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These photography tips are a record of new entries to the Daily Photo Tips RSS feed since November 2007. There are currently 1567 tips in the database! Contact Me to comment or add tips.
Lens flare can be partly controlled by stopping the lens down. Since the size of the polygonal shapes that flare in the frame match the aperture, reducing the aperture should reduce the size (but possibly not the intensity) of the shapes. (First published Oct 30, 2011)
24.Feb.08When photographing a lot of people, someone is almost always bound to be blinking or striking a strange pose. The more people in your photo, the more photos you should make to ensure good results.
23.Feb.08Traditional photographic prints stopped with acid will usually fade long before prints from other processes. For important work, research acid-free processes.
22.Feb.08An MTF, or Modulation Transfer Function, is a measure of how well a lens reproduces a target of very fine lines. MTF charts are available as a measure of a lens's contrast and effective sharpness.
21.Feb.08When making photographs from the air, be aware that morning or evening light will produce a more contrasty, textured scene, while mid-day light will make the ground appear flatter.
20.Feb.08Once you've found a composition, a tripod is a great aid to getting it just right. Even if you're using a fast shutter speed, a tripod lets you control the position of the frame exactly.
19.Feb.08Try undertaking a '20 steps' project, where you walk in a straight line, making one (and only one) photograph every 20 steps. This exercise teaches you to see creatively wherever you are.
18.Feb.08If you're only going to use a piece of equipment occasionally, consider renting instead of buying. Renting is also a good way of testing equipment before you commit to a purchase.
17.Feb.08A blue filter will tend to lighten blue or cool coloured objects in black and white photography. A blue filter will also create a marked reduction in contrast.
16.Feb.08When you're evaluating a composition, try rotating or flipping it to get a fresh perspective. This can help you briefly see it again for the 'first time'.
15.Feb.08If you include a person of any size in your photograph, they will usually become the centre of attention. Even at a very small size, people are a very 'heavy' compositional element.
14.Feb.08Many stock photography companies offer different rates depending on the resolution required for a photograph. A photo for a large print ad would cost more than the same photo for a website.
13.Feb.08Experiment with 'imperfect' photos, creating images that include irrelevant or unsightly details. Making a photo more raw or real can actually help connect with your viewer.
12.Feb.08Switching between colour spaces can make your photograph look different, often leading to an increase or decrease in colour saturation. Be sure to balance your photo in the space you intend to use.
11.Feb.08When taking photos of the sky at night, make sure you're not near an airport or a major air route. Airplanes will leave read dashed streaks through your night photographs.
10.Feb.08A reverse graduated neutral density filter is not the same as a regular grad turned upside-down. The two filters are laid out differently, and are used for different purposes.