Better Photographs Blog

Watching You Watching Me

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:19:46 GMT

"Pongo pygmaeus"

February's wallpaper is a little early as I leave for a trip to South Africa on Monday.

Last year saw another milestone for Better Photographs - our 200,000th reader. Thank you to you all for your support and please keep those questions and comments coming in. It's the only way I can be sure of adding the things that you want to see on the site.

Cheerio until next month when I hope to return with some new images for the landscape gallery and material for my own paintography collection.

The Sky at Night

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:51:12 GMT

"Stargazing"

If you watched the latest series with Professor Brian Cox and Dara O Briain then you might be considering a telescope or spotting scope. Here's a review of the scope i used to photograph this image -

If you missed this fantastic series, it's on iPlayer at - http://stargazing.betterphotographs.co.uk

Time for another Competition ...

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:00:19 GMT

"Wildlife Photographer of the Year"

The search is now on for the Veolia Environnement Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2012.

As ever, this popular and prestigious competition looks for outstanding wildlife photography from both talented amateurs and established professionals, young and old. Images must faithfully represent the natural world while showing technical and artistic creativity over the 18 categories.

This year there are a few category award changes - so look out for these before you enter the competition.

Best of Both Shots ...

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:36:25 GMT

"Digital Photo Blending"

Digital photo blending, or exposure blending as it is also known, is a very effective way of combining two or more photos of the same scene for special effect - movement and sharpness for example.

Ricardo Da Cunha reveals more tips & tricks to help you achieve professional results.

First Things First

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:23:32 GMT

"Holding the Camera"

The one thing in your photography technique that you should pay extra special attention to -

I cannot remember how many times friends have shown me their photos and one or two of them have been blurred. They usually tell me that it was because the subject moved or that they did not have a very good camera.

Almost always, this was not the case. It was usually because the camera was not steady!

Using a New Camera

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:50:08 GMT

"Preparing your Thoughts"

Having chosen your new camera you are possibly about to experience one of photography's more frustrating times; having to wait before you can use it - well until it's delivered or you receive it, maybe as a Christmas gift, anyway. NOW is the best time to prepare for getting the most out of it ...

There it sits, one of the first gifts under the tree, all gift wrapped and tempting - camera, instructions and all.

Enter the internet. Most manufacturers publish the instructions for their cameras on their websites these days, so there is an opportunity to prepare for your new camera before opening the box.

Every camera I have used in the last few years has included functions that I didn't even know about.

A New Camera?

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:28:17 GMT

"Christmas is Coming"

Because of the popularity and reputation of Better-Photographs.com, I am thrilled to report that I have been asked to contribute a regular weekly Blog for the Great British Life website.

This is blatant trumpet blowing BUT I fully acknowledge that any success has only been achieved because of your support - either as a reader or as a contributor by sharing your articles and photographs. THANK YOU ONE AND ALL.

The Great British Life site has over 200,000 hits per week so hopefully the free help available on Better Photographs will benefit an even wider community.

Given the time of year, the first article to be published is "A New Camera". Although you are probably past the point where you need the ideas I have written, I have added the article to Better Photographs for any newcomers.

Discover how to achieve professional results.

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:21:18 GMT

"Digital Landscape Photography"

20 Tips & Tricks to Achieve Professional Results by Ricardo Da Cunha.

Learn from an outstanding photographer who believes that our existence has a purpose.

He reveals 10 beginner tips and tricks to steer your landscape photography in the right direction and another 10 advanced tips and tricks to build on the first and get you achieving professional looking results with your DSLR in no time!

"I believe our only true obligation in life is to listen to our heart and discover what it is that we’re here for. My reason for being is to help protect and conserve what little we have left by inspiring people to see and experience the scenes that I’ve witnessed. By doing so I hope to raise our awareness of the importance of conservation and to ultimately influence changes in our attitudes and behaviour." - Ricardo Da Cunha

Paintography - bringing out the painter in you.

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:16:05 GMT

"Overflow"

December's Free Downloadable Photograph is taken in Kennall Vale - Tucked away in a wooded valley near the village of Ponsanooth, the old Gunpowder Works were in operation from the 1800s until the early 20th Century, when they were forced to close due to the invention of dynamite.

Today, the remains stand in a nature reserve maintained by The Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

Original Photo Capture - RAW f/16.0 6.4 sec ISO 100 (Matrix Metering)

Paintographic Image produced using Digital Brush Techniques

How To Dance With A Panda

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:54:31 GMT

"The Google Waltz"

This post contains very important information if you have, or are considering a website.

If not, help any of your friends who do by forwarding this to them.

Google have a tool known as Panda which, like it or not, is of major significance when it comes to determining the rankings of your website and therefore your "traffic".

The latest version of Panda is Panda 2.5.2 which was implemented last month. It has changes in its algorithm which have had a major impact on website rankings - a survey suggests that 66% of sites are already affected very significantly.

For some, this was good news in that their rankings improved; others were not so fortunate!

All search engines have such algorithms and it is therefore very difficult to keep up to date with them and to maintain our websites so as to "appeal" to them and be rewarded with high rankings. "Above the fold" on the first page of Google is, of course, the holy grail we seek.

Better-Photographs.com has been ranked number 1 (occasionally slipping to number 2) for many of its pages for over 3 years and has attracted 200,000+ readers this year. It has done so without requiring me to be an internet wizard (perish the thought) and keep pace with the search engines' tunes and tempos.

The "About this Site" page explains how this success was achieved but the bottom line is that I use a service which provides all that is needed to own a website that works - SBI!.

The folk at SBI! keep pace with the Panda (and all the other Algorithmic Animals) and ensure that my websites' success is maintained.

Best wishes,

John Curgenven
Editor

Photo Ideas - Things to do with your Images.

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:30:21 GMT

Here are some photo ideas that you might like to try out with your better photographs.

The Colour Wheel

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 11:58:38 GMT

"An Indispensable Therapy"

Colour has a fundamental psychological effect on us. Imagine how depressing it would to live in a world drained of colour. Colour inspires and motivates, and even helps us make sense of the world (red for stop, green for go, yellow and black for danger).

As photographers, we need to be sensitive to colour, and understand how we can use it - and sometimes manipulate it - to make great images.

If photography is about recording and celebrating the world around us, colour is a crucial part of that world.

Holding the Camera - Fundamental to Better Photographs

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:40:05 GMT

Holding the Camera - Getting this right is one of the basics for your better photographs.

Dropbox - File sharing made easy ...

Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:12:28 GMT

Dropbox is a free service that lets you bring all your photos, docs, and videos anywhere. This means that any file you save to your Dropbox will automatically save to all your computers, phones and even the Dropbox website. Dropbox also makes it super easy to share with others, whether you're a student or professional, parent or grandparent. Even if you accidentally spill a latte on your laptop, have no fear! You can relax knowing that Dropbox always has you covered, and none of your stuff will ever be lost.

More Superb Photographs

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 10:52:24 GMT

Timothy Smith

Timothy creates Fine Art Landscape images using the subtleties of natural light. His standard for work is that each picture must be artistically and technically excellent.

He adheres to the principle that the image be created in camera and he works hard to achieve this essential objective.

"Ultimately I hope to draw the viewer in to an image and make them feel as if they were there at the time of capture."

Timothy exhibits from time-to-time but his main outlet is from a number of quality Art & Craft Fairs in Essex and adjoining counties.

His locally based workshops have been chosen by a number of photographers keen to improve their landscape skills.

Timothy's website - www.timothysmithphotography.co.uk

Ghoulies and Ghosties ...

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:29:47 GMT

Ghosts in the Night

Something a little different for this month's Free Downloadable Photograph showing the spirit of the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Race which will be in Australasian waters during November.

This month's "Book of the Month" by Tony Worobiec is all about Night and Low-Light photography.

Digital Photography Workflow

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 05:43:38 GMT

Workflow to avoid Overflow

A disciplined photography workflow is essential if you want to spend more time behind the camera than in front of the computer.

Here's a summary of mine which has been refined during my 50 years of photography, transitioning from film to digital during the last 10 years (most of my film equipment is now in a museum). My career included work with process and project management systems and relational databases. This experience has been useful in evolving a photography workflow method which works well for me.

I hope that this provides at least a foundation for you to adapt to the way in which you prefer to work.

Did you forget to turn IS on? ...

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 10:14:25 GMT

Blurred Photos

With this around the corner you might ask "How good is my camera's Image Stabilization?" ...

This may take a while to load as demand to view it is very high.

Inspiration from David Cowling

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:55:24 GMT

Gallery of Better Photographs

Superb new landscape photographs by David Cowling to inspire you in the gallery.

Photography News.

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 05:42:31 GMT

Global-Source Photography News from Bing & Google.

Mastering Underwater Photography - The combination of two great pastimes.

Sat, 15 Oct 2011 07:55:02 GMT

There are millions of keen divers in the world but not many have mastered Underwater Photography.

Digital Photography Tips - some of the best can be found here.

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 06:59:32 GMT

Some of the best Digital Photography Tips can be found in these websites and books.

Something different this week ... a free Photoshop download

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:41:01 GMT

Alternative Styles

Last weekend I visited friends in Yorkshire where I grabbed a couple of shots of the Rochester Canal at Hebden Bridge. I was happy with the results straight out of the camera but thought it would be fun to try applying some different styles for printing.

This one is processed in Photoshop to simulate an aged photograph.

There are six styles in all and they can be seen at - http://alternative-styles.photos-of-boats.com

If you fancy trying out these styles on your photos, I have produced a free Photoshop Action which automates the whole process and will save the images in the root directory of your Hard Disk (c:\ on a PC ; HD: on an iMac).

The actions can be downloaded here -

Download the PC action by clicking here
Download the iMac action by clicking here
Open Photoshop and load the action by selecting ‘load actions’ from the drop down menu in the top right of the actions palette. If you can’t see the actions palette select it first in the ‘Window’ menu.

... and if you can spare the time - please let me know which style you prefer by answering the question on our Facebook Page

Thanks for your help.

Free downloadable photographs, free help and now you can help as well.

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 17:56:11 GMT

At Better Photographs you can get free help from fellow photographers, receive free downloadable photographs and give your help as well.

More Autumn Colour

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 12:30:16 GMT

Don't forget the Fungi ...

Before they fall ...

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 09:10:18 GMT

Autumn Colours

It's time to prepare for Nature's Gift ...

Make sure you get some better photographs this year - take a look at our Photography Tutorial and learn how to improve your shots.

... and if you are in the southern hemisphere then here's an alternative for you ...

Early preparation for next season's weddings ...

Sat, 10 Sep 2011 11:32:52 GMT

Engagement Photography

Are you giving the happy couple all that they deserve?

This beautiful guide to engagement photography will show aspiring and professional wedding photographers how to boost their current income by offering higher-quality engagement sessions (or by adding them for the first time).

Written by award-winning photographer Elizabeth Etienne, this modern guide to engagement photography offers portrait and wedding photographers a step-by-step approach to shooting in-demand engagement sessions and maximising an often-untapped revenue stream.

Available from amazon.co.uk and amazon.com

How appealing is your website? ...

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:59:27 GMT

Are videos helping you?

Including a video show of your photographs on your website not only makes your site and/or blog stand out from the crowd but it also is a great way to drive traffic to your site since it increases your chances of appearing higher up in search results.

Are you stuck when it comes to creating an effective, short video for your website?

Here's an example of how a brief video can enhance your home page - www.photos-of-boats.com.

Note - No video clips were needed to create this, although they could have been used if desired.

Find out more about the three simple steps to making an effective video for your site at - http://animoto.com/?ref=jbgzxsoq

BBC Wildlife Photography Tips

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:07:48 GMT

Easy to use Wildlife Photography Tips from BBC Wildlife Photographers.

Colour Calibration - When is white WHITE?

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 07:31:38 GMT

When it comes to colour calibration can we ever achieve a perfect world?

It may seem boring, but it's essential ...

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:07:01 GMT

Importance of Planning

As a follower of David Noton's work, I took inspiration from his latest article in which he describes the importance of planning and how he goes about it.

Image - Courtesy www.davidnoton.com

Of course, David is best known for his landscape photographs but his ideas are valuable for all genres.

Take a look at - www.davidnoton.com/despatches.php

Photography Tutor - Practical tips to help you TAKE better photographs.

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:25:16 GMT

Learn how to take better photos with the photography tutor.

Photography Masterclass - Learn from the Experts.

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 06:15:00 GMT

Following a photography masterclass from an experienced specialist will help you take better photographs.

Clipper 11-12

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:18:09 GMT

Round the World Yacht Race

Within minutes of posting my BLOG about the book - Photography at Sea, I received a telephone call inviting me to photograph another fantastic yacht race -

40,000 miles of ocean racing and around 450 people facing the challenge of a lifetime. When the starting gun goes off for the Clipper 11-12 Round the World Yacht Race on 31st August 2011 the fleet of ten sleek, stripped down 68-foot yachts will embark on a full circumnavigation of the globe.

Take a look at the race route; the fleet might be coming your way and you will have the chance to try out the ideas from the book and add some fantastic images to your portfolio.

Image - Courtesy www.clipperroundtheworld.com

If you are on (or in!!) the Solent on Sunday, give me a wave - I'll be on board the motor boat Lindisfarne.

Ahoy there ...

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:33:17 GMT

Photography at Sea

Since publishing some of my photographs from the "Round the Island" race, I have been asked to write a masterclass on how to capture great shots at sea.

Well actually, although this is very flattering, I am just a beginner at this type of photography and I don't consider myself to be a master. However, I have come across a very good book full of ideas and examples which may be of help to you if you are keen on capturing the thrills of life at sea.

Whilst some of the topics covered will seem elementary to the experienced photographer, the book is full of inspiring images and ideas.

A preview of the book "Photography at Sea: Techniques for Capturing Amazing Photographs Afloat" can be seen by clicking these links to -

amazon.co.uk	amazon.com

I shall be trying out some of the ideas in the book on my next trip to the coast.

Exciting times (part 2) ...

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 12:27:05 GMT

Round the Island - The Race

Last week I promised to let you know when the images taken at the Round the Island Race were processed.

Edited down to a mere 135 images and video clips, they are presented in a video which runs for 6 minutes. If you are a yachting fan, it's on my website. Please note the instructions in yellow.

A few words about the video clips - Before cruising amongst the racing yachts on board a motor boat, I visited the Battery overlooking The Needles on the Isle of Wight to take up a position overlooking the lighthouse and the sea beyond. Alongside me, a TV crew were setting up their cameras and microphones - it took two burly men to carry them - I could see their smiles as I assembled my Manfrotto 055 and my lightweight Olympus PEN.

A half an hour later, the TV crew packed up muttering - "the gales are far too strong to get any decent footage" - at least, that was the gist of their remarks!

I persevered. Admittedly my results were not up to an Oscar, but I was very pleasanty surprised at the resilience of the camera - yeilding some reasonable clips which are included in the video. It seems that size is not everything when it comes to cameras!

Points to remember - If you are going to take photos from a boat in a Force 7 Gale, wear wet weather clothing, use a splashproof camera and lens, shoot at less than 1/2000 sec (unless intending motion blur) and turn IS on.

And the exciting annoucements I was working on - the new Olympus PEN range. All the shots taken during the Round the Island race were taken using Olympus cameras and lenses - my full kit list is on my site.

Exciting times ...

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:46:55 GMT

Round the Island

For the rest of this week I shall be involved in some very exciting announcements in the camera world so here, a little earlier than usual, is this month's Free Image.

Last Saturday I was on a boat in the Solent photographing the annual race around the Isle of Wight.

This year's race, the 80th in it's history, saw 1908 entrants battle against Force 7-9 gale force winds. A record number of rescues were reported by the RNLI and 1303 of the entrants completed the course. More pictures will be available soon and will be announced in the Better Photographs Blog.

Gear is Good, Vision is Better

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:22:22 GMT

Vision

In the Introduction to his new Free E-book, world renowned photographer Scott Bourne says -

"It took me a while to get around to it, but I've finally done it. I've gathered some of my earlier writings on inspiration, creativity and vision in photography and compiled them in one place.

I'm offering this information as a free e-book. Think if it as a thank you to the photo community that has supported me. I'm also hoping it will help some of you to make better photographs."

You can download the book and see how effectively Scott uses Animoto to show his work in the BLOG at www.animoto.com/?ref=jbgzxsoq.

Don't know about Animoto?

Photographers who don't are mssing out. Signing up is free and creating your own short videos from your photos is also free.

Is it time for your new or better website?

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 10:02:41 GMT

Websites that Work

A couple of months ago I recommended a free booklet from the guys at PHOTOSHELTER about selling prints.

This booklet proved to be very helpful in its own right but, as you might expect, the booklet also discussed some of the benefits of PHOTOSHELTER'S website services.

Some readers took this to heart and have now produced some very impressive websites which not only look really good but have helped to sell some of their photographs.

The service is very easy to use, needs no technical knowledge, and has a 14 day trial for just $1.

How to take that Special Photo ...

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:06:26 GMT

Great Wildlife Pictures

How many times have you looked at wildlife pictures and seen a shot of a lion, cheetah, rhinoceros, or elephant and thought ‘I wish I had taken that’?

Well, you can.

With a little thought, planning and the right equipment everything is possible.

Michael Huggan ARPS is an experienced photographer who has had various pictures and articles published in a variety of magazines and photographic journals. An exhibition of his wildlife pictures has also been displayed in London where they received outstanding acclaim.

Are your videos being spoiled?

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:22:33 GMT

Having Wind Trouble ...
... on your DSLR Video recordings?

One of the biggest disappointments I experienced when trying out the "free gift" of HD video functions in my latest DSLR cameras was wind noise. Basically, it ruined the sound track on most of my outdoor shoots so I had to detach the sound tracks altogether and replace them with suitable music.

I've just found a simple solution which is very cheap - the Micromuff. Here's an example -

There's nothing to beat the actual sounds of the scene itself. If wind is your problem - the Micromuff can be obtained at www.micromuff.com.

Happy Memories ...

Tue, 31 May 2011 15:02:31 GMT

Bluebell Woods

June's free downloadable photograph for your wallpaper collection looks back with fondness at last month's annual blue carpet.

Preparing for the Big Day ...

Thu, 26 May 2011 14:01:57 GMT

Wedding Season

It's that time of year so take a look at our masterclass for some expert advice - whether you are hiring a wedding photographer or planning to take your own photographs.

Colour Temperature - An easy way to get it right ...

Fri, 20 May 2011 12:29:12 GMT

Colour Temperature

Do you ever get your colour temperature back to front? This is an easy way to remember the right way round.

Ensure your Movie has the best possible sound track ...

Fri, 13 May 2011 14:53:58 GMT

Video Sound

Following his popular articles on Recording and Editing DSLR Videos, here is Will Hutchinson's third article in the series - Video Sound.

Intimate Encounters ...

Fri, 06 May 2011 17:06:24 GMT

Detail in the Landscape

When most of us think of a landscape, we generally envisage a view, a vista, or a panorama. When we venture out into the countryside it is the whole scene that we immediately see, embracing everything from foreground to horizon, and we then use our cameras to capture it, as a record of that particular place.

But what about the detail within ...

Lilac Glow

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 10:26:39 GMT

This month's free downloadable photograph.

From the Orchid House in the Botanical Gardens, Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Travelling Light

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 15:04:54 GMT

One Camera, One Lens

A recent trip required me to travel light - only enough space for one camera and one lens - an Olympus PEN and its new 14-150mm lens. My full and frank user's review of this kit and trials of some of it's unique capabilities has just been published on the website.

Free Booklet - How to sell Prints ...

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:28:01 GMT

A Useful Read

Whether you are looking to fund your hobby, turn professional or improve your photography sales this FREE booklet is full of useful ideas and advice.

Photoshelter offer comprehensive services for photographers but need these or not, there are a number of free helpful booklets that you can download from their website.

Just click this button and select the FREE REPORTS Menu to see all the booklets that you can download.

One Camera, One Lens

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:41:40 GMT

Travelling Light

Have just finished processing these images from my travels in Sri Lanka and Fonimagoodhoo. Weight restrictions on the sea plane meant just one camera and one lens. The Olympus PEN (E-P2) and the new M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm 1:4.0-5.6 - a great combination.

I plan to do a full review of the lens once the gardening is done but without it I wouldn't have been able to take such a diverse range of images and movies on this trip.