How to Choose A Good Portrait Photographer
Most of us have a digital camera and can record the important events in our lives with it. But there are times when it is worth paying a professional to do it right. One such occasion is when getting the portrait of a person or group. It will of course cost more than if you did it yourself. But you will be making an investment in the future by recording a reminder of the past. Such occasions mean you will want to choose a photographer wisely. Below are eight principles designed to help you with this decision.
1) Location- Is the studio within a reasonable distance from your home? You won’t want to drive hours to get the picture made, then return to get it. Then too, does it have sufficient parking and is it accessible so that you don’t have to wait long in traffic to get there?
2) Facility- Is the building large enough to photograph the group you have? One family rose early on a Saturday morning and drove thirty minutes for a promised appointment. When they arrived, they found out the facility was too small to get everyone into the picture. Be sure the studio is established, not just a store front, and prepared to photograph the group you have.
3) Punctuality- You will want to be on time for an appointment. Are they? Are you allowed all the time promised to get the picture right? Are the proofs and final prints available when they say they will be? It might be good to check with others about the reputation of the firm in these matters.
4) Personality- Do the employees look sharp? Is the receptionist and/or photographer friendly? Do they treat you with respect? Are they personable? Are they patient with small children and babies? Are they willing to accommodate special needs people? Usually portrait time means the whole group has been under stress to get clean and dressed and there on time. That means smaller children may show it by refusing to smile. The photographer should be able, under most circumstances, to overcome these everyday occurrences.
5) Skill- Is the lighting professional? After all, that is usually one thing you can’t imitate so it should be right. Is the photographer skilled at arranging the scene so it is balanced, key people are highlighted, and everyone can be seen? Their job is to get a picture worth framing if you so desire. They should know how to do that with one scan of the group.
6) Choice- You should have plenty of pictures to choose from. In a large group there is always a problem with someone closing their eyes or not smiling. If they make recommendations, are they in your interest or theirs? Do they present the options without putting you under pressure to spend more than you planned to?
7) Integrity- Is the firm honest? If they promised you one free 8 X 10, will they keep that promise? Are the pictures ready when they said they would be? When you leave, would you say it was a good overall experience?
Price- photographs may seem expensive but when you remember that they must pay for quality cameras, staff, and facilities, it is worth the extra expense. Yet, the price should be competitive. Call around to see what the average costs are for the picture you want.
From our experience, getting a good family portrait can be a stressful time, but is worth the investment. If you follow these principles in selecting a photographer, you will likely be glad you had it done professionally.
Del Haven Studio is the location of a proven Virginia Beach Photographer who is experienced in expertly capturing professional protraits. Click the links to visit the site today and see slideshows of her work as a Virginia Beach Portrait Photographer, in corporate settings, and beautiful weddings.
Inexpensive Digital Cameras- An Alternative For Amateurs
Capturing life’s passing moments was considered a luxury or a troublesome task in the past. Photography seemed a painstaking process that required specialist expertise or complicated equipment. The emergence of new imaging technology has developed the idea of digital imaging into a reality. Images that were previously captured on film can now be stored in bits and bytes to be enjoyed whenever required. The emergence of the digital camera has revolutionized the concept of photography the world over.
Highly innovative organizations such as Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Kodak and many others who have been revered brands when it comes to photography, introduced and continuously reinvented the digital camera and how it can be used by various types of users. These organizations have ensured that they produce digital cameras that can be used by a wide spectrum of photographers. While they have developed high quality feature rich solutions for professional photographers, they have also come up with low cost solutions for domestic users who simply want to capture the moment.
These economical solutions have supplied the options for many users both old and young the world over to the power of digital imaging at a lower cost. Inexpensive digital cameras have given these users the opportunity to click away to their hearts content and cherish these moments for a life time.
The quality of pictures taken using inexpensive digital cameras may not meet the standards required by a professional, but they more than meet the expectations of an amateur user. The images captured by inexpensive digital cameras will be of a lower definition. The options available to manipulate the quality of the image are also limited on inexpensive digital cameras. Latest technology such as face recognition and preset scene modes are normally not provided on less expensive digital cameras. The resolution of inexpensive digital cameras is often lower, leading to a reduction in quality of the image.
Professionals will prefer to steer clear of inexpensive digital cameras because of the lack of flexibility to take the picture the way they feel is best. A digital camera will also be less robust and durable. Photographers looking for quality, longevity and durability in their cameras will be likely to veer away from these low cost digital cameras.
Inexpensive digital cameras while not catering to the needs of professionals will often be more than satisfactory to amateur users who are looking for a low cost solution to capture and hold on their memories forever.
February 16, 2009
New Canon PowerShot A590IS 8MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
The PowerShot A590IS 8MP will astound you with its power-packed performance and impressive value. It’s got 8 megapixels, a 4x optical zoom, an Image Stabilizer, and a big 2.5-inch LCD. A range of shooting modes — from manual to automatic, including Canon’s new Easy Mode — make picture-taking carefree. A DIGIC III Image Processor with Enhanced Canon Face Detection assures natural-looking results, while Motion Detection Technology reduces blur. For extra creativity, attach wide or telephoto converter lenses.
Canon PowerShot A590IS Highlights
8 megapixels with 4x optical zoom and optical image stabilizer With the PowerShot A590 IS, dramatic, personal pictures have never been easier to shoot and share. The 8.0-megapixel design lets you create impressive high resolution images of family and friends you’ll be proud display. The genuine Canon 4x zoom lens moves you in for powerful close-ups — like a bird in flight or a child’s winning goal — at the touch of a button. Plus, Canon’s highly sophisticated Optical Image Stabilizer keeps every shot absolutely steady even when you’re not.
2.5-inch LCD screen The camera’s 2.5-inch LCD screen gives you the big picture, whether you’re shooting, reviewing or showing off your images. This high-resolution screen offers a crisp, clear and bright picture. It also features Night Display for easy viewing in low light.
New Easy Mode simplifies operation Even if you’ve never picked up a camera before, with Canon’s new Easy Mode you can take inspiring, dramatic pictures that will impress everyone. Once you choose Easy Mode, the PowerShot A590 IS handles all the details automatically. It auto sets every camera control including the flash to reduce blur and improve image quality. So you get pictures that are bright, clear and natural just by pushing a button. Best of all, you can relax and concentrate on what really counts — your subject.
Selectable shooting modes With 19 Shooting Modes including 7 Special Scene Modes, you’re ready for whatever shot comes your way.
DIGIC III Image Processor With DIGIC III, your images boast superior quality, the camera operates at top efficiency and battery life is enhanced. What’s more, DIGIC III enables Canon’s Face Detection Technology and Red-eye Correction to give you better, more true-to-life people shots. Simply press the Shutter Button halfway down, and the camera automatically pinpoints the faces in the scene and chooses the ideal focus point. The camera controls exposure settings and flash to keep every face looking bright and natural. Red-eye Correction can be handled in-camera, in two ways. The entirely new Red-eye Correction during shooting uses the Face Detection Technology to recognize and remove red-eye from flash images as they’re taken, before the file is written to the memory card. It’s also possible to correct red-eye during image playback, using simple settings in the A590 IS’s menu.
iSAPS Technology is an entirely original scene-recognition technology developed for digital cameras by Canon. Using an internal database of thousands of different photos, iSAPS works with the fast DIGIC III Image Processor to improve focus speed and accuracy, as well as exposure and white balance.
Face Detection Technology Canon’s powerful Face Detection Technology delivers even better results with the new A590 IS. The Face Detection Technology continues to recognize faces in a scene, and concentrate exposure (daylight or flash) and focus upon them. But the A590 IS adds more: Face Detection WB means the camera concentrates upon faces when calculating white balance for the best possible skin tones. Face Select and Track lets the A590 IS user highlight one face among several in a scene, and the camera concentrates on that person, even as they move around the scene. Face Detection Technology is a powerful contributing factor in Canon’s new Motion Detection Technology.
Red-eye Correction Red-eye Correction provides three options for removing red-eye from subjects in flash pictures.
- The new Red-eye Correction during shooting actually identifies and corrects red-eye in human subjects as pictures are taken.
- The A590 IS can be set to automatically detect and correct red-eye during image playback.
- The user can manually locate any red eyes in a scene during image playback on the LCD screen, and command the camera to remove them.
High ISO The PowerShot A590 IS features ISO 1600 and High ISO Auto settings that reduce the effects of camera shake and sharpen subjects in low-light situations, giving you greater shooting flexibility.
Motion Detection Technology automatically reduces blur Life doesn’t stand still for picture-taking. That’s why Canon included its advanced Motion Detection Technology in the PowerShot A590 IS. This sophisticated feature works in the background to instantly evaluate how fast your subject is moving. Then it automatically selects and sets the optimal exposure and ISO settings to keep everything looking sharp and clear. So whether you’re shooting a bride walking down the aisle, a ballet recital or even a child’s soccer game, you can relax and shoot with confidence knowing you’ve got the picture you intended.
Accepts Wide-Angle and Telephoto Converter Lenses To expand your creativity, the PowerShot A590 IS is compatible with shooting accessories such as wide and tele converter lenses, High-Power Flash designed for all of the PowerShot models.
The Complete Print Solution
The A590IS features a Print/Share button for easy direct printing and downloading, plus ID Photo Print and Movie Print with select Pixma photo printers and Selphy compact photo printers.
The PowerShot A590 IS’s Print/Share button makes direct printing easier than ever. Simply connect the A590 IS to a Canon Pixma photo printer or Selphy compact photo printer or any PictBridge compatible photo printer, press the lighted Print/Share button and print! Also use the Print And Share button to transfer images to a computer (Windows and Macintosh).
Print your own ID photos in 28 different sizes or use the Movie Print function to output multiple stills from a recorded movie on a single sheet with a Canon Selphy compact photo printer.
But best of all is The Price.
February 12, 2009
Why Is Digital Wedding Photography Such A Popularity?
Digital wedding photography is a hotly debated topic in the world of professional wedding photographers everywhere. The debate of whether digital photography is better than traditional film photography rages. Some professionals say that traditional film is better, with a warmth and quality that you can’t obtain with digital cameras. Proponents of digital wedding photography might say digital cameras are just as versatile as standard 35mm cameras. Which is best for you?
It is only recently that the quality of digital photographs has caught up to the quality of film. Earlier digital cameras had technological limitations that prevented the photos from looking truly lifelike. However, today’s digital cameras have broken through the technological barriers and now offer photographs that stand up well against film even in poster sized reproductions. Digital wedding photography has come into its own.
For many situations, digital cameras offer a number of significant advantages. A digital camera provides immediate feedback to the photographer. This enables him or her to risk tricky or difficult shots, knowing that if anything needs to be corrected it can be. This is especially important for photojournalistic wedding photography, in which many of the shots will be taken in ambient light conditions. A related benefit is the ability to take a greater number of shots. The photographer can shoot as many pictures as time and memory card will allow, without worrying about the cost of film.
Another major advantage of digital wedding photography is that all of the settings are internal. Rather than having to interrupt the proceedings to change film speeds or simply change out a film roll, the photographer can make changes quickly and easily.
Most couples today want their photos in a digital format as well as an album. While film photos can be scanned, moving digital photos around electronically is less labor intensive and therefore less expensive. In addition, digital photos can be easily manipulated if the couple wants copies of certain photos in black and white or sepia tones, for example.
The major drawback to digital wedding photography at this time is that many wedding photographers are not yet completely familiar with the new style. Digital photography is in many ways a completely different animal than film photography, and some very talented professional wedding photographers are simply not at their best with digital photography. When interviewing possible digital wedding photographers, be sure that you ask how long the photographer has been using this style. Also ask to see copies of both his film work and his digital work for comparison purposes.
Digital wedding photography is here to stay. As time goes on, advances made with the technology will only serve to improve the quality of the photos. Already, many digital cameras have the ability to use different types of lenses and other accessories that previously were only available for traditional 35mm cameras. The choice you make will largely depend on your personal style and the look you are trying to create for your wedding album. Shop around, and compare photo albums from as many different photographers as you can find. Professional wedding photographers can have the best equipment in the world, but that still will not make up for a lack of knowledge. Whether it’s digital or film, the photographer has to have the experience and skill to make your pictures shine. If you like a specific photographer’s work, that photographer is the one for you.
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