Digital Photography Tips - Why Bother To Use Image Editing Software

If digital camera is the air for digital photography, then image editing software is the water to enhance your photography experience. You can only enjoy photography to the fullest with both of them by your side.

Over the years, as digital camera evolved, so does the photo editing software. It became more sophisticated. Relax, it is still user friendly even though more functions have been build into it. Most of the new image editing software are equip with tutorials so that you can fully 'exploit' the software.

You are lucky that software developers nowadays have refined their skills when they build the software. Last time, you can only do a handful of things with these softwares.

Today, you can remove those horrible red eyes with the photo editing software when you forgot to on the red eye reduction feature. When you want to add some special effects to your picture, you can now customize the effects and create the most unique picture for yourself. When you think you need to enhance the lighting and sharpen your picture, you can simply click a button and you will get the picture you want.

When you start with digital photography, you will start to take a lot of pictures. It can be a painful experience when you have so many pictures to organize and you don't know where to start. This is when the image editing software comes in and helps you organize your pictures. This can save a great deal of your time when you need to share your pictures in a short preparation time.

As helpful as these editing softwares may sound, some of you might have the problem of how to choose the perfect software for yourself. The first thing you have to understand is that the perfect software never exists. There are pros and cons for every software. You have to live with the limitation and choose the software that suits you most.

You can always refer to reviews about the software. These reviews are easily available online or in photography magazine. Read them through and you will have the idea of which software to choose.

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Where Can I Sell My Photographs? Places To Sell Your Digital Photos And Make Money

If you’re a budding photographer or even just a person with a camera, you’re probably wondering to yourself, “Where can I sell my photographs?” Well, that depends on the kind of photographs they are; and more importantly, the kind of photographer you are.

People who often ask, “Where can I sell my photographs?” should be admired. For one, it shows that they have a passion for their craft. And for another, it shows that they don’t want their pictures to end up in just anywhere without due credit.

If you’re the kind of photographer who likes taking random pictures, then you might find stock photo websites to be just the thing for you.

Many stock photo websites specialize in producing photos for business or academic power point presentations. A lot of clients pay good money for an image of a firm handshake or of that of a kid holding a balloon.

Some of these sites include:
photostockplus.com
fotolia.com
dreamstime.com
stockxpert.com
bigstockphoto.com
istockphoto.com
canstockphoto.com
123rf.com

2) Be A Magazine Subscriber.

There are millions of magazines all over the world. In your area, there are a good number of magazines ranging from real estate to fashion!

This gives you a variety of choices. Asking “Where can I sell my photographs?” also means asking yourself, “What kind of photographs do I want to take?”

As soon as you find your answer, I suggest you start buying magazines that fit your interest and start submitting samples. After all, magazines are always on the lookout for fresh creativity!

“Where can I sell my photographs?” you ask. Well, now that you have your answer, you really shouldn’t be dilly dallying here. Go and start taking pictures, and never be discouraged by rejection. Keep moving forward and success will surely follow.

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How To Win Photography Competitions

Entering photography competitions are a great of improving your skills as a photographer. There are also great ways of making more money if you win and will help to build your name as a great photographer. But many images fail to meet the grade because of simple things.

The first and most important tip to follow is understanding the rules. Many photographers enter great images but seldom get placed. All competitions have a theme and the image that you are entering must follow this theme. To win any competition you must try to connect with the judges

The reason that companies hold so many different photo competitions is quite simple; they are looking for images that portray their business. So the first step is to do research on the company holding the competition. Find published material that the organisers are using.

We will all agree that reading material and competition rules will be very boring, but knowing the rules down to the final detail may help you in selecting what images to submit. Also some completions will have small print stating that images cannot be used by other companies. Lots of photographers get caught out and

The second most important item is that your image should be perfectly exposed, with vibrant colours. Lots of photographers submit images that are technical poor. These images have no chance of winning. If your image is poorly focuses or is lacking in colour it won’t be placed.

The third item on the list that should be taken in consideration before you submit is the composition. Make sure every part of the image is perfect. Distractions in the foreground or anywhere else in the image will be ranked poorly.

The forth item and I would think the most important thing to do is to think outside the box. Be creative. Most competitions will get hundreds of well take images. Take a look at previous images that won the same competition as see where you can add an extra bit of something.

Remember that if you image is chosen as the wining shot it will be used by the orginazers for marketing. Your image should be capable of representing the company orginazing the photography competition.

Now you need to find photography competitions that are suited to the type of photography that interests you and start submitting. Photography competitions can do a lot for a photographers career - some say it’s the taking part that counts - but with the large amounts of cash on offer, I think they are worth taking seriously.

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Do I Have To Be A Generalist Photographer To Make Money?

One of the many choices you should make at the outset of starting your photography business is which area of photography interests you most and deciding which one to specialize in:

- wedding photography
- pet photography
- portrait photography
- fashion photography
- advertising photography
- newspaper photography

The choice is endless. The best way to decide is to look at what your passion is. Here are some things to think about:

- What do you enjoy photographing the most?
- What are you good at?
- What is going to make you money?

Making some good choices in photography might be enhanced with thes few tips.

Planning your Business Strategies

Think of it this way. If you are going on holiday you do not just turn up at the airport to catch the first flight out. You can plan where the destination will be, your starting point, and any stops along the way.

Too many photographers think it is as simple as printing business cards and building a website. It is not. Focusing too much on displaying your work may not (in the end) bring in the quality and quantity of customers you need.

Sit down and write a business plan include your goals and a plan to achieve them. You photogoraphy business plan should include your financials, your marketing intentions, and any direct selling strategies. Anyone should be able to pick up your business plan and see what you want to achieve, how you are going to achieve it, how you are marketing the business, and your plans for the future.

There are even specialists who can help with a business plan. Notice I said specialists - seminars, workshops, and consultants.

Get Professional Help

Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. Don't force yoourself to attempt the weak areas yourself, think carefully about hiring someone. Maybe you just cannot get your head around the accounts - then hire an accountant. Sure it will cost you more but how much will it cost you if you get it wrong? Find yourself a subcontractor to fill in the skills you lack.

You can always learn the skills yourself, but it may not be worth it for the cost of hiring someone on a project basis. And, in the new age of the Internet, there is always the option of virtual assistants who can do all manner of tasks to help ease the burden of running a photography business.

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How To Make Money Taking Pictures: 3 Great Ways To Make Money With Your Camera

Are you currently strapped for cash? Wish you had another source of income? Well, if you have a digital camera on hand, then your problems are solved! All you need to do is learn how to make money taking pictures.

Learning how to make money taking pictures is easy. You don’t have to become one of the paparazzi in order to get paid well for your photos. If you’re interested to make some extra money, read on!

1) Submit to Stock Photo Websites.

These days, a very simple way on how to make money taking pictures is by submitting your photos to stock photo websites.

Millions of people are always browsing around the Internet for photos. From students to advertisers, they are all willing to pay good money for simple images!

Shutterstock is one of those websites who currently accept stock footage. If you have time on your hands, visit their website now!

Other stock photo sites include:
Photostockplus.com
Canstockphoto.com
Fotolia.com
Bigstockphoto.com
Istockphoto.com

2) Sell Used Cars.

Not directly, anyway. Another method on how to make money taking pictures is by offering your services to used car dealers. You can take pictures of their cars and upload them to Ebay to increase the business’ reach.

A lot of people click on Ebay looking for brand new and secondhand items. It’s a win-win situation for both parties.

3) Join Photography Contests.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And who knows, your photo just might be the best according to the judges!

There are many photography contests being held, both local and international. All you have to do is keep your eyes peeled for posters and announcements in newspapers, magazines and websites.

Now that you know how to make money taking pictures, it’s safe to say that you don’t have to worry about looking for another part-time job soon. After all, you’re now earning money while doing something you genuinely like. How many people can honestly say that?

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Can Anyone Become A Freelance Photographer?

Anyone can become a freelance photographer. But you will need to have a good digital camera, the skills to take very good photographs, and a strong determination to work hard in order to build up a successful freelance photography business.

If you decide to work as a freelance digital photographer you will get to be your own boss and will spend your time taking and selling digital photos - both online and offline. Sometimes you might work on assignment for large organizations or even for popular magazines. You might even get some all expenses paid trips. Freelance photography is certainly never a boring career choice.

If you don’t already have good photography skills then you can still acquire the knowledge and skills required to be a good photographer.

You will probably need to read some good photography books, or study further at web sites that cover professional photography techniques. And you should consider taking a photography class in your local area. Many community colleges offer digital photography courses at very reasonable rates.

Don't forget that nothing is better for improving your photography than actually getting out there, taking photos, experimenting with different techniques, and gaining experience shooting behind the lens.

These days, thanks to the Internet, there are many freelance photography opportunities that are predominantly digital and online. You can take your pictures with a digital camera and then upload all your photos directly to the Internet!

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Can You Work As A Freelance Photographer Part-time?

The digital photography industry is booming and many people are cashing in by setting up their own freelance photography businesses. The good news is that freelance photography is a career that you can pursue either part-time or full-time.

When you work as a freelance photographer it is ultimately up to you how many hours per week you put into your digital photography business.

Many freelance photographers choose to keep working in a regular job while they build their freelance photography business. By doing this they can build up their portfolio and start to earn some income from their photos, before making a decision to quit their job and work full-time as a freelance photographer.

Working part-time doesn’t put you at a disadvantage. In fact, freelance photographers typically work odd hours anyway. So it is not unusual for a photographer to have an irregular shooting schedule, or a photo session at odd hours of the day or night. Most freelancers enjoy the flexibility that this allows.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your digital camera and start taking some great photographs. Once you have a few good shots, start selling your photos online!

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The Truth About Freelance Photography

The facts are that photography leads the way when it comes to the number of professionals in the field who work as freelancers. Over half of all photographers freelance and the demand for qualified and experienced professionals are expected to grow in the future. But do you have what it takes to make it?

Today’s photographers, scores of which have never experienced working in a darkroom and seeing the image magically appear, simply shoot, shoot, and shoot again stare at a small screen, delete and do it again. Sorry, it’s more than just going out, buying a camera and clicking off a few million shots and hoping of getting noticed. You have to be extremely lucky to be in the right place at the right time to get that “Money Shot” that might propel you into instant fame and fortune. Scores of the freelancers struggle to make a living in the profession and trying to determine where to play is something that most struggle with when starting out.

Freelance photographers don't have the normal nine-to-five work day, irregular shooting schedules and locations are the norm. Of course to many, this is what makes this profession so attractive and interesting. It's just like freelance writing in which many people turn it into a career and enjoy the freedom of working essentially for themselves working on their own time and making money doing something they love doing anyway.

So what does it take to stake a claim in the field of professional photography? As well as talent, on-the-job training, relevant work experience or a specialized skill or knowledge of a particular industry or market. Freelancers must also be capable of running a business including: bidding for work, preparing contracts, release permission, licensing issues, copyright, and project pricing and general administration.

There are numerous opportunities and markets for freelance photographers including: portrait work, advertising agencies, journals, newspapers, magazines and stock photo agencies.

Today’s image market requirements are very different from the days of old. Where once you sent slides to a prospective client for review and then negotiated for the proper licensing and usage fees. You and the client had the time to discuss issues. Not anymore, times have changed, clients need the image now and with the onslaught of the “micro-stock” agency the ability to get the same fees have diminished greatly. Royalty-Free downloads for $1.00 has greatly mired the marketplace and has put many photographers who simply provide generic images out of business. So specialize, once you get known for a particular style or type of photography, clients will be more willing to pay more for the use of your image.

A successful freelance career is achievable for talented photographers with an excellent portfolio, good business sense and the ability to establish good contacts and build a solid client base. While photography is a competitive field, opportunities exist for skilled photographers who have the technical expertise and the creativity to produce professional quality photographs. Even if you have never had photographs published or publicly displayed, you can start a portfolio of your best work.

Before you start down the path, get honest reviews of your work. Remember, friends and relatives can be just a little biased. Participate in contests and art shows, you will find our quickly if the type of work you produce is of interest. Join one of the new photography social networks. Work as an assistant, of course you may have to do this free gratis, but the experience will pay for itself.

Finally, don’t get caught up in the hype, articles that state that freelance photography is an easy profession and that you can make quick easy money can be and are very misleading.

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How To Buy The Right Digital Camera For Yourself

Long before you and I were born, photography has started out as a hobby. And it is from there you got the digital photography today. People go into this as passion or as a way to capture the special moment in their life. Although digital photography can be fun, sometimes getting the right digital camera for the job can be a headache.

So, let's look at how to buy the right camera for yourself:

1. Answer these questions

Are you new to photography? Why do you need a camera? Is it for holiday snapshots or are you trying to make money with photography? Every question you answered will determine what kind of camera you should get.

When you are new in photography, you don't need to get a DSLR camera even when you can afford it because there are too many functions in the DSLR camera that you might not be able to appreciate. What you can do is to get a compact digital camera and learn from the basic. Some of you might think that point and shoot is only for picnic people. Then, you can start with a bridge camera which has similar manual controls for you to familiarize for a DSLR camera.

2. Do your research

Before you buy a digital camera, shortlist some of the brand in the market. Then get to know about the models of your interest and make a wise investment. You can read magazines and photography blog to find out more about your desired models.

If you still have question about the model you need, post your question on the photography forum. The members will be more than happy to share their experience with you.

3. Stick to budget

This is not going to be easy because the more you learn about digital photography, the more you want a high end camera. It is quite depressing when you know what you want and fail to afford it.

What you can do is to stick with your compact digital camera (if that is what you can afford) and learn all about your camera. Maximize your camera and look for ways to make money with photography like selling your pictures online to accumulate your budget for your next upgrade.

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Become A Photographer

Photographers record images and produce them onto a visual medium. The best and most successful photographers do these things in a highly creative and technically expert way. Photographers deal with a wide variety of variables including lighting, camera/lens quality, visual effects, angling, and presentation of the subject. Blending the proper mix of these variables in a manner that produces a high-quality photo is what distinguishes a mediocre photographer from a great one. Most photographers today use digital cameras instead of the traditional film variety, although some use both types depending on the nature of the assignment as well as their own personal preference. More than half of all photographers are self-employed and working conditions vary considerably. Most photographers spend only a small portion of their time actually taking photographs and much more time doing things like seeking new business or editing images on a computer. There are many varieties of photographer. Some of the more common types include: photojournalists (news photographers), commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, portrait photographers, and fine arts photographers.

Education, Certification, Licensing

There are no formal educational or licensing requirements for most photographers. As such, there are few barriers to entry into the trade. But correspondingly, there is enormous competition at every level. Most employers in the photojournalism, industrial or scientific photography fields require entry-level employees to possess a college degree in photography or in a field related to the industry in which the photographer seeks employment. A college degree or vocational training program is also very helpful to those looking to become freelance or portrait photographers.

Photography courses can be found at many universities, community and junior colleges, vocational/technical institutes, and private trade and technical schools. Many art schools offer useful training in photographic design and composition. Degree programs can range from 2-year associate degree to 4-year bachelor of arts programs or even postgraduate masters degree programs. An aspiring photographer may want to consider supplementing photography courses covering equipment, processes, and techniques with courses focusing on good business skills.

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