Aerial Photography - Your Escape to the Clouds !
Are you fascinated with aerial photographs ? Like many people you are probably enthralled with the perspective - especially if it is of an area you know personally or you spot a well known landmark.
The interest in aerial photography has a long history. Even before men could take photographs high above the earth they were drawing images as they imagined the land to appear from above.
THE HISTORY OF AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
The first person to take a picture from above the earth was the French author and artist Felix Tournachon, also known as Nadar. He took his first picture from a balloon which was tethered to the earth over the Bievre Valley in 1858.
Aerial photography played an important part in creating accurate maps and planning military movements. In 1902 the French army used both regular kites and an air filled balloon to obtain shots of enemy standings.
HOW AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY CHANGED
Manned and unmanned balloons, kites and eventually gliders were the first transporters to take pictures from on high. Arthur Batut used kites to take aerial photographs in the 1880's and the use of kites in aerial photography has continued virtually unchanged over the course of time - of course, the equipment has improved, but the basic principles continue to draw interest from hobbyists and aerial photography enthusiasts.
With advances in technology the ability to use remote controlled aircraft was added to the group. Associations for aerial photography - whether kite, glider or remote controlled - can be found all over North America and other parts of the world. These forms of taking aerial photography are also used by Universities and others for scientific research in Earth Sciences.
Obviously the advances continued with the creation of satellite imaging, however, hobbyists and scientists continue to make use of, and enjoy, the art of taking aerial photographs with their own equipment.
HOW ARE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN ?
The concept is quite basic. A camera is attached to a kite, balloon, glider or remote controlled aircraft. It is then set on a timer to take photographs at regular intervals. Photos can also be taken with a remote controlled operation which is used by the operator or ground crew.
It is important to know that there are guidelines you are required to follow when taking aerial photographs. In particular there are restrictions on using kites or other items which are tethered to the ground after sunset unless the object and its line are properly lighted.
If you are interested in trying aerial photography try to find information on local groups through the internet or from local hobby shops. Your view on the world will change!
2006/02/24
Article : Digital Cameras – The State of the Art !
Digital Cameras – The State of the Art !
Digital cameras have come of age in the last two years. Once a new fangled way to take images that were going up against the standard film cameras in the marketplace and meeting with consumer resistance, and now digital has become the king of the mountain in photography. Digitals only competition for the consumer’s hearts is the ubiquitous mobile phones equipped with cameras (both still and video).
Side note -- have you been at any mass events of late (concerts, rallies, speeches, sports events) and seen how many people are using their mobile phones to take images? I was at a concert recently and witnessed over 5000 people taking mobile phone pictures at the same time. Amazing. Not sure if many of them actually do anything with their images but it was still impressive to see that many people snapping images at the same time.
How can we say that? Well one just has to look at the facts from the industry itself. The number one digital camera seller for over a year and a half now in the USA has been Kodak. Yes that is right, Kodak, the giant film photography company has transformed itself in the face of a disaster that was a digital wave coming their way. Several years ago Kodak was a film company, a huge film company, and here comes digital photography and the consumers were going wild for it.
Can you imagine the bonus that was paid to the Kodak executive or executives who had the foresight to demand that the company adopt a digital strategy instead of standing firm on their film based roots? Now granted Kodak is still a huge player in the film business (which has not gone away by any means) but they have done a marvelous job of creating a consumer product line in the digital camera arena. These products are super user friendly and they take great images to boot. The Kodak EasyShare cameras are number one in the USA and number three world wide behind Sony and Canon. Not bad for an old generation industrial giant. They have turned the ship to take advantage of the prevailing winds of the digital age.
Now in the middle of this decade digital camera technology is easier than ever for consumers to use. The cameras come ready to take great images, allow novice users to snap photos without learning all the bells and whistles they offer, and most of them have made it super easy to share, print or email photos to friends and family. Many cameras feature one button to push in order to share or print an image, now it doesn't get much easier than that.
You can spend from $100 (or less but I am not sure I would go there) all the way up to the top of the line at $3200 for the top of the line digital SLR camera for your imaging needs. Some of the best current models on the market include the new Canon E5D SLR at the high end of the cost scale at around $3200, the ultra slim Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T5 which is compact and makes a fashion statement to boot, the super easy to use and share images Kodak Easy Share One, and for great price to quality you can't beat the Fuji FinePix F10 at around $350.
One potential problem with digital cameras has recently to light and some manufacturers have issued service advisories to owners of some digital camera models with regard to a problem in a chip called the CCD or charged couple device. In the defective chips pictures often appear distorted, have a colorcast that appears gray or purple, or appear completely black. Now this is not a huge industry problem most of the models with the defective chip are over a year old. Therein lies the interesting nugget with regard to the changing nature of the digital business.
Industry specialists now estimate that digital cameras have a life cycle of about a year. That means that new product is constantly coming onto the scene to replace the old technology and consumers are supporting that by buying newer and fancier cameras as they are released each year. So a chip problem comes on to the scene but it is eclipsed by the fact that the market is moving so fast that it almost doesn't matter. However if you should be one of the owners of a digital camera with a defective CCD you can get help from your camera manufacturer. Visit the Consumers reports website for details on the recall and service advisories that have been issued. www.consumerreports.org
Now of course there have to be new services that benefit form the digital camera wave. The local corner film shop may have disappeared but the printer companies have found a new heaven in the market. Color printers, the ink to fill them (find a bargain or perish...), paper, and image printing services both offline and online are proliferating in the digital age. One of the big online digital printers was bought up by Kodak themselves in order to help garner a share of online digital image printing business. My current favorite new find for image printing supplies is Cartridge World. They recycle printer cartridges and then give a good price on the refilled ones. Saving the Earth a bit and making it easier to print more great digital images, now that seems like a good step forward.
Digital cameras have come of age in the last two years. Once a new fangled way to take images that were going up against the standard film cameras in the marketplace and meeting with consumer resistance, and now digital has become the king of the mountain in photography. Digitals only competition for the consumer’s hearts is the ubiquitous mobile phones equipped with cameras (both still and video).
Side note -- have you been at any mass events of late (concerts, rallies, speeches, sports events) and seen how many people are using their mobile phones to take images? I was at a concert recently and witnessed over 5000 people taking mobile phone pictures at the same time. Amazing. Not sure if many of them actually do anything with their images but it was still impressive to see that many people snapping images at the same time.
How can we say that? Well one just has to look at the facts from the industry itself. The number one digital camera seller for over a year and a half now in the USA has been Kodak. Yes that is right, Kodak, the giant film photography company has transformed itself in the face of a disaster that was a digital wave coming their way. Several years ago Kodak was a film company, a huge film company, and here comes digital photography and the consumers were going wild for it.
Can you imagine the bonus that was paid to the Kodak executive or executives who had the foresight to demand that the company adopt a digital strategy instead of standing firm on their film based roots? Now granted Kodak is still a huge player in the film business (which has not gone away by any means) but they have done a marvelous job of creating a consumer product line in the digital camera arena. These products are super user friendly and they take great images to boot. The Kodak EasyShare cameras are number one in the USA and number three world wide behind Sony and Canon. Not bad for an old generation industrial giant. They have turned the ship to take advantage of the prevailing winds of the digital age.
Now in the middle of this decade digital camera technology is easier than ever for consumers to use. The cameras come ready to take great images, allow novice users to snap photos without learning all the bells and whistles they offer, and most of them have made it super easy to share, print or email photos to friends and family. Many cameras feature one button to push in order to share or print an image, now it doesn't get much easier than that.
You can spend from $100 (or less but I am not sure I would go there) all the way up to the top of the line at $3200 for the top of the line digital SLR camera for your imaging needs. Some of the best current models on the market include the new Canon E5D SLR at the high end of the cost scale at around $3200, the ultra slim Sony Cyber Shot DSC-T5 which is compact and makes a fashion statement to boot, the super easy to use and share images Kodak Easy Share One, and for great price to quality you can't beat the Fuji FinePix F10 at around $350.
One potential problem with digital cameras has recently to light and some manufacturers have issued service advisories to owners of some digital camera models with regard to a problem in a chip called the CCD or charged couple device. In the defective chips pictures often appear distorted, have a colorcast that appears gray or purple, or appear completely black. Now this is not a huge industry problem most of the models with the defective chip are over a year old. Therein lies the interesting nugget with regard to the changing nature of the digital business.
Industry specialists now estimate that digital cameras have a life cycle of about a year. That means that new product is constantly coming onto the scene to replace the old technology and consumers are supporting that by buying newer and fancier cameras as they are released each year. So a chip problem comes on to the scene but it is eclipsed by the fact that the market is moving so fast that it almost doesn't matter. However if you should be one of the owners of a digital camera with a defective CCD you can get help from your camera manufacturer. Visit the Consumers reports website for details on the recall and service advisories that have been issued. www.consumerreports.org
Now of course there have to be new services that benefit form the digital camera wave. The local corner film shop may have disappeared but the printer companies have found a new heaven in the market. Color printers, the ink to fill them (find a bargain or perish...), paper, and image printing services both offline and online are proliferating in the digital age. One of the big online digital printers was bought up by Kodak themselves in order to help garner a share of online digital image printing business. My current favorite new find for image printing supplies is Cartridge World. They recycle printer cartridges and then give a good price on the refilled ones. Saving the Earth a bit and making it easier to print more great digital images, now that seems like a good step forward.
Article : Making Money from Photos
Making Money from Photos
The first thing to do if you want to make money from photos is learn how to take great ones. In the world of commercial photography clarity sells. The subject of how to take a good photo is too comprehensive for one article, however the following is important:
· Have a decent camera.
· Know how to use it.
· Have an eye for detail and colour.
· Be ready to grab an opportunity when it presents itself.
If you happen to be driving through the hills of Scotland and come across a lone piper (or even two), grab that camera. Watch for sunsets, moonrise, cloud formations and tree shapes. Keep a sharp eye on your pet for unusual poses, and visit your florist every so often. Flower pictures are surely many photographers’ bread and butter and they can be photographed in the light on your windowsill. Greeting card markets love photos of flowers, gardens and pets doing something unusual. Wildlife and nature are great for calendars and geographic magazines and educational markets.
Diversity is the keyword for topics in photography. The wider the range of topics you cover, the more likely you will be to get a sale. Anyone can make a good living from stock photos. Freelance photographer Lee Frost (UK) sells just as many photos taken from his own backyard as from exotic and far-flung locations. In fact he sold a pic of the dandelions in his garden to a natural health book. But if you love travelling, put your holidays to work for you. Travel guides, brochures and websites could be possible markets for your photos.
So what to do with that fantastic shot ? The edges are sharp enough to cut with, while the clarity would bring tears of joy to many publishers. The main thing to aim for with any photo is to sell it to multiple markets. This is taken care of if you submit to a photo library. You don’t have to be responsible for selling your own stuff then, but since the word is ‘diversify’ aim to do both. Offer it to non-competing markets over several years, since you are not selling the copyright.
It is important for any photographer to keep a portfolio of his work to show. You never know when you’ll meet a prospective buyer who wants to look at your work and they will not be impressed if you have to rummage through a dusty desk to scrape them together. When you do score a sale, don’t charge a pittance just because the picture only took a few minutes of your time. You’ve spent years learning your craft and your photos are worth a decent figure.
If you really know what you are talking about and can take a fantastic shot, think of submitting it to a photographic magazine, along with all the details of the precise equipment you used and a step-by step account of your procedure. A bit of a challenge maybe, but worth the effort. There are many other markets to consider too; all kind of magazines, newspapers, catalogues, travel brochures and books. So grab that camera and start shooting.
The first thing to do if you want to make money from photos is learn how to take great ones. In the world of commercial photography clarity sells. The subject of how to take a good photo is too comprehensive for one article, however the following is important:
· Have a decent camera.
· Know how to use it.
· Have an eye for detail and colour.
· Be ready to grab an opportunity when it presents itself.
If you happen to be driving through the hills of Scotland and come across a lone piper (or even two), grab that camera. Watch for sunsets, moonrise, cloud formations and tree shapes. Keep a sharp eye on your pet for unusual poses, and visit your florist every so often. Flower pictures are surely many photographers’ bread and butter and they can be photographed in the light on your windowsill. Greeting card markets love photos of flowers, gardens and pets doing something unusual. Wildlife and nature are great for calendars and geographic magazines and educational markets.
Diversity is the keyword for topics in photography. The wider the range of topics you cover, the more likely you will be to get a sale. Anyone can make a good living from stock photos. Freelance photographer Lee Frost (UK) sells just as many photos taken from his own backyard as from exotic and far-flung locations. In fact he sold a pic of the dandelions in his garden to a natural health book. But if you love travelling, put your holidays to work for you. Travel guides, brochures and websites could be possible markets for your photos.
So what to do with that fantastic shot ? The edges are sharp enough to cut with, while the clarity would bring tears of joy to many publishers. The main thing to aim for with any photo is to sell it to multiple markets. This is taken care of if you submit to a photo library. You don’t have to be responsible for selling your own stuff then, but since the word is ‘diversify’ aim to do both. Offer it to non-competing markets over several years, since you are not selling the copyright.
It is important for any photographer to keep a portfolio of his work to show. You never know when you’ll meet a prospective buyer who wants to look at your work and they will not be impressed if you have to rummage through a dusty desk to scrape them together. When you do score a sale, don’t charge a pittance just because the picture only took a few minutes of your time. You’ve spent years learning your craft and your photos are worth a decent figure.
If you really know what you are talking about and can take a fantastic shot, think of submitting it to a photographic magazine, along with all the details of the precise equipment you used and a step-by step account of your procedure. A bit of a challenge maybe, but worth the effort. There are many other markets to consider too; all kind of magazines, newspapers, catalogues, travel brochures and books. So grab that camera and start shooting.
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