Sunday, January 26, 2014

SUBJECTS TO photograph.....100 (here)..(post no.129).

SUBJECTS TO PHOTOGRAPH, MAY BE AMONGST THESE OR MORE FROM UR IMAGINATION........................................................................................................................................  THIS is a general problem for newcomers and sometimes with amateur photographers to find out the subject to photograph and the mind remained confused, what to photograph. here i am giving some subjects from which the photographers can select according to their location/circumstances/nearness of the subject...........otherwise serious photographers in India and abroad go for shooting spree, once in a year or as per time available to them and send to magazines/calendars/editorials etc. and earn a bit good amount. here are they:
1. arts...2. books....3.culture...4. entertainment(fairs etc)...5. family....6. food....7. friends....8. people....9. life around...10. love...11. music...12.news.....13. personal(belongings etc)....14. cars....15. random....
16. religion....17. sports....18. thoughts(creativity)...19. travel....20. health...
21. technology....22. writing(to get ideas)....23. cities....24. young/old women
25. children...26. business....27. backgrounds....28. youth/old men....29.....
girls....30. sea...31. sky....32. water....33. clouds....34. sand....35. beaches.....
36. houses/buildings....37. monuments.....38. weddings....39. rituals.....40.
festivals....41. portraits(infant to old)....42. animals...43. pets....44.lakes....
45. bridges...46. birds....47. flowers....48. designs....49. abstract....50. party....
51. computers....52. hands/feet....53. icons....54. offices....55. money.....56.
trees...57. nature....58. wildlife....59. coastline....60. railways....61. hospitals....62. schools....63. playgrounds...64. local matches....65. holi,diwali,id,x-mas,guru nanak jayanti(under festivals)....66. gardens.....
67. landscapes....68. bikes...69. mountains....70. environment....71. seasonal theme(summer,rains,winter)....72. night scenes....73. fairgrounds/lightings...74. sunrise...75. sunsets....76. storms....77. lightening
78. different regions....79. interiors...80. architecture.....81. farms.....82.
macros...83. couples.....84.home...85. beauty/beauty pageants....86.rivers....
87.highways....88. flyovers....89. beggers...90. tribals....91. pan/thela shops...
92. village life...93...crops....94. fire....95. kitchenware....96. temples......
97. vegetables.....98. local markets...99. vehicles(diff.types)....100. traffic...
etc. etc.(think urself).......
 

Friday, January 17, 2014

Use of Soft Focus Filters....(post no.128).

My one friend got an old 135mm Canon lens with inbuilt Soft Focus filter. This is an effective portrait lens and a telephoto also in varied conditions, particularly outdoors. Regarding use of SF filter: This was the trend during film days to render flattering effect to the clients in portraits, particularly children and young ladies.

As a general definition, in SF, the light is spread out in the image, which is more evident in whites, covering the whole image,though.

Yes a slight OOF image was able to show the effect of soft focus. Though, the photographers in general never used it. They depended on soft focus filters, a white stretch of net cloth, star effect filters: on faces, flowers, scenes that had most of different kinds or single color flowers, still life, decorated lights in functions. As there was no post processing, as is, for example ''gaussian blur''tool in Adobe photoshop can be used to achieve SF effect. These effects cud range from subtle to the extremes of 'Fog' or 'misty' type of effects.

The trend is low now as I did not see a single soft-focused image of any kind in the many forums, since the photographers are not using on lens SF filters in studios or weddings(bridal & other portraits) so the public also remains unaware of the subtlity/beauty of the image, for which we got accolades in studio and marriage portraits. Second, if used, the clients do not understand and feel the image is not taken sharp. Therefore, on their part photographers too do not hv it as an imp accessory in their camera bags, as we had. Even in abroad sites in fashion, modelling, glamour the sharp images are preferred becoz of non-use of SF filters. SO TO DIVERT THE TREND IS NOT POSSIBLE. Only few interested photopersons use Soft Focus filter for special effect or just to give a different look to their image.

Since in digital sims, thousands of photographs can be exposed as opposed to 36 exposure films, u can use, reject the SF lens effects, unless the subject in ur choice most demands it or what sort of work u are doing in photography.
We cud find where to use SF Filters, as we did portraiture, bridal photography, photography for competitions. All in all, SF filter or lens has its own use but not in Industrial photography, wild life, photo-journalism, travel, monuments etc.

Simple thing is - if photoperson uses SF filters for special effects.......PEOPLE OR CLIENTS ARE NOT USED TO feel/understand....!!!!!!!!!!!!

The thing has gone down history, as it seems to me.


A studio portrait of a child with Nikon soft focus filter.....The effect is wonderful in my view as I had a trend of shooting them in studio with SF filter, importantly the closeups, upto waist or knee level where faces had prominence.....The effect is seen enhanced in these shots, with 3D lighting... In full portraits I didn't use SF.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Bird pic-Nature Photography (post no.127).

Bird photography comes under Nature photography......There are bird sanctuaries, where the migratory and local birds can be found....But they are limited to big cities and that too not all. However, there are photography clubs made for Bird Watching and shooting (of course,with cameras). Most difficult is finding out the undistracted perch of the bird. That may be a secluded branch or with less branches where u can approach the bird with its prominency. Besides every time, the birds are not within the reach of ur telephoto lenses....but u hv urge of compulsion to take their pictures, may be smaller.

Here comes the post processing softwares handy and the bird can be cropped to rectangle or vertical format, as it suits the placement of the bird more beautifully, not because u want to place it somewhere else u want. This comes under composition rules which depicts the pic aesthetically superb.

Many people do not like their sitting on electric wires, poles as they do not represent the natural view of the trees, jungle. But, in cities it is compelling, not to miss the shot, whether the perch may be artificial, as in the above picture.

METERING: I GENERALLY USE SPOT METERING with birds and other wildlife animals, whose head is always in movement. So doing our best to focus on eyes, as they sit with their tails towards u. Here u hv to struggle for correct focusing on their eye(s), beak to get the mouth sharp (not to disgrace the bird or ur picture with focus on tail or wings, the mouth less recognizable being fuzzy).

In the picture above,same thing happened....While keeping vigil on eye or beak, as I clicked, the focus with even middle aperture of f8, maintaining higher shutter speed avoiding shake with weighty lens and camera, the focus on eye missed by few centimeters, as also the bird was moving its wings, which came nicely blurred. I took this picture as an example, with the bird's companion just left the perch and filled the space, which otherwise, wud hv been a negative space and I had to crop the image further to keep the bird at ''RULE OF THIRDS'' The flying bird made my picture stronger, though oof, becoz of off focus from the camera lens.. The wire also is slight diagonal putting the picture in two dimensions of different width and length. Here the eyes comfortable move from short area to broader one and vice-versa.

I sometimes apply vignette in pictures, but avoid in sky picture where space does not need confinement.
(You can kindly view old posts for references,as also the subjects may be repeated with change of time.)

Thursday, January 2, 2014

Sunil Paul---At a programme in my town(post no.126).

It is a pleasure to photograph a celebrity like Sunil Paul, who recently visited our town in a programme. I had my compact in my pocket, went out to the stage and angled the camera towards him....He immediately snapped...'oh uncle aap photo kheench rahe hain'...I retorted...'I am a big fan of u and watch u on TV'....He felt rather obliged and said ''thank u, thank u'' and carried on his programme.

IN SUCH PROGRAMMES, THE LIGHTS ARE FIXED VERY  judiciously to highlight the artist and his surroundings....Here the spotlight at his left was nicely making a kick light and detatching him out of the background....Showing the guy behind was also important to let people know that there was a team accompanying Sunil Paul...

I hv taken several photographs of celebs, who were available to me. I mean without camera, I had not gone in any celebs programme, better stay at home. My first priority was to photograph the artist then give attention to his performance. 'He does his work and I mine' was my motto. Even I paid for tickets, but camera shd hang on my shoulder.

As the light at Sunil Paul's right face was low, as it looks here in correct exposure, I had to increase the ISO to 200, as I shoot on compact at its minimum. Raising camera above was also a problem of shake but I managed with the shutter speed at 1/30 and aperture f3.5 as I zoomed slightly. I took 3-4 shots as he changed his mood always differently. This was a good one, when he stopped awhile..............This can come under category ''portraiture'', as u hv some chance of cropping or if hv a stable support, zoom more and take individual shot.

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Still Life.......(post no.125).

With ordinary things, a still life photo can be made in color and b&w....In color still life, the placement of color object is important, more important is balancing the objects.

I cud fill the bowl with other vegs, but giving importance individually, they look separately is good....The bowl contains three colors vegs--red-orange, green cucumber and dark purple brinjal.....The last two colors are tolerable at their place but the attention is caught by red apple as in pictures, red is most strong color, giving strength, stimulation etc. Then naturally others get less vale in composition. However, to give balance to red I put the knife opposite it...so the eyes naturally move out of bowl and knife looks ready to chop them off...Still I feel, for ur information, If I had red handle knife, that wud hv given competition to the apple.

It is still interesting to understand the basics of still life photography. Here I present b&w of above, that will go for more appreciation as monotoned pic having good in composition as there are no eye-holding colors. That is the difference in color and b&w photography. However, u decide urself,which one u like?





Wednesday, December 25, 2013

X'mas carol singing (post no.124).

There were lots of enjoyment on this X'mas.....celebrations at homes (above), in hotels, resorts.....However wherever u photograph, inclusion of Santa is a must, otherwise hotel dancing can go round the year on all occasions.....In the pic above, I feel, the boy's presence in front is a great tribute as he himself was enjoying and singing, and came abruptly in front of the camera, while I was aiming at Santa. Next, his half head presence add depth to the picture, otherwise, if he was missing there, the picture u cud assess from Santa to the right girl, a plain shot with celebrating, singing carol songs.

IN PHOTOGRAPHY, THINGS HAPPEN unexpectedly  may add a perspective effect too while u are unaware. Thus clicking is a pleasure all the time.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Reflection as subject..(post no.123).

Reflection itself can make a great subject.....however adding a bit different color, gives it a different feel...though trees at sides were more green......D3000...at 28mm.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Welding.....(post no.121).

Even on roads such scenes are common....However this is in a factory....such big sparks come there easily as bigger items are welded.....I had to give an exposure which will catch the welding sparks and the shadow of worker in an original atmosphere....1/30 at f5.6....28-200 Sigma lens hand held.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Food stuff photography. (post no.120) -Fried bread and curd.

If u are a hardcore photographer and keeps interest in many things, Food photography may be one of ur choice. There is no dearth of subjects, if u visit regularly some hotels, restaurants or may be a good cook urself. There are varied kind of arrangements of the food u choose. However u have to be cautious of the background, the only distracting thing in food photography. The simple/plane the best, since the attention of the viewer will be on the food stuff rather than other things.
 --Many photographers use many objects on which to place the plate but they are not distracting and cover very limited space, in order to highlight the main object i.e. the dish......There is a good word 'decoration'. That too be matching with the taste of the food staff, sour or sweet and shd be small in quantity placed at less important/vacant places so the beauty of the picture is enhanced.
--In the above pic, beside 'dhania' leaves and tomato, onion, green chilli, lemon stc can be added but to minimum possible.

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Angles in photography. (post no.119).

It is said by experts - TRY AS MANY UNUSUAL ANGLES as u probably can. From lying down on the floor to shooting top angles.

2. However, subject's position makes it deciding which angle u can use for the best output from a picture.
Besides, insisting on an angle may not be solution.....Right at the site of shooting, u shd have sufficient time to change ur positions for angles and/or may ask the person, place subject, on whom u can try different angles. As always, subjects are varied, many so powerful, demanding a solo position to shoot them from that particular angle.

3. For example, I take here Mumbai Bandra sealink bridge......There is a straight angle when u stand on the bridge, since traffic will not allow u to get changed to the premeditated angle. So u are constrained. However, when the traffic slows down, the angle u can approach is by sitting on ur legs....That will immediately take u to a different look from THAT LOW ANGLE, which was thus not possible.

4. Using ultra wide angle or wide angle lenses will give a more coverage and depth in the oncoming traffic, side of bridge, the view of sea, sky, clouds (if any), in night, reflection of lighting  in the sea.
ANGLES  greatly relate to lenses as well......................continue


Tuesday, October 15, 2013

COPYRIGHT OF PHOTOGRAPH.....(post no.118)

COPYRIGHT OF PHOTOGRAPH:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Many of the photographers are unaware of the copyright of their images and those who are aware may not be serious about their hard efforts in clicking the images which come under their copyright....please note that the owner of the copyright has the unquestioned right to do several acts with regard to his/her created works....This right is the exclusive one ensured in section 14 of the 1957 Act.

Nature of the aforesaid exclusive right or rights varies according to the type of work or works. Grouping of the said works run as under:
Copyright dwells in literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works. It is also found in a cinematograph film and in the case of a record, CD, DVD etc.

A photograph - good,bad, or otherwise - falls into the group in an artistic work. The exclusive rights afforded to the owner under the 1957 Act go as follows:

1. to reproduce the work in any material form;
2. to publish the work;
3. to include the work in any cinematograph film (not to mix cinematograph film and photograph - both are different -and here we concentrate on photographs taken by still cameras and handicams.)
4. to make any adaption of work;
5. to do in relation to an adaptation of the work.-any of the acts specified in relation to the work in sl.no. 1 to 3 above.....besides this copyright is a statutory right. It is an intellectual property right. And offence against it can be set right under the Act and its provisions.

It is obvious that such a right vests in someone and that someone is classified as the owner of such right. AS far as photography is concerned Section 02(d)(iv) states that in relation to a photograph, the person taking the photograph, ''remains its author''.

If a photograph taken in a studio of a client of the photographer, though the client has paid the charges, he cannot claim to handover the film or CD to him by the photographer, unless he had a contract in writing with the photographer about his/her photographs...The copyright vests into the photographer.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Nikon's another marvel D610 with 24.3 MP. (Post no.117).

NIKON's another marvel....D610 24 MP Camera.Nikon today announced the 24.3-megapixel D610 FX-format HD-SLR digital camera, engineered to deliver the outstanding balance of image quality, performance and operability that only a full-frame camera can offer. The large 24.3-megapixel FX-format (35.9 x 24mm) CMOS sensor is capable of creating low-noise images with amazing dynamic range, clarity and precise color, even in challenging light. No matter the type of photography, from landscapes to wildlife, portraits to sports, the Nikon D610 excels, delivering stellar sharpness, superior handling, and the ability to enjoy the full resolution benefits of a wide variety of NIKKOR glass. Image quality and performance are further bolstered with the aid of Nikon’s EXPEED 3 image processing engine, which helps to provide vivid colors and an exceptionally broad tonal range while quickly processing image data transfer from capture to card. Additionally, EXPEED 3 contributes to surprising energy efficiency for all-day shooting........
----The price with 24-85 lens will be approx. 2 lakhs. It has more lens options with further rise up of prices. (ctsy.google digital photography).