The assignment calls for the use of (dramatic) lighting, texture, composition, and/or a carefully chosen setting to add to the picture.

Last year I gave this assignment to my class. Some used straight forward, "set the self-timer and run and get in front of the camera" shots .. some were quite funny.

Others used a long cable release or remote control which were much more traditional in concept.

Others used very long exposures, in a darkened room and used a pen light to paint themselves with light

Of course there is the choice different focal length lenses, film type (or ISO setting on the sensor) and lighting techniques in the mix.

Mainly have fun and shoot a lot of images .. maybe one roll and then using your contact prints, edit them with your instructor, make adjustments and re-shoot a second roll. This should give you a good selection for your classes critique.

How to do a creative self-portrait for my college photography class?

I need some creative photography tricks, or something to make my pictures stand out.

I use a Canon Rebel t2i Digital SLR.

Anything to help? thank you.

You can use reflections and compelling juxtaposition.

Spend some time visiting some websites where people post their self-portraits.

I defiantly would prefer getting SLR; however as a beginner and obviously someone that has not accomplished this goal yet, I don’t know what would be the best buy for what I’m trying to do. My goal is to basically travel around, take nature & portrait photography and sell to whoever I can. My question is: will SLR slow me down if I’m going to do a lot of hiking and moving around? Also, would I need to set up my tripod every shot? On the business of things, are people still interested in buying film? I figured because more people are using digital some may have certain prerequisites?

Please enlighten me on the matter!

And if you want to be really helpful, help me figure out what body camera I should get [:

I have no idea how this photography business works (as you clearly see)

I guess you have never hiked with a camera before.

I carry a dSLR with battery grip, a super wide angle lens, a macro lens and a 24-85 mm lens when I hike. I carry at least seven memory cards, one in the camera and a sixpak in a holder. I also carry one battery charger I use to charge the batteries when at the motel before the next days hiking adventure.

Basically you will want to learn how to use your camera before taking it on a hike or any traveling adventure.

It will take you a minimum of a few weeks sitting with your camera in your lap and the user manual in hand to learn how to use the camera without fumbling all over the place trying to use it, so buy it in plenty of time before you intend to use it

At this time, the most purchased dSLR cameras are the Nikon D5100 and Canon 600D. Both cost under $1,000 and have all the features a proficient photographer will require,.

I was at a nighttime event recently where there were different photographers shooting with their flashes, usually pointed at the person.

I saw one guy with his flash that pointed upward to the ceiling (0 degrees), and not at the subjects he was shooting. And it would be a very bright flash – I’m guessing full power.

Just wanted to know what effect he was going for. My guess is that it’s a different lighting/diffusing technique so you don’t get that harsh shadow from shooting the flash directly at them?

Yes, he was bouncing the flash off of the ceiling to avoid the bulletproof flash shadow and the deer in headlights look.

hi y’all,
ive loved everything around pictures all my life but never had any professional knowledge in the area. i don’t have too much in savings at the moment so school is not really an option…
do you know of a good course or series of courses on dvd covering digital photography? (camera, lighting, studio, portrait photography and photoshop)

If such a class existed, it would be called film making and would include a section on videography.which hopefully would include video editing

ive loved everything around pictures all my life but never had any professional knowledge in the area. i don’t have too much in savings at the moment so school is not really an option…
do you know of a good course or series of courses on dvd covering digital photography? (camera, lighting, studio, portrait photography and photoshop)

Go to Amazon.com and in the DVD section search on camera or photography tutorials.

Then look at the comments for each prospective DVD that catches your eye.

http://www.althephoto.com

Im currently doing a gcse photography course and I am need of some photography techniques to help me in my course. Any will help and I have an Nikon slr and photoshop so I have the technology to try some out. Thankyou!

browse through different types of photography. Here’s mine: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vangorkumphotography/sets/72157623193786470/

or some of other’s photos that i really like: http://www.flickr.com/photos/vangorkumphotography/favorites/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/143/sakurafn.jpg/

As the title states – What post processing has been used on this photograph? I’m starting to learn the ways of photography. Techniques, ect. And I’m trying to figure out what has been done to this photograph. Any help?

Thanks to everyone in advance.

I see no evidence of post processing.

That is simply a shot that is called a back-lit photo.

The photographer exposed for the hand which was in shadow and let the background overexpose

Here are the details of that shot

Filename:sakurafn.jpg
Size:143Kb
Resolution:600 x 600
Camera used:PENTAX PENTAX K-x
Orientation:Horizontal (normal)
Focal length:18.0 mm (35 mm equivalent: 27.0 mm)
Aperture:f/5.6
Date/Time:2011-03-22 17:24:47
Exposure time:1/80
Lens F-Number:f/5.6
ISO:320
Whitebalance:Custom
Metering mode:Multi-segment
Exposure:Manual
Jpeg Quality:JPEG (old-style)

Learn about composition, light, exposure and depth of field. Then practice by always thinking about the light, the composition, the exposure and how much or how little depth of field you want. Doing this will help you avoid falling into what I call the "machine gunner mentality" – take 300 exposures and hope – HOPE – a few are worth saving. I’ve no doubt someone will tell you to: "Just go out and shoot and shoot and shoot and shoot. That’s how you gain experience." This is about the worst advice you can get. The only "experience" you’ll gain is in taking snapshots. Good photography requires thinking – thinking about your composition, thinking about the light, thinking about the exposure, thinking about depth of field. Since thinking requires time there is no way to be thinking about those elements if you fall into the "machine gunner mentality". The goal should be quality, not quantity.

Here are some sites you should spend time on:

http://www.digital-photography-school.com

http://www.kamerasimulator.se/eng/?page_id=2

http://www.photonhead.com

http://www.illustratedphotography.com/photography-tips/basic

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

Another technique you need to learn is to pay as much attention to everything else in the frame as you do to your main subject. Look for litter, power lines, dead branches, an overexposed area in the background, a dull sky – anything that might be a distraction to someone looking at your pictures. By doing so you’ll learn that a slight change in your composition can eliminate or at least minimize any distractions.

http://www.flickr.com/drifter45h/3991210245/ After settling on this composition but before releasing the shutter I picked up 3 cigarette butts, a discarded tissue and a plastic bottle.

Don’t fall into the "Oh I can fix it in Photoshop" mentality either. The idea is to "Get it right in the camera" and keep your use of an editing program to a minimum. An image file that suffers from a blurry image caused by subject or camera movement or is underexposed or overexposed or is out of focus is a lost cause. You might be able to improve it if its only slightly under or over exposed but if its out of focus or blurry all you’ll be doing is wasting your time.

So learn to concentrate on the light, the exposure, the composition and the depth of field and learn to pay attention to everything in the frame.

just out of curiosity(:

Whatever it takes to get the shot I want.