Thursday, December 15, 2011

Achieving A Competitive Food Photograph

Photography invades the internet technology today. If you happen to browse different blog sites, you will be flooded by different photography blogs especially food photography. There are even numerous online photography contest and competitions available. Even in social networking, most albums consist of food photography which is always present in a photography contest too. If you love the look of any kind of food photos, then, food photography is for you. Don’t be scared if you don’t have any talents in photography. Some successful photographers who have been known for winning several photo contest and competitions anywhere in the world started without talent too. Instead, they have worked it out through consistent learning and practice. 

image source: VeganYumYum
If you go for food photography, you must first study the characteristics of food. Food photos should also tell a story and should entice the viewers. As you have noticed, most organizations that hold a picture contest about food are those related in the food industry business because of marketing to increase sales and profits. When you dig deeper, there are actually many uses of food photography aside from picture contest entries. Once you have determined the basics and important characteristic of food, its time for you to learn the basics in photography which can also be applied on other categories. It includes composition and exposure. To achieve a good composition for a food photo contest entry, rule of thirds is always applicable. Some people says that rule of thirds is only applicable for landscapes and action photos which is totally wrong. Rule of thirds is a general element yet very effective if used properly. It can be your best tool in winning a picture contest no matter what the category is. Trying different angles is also advised; you just have to look carefully on which side of the food that it’s most attractive or enticing. A common mistake of beginners in food photography is that they only tend to capture the food on how they appeared when they are seated. This tendency must be avoided in any kind of photography contest coz it can pull down your entry for sure.

Another thing to remember in food photography is the elements in the background. Choose objects that will complement the main interest or the focal point. To have a competitive food photo contest entry, you have to select objects in the background that will balance the color and contrast of the whole photo.


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Reasons To Try Landscape Photography

You can’t deny the fact that there are really images that look boring even if it looks expensive, there are those that just look simple but the beauty it presents can enchant any person who looks at it. The difference in photos depends on several factors that range from the photographer’s skills, techniques applied, chosen subject, and the device used. Successful photographers who have already won numerous photography contest and competitions worldwide have always testified that it wasn’t easy when they first started their career in photography. Some says that joining a photo contest started as a hobby and soon they realized that photography has more than it takes to be a hobby. The bragging rights you can have in winning a certain photo contest would give you a different kind of leverage among others. 



First steps to become an expert in photography are quite hard; however, if you have the patience and willingness to get through all of it, then congratulate yourself because you would surely pass the beginner’s stages and would just have two or three more steps closer to guarantee a win in a photo contest. While you are on the process of learning theories, facts, and different kind of systems, it is advisable to indulge yourself into constant practice. You always have to have your camera by your side or carry it along wherever you go. If your goal is to win a prestigious photography contest someday, then start to work hard now. The most common subjects that anyone could practice are landscape scenes. If you’re living near the beach, then try to capture the beautiful crystals of water reflecting the sun. You can also try the sunrise and sunset scenes. Those scenes up to now are still famous entries in a picture contest anywhere. 

Photographing a landscape or making it as a picture contest entry is very challenging for both beginners and experts because you’re dealing with the natural beauty of nature. Just imagine yourself seeing the beauty of flowing water in a river early in the morning, how does it feel? Seeing the crystal water flow and hearing the birds chirping above the sky; what a lovely moment right? If you have conveyed that kind of feeling in a picture contest entry, you will surely win! Photography is like a story that can touch the feelings of other people. 

Therefore, using landscape scenes for a photography contest entry would be a good idea, as long as you are equipped with enough knowledge and techniques to use.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Candid Shots for a Baby Photo Contest

Babies are just so adorable that as soon as you see one, you just want to cuddle them, pinch them, and tries so hard to hear them chuckle, right? The innocence and playful nature of babies never fails to catch the adult’s attention. They are just the loveliest creatures on earth that no one could negate. The characteristics of a baby or being a baby have the ability to attract people’s attention which is the reason why they are a good subject for photography and that it has encourages numerous free baby photo contest and competitions around the world. In the first place, why are photos so important in this world? Some people say that they are just a simple art; but for some, photography is more than just that. It can put smiles to sad faces, it can reach long distances to bring back memories, it can be used as evidence that such occurrences are true, and a whole lot more. 
When it comes to baby photography, the output does not solely depend on how cute or adorable the baby is. It’s a matter of balancing all the elements to be used in the photo. Try to look for samples of a free baby photo contest in the net, and you’ll notice what balance meant. Even if the shoot is taken candidly, balance is still applicable. If you have mastered the basics, it would be easy for you to balance it. In taking pictures for a baby photo contest candidly, make sure to turn of the flash unless it’s badly needed. Remember that when you shoot candidly, most subjects are not aware of it. Turning on the flash of your camera might startle them. You don’t want to do that. The purpose of candid shots is to snap away that precious situation or action at that very moment. Candid shots are indeed competitive in any kind of baby photo contest.

It can also help if your take a lot of pictures for the baby photo contest entry for you to have a selection. Surely there are one or two shots that would stand out among the rest. One advantage of digital cameras offer unlimited storage space for photos so go for it. As you take a lot of photos for a free baby photo contest entry, also use different angles and experiment on manipulating other elements such as lighting, framing, and positioning.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Factors That Would Make An Excellent Pet Photo

What do you think are the criteria used in a pet photo contest? Some people think that it’s all about the subject; well, it could be, but since judges or any viewers have their own point of view, you can’t rely on the subject alone. If you aim to win a pet photo contest, you have to consider other elements too rather than the subject only. It is giventhat the pet is the main subject but it could not produce a good photo alone. There is a variety of standards when it comes to pet photography which is why it can be used as a good learning experience for beginners.

If you choose to master pet photography, it needs understanding of the different factors that can affect the subject. What are these factors, anyway? First is the sharpness. A sharp photo of your dog displays the details. In a dog photo contest, every details count like the hair, eyes, furs, and even the paws. To achieve sharpness, proper use of light must be done. Lighting is actually one of the main factors in generating a well exposed photo. Exposure manipulates the right amount of lighting to be used in highlighting the image. To properly control or manipulate lighting, learn more about aperture and shutter speed. Most pet photo contest and competitions can be found in the web. If you notice, there are other elements or background objects used to frame the subject. Framing could actually help in guiding the viewers to look into the center of interest. Framing can also depend on the kind of story you want to display in the photo. Let’s say you want to capture the playful character of your dog, you have to use objects that can help viewers to determine about the dog’s character.

In a normal dog photo contest, you will most likely find a roll of yarn, bones, ball, or the dog owner as the objects complementing the dog. They can also be used as frames. However, it’s not limited to the objects mentioned above; you can be creative as much as you want to as long as the objects selected could not distract the viewers from seeing the center of interest in the photo.

Therefore, whether it is a cat, bird or dog photo contest, the two most important factors that make a good pet photo are sharpness and complementary background objects that would direct the viewers to the center of interest of the photograph.

Understanding The Tips In Pet Photography

We've been reading so many articles everywhere on how to take great photos and it seem that all of it is just the same. It talks about composition, lighting, exposure and a whole lot more. Well, indeed it all seems to be the same but writers have different opinions. Other people are just too preoccupied on comparing what they have read but they never really take time to understand it carefully. In photography, a need to understand every technique and practice is a must. Let’s take pet photography as an example. In any pet photo contest or competition, you will see those cute and adorable dogs and cats that would just make you feel to own one. The effect of a good pet photo could surely stir up those feelings in us, right?

If you have this adorable pet at home, why not venture out into pet photography and join a car or a dog photo contest? A lot of dog owners and handlers have realized that pet photography could really be a good hobby and soon they will find out that photography can be a big thing. Most dog lovers are making use of a dog photo contest to promote charities and others use it as a marketing strategy.

Now, let’s get started on some learning tips on producing a good photo for a pet photo contest. Since most pets are small, capturing their moments needs you to get down to their level. It makes the photo more interactive and real. However, it’s not all the time that you have to get down. There are some circumstances that you can capture them while standing. If you want to have a portrait photo for a dog photo contest, you have to learn the guidelines for proper composition. The common guidelines include the rule of thirds, framing, and the lines. For pets, other objects that could complement in the whole picture are their toys and food. You can capture a moment where they eat or play. Action shots for pets could be a good thing because you’ll have the opportunity to display their nature. It is also one way to tell a story. In pet photography, what you need is to understand the character of the subject in order to visualize a catchy story that’s unique and fresh. You have to very creative in generating a story in photography because it’s one factor that most judges or critics are looking for in a winning pet photo contest entry.

How To Gain Success in Photography?

Photography is one thing that a lot of people tend to get addicted to. It’s a form of art that has various ends that if you are not courageous enough to explore, then you might just want to slack off. It also has a lot of categories you can engage with. People in today’s generation are taking the advantage of the developments in technology. Before, it would take a lot of time to produce a photograph. It would take days, even weeks to get a perfect piece. Joining a pet photo contest in the early times would take an entrant long days to produce his entry. There would be numerous processes before the final output. However, today, the evolution of digital photography has made things a whole lot easier. If you want to join a dog photo contest or any kind of photo competitions, you can make use of digital cameras that could really be user friendly especially to beginners.

As you will notice that in most pet photo contest entries, the sharpness of the photo is really good. The reason behind it is the use of the digital camera. However, don’t’ get too confident of having a digital camera because photography isn't all about the device being used. Surely, the camera is responsible in producing the photo; however, the quality of the photo doesn't solely depend on it. Let’s say you join a dog photo contest, would you think that your camera alone could capture the most beautiful moment of your dog? If you are a beginner, you got to have to take time and effort to learn every aspect in photography to fully understand it. You must learn the basics, system used, and devices that are used in order to develop your skills properly. To be triumphant in the field of photography or any kind of photo competition like sports photo contest or a dog photo contest, you have to know how to use the needed elements and apply the necessary skills or techniques that would come up a very good photograph.

You might also be a photographer who has been gifted with talents ever since you were young; however, it isn’t enough to be successful. You have to learn everyday and as much as possible, join every photo competitions like online pet photo contest in order for you to gain experience. It is in experience and learning that you will be honed to be a very good photographer.

Win a Photo Contest With the Right Attitude

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a famous photographer someday and have your artworks published in magazines and books? Certainly, you did, right? As some people say that dreaming is the start of one’s success. It can encourage a person to do more to make that dream come into reality. In photography, attitude or character is vital in achieving success. You can’t win a photo contest with skills alone. Skills and attitude should work together in order to produce an excellent entry for a photography contest and gain the approval of critics.

The right attitude starts from the willingness to learn and getting familiar with the different factors or elements that affect photography quality. A photographer must be familiar with the device that he is using and don’t limit himself with being familiar of what he only have. A picture contest entrant must explore the entire possible ends in photography that could help him in producing a great photo which can be a competitive entry in a photography contest. In this way, he would be able to develop certain techniques of his own. Bear in mind that photography doesn’t have any rules but only guidelines. These guidelines are not limited. Anyone could have their own guideline as long as it conforms to the basics. Good thing about joining a photo contest is that it awakens the creativity of a person. Aside from being familiar with the resources, techniques, and equipments, a picture contest entrant should be flexible. Definition of flexible is broad; however, in photography, it simply means being able to adapt with the changes in your subject, environment, and equipment. Anything can be a subject in photography; it might be a baby, an animal or person you don’t know; you have to be prepared and be versatile enough to observe and understand their point or standing. If there is a need to improvise, be resourceful and do what must be done. Let’s say the shoot needs you to lie or kneel down; then do it. Patience and perseverance are also needed if you aim to win a prestigious photography contest.

Then, photographer must be bold in looking for any subject. There should be no limitations; whatever subject that attracts a picture contest entrant must be considered. There could really be situations that unexpected subjects come into your way in the most unexpected time. Acquiring the right attitude and photography skills are what you need be successful and win a photo contest.