Whether you are a total beginner to photography or a seasoned semi-pro, taking vacation pictures can pose quite a challenge. It seems that good photos come about almost by random magic. This year your vacation photographs can be full of unique and attractive shots if you follow these simple rules.

How To Take Great Vacation Photos

#1 Get to know your equipment ahead of time.

There are plenty of new variables when you embark on a vacation; don’t let your equipment be one of them. Before you go on vacation, get to know all of your photography equipment, including how to operate all of the features and adjust the settings. This will allow you to grab winning shots as you come upon them, rather than walking around with your nose buried in a user’s manual.

#2 Bring the necessary accessories.

The bare minimum packing list would include the camera, tripod, a memory card or film, batteries and chargers, and an external flash. You may question whether these are all necessary, but all indeed are. You will also need appropriate and portable cases for these items to keep them safe and within reach while you are exploring. If you really want superior pictures, consider investing in a circular polarized filter. These are relatively inexpensive yet can enhance color, reduce glare, and even allow you to photograph objects under water.

#3 Protect your equipment.

One important thing to remember when traveling by plane is to never check the bags containing your photography equipment. Not only does this leave it susceptible to theft (which is more common than we would like it to be), it also exposes your expensive camera and accessories to wide changes in temperature and air pressure as well as dampness and rough handling. Contrary to popular belief, the security x-ray will not harm digital equipment or memory cards. If you are going to be in a moist or humid area, consider sealing your camera in a plastic bag when not in use. As soon as possible after taking pictures, back them up on a spare memory card or storage website to prevent loss. Most important, if you are going to be in sand or water, consider buying a cheap or even disposable camera to avoid ruining more expensive equipment.

#4 Know your location.

Most vacationers know approximately what sites they will be visiting during their trip. Taking the time to check out each location ahead of time can let you plan ahead for certain shots. You can even make a list of photo opportunities you would like to shoot so you can visit them during the time of day when the light is best for that particular feature. You will also be able to view other people’s pictures of the attraction, identifying and preventing common pitfalls. Thanks to the many resources available on the internet and the local library, finding this information can be both easy and free

#5 Take pictures during the ‘golden hour’.

Despite the name, there are two ‘golden hours’ during the day: the hour after dawn and the hour just before sunset. At these times, the sunlight is coming from low in the sky, reducing shadows, and also tends to be naturally diffused. The result is a softly but completely lit photo that captures the true essence of the subject. As a bonus, sunrises and sunsets are usually beautiful in themselves and provide an attractive backdrop to other shots.

#6 Avoid clichés.

There are some shots that have been done so often they are nearly meaningless. You can see them on almost every postcard for the given area. Of course you will be tempted to photograph these famous and noteworthy angles, but consider ahead of time what you can do to bring a new perspective to the shot. Sometimes all it takes is a light spring rain or an interesting collection of clouds to bring new life to well-known landmarks.

#7 Include people and loved ones in your photos.

In a way, this tip is related to the prior one; no photo is cliché if it includes a silly shot of your child or an attractive likeness of anyone you love. You likely are going on vacation with people that you care about. Don’t be afraid that these people will ruin your pictures; in most cases, they will make them all the more lovely.

#8 Be spontaneous.

In many cases, the best photos are not of a location, but of the people and culture that define it. Don’t be afraid to take pictures of local characters (ask first, of course!) or to capture a local village or farmer’s market. Take pictures of meals with local flavor and the everyday objects that make up life in the area. These will be the memories you truly want to record. Planned shots can be lovely, but mix them liberally with impromptu pictures that capture the uniqueness of a location.

#9 Take risks.

If you are taking a lot of pictures, you can afford to take a few risks. Try to stretch your photographic abilities, to capture the sunset shimmering across a lake or a dramatic tropical lightning storm. At the very worst, you’ll end up with a handful of throw-away photos. However, there is a good chance that a few of these complicated shots will be pictures you can display with pride. This is the only way to learn how to get pictures in unusual situations.

#10 Bring a notebook. The one you can write on!

There are many reasons to record the particulars of interesting photographs. If you get a particularly good shot, people are sure to ask questions. If it is particularly good, you may want to submit the photo to a website or travel magazine. Either way, it is good to have details written down for memory’s sake. A small, pocket-sized notebook, such as the type you might buy at a dollar store, is a good way of recording the place, time, of day, and other information about your photographs. Your photographs are your memories, and the notebook will fill in the details.

Even if your real photography passion lies in landscapes, still lifes or bokeh, there are good reasons to learn how to take a portrait. First, there are many lessons from portraiture that can enhance your other photographs. Second, it is where the money happens to be. People will pay huge amounts of money for a beautiful, flattering portrait that shows their physical attributes and personality. Here are ten elements that will help you to maximize both.

• Setting.

  While lighting and other elements can show personality, the setting will do the heavy lifting in this area. However, you have to respect the preferences of the subject. Some people prefer a traditional portrait with a simple background, while others will jump at the chance to be photographed on location at one of their favorite places. If the person is willing, head for one of their favorite places and take portraits on site. This will put your subject at ease while creating a very personal feeling.

• Lighting.

  If you are in a studio, lighting is easy to control. Simply choose diffuse and soft indirect light. In locations, however, this can be more complicated. Choosing the right time of day can help; early morning and late evening when the sun is low is usually the best time because the light is warm and there are no shadows. Overcast days also can work well because, again, the light is soft and filtered. If you are determined to take portraits during the day, consider doing so inside. Museums, art galleries, and large buildings with good natural light can provide the perfect setting for a portrait.

• Lens.

  In most cases, you will be photographing from at least ten feet away; anything less tends to emphasize the nose, which is rarely flattering. This is not a trick of the camera, but rather caused by the fact that in close shots, the nose is proportionally much closer to the camera. Because you are going to be taking close ups from far away, you will need a high quality telephoto lens. Most portrait photographers use a lens that is between 90 and 135 mm, although 300 and more are available. Buy the lens that you need to fill a frame with a high quality shot taken from a short distance away. If you want to soften the shot, you can always do it later with your favorite software.

• Camera.

  It might seem weird that the camera is this far down on the list. While it is important, it is not the most important part of your portrait. You can do well with any digital SLR camera. There are also many full frame digital cameras that are great for portraits. Although it is not important to have the best, most expensive, fully featured camera on the market, you do need to invest in a decent one or you’ll risk destroying your reputation with portraits that look like amateur home photographs.

• Personality.

  While a standard, full frame face photos will be a huge part of any portrait package, you should also try to take shots that capture the subject’s personality. This can be very easy if you are shooting at one of their favorite locations. Encourage your subject to be themselves and relax. If this is difficult, start up a conversation about something that they love. This can be the most difficult part of taking portraits, and indeed it is where the experienced stand apart from the amateurs.

• Variety.

  Variety is the spice of life, and photos are representations of reality. Therefore, if you want for your photographs to be full of interest and flavor, you will need to take a variety of poses in several different spots. Let the subject inspire you. Look for backgrounds that are photo quality in themselves. Try to capture the way the person moves. Take photos that capture a wide range of facial expressions. Consider it this way: the wider the range of photos, the more they will want to buy.

• Context.

  While the majority of your portraits should focus mainly on the subject, you should take a few with the subject as a relatively small part of their environment. Don’t be afraid to back up a little and take in the surroundings—although don’t go too far. A good guide is to make sure your subject would still be recognizable in a standard 8×10 inch print. Wide shots are especially effective if you are photographing at a place that has special meaning or interest for the person you are photographing.

• Wide Aperture.

  While fast lenses can be costly and heavy, they just might end up to be your favorite tool in taking portraits. Even if the background is breathtaking—perhaps especially if it is—you will want some shots that blur the scenery and allow the subject to be the star. It is nearly impossible to duplicate this effect with software. You may want to consider making this investment, particularly if portraits are going to become a focus of your photography.

• Volume.

  One of the benefits of using a digital camera is the large amount of photographs that can be taken with no financial investment. Feel free to go a little crazy, try new poses, and experiment with the light. Try to capture some of the subject’s micro-expressions; these are often the photos that will really be treasured. The more photos that you take, the more likely that there will be one that is just perfect for your portfolio.

• Finish.

  There is no shame in using photo editing to perfect portraits; in fact, in modern portraits it is almost mandatory. People want to remember a more perfect, blemish free version of themselves. You can also play with filters and color in these programs, creating some interesting and eye-catching effects.

There are many things to consider when taking portraits. The only way to learn the fine points is to get practice with a wide range of subjects. Begin shooting informal and formal portraits of the people around you and see which approaches work best with your style.

Pinhole photography may be simple, but this does not mean that it is easier than other methods. Pinhole photography presents a range of complication due to the lack of technology, including hole size, length of exposure, focal length, and more. Despite its lack of options, this is a field of photography that is gaining popularity with many people who enjoy learning more about the history of the industry. Here is a short guide to this antique field of technology.

What Is Pinhole Photography?

Pinhole photography is an ancient way of taking photographs that involves a homemade camera with no lens. The cameras are basically a light-proof box with a hole on one side. Light goes through the hole and projects an upside down image on the opposite wall of the box. This is very similar to the way the human eye and commercial cameras work; it is merely simplified.

How to Make Your Own Pinhole Camera

Here is one good way of making your own pinhole camera: get an aluminum can, such as one used for drinks. Other metals are okay as long as they are not magnetic. You also should avoid hard metals such as steel, which form very hard, dangerously sharp edges when cut. Next, cut the top off the can with a can opener or another sharp edge. Be careful! Empty the contents and wash well.

Take a sheet of A4 black cardstock and cut an 80 mm strip off the side. Cut notches into the edge. With the rest of the paper, cut a circle the same size as the can, which is 60 mm if you are using a soft drink can. Tape the strip in a circle around the diameter of the lid. Place the circle over this and tape well with black tape such as electrical tape. Keep in mind that there is really no such thing as using too much tape in this situation.

Make a dot halfway up the can if it is standing upright. Push a pushpin, map pin, or thumbtack through it. It should pop in cleanly and pull similarly cleanly. Place several layers of insulation tape over this hole to keep the homemade shutter closed. Next you are ready to load the camera.

Loading a Pinhole Camera

Go into a darkroom and turn off all lights, leaving on only a red cycle light. Once the light is perfect and the door locked, take the lid off of the can. Take a blank sheet from a packet of photographic paper and reseal the package tightly. Curl the paper around the inside of the can with the shiny side, also called the emulsion, on the inside. Leave a small gap near where the pinhole is. This is important because the pinhole will allow the light in. Once you have the paper situated perfectly, close the lid and once again cover with lots of black tape.

Taking a Pinhole Photo

Now you are ready to use your camera! When you open your shutter, the photographic paper will begin to be exposed to light. It will grow dark in much the same way as your skin tans. This type of camera usually requires much more time than a typical photo, from minutes to hours. You can even set the camera up on a tripod and let it photograph over a period of days or weeks. It’s important that the camera be angled so a direct source of light, such as the sun, is pointed directly at the pinhole. When you are finished, cover the pinhole immediately with dark tape.

Making Prints of Your Pinhole Photographs

Now you are ready to save your pinhole photos for all posterity. You can either develop them with chemicals, similar to the traditional method, or use the following new method. Take a scanner into your darkroom. Go in and, under red light only, open your camera. Set your scanner to a high resolution, such as 500 dpi. Take the photo paper out of your can and place it in the scanner. Scan and save this negative image, laying it flat. Open this image in your favorite photo editing software and use the negative function to convert it to an ‘inverse’ image. From this point, you should be able to play with setting such as contrast in your software and save your pinhole photography to be shared with others.

Variations on a Theme

There are several ways that you can experiment with pinhole photography. These experimentations will help you get to know some of the basics of your favorite field a little more intimately. For example, a smaller pinhole will result in a smaller image, but also in a clearer and crisper one. The more perfectly round, the better; rough edges cause diffraction effects that can ruin the photograph. You can also try having two pinholes near each other to get a double image. The sky is literally the limit; once you understand the basics of pinhole photography, it is fun to come up with new ideas.

How Long Is Long Enough?

Many people kind of guess how long to leave their shutter open, but there is actually a way to calculate the ideal length of exposure. It will require a calculator, however, and a little math skill. The first step is to calculate the f-number, which is the distance from the pinhole to the film (the diameter of the can in most cases) divided by the diameter of the hole. This number is usually quite large. This is known as your f stop. Once you know this numbers, there are many calculators on the internet that will help you determine the exposure time based on your type of paper, quality of light, and f stop.

Why Go Through All of This?

Most photographers have at least a fleeting interest in pinhole photography because it is an ancient form of their favorite hobby. However, it can be fun as well as educational. Because the apparatus is so simple, building and using a pinhole camera is a great way to learn about photography and to begin to experiment.

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If you have been online at any point in the last several years, you have probably heard of lolcats and related photographs. There are several sites featuring this trend, which involved pictures of cats with captions and humorous additions that are usually posted on internet forums and other dedicated websites. While pictures of kitties hardly seem relevant enough to be counted as a genre of photography, the lolcats macro has indeed become a huge part of modern American pop culture and thus deserves a mention.

However, not every cat photo is a lolcat photo, however cute and funny it might be. There are a few elements that make a photograph a “lolcat” photograph. Here are the basic criteria.

• A photograph of a cat. The potential humor of cats is the heart of the popularity of lolcat photographs. The cat is usually doing something that could be interpreted as cute or humorous. While this by nature demands a cat as the subject, there are other image macros involving rabbits, dogs, and other cute, furry animals. The image is usually shown as close up as it can be.
• Humorous text. This text is usually funny not just due to the humanization of a popular house pet, but due to the somewhat bossy nature of the jokes. The cat in question is undeniably the boss of its human owners, other house pets, and generally the entire household. This is usually written in large lettering, either in black or white for the best contrast, in a bold, sans serif font. Arial is a popular choice, although there is a great deal of variation.
• Poor grammar and/or syntax. It seems a shame to say that poor grammar is a trend; however, this seems to be the case with this genre. The cat in question may speak in internet language, using common acronyms and abbreviations, or use a recognizable type of poor syntax, as seen in the popular site “I Can Haz Cheezburger.” This internet style of language is even inherent in the name; ‘lol’ is internet speak for “laugh out loud.” Phonetic spelling and purposeful misspelling are both part of the lolcats trend as well.

This genre may seem new, but using cats in humorous photography has been a trend for at least a century and a half. The cat macro began with joke images and postcards featuring photographs of cats in funny situations with amusing captions. As with the lolcats meme, these photos usually involved the cats being demanding or acting as humans. These were popular during Victorian times and continue to be so through modern times.

The internet made this humor style more accessible by its very free and communal nature. Cat owners and photographers could take pictures of their favorite feline and add a humorous caption. People could access and share these images at no cost to themselves thanks to a large and growing number of sites dedicated to the trend. However, actual lolcats name and style is believed to have begun with the popular website 4chan. This website featured “Caturdays”—Saturday pictures of cats in funny situations. This took off and became a trend on other websites. The result is that lolcats have become a recognizable form of photography and one of the hottest trends to hit the internet.

While most lolcats photographs involve cats in somewhat human situations or cats making demands of their owners and other house pets, there is actually a huge variety of different jokes that have become popular in this meme. Here are a few that seem to pop up the most on these websites.

• I’m in your (ur)… This form usually shows a cat laying in or on something belonging to another species, usually a human or a dog. The general form reads: I’m in your (place), (verb)-ing your (noun). For example, a cat might be shown napping on a keyboard with the caption, “I’m in your office, texting your girlfriend.” The impression that the cat is violating the owner’s space (and proud of their accomplishment) is a key part of the humor in this type of joke.
• I can haz… This type of lolcats photo usually involves a cat asking for some sort of human junk food food in very poor grammar. It comes from the popular website “I Can Haz Cheezburger?” which was one of the original lolcats websites.
• Ceiling Cat is watching you. This cat character represents God, stemming from a joke in which a cat was shown looking down through a hole in the ceiling. Since then, the joke has been expanded to include “Basement cat,” a black cat living in the basement representing evil. Ceiling cat may be watching you perform a wide range of activities. This version of lolcats has become so popular that Ceiling Cat plays a God-like role in the lolcats translation of the Christian Bible. That’s right… there is an ongoing project to translate the Bible into the feline concepts and poor grammar of the lolcats world.

The question remains: how is this relevant to real, legitimate photographers? There are several reasons to watch this trend and know what makes it so popular. First, there is a significant amount of money involved, both online and off. A simple Amazon search revealed several photo books bearing the word lolcats in the title or the tag. There are more websites than can be counted. Further, the style of photo and the recognizably improper language is showing up in a variety of places, from t-shirts to television commercials. A photographer with a sense of humor can benefit both in their finances and their reputation by participating in this cutesy trend.

Even if the lolcats style is not your cup of tea, you should try to be in touch with the latest pop culture photography trends. You never know when you will be able to make a fortune or at least make a name for yourself on the internet!

If you think about it, a person’s wedding is an odd time to take a picture of them. There is no time more exhausting and stressful in a person’s life, and no event more momentous or distracting. This leaves many to wonder if this is really the ideal day to get a picture of the happy couple-to-be.

In many countries, wedding pictures in all their stressful glory are just part of the package. In addition to these, couples also sit for pre-wedding photographs. This captures them in a more natural and stress-free setting while allowing them to get more enjoyment out of the process. The result is often a true keepsake: a portrait of this important part of a couple’s life that is captured during a calm and happy period. For this reason, pre-wedding photography is taking off in the United States and other countries.

There are two different types of pre-wedding photography. In one type, the pictures are simply like a large packet of very professional and stylized engagement portraits. In the other type, the pictures are basically wedding photographs taken several days or even weeks ahead of time. These may be shot instead of traditional wedding day pictures or in addition to them. Both types of pre-wedding pictures are gaining in popularity as the wedding industry grows.

Why choose pre-wedding photographs? First, regardless of the type you are choosing, they take a lot of pressure off the big day and allow the couple more time to enjoy their ceremony and the reception that follows. Even if the photographs taken are in addition to the wedding day portraits, they nonetheless mean less work and less time sitting on the big day.

Second, there is a high chance of something going wrong on a wedding day, or any given day. The weather may be wrong; the bride may have a pimple; the list goes on and on. If you are taking part in a scheduled photo shoot, you can always reschedule. Large events with guest lists don’t usually work that way.

Third, brides and grooms don’t have to spend as much time looking for a photographer who is open on a particular day. You can simply compare schedules and make plans accordingly. This also allows for an expanded range of venues as well as a more complicated and varied shoot. In short, there are none of the temporal and logistic limitations that exist with a traditional wedding day shoot.

Last, having a pre-wedding shoot allow you to adorn invitations and the event itself with pictures of the happy couple. They can also rest assured that they will have photos ready by the time they are back from the honeymoon and ready to send thank you cards.

Pre-wedding photography is a new field in our nation, but it has certain expectations associated with it.  Here are a few ways to make sure you meet your pre-wedding photograph customers’ expectations every time.

• Allow extra time for wardrobe, hair, and makeup changes. Because one of the benefits of this style of photography is the extra time and flexibility, plan for the bride and groom to take advantage of this.
• Get to know the couple. A couple’s style is usually immediately apparent when you walk into a wedding. You can see their theme, their level of formality, and their choices in color and fabric. A pre-wedding shoot makes this a little more difficult. You will have to ask questions in order to find out exactly what poses and packages are best for them. Because pre-wedding photography allows more flexibility, you may want to come up with a list of ideas for different locations and themes. Make sure your level of creativity and cleverness in developing this list of ideas are somewhere in the ballpark of the couple’s.
• Go over packages immediately afterward. Couples may be inclined to reconsider their choices and upgrade packages a little when they are in the moment. In many cases, they have underestimated their needs and will not require much encouragement. Upselling is not “weasely” or déclassé. It is a legitimate part of doing business, especially in service industries such as professional photography.
• Bring a crew. Pre-wedding photo shoots tend to be large affairs even though they are far removed from the wedding day itself. You will be happy if you bring an assistant. This person can manage your equipment, prepare scenes ahead of time, and assist the bride in changing between customers.
• Set the mood. Romantic music and a few glasses of champagne may exponentially improve the quality of your pre-wedding photographs. If this seems a little extreme for many of the couples you work with, consider offering this option as part of select packages. Weddings are stressful times, especially during the planning stages, so loosening them up a little may save time and increase the number of usable photos that you end up with. It never hurts to get couples in a romantic mood before trying to take romantic pictures.
• Consider doing group photos ahead of time as well. Pre-wedding photos don’t need to be limited to couple’s portraits. The wedding day itself can be streamlined immensely by getting the most common group photographs out of the way. As a bonus, this will reduce worry about small children messing up their outfits or members of the wedding party missing their manicure appointment.
• Publicize the benefits. Because weddings are bound up in tradition, many people simply follow custom without thought when it comes to portraits and other big decisions. If you want to make a business from pre-wedding photos, you will need to publicize this type of portrait package and convince potential customers of the benefits of going this route. The advantages are clear, but not to someone who has never even thought about the issue.

Will pre-wedding pictures take off in the United States and other countries? Only the future will tell. Wedding fads tend to be capricious and ever-changing, so there is no way of predicting what will be in style next year or even next month. However, offering this service a part of your repertoire is a no-risk way to expand your selection of wedding portrait offerings.

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This time of year brings natural beauty and fun textures, enough to make you want to pull out your camera and shoot away. However, there are a few things to think about when planning the perfect autumn shot. Here are a few tips for get the very best autumn photography.

Focus on Color and Texture

These truly are what set this season apart from the other three-quarters of the year. Leaves turn brilliant shades that can make lovely pictures on their own or serve as high contrast backdrops for other objects. As amazing as the colors might be, texture is the real winner in the fall. Everything seems a little crisper and crunchier during this time of year. Capturing this texture can be a fun challenge for photographers at all skill levels.

Use Your Zoom

Zoom is one of the best and most obvious ways to capture the details and textures that make up this time of year. It can also compress larger pictures so that they seem to take on a new shape and perspective. This allows the colors and textures of autumn to play off each other and get maximum contrast.

Take Advantage of Autumn Light

While scores of would-be photographers are inside waiting for that rare sunny day, the wise ones are out taking advantage of overcast skies. Overcast skies serve as natural diffusers, allowing you to get even light at any time of day. When the sun breaks through the clouds occasionally, the effect can be positively magnificent as colors seem to dance in the rays of light. Overcast skies also can lend a crisp gray color to water and other reflective surfaces. If you are concerned about making color pop, try using a polarizing lens. There is a good chance this will bring out the rich hues you are seeking.

Learn to Love the Weather

If you think damp weather and fog are a photographer’s enemy, think again. Water droplets and moisture on plants can accentuate shapes and even be the object of your photograph. In fact, dampness tends to make colors appear even brighter and crisper, especially early in the season. Fog and mist can be photographed to be pleasant and cool looking or have a sense of foreboding. Because these weather forms are rare at other times of year, now is your chance to play with them to your heart’s content.

Get Reflective

The bright colors and bold shapes of autumn  are beautiful on their own, but they hold up uniquely well in reflective pictures. Try getting a picture of leaves reflected in a puddle, lake, or window. In general, reflections are most attractive in photographs if you have the subject lit and the reflective object in shadows. Also, if you are using water, you may want to play around with the different shapes produced by ripples and other water effects.

Create Your Perfect Scene

Sometimes an autumn scene is close to perfect—but not quite. Don’t be afraid to improve a little on Mother Nature. If the leaves are not evenly distributed or need more color in certain areas, rearrange them. If the dew isn’t wet enough, get a spray bottle and help it out. Sometimes you have to construct your photos. It isn’t cheating; it’s acting creatively.

Watch Out for Critters

This may be your only chance to see them again before spring! Animals are easier to capture during the fall because they are too busy fattening up for the long winter to care about that man with the camera. Baby animals look half grown and a little less delicate this time of year, while the adults are sleek and fattened from the abundance of summer. When it presents itself, take advantage of the general attractiveness of the fauna at this time of year.

Look Beyond the Leaves

There is a tendency to assume that nature in the fall means colored leaves, but there are a variety of other hues. Water takes on a gray hue from the sky above it, and woods seem to be a little more ashy than at other times of year. Fall fruits and vegetables tend to be shaped into interesting configurations and often offer color schemes that rival the leaves. There is so much to photograph this time of year that sticking to leaves seems very redundant.

Think Big and Small

Many people wonder whether they can capture the autumn best by sweeping panoramic shots or with close ups of the details. The answer is: all of the above, and areas in between as well! Try a variety of different shots and see which ones speak to you. The small things add up into the big ones, so focusing too much on either end of the spectrum will result in an incomplete picture of the season.

See the World from a New Angle

We all have seen leafy trees from head-on, but have you ever seen them from above? From below? Try adding some new and unexpected angles to your repertoire. You’ll be happy you did, and your viewers will wonder why your autumn photographs get their unique sense of perspective. Autumn happens from a variety of angles, so you are selling yourself short when you stop at the obvious.

Play with Color Effects

Color is the real star of the fall, so don’t be afraid to mess with it a little. Take pictures of the contrast in color, such as a tree with late green leaves next to one that has already turned. Different settings on your camera can either mute or brighten autumn hues, both of which can be interesting takes on the season. Post processing also presents an opportunity to be creative with color. You are an artist, so think artistically about how you can make each shot a little better.

Autumn represents one of the most beautiful and colorful times of year, so no photographer should miss this chance to try for the perfect photo. Best of all, the good light and relatively good weather will make it easy for people of all levels of skill to get the beautiful pictures that they seek.

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Depending on your age and station in life, Halloween can be a spooky, silly, or serious event. Regardless of how you feel about this holiday, it comes only once a year, which makes it all the more important to get photographs of this event whenever the opportunity presents itself. Here are a few tips and tricks for taking memorable photographs of the images that combine to make up this season.

1. Always have a focal point.

   Because Halloween comes with a lot of visual clutter, from trick or treating children to fake spider webs to jack-o-lanterns and other accessories, it is a little too easy to simply try for an overview of the scene. Keep in mind that all photographs must have a focal point—without exception. Identifying this focal point will help you to build a better photograph around it. Once you know what you are photographing, you can use the rule of thirds, leading lines, and other photography principles to create an attractive overall picture.

2. Fill your frame.

   This helps to reduce the visual clutter that can overtake this holiday. It also adds maximum impact and allows you to maximize any emotion associated with the scene. Whether scary or cute, you can bet that your subject will be even more so when they dominate the shot. Make sure you bring lenses that allow you to get up close and personal.

3. Light from a different angle.

   Try using flashlights (with or without a covering to diffuse the light) and glow sticks to light your subjects from the side or from below. If no lighting sources are available, you can turn your camera so the flash is coming from another angle. This will give a spooky effect or a contemplative one, depending on how you build the rest of the shot. It also will create a subtle sense of originality that can make the photograph really pop.

4. Light in a different color.

   Because we are used to seeing white light, light in different colors looks a little “off”, even if we don’t really register why or how. This may not be attractive in your average portrait, but it can create some very creepy Halloween effects. Glow sticks come in a variety of colors but may not actually give off enough light. You can also try putting colored cellophane over a flashlight, your flash, or another light source. Black light can also create fun effects, especially if your subject has a lot of white or neon colors.

5. Be original.

   Anyone can take a picture of a pumpkin—just look at your favorite photo sharing site the day after Halloween for a few thousand examples. However, capturing the same objects from a new perspective is what makes you a pro. This holiday tends to be a little extreme, so don’t be afraid to go overboard in trying a new angle, such as from the very top of your subject. Before you take a photograph, look at the object from a few angles. This will help you to evaluate what perspective will be the best and which aspects you want to emphasize in your photograph. Think outside the box and build your photograph; this will give a more pleasing result with a professional quality finish.

6. Focus on details.

   A single piece of candy corn, a pillow case full of loot, or an open but uneaten candy bar: these are just three of the thousands of details that create this holiday. Why not focus on the details for just a few shots? These will round out your collection, and in many cases become the stars of it.

7. Tell a story.

   Unless you are a carving expert, your jack-o-lantern will likely be almost identical to everyone else’s. Instead of making that your subject, take photos showing the process of carving the pumpkin, from children scooping out seeds to the intricate dance of trying to get a lit candle inside the gourd. The same strategy can be used for putting on makeup, fitting a costume, and other events that define the holiday as much as the finished product. Don’t forget the ‘after’ shots with chocolate smeared children being carried home by parents and drunken partiers leaving their gatherings.

8. Catch a silhouette.

   This will be easy considering that this is a nighttime holiday with a variety of lighting sources. Catch the silhouette of children as they stand in a neighbor’s doorway receiving candy or a car sitting in a window watching the festivities. These tend to give a ghostly and spooky effect that is definitely complimentary to this holiday. They also allow you to focus on general forms and shapes while ignoring overly complicated details.

9. Make some noise.

   As a photographer, you probably spend a lot of time and effort trying to avoid noise and other grainy effects. However, at Halloween this can create a fun and spooky effect. Shooting with high speed film (or the digital settings that are equivalent) will help overcome the dim lighting of the occasion while creating a little noise.  You can use digital programs to lighten your pictures later, which will emphasize this effect.

10. Be safe.

    We often hear children warned of the dangers of Halloween, but there are very real dangers that adults face as well. Don’t creep around hiding in bushes with your camera unless you want to face the wrath of an upset parent. Be sure to show caution when around the many distracted drivers that are out on this busy night. Keep a cell phone on you and stay in well lit areas. Last, respect the safety of the children around you as well, who will be excited and not as aware of their surroundings.

Halloween is a fun and festive time, so why not enjoy it? Better yet, why not capture it in all its spooky and kitschy charm? Hopefully these tips will set you on your way to a more interesting and attractive portfolio of Halloween pictures.

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Sequence photography produces more than just a picture; it shows an event from beginning to end, often in the same single photo. The order is important because it tells a story and shows the passage of time, certainly much more so than a single photograph might. The photographs can be a powerful addition to your photography portfolio if you follow these basic rules.

Pay attention to traditional photography rules.

A sequence photograph without good lighting, shadowing, and framing is not a work of art… it’s more of a gimmick. Before you attempt to take a sequence photograph, first make sure that you otherwise can take good photographs. We have a variety of articles on the subject if you are looking for guidance.

Good technique is crucial because poor technique can lead to a boring or even unattractive series of shots. Even worse, it might distract your viewers from the story you are trying to convey.

Capture emotion, movement, and other types of change.

Sports photographers often use sequence photography to show a jump or other move from beginning to end. These can even be worked in Photoshop so they fit neatly on the same image, telling a complete story in one glance. However, sports are not the only way that this technique can be used. Showing a baby taking their first steps or a child opening a gift can produce a wide range of expressions in a short time and tell a story without a single word.

There are several ways to do this, but modern cameras make one way very easy: If you are photographing movement or emotion, use a camera with continuous shooting mode in sport settings and keep your finger down until the moment is passed. Otherwise, try taking as many consecutive photos as possible and combining them later, sorting through for key moments. Whichever technique you choose, be sure to use a tripod. This will help you to reduce blurring and shaking while capturing your desired image from the same vantage point every time.

Show a multi-step process.

Sometimes a given task actually takes a long series of steps. Think of a child’s growth, a plant growing, and even baking cookies. Photographing any of these can tell a story that will express more than a single picture ever could.

Unlike the above type of sequence photography, these will likely not look as good when combined into one single picture. However, they can be part of an attractive and expressive series that shows not just “before and after”, but in between as well.

A note: if you are taking the same photograph in several stages over a period of time, such as taking a baby’s picture every day for a month, then you should write down instructions regarding light and other settings to make sure you get a similar photograph in every take. Photoshop can only fix so much!

Turn the mundane into the spectacular.

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Concert photography is both fun and lucrative to produce. Not only do you get to spend an evening with a favorite band, singer, or ensemble, you will find that newspapers, websites, and even the artists themselves are willing to pay handsome rates for original and interesting photographs that capture the spirit of the event. However, there are a few tips that you will need to follow in order to get the photographs that you seek.

1. Research beforehand.

   Hopefully you have been to this venue before and know the best vantage points, how the lighting is, and what kind of space you will have. Some venues are okay with photography, while others don’t allow it. Still others require a special pass, which is generally easy to get ahead of time. You may be given special photographer’s rights, or you may be giving crippling restrictions, but either way you need to know ahead of time what you’ll need to do and what you’ll be allowed to do.

   You should also research the band in question. Some bands really dislike being photographed or are distracted by flash. You won’t get good shots if you don’t respect your subject. Also, look at other shots of the band, preferably recent ones or ones from the same tour you are shooting. This will give you an idea of what types of lighting and special effects to expect.

2. Bring accessories.

   There are few places with as many variations as a concert hall. You will deal with extremely bright lighting, dim lighting, and every variation in between. Sometimes things may be relatively still; at other times the action will be a blur even to the naked eye. Bring fast lenses to augment your normal range, and even a tripod if you think you’ll be able to use it. However, try to pack light enough to fit all of your extras in a small backpack. There is limited space, and you may see anything left in a large bag get ruined or even stolen.

3. Adjust settings ahead of time.

   If you can get into the venue a little early, you will find it easy to adjust your settings for the unique lighting conditions of the evening. Otherwise, you will have to make guesses and quickly correct for any mistakes later. Due to the fast lenses, you’ll need to set the ISO high. Think ahead about these issues; they’ll allow you to spend your time at the concert looking for that next great shot. However, you may want to keep your camera in manual mode during the event, as some rock concerts involve fast movement and constant lighting changes.

4. Look for clues.

   As soon as you enter the venue, you should begin looking for clues as to how the night will go. What is the lighting like? How bright is the background? Are there smoke blowers or equipment for pyrotechnic effects? Knowing these details will allow you to plan ahead and position yourself to capture those mind-blowing moments.

5. Don’t be shy.

   Concerts involve crazed fans, people under the influence, and just about every brand of crazy that you can imagine. If you want to get around or in front of these people, you’ll need to simply do it. Unless you are planning to take pictures of the back of someone’s head, and from the precise same angle every time, a little pushing forward might be involved. Just be matter of fact, apologize constantly, and keep our next tip in mind…

6. But don’t be a jerk either.

   People pay good money and often spend months looking forward to seeing their favorite artists live. Respect this. While you may need to get up in front of someone for a few seconds, you should try hard not to block the view for long or to detract from the entire experience. If you keep moving, you’ll get a variety of shots and angles without ruining the night for anyone.

7. Mind the spotlights.

   Lights can be your best friend or your worst enemy. They can provide interest effects or turn great shots into pieces of junk. Notice lighting trends—do the lights increase during the chorus? During high moments? During up-tempo numbers? This will allow you to plan for the lighting and avoid ruining otherwise great photos. Keep in mind that lighting tends to be cyclical—what it does during the first chorus is identical to what it does during the second—and that bands often save time by reusing certain lighting effects in similar songs.

8. Keep processing to a minimum.

   Concerts are interesting in themselves, with colored lights, high contrast, and special effects galore. While your shots may need corrections and a little noise reduction, they shouldn’t require much more. Coloring should be limited to an occasional black and white or sepia print. Try to capture the spirit of the night, not invent a storyline. You’ll probably have a little noise due to the settings, so you’ll have plenty to work on, anyway.

9. Share nicely.

   You may have heard this from your parents, and they weren’t wrong (that time at least). If a venue or band asks nicely for a copy of one of your shots, give it to them with the caveat that you get credit. Believe me, this will do more for your career and your income than a single sale would. Many bands are operating on small budgets and can’t afford to pay a photographer, but it can be great exposure.

10. Enjoy the ride.

    If concerts weren’t so fun, so many people wouldn’t pay to attend them. Enjoy yourself, enjoy the evening, and be part of the crowd of screaming fans. Get to know the music and really experience the show. You’ll have better luck capturing the feeling of the night if you are actually a part of it, and you’ll have more fun as well. Rock concerts are one of the most challenging but most rewarding photographic opportunities, so don’t be afraid to enjoy the ride!

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There are photographers who want to capture every moment as it truly happened, and then there are those who want to add their own perspective and sense of style. If you fall into the latter group, experimental photography might be just the genre for you. Luckily, this category of photography is broad enough to have something for almost every type of artist.

What is Experimental Photography?

There are several different types of experimental photography, but they all have a few things in common. All involve using the realistic images provided by film, but modifying them to capture an artist’s vision. This usually means using alternative process techniques. This type of photography became common during the mid twentieth century and has been growing and developing ever since. There are a few different subgenres of experimental photography that have since emerged. Here are just a few of the popular types of experimental photography we are seeing in modern times.

Photomontage

Photomontage is a style of experimental photography in which the photographer makes a photograph by combining several different photographs. Before digital technology, this was often done with scissors and glue. The end result was then photographed and processed to get a seamless image. However, in modern times this is easier to accomplish simply by using photo editing software.

Photomontage allows artists to splice together different scenes to make a statement. Elements of different photographs can be combined to create contrast, increase the beauty of an image, or even to make a social or political statement. A photographer can use their own photographs or those taken by someone else, although using someone else’s work will require getting their permission and agreeing on terms.

Photograms

Also known as camera-less photography, this subgenre involves arranging items on photosensitive paper or other material and then exposing them to light. This creates ghostly white outline images on a dark gray background, an appearance that many of us associate with an x-ray. This type of experimental photography is interesting to work with, but many photographers find the constrictions frustrating.

Solarization

This style is related to photograms, although it takes the concept one step further and uses images taken with cameras. In this method, a print (usually black and white) is treated so that all or part of it takes on the opposite tone. That is, light areas appear dark and dark areas appear light. This is usually done by extreme overexposure, although certain post-processing techniques can also accomplish it. Solarization is most interesting when a single portion of a photograph is treated with this effect, while the rest remains traditional. It often takes viewers a long time to figure out exactly what is wrong with the image they are viewing.

Gum Prints

This style of experimental photography also involved darkroom processes rather than the way in which the photograph is taken. They usually involve using light sensitive dichromates to add colors one by one. This gives the artist complete control over the levels of color and they way that they develop. The finished results are usually multi-layered and unreal, more similar to a painting than to a standard photograph.

Performance Art Photography

There are times when photography overlaps with performance art, often with beautiful results. Although the photographer was once considered the capturer of a scene rather than a part of it, genres such as light painting make it clear that this is no longer the case. The use of digital media, new advancements in photography technology, and a generally higher level of creativity are expanding photography to a performance art as well as a type of media.

Nontraditional Light Sources

More and more photographers are becoming interested in the way other kids of light can be used to create interesting photographs. For example, infrared and ultraviolet photography are both genres that are increasing in photography. Not only will these give your photographs a different kind of feeling, they often capture different shapes and lines due to the very different spectrums of light involved. Many ghost hunters and paranormal experts also claim that these light sources can reveal entities not seen by the naked eye, although whether you believe this is up to you.

Nontraditional Cameras

Many types of experimental photography fall under this category. After all, if you want to change a photograph, changing the camera is a powerful way of accomplishing this. Toy cameras were once thought of an inferior machines, but creative types soon realized that their simple nature made it easy to produce certain effects, such as bending light. Pinhole cameras are another type of nontraditional camera typically seen in experimental photography. The unique images created by these were popular with Dadaist photographers.

These nontraditional cameras are popular for experimentation for several reasons. First, they are cheap enough that photographers don’t worry about ruining them. Second, the mechanisms by which they work are simple enough that an experienced photographer can identify different parts and modify them as desired.

Transfer Printing Processes

Dye transfer printing can produce brighter colors than other types of printing while also giving an expanded range. In fact, this type of photography may be considered experimental, but it is the same technique used for well known Technicolor films. It involves using absorbent gel matrices to transfer each of the three basic color tones, one at a time. Although Eastman Kodak, the creator of the method, stopped making supplies for this technique more than fifteen years ago, many photographers are using similar methods with homemade or alternative materials. The result is interesting and eye catching color effects that give a whole new life to the photograph in question.

These are not the only types of experimental photography. It is impossible to mention even a small percentage of the different ways of capturing a photographic subject in a unique and artistic manner in an article of this size. Hopefully this sampling of experimental photography techniques will give you an idea of what appeals most to you and get you started in creating art of your design.

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