Online Photo Stop

Spring is almost here

2011-03-03T14:13:00.000-08:00

After a terribly bad winter with all that snow it is nice to see the first signs of spring. Snowdrops and Crocuses and even Daffodils have been observed making their appearance. The nights and mornings are getting lighter and the temperatures have remained fairly good for the time of year. All these signs are good for the photographer.
Getting up early and getting to your favourite spot to catch the sun rising is a particularly satisfying event and when that 'special' sunrise is captured it makes for a degree of happiness. Flowers coming to bloom are another source of photograph creativity and there are many opportunities for the aspiring photographer at this time.

Take advantage of the bad weather

2010-12-20T02:29:00.000-08:00

Well, as a UK dweller this has certainly been an extraordinary spell of weather for this time of the year. Snow, snow and more snow with temperatures up to -20 c has been no joke. Having said that I have found there are some spectacular photos to be taken during this time. The other morning as I was driving down a country road the panorama that opened out was amazing. The snow and frost were heavy and early morning fog drifted across the fields. This made for some really atmospheric photos and I really appreciated the conditions that afforded the opportuninty to get a good photo. Alas, I had committed the photographers cardinal sin and had not brought my camera as I was on business at that time. Still, I made up my mind to visit the next day and see if there were any opportunities. Disappointingly, the scene was totally different and certainly not conducive to photography. This outlined the fact that as a photographer you should always carry some sort of camera to take advantage of any opportunity that presents itself.

18 Reasons Why Digital Photography Makes a Great Home Career

2010-11-10T05:45:00.000-08:00

With jobs becoming increasingly hard to find and difficult to keep, many are looking for ways to earn money from home. Digital photography is an excellent way to work for yourself and make extra - or even a full-time - income at home.
If you're interested, download this free report called ''Make Money with Digital Photography."
If you're still undecided, this might change your mind. Here are 18 reasons why digital photography makes a great home career:
1. Minimum equipment required
To make money with digital photography, all you need are: a digital camera, a computer, and Internet access. In fact, you may already have all three.
2. No need for special training
Anybody who can take decent pictures can make money by selling digital photos. You don't have to have formal training, or so many years of experience. You can be young or old, male or female.
3. Low start-up costs
Aside from the equipment required, you don't need to make any other investments. This means you can get started immediately.
4. No need to leave home
If you like, you can do sell digital photographs completely from home. Yes, that includes taking photographs.
5. Money in your hard drive
You may already have pictures in your computer that you can sell right away. In fact, you should begin with those.
6. Make money when traveling
If you like to travel, you can make your trip pay for itself by taking pictures on your trip and selling them online.
7. Location independent business
You can have sell your digital photographs from anywhere, as long as you have your equipment (see number 1). This means you could be a nomad and still make a living.
8. Flexible hours
Work when you want, as much as you want. Do it full time or part time. It's up to you!
9. No need to build websites
Although you'll be selling digital photographs online, you absolutely don't have to build a website - unlike other online marketers.
10. Stock photo sites do the marketing for you
You don't have to do any marketing, either, because stock photo sites do it all for you. All you have to do is take high-quality photographs. (Check out ''Make Money with Digital Photography.")
11. No fees to sell online
You don't have to pay any fees to sell in stock photo sites. It's completely free to become a member and start selling your photos.
12. No need to set up a shopping cart
Again, stock photo sites take care of processing payments for your photographs. You will have to be able to accept payments from stock photo sites. A PayPal account should be enough.
13. Enhanced creativity
This business forces you to become more creative, such as in the way you choose the subjects of your pictures, to how you edit them.
14. Sharper photography skills
You have to improve your photography skills if you want to succeed in this business. The longer you keep at it, the better you'll become.
15. Build your portfolio and expertise
Selling digital photos online helps build your reputation as a photographer. You can easily build a portfolio based on your best-selling pictures.
16. Profit from passion
You can easily combine this home business with a hobby or special interest you have. Because of the wide range of subjects that are in high demand, you don't have to take pictures that you don't care about.
17. Steady demand
As more and more stock photos are sold and bought, the demand for fresh photos increases. Marketers always want unique pictures for their materials, which further increases the demand for more digital photos.
18. It's profitable
Because of low overhead costs, it's easy to earn a full-time income from selling digital photography. University students are doing it, stay at home Moms are doing it, and you can do it too.

However, you have to know some insider secrets. Which types of photographs sell easily online? How do you avoid legal problems? How do you work with stock photo sites? How can you sell more photos?
You'll find the answers in ''Make Money with Digital Photography." It's completely free, so go and grab it now.

Earn Money from Photos

2010-11-09T02:55:00.000-08:00

Just discovered a very good source of making cash with your photos, its
called Turn your Photos into Cash and gives a comprehensive look at how
cash can be made from your photos.
Be sure to check it out in the advert

The Importance of Light

2010-10-14T01:19:00.000-07:00

Many potentially great photographs have been spoilt by shooting them when the light is not right. What 'not right' means is open to interpretation. Too much light, too little, too bright, too dark - all have a tremendous effect on a photograph. The challenge is to use your photographic skills and get into a position that means that the light is correct for your intended photograph. It has often been said that the best times to take photographs are early morning or at dusk, when the sun is either rising or disappearing. This often means adjusting schedules to get up early and get into position to set up the right shot. This effort is worth it because many stunning shots have been taken at these times. To take good photographs depends greatly on light. Learning how to catch it right is a skill that often only comes through experience.

Popular Camera Types

2010-09-28T07:41:00.000-07:00

1. Point and Shoot Cameras

Point and shoot cameras are just that, you switch on, point at the subject, press the button and shoot the picture.
These are probably the most popular types of camera on the market today.
This is probably due to their simplicity yet the abundance of technological features is startling and even the beginner photographer can be sure of well exposed, colourful pictures.
The entry price of these cameras is such that they are within the grasp of most people and the price only rises in proportion to the amount of features that the camera has. This means that the simple camera is very affordable and the more technical ones will cost a bit more.

2. Bridge Cameras

These cameras sit in between the Point and Shoot and the SLR or Single Lens Reflex types of cameras.
They look like a cut down version of the SLR and have much the same array of features that the SLR has. The big difference is that they have fixed zoom lenses as opposed to the SLR’s interchangeable lenses. The lengths of the zoom on these cameras are extraordinary, with up to 26x optical zoom on some. This is equivalent to a 600+mm focal length in 35mm terms. The one thing that has to be watched out for is the amount of ‘noise’ in the photo if using high ISO numbers. From 100-400 ISO is usually terrific with well defined sharp photos. Anything upwards of 400 ISO, the noise starts to creep in and gets worse the higher ISO number you use. Just to state, NOISE is the grainy appearance that you get in a photograph.
But for anyone who does not want the expense of the SLR and Separate Lenses, then the Bridge camera is a worthy substitute.

3. SLR – Single Lens Reflex Cameras

These are by far the most popular camera for the enthusiastic photographer. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned professional, the SLR camera reigns supreme. As well as a meaty body which bristles with features, you have an unprecedented selection of Lenses that you can use with one camera body. It really is the most versatile of cameras and with all the recent advances of digital technology there seems no end to the creativity that can be explored if using one of these.
Some of the more recent advances are increased Megapixel count, anti Blur control and Live View as well as adopting HD Video as part of the package. All in all, the most desirable camera for the enthusiast.

4. CSC Cameras (Compact Sytem Cameras)

These are a new style of camera which have just been launched.
They are a sort of hybrid camera with what is essentially a large compact chassis with an interchangeable lens.
This gives you the benefits of small (ish) camera body and the ability to use any of the array of lenses available to use. Whether this will catch on as a concept remains to be seen. The first to have them on sale were Sony with their 'NEX' range, and it will be interesting to see if the other major manufacturers follow them.

You have to be quick

2009-11-04T03:06:00.000-08:00

In the last post I talked about the opportunity to take great shots of the autumn colours. I have just realised that you only get a short interval in which to get out and take these photos. It does not take long for nature to progress and when the leaves start falling it means that there is a limited time to get the shots you want. The good thing that can come from that progression is that there is no limit to what type of photo opportunity that can be enjoyed. Each season presents a different 'picture' and after the autumnal colours there will come the winter scenes with snow and ice and wind and rain. More great opportunities to explore and develop your photographic skills.

Autumn has great opportunities

2009-10-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this years colours ?? Some terrific shades of yellow, green and brown are exhibited among the trees and shrubs around all of us in this autumnal period. This gives a great opportunity to get out there and take some stunning shots. Having said that there is only a limited time available to take these shots because as the rain comes down and the wind blows things change very quickly and can mean the shots that you planned to take are lost because you waited too long. So the message is go out now and capture some fantastic colours within our lovely countryside.

Viewfinder preferences

2009-10-15T08:50:00.000-07:00

With the advances in Digital Photography there have evolved more ways to compose a shot before the shutter button is pressed. The traditional method of looking through the viewfinder and seeing the actual scene as it is, is being replaced or at least added to with the likes of Electronic Viewfinders or a 'Live View' facility. These are all good and each has their plus or minus points.
Personal choice will play a big part in which type of camera you use and which type of Viewfinder it has. Getting used to using Live View is a learning curve, and although not steep, it has its challenges. After using this facility for a short time I think I am getting used to it and composing a shot with it, and not putting the camera up to the face is feeling more comfortable.
Time will tell what way to compose a shot will become second nature.

A couple of shots using Live View.

How much Gear do you buy

2009-10-05T12:44:00.000-07:00

The camera is the main thing - that is well known, but what about all the other stuff, some of it pretty necessary, do you add to enable you to take the great photos you know you want to take !! Some of the things are,carry bag,lenses,filters,tripod,lens hoods,cloths,flashgun, film, yes some might still do this. As you can see there is quite a list and that is not even mentioning the items anyone who is into portraiture, who will need lights, reflectors, etc.
My point in this post is that photographers can find themselves having to think about a lot more than just the camera. At the end of the day it comes down to what area of photography you are focusing on and that will determine what extra stuff you carry.

Want to learn how to take really great photos ??
CLICK HERE

New Camera looks good

2009-09-30T14:26:00.000-07:00

After many years of having an SLR, both film and digital I decided to try something different. I now have a 'bridge' camera which by definition bridges the point and shoot camera and the SLR. The camera I purchased after quite a lot of deliberation is the newly introduced Panasonic Lumix FZ38.I am pleasantly surprised by the amount of technology it has and the 16x super zoom is quite amazing. I have spent quite a bit of time getting the feel of the controls and the 100+ photographs I have taken so far have been really good. Apart from being slightly smaller and having the non-interchangeable lenses, I cannot see much difference when compared to my old SLR. In fact the clarity of the photos is astounding and with the addition of HD Video it all adds up to a really great package. The only downside I have found so far is the 'noise' in the photos when having the zoom fully extended - mind you at 3mp this extends to 950mm and really needs a tripod. Having said that, I have had the ISO setting on auto since I started to use it, so I will play about with it a bit more and see the results from that. It took quite a bit for me to change from SLR and I suppose at the end of the day they are still king in camera choice terms, but I am glad I decided to change and find out more about this type of camera.

A couple of shots taken with the camera

Do you want to explore more about taking great Digital Photos,
CLICK HERE

Lighting can make or break a photograph

2009-09-25T05:38:00.000-07:00

My latest range of photographs taken brought to my attention the importance of having the right light when preparing to take a photograph. Certainly, when shooting indoors this becomes crucial and flash obviously helps here. The only thing about flash, when talking about integral flash in camera is that it can be very harsh and make things really too light, or at least show the reflected light in your finished photograph. Higher ISO settings can help here and I have used this recently when talking pictures of the new grandchild. This means that you really have to be careful with the available light because even with higher ISO settings and no flash, you can still get a bluish or yellowish shading in the photos, which tell the story of how the light has affected the final print.
Things improve a great deal when moving outside and as long as the light from the sun is not too strong it makes taking a variety of shots with good lighting a good deal easier. Early morning and last thing as the sun begins to set are my favourite times for using the available light to get some great pictures.

For more insight into making great photographs
CLICK HERE

Fair Weather Photographer

2009-09-23T08:31:00.000-07:00

Just looking at the rain coming down and thought - glad I'm not taking photos in that. That caused me to think of the different types of weather and the different shots you can get in the different scenarios. ie. sun, shade, rain, wind, snow etc etc. the list seems endless.
What is your preferred weather sort ?? I like the calm day, early morning light time as it can be so different and give you a fantastic amount of opportunity for great results. The only downside of that is you have to get up early !!
Keep Shooting.

A wildlife shot

2009-09-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a shot from today

What type are you using

2009-09-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

When it comes to cameras, there are a lot of models to choose from. I suppose it really depends on what kind of photography you are pursuing. For simple point & shoot stuff the digital compact fits the bill nicely. For more creative, adventurous and diverse photography the SLR rules the roost. However, I have found recently that there is a niche sort of camera which sits in between the two previously mentioned types and that is The Bridge Camera. As the name suggests, it is a bridge between compact and SLR and with technology being what it is nowadays, there is not a lot of difference in the stuff these cameras can do compared to the SLR. Obviously, the SLR will always be better - in my opinion anyway - but to test how good the bridge camera is I have purchased one and will be trying it out to see how good, or bad it is. I will try it through a range of photograph scenes and also see how the massive zoom lens27-486 (18x) fares.

Want to learn more about taking great Photos ??
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Welcome to the Photoblog

2009-09-20T13:33:00.000-07:00

Good to see you. I hope we can have a great time exploring the wonderful world of Photography. The blog will consist of photos, comments, articles, reviews and anything else that is remotely related to Photography.
First Tip
Getting the correct exposure for any photograph is a simple matter of 3 things.
1. The size of Aperture
2. The time that the Shutter is open
3. The sensitivity of the Film/Sensor (ISO)
Unfortunately, it is simple yet very profound and in this blog we will be talking all about this sort of stuff.
Keep on shooting....