Archive for the ‘Tutorials’ Category
CanvasPop Presents: Photo-Tripping with Younes Bounhar
• Be inspired to take your photos to the next level
• Discover how to make great travel photographs
• Get expert tips on how it’s done in the field
• Improve your portraits and landscape shots
• Have your questions answered by an industry pro
When: January 24 • 7pm
Where: CanvasPop • 6 Hamilton Avenue North, suite 004 • Ottawa, Canada
RSVP: heathersb@canvaspop.com
Make sure you book your space early!
REUTERS/Blair Gable (CANADA)
Our friend, Ottawa photographer Blair Gable, is a member of CanvasPop’s Pro community and shares his insights and behind-the-scenes thoughts right here on our blog. Here are some of Blair’s tips on using remote cameras.
Sometimes photographers need to be able to take photos from places they are not allowed to be in person. This is where remote cameras come in. With the right equipment, a photographer can rig-up a camera just about anywhere and trigger it from far distances. For the majority of my purposes I use remote cameras to photograph an alternate angle during the NHL hockey games I shoot for Reuters.
Most often I have a remote camera in the rafters—above the video screens—to shoot a top-down angle on one of the nets (usually the net with the hottest goalie). You lock in the setup, preset your focus/exposure and cross your fingers.
Here is the gear you need:
1. a camera
2. a lens
3. a triggering cable
4. zip ties
5. a tripod head
6. a clamp
7. safety cables
8. triggering devices
9. a carabiner
The lens goes on the camera, the triggering cable is attached to the camera, the zip ties secure the lens to the tripod head, the clamp attaches the tripod head to a secure surface, the safety cables loop through each piece of equipment, the triggering device is attached to the camera and the carabiner attaches the security cables together.
You can trigger the cameras two ways: 1) by pressing the test button on your transmitter to capture specific frames or 2) by mounting the transmitter in the hot shoe of the camera in your hands – this makes your remote camera take a picture each time you take a picture (which means a lot of pictures of nothing around pockets of good action photos). I use option 2.
Safety is the most important thing here. If any piece of equipment comes loose or detaches from the setup it is important that it not go very far—hence all of the security cables. A lens falling from that height could kill someone or a triggering cable hitting the ice could get your credentials pulled and the privilege of having remotes in the arena could be taken away from all of the other shooters.
If you have any specific questions about the gear needed or the setup please leave them in the comments section or reach me on twitter @gablehead. Good luck!
Blair’s main photo above was taken during the 2010 hockey season—Buffalo Sabres’ goalie Ryan Miller stops Ottawa Senators’ Alex Kovalev’s shot on net in a shoot-out during their NHL hockey game in Ottawa December 4, 2010.
Follow Blair on Twitter (@gablehead) and let him know what you’d like to see here next.
Thanks, Blair!
What is silhouette photography? You do not have to be a professional photographer to capture great shots. Simply keep these three things in mind when setting up your shot:
1) A Strong Subject- Choose something with recognizable and distinct shapes.
2) Lighting- Light subjects from behind, placing them in front of the sunrises or sunset.
3) Shape- Create separate shapes so they are distinct and uncluttered.
Check out this great guide on how to photograph silhouettes by Digital Photography School.
This photograph by Todd Austin follows the three guidelines with stunning results.
Photo by Todd Austin
The key with silhouette photography is to have fun and experiment. There is no such thing as a bad photograph! So get out, explore, have fun and shoot some amazing silhouettes. When you’re done share it with us or upload it and turn your photo into a canvas art print with CanvasPop.
Follow @CanvasPop on Twitter for the latest “insider” images, ideas, and tips.
Is this a miniature model of New York City? Nope. It's a regular photo transformed using Photoshop and a simple effect called 'Tilt-shift'.
The effect is called ‘Tilt-shift’ we think it would make an awesome effect to use for your canvas to photo prints. It’s surprisingly simple and really fun to do. All you need is Photoshop, and a picture that is shot from above (like from an office window looking down to street level works well). Usually it helps to have cars and people in the shot too. If you like the end result send it in to us to have it made into a cool photo to canvas print. Another idea might be to create a series of images from various places you’ve been and hang them side by side.
Just follow these easy steps:
1. Find an image you like with an elevated view point and a reasonable wide wide angle of view
2. Follow this great little step-by-step tutorial here (credit tiltshiftphotography.net)
3. When you’re done, upload and print your picture on canvas
We’d love to see what you can do with this. Be sure to send us pictures that you have worked with and show off you work. We might feature you on a future blog post. Have any ideas you want to share with us? Let us know by adding your comments below.
Macro photography is a term that is used quite loosely in photography. It often involves a narrow depth of field such that the subject is in sharp focus while the background is not.
One common misconception people have is that you have to have a DSLR with a macro lens to capture images up close. If you are using a compact camera you can simply switch it to the macro setting to focus up close. The macro setting is often also known as the flower setting on your camera.
Macro photos are created when the subject of the image is recorded as the same or larger than the actual size of the subject.
You can create customized artwork from macro photography- regardless of camera-you just have to remember a few of these tips and considerations:
1) The Aperture: While shooting in Macro mode some compact cameras will allow you to make an adjustment to your aperture setting.
With a smaller aperture setting everything in depth of field will be in focus. This relates to a bigger #. With a larger aperture setting the main subject will be in focus, and this relates to smaller #.
2) The Composition: The Rule of Thirds involves placing the main point of interest or subject within the three quadrants of the viewable area.
3) The Flash: Depending on the particular lighting of the subject you might have to use fill lighting to create the desired effect. You might need to turn off you flash completely to prevent overexposure.
4) The Timer and a tripod: – Ensure that you hold the camera still as slightest shake will set off the shot and could make the intended subject out of focus. To make sure that the nothing interferes with your shot you can set your camera on a tripod and use a self timer or automatic shutter release cable.
Remember to take lots of photos as it may take many attempts to get a successful shot. It is worth it in the end.
CanvasPop transformed the above macro photograph into custom canvas art pieces that are proudly displayed in this clients bathroom.
Look a little further than what is directly in front of you. You will be amazed at what you will actually see. These photos might become your next piece of customized artwork.
Follow @CanvasPop on Twitter for the latest “insider” images, ideas, and tips.
