Photo Books Give Amateur Photographers A Professional Product
July 15th, 2009. Published under Photography. No Comments.
Creating a photo album for posterity or as a gift has never been easier thanks to advances in digital photography. Special software such as Photoshop and automatic functions on cameras means that each picture can be cropped, graded and sharpened to a professional standard. Here are some top tips on how to create DIY photo books to rival the best photographers.
When photography was film based, only the dedicated few had a chance to hone their skills and become highly skilled professionals, but since the move to digital mediums the eager amateur has the opportunity too. Not only is it cheaper to produce pictures digitally, it is easier to take a professional looking picture because of all the settings that are included on even the most basic camera. Despite this, a budding photographer still needs a good eye for a photo.
Rather than use the screen of the digital camera, use the viewfinder. This gives a better idea of framing because the picture is completely separated from its surroundings. Using the screen means that the photograph is being judged in context with the surroundings. It is also easier to see how well balanced a picture is when looking through a viewfinder.
One of the most important aspects of capturing a good photograph is lighting. Photography is based on using light to create a picture, and the more a photographer can take advantage of interesting lighting, the more aesthetically pleasing the photo books will be. Light casting a shadow highlights textures and gives features definition. By playing with angles, the dramatic effect of lighting can be used to create atmosphere within a photograph.
Playing with contrast is another way to add interest to a picture, especially if capturing images in sepia tones or black and white. Contrast can be taken to extremes to produce pictures that are intense and highly defined, and therefore a favourite format for professional photographers and artists alike. In fact, many artists have turned to the medium of photography to document works that are temporary of ephemeral.
To create interesting photo books, copy the classic shots used by professional photographers. Avoid framing the subject in the centre of a picture; instead go for a close-cropped off-centre image that takes advantage of depth of field. Also avoid photographing the subject straight on; take pictures from the ground looking up, or from above by standing on a chair. It is possible to achieve a foreshortened proportion often used in paintings using this method, which will give your photo books and professional feel from beginning to end.
Dom Donaldson is a photography expert.
Find out more about Photo Books at http://www.cewe-photoworld.co.uk/photobook/photo-book.php