If you are a photography enthusiast the PDN PhotoPlus International Conference and Exhibition is an essential annual event. Building on the successes of previous years the event is expected to attract over 24,000 professional photographers in 2013 who will flock to experience the events many and varied attractions. There is expected to be key note presentations by noted professionals David LaChapelle, Steven Shore and nature photographer James Balog.

New York Expo

Being held at the Javits Convention Centre in New York between the 24th and the 26th October 2013 it is anticipated that there will be over 200 stalls and exhibitions displaying a huge range of new products and a range of seminars and activities.

Artistic Texas

For a more abstract and arty approach to photography the annual circuit of Fotofest events will be taking place throughout 2013. Based in Houston, Texas, these events will cover themes such as Mexican drug issues, (Cronicas, January to February 2013), Fotofun 2013 (January 26th) and International Discoveries IV, (March to April). As a non – profit institute designed to promote artistic photography the focus is really on ideas and skills.

These events are hugely popular and if you have not booked accommodation well in advance of attending you may find yourself struggling to find somewhere to stay that is value for money. It was noted last year that many of the recommended hotels for the PDN PhotoPlus International event booked out well in advance and that the hotels in Houston get busy every year in the lead up to the Fotofest events.

If you need to book last minute accommodation there can be a lot of stress involved so why not think of an alternative plan, such as rental apartments which often offer far more flexibility and a wider range of facilities. This type of property can often favours those who have to book last minute accommodation as the owners are often more flexible than traditional hoteliers. Do not allow a struggle to find accommodation ruin your photographic experience.

Picture: cristapper – Fotolia

Being a cinematographer isn’t the most glamorous profession in filmmaking. While everyone can name lots of film stars and maybe even a few directors, most people would hard pressed to come up with even one director of photography.

Looks are everything

Take Phillippe Kress. Right now he is traveling across Europe, shooting a road movie/thriller called Move On with his fellow Danes, director Asger Leth and star Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, The Three Musketeers). Leth has some name recognition, having directed the Hollywood film Man on a Ledge starring Sam Worthington in 2011. Phillippe Kress not so much, despite having toiled away on Danish TV shows for about a decade. Yet how Move On – which is produced by Deutsche Telekom – actually looks is as much influenced by Kress as it is by Leth. While the director will have a certain vision of how a scene should look and play out, it is the responsibility of the director of photography (DP) to bring this vision to screen.

Gaffers and grips

The DP, in close collaboration with the art director, lighting and production crew, makes sure that each scene is framed properly and the right lenses and filters are used for the desired effect. He is also involved in pre- and postproduction, coordinating various departments and working with the processing lab. The DP of course also works very closely with the director to create the desired mood and angles for every shot. On larger films, the DP is in charge of the camera operators, assistant cameramen, gaffers and grips.

Where to start

Becoming a cinematographer requires years of technical training in the use of professional camera and video equipment. A keen eye for compositions, maybe from a background in photography, is a definite plus. A period of internship under an experienced professional is also useful, and may lead to camera work for independent films or low budget productions.

Photo by Winfried Eckl – Fotolia

For a new photographer, it may be hard to decide whether you want to try analogue or digital photography. Both have their boons and both have their falls, and although you can always check online or ask around to try to find out which is the best, the only real way of establishing which is right for you is first-hand experience.

Analogue photography

Analogue photography is both hip, and on the way out. While many professional photographers still use analogue photography for their work, it’s not as common as it used to be. Kodak has been in the news recently as they’ve been having trouble due to not keeping up with the times and have had to file for bankruptcy. There are some analogue cameras, though, which are becoming more and more popular, such as Lomography cameras. These are cheaply made, plastic cameras that some people love because of the imperfections add embellishments and a feel of authenticity to the final product. Polaroid cameras are still very popular, though the film is getting rarer and rarer due to Polaroid going bankrupt last decade, but there are plans to bring it back into production. The majority of film cameras use 35mm film which is easy to come across and there are many places who develop it. This said, if you get heavily into analogue photography, then you may want to find a dark room, where you can add flairs to your work such as cross-processing and controlling the film exposure yourself.

Digital photography

Digital photography has only been around for a couple of decades in a big way, but it’s fast become the easiest and cheapest way of starting yourself up in photography. There are plenty of magazines around which cater to digital photographers, and large online communities where you can share the images you create and get tips on how to take better pictures. Of course even if you have a DSLR (digital single-lens reflex camera), that doesn’t mean you’re instantly going to take amazing photos. It’s best to start with a simple point and shoot, though a lot of people have been getting fantastic results using their iPhones, and various apps, such as the immensely popular Instagram, which adds vintage analog effects to the digital photographs that you take.

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IMG: alphaspirit – Fotolia.com

Photography can be a very rewarding business for the ardent photo clicker in you. If knowing the difference between a full stop and an f/stop means something to you, and you enjoy building a gallery of photos, photography could be your full-time business. So many exciting opportunities exist ranging between art and journalism. Whatever it is that interests you, there are always opportunities available for talent photographers.

Starting Out

Many photographers start their careers as mere fans of the art. They take pictures of the world around them, not for profit but for pleasure. However, for those looking to take this passion and turn it into profit, there are a number of opportunities available. Many photographers begin their professional careers as studio photographers, taking family portraits. You can either set-up a studio on the high-street, which can be expensive, or simply operate as a freelancer. Although the financial rewards of taking this route aren’t huge, it provides great experience of dealing with clients and advertising yourself.

Create Your Photography Business Presence

The first step you must take when setting yourself up as a freelancer is creating a portfolio of work and making it available on a public forum – such as the internet. When setting up your online portfolio, it is important to ensure it looks as professional as possible and reflects your best work. You should also use social media avenues to get your name out there. It may take a little time, but the rewards are more than worth it.

Selling Your Photographs

Many stock photo sites exist for you to publish your captured moments of people, animals or landscapes. Photos of majestic landscapes captured against an amazing setting like sunsets sell very well. Sites such as iStockPhoto and Shutterstock are good starts for this avenue.

Alternatively, you can submit your snaps to magazines and newspapers and see if they are interested in anything you have to offer. In the case of newspapers, pictures of a news worthy event are best, while magazines will want a shot that will be appealing to their target audience.

Pictures: Maridav – Fotolia.com

Buying digital cameras is a difficult and confusing process due to the vast amount of options available on the market. However, knowing exactly what you are after in terms of features, functions and price can help make your decision a whole lot easier.

Canon

There are many models from Canon worth a second look, but you can choose from the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS, the IXUS 115HS, and the IXUS 230HS. All 3 are equipped with a 12.1MP CMOS sensor and 1080p video. Image stabilisation levels differ in each model ranging from 4x to 30x optical zoom lens. Note that these features are important in producing clear images. Prices range from £90 to £335.

Fuji

Fuji has several award-winning digital cameras, but the Fujifilm Finepix X100 is one of the best with its 12.3 MP camera and APS-C sized CMOS sensor. Ideal for ‘low light’ shooting, it has a 2.8 LCD screen, Hybrid Viewfinder, and HD Movie Mode. Suitable for amateurs and professionals, it is an affordable DSLR camera retailing at £672.

Nikon

Nikon is one of the most respected brands. Choose from the Nikon Coolpix S9300 or the S3300 digital cameras. The S9300 has an integrated 16MP CMOS sensor and is capable of zooming images up to 18x plus an optical VR. It has also a 1080p video and a GPS. Down the range, you can get the L310 for £199 with a 14MP sensor and 720p video while the S3300 retailing for £115 has an impressive 15MP CCD sensor and 720DD video plus a 2.7-inch screen.

Panasonic

The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ20/ZS10 is a winner in its own class featuring a 14.1MP CMOS sensor and 16x optical zoom assuring that images are crisp and clear. It is also equipped with a 1080p HD video, touchscreen and capable of taking 3D (still) images. Priced at £230, you can’t get better quality at this price.

Sony

Sony comes to the fore with its digital cameras that produce excellent photos. Consider the Cyber-shot DSC-HX20V and the DSC-HX200V. The former boasts of 18MP CMOS Sensor, 20x optical zoom, 1080p video and GPS while the DSC-HX200V has the same features, but equipped with 30x optical zoom.

From simple to complex photography needs, the digital cameras listed above are of great value in relation to picture output, ease of use, and functions. These gadgets capture excellent photos and videos with little to no effort on your part.

Image: Gerhard Wanzenböck – Fotolia.com

Any printer can print, but professional photographers need something more than this; they need prints of the highest quality, which can be provided by a photo inkjet or dye sublimation printer. The former prints both photos and documents, but the later has been designed specifically for photo printing. In an inkjet printer, small drops of ink are deposited on the paper unlike dye sublimation where heat is used to convert solid dye to gas to create the image. As photo printers are an expensive and crucial investment for you, as a digital photographer, knowing what you desire and how much you would be ready to pay will make deciding what to buy smoother.

What to Consider

Deciding on the type of printer you desire is the first step. Next comes the resolution; though higher is better, inkjet and dye sublimation resolutions are not comparable. A 300dpi on the latter may, at times, be as good as a 4800dpi on the former.

In inkjet printers, there are multiple and single cartridge options. Multiple cartridges allow you to buy single color toner cartridges online or at a store, unlike single, where complete cartridge needs to be replaced if even just one color is low. How a printer connects to other devices also varies, so, pick one that will connect seamlessly with your camera and storage media or computer. And if you are always on the move, a snapshot printer like the Canon Stelphy may be a good addition to your arsenal. Other factors to consider are printing speed, editing capabilities, ink & paper cost, availability of toner cartridges online and paper size.

Which to Consider

In inkjet printers Epson Stylus Photo R800, Canon PIXMA ip4000 and HP Photosmart 8450 are good options. Stylus has a resolution of 5760 x 1440 dpi compared to 4800 x 1200 dpi for the other two. It also has eight separate cartridges but is not pict-bridge enabled (prints directly from compatible camera) like the rest. PIXMA, available for less than a 100 bucks, also has two-side printing option while networking enabled Photosmart, with a 2.5 inch LCD screen, is more expensive.

Kodak Professional 1400, though expensive, is one of the best in dye printers. It prints 8×10 prints in 1.5 minutes and gives archiving laminate sealed prints. The other product worth a mention is the Olympus P-440, a higher-end digital photo printer with a 1.8-inch color LCD screen.

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]]> http://www.lg306.com/the-best-printers-for-digital-photographers/feed/ 0 http://www.lg306.com/the-most-influential-photographers-in-history/ http://www.lg306.com/the-most-influential-photographers-in-history/#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:49:12 +0000 Annie http://www.lg306.com/?p=52 Since the pioneers of photography in the early nineteenth century, masters of this art form have exerted influence on the world as well as on the development of photography itself. From Daguerre and Fox Talbot through to Diane Arbus, photographers have demonstrated technical and creative possibilities which have inspired people worldwide as well as providing a unique record of events, people and places.

The early photographers

In the 1830s the French physicist Louis Daguerre was the first person to find a way of producing permanent images from a camera, but it was his contemporary William Henry Fox Talbot who was more influential, through his book “The Pencil of Nature”. Mathew B Brady worked initially as a painter, but went on to use photographs as the medium for recording images. Most notably, he ensured that a photographic record was made of the American Civil war.

Important figures in the development of photography

Alfred Stieglitz and Edward Steichen were seminal figures, crucial to the recognition of photography as a fine art form. “The Family of Man”, an exhibition first curated by Steichen in New York in 1955, showed work from 273 photographers which documented the range of human experience. It has since toured the world and been seen by at least 9 million people. On the technical side of photography, influential people included the members of the American f/64 group, notably Edward Weston, Ansel Adams and Imogen Cunningham, whose work emphasized the sharpest possible focus.

The growth of photo-journalism

The work of W Eugene Smith became well-known through his development of the photo essay in magazines, especially in Life Magazine in the period immediately following the Second World War. But perhaps the most important exponent of photo-journalism in the mid-twentieth century was Henri Cartier-Bresson. A master of the photographic art, he combined technical brilliance with an extraordinarily creative eye. He termed the phrase the “decisive moment”, and said that one “must know with intuition when to click the camera.” Other notable photo-journalists include Robert Capa, who documented the Spanish Civil War.

Other spheres of influence

There are those who have influenced fashion photography, such as Irving Penn and Richard Avedon and more recently the British photographer David Bailey. Others who should be mentioned include Diane Arbus, influential in the 1970s for her choice of physically unusual subjects and Annie Liebovitz, who focused on celebrity portraits.

Image: Dmytro Tolokonov – Fotolia.com

A company logo is a symbol. This may seem obvious, but it’s vital to appreciate the gargantuan power that such insignias wield. It’s because of this power that nations establish their seats of government in iconic buildings and that an entire branch of jurisprudence protects trademark ownership. It’s no wonder that symbolism is exploited to turn a profit. Nonetheless, the clout behind the company logo is no mystery.

Cold Drinks in Winter

The fundamental influence of a company logo derives from the precept of behavioral psychology known as “association,” whereby people make instinctive value judgments, not solely on the merits of something, but also on those of related ideas. Coca-cola, for instance, has been held responsible for creating our beloved red-and-white version of Santa Clause, thereby associating Christmas with its logo, and ever branding its beverage as the go-to holiday drink. Company logos possess further power through their capacity to spread, reaching critical mass as “memes,” symbols that garner cultural significance. Parodies of McDonald’s golden arches are a monument to brand recognition, declaring the motif relatable on a societal level.

Prestige, Thy Name is Logo

Brands often use the “association” paradigm to assume a mantle of authority via their logos. Medical organizations like WHO once assimilated the “rod of Asclepius” icon, only to see a plethora of businesses follow suit, in an effort to portray official status (frequently using the caduceus symbol in error.) The effect is more potent than we like to admit. Surely savvy shoppers like us can’t be taken in by such amateur trickery! Well, even this reaction has been studied, and it turns out there’s a strong tendency to underestimate our susceptibility to suggestive symbols. However, a logo is not just a corporate-client relationship, but also an inter-client one, since customers turn to these emblems for the prestige they expect others to associate with it. Rolex, for example, is more a statement than a timepiece, and who would buy one absent the status symbol of the logo? What would be the point?

Picture: diego cervo – Fotolia.com