How to use the Black Backdrop?

The black background will be pleasant in all situations. It provides a fresh and graceful effect for the pictures. It makes the audience pay more consideration on the subject. A black backdrop will bring out impressive up shots that will pull notice of the spectator. The results will be exceptional and persuading. When the light effects are perfect, the outcome will be splendid. The process can be best achieved only on the go and not after the shooting. Let's now consider the equipment that may be required to shoot perfect pictures with black backdrops:

• A light source whether natural or artificial using flash or studio strobes
• A black backdrop whether fabric or paper

With these, you can photograph amazing pictures. All the extra work that is required is to manage and avoid the lights getting spilt elsewhere. Ensure that there is an adequate distance between the subject and the backdrop to prevent the brightness on the backdrop rather than the subject. Let's now consider how to attain best results using black backdrops:
Arrangement

The photographs have to be taken in a vaguely lighted environment with the lights focused on the subject only. A flash light of the camera will bring out good effects. The black backdrop has to be placed far from the subject with a minimum distance of 4 - 6 feet. The light sources have to be focused on the subject so that the backdrop remains dark post production. In another way, it can be achieved with the flashlights. The flashlight should be so used to spotlight the subject alone.

Picture Formation
To form a perfect picture that best suits the black backdrop a few points needs to be considered:
• The shooting environment should be dim lighted
• The camera ISO has to be set up to the lowest possible setting
• The camera has to be altered to manual coverage mode.
• The shutter speed of the camera has to be to the highest resolution
• Test shots can be taken with setting up the opening to be small and no flashlights. If this works out better, it can be applied

Light Effects
The flash effect on the camera has to be appropriately adjusted to boost the features of the subject. The flash has to be set up to the lowest possible setting focusing the subject. Also, the distance from the subject has to be appropriately altered. The camera coverage has to be so set up that it doesn't focus on the lights in the surroundings. The only focus has to be the distance between the flashlight and the subject. The main aim is to spill the certain amount of light on the subject to bring out best results.
Development
If some light is noticed on the backdrop, then adequate steps have to be taken to obstruct it. Gobo materials can be used to prevent the light falling on the backdrop. Something can be placed on the flash head to prevent the light spilling on the background. The light gets reflected on the material placed and avoids spilling on the background
A backdrop to portraits will give exceptional results. It will illuminate the subject and provides a pleasing look for the spectators. This is achieved on proper practice with certain modifications with every shot. By following the above stated versatile techniques, one can attain a perfect picture with the black backdrop.

Expressions are the key

Expressions are priceless and that mantra becomes all the more crucial when it comes to people photography ,viz., wedding, portrait, fashion and street photography. Expression is the most indispensable component of an award-winning frame. In other words, the subject’s expression could easily make or break a great picture. As a documentary wedding photographer, I always wait for that right moment when the subject portrays an expression that reflects the mood of the occasion and adds dynamics to the photograph. The expressions portrayed can usually engage the viewer’s attention towards the subject and help in telling a story. This post is intended for both the photographers and the couple to make sure there are some great shots with priceless expressions. Here are some of the ways I try to bring out the expressions when I’m shooting a wedding.

Keep it candid – Try to capture the subject’s expressions in a candid way because the human conscience is the biggest enemy of an authentic and an awesome expression. Once your subjects know that they are the focus in your frame, they become conscious and even if they try to give know that they are the focus in your frame, they become conscious and even if they try to give the expressions which ends up artificial most of the times. I’m hired only to keep the shots natural and I always like it that way .
Keep the conversation going – Try to talk to your subjects and put them to ease. Take a lot of test shots. Sometimes your final shot can be one of those very test shots. If you have seen me photograph, you could have easily noticed that I’m non-intrusively in conversation with my clients because they are so overwhelmed with the proceedings they forget to have fun sometimes. So it’s absolutely necessary to keep your conversation going. This is especially true when you are shooting portraits.
Try to be funny – Cracking jokes often helps lighten up the air and more importantly, also makes the subject laugh and smile giving you some of the best expressions. At the end of the day you should have fun and that is how you can get the best expressions from your subjects.
Focus on the eyes – When you are taking portraits, focus on the eyes. It’s the most expressive part of the human face. Eyes convey the mood of your subject. In this picture, I asked the bride to give the camera a wink she did giving me a wonderful frame.
Add ambiance – Adding the environment around the subject into the frame helps in bringing the overall mood of the subject. Fill the frame with people or the ambiance around your couple.

Be Informal – Your subjects respond to your state of mind. If you act formal or bossy, they are not going to throw too many expressions for you. Be casual and put them at ease, which is a surefire way for them to respond with those priceless expressions that you are looking for, as a photographer. Get to know the couple you are working with. I usually communicate with them very frequently before the wedding either in person or through email or chat. By doing this the couple do not see me as a stranger during their wedding rather treat me as one of their friends who is attending the wedding
Think before you click – Like in any other photography think before you click your shutter button. Be ready and when the moment is ready, then click the shot. Its a camera and not a machine gun.

Photography tips for amazing lightning shots

Shooting in nature has always been an arduous task for beginners. It requires lots of trials with abundant patience to capture the clean shot. From the many wonders of nature lighting is one that has fascinated many and to capture it a desired manifested by some astounding photographers. I came across an article which has demystified with some simple tips.

Capturing a lightning bolt is every photographer’s dream and needless to say, it is one of the most spectacular phenomena of nature. Contrary to what many think, photographing lightning is actually not that difficult a task. By following a few simple steps carefully , any one should be able to capture great lightning photographs. The following are a few steps that should be followed and are generally advised while photographing a lightning

1. Wait until it gets dark:

Capturing a lightning bolt during the day is a very difficult task as it involves shutter release exactly during the moment of the lightning. But when it becomes dark, you can set your camera in long exposure mode and capture the entire lightning streak.

2. Find a suitable location:

Find a location that is

a) safe so that you are not in the danger of getting struck by a lightning and

b) as far away from the city as possible to avoid unwanted lights 

3. Use a tripod:

As with any capture that involves the use of long exposure, using a tripod is mandatory for a good lightning shot

4. Use rain cover:

Lightning is generally accompanied by rain. So, using a proper rain cover is a wise thing to do, in order to protect your gear in case of a downpour.

5. Use manual mode:

Use manual mode to set all parameters right. An aperture value of around f/11 and ISO 100 would be optimal for lightning shots. Use bulb shutter speed which keeps the shutter open as long as you want. If your camera doesn’t support bulb mode, use shutter speeds in the range of 10 - 30 sec that is bound to produce some good results.

6. Use remote shutter release:

All it takes to spoil your perfectly planned lightning shot is a minor shake in your camera. So it is always safe to use a remote release cable under such conditions to avoid such accidents.

How to use the Black Backdrop?

The black background will be pleasant in all situations. It provides a fresh and graceful effect for the pictures. It makes the audience pay more consideration on the subject. A black backdrop will bring out impressive up shots that will pull notice of the spectator. The results will be exceptional and persuading. When the light effects are perfect, the outcome will be splendid. The process can be best achieved only on the go and not after the shooting. Let's now consider the equipment that may be required to shoot perfect pictures with black backdrops:

• A light source whether natural or artificial using flash or studio strobes
• A black backdrop whether fabric or paper

With these, you can photograph amazing pictures. All the extra work that is required is to manage and avoid the lights getting spilt elsewhere. Ensure that there is an adequate distance between the subject and the backdrop to prevent the brightness on the backdrop rather than the subject. Let's now consider how to attain best results using black backdrops:
Arrangement

The photographs have to be taken in a vaguely lighted environment with the lights focused on the subject only. A flash light of the camera will bring out good effects. The black backdrop has to be placed far from the subject with a minimum distance of 4 - 6 feet. The light sources have to be focused on the subject so that the backdrop remains dark post production. In another way, it can be achieved with the flashlights. The flashlight should be so used to spotlight the subject alone.

Picture Formation
To form a perfect picture that best suits the black backdrop a few points needs to be considered:
• The shooting environment should be dim lighted
• The camera ISO has to be set up to the lowest possible setting
• The camera has to be altered to manual coverage mode.
• The shutter speed of the camera has to be to the highest resolution
• Test shots can be taken with setting up the opening to be small and no flashlights. If this works out better, it can be applied

Light Effects
The flash effect on the camera has to be appropriately adjusted to boost the features of the subject. The flash has to be set up to the lowest possible setting focusing the subject. Also, the distance from the subject has to be appropriately altered. The camera coverage has to be so set up that it doesn't focus on the lights in the surroundings. The only focus has to be the distance between the flashlight and the subject. The main aim is to spill the certain amount of light on the subject to bring out best results.

Development
If some light is noticed on the backdrop, then adequate steps have to be taken to obstruct it. Gobo materials can be used to prevent the light falling on the backdrop. Something can be placed on the flash head to prevent the light spilling on the background. The light gets reflected on the material placed and avoids spilling on the background
A backdrop to portraits will give exceptional results. It will illuminate the subject and provides a pleasing look for the spectators. This is achieved on proper practice with certain modifications with every shot. By following the above stated versatile techniques, one can attain a perfect picture with the black backdrop.