots, shoot your subject from very close or you can even use zoom and use macro mode function of your camera. This will help in producing amazing shots when you cover your subject completely in the viewfinder of your camera lens.

Keep your background simple

A simple and plain photography background is very effective when you want your subject to get all the importance. If you are using some attractive background or noisy background, it this will distract the viewers. So, always keep your background simple to make your subject look more attractive.

Choose a photo that reflects emotion

If you want your pictures to look different, capture some emotions in them. You can capture your subject in any mood that suits the theme of the photographs such as laughter, crying, anger, pain, nervousness, etc. Don't shoot dull, emotionless pictures; instead let the emotions flow and reflect the purpose of the picture.

Rule of third is a good option

This rule is very effective in photography and if you want great shots then follow it by placing your subject off the centre. Sometimes the subject at the center may be boring so you can put your subject one-third at the side of the center.

Capturing good pictures is all about good practice and smart visualization. Before you click a shot, visualize it and identify the areas of improvement.

Helpful Tips For Shooting Car Photograph

2013-09-05T00:22:00.000-07:00

If you love cars, car photography is an amazing career option for you. Apart from the mid segment vehicles, you will get a chance to see and shoot luxurious as well sporty cars. Though car photography is very interesting and full of fun, it is however, very challenging and the market for car photographers is really tough and full of competition. Unless you don't deliver perfection in your work using good techniques, you will not be able to build your career. Here are some wonderful photography tips that you must know:

Have the car cleaned properly before you shoot it

Whether you are a product photographer or simply shooting for your personal interest, make sure you follow all the rules of product photography; the top one being shooting a clean and shiny product. Unless your product looks beautiful or attractive, you can't pull the eyes of the viewer's. If you are photographing a car, whether new or cold, make it look clean and beautiful. Clean the car body to remove water spots, clean the tires, to ensure that they don’t look brown. If you are shooting the interior of the car then vacuum the dust.

Location is important

If you shoot your car somewhere in the crowded place or on the grasses, it will look like a toy. Cars run on the roads and look better when they are depicted as strong objects. Shoot it on highways, hilly roads, but not on softer places surrounded by people.

Use a tripod and cable release

A photography tripod is one of the essential tools for photography to produce blur free photos. Even a little shake can degrade the quality of your photographs. Cable release is another important electronic tool, which further reduces the chance of getting blurry pictures. Using this two photography tools can give you some really great shots.

Think of light

Light is the greatest factor in photography. Photographing your car during or around sunrise and sunset will provide you some wow photos but if you are planning to shoot at night or during insufficient availability of light then you must have to use external lighting sources, so that your effort doesn't go vain.

Experiment using different angles

Experimentation is the key to unique results and this is no exception to photography. Experiment with different angles and never limit yourself with just one angle or point. Every car lover would like to see the car from different angles or every possible side, so just try your best to get ultimate shots. Take pictures from front, behind, sides, and even top with the help of any climbing support. This way, you will really end up with some great shots and new angles will provide some amazing clicks.

The above mentioned tips are great to help you take some ultimate pictures of the car. Keep practicing and always experiment something new. Good luck!

Important Night Photography Lightning Equipments That Every Photographer Must Have

2013-08-23T00:25:00.001-07:00

Night photography is really a challenging one but using appropriate lightning equipments can give you better pictures even under the low light circumstances. Night photography is nothing but full of fun and unique. You can get top quality night photos with some basic equipment. Further, all the compact cameras have automatic night mode which when clubbed with the night photography equipments will make your work easier! Whether a professional or a beginner photographer, here are some useful equipments you must have if you are doing night photography.

Good Quality Camera

Using a compact camera is good but it will not give you the desire results. Therefore, invest in a DSLR or a camera that will allow you to get a best night photos. Use a camera that allows manual setting of the exposure like shutter speed and aperture, and helps you to shoot RAW, possibly for highest image quality. A camera with a big sensor (full frame sensor) is preferred to a small sensor camera because it produces less noise and gives higher quality image.

Use a Tripod

If you want to get the best result in night photography then better use a sturdy tripod. A tripod helps you get blur free images during long exposure, as it balances the camera and lens. Always go for a strong, steady, and tall tripod. It will help you in focusing well and you don't have to raise the center column to stabilize it. Since the camera and the lens have their own weight so chose a tripod that has high weight bearing capacity.

Use a Cable and a Remote Release
A cable and a remote release helps to trigger the shutter without using your hands. These photography equipments prevent blurry images caused by shake and hand -pressing the shutter. If you are using a digital camera then a remote release with a timer will be helpful. It is always good to use a remote with a cable because the wireless relies completely on an infra-red receiver that is usually placed in front of the camera.

Lenses

Lenses used for night photography are a bit different than those used for daytime photography. Generally prime or fixed focal lenses are preferred to zoom lenses as they are sharper and have high resolution and large maximum aperture. Flare is unavoidable in zoom lenses. Another way to remove flare is to use a lens hood or a lens shade.

Use a Flashgun

Since the photography is at night so you need artificial light to illuminate the subject .Flashgun makes the photo shoot more interesting. You can use some reflectors to focus your light to an exact point. Since artificial light is the main source of light for night photography, these lights have different color cast then the original light. Generally in night photo there are multiple sources of light, which gives multiple color cast, but we can easily change the color cast of the light by using white balance setting of the camera. This helps in night photography.

These photography lightning equipments play a very important role in night photography. Your night photography is incomplete if you don't have these equipments. So hurry up, as you can get them at low price from PhotoStudioSupplies!

Useful Product Photography Tips And Tricks to Click Sellable Images

2013-08-09T00:18:00.000-07:00

Product photography for online business is not as easy as it sounds. The most challenging part of any product photographer is to grab your potential customers’ attention by simply showing them a photo of the product. The quality of the picture should be such that it compels your audience to shop. It must display even minutest details and features of the product in the most accurate way without missing any significant detail.

Here are some product photography tips that will help you capture professional product photographs and maintain the value of your product and services.

Always use product turntable

Gone are the days of single dimensional photography for products. If you want your product to look best, you must capture 2d and even 3d pictures using a Turntable for Photography. Turntable helps you to shoot multidimensional pictures of your product and is the best way to showcase it from all directions. Turntable also helps to capture consistent photographs.

Don’t afraid to shoot from close point

While shooting a live object like a model, it may be inconvenient for you to get too close but shooting any product you have to get very close to your subject so that you can maintain the realistic look of the product. Take extreme close-ups and reveal as much details as possible such as texture, exact color, print, etc. This will reveal most of the details of the products and thereby increasing their sale. Always maintain some distance when getting closer to the object, as you may reflect your shadow within the frame and this will affect the quality of your pictures.

Always maintain the focus on product

Maintain the entire focus on the product and least attention should be given to the props. For example; if you are shooting a necklace or a car, let the focus be on the product, its design, color, shine, details, parts etc. and not on the beauty and expressions of the model. This will help you to keep your composition extremely simple, minimize distraction, and capture clean cut images.

Keep your Background Simple and Clean

In case you are not using a turntable for displaying your product, then try to keep your background simple and clean to avoid distraction in the photo. A simple and clean background will keep the focus on the products. Never use a busy background, as it will dilute the attention.

Display your product in proper lighting

Poor lighting will affect the look of your product and will distract the viewer’s eyes, creating confusion about the details of the product. Bad quality light will give a dull look to your products by reducing its quality and value. Whether you are shooting products in daylight or within Controlled Lighting Situation, make sure you appropriately illuminate it.

The whole idea of product photography is to capture images that reveal as much information about the product as possible along with making it look attractive. So, make sure you achieve this.

Useful Landscape Photography Tips For Capturing Wonderful Photos of Nature

2013-07-28T23:02:00.003-07:00

Landscape photos seems to be easy as compared to any other action photography or taking any picture of a animal or children, but it is really challenging, as there are many natural and technical factors that affect your work.
Here are some great tips to reduce your stress and help you out to shoot stunning landscape pictures.

Always choose a good view or aim something good

Taking a simple photos or pictures without any good view is useless and boring. It is very much important to choose a good view with different background, no matter what kind of landscape you are taking. You should have some type of focal point or subject framed in the image to give the picture a story. Each time you snap try to a new taste in your photography.
Always try to follow the Rule of Third so that you may know where you place the focal point in your landscape photography.

Prefer Using a Tripod

If your body is not still in photography, you are sure to miss good shots. For a longer shutter speed that you may need to select to compensate for a small aperture you will need a way to confirm that your camera is still while photography. A tripod is always beneficial for you in shooting ultimate pictures. So if you want good landscape portrait then it is wise to prefer a tripod.

Think for foregrounds

One thing that can set apart your landscape shots is to think carefully of your shots and by placing points of interest in them. This will help you to create a sense of depth in your shot.

Change your point of view or prefer taking photos from different angles

Always try to take the same shot from different angles or point of view to make the pictures look different and fell ‘wow’. You can get off the car, grab the camera, and turn left right, zoom in, set up angle before taking the shot. Take more time and analyze the scene before shooting your photo.

Try to work in different weather

Nature can change dramatically, and thus the scene can also change as well depending upon the weather at any given moment. Many photographers thinks that the sunny day is the best one to get good photos, but an changing day that is threatening to rain might present you with much better opportunity to create an image with real mood .
So look for wind, sun, cloud, rain, mist, sunrise, sunset, lightening, rainbows etc. to get ultimate photos.

Take as many as photos and be Patience

Patience is the only quality you need while taking photos because landscape photography needs lots of patience, because you might have

to wait for long to get quality photos.
Secondly, always try to snap many photos over one view to get good photos. Sometimes it may happen that you might miss quality photo which you want to show because you have taken only one snap, so it is better always to take many photos so that you may filter later on to get the good one.

Landscape photography is very interesting and the best photography to get awesome and beautiful natural photos. The above tips are sure to get wonderful landscape photos.

Tips for Outdoor Photography

2013-07-16T00:40:00.001-07:00

Just because you have a high quality digital SLR camera, it does not mean that you can click professional quality pictures. The right photography skills develop with experience and knowledge. If you have right knowledge, you can do great photography even with basic cameras. Outdoor photography is slightly tricky, especially for amateurs, because you don’t the opportunity to control the quality, quantity, direction and even tone of the light. Below given are some useful tips for capturing better outdoor shots.

Find the right time for shots – For outdoor shots, the two best times are the beginning and end of the day. Move out to take shots half an hour just before sunrise or half an hour after sunset. Though sunshine is a good light source, but it is not good to take photos directly in the sunshine if it is afternoon time. This is because of the fact that the sun throws harsh shadows and light at that time. Look for shade if the photos need to be taken in the afternoon.

Beat low light conditions – Sometimes, there is not enough light for clicking photos or natural light is not best for taking those photos. At that time, use other light sources like reflectors, fill flash, strobes etc. Also use tripod when there is low light outside. This will help you to take sharper photos. Open the shutter for longer time if there is low light in order to let the light in and expose the shot.

Think differently – Great photos cannot be obtained just because you know all the technical tips to take photos. It actually means being creative and different from others. Thus, for taking great outdoor photos, look beyond what is obvious. Everybody uses natural daylight when taking outdoor photos, but you can look for reflections, shadows, sun flares etc. Also look for new perspectives when taking photos so as to boost your creativity.

Add filters – Add filters to get richer tones and colors in the photos. For example, polarizing filter cuts out reflections & adds rich blue into the sky. Another filter known as haze filter gives more contrast.

These are only some tips which can expand your outdoor photography skills to a little extent. But practice will make you perfect. Grab your camera & keep shooting different types of photos with different camera modes and different perspectives. Shoot more photos than required and select the best photos later. Even the professional photographers do not get right photos in single shots. So, try different shots each time.

3 Most Power Lighting Kits That You Must Own

2013-06-28T05:33:00.004-07:00

In the field of photography, lighting is the most important aspect to be considered. Thus, for your photography business, you need to buy high quality lighting equipment. Nowadays, high quality and easy to use lighting kits are available which are complete, portable and affordable. Let’s discuss about 3 lighting kits which you must own for your photography business.

Complete Portrait Studio Kit – This is a comprehensive kit which includes everything to light up the subjects in a photo shoot. It includes 2 strobes, 2 soft boxes of 50cm X 70cm, umbrellas, 4 color gels (yellow, white, red and blue), snoot, barndoor of 4.5X5 inch, 1 sync flash B, 3 aluminum light stands (1 small and 2 big), 3 backdrops and a carrying case. The 3 backdrops will be of grey, white and black color with measurements 10X20, 6X9 and 6X9 respectively. The soft boxes and strobes will help to light up the subject. The remaining accessories will help to play with lighting and achieving unique results.

Continuous Soft Box Lighting Kit 2275 W – This kit is available to provide the subject with soft and even lighting to obtain evenly illuminated and bright photos. It contains – 2 light stands, 2 soft boxes of 20X28 inch, 1 support boom stand, 2 power cord, 2 light sockets, a 60 W 5000 K compact fluorescent day light balanced photo bulb, 10 compact and fluorescent daylight balanced photo bulbs of 45 W energy output and 5000K color temperature, 1 soft box quick set up with AC socket, 3 carrying cases for soft boxes, 1 sandbag, 1 two section boom kit with grip head and 1 carrying case. The kit is ideal for making high quality videos.

4 Mono Light Strobe Photo Studio Flash Kits With Soft Box, Boom & Case – This lighting kit is suitable for your photography business, whether you are setting up a new business or revamping your old business. This is a strobe flash kit which includes all equipments to light up the background as well as foreground. The kit includes 4 mono lights, 4 light stands / tripods, 1 boom kit along with sandbag, 1 wireless trigger, 3 softbox with spring ring, 1 sync cord of 13 feet, 4 color gels, 1 barndoor having 4 leaf and a carrying case.

These 3 kits are easy to set up and use. These are very powerful and are must to have in the professional photography business to achieve great results.

5 Awesome Father’s Day Gift Ideas For Photographers

2013-06-12T03:20:00.000-07:00

Father’s day is almost here and it’s time to show him some love and appreciation by presenting him a gift. He is an exceptional man in your life and therefore, deserves an exceptional gift that he would love to use and treasure for life. Choosing the right gifts can help you appropriately express your love towards him. Your gifts should be tailored for him, mostly based on his likings and requirements. In case you have a photographer dad in your life, here are 5 awesome father’s day gift suggestions by PhotoStudioSupplies.

Muslin Backdrops

Whether he is a professional photographer or simply likes to take pictures of your family, muslin backdrops are a good option for him. If he is into green screen photography or you want him to learn trick photography, consider gifting green screen or blue screen backdrops. Also, there are endless varieties of printed muslin backdrops that are sure to help him click amazing pictures. If he is a senior dad and is enjoying his retirement, encourage him to learn trick photography. This will keep him busy and entertained.

A Camera Remote Control

Your dad will not enjoy photography if he cannot capture good photographs and one of the best ways to increase the sharpness and quality of photographs is to minimize camera shakes. A photography tripod will be difficult for him to carry, so buy him a camera remote control. This will give them flexibility to shoot from any distance he wants. Shooting self portraits and including himself in family pictures will be much easier with this photography equipment.

Battery Grips

At his age, he might forget charging his camera battery or may not be able to charge them in case he is on vacations. So why not gift him a battery grip that will let him shoot for a longer duration. Battery grips also give you a better grip on your camera.

Shutter Release

Even pressing the shutter button can cause shakes and the best way to avoid unwanted camera movements is to minimize human contact. Let him shoot with more flexibility by using a shutter release cable or a wireless shutter release button. It can be used for most DSLRs and point and shoot cameras. Along with serious shutterbugs, casual photographers like your dad can also use this equipment to capture great everyday shots.

Reflector Kit

Playing with light is something that your dad would enjoy the most, so buy him a 5 in one reflector kit that has 5 different panels to shoot in 5 different ways. Such kits are lightweight and very useful. Whether he is shooting indoors or outdoors, reflector kit will help him manipulate the way his subject is illuminated.

This father’s day you could also consider enrolling him for a hobby photography class so that he can enjoy his post-retirement life shooting nature, himself, his friends, his life and even his children like you. To celebrate this father-children relationship, PhotoStudioSupplies is offering up to 30% discount on all these and many other photography supplies available on our online store. So don’t miss this opportunity; order now!

Handy Photography Tips for Momtographers

2013-05-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

Most mommies love to photograph their kids. They become memories for ever and keep their childhood alive for years to come. However, most mommy photographers, technically called as Momtographers, do not know the basics of photography, and therefore, depend on their luck for capturing a good photograph. If you are one of those ladies who didn’t realize the significance of a camera before you become a mother, here are some handy tips that are sure to help you capture better photographs of your child.

Kids, especially the younger ones are not going to pose for you. The best way to photograph them is to keep them busy. Let them hold their favorite book, play with their teddy, or simply eat a piece of chocolate. When they are busy, they will be stable, thereby making it easier to photograph them. Moreover, chances of movement will be reduced thereby, giving you sharp pictures.
You are not a pro, so you wouldn’t know how your flash works and what results will it give you. Therefore, avoid using flash as much as possible. Instead prefer using a natural light. Make your child stand near a window or a door or probably take him out to your nearby park in the afternoon or early morning and photograph him.
Most mommies photograph child from a higher angle probably while standing. Such photos don’t look great. To capture flattering pictures of your child, get down to their eye level or make them stand at a height so that they reach your eye level. Photographs taken from your subject’s eye levels actually help on creating a bond with the viewer.
Stop screaming at your child to stand still and pose for you; he won’t. Let them be what they are. Instead of asking them to pose for you, shoot candid. This way you will be able to capture their innocence and childhood. Shooting candid might give you some of the funniest and cutest pictures of your child.
Shoot, shoot, and shoot. There should be no end to it. Utilize every opportunity to capture your child’s photograph. Even if you think you have captured the best picture, don’t hesitate to shoot more. Even the pros do that. Kids tend to move around all the time and chances of blurriness are therefore, high. You cannot make them stable, so try to capture as many photos as you can so that at least some of them turn out to be good.

Follow these basic photography tips to groom yourself as a great Momtographer. If you like this information and find it helpful, join us on Facebook for more such quick tips.

An Analysis of Complete Portrait Studio Kit

2013-04-29T01:27:00.000-07:00

Overview

The complete portrait studio kit is sturdy, portable and light weight and allows the photographers to shoot professional looking portraits with complete ease. The portrait kit is easy to set up and operate and includes an extensive range of photography equipments and accessories which you require to shoot brilliant quality images.

The lighting equipments included in the kit will help you to diffuse the harsh light falling on the subject and ensures brighter shoots.

Exciting features of the studio portrait kit

Quick to set up and fold
Portable and light weight
Includes premium quality lighting equipments

What all it includes:

(2) Professional Studio Strobes
(2) 50 cm x 70 cm softboxes
(1) Sync Flash B (45-Watt/Second)
(1) Carry case
(3) Professional Duty Aluminum Light Stands
Umbrella, backdrops, barndoor, gels, snoot

All the photography equipments included in the kit are of premium quality and ensures a better photo shoot. Lighting is an important aspect of photography for both indoor and outdoor shoots. And, to help the photographers deal with low or poor lighting conditions, the complete studio portrait kit includes strobes and softboxes.

The photography strobes are much more powerful than off camera flashes and throws ample light on the subject when you need it. You can use a number of accessories with the strobes such as reflectors, barndoors, grid spots, etc.

The softboxes included in the kit are of premium quality and helps in creating soft and even lighting for any kind of photo shoot. With the help of these photography softboxes, you can deal with different light conditions without any hassle. You can get all these photography equipments and lot more at affordable prices from PhotoStudioSupplies!

The complete portrait studio kit will help you to set up a photo studio anywhere. So add this kit to your studio collection and get started now!

Equipments That You Need For Spring Photography

2013-04-14T23:15:00.002-07:00

Hey friends, spring is here and it’s time for the photographers to begin their journey to capture the most amazing and colorful pictures. As the trees begin to bloom once again, everything looks more beautiful. From landscapes to beaches, everything appears picture-perfect, but, still I have a few simple pieces of advice to make your spring photography even better and brighter.

Though photography is an art, but you need to have right photography equipments and accessories to begin a spring time shoot.

Here is a list of equipments which you must carry for your spring time photo shoot:

Camera: Choosing the right camera is the first requisite of a great photo shoot. Everyone has an opinion on which brand is best, but if you are unable to decide you can take the advice of professionals. If you are a novice you can choose to carry out your photo shoot with a regular point-and-click camera, but if you are a professional- use a single lens reflex (SLR) camera.
Lenses: An interchangeable-lens SLR camera enables the photographers to change the lenses depending upon the type of photo shoot. If you want to capture distant objects in focus you will require telephoto, or zoom, lenses whereas for landscape photography wide angle lenses are a must-have.
Lighting equipments: Every photographer requires artificial lighting to add a special lighting touch to the pictures, especially during the low-lighting conditions. To shoot the pictures in dark you will require a strobe flash whereas to diffuse the light during an outdoor shoot, you will need a photography umbrella.
Tripods: If you wish to capture the most exciting and amazing pictures of landscapes, sunrise or sunset, you need to have a tripod stand to make your camera stand and fix during the on-location shoots. If you don’t have one, you can simply buy it from an online store. Choose a durable stand and light weight which is available at affordable rates.

Hope these tips will help you to shoot perfect springtime pictures. So, get started now!

Everything You Want To Know Green Screen Software

2013-03-29T04:12:00.001-07:00

The Hollywood-styled tricks and effects have always amazed the audience and have received lots of awards and appreciations. Although these supernatural tricks seem something near to impossible, photographers and videographers who are into background replacement have been creating something new for each of their assignments. Whether it’s a popular Hollywood movie like Hollow man or 300 or simply a supernatural shot such as broom floating in the air, or even a puppet show; green screen photography has made everything possible.

Background replacement or replacing certain elements of your picture is the core of making supernatural videos and this can be done with the help of green screen software. Simply shoot your scene in front of a green backdrop and later, use a Chroma Key Software to delete it to get a video with a blank background. Now fill up the blank space with anything you want. Bingo! Your new video is ready. Chroma key software works with blue color as well. So, if you cannot use a green background, use a Chroma key blue one.

Apart from replacing the entire background, such software can also delete a part of your image; anything that is either green or blue will be replaced. So, if you want to shoot a video of a headless man, make your subject wear a green screen hood, stand in front of a green background, and perform his shot. Later, delete the green element to remove the background as well as your subject’s head. To complete your video, choose any relevant background. The final video will have a headless man performing against the background chosen by you.

Many photographers debate the utility of green screen software, as background replacement is also possible in Photoshop. Standalone software for background replacement however, is popular for its flexibility and simplicity. Single click background replacement is one the most significant feature that this software offers. Apart from this, there are many other features that will help you improve the look of your images. Popular green screen software such as 123video magic are extremely simple to use; you don’t need to undergo a specific training to operate it. It offers you many free background videos and images to work with. Since, it’s easy and fast, specialized Chroma key software should be the first choice for busy professionals.

So invest in background replacement software and start exploring the options in trick photography.

3 Secrets of Capturing Amazing People Photographs

2013-03-14T22:08:00.002-07:00

A good photograph has very little to do with the model of the camera you own or the types of equipment you possess. Whether you are shooting portraits or candid, people photography requires much more than just zooming in and pressing the shutter button.

Here are 4 simple people photography techniques that are sure to help you drastically improve the quality of your images.

Never use landscape orientation

Cameras are usually designed to be held horizontally but that’s best suited for shooting landscapes. People photographs should be taller than wider and therefore, such photographs should be shot vertically. Vertical shooting is not very comfortable and initially you may not be able to keep your camera steady. However, with a little practice and with the help of stabilizing equipments such as photography tripods, you will be able to properly balance your camera even in vertical position. Battery grips are also very useful for vertical shooting, as they give you a good grip over your camera.

Vertical shooting will not be applicable if you are shooting more than one person; because this alignment will not be able to aptly accommodate them. For such situations, go with the basic horizontal alignment.

Zoom in and give maximum space to your subject

A good people photograph should be filled with the subject so that he/she gets maximum attention. Before you start framing your shot, decide what you want to capture; whether you simply want to photograph her face, her half body, or her complete shot. Whatever you are shooting, make sure you cover maximum portion of your frame with your subject. While zooming in, first lock the focus. Also, do not zoom to the extreme level; rather get closer to your subject. Maintain sufficient distance between you and your subject so that she doesn’t feel awkward. Moreover, if you are using flash, standing too close to your subject might blind her eyes.

Use simpler backgrounds

Background distractions can be too harsh for your pictures. They can actually steal away some of the attention from your subject, thereby decreasing the overall appeal of your picture. It is therefore, always advisable to use plain photography backgrounds for people photography. You might not always have a plain background, especially during candid shots. In such cases, blur the background so that your subject gets the most attention.

These people photography tips are sure to give you stunning portraits and candid photographs. For other useful tips and photography equipments, visit PhotoStudioSupplies.

Demystifying The Circular Reflector Kit

2013-02-28T04:50:00.000-08:00

Good lighting is the most crucial factor for photography and to achieve this, you not only need to add light to the situation but also use some modifiers such as reflectors in order to appropriately modify it. Reflectors play a great role in filling up the light deficiencies such as a shadowed or a low lit portion on your foreground or the background. They are not external light sources, as they don’t give away any light. Reflectors are simply light modifiers, as they modify the existing light. Reflectors come in many shapes and sizes but the most popular among them is the circular reflector kit.

The major function of this reflector kit is to bounce back the light coming from the studio lighting equipments or any other source and direct it towards the area than need to be illuminated. Apart from bouncing the light, reflectors can also change the tone of the light in order to give a dramatic look to your picture. The color of the reflector panel will decide the kind of effects you will get. Here are the functions of various panels that are found in any standard circular reflector kit.

The white panel

This is the most frequently used panel that helps in diffusing the light coming from a source and converting it into a soft, clear light for illuminating the subject. This reflector panel is mostly used with flash, as direct flashlight will be too harsh on the subject. It is also used for natural light photography where you need to diffuse sunlight. It has to be placed very close to the subject’s face so that there is no loss of light. The white reflector is not useful for low light conditions.

Gold reflector

This panel reflects a strong warm light on the subject and gives her a radio-active looking face with a noticeable golden glow. It is not very useful for general use; however, finds a great place in fashion photography and for clicking artistic images.

Black panel

This is not a reflector; rather its functions are totally opposite to what reflectors do. The black panel of the circular reflector kit actually absorbs the light and reduces its intensity. This is especially useful when you deliberately want a shadow or low lit area on your subject. It is mostly used for shooting artistic images.

The silver panel

They are a boon for low light situations where you need to increase the intensity of light in order to effectively illuminate your subject. This panel is also useful for overcoming the shadows that might be there in your foreground as well as background. This is also one of the most frequently used reflectors.

Translucent panel

This is basically a diffuser that is help in front of the studio lightingequipments in order to diffuse the light coming from them in order to neutralize its harshness and illuminating your subject with a soft, even light. It is also frequently used for natural light photography.

Circular reflector kits are convenient options as compared to carrying multiple reflector panels. If you still don’t have this useful tool in your photography bag, grab one and see how much difference it can make in you work.

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5 Sure-Shot Ways To Capture Sharp Pictures

2013-02-14T05:25:00.000-08:00

Camera shakes are one of the notorious factors that can severely affect the sharpness of your image. Even the smallest and often negligible movements can give you blurry shots. In order to get sharper and crisper pictures, you will have to ensure that your camera is absolutely stable. Here are 5 unbeatable ways to give absolute stability to your camera.

Use camera accessories such as tripods

It’s not easy to carry a tripod with you every time you go out for a shoot but the quality of images you will get by using it is sure to make you love this useful camera accessory. In order to avoid getting blurred images, you must use tripods for photography. Whether you are using a long exposure or a shorter one, a tripod will ensure your camera’s stability. Also, this equipment will be very useful when using heavy lenses, as you don’t have to handle their weight.

Use shutter release cables

Only tripods won’t help you get ultimate sharpness. They do fail in situations when you press the shutter button too harshly. To avoid such situations, you must use a shutter release cable. This way, you will not be in touch with the camera anymore; so your movements will not affect your image quality. Choosing between a wired and a wireless shutter release should be dependent on your requirements but both will give you equal results.

Stabilize yourself

Your nervousness can easily be detected in your images; therefore, make sure you are completely relaxed while using your camera. Not only amateurs, even highly-skilled photographers also get anxiously during their work. Don’t bother what people around you are talking about; simply relax and concentrate on your work.

Learn how to hold your camera stably

Although you must carry your tripod for photography whenever you are going out for a shoot; chances are there that you might have to do some unplanned shots without your tripods. To address camera shakes during such situations, you must learn how to hold your camera properly . Proper and secure handling of camera will help you reduce camera shakes. Learn proper body positions that will give you sharp pictures even without any additional camera accessory.

Shoot smartly

Take advantage of the situation in order to make yourself stable. If you have a wall, a fence, or a lamp post close to you, lean on it in order take some weight off your feet. If you can, place your camera on them, and let them act like tripods for you. Lie flat on the ground, kneel down, or achieve any other position that will help you make yourself stable. There are no fixed positions for this, so keep experimenting and come up with your own ways to shoot smartly.

Whether you are using any additional accessory or not, these tips are sure to help you achieve maximum stability while using your camera. Enjoy your photography!

How To Achieve Black Background Without Using One

2013-02-01T05:03:00.001-08:00

Chroma key black backdrops are considered to be the best ones for shooting portraits. They not only enhance the look of your subject but also add a lot of drama to your work. Being a photographer, you are always required to carry your equipments but chances are there that you may not have them, especially the black backdrop, when the shoot is unplanned. Here is a technique that will help you to block the back light of the subject thereby creating an invisible backdrop for your pictures.

Put your camera into manual mode so that you can have complete control over its shutter speed, aperture, ISO, etc.
Decrease your camera’s ISO to its lowest possible limit, probably 200. The lower the ISO, the less sensitive the camera’s sensor will be towards light. Such setting will give you minimum grain or noise.
Set your camera to its maximum sync speed at which your camera and flash can work together. The optimum speed can be around 1/200^th or 1/250^th of a second. The faster the shutter speed, the lesser will be amount of flash light entering your camera’s sensor.
Set your aperture to f/5.6 and click a picture to see how it looks. If you get a completely black picture, the settings are accurate, however, if you can still see some part of the surroundings, change your aperture setting to a little lower i.e. f/8.0.
Now since your invisible Chroma key black backdrop is ready, position your flash as per your wish. Pick a power level of ¼ and click your pictures. You will be amazed to see the results.

This technique is extremely helpful to click dramatic pictures and portraits. Although it sounds simple, you would need a lot of experimentation and practice before you come up with the perfect piece.