Friday 31 May 2013

How to Read Clouds as a Photographer

How to Read Clouds as a Photographer

Link to PictureCorrect Photography Tips

How to Read Clouds as a Photographer

Posted: 30 May 2013 04:43 PM PDT

Having been a wedding photographer in Sydney for a few years, I’m continually amazed at how much my photography is dependent on weather conditions. What I have found more surprising, however,  is how much this has driven me to study weather patterns–clouds, in particular. In a sense, a good photographer is also a good meteorologist. Perhaps you haven’t given much thought to cloud patterns as a photographer. If so, this article is for you, and my goal is to persuade you to become a good meteorologist.

In an industry where art and texture are everything, you won’t want to miss the enormous spectre of the sky on your shoot. Growing in your ability to read the clouds will determine and enhance your shoot. As a photographer in Sydney, there are a few key clouds I encourage you to read and use to your visual advantage.

Cirrus Clouds

First are the “high” clouds called cirrus clouds. They are atmospheric clouds shaped like white, wispy tufts. When they extend like sheets, they are then known as cirrostratus clouds and have a beautiful veil-like appearance to them. These clouds provide a wonderful textured backdrop to your wedding photos, and when you boost your recovery levels to high in Lightroom, it really emphasises the texture. You may rest assured that there is low likelihood of precipitation with cirrus clouds.

“Slowdown” captured by Nicholas A. Tonelli. (Click image to see more from Nicholas A. Tonelli.)

Altocumulus Clouds

Secondly, there are the Altocumulus clouds, which are at the middle level and are grouped into masses or rolls like cotton balls. They are often rippled and have dark shading which results in a very epic look, especially if you boost the contrast in post-production. However, they may also signal thunderstorms later in the day, especially when they gather height. In my experience, when you encounter altocumulus clouds, make the most of them, but be sure you have a plan in case light showers do come.

“Pulsating” captured by Nicholas A. Tonelli. (Click image to see more from Nicholas A. Tonelli.)

Stratus Clouds

Thirdly, there are the typical middle (altostratus) or low (nimbostratus) cloud sheets, which are evenly dull depending on their weight. They color the sky uniformly, reducing it by several shades of dark grey. When photographing in this weather, remember to boost your exposure and leave the rest to post-production. The chance for rain is fairly high so I recommend you definitely have a wet weather backup plan!

“High Stratus Clouds” captured by Jack Boyle. (Click image to see more from Jack Boyle.)

Cumulonimbus Clouds

Finally there are the large, mushroom shaped clouds called cumulonimbus, which are very tall and dense. These epic clouds often produce lightning, so if you are very daring you may use this to your advantage by capturing a lightning shot in the background as you shoot the bride and groom!

“Thunderhead” captured by Nicholas A. Tonelli. (Click image to see more from Nicholas A. Tonelli.)

I hope this small survey has persuaded you that a good photographer is also a good meteorologist. Rather than despising the weather conditions on your wedding shoot, observe the weather patterns and use them to your advantage.

About the Author:
Dan Au Photography runs on love, vibrance, and personality. As a wedding photographer in sydney, they deliver story telling, candid moments, and imaginative concepts. And all with a fun-loving (and quirky!) heart.


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Article from: PictureCorrect Photography Tips

Interesting Photo of the Day: T-Rex Rudely Interrupts a Wedding Party

Posted: 30 May 2013 02:44 PM PDT

With the vast population of wedding photographers in the world, it’s tough to stand out and make yourself noticed. In order to solve this problem, Quinn Miller creates an image of Jurassic proportions (or Cretaceous proportions, for you purists out there). In an original composition, he creates an image of his wedding party fleeing for their lives from the path of a stampeding Tyrannosaurus Rex. And of course this image has gone super viral garnering millions of views through social media:

creative wedding photography

A wedding party gone terribly awry (Click to View Full Size, Imgur)

We’ve heard of unpleasant wedding guests before, but this is ridiculous. Of course, the dinosaur was Photoshopped in after the fact, as evidenced by the strange blurring effect in his hindquarters. Still, with this picture Miller has created a memorable matrimonial image among the sea of bland white smiles usually found in the industry portfolios, and which will hopefully inspire a few others to follow in his creative wake.


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Article from: PictureCorrect Photography Tips

Photographer Captures Dramatic Birth on a Sidewalk Outside Hospital

Posted: 30 May 2013 01:37 PM PDT

Judging by her portfolio, Emily Robinson is used to the rush and chaos that come with photographing births. And when Amy Beth Cavaretta of South Florida gave birth to her baby girl just steps from hospital doors, Robinson’s skills were put to the test. The photographer, who was hired to photograph the birth, planned all along to accompany the expecting mother and father to the hospital, but she didn’t plan for the photo session to occur on the sidewalk. With her quick thinking and amazing photography skills, she captured the fleeting moments beautifully. See how the story unfolded by watching this clip from the Today show (for those of you reading this by email, the video can be seen here):

The proud parents, photojournalists themselves, never thought they’d end up on the other side of the lens. Their story and the photos of Baby Sienna’s unusual birth have gone viral.

birth outside hospital

Birth photographer captures dramatic moments outside hospital

outside hospital delivery

Mother delivers on the steps of hospital

Moments of relief following the successful delivery

baby delivery

All clear, happy family

See more incredible photos of this speedy delivery (Via Petapixel) and read photographer Emily Robinson’s version of the story on her photo blog.

“Dad rounded up a wheelchair and it was the first time I ever saw a mother be wheeled INTO the hospital holding her new baby. Usually that happens a couple of days later, and the wheelchair ride is the way out…”


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Article from: PictureCorrect Photography Tips

Underwater Composite Photography Project for a Cameraphone Ad

Posted: 30 May 2013 11:13 AM PDT

Underwater photography used to be the realm of professional-grade cameras with expensive water-tight enclosures. However, recent years have seen the development of point-and-shoot cameras that can take photos and video while submerged in shallow waters without the need for additional waterproof housing. The commercial photographers tasked with advertising the new Sony Xperia ZR chose to use composite photography to piece together razor sharp underwater scenes (for those of you reading this by email, the video can be seen here):

For the underwater shoot, photographer Jeffery Richt employs a setup that includes a wide-angle lens on an underwater camera and a strobe fired from above the surface. He then proceeds to use post-processing techniques to create composites, add bubbles, and plaster the scene on the submerged phone’s screen.

Underwater Product Photography base photo

Underwater Product Photography montage

Underwater Product Photography final

It’s a good concept and executed exceptionally well. The end results are sure to make any snap-happy swimmer eager to get their wrinkled fingers on the sleek phone.


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Article from: PictureCorrect Photography Tips

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How do you manage your digital workflow? Image editing and photo management aren't as sexy or fun as the process of taking a picture, but they are no less important - and just as vital to ensuring you get the 'look' you are after. In this week's bulletin we address some of photographers' key concerns in the digital darkroom and give you one of the first reviews of Adobe's new Lightroom 5 beta.

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Adobe Lightroom 5 beta review

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When you view a photo on your camera's small rear screen, it may look crisp. However, it's only when you view it at actual size on your computer monitor that you realise your pictures aren't quite sharp. In this tutorial we show you show to sharpen both JPEGs and raw files while keeping noise at bay.

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