Creative photography

[rosh]

I've been exploring the capabilities of my camera, but I haven't yet been able to achieve the sort of shots that I like. I was wondering if anyone could help me understand how to prepare the correct settings to achieve shots like these?

http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z233/DRosh/

There is a certain quality to these photos that I wish to see in my own compositions. I'm not sure whether it's a trick of manipulating exposures or editing with photo software, but either way I am unskilled in both expertises. I appreciate any input and advice.

[ShutterbugGail]

Hi rosh and welcome to the Q&A Forum!

First of all, congratulations on your interest in improving the quality and composition of your photos. We have lots of information at Digicamhelp that you may wish to explore. The Taking Photos and Learn section are perfect places to begin.

There is a large variety of photos in the links you provided, so it's almost impossible to know which technique you're most interested in.

However, one of the first photos uses an important creative photographic technique called Depth of Field. You can read about it here:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-photos/advanced-techniques/dof.php

http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-photos/advanced-techniques/dof-guide.php

Achieving depth of field has to do with a number of factors, primarily Aperture size. If you tell us the camera model or type, we can be of more help.

Here's some information about Composition. Make sure to look at the samples in the photo galleries:

http://www.digicamhelp.com/taking-photos/advanced-techniques/composing-photos.php

http://www.digicamhelp.com/gallery/index.php?level=collection&id=7

No doubt some of the images in the photobucket gallery were enhanced with editing, such a cropping. But even when photographers use film, they have to develop the prints. The difference is that one is done in a physical darkroom and the other is done in the digital darkroom with programs such as Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro.

Related reading: Aperture

http://www.digicamhelp.com/camera-features/advanced-settings/aperture.php

[bdery]

Hi!

I will add a few tidbits to what Gail already wrote.

Many of the pictures in the link you provided show dramatic, almost harsh textures and colours. That's achieved mainly by increasing contrast and playing with saturation, both in post-processing. Lighting also often plays a role for shots such as these.

Good luck!

[rosh]

thanks for the replies! i didnt expect to have people answer it already. yeah i totally forgot to include the camera that i use. i use a nikon d40 slr. i'll look more into those links that you provided me gail. thanks!

yeah i should be more specific about what sort of style i liked, i did provide a few different photos. i want to achieve a "darker" photo but with the vibrant colors in the photo standing out, or contrast i suppose is another word. i'm not sure how the photographer that took those photos achieved the "dark" borders along the edges of the pictures. is this all a result of post-shot editing? or can this effect be achieved during the process of taking the photo?

thanks again for all the help

[Deb]

Hi, the dark border around the edges was most likely achieved in post-production. A software like Photoshop can be called on to add a "frame" to the image. This frame can be of any color, any width and have any degree of gradation you wish. Keep in mind, when editting your original images, make a copy of the file and perform your edits on the copy. That way, if you make a mistake or want to try different effects, you can do so without destroying your original image data.

As for the strong color, you can achieve that by increasing the saturation within your onboard camera settings while decreasing your exposure value a tad. Further manipulation can be done in post-editting, again with a photo editting software. OR, you can do all the manipulation in post-editting.