Tips - FOTO FORUM Camera Video, Foto Forum AZ

Imaging Sensors: Full Frame vs APS-C (Crop Frame)

Posted on July 27, 2016 by JeffAugust 1, 2016

Steven Sasson was the pioneer and driving force in the development of both the digital camera and the DSLR. He invented the first digital camera while working for Eastman Kodak in 1975. Seen below is Sasson’s first generation digital camera, as you can see, it was quite large and weighed approximately 8 pounds. Not exactly as portable as today’s digital point and shoots or DSLRs. In 1989 along with Robert Hill, Sasson created the Kodak ECAM D5000. It was the first version of the modern day DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera. The digital imaging (capture) sensor Sasson developed replaced film which ultimately changed … Continue reading →

Bokeh: Understanding Lenses – Part 3

Posted on July 5, 2016 by JeffJuly 5, 2016

The first two installments of this three part series discuss types of lenses; explain focal length, background perspective, depth of field, and how to purposely throw your background out of focus. If you follow conversations on online photo boards you have probably heard threads discussing bokeh. But what is Bokeh and how can you create it? First of all, Bokeh is a Japanese term. It is used to describe the subjective aesthetic quality of out-of-focus areas of a photographic image. All lenses are capable of creating bokeh of some sort. Furthermore, the best examples are created using prime lenses with larger apertures, like f/1.4 … Continue reading →

Tabletop Photography Spring Cleaning

Posted on February 14, 2016 by JeffFebruary 13, 2016

According to Punxsutawney Phil, Spring is near. This means it’s almost time for everyone’s favorite event, ‘Spring Cleaning’. One might ask how does photography have anything to do with Spring Cleaning? With the likes of Ebay and Craig’s List to sell our unwanted items, having tabletop photography skills may in fact become your best friend.Here are a few tips on how to create images of your old unwanted items so you can make them look awesome for your Ebay and Craig’s List posts (ads) using tabletop photography techniques. Let’s start with the essentials for tabletop photography. A good digital camera, preferably a DSLR, … Continue reading →

Tips for Creating Great Winter Landscapes

Posted on January 24, 2016 by JeffJanuary 26, 2016

With the arrival and departure of JONAS I thought it appropriate to offer tips on how to create great winter landscapes. Winter time, as are the other seasons, is an amazing time of the year to create amazing images. Aside from using your composition skills, there are some important tips you should be aware of to properly prepare yourself for shooting in the winter elements. Having lived in and weathered many winters in Upstate New York I can tell you that first and foremost DRESS APPROPRIATELY for the elements. Remember properly covering your head, feet and hands is key to … Continue reading →

Landscape Photography Tips

Posted on January 10, 2016 by JeffJanuary 11, 2016

We’ve all experienced let down after we’ve gone on vacation or even for a Sunday drive in the country through a beautiful landscape, you stop at several “Kodak Moment” signs at a scenic overlook to create beautiful images; you get home and anxiously review your images only to be disappointed! You images have no dynamics, they are for lack of other words flat and boring! You think to your self, “how can this happen to me?” Believe it or not but our eyes have been trained to view everything horizontally or in a landscape orientation. We have television, cinema and … Continue reading →

Shooting Stock Photography on the Side: Making Extra Money

Posted on December 27, 2015 by JeffDecember 29, 2015

Don’t worry – this isn’t an infomercial for stock photography that is designed to sell you a guaranteed get-rich quick program. If you’re looking to place – or keep – one foot in the photography industry while working full-time, there are a number of ways you can earn additional income (and work credits) without forgoing your current job. Have you ever wondered where professional advertising agencies and marketing companies get many of the images used to support their client’s marketing campaigns? Yes, many campaigns do call for actual photo shoots, but many images are purchased from 27stock agencies. There is … Continue reading →

Playing All Angles with Basic Composition Theory

Posted on September 20, 2015 by JeffSeptember 22, 2015

Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Flickr, Pinterest, LinkedIn, or Google+, Social media remains flooded with millions of images. Getting yours to stand out in the crowd will take skill and strategy. One way to help boost your Instagram, Pinterest, Flickr & Tublr posts amidst everyone else’s is to create more dynamic images. Your images will have more visual impact by utilizing composition theory and elements to your advantage. For instance, by simply adjusting your optics you can take advantage of your camera angle and create stronger, more impactful leading lines. Use roadways, paths, walkways, walls, fences to creating leading lines. Use them to point/lead … Continue reading →