Photography ideas
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Blast From the Past: 7 Photography Projects That Still Look Good Today

Everything moves at a fast pace in the digital era. What’s relevant today is forgotten tomorrow. Photography is no different. With so many photographers around, publications are constantly delivering new and exciting work to their audience. But as new work emerges, previous work doesn’t need to lose its value. 

Photography Projects

Before we get into the work, be aware that all the photography projects you see below have been previously featured on The Phoblographer. We’ve had countless submission over the past 11 years, so picking this list wasn’t easy. But we’re happy with the fantastic work we’re about to share with you. And we know you’ll be happy too!

1. Sarolta Ban’s Photography Project Raised Awareness for Animal Shelters

We published the work of Sarolta Ban way back in 2014. Based in Budapest, Ban created dreamlike images that offered the cuteness of animals and the important message of the cause. Ban sold her work in print, and $50 of every order she received went to an animal shelter. Great work for a wonderful cause – we were proud to be a part of it.

2. Luc Kordas Documents Hasidic Jews with His Photography Project

Luc Kordas‘ wonderful black and white street photography project caught our attention back in 2015. His work began three years before that. In 2012 he began focusing more on the Hasidic community. He told us, “…one day I arrived in Williamsburg and instead of turning left for the hipster part, I turned right to the Hasidic part because that seemed more interesting.” We love how real his work is. There’s no agenda, just pure documentation. Fantastic.

3. Argus Estabrook’s Photography Project Focuses on Hope

Looking at photographs made by Estabrook was like looking at poetry on a page. Sure, he tackles the struggles of life. But he portrays them with so much creativity that the viewer will become gripped by his message. Working out of South Korea, Estsabrook became close and intimate with the nation’s people. Often seen at protests and rallies, his images act as a voice for the millions who want to be heard.

4. Jorge Serra Experiments in a Unqiue Way

It was only a couple of years ago that we first published this work. But coming across it again made it feel it was worth another feature. Serra offers images that take light painting to a new level. They don’t feel cliche, but instead, they’re fresh and unique. He told us, “It started as a hobby that soon developed into a conceptualised way of approaching new things.” That hobby led to great things. The work shown above was part of an album cover for City Number Nine.

5. Maryline Rivard and Her Conceptual Portraits

Rivard creates majestic self-portraits. On her main motivation for the work, she told us, “I think it is important to show a certain vulnerability in a world where we constantly struggle to show that we are perfect, strong and powerful.” Her camera is certainly a mirror for the range of feelings and thoughts humans have about themselves. We really enjoyed spending time with Rivard’s work.

6. Nick Seyler Is Dedicated to Concert Photography

Seyler was only 21 years old when we featured him. Although so young, he offered a body of work that suggested he was a photographer well into his later years. A budding music and concert photographer, Seyler nails the art of documenting the excitement and chaos of the music scene. He told us his main motivation for his work isn’t money, “…I could probably count on my hands and feet the amount of times bands actually paid…” he says. Instead, he does it for his love of music and the community vibe that comes with it.

7. Daniel Schaefer Has Worked on Several Photography Projects

Schaefer was still in the early phases of developing his trade back in 2015. But even still, we became instantly attached to his style of portraiture. His frames offer a retro vibe. There’s no over-editing, and his subjects seem to reflect their authentic selves. Strong work, and we’re happy to see he’s still keeping active

For more information or guidance on this you can contact us.

Best filmmaking camera
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How to Choose a Camera for Low Budget Filmmaking

Which video camera should you buy? It depends on your budget and the kind of film you’ll be making.


My choice of the best cameras for video in 2021

  • A mirrorless camera or DSLR is the most affordable way to get into creative filmmaking.
  • For news or events, a prosumer may be more manageable.
  • Cinema cameras combine the best features of mirrorless cameras and pro camcorders, but they aren’t cheap.
  • For work, travel, school or family use, choose an easy-to-use camera: a basic camcorder, iPhone, iPad or compact still camera.
  • Use an action camera or Osmo Pocket camera/stabiliser for outdoor activities and sports.
  • On a very tight budget, choose a basic camcorder or a used mirrorless camera or DSLR.

Creative filmmaking

You can choose between four main types of camera for serious low-budget filmmaking: mirrorless/DSLR, prosumer camcorders, pro camcorders, and cinema cameras. Each type has its pros and cons

Mirrorless cameras and DSLRs


Interchangeable lens cameras are mainly designed for serious still photography. But they’re the most affordable way to get into creative low-budget filmmaking.

They have big sensors and lenses compared to camcorders. So they’re better for low light and ‘cinematic’ shallow focus shots. Downsides? You may need accessories to get the best out of them, they’re slower to use than dedicated video cameras, and audio recording can be tricky. But recent mirrorless cameras like the Panasonic GH5 and the G85/G80 have image stabilisation and electronic viewfinders to make video shooting easier.

Professional camcorders 


Cameras that have good manual controls, and professional audio inputs and outputs. They can record in pro video formats which are easier to adjust and correct than most video filmed with DSLRs and camcorders. They’re a good choice for news, events and corporate video.

Cinema Cameras

Canon C100

High-quality cameras like the Canon C100 take interchangeable lenses. Their large sensors let you get creative shallow focus effects, like DSLR/mirrorless cameras. But because they’re designed for video, not stills, they’re easier to film with.  Most of them have better image quality, especially in low light. They can record in pro video formats that are easy to adjust and correct. Most of them can’t shoot stills.

The BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is the most affordable option for shooting high quality 4K RAW and ProRes files.

Easy-to-use cameras

These are the cameras to consider if you want something straightforward to use at work, in school, at home or for travel.

Consumer camcorders

Panasonic HC-V550

Small camcorders are some of the most affordable and user-friendly options for shooting videos. They’re useful for beginners, schools and families, though image quality won’t be as good as SLRs or mirrorless cameras. I don’t recommend buying cheap (under $100) camcorders from makers you haven’t heard of.

Compact still cameras

Sony RX100 Mk IV

Small ‘point-and-shoot’ still cameras have built-in zoom lenses. Most can shoot Full HD video, and some can record Ultra HD (4k).  They’re convenient for travel and families. Video quality isn’t usually as good as DSLRs or mirrorless cameras, though top compacts come close.

Action cameras

GoPro Hero 5


These little cameras are tough, but you wouldn’t want to use one as your main camera. You can mount them on bikes, helmets, cars, your body, or even animals. Most of them don’t have screens. The more expensive ones let you monitor the image with a wireless monitor or an iPhone or Android app. You could also consider the DJI Pocket (below).

DJI Pocket 2

DJI Pocket 2

DJI Pocket 2 tiny combined camera and stabiliser is good for shooting action and events and for flowing, creative camera moves. It can shoot 4K at up to 60fps and Full HD at 240fps. It’s worth considering as an alternative to a basic camcorder, an action camera, or a phone/stabiliser combo.

Choosing a camera: what to look for

Ease of use

Is the camera comfortable to hold? Are the controls easy to use? Can you change the important settings with buttons and switches, or do you have to use menus? If there’s a touchscreen, does it work well? Does the camera have an accessory shoe so you can fit a microphone or light?

Manual control

Can you set exposure, white balance and sound levels yourself, or are they all automatic? These controls might not matter to you now, but you may need them if you get serious about your filmmaking.

Lens

How far does the camera zoom out (wide angle) and zoom in (telephoto)? The wide-angle setting is probably more important as it lets you get close and makes handholding easier. The best way to compare this is find out what the 35mm equivalent is: under 30mm is good, 25mm or less is great. It’s the optical zoom range you should ask about – digital zoom is irrelevant (see bottom).

If the zoom range isn’t very wide, does the manufacturer make wide-angle or telephoto adaptors to fit to the front of the lens?

How close can the camera focus? What’s the widest aperture? (A low number, like f/2 or f/1.7, lets more light in so you can use the camera in dark conditions or get shallow focus effects).

Sound

Is the built-in microphone good? Is there a headphone socket so you can listen to the sound while you film? Can you plug in an separate microphone? (If you want to be able to use pro microphones, you need a camera with three-pin XLR inputs).

Image stabilisation

Image stabilisation can make pictures less shaky. It’s not essential if you’re going to use a tripod or a good camera support, but it’s very useful for shooting handheld. The most effective stabilisation, featured in some new cameras like the Panasonic GH5, combines lens-based optical stabilisation and sensor-based in body image stabilisation (IBIS).

Sensor size

Larger is better – up to a point. The bigger sensors in HDSLRs, mirrorless cameras and large sensor video cameras are are usually better in low light, and let you get shallow focus effects. They also let you use smaller apertures without diffraction softening your image. But for news and events shooters, the greater depth of field you get from a small-sensor camera can be useful.

Mirrorless cameras and DSLRs come in three main sensor sizes: full frame, APS-C and Micro Fourth Thirds (MFT). MFT sensors are the smallest, which means the cameras and lenses are compact and convenient, but less good in low light. APS-C is around the same size as 35mm movie film frames: nice for shallow focus and low light than MFT.

‘Full frame’ cameras give the best low light performance (and ultra-shallow focus, if you need it). But they’re expensive and have bigger, heavier lenses: I don’t really recommend them unless you’re sure you need them.

Recording format

Check that the camera records in a format that your editing program can handle.

You only really need 1080p HD for most uses, but filming in 4K ‘ultra high definition’ has some advantages. 4K footage can look better even when downsized to 1080p, and it also gives you the option of cropping (eg from a mid shot to a closeup) when you edit.

Some cameras can record higher quality video like 10 bit and 4:2:2. These take up more space (and are more demanding on your computer) but they’re easier to correct and adjust when you edit.

Do you need to record broadcast quality footage? That usually means HD footage shot at a bit rate of at least 50Mb/s, with 4:2:2 chroma subsampling (that’s twice as much colour information as the 4:2:0 you get with many camcorders and SLRs). It also requires a minimum sensor size: 1 inch for a single chip, or 1/2 inch for three-chip cameras.

As always, you can ask any questions in the Comments section, below, and we will be more than happy to help you as you prepare for film school. Or contact our experts of Golden Camera team.

Filmmaking camera gears
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Scope of Filmmaker in Pakistan

About Filmmaker

A filmmaker, or film director, is someone who is in charge of making, leading, and developing movie productions. It is a career that allows an individual to use their leadership as well as creative thinking skills to lead and direct major motion pictures or made-for-television films.

A filmmaker spends very long hours making sure the film is being shot in a way that will provide entertainment for the audience and will highlight the actor’s and actresses’ strengths. They will see each film through, from where the film is shot, to how the script will be played out, to what actors and actresses best fit the roles of the characters. The filmmaker also manages the financial end of the production.

Eligibility to become Filmmaker in Pakistan

Candidates who are motivated and have a strong passion for films, theatre and arts can get into the film industry either through talent or by the means of formal education. Aspiring directors/producers can gain experience by assisting renowned directors or by joining school production.

Some producers assist in production houses to build a career. Apart from this a bachelor’s degree in fine arts can enhance one’s knowledge and increase their skill set. Depending upon one’s career interest one can go for a bachelor’s degree or for MFA degree courses.

Music directors and dance directors can join some dance or music school to get some formal training in their field. With the increasing competition, formal training along with talent will help improve their skills which will ultimately increase their employability.

Types of Job Roles Filmmaker

There is no end to the number of job roles available for the filmmaker. Moreover, It totally depends upon one’s career interest, personal choice and ability to opt for a career. Some people enjoy the limelight and creative sight, therefore, opt for careers such as actors, producers, directors etc. Whereas some of them like working behind the scenes like cameraman, technicians. Check out some of the popular film industry job profiles here:

Casting Director:  They are the professionals in the film industry who gather a number of actors for a given role in a film. Their role is just not limited to this, as it is necessary for them to stay in close contact with the producer, director, and writer to understand and get an idea of the type of person a given role calls for. As a casting director, it is your responsibility to meet with individuals and shortlist and select the best candidates suitable for the role. They are one of the most important people as they help identify the right actors for the right role which is the basic need of any film. They say- A foundation of a great film is a great actor.

Dancing Director/Choreographer:  They are responsible to oversee the production of a dance performance in the film. Their job is to hire dancers, choreographers, run rehearsals, choreograph a song etc. No formal education is required in the respective field but with increasing competition, some formal training or a bachelor’s degree in the same can help one establish their career.

Film Director: They are referred to as the godfather of the film as it is their vision or creative that gets made into a film. Film directors are responsible for multiple job roles, from hiring talents, selecting a script to manage the work of crew and casts, to oversee the work of costume designers to actors to makeup artists. There is a lot taken care by film directors. Rather than a formal degree in this field, a film director must have creativity, interpersonal skills, communication skills and critical thinking to excel in this field.

Film Producer: A film producer is a person who oversees the production of the film. Their main job is to arrange finances for the film. They are with the film from its start once accepted, they secure funding and resources for creating the film.They work with directors and production staff to plan and schedule the filming of the movie. After filming is complete, the producer works with the post-production crew to polish the film. The final stages include screening the movie with test audiences, developing a promotional campaign with advertising and marketing firms, and creating a business plan for distribution is what a film producer does.

Music Director: Their job role is to select music to perform, arrange performances and work with musicians as per the needs of the films. They lead rehearsals and performances. They are often also responsible for many of the administrative details of leading the musical group. Music Directors work closely with directors and producers to understand the demand of the film and deliver as per the same.

Theatre Director: Theatre directors are responsible for many aspects of staging a play, from casting to costumes to performances. They have an extensive knowledge of different, plays, their background, histories etc. Theatre directors who have a bachelor’s degree in the field like literature, history, have an edge over those who don’t

Screenwriter: The screenwriter is the person who writes the script of the film. They create the dialogue, the characters and the storyline of a movie script. The screenwriter is often the most essential person in film production because no movie can start without the script and it is the base of any film.

Employment Opportunities for Filmmaker

Bollywood is the second largest film industry in the world and is flooded with employment opportunities for filmmakers. Mumbai is a hub of most of these opportunities. Check out the top employment opportunities for actors below:

  • Motion Pictures
  • Television Industry
  • Video Industry
  • Theatre Companies
  • Stage Shows
  • Advertisement Agencies

Pay Scale/Salary of Filmmaker

There are no specific salaries or pay packages in the film industry. Well known and renowned music directors, directors, producers, casting directors make a lot of money as compared to the one who has just started their careers.

Books & Study Material to Become Filmmaker

There are no such books which can help you build a career as a filmmaker. However, reading inspirational books, histories, plays can enhance the knowledge of film directors and theatre directors. Filmmaking is a career where you learn more by doing practical work or by assisting some director or producer as it provides you with the exposure and experience which is the most needed in this field.

Pros of becoming a Filmmaker

  • Film industry provides you with an opportunity to explore your creative sight. You will have the freedom to express yourself and live out your talent! Some people can only dream about it, but you can make a living at it.
  • Most of the people in the film industry have ambitions, dreams, and mindsets similar to yours. So if filmmaking is your passion, you can connect with like-minded people who share the dream of telling stories and artistically expressing themselves.
  • One of the best thing about being a part of the film industry is the interesting environment and experiences you get to live. Apart from this, one also gets to travel the world.

Cons of becoming a Filmmaker

  • At the start of a career in the film industry, you tend to do a lot of odd jobs. Basically, you do everything that no one else wants to do. This situation can get quite frustrating since interns are usually underpaid.
  • There are tons of passionate artists out there, but no one can guarantee that you will be successful. The truth is that it takes a lot of talent and luck to climb up the career ladder.
  • You will get to face a lot of criticism in this industry but the tip is to keep going and follow your dreams.

For Filmmaking camera gears in Pakistan please contact Golden camera

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Photography as a Business in Pakistan

Starting your own photography business is a great way to add a second income or a main income if you work hard. While the photography market in Pakistan is competitive, many photography business owners have been able to find their niche and build a sustainable career. Like most creative endeavors, you need to balance your passion for photography with real business skills in order to be successful.

To build and grow your business, you need both raw talent and a knack for marketing. You should continually be working to improve your craft and evolving your product and work consistently on your own branding, online marketing, and people skills. Without the two, the results will likely just be an expensive hobby rather than a viable full-time business.

The Cost to Start a Photography Business in Pakistan

The cost varies greatly as a photographer whether you’re starting out or looking to grow your existing business into something larger.  

According to professional photographer Austen Diamond, “building slow and smart” will help you stay nimble. Allow the organic growth of your business to fund gear improvements, and avoid debt if possible, he said.

You should make budget for these checklist:

  • Two cameras
  • Multiple lenses
  • Two flashes
  • Multiple memory cards
  • Two external drives
  • Computer or laptop with sufficient memory
  • Website
  • Business licenses:
  • Business cards

Optional expenses:

  • Business training
  • Photography workshops and classes
  • Stylish camera bags and straps
  • Second computer
  • Printed marketing materials
  • Studio and office space

Other things you’ll need to do (that may be free or low-cost):

  • Market your business via social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to start)
  • Create your business name and logo
  • Research the best business structure (LLC, S corporation, or other)
  • Acquire sales tax permit and employer identification number (EIN)
  • Set up business bank accounts
  • Find a way to manage client contact information and emails
  • Choose a spreadsheet and scheduling solution (Google Docs is free)
  • Establish a referral program

1. Choose your Photography Startup Idea

Every successful startup needs a unique business idea. But photography is a broad niche. So, if you want to start a successful photography business with no money and experience?

You will have to explore several best photography business ideas and target the specific niche.  Here are some photography startup ideas you can think about.

  • Wedding Photography Business
  • Lifestyle Photography
  • Tourism Photography
  • Pet Photography Business
  • News Photography
  • Aerial Photography
  • Real Estate Photography
  • Photography in Trade Shows
  • Stock Photography
  • Freelance Photography

After selecting your specific niche, now you will have to name your startup company. In order to name your startup, you will have to do some brainstorming and think about unique photography business names.

Explore different photography business name ideas and select the right one that exactly matches with your niche.

2. Creating a Photography Business Plan

For many people, writing a business plan is a complete waste of time. But several biz professionals have already recommended that startup business planning always helps the aspiring entrepreneurs to set the specific goals and objectives.

With the help of startup plan, you can easily fulfill startup dream and reach the final destination. All you need is to write a one-page startup business plan and answer the main questions such as your

  • Goals and objectives
  • Strengths, weakness, skills and experience
  • Targeted ideal clients or customers
  • growth hacking strategies
  • Financials, startup expenses, and revenues

Don’t waste your time in writing a 5-year detailed business plan. Just go for a 1-page photography business plan and cover the main things.

3. Choose your Business Location

Right business location always plays an important role in business growth and sales. If you want to start this business in your local area then you will have to select your specific location so people can easily find and hire you.

Alternatively, if you have a low budget and can’t afford an office, then you can use the internet to start a business online.

To get potential clients, you will have to join social media sites and freelancing platforms. Furthermore, you can also start a website/blog to showcase your skills and attract customers online.

4. Get Photography Business License

In some countries, registration and licensing are mandatory for some businesses. Registration or getting a license is also a good way to secure a startup business.

If you want to secure your business and get started legally, you will have to register your sole proprietor business. All you need is to visit your local registration office, submit your startup details and get the license.

5. Startup Financing

Financing is a bitter reality of every startup business. To run your business successfully, you will have to do some financial planning. Calculate how much money you need to start your business. For example, calculate your projected

  • Expenses
  • Sales
  • Revenues for next twelve months

If you have enough funds then it’s great. But if not think about how much money is required and how you will raise it?

Writing a Financial plan summary will help you to manage and control expenses in the initial startup phase. You can also track your financial performance on regular basis. If you find something wrong. You can fix it easily.

How to Promote Your Business in Pakistan?

To some extent, promoting a photography business is little bit a difficult task. But thanks to the social media sites, you can promote your startup to thousands of online audience.

Join these sites especially Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and create official pages to promote your startup. Further, you can also promote your photography business via sharing wedding invitation with photos.

After following all the aforementioned steps, hope so you will be able to launch your new photography business easily. Launch it and track your progress.

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Make Your Sony Feel Like a Leica

Sony shooters are now blessed with an array of fairly fast 35mm prime lenses, a glaring void in its lineup not too long ago. The latest addition is the Sigma 35mm f/2, a faux-vintage lens that brings a lot of tactile refinement to a compact and classic form.

Another Masterpiece?

“A classic reimagined” is how Sigma’s website describes its new (ish) 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary, part of its recently released I series of lenses for Sony and L-mount cameras. The entire range draws heavily on vintage aesthetics, and Sigma’s engineers have not only created something rather beautiful to look at but lenses that have a physicality to them that make them particularly distinctive when attached to a Sony body and far from out of place when slotted onto a Leica.

Clickable aperture rings on electronic lenses don’t get any better (though filmmakers will wish that it was de-clickable), replicating the feel of a high-quality, all-mechanical lens and making you forget that there is no direct connection between the twist of your hand and the shift of the blades. It even sounds good, and it makes particular sense on the Sony a7 III, given that changing apertures with the thumbwheel is not a smooth experience.

The focus by wire ring is equally deceptive, the dampened metal ring giving a haptic feel that’s completely in keeping with the elegant, slightly cinema styling.

Given the other compact 35mm offerings available, Sigma has done well to differentiate the DG DN from the competition

All three are similar in size, each sporting nine rounded aperture blades and each giving autofocus and sharpness performance that won’t disappoint anyone given their respective prices. With only a single gasket (at the bayonet), the Sigma theoretically offers the worst protection against the weather, but it is clinically sharp, and for me is by far the most beautiful of the three and gives the best shooting experience in terms of physicality. If such things are important to you — and to Leica owners, they weigh heavily — it’s a no-brainer.

In addition, you get a metal lens hood to match the metal construction of the lens itself and a minimalist magnetic lens cap that’s a nice touch as long as you overlook the fact that it’s impossible to remove if the lens hood is attached. Everything about this lens feels precise down to the millionths of an inch, whether it’s the seams on the lens barrel where the various rings slide alongside one another or the satisfyingly snug fit of the lens hood. 

Conclusion

Sigma has done an excellent job with this compact, classically styled lens, and we are confident that it will be the best seller by far of its I series glass. I shoot a lot at 35mm, and were I forced to choose, it would be an obvious choice over the others; the 24mm f/3.5 and the 45mm f/2.8 don’t tickle my excitement in terms of their maximum apertures, though the 65mm f/2 would be a nice addition where I allowed a second.

Sony users are now even more spoiled for choice at 35mm; Panasonic shooters will welcome the addition, and a fair chunk of the Leica crowd may be tempted given its looks and tactile shooting experience, as this feels like a different proposition compared to other non-Leica L-mount lenses.

Sigma has created something innovative in terms of design that delivers in terms of performance.

Tripod
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All You Wanted to Know About Tripods

Stability helps us sleep at night, and makes life easier. Considering how important stability is to our everyday lives, it amazes me how often people overlook it when it comes to their photography, opting to go with inexpensive tripodsa if they even use a tripod at all.

A good tripod makes all the difference to photography. We get calls at the gallery, e-mails, and people ask us more questions in regards to tripods than any other piece of equipment. To better understand the importance of the tripod to photography, we’ll look at a few of the reasons landscape photographers don’t leave home without one. Then we’ll go over what to look for when buying your own tripod.

Stability

First and foremost, tripods provide stability. Believe it or not, you can’t hold a camera dead still when trying to photograph a scene. At the very least, there will be some vibration introduced to the camera in the process of taking your photo.

  • With a normal mid-sized lens, say 50mm, the typical saying is that it becomes VERY difficult to handhold a shot at anything below 1/60 of a second.
  • If you’re photographing wildlife with a larger lens (say 100-400), the rule of thumb is that your shutter speed should be double your focal length in order to minimize vibrations.
  • If you’re shooting at 200mm, you will need 1/400 of a second to hopefully capture a nice sharp image.

In low or limited light, stability becomes more and more difficult. Seasoned pros can usually handhold about 2 stops lower than normal and achieve decent results…but this usually requires contorting into an abnormal position, locking elbows, using a knee as a resting point, or some other kind of bodily interpretation of a tripod.

Creativity

Did you ever see one of those silky waterfall images in a magazine and wonder, “How the heck did they do THAT?!” Actually, it’s easy. The main ingredient is not technical skill. There is a bit of that, sure, but the main component of getting those types of images is a tripod. Once you place your camera on a tripod, the choices of how you want your images to look is up to you. You’re no longer bound by the limits of your shutter. If you want to capture an image of the sea over hours, you just need to pick the right time of day, set up your camera, trip the shutter, and wait. If there isn’t a strong breeze blowing or a pesky 5 year old shaking your tripod, you’re good to go.

The advantages of a tripod don’t end with moving water. Many of the images you see these days have been captured ON a tripod.

  • Star trails — tripod
  • Nighttime city skylines — tripod
  • Architecture interiors — tripod
  • Portrait work — tripod
  • Product photography — tripod

Quality

Every time you open your shutter, there is vibration introduced to the camera. The best way to minimize this is to use a tripod. The tripod allows you to set up the shot the way you want it, and then leave it in place so you know that when you trip the shutter the image will be like you framed it.

Hand-holding an image, I’ve found, is tough because you always move a bit from when you frame it to when you click the shutter. I’ve always operated under the rule that images made using a tripod will be sharper and of higher quality every time.

Some will argue that using a tripod becomes a lot of hard work when photographing wildlife. I agree. It can be. Using a monopod (or your tripod, with legs folded in) will help give you stability and mobility. A Wimberly or Gimbal head for your tripod will also help give you stability and mobility for shooting wildlife. Anything you can use to increase stability and minimize your contact with the camera will increase overall image quality.

Seriousness

First and foremost, how serious are you about photography? Is it something you’re planning on doing regularly? Once a month? Only on vacations? Do you plan on shooting a lot of landscapes? Do you want to make the most out of sunsets and sunrises?

Once you know the answers to these questions, break the selection of your tripod down to a few key categories (mentioned below), and then make the call based on what you feel will benefit you the most.

Use

The first category is USE. How are you going to use this tripod? If you’re a portrait or wedding photographer, you’ll be keeping the tripod indoors a lot, maybe out in a park on occasion. The size and weight of your tripod won’t be as big of an issue. If you’re a landscape and wildlife photographer, you’ll be outside a lot, hiking, setting up in and around water. This will come into play with the type of tripod you choose.

Material

Once you know what kind of legs you want on your tripod, then you need to decide what you want it made out of.

  • Carbon fiber is expensive, light, durable, easy to clean, handles the elements well, and has minimal vibration (when I talk about vibration, I’m talking about a car driving by, people walking on a pier near you, water rushing by in a creek, etc.)
  • Aluminum is cheap, lightweight, easy to clean, fairly durable to elements, but can have quite a lot of vibrations in certain circumstances. Aluminum is very receptive to vibrations. I’ve also seen quite a few of them bend or get dented so that they don’t close right.
  • Wood is expensive, durable, very stable for heavy gear, and if treated correctly, good in the elements, very low vibrations, but it weighs a TON. It’s not something you’ll want to lug around longer than you need to. For people who do a lot of indoor work, or photography with very limited walking, wood tripods aren’t a bad way to go.

There are other materials as well, such as metal, basalt, plastic (which we discussed) and some combination systems. For landscape and wildlife photographers, the tripod goes with them everywhere. Weight is a big factor. Carbon fiber tripods are the norm for landscape and wildlife photographers. Once you’ve lugged around a 10-15lb. tripod for any period of time, you will relish the joys of carbon fiber.

Final Selection

The best way to pick the tripod that will work best for you is to go to a camera store and touch the merchandise. Understand that you do get what you pay for, but that in some cases you will be paying as much for the name on the tripod as the function you are receiving.

  • Read reviews on the tripods you’re thinking about purchasing.
  • Make the decision to make a tripod a vital piece of your gear, and buy one that will last and stand up to the type of photography you plan on creating.
  • Ask friends or professionals what they use, and why.
Flash photography
CategoriesBlog, Photography by

Transform a Photograph Using Flash

One of the quickest and easiest ways to completely change an image and make it more memorable is to add a flash. Introducing flash techniques to your photography doesn’t only mean more light. It also means more more exposure options, and more control. And a lot more complications.


But it also opens up whole new areas of photography, allowing you to advance your skills.

What Is Flash Photography?

As the name suggests, flash photography means the creation of images using artificial light. The light source can be a classic Speedlight flash or studio lights.

The beauty of flash photography is that you are not forced to adapt to the ambient light. Instead, you create and sculpt your own light.

So how can I control light using a flash?

  1. Change the intensity of the light: choose from full output power down to 1/64th or 1/128th of full power.
  2. Adjust light spread (zoom): You can either make the flash beam narrow or wide by zooming in/out the flash head (measured in mm). As you zoom out the flash head the flash beam becomes more narrow. As you zoom in, the beam becomes wider.
  3. Change direction of the light: by bouncing the flash off another surface or by entirely moving the flash off-camera
  4. Modify the quality of light: by using different light modifiers.

Flashes are also useful outdoors, to improve your photos in tricky light conditions.

Tips on How to Use a Flash

Using flash in your photography may sound intimidating at first. That is why we wanted to give you these tips and tricks to get the best results out of your flash photography.

Use Fill Flash Outdoors to Balance Exposure

Do you struggle to get good family photos during outdoor activities?

The main problem, especially on sunny days, is that most of the time you will shoot ‘into’ the light.

A woman, her child and dog by a lake, shot into the sun
A classic family outdoor snapshot. As you can see from the direction of the shadows, the sun is high up in the sky, slightly behind the people, so their faces are in shadow. Photo by Andrea Minoia.

In this case, particularly if you shoot in automatic mode, one of two things will happen. Both of which are undesirable.

  1. The bright background will be properly exposed, but the backlit subject will be underexposed; or
  2. The backlit subject is properly exposed, but the brighter background is overexposed.

How to Avoid Red-Eye When Using Flash

The red-eye effect happens when the flash is used to take a shot and the pupils of humans or animals appear red.

In low-light, pupils dilate, but the flash occurs so fast they cannot contract. Thus, the camera picks up the light reflected back through the pupil after bouncing off the back of the eye. The main cause of the red color comes from the blood vessels in the eye.

The simplest solution to avoid the red-eye effect is to ask the subject to look away from the camera.

If that is not ideal, most cameras have red-eye reduction capabilities built-in. For example, they can fire the flash twice when the shutter is pressed, causing the pupil to contract. This function will tame the red-eye effect.

Bounce Your Flash for a Softer Light

There are two types of light in photography: hard and soft.

  • Hard light creates more contrasted images
  • The soft light gives more balanced images

If you take an image using direct flash, the light is hard and will cast strong, ugly shadows on the background.

To learn more about applying these principles and buying Best Camera or to know camera price in Pakistan, please contact our experts.

Portrait lighting camera
CategoriesBlog, Photography by

Common Portrait Lighting Mistake and How To Correct It

We all make mistakes in photography. All of us. But these are things that help us learn and grow as photographers. We make mistakes, we figure out what went wrong, we correct it, and then don’t make that mistake again. Thanks to the modern Internet, though, we can learn from the mistakes of others, too.

https://youtu.be/RICH8X3a_ww

In this video, portrait and wedding photographer, Jiggie Alejandrino talks about some of the most common mistakes in using off-camera flash and how to determine the proper placement for your light sources. Armed with a Sony a7R IV with a Sony Ziess 50mm f/1.4 remotely triggering a Profoto B2 with an installed Magmod Magbox modifier, this video was shot on-location at an actual wedding. 

Placement of Catchlights

The first one is nice and simple to avoid once you know what you’re looking for, and thankfully, it’s super easy to know when you’ve done it not. It is, of course, catchlights in the subject’s eyes. Catchlights are the spectral highlights in eyes created by the direct reflection of the key light.

Under-lighting

The reason this looks so bad is because we’re used to seeing one another when we’re lit from above. We go outside and the sun is lighting us from above; when we’re indoors the lights are lighting us from above. In fact, this is so present in our visual recognition of the world that lighting from anywhere other than above simply tells our brains that something is wrong.

Shadows

Again, this is a mistake that is quite subtle and sometimes tricky to avoid, but it always worth being aware of it. A basic rule of lighting for me is that you always want to create “clean lighting

Poor Hair Light Placement

The placement of hair lights is another example of how something looks fine until you’re shown how it could look better. Firstly, you have to know why you’re using hair lights, to begin with—are you simply adding them to add a little shine to the hair, are you trying to accentuate shape in the hair, or are you just trying to create a strong separation between your subject and background? All of these are valid reasons, and with a little care and attention, your hair light placement can achieve all of these goals.

For more information or buying Best Camera or to know camera price in Pakistan, please contact our experts

Photographers equipment
CategoriesBlog, Photography by

Achieve Productivity and Organizational Perfection For Photographers Using Simple Categories

Staying focused is a premium in the 21st century, and nothing makes you feel more lost in the sauce than not knowing which way your lens is pointed. This method will help you stay focused and help create a system to save all the information you come across in a searchable database for future reference. 

It’s important to understand the fundamentals of the method before I go into why it’s helpful, so below is a more detailed overview of P.A.R.A., with definitions from the method’s author.

Projects (a series of tasks linked to a goal, with a deadline): This is where all current activities go regardless of the level of completion. Losing weight, saving money, planning trips, photo sessions, etc.

Areas (a sphere of activity with a standard to be maintained over time): Parts of your life that are ongoing but don’t have specific timelines. Family, health, finances, hobbies, etc.

Resources (a topic or theme of ongoing interest): This is where you store everything that can either help with the previous two categories or is just of interest to you. How to write better, cooking recipes, places to visit, tutorials, etc.

Archive (inactive items from the other three categories): Exactly what it sounds like, a catch-all for everything you no longer need. For this, I duplicate the database from whichever area I’m archiving from so it’s still searchable and keeps the same hierarchy from the other three areas.

Here are nine ways you can increase your productivity and earn more as a photographer:

Use workflow software

Scheduling follow-up reminders, creating invoices, and keeping track of expenses can all be automated.

There are tons of workflow software tools out there, including Táve and JotForm.

Create templates for frequent emails


Do you find yourself writing roughly the same emails over and over again?

Creating customizable templates or canned responses for emails that you send to most clients at some point in your workflow (for example, introductory emails to new clients) can save you a lot of time. Instead of writing a new email for every client, you can reach for your trusty template, fill in the client’s name and details, and send it off in just a few minutes.


Set up systems for editing photos more efficiently


Editing photos can be one of the most time-consuming aspects of your photography business. Devising systems to reduce the time you spend editing affords you more hours a week to land new clients and do more photoshoots.

A straightforward way to improve your editing efficiency is to tackle edits in large batches.  Newborn photographer Nicole Smitt uses Lightroom and the Batch+ plugin to organize all of her edits.

Another way to save time while editing is to create custom keyboard shortcuts for every editing action. While it takes some time to create these, in the long run they will save you hundreds of keystrokes during editing sessions.


Protect your calendar


You can’t get much done if your day is peppered with meetings, so it can be helpful to set aside blocks of time every day for working.


Companies like Calendly make it easy to set meetings with clients around your work schedule. The scheduling software allows you to allot specific intervals of time every day for meetings, which means your “work time” is automatically protected.


Maximize your social media efforts with a scheduling app


Planning and scheduling all your content for the week or month at once can ensure your social media is consistent and efficient. Currently, the only way to effectively schedule content on most social media platforms is to use a third-party app.


Keep a notebook for jotting down ideas


How many times have you kicked yourself for forgetting that thing you were going to do?

A recent survey showed that the majority of professionals prefer old-fashioned pen and paper to record their creative ideas on the go. Having a notebook handy ensures that when inspiration strikes, you’re prepared to make a quick note to refer to later.


Set specific short-term goals


Setting clear short-term goals for growing your business and developing an actionable plan for achieving them may be the single best way to increase your productivity. That’s because when you define your goals, you have the internal motivation to focus on your work.

The quickest way to stymie your progress and kill motivation is to be overwhelmed. Think of this as a way to tip the balance of power in your favor in a system bent towards using your time for the least amount of payment. We have to spend an inordinate amount of time just trying to stay relevant in this fast-paced, content-over saturated world. So, take any advantage you can and run with it.

For more information or buying Best Camera or to know camera price in Pakistan, please contact our experts

 
Canon camera in pakistan
CategoriesBlog, Canon Camera by

Canon Announces Firmware Updates for R5 & R6

Canon R5 and R6 are all getting firmware updates—Canon software will also receive updates.

Canon announced the immediate release of firmware updates of its high-end cameras, adding several features that users have been asking for.  Two of Canon’s most recent releases, the EOS R5 and R6 cameras, will be getting firmware updates v1.3 and v1.3, respectively—the firmware updates are not identical. Both cameras, which were released over this past summer, are part of Canon’s high-end line of full-frame mirrorless cameras.

Increased image quality and usability

The Canon EOS R5 will benefit from a number of upgrades including Full HD 120p and support for greater customization of the camera. Users will now able to save personalized and preferred camera settings to a memory card, which can be copied across to a different camera or used when settings are adjusted. There is also the option to turn the LCD monitor off during shooting and use it for playback only, providing a familiar DSLR-style operation. For both the EOS R5 and Canon EOS R6, the firmware achieves full-time manual support for RF lenses, allowing photographers to override the focus of RF lenses manually when in Servo AF mode.

Streamlined professional workflows

For the EOS R5, professional photographers can safeguard and quickly share photos with the new Protect Image Transfer function allowing protected images to be locked – preventing them from accidentally being deleted – and transferred via FTP. Across the EOS R5, professionals can now see FTP Transfer status on the display clearly showing how long it will take to transfer pictures.

Enhanced video functionality

This firmware enables low-bit rate RAW movies reducing the size of RAW video files making file transfer faster for the EOS R5. The update also provides enhanced video capabilities for the EOS R5 with the addition of Canon Log 3 – the log gamma curve used by all Canon Cinema EOS cameras enabling greater dynamic range, superior colour editing capabilities, and easier file management. For even greater flexibility of filming formats across all cameras, this firmware unlocks a lower bit rate IPB movie option creating small, easily shareable video files.

Following the release of the R5 and R6 cameras last year, it quickly became clear that both cameras suffered from an overheating issue when recording high-resolution video. Firmware updates were quickly released to address the overheating issue on both mirrorless cameras, but the controversy surrounding their initial release has cast some doubt on the camera manufacturer. 

The firmware updates are all available right now, as well as the software updates to several different Canon software. The EOS Utility software is receiving update v3.13.1. Canon is providing support for devices using Apple M1 processors. Rosetta for Digital Photo Professional is getting update v4.14. 

You can take a look at Best Canon camera in Pakistan also for more. For guidance or buying at affordable price cameras please contact Golden Camera – Best camera shop in Karachi.

Are you excited about these updates? Tell us why, in the Comments section below!