Thursday, August 3, 2023

#Basic Photography, Amateur Photography

8 Motorsport Photography Tips for Mind-Blowing Images

Tips for Capturing Amazing Motorsport Photography

Photo of an Audi car on the road — Image by Christian Guirguis

On more than one occasion, I’ve left a motorsport track with my camera (and myself) covered in dust and mud. Dust can be disastrous for a camera. It’s important to prepare your gear before heading out to the track. Especially when photographing motorsports on a dirt track.

If your camera is not weather-sealed, add a rain cover. This may help keep the dust from finding its way in through tiny cracks and crevices.

And no matter what camera you have, make sure to thoroughly clean the exterior of the lens and camera body before removing the lens from the camera body. Otherwise, you will expose the sensor to dust.

Avoid changing lenses while at a dirt track, for the same reason.

Even more important than keeping your gear safe? Keeping yourself safe. Talk to a track representative to find out where you can stand safely.

If staying safe means shooting behind a fence, use a wide aperture to help blur out the fence. This will keep it out of your photographs.

Always be aware of your surroundings. This means regularly taking your eye from the viewfinder. Wearing a bright safety vest can also help.

Close-up motorsport photography — Image by Niklas Garnholz

Getting up close and personal to speeding vehicles isn’t safe. This is why a good telephoto zoom lens is a great item to have in your gear bag for motorsport photographers.

A 300mm lens — or beyond — can be a huge help in bringing the action up close.

Changing your lens on a dirt track can degrade your camera sensor. That telephoto capability is best built into a zoom lens, rather than a prime lens with a fixed focal length.

Even a budget 70-300mm lens can produce some solid motorsports photography. It’ll allow you to capture the action up close, as well as backing off a bit to show more of the track.

6. How to Anticipate the Action

Anticipation is key to all sports photography — and motorsports is no exception. Many types of motorsport events make anticipation easy.

On a circular track, the curves tend to produce a lot of the action. A dirt bike track has jumps, curves and moguls where the best action takes place.

If you are unfamiliar with the track, arrive early to watch the practice rounds. You’ll have a better idea of which parts of the event to photograph. Look for curves or jumps, or any part of the track that seems to have the most excitement.

That information — along with safety tips and rules from a track representative — will help you decide where to stand for the photographs.

Photo of a racing car — Image by Borna Bevanda

Fast subjects require fast photography — but maybe not as fast as you think. A fast shutter speed will freeze the action in motorsports, creating a clear, sharp picture.

However, if you freeze every last bit of motion, that car or motorcycle may look like it’s parked on the track. The trick is to use a shutter speed that’s fast enough to freeze the car, but too slow to freeze the tires.

That creates a sharp picture, while the blur to the wheels still leaves a sense of motion.

Not all motorsports go at the same speed. There’s not one magic shutter speed that creates that perfect mix of sharpness and blur. The best shutter speed depends on how fast the vehicle is moving.

Start with a shutter speed of around 1/500, and take a look at the results. If everything is sharp, use a slower shutter speed. If everything is a bit soft, use a faster shutter speed.

To change the shutter speed on your camera, shoot in shutter priority mode or manual mode. Remember, the shutter speed also plays a role in exposure.

Fast shutter speeds will need to be paired with a wide aperture and/or high ISO if the scene is not bright.

One of the trickiest parts of getting great car photography and motorsports photography is to get a sharp focus on something that’s moving. To start, put the camera in continuous autofocus mode.

This allows the camera to continue to adjust the focus after the shutter is pressed. This is essential for moving subjects.

Next, consider the autofocus area mode. I prefer to use dynamic or AF point expansion mode for motorsports. In this mode, you’ll choose a general part of the frame to focus on. The camera will use the surrounding focal points as well to increase the odds of getting a sharply focused shot.

Some mirrorless cameras have great autofocus tracking modes. They will follow the subject for you once you select what that subject is. In some cameras, the tracking mode is inferior to dynamic or AF point expansion mode.

In some cases, a pre-focus technique will help. This is particularly true in cases where you know exactly where the subject is going to be.

For example, in some types of races, everyone tries to take the inside lane.

To prefocus, focus on that lane or spot before the action gets there. Then you won’t have to wait for the camera to focus once the action is in front of your lens.

Photo of a motor racer in a turn — Image by Eugene Lim

If you take all your motorsports pictures from the same spot, they will all start to look the same. Look for angles that will show off the action — of course, making sure that you are still standing in a safe area.

When photographing a dirt bike making a jump, for example, shoot from a low angle. This will make that jump look even higher than if you take that same shot from eye level.

Experiment with more than the obvious shots. Try shooting from a spot where the action is coming towards you instead of moving past you.

Instead of focusing on the jumps at a dirt bike race, look for turns where the riders send the most mud flying. You can also vary up the composition by getting in real close, then including some wider angle shots too.

1. Experiment for More Creative Shots

One of my favourite aspects of motorsports photography is the genre often leaves plenty of room for experimenting. There’s often more laps, more heats, and plenty more chances to get the shot.

That may not always be the case. For example, when you are trying to photograph a specific competitor in a short race.

Oftentimes, though, motorsports leave plenty of time for experimentation.

Get a few “safe” shots, then get creative. Try panning. Then try new angles. Photograph some shots with the crowd or the finish line flag.

When time is on your side, try new things — you may end up getting your best shot of the day this way.

Photo of a quad racer in the sand — Image by Joe Neric

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(Shameless Plug: Be sure to check out my videos near the bottom of this page. If you like what you see You can visit my Photography video site on Rumble.com via this link:

https://tinyurl.com/4hs6br2n

While you're there, please smash the "follow" button so you'll be notified when I post new content. Thanks for watching).

Monday, July 3, 2023

#2023, Photography

Best photography competitions to enter in 2023

by Darryl Turner

One of the most outstanding ways of testing yourself visually is to enter photography rivalries. Fortunately, there are handfuls out there to look over, regardless of your class, style, or level.

Swimming through the sheer number of grants accessible can be somewhat overwhelming, so we've picked a few features for the year ahead, with a choice of significant photography contests for your thought.

You'll find all the urgent data you want, including passage dates, where to enter your work, and section charges. We've likewise addressed various adjudicators and coordinators to impart to you a few top tips to assist your work with standing apart from the group. A portion of the data was likely to change, so it's consistently worth twofold really taking a look at cutoff times on individual rivalry sites to guarantee you don't pass up a great opportunity.

With money, prizes, and praise available to anyone, there will never be a superior chance to invest your effort forward for an honor - what number will you enter?

    Beginner Picture Taker of the Year
    Scene Photographic Artist of the Year
    Sony World Photography Grants
    LensCulture Photography Grants
    Compilation Photography Rivalry
    Travel Photographic Artist of the Year
    Space Science Picture Taker of the Year
    Pink Woman Food Photographic Artist of the Year
    Untamed Life Picture Taker of the Year
    Ecological Picture Taker of the Year
    Taylor Wessing Visual Award
    English Natural Life Photography Grants
    Close-Up Picture Taker of the Year
    Worldwide Nursery Picture Taker of the Year
    EISA Maestro
    Nature Picture Taker of the Year
    SINWP Bird Photographic Artist of the Year
    iPhone Photography Grants
    RPS Global Photography Show 164
    English Photography Grants
    Climate Photographic Artist of the Year
    Artistic work Photography Grants
    World Games Photography Grants
    Memorable Picture Taker of the Year
    Moderate Photography Grants
    Submerged Picture Taker of the Year

What are the best photography rivalries to enter in 2023?
Novice Photographic Artist of the Year (APOY)

Opens 2023 rivalry presently open
Closes November 2023
Section expense 1 free passage accessible per round, £8 for 1 picture section, packs accessible. Free for Youthful APOY
Prizes £11,000 worth of prizes, given by MPB
Site amateurphotographer.com/apoy

About - obviously we could start off the top rundown with our own special contest. Beginner Photographic Artist of the Year - known as APOY - is a focused based rivalry, where photographic artists can bring back home awards for each round, coming full circle in the general champ being granted the top award toward the year's end. In 2022, that honor went to Tommaso Carrara, who won no less than four rounds with an extraordinary arrangement of pictures.

Be that as it may, who will take care of business this year? This is a rivalry that will push you to attempt classifications and subjects beyond your usual range of familiarity, which must be helpful for your photography.

Top Tip - Beginner Picture taker supervisor Nigel Atherton says, 'You get one free section with each duplicate of AP, yet remember that you can purchase extra passages from Photocrowd to build your possibilities of winning. With regards to picking a picture to submit, consider how it takes a gander at more modest sizes - this is much of the time the manner in which judges will initially go over your picture and may make their underlying judgment in view of it.'
Scene Picture Taker of the Year

Opens TBC
Shut 2023 rivalry presently shut
Section expense is £9.99 for a single picture, £24.99 for up to 8 pictures, £34.99 for up to 20 pictures.
Prizes Absolute asset worth £20,000, generally champ gets £10,000.
Site lpoty.co.uk

About - The opposition sees a large number of passages in every version, so you'll need to strive to stand apart from the group - however winning the honor can set you in an extraordinary way. The triumphant sections will likewise be shown in a focal London area.

Top Tip - Pioneer and head judge of the honors, Charlie Waite, says, 'Enter the opposition with certainty and conviction that your photo gets out whatever you wish it to say and will stir something profound in the watcher. Who knows, maybe your picked image(s) may have a course on your future as a photographic artist.'

Sony World Photography Grants

Opens Currently open
Closes Understudy rivalry closes 30 November 2023, Youth contest and Open contest closes 5 January 2024, Proficient rivalry closes 12 January 2024
Section expense Free
Prizes A complete award asset of $30,000 (USD) in addition to Sony computerized imaging hardware, display and that's only the tip of the iceberg
Site www.worldphoto.org

About - The Sony World Photography Grants traverses four unique photography rivalries - one for proficient photographic artists, another available to all, and Youth and Understudy contests. The honors are all allowed to enter, and there are bunches of various classes to look over. Every year, the triumphant passages are shown in a significant presentation at London's Somerset House.

Top Tip - Display keeper and seat of the juries Mike Trow says, "What makes the Sony World Photography Grants so energizing is the scope of subjects and worldwide reach of the accounts and pictures chosen. My guidance for contestants is to select your classifications cautiously and put stock in your story. Show the appointed authorities how you see the world, yet attempt to keep away from the antique. Photography strategies and styles are getting more courageous and dynamic, so specialized greatness is likewise fundamental.'

Focal point Culture Photography Grants

Opens Road Photography Grants presently open
Closes 21 June 2023
Section charge Free (1 photograph), $35 (5+ single photographs), $45 (a progression of max. 10 photographs), 30% off for understudies
Prizes Champs get $10,000, have their work displayed in New York and that's just the beginning.
Site www.lensculture.com

About - Focal point Culture has numerous rivalries consistently, going from classes like craftsmanship photography and highly contrasting photography to road photography and it even has Arising Ability Grants for new picture takers who don't have a worldwide profile yet. Eminently, for this large number of contests, there is likewise a choice to get criticism for your work.

Top Tip - Focal point Culture encourages to be steady, "Numerous effective photographic artists enter similar work in a few contests before they at last win. This is a powerful technique to have your work seen by a wide range of legal hearers and fabricate your profession. Ingenuity is the way to get your work seen by compelling specialists around the world - it just takes one individual to have a beneficial outcome on your innovative excursion!"
Compilation Photography Rivalry

Opens 2023 rivalry currently open
Closes Morning person (31 July 2023), Standard (30 November 2023)
Passage expense €12-18
Prizes €500, publication inclusion in a future issue of Treasury Magazine, and a one-year membership to Compilation
Site treasury magazine.com

About-This opposition acknowledges everything from your standard suspects (road, untamed life, still life) to actually controlled pictures like conceptual, all-encompassing, sewed, and composite. Pictures should decipher a subject, which this year is 'The World We Live In'.

Top Tip-It is valuable as a top priority that entries are decided on quality, innovativeness, inventiveness, and visual/profound effect and the site adds that imaginative understanding of the brief can acquire you additional legitimacy. It likewise encourages participants to 'allude to Collection or buy a duplicate prior to presenting your work, so you can see the kind of material we distribute.'
Travel Photographic Artist of the Year

Opens Currently open
Closes 1 October 2023
Section charge £10-£50, Free for youthful picture takers under 18
Prizes £1,000 in addition to a Fujifilm X100V camera and then some.
Site tpoty.com

About - This opposition has a few classes to browse, and with movement being such an expansive subject, you might find you as of now have something prepared to enter.

Top Tip - The organizer behind Movement POTY, Chris Coe, says, 'Enter your best not your number one picture, adhere to the class brief/subject (don't attempt to convince yourself that since you like the shot it truly fits the subject!) and get some information about your picture decision - it astounding open-minded perspectives can see. Additionally, contemplate entering the class you feel is the hardest, as this might well have the least passages!'
TPOTY 2021 champ Fortunato Gallo's picture of an ocean side at South Uist, External Hebrides, Scotland

Stargazing Photographic Artist of the Year

Opens TBC
Closes 2023 rivalry presently shut
Passage expense is £10 per participant, Youthful Rivalry excluded
Prizes £10,000, in addition to classification prizes and Youthful Rivalry
Site rmg.co.uk/astrocomp

About - This opposition grandstands the world's best space photography, which incorporates breathtaking skyscapes, far-off planets, and systems. You can submit up to ten pictures across various classes.

Top Tip - Dr. Melanie Vandenbrouck, an adjudicator for the opposition, says, 'Act naturally, yet additionally take a stab at a genuinely new thing. My experience is that photos that copy other astrophotographers' pictures frequently don't feel exceptionally normal. However, attempting to stretch your own boundaries and creative mind can make strong outcomes. This opposition is about magnificence however much it is about the galactic articles caught or the specialized ability sent.'

Pink Lady® Food Picture Taker of the Year

Opens TBC
Closes 2023 rivalry presently shut
Section expense £30/5 pictures, free for under 18s.
Prizes £5,000 for the general champ, and different awards for classification victors.
Site pinkladyfoodphotographeroftheyear.com

About - Pink Woman Food Picture Taker of the Year has reliably drawn in the absolute best visual ability since its origin very nearly a decade prior. Last year, picture takers from 77 nations entered north of 9,000 individual pictures. With heaps of classifications to browse, there ought to be something that matches your particular portfolio - don't tragically imagine that the appointed authorities are just searching for exceptionally adapted food-promoting shots.

Untamed Life Picture Taker of the Year

Opens 16 October 2023
Closes 2023 contest is currently shut
Section expense Contestants to the grown-up rivalry might enter up to 25 pictures for a £30 charge, which increments to £35 in the last seven-day stretch of the passage time frame. A waiver for the section expense has been presented for photographic artists entering the grown-up rivalry who live in 50 nations. Picture takers 17 and under may enter up to 10 pictures for nothing.
Prizes Champ gets £10,000, more modest monetary rewards additionally accessible
Site nhm.ac.uk

About - One of the most significant and esteemed photography contests of the schedule, Untamed Life Photographic artist of the Year is coordinated by the Normal History Gallery in London. For more than 50 years, it has supported moral natural life photography, shaping a significant show which happens at the gallery. The absolute greatest names in natural life photography have put in the opposition - the positive effect it could have on your profession can't be put into words.

Top Tip - Seat of the Natural life POTY jury Roz Kidman Cox exhorts, 'Think metropolitan. One classification that has a generally low number of passages is Metropolitan Natural Life. Genuinely, it allows you a lot more prominent opportunity of being set. What's more, as the classification envelops any creature or plant in a human-overwhelmed climate, that implies nature close to home. So don't bother voyaging, and the potential chance to return to a site or reshoot a dream.'

Natural Photographic Artist of the Year

Opens Currently open
Closes 30th August 2023
Section charge Allowed to enter
Prizes £5,000 for EPOTY, Z Series Mirrorless camera and two NIKKOR Z focal points for Youthful EPOTY, £1,000 for every class
Site epoty.org

About - The Ecological Picture Taker of the Year rivalry exhibits the most persuasive natural photography from around the world. The honor commends humankind's capacity to make due and develop and features interesting pictures that point out our effect and move us to live economically. Open to expert and beginner photographic artists, incorporates and 'Youthful' classification. Champs were reported in December 2022.

Taylor Wessing Visual Award

Opens TBC
Closes Currently shut
Passage expense is £21 per photo
Prize £15,000 monetary reward for the victor
Site npg.org.uk/photoprize

About - Coordinated consistently by the Public Picture Exhibition, the Taylor Wessing Visual Award is likely the most esteemed representation of photography rivalry there is. Assuming that representation photography is your thing, being approved by this opposition can do wonders for your certainty and your vocation.

English Untamed Life Photography Grants

Opens 2024 contest currently open
Closes 4 June 2023 23:59 pm BST
Section expense is £10-£54 relying upon the number of pictures you need to submit
Prizes, By and large, Victor gets £5,000, and different awards are accessible
Site bwpawards.org

About - Laid out in 2009, the now decade-old English Untamed Life Grants was sent off to praise the variety and abundance of England's normal history. It's a contest that urges you to seek your own doorstep for dazzling symbolism of neighborhood verdure, with every year having an exceptional subject.

Top Tip - Judge and previous victor of the English Natural Life Photography Grants, photographic artist, and traditionalist Paul Colley, says, 'Track down a typical subject up close and personal, try and acknowledge starting disappointment as the cost of extreme achievement. Rivalry judges get energized by various pictures, oddities, and creative minds. A typical subject near and dear permits you to attempt numerous groundbreaking thoughts rapidly, which exploratory photography requests. Curiosity has conceivable outcomes compelled exclusively by your creative mind. Envision the subject is something else entirely and afterward contribute all your time sorting out how to make it happen. A great many people surrender after a couple of bomb tests. The innovative spirits who extreme it out successfully.'
Close-Up Photographic Artist of the Year

Opens Presently open
Closes Last cutoff time 16 July 2023
Passage charge £10-£40 relying upon the number of sections
Prize £2,500 monetary reward for the victor
Site cupoty.com

About - Close Up Picture Taker of the Year was established by long haul AP patron Tracy Calder and her significant other Daniel. With an affection for full-scale photography, they sent off CUPOTY in 2018 to celebrate close-up, large-scale, and miniature photography, permitting it to become the overwhelming focus. The yearly rivalry is available to anybody utilizing any gadget, from a cell phone to an electron-magnifying instrument. The opposition has various classes.

Top Tip - Organizer behind the honors Tracy Calder says, 'Eliminate interruptions - any flaw will seem amplified while shooting very close, so invest energy eliminating bits of dust, dust and so on at the hour of shooting if conceivable. Ponder the foundation - last year participants utilized everything from a kid glove to a bank envelope. The region behind your subject ought to never be a bit of hindsight. Recount a story - delightful close-up representations of butterflies and plants are superb, yet on the off chance that you can show a component of conduct then it will lift your picture to another level.'

Worldwide Nursery Photographic Artist of the Year

Opens Presently open
Closes Assortment of classifications shutting between 30 Walk - 31 October
Passage charge Free/£16 per class, up to 4-8 pictures, contingent upon class.
Prize Monetary reward for general champ
Site igpoty.com

About - In 2022, IGPOTY returned for its fifteenth yearly contest, with classifications that incorporate 'The Excellence of Plants,' 'Conceptual Perspectives', and 'Lovely Nurseries' and that's just the beginning. There will likewise be four photograph activities and exceptional honors. The challenge is upheld by Illustrious Botanic Nurseries, Kew, and is available to the two beginners and experts.

Top Tip - James McGlinchey, Presentations Director at IGPOTY expresses, 'Presented as another class in 2019 was Plants and Planet. It gives environmental change issues openness, trees are planted for each section and participants can in any case scoop the award cash and extremely significant title. My other top tip is to shoot unique substance - there are numerous contests out there and to stick out, our appointed authorities need to see the new, reminiscent substance that invigorates the crowd.'

EISA Maestro

Opens TBC
Closes 2023 rivalry shut
Prize first award €1500, second award €1000 and third award €750
Site eisa.EU/maestro

About - Coordinated by the Master Imaging and Sound Relationship, of which Novice Photographic Artist is a section, the Maestro Photograph Challenge is available to both beginner and semi-proficient picture takers who make an arrangement of pictures.

Top Tip - Andy Westlake, AP's Specialized Manager and judge at EISA Maestro says, 'It's a portfolio-based rivalry, so ensure you enter a bunch of pictures with a lucid vision and style that are straightforwardly pertinent to the year's subject.'

Nature Photographic Artist of the Year

Opens TBC
Closes 2023 rivalry presently shut
Section charge from €17, free for long-term olds
Prizes Complete monetary reward €25,000, €3,000 for the champ
Site naturephotographeroftheyear.com

About - Nature Photographic Artist of the Year not just offers you the chance to win extraordinary awards and procure some cachet, but supporting nature conservation is likewise an opportunity. The honors service happens at the yearly Nature Talks Photograph Celebration in the Netherlands, where the triumphant pictures are additionally shown.

Top Tip - Previous AP supervisor Keith Wilson, who led the Nature POTY jury between 2017-2019, expresses, 'Attempt to stay away from the most famous classes like well-evolved creature and bird representations. It takes something uncommon or extraordinary to win these. By correlation, classes including full-scale photography, so plants and parasites or spineless creatures, are disregarded, yet the standard has worked on hugely lately. Think about additionally dark and white classifications.'
SINWP Bird Photographic Artist of the Year with the help of RSPB

Opens Presently open
Closes 31st October 2023
Section charge Least gift of £1
Prizes Prize bundle worth over £1,145
Site sinwp.com/bird

About - Another contest that does not just offer you the chance to demonstrate your guts, yet be useful, is SINWP Bird POTY. The 2020 rivalry raised over £2,000 for the RSPB - 100 percent of the gifts from section charges go to the foundation.

Top Tip - Colin Jones, from the Social orders, says, 'Better specialized subtleties are pored over with specific accentuation on narrating, pictorial quality, conduct, honing, right scaling use, subject development control, clamor and ISO choice, and the nature of depiction of the species' attributes.'
iPhone Photography Grants

Opens TBC
Closes Currently shut
Section charge $5.50 - $75.50
Prizes Top Awards TBC, a Gold Bar, a Platinum bar
Site ippawards.com

About - Presently in its fifteenth year, this opposition is available to photographic artists around the world - inasmuch as their pictures are taken on an iPhone or an iPad. There are a few classifications, including Engineering, Creatures, Flowers, and Scene and that's only the tip of the iceberg. Entering a contest like this is an effective method for testing the old hypothesis that the best camera is the one that you have with you - leave your 'genuine' camera at home.

RPS Global Photography Presentation 166

Opens TBC
Closes 165 presentations open calls currently shut
Passage charge One free single picture for all. From £18-£30
Prize £4,000 for future tasks
Site rps.org

About - Commending photography from across the globe, the yearly RPS Worldwide Show is chosen from an open call. Close by the chance to display, £4,000 is granted to help with future visual tasks.
English Photography Grants

Opens first July 2023
Closes 31st August 2023
Passage charge £5 per picture
Prize Greetings to the lofty honor function
Site britishphotographyawards.org

About - Pointed toward praising the ability of all English and English-based photographic artists, the BPA works with a scope of a noble cause to work a non-benefit rivalry. More than 90% of the section expense goes straightforwardly to a foundation fitting your personal preference, with ticket deals from the yearly function supper likewise going towards great goals.

Don't have a camera? Click Here

Perhaps you have a camera but don't like the idea of competing with other Photographers. What you'd really rather do is sell some or all of the photos you've already taken. Click Here

#Indiana Jones, Box Office

Indiana Jones' box office destiny? A lukewarm $60 million debut in North America

by Darryl Turner

Indiana Jones, and chiefs at the Walt Disney Co. furthermore, Lucasfilm, made a rather debilitating disclosure this end of the week. Moviegoers didn't hurry to the theater in that frame of mind to see "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" and express farewell to Harrison Ford as the notable excavator.

The film, apparently planned north of $250 million, came in on the lower end of projections with $60 million in ticket deals from 4,600 North American theaters, as per studio gauges Sunday.

Remembering $70 million from worldwide appearances for 52 business sectors, "Dial of Destiny" raised a $130 million worldwide opening. It handily procured the No. 1 title however was not the high-rolling farewell for one of current film's most famous entertainer/character pairings that anybody trusted. Disney is projecting that it will make $82 million locally through the fourth of July occasion and $152 million worldwide.

"Dial of Destiny" is the long-deferred fifth portion in the Steven Spielberg/George Lucas-made experience series that started in 1981, and the first one Spielberg himself hasn't coordinated. Veteran James Mangold stepped in to assume control directing the Spielberg-supported script, which finds a more established Dr. Jones resigning from his college work and clearing up on another experience with his goddaughter Helena (Phoebe Waller)

#Basic Photography, Amateur Photography

How to Use Program Mode on your Camera (Camera Settings)

By Hillary Grigonis

The mode dial on a camera has many different options, but the “P” mode is often neglected. P or program mode is useful but often misunderstood.

Program mode is a mix between full auto mode and full manual mode. You can learn how to get off of auto using program mode.

So what is program mode on your camera, and how do you use it?

What Is Program Mode (P Mode) on the Camera?

P mode or program auto is a semi-manual mode. The camera makes the decisions, but the photographer has the power to override some of them. Shooting with program mode is like shooting on auto, with the option to quickly manually adjust the settings if needed.

Some photographers consider Program mode as an ISO-priority mode, but, you can do much more with it. You can also adjust the metering, white balance, focus modes, and exposure compensation.

Before you get started, get acquainted with these basics:

Shutter speed is the length of time that the photograph covers. The shutter opens to take a photo and closes to stop; shutter speed is how long that shutter stays open. A fast shutter speed such as 1/1000 will freeze motion. A slow shutter speed like 1/30 or even 30 seconds will create motion blur. Read more in-depth about shutter speed here.
Aperture is the size of the opening in the lens. A larger opening, designated by a smaller f-number such as f/1.8, lets in more light than a narrower opening, like f/8. Aperture also controls how out-of-focus the background and foreground is, or the depth-of-field. Read more in-depth about aperture here.
ISO is the camera’s sensitivity to light. A low ISO such as ISO 100 is not very sensitive to light but offers the best image quality. A high ISO like ISO 6400 allows you to shoot in limited light, but the image quality isn’t as good.

In programmed auto, the camera will select those settings. If what the camera selected doesn’t work for the shot, you can choose different ones without switching into full manual mode.

Program shift is the option to adjust the settings the camera chooses. You can’t set the shutter speed and aperture individually. But you can use program shift to choose a different pair of settings than what the camera chooses.

Overhead view of a DSLR camera settings dial — Image by Hillary Grigonis

How to Use P Mode or Program Mode on a Camera

Turn the Camera Mode Dial to ‘P’

Turn the camera’s mode dial to the ‘P’. In smaller cameras without mode dial, you will need to locate the mode options in the menu or from a quick menu. From there, select the P mode or Programmed mode on the screen.

Point the Camera at the Subject and Use Exposure Compensation

Programmed auto only captures what the camera thinks is proper exposure. But, several things can throw the camera off. If the image has a lot of white, black, very bright or very dark areas, the camera’s metering system will likely be wrong. While you can change the camera’s settings, that won’t change the image’s exposure because P is still a semi-auto mode. The camera will still try to balance out the shot with the exposure it thinks is correct.

To correct how light or dark the image is in P mode, you need to use exposure compensation. Start by testing the exposure. Take a test shot of the subject. If your camera has an electronic viewfinder, it will show a live preview with the current exposure, so a test shot is unnecessary. View the photo and determine if you want to the image to be lighter or darker. If the exposure is already perfect, move on to the next step.

Use exposure compensation to dial the exposure up or down. The exact process varies by camera model, but you can adjust most by pressing and holding the button with the + – icon. You can then use the dial to turn the exposure compensation up or down.

If you need the image to be lighter, use a positive exposure compensation number. Each +1 will double the amount of light in the photo, so if the image is only a little bit too dark, a +1/3 or +2/3 setting may be enough.

If you need the image to be darker, go the opposite route with a negative number. A -1 will be half the amount of light, so, again, a -1/3 or -2/3 may be sufficient.

a DSLR camera screen on program mode — Exposure compensation is the + – button on most camera models. Image by Hillary Grigonis

Monday, June 19, 2023

#Basic Photography, Amateur Photography

What is the Best Photo Resolution for Printing?

By Lili Jakobovits

What is the Photo Resolution for Printing of a Megapixel?

A digital camera captures images through what we know as pixels. Pixels are the smallest components of a digital camera sensor. This means they are the smallest parts of a sensor (or a camera display).

Digital images are made from thousands of tiny tiles capturing light and color. A megapixel (MP) is one million of these pixels. (1,048,576, to be precise.) So a 30 MP camera has around 30 million pixels on its sensor.

A diagram explaining what is a megapixel and photo resolution

What is Image Resolution?

The number of pixels on an image determines the image resolution. The more pixels, the more detailed the image is and the higher its resolution. Image resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels.

To calculate the image’s resolution, multiply its width and height. For example, an image that’s 2,048 pixels wide and 1,152 pixels tall has a resolution of 2.36 MP (megapixels).

Image resolution is often given in PPI (pixels per inch). It means how many pixels are displayed per inch in the image. This refers to the photograph or image’s detail when viewed at 100% on a computer monitor.

But image resolution also relates to the image’s print size. This is given in DPI (dots per inch).

Photo resolution is a factor that determines image quality. But the camera sensor, processor, and even the quality of the lens you are using also play a part. A woman from above, with a camera in her hands, and with a laptop, a mobile, an apple and coffee on the office table

Do More Megapixels Mean a Better Image?

You might think more pixels mean better images. But then smartphones could outrank some semi-pro DSLRs. Yes, they might have a higher MP number written on them, but it’s not what determines image quality.

Higher-resolution photography can mean higher image quality. But only if you have the right lens. Sharpness, definition, and detail go up alongside the image resolution. And a good-quality image results from many other factors. This includes good lighting, correct exposure, and proper composition.

But yes, more megapixels can mean better quality. And you also need a higher resolution for printing and editing. A clear, well-focused image at the best resolution is key.

Why is it Important to Have the Right Lens?

You could have a 40 MP camera and still won’t be able to take advantage of it without the right lens. Usually, your lens is not able to resolve as much information as your camera is capable of providing. The quality of the lens determines how much detail it can manage.

And what if your lens produces errors? A high-resolution sensor will draw them more sharply. For example, lines of chromatic aberration will be more visible in your images.

Professional camera with lens on wooden table.
Diffraction is also something that limits the resolution of a lens. This means that image quality changes above a certain aperture value. Usually, at f/16, you encounter a loss in image quality and a decrease in sharpness. That’s because of the optical interference of light. But it’s a general phenomenon in optical physics. So every lens has this disadvantage.

What is the best way to compare optics and see your lens capabilities? Double-check its ranking on this chart by DxOMark. This is one of the most reliable databases online.

Sometimes it’s better to buy an expensive lens for a not-so-expensive body. That way, you can maximize image resolution.

Why is High Image Resolution Important for Post-Processing?

A composition can look much better after cropping an image. This is a technique you can use in analog photography too. Having a higher photo resolution gives you a little more playroom. It helps avoid a serious drop in image quality.

Also, your image might need perspective correction. Or maybe you need to adjust it to standard aspect ratios (i.e., for printing purposes). Both can result in losing some details.

An image with more pixels holds more information. So it’s less of a problem if you lose some.

screenshot of editing and cropping an architectural image - the importance of megapixels.

How Can You Find the Resolution of Images?

You may want to find out the pixel size of your camera or the resolution of your images. You can look at the information from one of your images. For example, a camera may produce its largest image at 6016 x 4016 pixels. This means the max resolution of the camera is 24.2 megapixels.

This information is easily accessible on a computer. Right-click on your image and then click Properties in Windows or Get Info on a Mac to see the EXIF data of your shot. Sometimes it’s also written in your camera’s manual.

Best Resolutions for Editing and Exporting

For photo editing, you need images with as high a resolution as possible. You should set your camera to the maximum resolution (image size) it can achieve. Most of the time, it’s best to shoot in RAW file format.

RAW files are better for editing than JPEGs. They contain a lot of information. And you can bring more details out of them during post-processing. And as mentioned, they are also better for cropping.

When exporting, you may find that your 20 MP (or higher) image becomes redundant. If your image is for a website, or sharing platform such as Flickr, don’t use the highest image resolution. You’re shooting yourself in the foot.

Man working at home editing pictures on computer

Sure, it makes your image look great. But if it takes too long to load due to the file size, viewers will scroll past.

Facebook and Instagram automatically resize any images over a certain resolution. They compress them to a lower resolution to be able to store millions of photos added each week. This has the potential to turn a great image into one with poor resolution.

You can resize your images before uploading them to Facebook. Setting the longer edge of an image to 2048 pixels while exporting is just enough. It will also take less time to upload them.

Best Resolution for Printing Photos

There is also a difference between screen resolution and photo resolution for printing. Your image may look great on the computer screen. But it’s a whole different ballgame when it comes to printing or print quality.

We talked about PPI, which means the number of pixels per inch on a screen or a sensor. Now we should talk about DPI, which means dots per inch.

This refers to the number of ink dots on a print. The higher the number, the higher the quality. You can set the DPI value on your computer. But it really matters when it comes to printing.

The standard is 300 DPI. You might want a higher resolution, but usually, it’s enough. Under this, your images quickly lose their quality.

Do you have limited knowledge about printing? Then it may be best to leave this to the professionals until you get up to speed. Printing your image at a high resolution on the wrong paper will cause inks to bleed. This results in a blurry effect.

A man checking on Print Quality of the Photo Custom Digitally Printed Album.

Ensure the ink and materials you use are for digital photo printing. You can find great print labs and online print services to print your images. You’ll also be able to learn information about the materials and techniques they use.

Optimize your image for a canvas that fits the desired scale of your print. You should also pay attention to the RGB and CMYK color spaces.

Remember, you should never print your images at the same resolution as your screen. These are typically 72 DPI (dots per inch). So you want to aim for anything between 300 and 1,800 DPI when printing.

Also, we should mention file formats. It’s preferable to use TIFF file format or TIFF compression (LZW) for printing. Printing an image as a JPEG can cause a huge loss in image quality. It decreases pixel density. This is done by compressing and merging pixels to optimize the file size.

For images at 300 DPI, follow this table to print your photographs at the ideal size.

A table that shows what resolution you can use for printing

It’s a myth that you need more megapixels for your images to look great… But it’s a great way to sell cameras. Remember that there’s more to photography than image resolution.

Some photographers need more megapixels for advertising, fashion, or editorial purposes. They may need to print their high-quality images up to the size of small buildings! But everyday photographers aren’t taking images for multi-million dollar campaigns.

So what’s the best resolution for printing photos? New cameras these days are never below 10 MP. And that is enough for 99% of your photographic work!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Is High ISO the Enemy? When and Why?

Low light truly is the bugaboo for the digital photographer.

Low light can be dealt with. However, each alternative has its drawbacks.

We can use some means of support for the camera, so that we don’t get camera shake.
We can use a wide aperture. However, this has limitations as the aperture can only go so wide and depth of field may be a factor.
We can use an electronic flash. Many times this isn’t practical or creates a look that is creatively dysfunctional for our picture.
We can raise the ISO setting according.

Raising the ISO setting is the simplest resolution to this complex and frequent problem.

However, it also has limitations, and these limitations are not standard. They vary from camera to camera.

Today, photographer and university level photography instructor Robin Nichols takes a close look at the HIGH ISO setting on the camera.

What are the benefits?

What are the drawbacks?

What is the very best way for you to handle the ISO setting on your camera?!

Photo Credit: Robin Nichols

Sunday, June 18, 2023

#Basic Photography, Amateur Photography

Photography Memes

20 Funny Photographer Memes That Will Make You Laugh Top 10 Best Photography Memes to Make Your Day - Adam's Trail Notes

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

#Photography Basics, Photography Tutorial

A Simple Guide to the Different Types of Cameras in 2023

By Darina Kopcok

7. Types Of Cameras: Compact Cameras

Also known as a point-and-shoot camera. A compact camera is an inexpensive entry-level camera for the amateur digital photographer.

These cameras are small and lightweight. They usually come with standard, automatic settings. They tend to be smaller as they don’t have an optical viewfinder.

They are the most user friendly of the types of cameras options. You frame your subject and press the button. The camera does all the work. It assesses the scene and determines a correct exposure.

Compact cameras have a built-in flash and a zoom lens. They also come with an LCD screen. You can view your scene before pressing the button to take the picture.

Many of these cameras even have some manual functions. These allow you to have more control over your photography.

But these types of cameras are all about ease of use. They won’t give you control over every camera setting. Some models also offer the ability to change lenses.

The downside of compact cameras is that they have a very small sensor. It doesn’t allow for great picture quality or printing large images.

Compact cameras are great for the hobbyist starting out. But they are not suitable for professional use.

Recommendations:
Nikon Coolpix A300
Canon Powershot Elph 190is
A sony camera placed on a wooden table

6. Zoom Compact Camera

Compact zoom cameras have a more powerful zoom lens. This means a much greater magnification ability.

They offer automatic exposure settings as well. But most also offer manual options and HD recording.

These types of cameras do not offer interchangeable lenses. This is due to the nature of the enhanced zoom function. The zoom ranges from 28-300mm.

Most models offer at least 12 megapixels. This is excellent for your personal images. As with other compact cameras, these types of cameras are not suitable for professional use.

Recommendations:
Canon Powershot SX540
Panasonic Lumix ZS50
Olympus Stylus 1s
A zoom lens on a photographers desk

5. Advanced Compact Cameras

These types of cameras are for the more experienced hobbyists. They want more control over their photos than what a regular compact camera provides.

Advanced compact cameras come with manual exposure mode and manual focusing.

These features put these a cut above regular compact cameras. But these cameras are still lightweight and user-friendly.

They will allow you to take higher-resolution pictures than your smartphone can provide. But they’re still small and compact. This makes them an easy walk-around solution for many shooting situations.

Recommendations:

Canon PowerShot G3X
Sony RX100 IV
Close up of a person holding a Canon DSLR

4. Adventure Cameras

Action cameras have become very popular lately, and more and more models are coming out.

These types of cameras are similar in many respects to compact cameras. But they have the bells and whistles that allow them to withstand extreme conditions.

They are weatherproof and shockproof, with their lens behind very durable glass. Action cameras are very small, yet offer a lot of versatility and high resolution for their size.

As with other compact cameras, they are not suitable for professional use. This is due to its small sensor. They also don’t come with interchangeable lenses. They may also lack an optical viewfinder or even an electronic viewfinder.

Recommendations:

Nikon Coolpix AW130
Olympus TG-870
A Nikon camera placed on a shelf beside a camera backpack

3. DSLRs – Digital Single Lens Reflex

Digital SLRs are for serious amateurs and professionals alike. These are larger and heavier than compact cameras. Most professional cameras out there are DSLRs, even through bridge cameras and mirrorless are gaining in popularity too.

Their design and function comes from film cameras. The higher-end models have a full frame sensor. This is also inspired by the traditional 35mm film camera.

Many come with a cropped-sensor. This is cheaper for camera manufacturers to make. And it allows DSLRs to be accessible to a wide variety of consumers.

The lenses are interchangeable on these cameras. How they behave will depend on whether the camera you choose has a cropped sensor or a full frame sensor.

The lenses for these cameras range in quality. Most manufacturers offer a line for amateur photographers. And then a much more expensive line aimed at professional photographers. An example here is Canon’s L-series.

DSLRs also offer a variety of manual settings and creative controls. You can take images in Automatic mode. But these types of cameras offer Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, and Manual mode as well.

The benefit is that they have an optical viewfinder. They come in a range of sensor sizes, some being APS-C while others are full frame. Shutter speeds can reach faster ranges and have a better low-light capability.

Recommendations:

Canon EOS Rebel T6i
Nikon D3400
A Canon 60d DSLR on a table

2. Compact Mirrorless Cameras

They say that mirrorless cameras are the wave of the future. They offer most of the features of a DSLR camera. But they are smaller, lighter, and generally less expensive.

The name “mirrorless” is from the lack of an internal mirror that reflects light onto the sensor.

The light that comes in through the lens goes straight to the sensor. This then transmits the information it captures on to the LCD screen.

The new mirrorless cameras are a powerful alternative to the DSLR. They tend to use an electronic viewfinder rather than an optical viewfinder.

In fact, many professional photographers are switching over to mirrorless cameras. Or they’re using them as an alternative to their usual DSLRs, such as while traveling.

They are versatile, high-performance types of cameras. They will allow you a lot of control over your results.

You can change lenses on these cameras, and they have a ton of features for creative control. Some models offer facial recognition and have focus points in every part of the frame. This is excellent for event or wedding photography.
noop
Most offer high resolution and video, and also Wi-Fi capability. This latter allows you to remotely control your camera. You can use your smart device from a distance.

The new mirrorless cameras are now capable of capturing incredible, high-resolution images. These types of cameras are comparable to some of the best DSLRs out there at a lower price point.

Recommendations:

Canon EOS M50
Sony a7R III
Flat lay of a sony camera beside two canon lenses

1. Medium Format Camera Types

It’s out of the average person’s price range. And it’s unnecessary for most shooting situations. But the medium format camera bears mentioning.

Medium format refers to the 120 size film format used in the Hasselblad V system film cameras. Hasselblad are the leading manufacturer of this type of camera system.

Medium-format is a camera with a larger sensor than a full frame DSLR. It is common in certain types of advertising work where very high resolutions are the norm.

These types of cameras offer amazing resolution. But they have less sophisticated autofocusing systems and burst modes. Thus, they are not suitable for every genre of photography.

The other downside is that the price tag for this type of cameras is exorbitant. Even most pros rent them rather than buy their own.

For example, the Hasselblad H6D-400c offers 100 megapixels and a 53.4×40.0mm sensor. And it costs almost $50,000 USD for the body alone.

Recommendations:

Hasselblad H6D-100c
Hasselblad H6D-50c
A black and white photo of two medium format film cameras

Maybe you’re a beginner, hobbyist, or looking to get into professional-level photography. No matter your level, there are many types of cameras to choose from that will suit your needs. You can even find a variety of cameras for kids.

Take the time to explore the features of several models before narrowing it down to a final choice.

Ebay Camera Deals!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Viewfinder vs LCD for Composing & Focusing – Pros & Cons – Free Quick Guide

You’ll probably have noticed that your camera has an LCD screen on the back of the camera body for the Live View function, as well as a viewfinder.

But which one should you be using and when?

Is one better than the other?

The answer is that each has a correct time and place in your photography, and if you’re using the wrong one at the wrong time, you’re likely hurting your images.

In this guide, we’ll take a look at viewfinders vs. LCD screens to help you understand the technology behind both.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

What is a viewfinder?
Is an optical or electronic viewfinder better?
Pros and cons of using a viewfinder
What is an LCD screen, and what is Live View?
Pros and cons of using Live View on an LCD screen

Get your guide today.

Photo Credit: Imansyah Muhamad Putera

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Photographers shouldn’t date other photographers. No idea where to focus their attention.

funniest photography memes - photographers speed dating

Thursday, August 3, 2023

8 Motorsport Photography Tips for Mind-Blowing Images

Tips for Capturing Amazing Motorsport Photography

6. How to Anticipate the Action

1. Experiment for More Creative Shots

What’s New in the Lightroom Spring

2023 Release, and Why You Will Love It

Free Quick Guide

Monday, July 3, 2023

Best photography competitions to enter in 2023

How to Use Program Mode on your Camera (Camera Settings)

What Is Program Mode (P Mode) on the Camera?

How to Use P Mode or Program Mode on a Camera

Turn the Camera Mode Dial to ‘P’

Point the Camera at the Subject and Use Exposure Compensation

Set the ISO

Frame Your Subject, Focus, and Adjust the Automatic Settings

Keep Shooting and Learning

Common Questions

What Is the Difference Between Program and Auto Mode?

What Is Program Mode on Canon?

What Does P Mode let you Control?

What Is the Best Mode to Shoot in?

Monday, June 19, 2023

What is the Best Photo Resolution for Printing?

What is the Photo Resolution for Printing of a Megapixel?

Why is it Important to Have the Right Lens?

Why is High Image Resolution Important for Post-Processing?

How Can You Find the Resolution of Images?

Best Resolutions for Editing and Exporting

Best Resolution for Printing Photos

Is High ISO the Enemy? When and Why?

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

A Simple Guide to the Different Types of Cameras in 2023

7. Types Of Cameras: Compact Cameras

6. Zoom Compact Camera

5. Advanced Compact Cameras

Recommendations:

4. Adventure Cameras

Recommendations:

3. DSLRs – Digital Single Lens Reflex

Recommendations:

2. Compact Mirrorless Cameras

Recommendations:

1. Medium Format Camera Types

Recommendations:

Viewfinder vs LCD for Composing & Focusing – Pros & Cons – Free Quick Guide

Saturday, June 10, 2023

I Blame Biden Shirt

How to Make Him Worship You

Netspend Card