Portrait backgrounds are an important component of a portrait. For a background to be successful, it must not compete with the main subject yet support the mood of the portrait. Competing shapes and lines intersecting the center of interest must be avoided. Unless an artistic statement, strong colors tend to distract from the message.

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Andy Heatwole has written pretty interesting techniques on how you can clone yourself using a sturdy tripod, a camera with a timer function, and static lighting.

“Start the camera’s timer and place yourself in the scene. After the exposure is made, start the timer again and reposition yourself for the next image. Repeat these steps until you have photographed yourself in all the positions and poses you’re needing. Remember to never move the camera or change the focus. Also, make sure you never position yourself in front of or behind an area where you have previously posed. If you do, …”

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Knold, a deviantart member, has uploaded great tips for creating and shooting fire using gasoline and a spray bottle.

Click on the image above to visit website

Please read his warning before trying what is taught in the tutorial…

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Professional Photographer Magazine has an interesting article on how you can make the best of a bright day for your portrait photography

“For example, if I place my subject in an area where she is out of the sun but the light source comes from the open sky, I can get a nice light, but I aim for something more. That something more is usually a natural reflector. Instead of just lighting with an open sky, I may chose to use the light bouncing off a yellow building opposite my subject. I love red brick buildings because in strong sun they cast a beautiful warm light. Or I may combine the open sky with a bounce fill from a white sidewalk for a glamorous light that creates a wonderful catchlight on the bottom of the eye.”

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Great night photography and painting with light shooting tips by Andy Heatwole

“Place your camera on a tripod and start the exposure. With the shutter open, move your flashlight in broad sweeping motions across the scene. You can try to paint the entire scene or use the flashlight to highlight certain elements. The amount of time required to illuminate a particular scene or element depends on the strength of the light and the effect desired.

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The Art of Communion Portraits

The First Communion is first in many ways. It is the first formal event in a young person’s life, the beginning of a life of good character and a milestone in a seven year olds education. The First Communion portrait is especially treasured by the parents, showing the innocence and hope for the future in their young faces.

For these reasons, a natural, happy face takes precedence over creativity in posing. Communion poses are studies in confidence and naturalness. An ideal session starts with a standing full length pose holding the missal and rosary beads. Girls have their weight on the back foot, their front knee slightly bent toward the camera. Boys stand with legs slightly apart facing twenty degrees off center. Several shots from the left and right sides will assure a perfect expression.

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Filters are used in photography to bring back an image to the way our eyes have perceived the original scene. Some times it’s not possible for our cameras to record an exact scene – so we have to rely on the manufacturers of camera products.

Filters also help us to create mood in our images and bring out the best in a scene. A small selection of filters is well worth packing when heading off for a trip. They don’t take up too much space and will definitely add a bit of spice to your images.

Filters work by being placed in front of your camera lens. You can also place several filters in front of your camera at any given time.

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PCPHOTOmag has written top 10 digital photography tips based on an excerpt from Rob Sheppard’s book, Adobe Camera Raw for Digital Photographers Only.

1) Be wary of underexposure
2) Get what you pay for
3) RAW is no substitute for shooting it right
4) Avoid increasing noise
5) Minimize banding
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Planning to get up close and personal with Polar Bears? Rick Sammon has written some interesting tips on photographing Polar Bears near the Arctic Circle at Shutterbug. Here are some of his tips:

Photo by Rick Sammon

• Be prepared for up-close-and-personal experiences with polar bears.
• Bring your iPod. There is little privacy on the Buggies; all that separates you from the 19 other guests in your sleeping Buggy is a touch-fastener curtain.
• Be patient. Sometimes you’ll go for hours without seeing a polar bear.
• Be prepared for one of the greatest photographic adventures of your life. Just remember to take a break from picture taking to enjoy the close encounters with the magnificent polar bears.

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If you just bought Nikon D200 and you want to make the most of your new camera, Nikon has provided a website that inlcudes basic knowledge, useful techniques, and tips on taking good photos with your Nikon D200

>> Visit Nikon D200 Digitutor
>> Nikon D200 Latest Price

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