Concentrate on the candid and incidental - tips for great photography

You may not take on the responsibility of being the official photographer at a friends wedding or function but they will love you for trying hard to capture the funny and possibly emotional moments from a friends point of view.

Those candid images of people that the professional might miss because they are off doing something 'important', or are simply not aware of the relationships that underpin the way people are acting with each other.

Also take pictures of the incidental details. This might be important if the photographer is only there for the 'formal' elements of the function.

Whatever you do put your best efforts into it because there is nothing like a bit of praise when people see your images 'pop' from the screen, or off the paper, for making you wanting to pick up your camera and take more photos! We all need encouragement.

'A little bit of vintage'

I just published an article on my website. Feel free to read and browse others.

http://www.richardlinnett.com/articles_211435.html

Colour isolation - tips for great photography

I have been asked by some brides whether I can do the 'colour isolation' or Sin City' effect on photographs. The simple answer is yes!

The key reason for doing it is that it focuses the attention of the viewer who then afterwards takes in the black and white context. Black and white images have their own power to simplify and focus attention. Coloured features, especially in the background, other than the main object sometimes being distracting.

I have also been isolating the whole person within an image. These are Photoshop techniques. I am not sure if it is possible in other online photo adjustment programs. If you have found a program that does it please comment and tell other readers.

Also feel free to comment on what you think about the technique too.

I have already been canvassing my facebook friends and fans.

Valentine's Day coming soon! - tips for good photography

Valentine's Day will soon be upon us and we will all be looking for a card and present for our partners or would-be partners!

Why not enlarge, mount and frame a favourite photograph of you and your partner together. Here are some examples of couple shots I have taken recently. It might have been a romantic moment or place, a holiday you both still talk about. A great present which you can hang at home or they can have at work.

Perhaps you can organize to take a special portrait yourself of your partner, or give someone else, family or friend, a chance to practice their portrait technique. You could of course take a trip to a professional, many do vouchers that you can present as a gift on Valentine's Day and book a date together at some future time.

These pictures were of course done during an hour spent with me getting that professional image. Sometimes a location is best and I enjoy getting out with the client and seeing places with a portrait in  mind.

 Sometimes people prefer to be in the studio especially if the weather is letting us down.

All the best improving your portraiture, and whatever you do - don't forget Valentines's Day!

Practice your panning for the Olympics! - tips for good photography

Here in the UK we are readying ourselves for the Olympic Games. If you have managed to get tickets then you will have a chance to see and photograph some of the fastest people in the world. Let's hope they are not too strict and silly about amateur photographers in the crowd. It might be an idea to switch of the flash though, you would not want to put anyone off!

Running players are difficult (no flash high ISO sensitivity)

Cyclist very hard especially in profile (no flash - wide aperture)

To get good pictures of fast moving objects you need to be able to set up your camera to capture that image. Perhaps your camera has an automatic 'sports'setting. If you want to be more in control then switch to manual mode and set a fast shutter speed, wider aperture and possibly high ISO sensitivity.

Also practice following the object you want to photograph with your lens, this is called panning. Hold the arms still and close to the body, and turn from the waist and below to keep the vibration of movement to a minimum. It takes practice to get really good at it. Sometimes the blur of motion works to your advantage and give the picture the sense of energy and immediacy, so don't worry if you don't freeze the action, it will still look good if the composition is right.

The blur can make a picture more energetic (no flash - slower shutter)

A sharper image of the person may lead to interesting background blur

Any moving object is good to practice on and will yield some interesting pictures. Wildlife can be spectacular when the sense of movement is captured.

Only the head and front paws are in focus (composition and letterbox crop enhances the blur effect)

Best wishes,

Richard

Always have your camera ready - Tips for good photography

Happy New Year!

Made a real effort this year to get out and about for the New Year, and went to see the London fireworks from the embankment. I had a great time with family despite the crowds, and the need to get there early for a good view.

While waiting some young men decided to entertain the crowd with some tree climbing antics. Having the camera ready and the flash on standby meant I could get these pictures. Also having secured the best view of the wheel we could the composition was also pleasing.

I did not actually take any pictures of the fireworks. I wanted just to watch them and be absorbed by the spectacle, maybe next time. Lots of others were there though, hundreds of cameras and tripods, so I am sure to see and enjoy other people's images.

I was using my Nikon camera, zoom and flash so I had a good range on what would make at least an acceptable picture under these conditions. No digital zoom on a DSLR, and I would warn against using anything other than an optical zoom if you want genuine quality in your final image.

I hope you are as optimistic as I am about the coming year and are looking forward to recording its events with your ever-ready camera.

Best wishes,

Richard