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I was pretty excited when I got my camera http://www.canon.com.au/products/cameras/digital_slr/eos350d.html; a gleaming new Canon DSLR with a whole 8mp of capturing power. 8mp is quite an achievement, considering it has the resolution to produce bus sized posters, and all in a tight little package ready for prosumer consumption.
Now, some 9 months on, Samsung have released a 10mp camera phone! Thats right, theyve managed to cram a massive 10mp into a tiny little phone, and not to be outdone theyve also added a 3x optical zoom, theyve included a MP3/MPEG4/WMA/WAV/OGG/ACC player, theyve throw in an 8GB hard drive, and they serve it all to you on the latest Windows Mobile 5.0.
This really has me wondering about the future of the users of digital photography. I have no doubt there will always be a place for DSLRs, because nothing beats a dedicated device, but with gadgets like this gracing our world will the usual position of photojournalist be challenged by us mere amateurs? You see this more and more now, like the footage we all saw on the news (or internet) from the London Tube bombings. A gadget like this would allow high quality images & movies to be taken and emailed in a matter of moments, and it will all be done by the average Joe.
What do you think? The end of the photojournalist, or the beginning of the consumerjournalist?
Hello again!
Sorry for the delay in getting this post to you, but between family commitments and the Easter break I never got a chance to upload it. Still, I think its better to be late than to never arrive ..
I hope youve all had a chance to practice your Lines & Shapes observation, and thought about the Rule of Thirds.
<br>You can probably start to see that with just those 2wo techniques you can accomplish a great deal with a minimum of effort. Im going to introduce you to another technique today that, while it is partially dependant on those previous concepts, it can stand on its own and produce awe inspiring shots. This one is simply called Patterns, and as the name implies it simply an image filled with a repetitive theme.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>
Patterns are things that youll noticed everywhere, from the pattern of bricks in a wall to the ornate structure of tiles in a floor, and even things like identical street lights lining a dead straight street. In fact, if you look up at most large, commercial buildings youll see the same look for each floor, all the way up.
<br>Pretty simple huh? Whats even better about patterns is that they dont have to confirm to the Rule of Thirds, because their repetitive nature removes a single focus point it also removes the need to frame them this way. All you need do is fill the frame the way you like it, and shoot. If youre anything like me, once you start seeing this stuff youll take 20, 50, 100 pictures of various shapes and patterns, and become really proud of a few of them. But you may also noticed that while most of your shots look pretty good, they only look pretty good and not amazing. Patterns can be like that so dont lose heart.<br>
Now while most patterns are certainly rigid in their repetitiveness, they dont have to be so homogenous and are often made special by a simple stand out feature. Have a look at this picture I have here on the left, it is a prime example of a building covered with patterns.
<br>Youll also notice that there is a single distinguishing feature aside from the pattern, and it is this feature that gives this image a little more impact. I was lucky on this day that the window washer was not in the centre of the building, and the fact that it is off centre improves the overall appearance, dont you think?
<br>I actually think this picture is pretty bland (and being your own worse critic will help you produce the best you can), but having that one element that doesnt conform to overall feel of the image does add some impact, and Im pretty sure your eyes will be drawn to it.
<br>Simple, but effective.
Now you have the basics of 3hree techniques that are the foundation of almost every single picture you will ever see. There are some exceptions, like portraits & photojournalism to name a few, but I guarantee you that youll be able to see these techniques in 95% of the images you see in magazines, billboards, and exhibitions. Get out there and have a look, because viewing as many images as you can will only improve your photographic eye and thats no bad thing. Digital Photo Forum has a really good collection of Abstract Images, and the Cityscape/Architecture collection has a few as well, so check it out. If you happen to join the DPF then let me know. Im a regular on the website, and I love nothing more than to see new images from new photographers.
Thats it for this post. Practice your shooting, and compare your stuff with others. Next time well start to look at exposure and aperture, and how it is affected by your ISO settings.
Til next time, just shoot me.
sog
Hey everyone, how are those lines & shapes coming along?
Today I want to tell you about the Rule of Thirds .. both of them. Some of you would be aware of 1ne, but I recently discovered there is, in fact, 2wo of them.
Youve all played Naughts & Crosses, or Tic Tac Toe, right? Draw yourself a TTT playing field, so it looks something like this one. It should be immediately obvious why it is called the Rule of Thirds now, init? You see where the horizontal & vertical lines cross? Well those points are called the Points of Power (or PoP), and apparently it is these points where you can have to most impact for your subject. I say apparently because in a future post youll be shown how you can ignore these points and still create a visually stunning image. For the moment, lets walk before we run ok?
Look at this image here; Ive added lines that help demonstrate the PoP. You can see the person sleeping in the left bottom of this image is almost smack bang on one, and the bright sign in the top right as well. Youll also noticed the movement from the traffic runs along that top horizontal. But whats important to note is that you would naturally look to the homeless sleeper, or that overly bright sign. Well, the sign *is* overly bright  If you can put the interesting parts of your picture on these points then you can dramatically improve the image. If you have a digital camera then all the better, because youll be able to move your camera around and try a few different points, keeping the one that appeals to you the most.
The other rule of thirds applies to the layout of a landscape, specifically the foreground, middle ground, and background. Take a look at this water scene and youll notice 3hree distinct areas of interest; the boats on the sand (fore), the boats floating in the water (middle), and the building line (back). Almost every picture has these elements, but its upto you to place emphasis on one or more of these planes. Now while this picture does have those elements, it lacks punch at the Points of Powers so it tends to look flat and bland. Dont worry, you *can* say that and I always appreciate an honest opinion.
Ive only recently heard about this version of the rule, and Im looking forward to trying it out. Ill let you know how it goes, or even better is you could tell me how it goes! Id love to hear from you. Practice your lines & shapes, and start thinking about your Points of Power.
til next time, just shoot me.
sog
Enamelled goods are not as popular as they once were, it's true. They still hold a special place for me, cause most of my camping stuff was enamelled and seeing it reminds me of warm tea tree lakes & pippy pasta.
[ Click here to read more ]
Well, it's pretty amazing how sometimes you can walk past the same thing .. for years (even) and then one day you notice something different, or you see this thing in a different light.
The Sydney Botanic Gardens has a wonderful little garden complete with a round water feature, and a sundial! Have any of you ever had a good look at the sundial
[ Click here to read more ]
Anyone whos ever wondered how they can make their pictures better will get some benefit from David Petersons (free) Digital Photography Secrets. I received his promised 20 tips, and a whole host of others besides. If you like his tips then you can buy ALL of them in his e-book download. His tips are mostly commonsense type tips, but the kind where you wondered why you never thought of it before.
And for something a little more personal have a look at Davids Review You Photos, a site where (for a fee) you can have a professional critique your work. You're able to check out all the reviews they have on the site, so there's more to see than just your own mistakes [ Click here to read more ]
Photographers often have 'pet projects' that can keep them entertained for years. I also noticed that most projects actually find the photographer, and not the other way around. The same can be said for mine; Sydney Opera House.
I work within 10 mins of the Opera House, and no matter how many times I visit it I never see the same thing twice. Here is the first shot I ever took of The House, and it became the foundation of my first pet project
[ Click here to read more ]
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Now, some 9 months on, Samsung have released a 10mp camera phone! Thats right, theyve managed to cram a massive 10mp into a tiny little phone, and not to be outdone theyve also added a 3x optical zoom, theyve included a MP3/MPEG4/WMA/WAV/OGG/ACC player, theyve throw in an 8GB hard drive, and they serve it all to you on the latest Windows Mobile 5.0.
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Comment by sog
on The MegaPixel March
I've been scouring for a price on this baby, and I'm yet to hear of anything firm.
I'll keep dreaming