Pinhole Projector for Eclipse Viewing and Photography

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Find a large box. Size is only important to give room for a pinhole that’s not obstructed by your head or your camera. Cut a small hole near the center of the short side.  Set your camera lens face down near the edge and draw an outline around your lens. Cut out that hole. You’ll use that for your lens or your eye. Pop a little pinhole in the center of a small piece of aluminum foil. Use a pin to make that hole. The cleaner and rounder the hole is- the sharper your viewing will be. Don’t dig around … Continue reading →

Tips for Eclipse Photography

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Now that we’re upon the #GreatAmericanEclipse, and especially that we’re now SOLD OUT OF SOLAR FILTERS!!! Its time for a nice technical post about eclipse photography. First, all the safety stuff!!! Only use approved solar viewing filters to look at the sun!!! Keep your camera lens capped except when actually shooting!!! I don’t want to see anyone come in with holes burned in their shutters – so don’t use Mirror Lockup!!! If you’re doing Live View from your camera’s rear screen remember that the sun is blasting onto the sensor!!! I’ll say it again- Keep your camera lens capped except when … Continue reading →

4 Tips to Great Travel Photos

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When it comes to travel photography its not about the camera you have.  Think about it, photographers like Ansel Adams & Yousuf Karsh could create better images with a pinhole camera than most of today’s photographers can with the most sophisticated computerized cameras made.  Photography is not even about the beautiful images we create. For most of us it is about telling stories and preserving family memories. Having the latest and greatest equipment is awesome if you can afford it; however, it is not necessary for taking great photos of your family. So, what is necessary? Being prepared and understanding … Continue reading →

Color Theory 101 – Basics to Understanding White Balance

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What is White Balance? White Balance is the single most important setting to master on a digital camera. The color temperature you select that tells a computer/camera what values equal white. Why white?  That is simple.  Do you remember CRT (Cathrode Ray Tube) televisions/monitors? Remember being told not to touch the screen because it would blow up the TV? This was because the TV’s had the 3 tubes, one Red, another Blue and the last Green, that fired electrons that created a static electricity field around the set/monitor while delivering a picture to the screen.  Red, Green and Blue are … Continue reading →

Classes at FOTO FORUM UNIVERSITY

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Foto Forum is proud to offer photography, video and photo/video software training. Whether you are a beginner or advanced photo/video enthusiast our industry professionals offer private mentoring as well group seminars on a myriad of topics that will interest you.  Check us out online click this link for more information and details of classes currently scheduled for July & August and register online.

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Composition Theory – What is Dynamic Symmetry?

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Photography is its most basic element stems from Algebra, Chemistry and Optical Physics.  With digital photography we have kind of replaced Chemistry with Computer Science. Let’s face it, most of us are not fans of mathematics; and, many are shocked to learn how large a role math plays in photography.  Algebraic elements are at the core root to photography. Reverting to film base we know that there are two types of film that exist – negative and positive.   The same applies to photographic paper.  Hence we print negatives using negative paper (two negatives equal a positive). So it shouldn’t surprise anyone to learn … Continue reading →

Composition Theory – Understanding Leading Lines

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Exactly what are leading lines Leading lines simply explained are the visual lines that provide direction and guidance to the eye path throughout a visual image. (Example A) Example A Leading lines are lines within an image that leads the eye to another point in the image, or occasionally, out of the image. Anything with a definite line can be a leading line. Fences, bridges, even a shoreline can lead the eye. You can use leading lines with a subject that is placed according to the rule of thirds your image should be very strong (Example B)   How do I create leading … Continue reading →

Composition Theory – Understanding The Rule of Thirds

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Composition is important to the design of an image; it brings all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of an image. Proper composition holds the viewer in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing, depending on the intent of the image maker. Good placement of the subject matter A very successful arrangement Harmonious proportions Using dynamic symmetry to place most important objects Good rhythm is created by repetition, whether it is color, spaces, moods, or divisions of the photograph Basic Composition Fundamentals Perhaps … Continue reading →

New Online Ordering System at FotoForumAZ.com

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  Welcome to OPS, our Online Portal System. Foto Forum is delighted to announce it has a new online user interface. The new interface allows you to easily order your photos online from your desktop/laptop and even your mobile devices. Let’s get started by visiting our website, www.fotoforumaz.com. Click the Online Photo Prints icon as noted in example 1. The next step is to decide if you are going to order enlargements or order creative products such as photo books, aluminum prints, photo cards, canvas prints, collages and other photo gift items. Now click on the the appropriate icon as noted in example 2. … Continue reading →

Tips on using Flash in your Photography

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Shooting with a flash indoors can be a somewhat frustrating task, even for some professionals.  Although shooting inside can appear challenging at first, it’s far easier than, trying to create images on a summer day with a harsh high noon sun in the sky.  If you can remember these tips you will be able to create great images inside every time. #1 – GET AWAY FROM USING YOUR POP-UP FLASH If you own a DSLR you never want to use the on camera flash/strobe.  Why?  Because using a pop-up flash will generally hurt your image instead of enhancing it.  The … Continue reading →