Why Hiring Wedding Photographers Is Worth Your Money

Wedding photography is one of the most demanding photography projects today. That’s because weddings happen year-round. They also tend to cost more than most photography events. But if you’re thinking if hiring a professional photographer is worth your money, here are three reasons why you should:

1. Memories fade

But your photos don’t. Your wedding is one of the most important events in your life, and you want to preserve that memory in high resolution. You might remember every detail of it in your first years as a couple, but when you rack up 10, 20 years, you’ll be thankful to spend money hiring a photographer.

Image source: pinimg.com

2. You only do this once

And by that I mean there are no retakes in weddings. There’s no setting up the shot again. That “first kiss” won’t be the first kiss if it’s staged. So, you want to hire the best people to capture these moments whenever they happen.

Image source : oldtappanmanor.com

3. They’re pros for a reason

Yes, you can hire a friend who has a DSLR or someone who’s good with Instagram, but chances are, you’re making a mistake. I’ve seen it many times, a bride or groom hiring his or her cousin who “takes good pictures” to cover their wedding. It could work, but it probably won’t.

My name is Radha C. Singh, a photographer and curator from NJ. Visit my blog to read more on my passion for photography.

10 Interesting Facts On Photography

With millions of photos being captured everyday, photography has become a core part of our lives. Our society has come a long way since the first photo was captured. It’s almost impossible to live in the digital world without being equipped with a camera. With that said, here are 10 interesting facts on photography.

1. There are 12 Hasselblad cameras on the surface of the moon.

2. The first digital camera was designed in December 1975 by Kodak.

3. Back in the 1820s, early cameras would take several hours to actually capture a film. That would explain why our ancestors weren’t smiling back then.

Image source: nasa.gov

4. Back in those days, photographing children posed a very difficult challenge. So mothers had to sit all covered disguised as a chair holding their babies.

5. Every two minutes we snap more pictures than the whole humanity did in the 1800s.

6. The man with the largest collection of cameras is Dilish Parekh from Mumbai.

7. The longest photographic negative measures just over 129 ft. in length and was created by Esteban Pastorino Diaz on June 13. 2010.

8. If you want to add a rare 1923 Leica O-series camera to your arsenal of cameras (and the bragging rights which ensues), you better have some deep pockets.

Image source : factslegend.org

9. The word camera derives from the latin word, “camera obscura”, translated to “dark chamber”.

10. Cheerleader effect: there was a study conducted by Drew Walker and Edward Vul at the University of California stating that there’s a cognitive bias which causes people to think individuals are more attractive when they are in a group.

Hi there, my name’s Radha C. Singh. I’m a photographer and curator from NJ. I like to write things about photography. Follow my blog for more updates.

The Best Photography Galleries In The World

In today’s digital world, we are bombarded by images 24/7. Since the dawn of smartphones, it’s easier than ever to take pictures. Though there are tons of pictures around us, photography in the hands of an artist is another matter. Photos captured by artistic hands are the kind of imagery that stop us in our tracks and provoke us to reflect on life. With that in mind, here are 3 of the best photography galleries in the world.

 

Image source:pocketlondon.info

Hamiltons

Located in London, Hamiltons was founded in 1977. The gallery represents modernists masters like Horst, David Bailey, and Helmut Newton. The work of young artists such as Miles Aldridge, Richard Caldicott, and Alison Jackson are also featured here.

 

Image source:yossimilo.com

 

Three Shadows Photography Art Centre

This growing photography and video platform is located in Beijing. It was founded by Chinese photographer RongRong and his Japanese counterpart, Inri. Three Shadows exhibits contemporary Chinese and Japanese photographers, as well as American and European masters.

 

Yossi Milo Gallery

This gallery found in New York, is one of the most eclectic, international mixes of contemporary photographers residing in New York. The gallery’s interests range from the figurative to the abstract.

Hi there, my name’s Radha C. Singh, a curator and photographer from NJ. If you love photography, follow me on Twitter.

From New To Old: A Photographer’s Guide To Making Photos Look Vintage

Some photographers opt for a more vintage look for their pictures; that is, having photographs look like traditional cameras took them. Black-and-white and even sepia-colored photos are becoming popular again. Admittedly, the applications for these types of photos are rather limited. Still, it would do well to learn how to make a new photo look old. Listed below are two tips that employ Photoshop. It is important to note though that the following tips do not take into account the built-in filters in modern cameras.

Image Source: youtube.com

Play around with the hue/saturation: Open the original file and then begin by making the photo black and white. This is done by selecting the option “Adjustments” and double-clicking on Black & White. The system will automatically convert the original file into a two-toned image. From here, one can play around with the hue/saturation feature of the editing software. If one prefers a more sepia tone, move the Hue slider to the far left. Moving the Saturation slider to the right will make colors purer. Depending on the look one is looking for, switching, mixing, and matching will get the desired effect.

Surface blue: Aside from adjusting the coloring, a great way to make a photo look old is to create blurs. Remember that the passage of time can introduce a lot of external variables to the paper. Humidity, heat, and similar elements can all contribute to certain parts of a photo becoming blurred. To achieve this, go to the Filter > Blur > Surface Blur option. This is where it can get slightly complicated, but in general, you would have to adjust the blur options to various levels so that the effect is still realistic.

Image Source: hongkiat.com

For more advanced photoediting, try the feather feature set at 80 pixels.

Radha C. Singh is a NJ-based photographer who loves sharing tips on Facebook.

Post-production editing techniques for better photos

Photography is a multi-layered art. A lot of articles were written on how to capture the best photos. This is crucial, as it creates the foundation in which photographers build their design on. However, an oft-forgotten aspect of photography is post-production, which involves editing techniques that enhance raw photos. Purists can argue that post-production is unnecessary; manipulating reality into something unnatural. Even experienced photographers will recognize the necessity of a few retouches here and there. Here are a few tricks to help with this process.

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Flatten the image before editing: Experts recommend using Camera Raw to flatten the image before setting it up in Photoshop. This allows novices to adjust color temperatures and exposure as the wish. The recommended settings would be to set highlights slider between -30 to -80, with the shadows slider at +30 to +80. This will make the image look very boring and lifeless but makes for an excellent base when editing in Photoshop.

Opt for the healing brush: Rather than the spot healing brush, using the healing brush allows photographers to pick their own source points. The healing brush is also a great way to remove inconsistencies in the skin, or any unwanted elements in the background.

Use the clone stamp: Use the clone stamp at around 15 percent opacity on areas that don’t have that much detail. This works well in natural light shots that need to be slightly lightened.

Master the dodge and burn control: Every photographer should be competent with dodging and burning. There are many ways to do this, but most photographers use curve adjustment layer to a brighter exposure and the other to a darker exposure. Then, using the layer mask and brushes, dodging and burning as one sees fit.

Always remember that whichever editing technique you use, try to make the subjects pop and even out skin tones or other parts of the image. Try to create a sense of depth.

                                                                  Image source: tech.co

Radha C. Singh from NJ shares useful tips about improving one’s photography. Learn more photography tips when you follow her on Twitter.

Making a Living Out Of a Hobby

They say that when you turn your hobby into a career, it doesn’t feel so much like work. When I became a professional photographer and photo curator, work felt more like play. But when I finally had a grasp of all the responsibilities that come with the job, I began to put more thought into my work.

Image source: Aehhub.org

Making a living out of a passion or a hobby is fulfilling. It’s not always fun and you also have to put in countless hours to make things work but for me it’s so much better than working at a job that keeps you from doing what you’re good at. Instead of sitting in a cubicle wondering what would’ve happened if only you pursued your dream job, it’s more liberating to be finally doing it.

Being a photographer and photo curator requires skills. Aside from having an eye for good details and the technical know-how, we also have to research and read up on other photographers’ work. Sometimes we also need to interview them to know the objectives behind their projects. Having this job could also involve sifting through thousands of good photos and deciding which ones are the best for a particular exhibition. Sometimes it gets tiring and repetitive but at the end of the day, it’s really about doing what you do best.

Image source: Dcphotographyworkshops.com

As for profitability, when people know thatyou produce high-quality work, there will always be opportunities. This is especially true for photographers. People who appreciate your aesthetic will always seek you out for a project that they have. If you want to turn your hobby into your career, never stop learning about it. When you keep growing in your craft, you’ll keep on succeeding too.

My name is Radha C. Singh and I am a photographer and photography curator from NJ. Visit this page for more updates in photography.

A Primer On Filters For Digital Cameras

It has become common knowledge to associate camera filters with digital technology. That is, people have gotten used to using online applications to change the quality and tone of their shots; made even easier with the growth of mobile phone use. Still, those serious in pursuing a career in photography should understand the traditional aspects of the trade, particularly with choosing lenses. Listed below are the more common lens filters and their purpose.

Image Source: pcworld.com

UV or Clear Filters: This is for any genre and is a useful lens for almost everything. This lens protects the front part of the camera from dust, dirt, moisture, and any potential scratches. Those interested in outside photography can appreciate the UV filter as well. These can be permanently mounted on the lens with minimum impact on image quality.

Polarizing Filter: Again another popular choice. This filters out polarizing light, which dramatically reduces reflections. It can also increase contrast and enhance colors.

Neutral density: This is best for landscape or flash photography. Neutral density filters reduce the amount of light entering the lens and decrease shutter speeds. This is ideal for situations that require a motion blur (e.g. waterfalls, rivers, moving people, etc.).

Color filter: This filter corrects colors and can be used for any form of photography. This used to be an extremely popular filter for film but is rarely used now for digital photography. This is because there are post-processing mediums that can be used to balance color shifts. However, it is still a good filter to keep in mind.

Image Source: Wikimedia.org

These four filters are the more common ones used though there are still quite a number still out there. The beginner photographer is asked to experiment and do their own research regarding the matter.

Radha Singh from NJ is passionate about photography. Learn more when you follow this blog.

A Guide To Starting Photojournalism

Image Source: time.com

A good entrance into the photography industry is photojournalism. While not an extremely specialized branch, it does require a certain skill set. Yet many photographers say that photojournalism is a challenging yet rewarding endeavor. Listed below are some tips to help one get started.

Start with people: Technically speaking, photojournalism is a chronicle – a visual documentation – of current situations. More advanced photojournalists have branched to non-linear topics; able to communicate messages effectively through architecture or inanimate objects. Those who are just beginning however should consider documenting real people. Additionally, there is an added depth and emotion when taking photographs of people in real situations; the raw emotions depicted are priceless.

Do the work: It does sound rather corny, but life is constantly happening. In order to take the best shot, one has to get out there. The best photojournalists are inherently curious; meeting new people and creating new and unique stories by what they experience. Getting the perfect shot only happens when one is in the situation itself.

Image Source: arts.ac.uk

Learn from the best: Plagiarism is a serious concern in any artistic profession, but that doesn’t mean one cannot look at those ahead of them. It is a good idea to see the work of other photojournalists and learn from their techniques. Developing one’s own voice takes time and practice. The journey can be helped with constant research and humility.

Photojournalism is one of the more exciting branches of photography. Many professionals say that the increase of photojournalists today is caused by the many new events happening currently.

Radha Singh of NJ is interested in photography. Learn more when you follow this blog.