Let's See What's Under the Sea

     Deep seas filled with colorful always wondering about giving the world's marines a life all its own. Clownfish, pufferfish, mantarays, and sharks, all of the magnificent creatures live in the down under, yet without a doubt their images can be found at the touch of a mouse. How, why underwater photography of course.
     Beautiful shots of animals such as the blue whale and dolphins would be  impossible had it not been for the invention of underwater photography. Underwater photography takes much skill and patience, many people become discouraged and quit because they feel as though all of their images come out blue. While shooting images underwater it is important to always used forced flash instead of auto or else their is a high chance the picture will only appear blue. Underwater photograpghy is one of the relatively newer forms of photography so their are still developments going on as is for all other types. A common conception for shooting underwater is that it is best to get as close to the object being shot as possible while at eyelevel and not zooming in because the quality of the photo will waver greatly. Photographers should not become upset or discouraged if their pictures have backscatter, because without shooting in extremely clear water it is hard to avoid. Also, to achieve the best shot possible the photographer should first evaluate which shot they are going for; is it a close up to focus on the vivid colors of a single fish or would it be a scenic shot being used to capture all of the intricate beauties of an entire coral reef. Not only is underwater photography used for marine shots but the United States military, as well as fashion photographers have become increasingly more interested.  

     Photography is a beautiful art form that can often be overlooked; it surrounds us in everyday life so much yet we rarely stop to appreciate it. With photograghy we have been able to view historical ship wrecks like the Titanic, discover unknown marine life as well as appreciate it more, and even the military has been able to use it to defend themselves against their enemies. Undewater is down right fascinating and everyone should try it, or at least take a moment out to realize the time and thought put into the image. What really is in the deep, down under? Your picture could be the answer.

Hey! Where'd That Flash Come From?

      The importance of having a face remembered has withstood the sands of time nearly forever. Anyone can read something written by a name of someone long since passed but to be able to put a face with that name makes it all the more intimate. Through centuries it was thought the only way one's face could be remembered was through a portrait, but whose to say the artist didn't alter the image any for the better or fault of their client. With one simple flash of a camera all that is, will be seen and  the onlookers eyes are to be the judge.

• 1837 Louis Daquerre using his own photography method the "daquerreotype" was able to develop the 1st fixed photograph that didn't fade and only needed 30 minutes of light exposure
• 1840 the first American patent on photography by Alexander Walcott for his camera
• 1843 The first advertisement with a photograph was made
• 1851 Fredrick Scott Archer developed the Collodion Method- now pictures only needed a few seconds of light exposure
• 1865 Photos and their negatives were added to copyrights under patent
• 1884 George Eastman invented the first paper based film
• 1888 Kodak roll film camera is patented
• 1963 Polariod develops instant color film
• 1978 first point-and-shoot camera with autofocus
• 1980 Sony releases the first digital camcorder
• 1984 Canon develops the first digital electronic still camera
• 1990 Kodak announces a photo CD (memory card) can be used to store digital images

 

      Once again what is a name without a face to put it to? Photography has come a long way from old-fashioned portaits. The ability to capture an image forever can be seen as a blessing or a curse. Embarrassing school photos through the first kiss captured of a newly wed couple, they are all moments to be cherished. The next time one is looking at a photograph they should think of all time and sweat put into developing what the camera is today. 100 years from now people may not know what you did or how your life had an impact on history, but the one thing that's for certain is your pictures will still be around.

A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words

     Often times the hard work put into photography is overlooked. When taken as food for thought, photography surrounds us everywhere. Think about it, advertisements, recipes, brochures, everything has pictures on it. Without photography magazines like the National Geographic and Smithsonian would be so much less interesting and much harder to understand.
     The Smithsonian, originally published in April 1970, purpose is to be a magazine that will be able to express what types of things the Smithsonian museums have and are interested in. A new issue is published every month and there are approximately 2.2 mllion copies in circulation. There are articles on history, art, science and nature all in the Smithsonian, which allows for a wide range of readers.
      Well written articles are able to hold the attention of the reader but the captivating photos are what causes the reader to continue to turn the page. Articles are like movies on paper and the pictures are the actors/actresses that viewers adore to see. Some well noted articles of the Smithsonian include The 20 Best Small Towns in America, Why the Titanic Still Fascinates Us and Shadow of the Titanic. Pictures are worth a thousand words, but when pared with a great story will find a place all their own in history.

    

Beauty is in The Eye of The Beholder

     Who says a beautiful picture has to come from an expensive camera? Now days photography presents itself at the most random of moments; the best thing is that now with the use of cell phones and photography applications none of the moments that are treasured most have to be missed. The growing interest in photography has gained a whole new social network, Instagram. At any point of the day their may be a chance to capture a kindergartener lost in translation, or possibly an amazing sunset.
     Digita cameras did not become popular until about 10 years ago, and now everyone from elderly to elementary age people are capable of attaining them; yet there is an increased use of cellular devices to take all kinds of pictures. No one really feels the need to buy a camera anymore unless it's professional grade because there is constantly an increase in the performance of cameras on cell phones. Why buy a $700 camera when you can use a smart phone with editing apps such as PicStitch, PhotoBucket, and Photogrid to gain the same effect.
    
From personal experience if I want the  best photo possible I like to use my professional Nikon D5100. It takes the most beautiful pictures of all the other pictures I have taken with previous cmaeras I have owned. There is not one single style that can not be taken on the Nikon D5100. However, in everyday life it is just not convienent to carry around professional grade equipment when all that is wanted is to snap shot a neice or nephew on the train located in Shortpump Mall. So, while I enjoy using a fancy camera I settle for using the one on my phone and take advantage of all the apps available to me. Photo editing apps are amazing thing in deed.

Annie Leibovitz, The Woman Behind the Lens

         What happened that 2nd day of October in the year 1949? An icon is born, a woman who will eventually test the norm and dare to step out in the world of photography. Waterbury, Connecticut is the hometown of world renowned photographer, Annie Leibovitz. As a young woman Annie wishes to study painting, and become an artist but while studying at the San Fransico Art Institute she becomes dazzled by the magic that is photography. Once she transfixes into an unrelenting passion of having a camera in her hand Annie is untouchable. Annie is able to coax a beautiful photo out of any camera or object.

         After leaving art school Annie lands a job at Rolling Stone Magazine as a staff photographer. At the tender young age of 23, Annie is promoted to the position of chief photographer, in a short span of two years after applying in 1970. With her amazing and unwilting skill Annie remains at Rolling Stones for 10 years as chief photographer before leaving and electing to take a job at Vanity Fair. Annie enjoys her job with Vanity Fair through the years and in 1998 she begins a job taking photos for the envied VOGUE magazine. With a endowment  for film Leibovitz is able to take some of the most stunning and sometimes controversial photographs of her time. One of her most famous pictures is of John Lennon (nude) and his wife Yoko Ono (clothed) just hours before he was killed.

                                                                                       

         Ms. Leibovitz's talents were recognized in 1991 when a 200 photo collage of hers is put on display at the National Portrait Gallery of Washington, D.C. Her uncanny ability to capture moments that will never be forgotten earned her the right to be the official photographer of the 1996 Olympics in Georgia. Annie Leibovitz truly embodies what it means to be a photographer and always manages to make the most out of every shot captured on her film no matter the subject.

Appreciate Simplicity...

Everyone loves to see a beautiful picture yet never really understands the effort that goes into attaining that image. To have a an amazing photograph not just a picture there has to be substance, the picture needs to have a purpose. One of the most beautiful and classic forms of photography are the black and white images that have been seen for so many years, which are often overshadowed by vividly colored images. Looking at a picture not just for the color but the actual meaning of the picture is what needs to be done; black and white pictures can capture the most intimate of moments while still caring for them so gently. Whether it be a photo of a person, landscape, action, place, or event beauty can always be found in a black and white image. With photography everyone has a ground on which they can connect. "Beauty can be seen in all things, seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph." ~Matt Hardy

Photography 101

Photography by definition is far to simple in my opinion. When the human eye is placed behind the lense of a camera, infinite possibilities emerge. There are so many styles of photography as well as techniques that people fail to realize. There is a whole new perspective on life once a camera is placed into my grasp. Photography is so important to me because once a moment has passed, never again will that instant return; but with a camera there is the opportunity to revisit that instant on a still frame forever.
Throughout the course of my blog numerous aspects of photography will be presented; it is a dynamic artform with many sides yet to be discovered. Photography is interesting because there are so many styles and different types. Some of the topics that will be included in this blog will be different camera types, lighting, types of photography, famous photographers, and much more. Please enjoy ;)