Photography Essays Example

Creative Camera Techniques

One of the most wonderful aspects of photography is the creativity a photographer can engage in. This creativity has been enhanced by the contemporary camera techniques, through modern technologies (Aronoff, 2012). Once a photographer has his camera and a computer, he/she can engage in photo manipulation or an aspect currently referred as photo shopping. Photo-shopping or manipulation of pictures and images enables photographers to achieve all kinds of effects desired on their images (Aronoff, 2012). Apart from application of computer techniques, through photo-shopping, there are also certain creative camera techniques that have been employed overtime to enhance photographic creativity (Aronoff, 2012). This has been enhanced through artistic shots leading to achievement of desired photographic effects.
On one of the camera techniques that have been applied to achieve artistic and desirable images is movement of the camera. Traditionally, photographers have been urged on the importance of keeping their camera still as a means of achieving a sharp image (Marr, 2014). However, this approach does not take into consideration the fact that sharp images are not the ultimate desires of photographers. Currently, photographers have introduced an experimental technique where one has to move his/her camera from one position to another at a gradual pace in order to create certain desirable effects (Marr, 2014). One of the movements technique that have been used to as a technique is panning. It is a common camera movement technique applied in sports photography. Additionally, rotation is another creative camera movement technique used to achieve desirable camera effects. It specifically involves whirling and taking a shot in the middle of the whirl (Marr, 2014). Moreover, camera throwing is another movement creative camera technique that has played a pertinent role in achieving creative and desirable effects. This technique is not meant for faint hearted persons. It entails long shutter speeds, followed by setting the camera timer and throwing the camera in the air before release of the shutter (Marr, 2014). There should be a safe pair of hand to receive the camera as it comes down. Camera throwing is considered an aspect of extreme photography that leads to achievement of extremely desirable pictures and photos.
Another creative camera technique is zooming the camera lens while shooting. It has been considered an appropriate creative camera technique for photographers interested in creating different camera effects. This technique involves holding the camera still, but zooming the lens as one takes the picture. It is quite different from panning, which injects a somehow vertical movement on a picture owing to the fact that it gives objects or images a fee and a look of 3D. A combination of this technique with sync flash may lead to achievement of extremely desirable results.
Currently, there is also creative focusing as a creative camera technique. This method has been developed as a means to curb poor pictures taken due to poor focusing. Poor focusing majorly occurs when a photographer focuses his/her camera slightly in-front or slightly behind the object that needs to be taken to produce a sharp image. The creative technique in this sense entails focusing the camera in manner that makes it worse i.e. focusing a camera in a manner that is obviously out of focus. Creative focusing is recommended when taking shots of objects that have a plain background or objects that located in backgrounds that are not important for the final image. Additionally, creative focus is applicable when taking shots of an object with a secondary element of interest. This entails leaving the secondary element in focus characterized with main focal point out of main focus, but in a manner that allows viewers to know what it is.
There is also a technique referred as shooting from the boots; it basically entails placing the camera on the ground and taking photos or pictures from a relatively low angle in a manner that the object is viewed to be in an aerial elevation. This technique is quite interesting, it gives the photographer and viewers and interesting view as it may also involve capturing a few surprising objects as the main object is taken. An effective implementation of this technique requires the photographer to lie as low as possible in order to frame the shot from a desirable low angle. Another current and most common creative camera technique entails over exposure of shots. This technique requires the photographer to experiment in different positions and exposure levels with his/her camera. Specifically, a photographer may need to bump up the exposure compensation to a maximum, leading to shots of images that appear slightly burnt. Over exposure is appropriate for images that are brightly colored leading to creation of final products that appear to be in a burnt-out background.
Slow Sync Flash is another creative camera technique majorly applicable for shooting characterized for lower lighting (Marr, 2014). That is, shooting an object located in a region with ambient light that the photographer would like to capture together with the object that the photographer wishes to light up with a flash. On the other hand, the use of monopod extenders or even kite aerial photography is another creative technique that has been used to take pictures of objectives from an aerial point-of view. This technique entails getting up the camera as a high as possible and taking shots of desired objective. It can be effectively achieved by attaching a camera on an extended tripod or monopod tied to a long shutter cable for release or even a wireless shutter release. Kite aerial photography is also another creative camera technique majorly used to take images of objectives that may not be easy to take from an aerial point of view. In this aspect of creative camera technique, a camera is tied to a kite and shots taken from a high point-of-view or from an aerial perspective.
Application of the white balance technique is also another creative way of achieving desirable effects on a photographic image. This technique is quite simple; the photographer is only required to experiment with the white balance settings on their cameras in order to inject color variations on their images. The purpose of white balance settings on a camera is to assist photographers to compensate for various types of light, owing to the fact that each type of light provides various subtle colors (Marr, 2014).

Experimental Photography

In the early 1900’s, experimental photography techniques basically relied on hand coloring of photographs. This technique specifically involved addition of colors to an image that had been hand-drawn. There was also re-touching experimental photography that was majorly used as a technique to hide errors that might have been created on an image as it was draw. Moreover, the 19th century photographers who majorly applied hand-coloring relied on toning, which basically involved application of a variety of methods to alter the overall appearance and color of an image that has been initially hand-drawn (Aronoff, 2012). The other experimental photography that was common in the 19th century was tinted-photography. This technique involved the application of dyed printing papers among commercial manufacturers where a single overall color was conspicuously used on an image (Aronoff, 2012).
However, with the introduction of the pin-hole camera that created a lee-way for development of other photography technologies, experimental photography experienced a major shift from the hand-drawn pictures to automated modes of photos shoots. The early inventions such as the pin-hole camera, negative to positive process by Henry Fox, Wet Plates Negative, Tintypes among others, relied on the use of light as the facilitator of photography taking. Introduction of colored photographs in the 20th Century by Kodak and Fuji Films also created a major shift in experimental photography. Fuji and Kodak Films were among the pioneers of colored photography that relied on a concept of three dyed-layers. In this concept, the experimental photography basically involved a chemical process that was meant to connect the three dyed-color layers leading to formation of an image. However, before this, earlier in 1889, experimental photography basically involved the use of film rolls that were used to produce black and white colored images (Aronoff, 2012). These were basically in-camera techniques and photographers did not have various options to manipulate or experiment with their images and cameras. The only option they had, majorly due to limited knowledge, was to take pictures at different angles and camera elevation.
Digitalization of photography and increased knowledge in relation to photography has enhanced experimental photography in the 21st Century (Aronoff, 2012). The concept of experimental photography in the 21st century has been cited as any method or technique that basically alters photos in a way that differentiates it from the normal photographs. Increased knowledge coupled with photographic technological advancement has led to application of in-camera techniques to perform experimental photography. In-camera techniques of experimental photography involve altering normal camera settings to create certain desired effects on a photographs or an object. One of the in-camera techniques that are currently used to facilitate experimental photography is white- balance settings (Aronoff, 2012). This is an in-camera setting that is applied to compensate for a specific light used while taking photos. Normally, there are settings for daylight, fluorescent bulbs, and cloudy environments among others. However, by using wrong settings at times, photographers may create interesting or attractive effects on photos for instance: Color-stripped images and heavily saturated colors.
The other in-camera setting that is currently used to facilitate the process of experimental photography is flash. Contemporary digital cameras are equipped with red eye reduction, delayed flash options and night lights (Marr, 2014). In case these settings are used for other purposes and means may lead to development of images with unique features for instance: Photographs that appear or seem like hand-drawn paintings, streaky lights among others. The ‘wrongful’ application of the red light flash at night may lead to creation of images that appear like red flashes on an evening sky (Marr, 2014).
In addition, color settings are another contemporary in-camera setting that has been used to enhance experimental photography. Current digital cameras are equipped with the capacity to allow users to choose their desired color for instance: Solarization, negative image, black and white as well as sepia. A proper selection of one of these colors may lead to generation of a highly attractive photograph (Aronoff, 2012).
On the other hand, there are also camera usage techniques that are considered friendly and appropriate for experimental photography. These techniques are associated with a feeling of power among photographers who feel that they are in control of their photographic taking sessions. One of the contemporary experimental photography sessions that is also similar to camera techniques is focus. This experimental technique entails taking a photo out of focus i.e. taking a photograph with the foreground completely out of focus or when the frame of the object is out of focus. Images taken through this technique may be improved in quality by adjusting their color. Extended exposures is also another camera usage technique that is plays a significant role in experimental photography. This experimental photography involves exposing the film to light for an extended period of time. It is common method in night photographic sessions where photographers target celestial bodies. It is also a technique used to create capture actions and create lines of light. Double exposure as a camera usage technique is also a form of experimental photography. It technically involves impressing different images on a single frame. This technique gives photographers an opportunity to impress the number of images desired within a single frame.
Processing techniques are also currently highly applied to enhance experimental photography. One of these techniques involves using a roll of black and white films to develop a roll of colored films. The use of photo-grams is also another dimension of experimental photography though not very common (Aronoff, 2012). It is performed by placing an image on a photographic printing paper followed by an exposure to light. It usually does not involve the use of a camera. Currently, application of digital technologies in the photographic industry has enhanced experimental photography. Photographers can easily take photos using digital cameras and transfer them to a computer for photo-shop. The concept of photo-shopping basically involves the use of colors, pre-existing computer images and other photos to manipulate the original appearance of a photograph or a picture.

Locational Photography

The corpus of location photography entails taking photos of an object in an actual or a modified setting. There two major dimensions of locational photography; urban and rural. The major dimension of urban photography is architectural photography, although architectural photography is also common in rural areas. Architectural photography is a dimension of urban photography that relies on capturing images of humans and urban landscapes basically indicating how human interact with the urban landscapes and structures.
Urban Photography has also been described as aspect of photography that involves taking and representation of photos indicating urban spaces. Urban photography usually takes various forms for instance: Architectural forms, street forms, portraits, documentary, performance, object, fine art as well as design photography (Aronoff, 2012). These forms of urban photography are meant to indicate the nature of diversity within an urban setting. Urban photography is considered a platform that describes an intersection of practices and anthropogenic activities going on within a city. In this regard, it is considered a representation of urban research owing to the fact that fact that it explores major themes that are usually covered by urban sociologists, geographers, anthropologists, artists, cultural theorists, writers as well as historians. Street photography as a form of urban photography entails taking pictures and photos the exhibit human and other conditions existing within public places. However, this form of urban photography does not create a necessity for existence of an urban setting or a street environment for the photo to be taken.
There are various techniques applied in the process of taking street photography. The first technique involves the use of a wide angle lens or a fish eyed lens. This technique is considered appropriate for urban photography as it enables photographers to have the capacity to take photos of the entire sceneries of an urban setting. Specifically, the setting that is desired by the photographer; in case the camera lens cannot cover entire scenery, photographers may apply the use of panoramic format. Taking urban photography is also recommended during sunset especially when the photographer is interested in taking photos of structures and streets. This process may involve setting the camera in a manner that the flash is not active and in some cases, exposure compensation may be set to a negative value. In relation to night shots, photographers are encouraged to ensure to take the photos when there is some light. This is important for illuminating the details of the targeted object. Since urban photography entails the application of controlled perspectives, photographers are advised to place more emphasis on the focal point of their lenses. This involves placing the lens of the camera in a perpendicular inclination to the ground, without considering the eye of the camera.
In relation to camera type used in urban photography, photographers are encouraged to use portable camera such as: Point-and-shoot cameras, rangefinders, digital films as well as SLR’s. The most appropriate focusing technique in urban photography is zone focusing: Although, this mode of focusing is majorly applied in street photography.
The other aspect of locational photography is rural photography. It involves taking photos of a traditional landscape exhibiting the interaction of human beings and traditional landscape of a rural setting. Rural photography specifically involves dimensions such as: Rural architectural photography. This involves taking pictures of structural arrangements of a traditional rural setting basically indicating how it interacts with the natural environment for instance: A landscape photo of a cotton farm.
The other dimension of rural photography is environmental photography. This dimension of photography usually focuses on taking photos of natural environment and how it affects human well-being. Environmental photography is also applicable in an urban setting, but is most common in the rural areas where photographers are usually attracted to natural settings. There is also landscape photography which majorly focuses on rural landscape majorly natural landscape i.e. grasslands, water bodies among others.
There are various techniques applied to take interesting photos within the rural setting. On one of the tips that is majorly applied in taking landscape photos is making sure that a photographer wakes up early. This entails taking landscape photos at dawn or early in the morning before the sun sets up. This is majorly encourages owing to the fact that too much sunlight may lead to generation of unattractive photos. Additionally, careful utilization of the polarizing filter is also highly encouraged. The proper use of a polarizing filter is essential for the generation and restoration of natural colors especially when taking photos of the morning blue skies. Taking rural photographs also requires that photographers take a great consideration of the backgrounds of their images. Backgrounds are sometimes considered destructive; in this regard, photographers are encouraged to ensure that the backgrounds of their images are in a desirable condition before taking a rural photo. A consideration of is also a great aspect of urban photography. On a similar basis like urban photography, rural photography also entails taking photos of the horizon in the evenings especially when the sun is setting down. With reduced light intensity, one can get highly attractive pictures of natural landscape (Pegram, 2009).
When taking photographs of animals, photographers are encouraged to take into consideration the appearance of the background images. This basically involves avoidance of taking photographs of ‘half animals’ as well as photographs of any undesirable objects and other unwanted sceneries. Another important consideration taking when taking rural photographic images is the direction of the sun and the amount of lighting. Bright sunny days, especially during summers are not recommended for taking rural photos. Taking photos on brightly lit sceneries such as beaches is also not appropriate, owing to the fact that it may reduce image quality (Pegram, 2009). Rural photography majorly focuses in detailed information of objects; this is one of the reasons a variety of considerations are made. It also requires the photographers to immerse themselves into the life settings of the rural populace in order to ensure that they create a proper rapport with the rural populace.

References

Aronoff, J. (2012). Photoshop 7: Professional photographic techniques. Birmingham, UK: Friends of ED.
Marr, D. (2014). Available light photographic techniques for using existing light sources. Buffalo, NY: Amherst Media.
Pegram, B. (2009). Lighting techniques for photographing model portfolios. Buffalo, N.Y.: Amherst Media.