Photographer- Bjorn Lofterud

Lofterud is Swedish photographer who specialises in simple but beautiful photography. Some of his best work is taken at dusk or at sunrise as he is especially good at manipulating sunlight and light levels in his photographs. Lofterud has a very wide portfolio ranging from food photography, to interior photography, to architecture. This is displayed on his website and his wide range of photographs means that he often works commerically for advertising companies and brands. His simplistic style allows for eye catching images with easy to understand messages and motifs. Still life is another area that he specialises in and his ability to capture basic items in a stylish and exciting manner.
I particularly admire Lofterud's ability to capture basic images in an interesting light and his ability to bring new meanings to seemingly boring objects.

Photographer-Timothy Hogan

Hogan is a commercial photographer based in Los Angeles, California. His particular talents lie in using lighting effectively and his craftsmanship style of composing a photograph. He has worked with a large array of advertising companies. He takes photos advertising and displaying fashion, beauty, design and beverage industries and is regularly hired due to his expertise and wide skill-set which allows him to adapt to the job at hand. Most of Hogan's images are retouched by his editing crew and this allows his brilliant lighting abilities to be furthered in order to develop the overall visual style of the image. As Hogan is a commercial photographer he does not have a specific type of photography that he specializes in. This makes his photography skills useful as he can be employed by anyone. Hogan is also known for his engineeristic style of composing his photographs. This ranges from changing backgrounds to improve lighting, to changing models as they do not fit with the composition. This allows his vision to be fully realised and gives him the ability to produce stunning photographs.
Hogan is one of my favourite photographers. This is due to his ability to play with colour and motion in his photography. This is particularly prominent in the two photographs above and I chose them as they are my favourite ones from Hogan's collections. 

Photographer- Nicholas Samaras

Samaras is recognised as one of the best underwater photographers of all time. In the early stages of his career he spent lots of his time competing in small competitions in Greece. Over time he began to win the competitions and his skill began to become recognised. Today he has won countless awards including The Greek National Underwater Photography Championship. Samaras photographs animals underwater but also the underwater caverns and plants that are found at the bottom of the seabed. Most of his photography is unedited as he believes that photos should be appreciated as the photographer saw them when they were first took. His work has been published in magazines and articles for National Geographic, Beyond Blue Web magazine and many others, showing his wide influence on the world of underwater photography. Samaras also photographs divers and athletes in the aquatic professions.
In my opinion Samaras is a brilliant photographer, his ability to capture underwater shadows and reflections is something that I admire greatly and the use of colour in his photography is stunning.

Photographer-Thomas Kettner

Thomas Kettner is a German photographer who is well known for his unique way of shooting fashion photography. One of his many techniques is to use vibrant backgrounds in order to make the fashion items and models "pop". Animals are frequently used in his compositions and he also uses underwater scenes regularly. Kettner photographs male and female fashion however his choice of different backgrounds is more noticeable in the female photography. The female photography displays lots of different models and different types of fashion. the photos also show a varied style of photography and lenses. This is unique and keeps the viewer interested in what the next photo will show. The male photography also uses different backgrounds to enhance the image. These vary from helicopters and busy city streets to elephants and bars. The use of camera techniques such as macro and manual focusing are evident and this helps to make the images more eye catching. Editing is also evident in most of the images taken. Some are black and white, some are deliberately over exposed to blur the background and others have been edited to increase the vibrancy of the colours in the photo.
Although I don't enjoy fashion photography that much, Kettner's ability to bring out facial features and his brilliant use of lighting is admirable. I particularly like the underwater shots he takes as he uses a varied colour palate which I think brings diversity to his photographs.

Photographer- Lyndon Wade

Lyndon Wade was born and raised in Kansas and experience his first break as a photographer at the age of 18. When he was 21 he set up a photography studio in Kansas with his brother. Lyndon Wade is well known for his over the top style of his photographs and ability to tell a story in either a single, or a set of photographs. Despite the visual flare of his photographs he tries not to spend lots of his time in editing software such Photoshop. Instead he attempts to make his photos up using props and lighting to minimize time spent in the editing process. Another technique he uses is taking lots of different photos and overlaying or merging them together to create a stronger visual impact. He has been hired by Pepsi, Sony, Virgin and many other companies to shoot marketing material for them or create advertising posters using his unique style of photography. The final thing that makes Wade stand out is that every item and object in his photography is there for a reason, nothing feels out of place in the composition of the photograph.
I really like Wade's style of photography. I think that his use of editing, although often over the top in my opinion, works extremely well and his artistic design shows in both images above. I particular like the lighting in the Superhumans photograph as it draws attention to the athletes.

Action Cameras

These types of cameras are becoming more and more popular as they come down in price. They are used to shoot action footage such as swimming or other sports like mountain biking. The affordability and simplicity of action cameras is making them a viable option for the casual user and brands such as GoPro and Contour allow high definition photos and videos to be taken in extreme conditions and climates. Action cameras will often come with mounts for handlebars and helmets and there is a wide array of accessories such as lenses and covers for the cameras to provide extra protection. Action cameras can be used for films in chase sequences but they can also be used to take photos in extreme conditions such as underwater or in a very cold climate. This makes them extremely versatile and the shock proof design of them makes them strong and therefore useful for children to use instead of a £500 DSLR camera. The waterproof, dustproof and shockproof attributes of these cameras make them a good option for those who want to capture their action packed lives either on film or in photographs and the compactness of their design makes them easy to carry around.

I think that action cameras are brilliant. As someone who partakes in mountain biking they are very useful for capturing fast paced action, and their ruggedness allows for more risks to be taken when filming. They can also be used for underwater shots and this diversity is why I think they are so great.

Camera Storage

Most cameras nowadays use a method of digital storage such as SD cards, however some photographer still use SLR cameras which require film.

SD Cards- The SD card is a method of digital storage and they are found in most digital cameras. They are small in size but can hold up to 128GB of photos (around 20,000 10megapixel photos). This is very useful as you do not need to worry about running out of images when on holiday or taking photos at a large event. It is also very easy to transfer the images across to a computer due to the digital format. The images do not need to be developed and can therefore be transferred to a computer easily and subsequently edited. They are also permanently stored on the memory card and do not fade. This characteristic is useful as the SD card can be passed around and the photos can be copied as many times as necessary.

Film- This is an older piece of technology but it is still utilized today in SLR and disposable cameras. Over time film has advanced as previously the ISO could not be changed once it had been chosen for the first photograph, however nowadays the film's ISO can be changed on the fly. This makes it more like digital and therefore makes it a more viable option for professional photographers. Some photographers choose to use film as they prefer it to the digital format. Photos taken on film are developed either at a specific developer shop or at home with a developing kit. After they have been developed they can be scanned onto a computer- therefore breaking down the barriers to using film in modern day photography.

As a digital photographer I find using SD cards to be very useful. The ability to store thousands of photos on one device is extremely useful. I think I would struggle to change to film especially as on older cameras you need to choose your aperture and shutter speed when you start the film reel and you cannot change it. I would not be able to take photos without the SD card and it is one of the most essential pieces of camera equipment I use.

Fashion Photography

This is a very common type of photography and it is in high demand due to the regular output of new clothes and fashion items. Fashion photography will often end up in magazines or websites dedicated to the fashion designer or a shop selling the fashion items. High quality camera equipment is necessary to produce the most visually appealing images possible. The equipment needed includes, a tripod- for taking steady and clear photos, a high end DSLR camera with different lenses- for detailed images with varied styles. Different types of flashes may also be used to give more vibrant results. Editing is a large part of fashion photography and programmes such as Photoshop are regularly used. These programmes allow the photographer to remove any blemishes or harsh light in images. This is necessary as the image will usually be used to sell an item of fashion and therefore needs to be perfect for the target audience. Fashion photography is one of the most realistic careers for professional photography due to the high demand however the expensive equipment needed makes it difficult to get into.
Although I don't tend to take fashion photos, I do think that the use of lighting in both the images above is brilliant. The colour palate used in fashion photographs is often vibrant and I enjoy viewing the images due to their attractive nature.

Macro Photography

This type of photography requires either a macro specific camera or a DSLR with a macro lens. Macro photography can be used to show small details on objects or animals that would otherwise be missed. This is useful as it can draw your attention to something and it could be argued that this the most powerful type of photography due to its ability to show someone something shocking or surprising. Macro photography works particularly well on wildlife such as flowers and trees as it allows for a much more detail view of the item that what the naked human eye could properly observe. It is necessary to have a tripod for this type of photography due to the need to keep the camera steady- if the camera shakes when the photo is being taken it will result in blurring and a poor quality image. However as long as you have a decent camera, macro photography can produce very impressive photos regardless of who takes them.

I am a particular fan of macro photography as I enjoy viewing what seem like boring objects up close. The macro shots bring out detail which would not be normally seen by the naked eye. I especially enjoy shots of wildlife close up as it reveals a new aspect of the plant or animal.

Wedding Photography

This type of photography is in very high demand, however you will need very expensive equipment in order to become a professional wedding photographer. This type of photography requires a high end DSLR camera, a tripod (or several), flashes and specific lenses with filters. All of this kit is necessary due to varied photos that are required at weddings and other special events. Some photos may need to be in soft focus or specifically focused on an object (such as a cake) with the background blurred. Different lenses may also be required as a macro lens will allow for close up shots and wide angle lenses will be ideal for large photos with groups of people. Other people can also take photos using less expensive cameras such as point and shoot cameras and DSLRs however it is very uncommon not to hire a professional photographer as the high grade equipment allows for much better photos. Although some wedding photos may end up in magazines, they will most likely be placed in wedding albums for years to come and this is why it is essential that the photos are of high quality when they are take- to prevent fading and deterioration over time.
Wedding photography is seen as the higher end of the photography scale due to the expensive equipment needed and pressure to produce high quality results however it is one of the most consistently needed types of photography and is therefore the most viable option for professional photographers looking for a job.
Wedding photography is not something I have tried and I cannot see myself enjoying it. However I can appreciate the skills that are needed to become a professional wedding photographer. I enjoy using soft focus in my photography and this is a typical characteristic of wedding photography.

Sports Photography

This type of photography will usually require a high end camera which allows for shutter speed adjustment. This is due to the need to take photos very quickly to capture action shots. The high quality sensors on DSLRs allow for quick shutter speed but also impressive quality. Sports photography can cover fast paced action such as boxing or mountain biking, but also slower paced sports such as golf and snooker. This makes sports photography very flexible and allows the photographer to choose the style of photo that they wish to take. Sports photography will typically end up in magazines or websites dedicated to either photography or the specific sport that the photo captures. Many techniques can be used when taking sports photos. These include a long exposure time- this can be used to show speed and therefore intensify the action, increasing the ISO- this can be used in low light conditions and it helps to improve the clarity of the image. A tripod is usually necessary for sports photography as it allows for steady and clear images however some photographers may choose to take handheld photos due to the fast paced effect it gives the photographs. Location is particularly important when taking sports photography. This is due to the need to capture clear but exciting images and you may need to compete with other photographers who are looking to find the ideal place to take their photograph. Timing is also very important, if the image is taken before the action takes place it is no longer a sports photograph. However if the image is taken too late, the action is lost and the moment is missed. This type of photography will usually require a high end camera which allows for shutter speed adjustment. This is due to the need to take photos very quickly to capture action shots. The high quality sensors on DSLRs allow for quick shutter speed but also impressive quality. Sports photography can cover fast paced action such as boxing or mountain biking, but also slower paced sports such as golf and snooker. This makes sports photography very flexible and allows the photographer to choose the style of photo that they wish to take. Sports photography will typically end up in magazines or websites dedicated to either photography or the specific sport that the photo captures. Many techniques can be used when taking sports photos. These include a long exposure time- this can be used to show speed and therefore intensify the action, increasing the ISO- this can be used in low light conditions and it helps to improve the clarity of the image. A tripod is usually necessary for sports photography as it allows for steady and clear images however some photographers may choose to take handheld photos due to the fast paced effect it gives the photographs. In order to help sports photographers, some camera's have a “burst” or “sport” mode. These modes allow the camera to take lots of photographs very quickly and it is ideal for capturing the perfect moment. However although these modes are useful, they can often result in a reduction of quality in the photograph.

Sports photography requires patience and a good eye for capturing high quality action shots however it can be undertaken by almost any amateur photographer.

I have tried sports photography and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I particularly like the challenge of capturing motion in a still photograph. I also enjoy sports photography as the photos are often action packed and exciting to look at.

Wildlife Photography

Wildlife is a very time consuming type of photography however you can capture some stunning photos with some patience and perseverance. In order to take high quality wildlife photos you will need a good DSLR or SLR camera. This is due to the need to often zoom in on far away animals and other scenery and the zoom on point and shoot cameras is not extensive enough to shoot from far away. Wildlife photography also requires a large amount of patience and plenty of food as you will often spend hours in order to take the perfect image. A tripod is a must for this type of photography due to the need for the images to be steady for a quick image to be taken. Photos of this type will often end up in animal magazines and photography journals due to the skills that is required to take a high quality wildlife photograph.Wildlife photography is taken in lots of different locations such as Africa and Asia but also in European counties like France and Italy. Wildlife photography does not have to be beautiful, it can be used to show a serious issue such as oil poisoning or the danger of plastic for birds. It can be argued that although it is less appealing to look at, this type of photography has a much greater impact and is therefore a better choice for wildlife photographers.

Wildlife photography is one of my favourite types of photography. I find the use of motion and action in this type of photography to be very engaging. Although I have only tried wildlife photography twice, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Landscape Photography

Landscape is a very popular type of photography and it is a good type if you are starting out. The best results will come from high end cameras using interchangeable lenses and tripods, however cheaper cameras, when used correctly, can also produce stellar results.
This type of photography is focused on showing scenery and the world around us. Photos taken in a landscape style will often show beautiful vistas and lakes which have a "wow" factor. Framing is very important in landscape photography as you have to be careful to show only the desired image and not anything else which could potentially spoil the impact of the photograph. Lighting is also crucial in landscape photography and the "magic hours" are important for this. The magic hours are the hours after dawn and before dusk where the light is best for the highest quality image and these optimal conditions allow for the best possible image to be taken. The rule of thirds is also extremely important. In landscape photography the image should be split up into thirds. Either the sky takes up 2/3rds of the image and the ground occupies 1/3rd or vice-versa. This allows for a balanced image with a clear focus point and makes the photo seem better composed and therefore more professional looking. Depth of field also affects the overall quality and first impressions of your photograph. The photo may want to focus on a particular subject such as a tree and accompany the tree with a blurred background. This technique is effective as it gives the image a focal point and the use of depth of field is often found in powerful images which show stories or capture events. Slow exposures can also be used to create a smoother feel to the image and this is a technique regularly used by landscape photographers. However in order to use this technique you must have a tripod as any movement of the camera will result in a blurred image. 

I enjoy this type of photography and find its ability to capture landscapes and nature in a bright and colourful manner interesting. It is my second favourite type of photography and I would like to try more landscape photography.

DSLR Cameras

The DSLR Camera is a digital camera which allows for lenses to be interchanged. This means that despite it only being one camera, the camera is able to talk a wide array of images using different lenses. Images produced by DSLR Cameras are extremely varied and this particular type of camera is often the first choice for professional photographers due to the flexibility of the camera. These types of cameras will almost always have a large selection of features to enhance and improve the quality of the photos. These include ISO which changes the brightness of an image, and the shutter speed which affects the depth seen in photos and therefore how the photo is focused. Manual settings are always present on DSLR cameras and this allows for manual focus to create a more effective photo by focusing on the subject. The interchangeable lenses also allow for an ideal photograph to be taken and this is one of the advantages over point and click cameras and bridge cameras.

I personally use a DSLR and find it to be extremely good and very useful for photography. The option of different lenses allows me to tailor my photography experience to what I am photographing. I much prefer a DSLR to point and shoot cameras as they increase my options and potential styles of photography. 

Editing

Many computer programmed can be used to edit photographs in order to enhance them or touch them up to remove imperfections. Photoshop is the most popular of them and this gives the user a wide array of options to improve their photos. Filters such as greyscale and sepia can completely change the first impressions of an image and they are accompanied by tools such as smudge and blemish which allow the user to blend undesirable parts of images. Photoshop can also be used to merge images together to create a more artistic outcome. For example you could blend an image of a flower with a bomb for extreme contrast and this would allow the photograph to have a much stronger impact than if the images were two separate photographs.

Other software can also be used. Iphoto is a similar editing suite for Mac. Although it is extremely limited in comparison to Photoshop, it still offers a strong array of options to edit photos such as filters and borders. Some photographers would argue that editing is "cheating" and that your photo should be as pure as when you took it, but more and more professional photographers are using image editing software as soon as the image is taken. In photography studios it is common to find that the cameras are directly plugged into Photoshop to allow for tinkering on the fly.
Regardless of what software you choose to do it on, editing is a core component of many people's photography and the vast amount of options that the programmes offer allow the user to create more visually appealing images.

I really enjoy editing. It gives me the option to change and enhance my photography in order to increase the impact of the photo. However I do not like changing photographs hugely as I feel it is cheating to some extent.  

Point and Shoot Cameras

Point and shoot cameras are the most popular cameras found today. They range from £40 models which take decent but not brilliant photos, to £200 ones that produce stunning picture quality and are full of features. Point and click cameras are most commonly used by the average user for pictures on holiday or at events such as weddings. They are the cameras that are easily useable and accessible and this is what makes them so popular. Smartphones now have point and click cameras built into them and this is what has helped to fuel the rise of photographers. A list of developers of point and shoot cameras would be too extensive to show but some of the leading creators are Nikon, Canon and Fujifilm. Some point and shoot cameras can also be used for action based activities. The Fujifilm FinePix XP70 allows for underwater shooting and it is shock proof so children can use it without the fear of it breaking. This is a good example of the useability and flexibility of this type of camera as it allows the lech tech-savvy user to still take photos due to the one button functionality. Point and shoot cameras also have settings such as "low light" and "sunset" which attempt and often succeed in increasing the quality of the images in certain situations. Overall the point and shoot camera is an extremely useful as a basic camera for use in casual situations or on holidays. They allow even the most basic user to take good pictures and come at a low price point.

In my opinion point and shoot cameras are great for family holidays. The convenience of  quick shutter speeds and easy to use controls allows everyone in my family to enjoy taking photographs.

SLR Cameras

The SLR camera is similar to the DSLR however the SLR is non digital and therefore uses film instead of an SD card. The SLR allows for interchangeable lenses which made it (and still makes it) a good option for professional photographers or those who find it useful for either pleasure or work. One example of an SLR camera is the Contax RTS. The Contax offers many of the features found in DSLR cameras such as manual focus and shutter speed adjustments. It also allows for the ISO to be changed however this is much more limited on SLR cameras as due to their usage of film, the ISO can not be changed on the fly and must be decided at the start of the photo film. Aperture is also a variable which can be changed. The DSLR is the successor to the SLR and therefore overtakes the SLR in useability and flexibility however many photographers still use SLR cameras as they prefer to shoot on film. Manufacturers such as Nikon and Canon made SLR cameras and also produced a wide range of lenses to accompany the cameras in order to maximise functionality of the cameras.

My Photography

Taken in Rome with Nikon D3300 and Standard Lens

I took this photo with the intention of drawing attention to the red rose in the foreground of the image. However I also tried to capture the Colosseum in the background to increase the fullness of the image.

Taken in Highlands with Nikon Coolpix

I took this photo because I found the greens and purples very attractive and I feel that the photo turned out very well even though I was using a point and shoot camera.

Taken in Peebles with Nikon D3300 and Standard Lens

This photo was taken on Tweed Bridge in Peebles as the sun set. I like the photo as the sky is lit up by the sun and the shadows in the lower 2/3rds of the image are contrasted against the bright sunlight.

Taken at house with Nikon D3300 and Macro Lens

I took this photo on the metal bars on my balcony. The use of a macro lens and also a macro setting on my camera allowed me to gain a strong level of detail.                              

                                                Taken in Iceland with Nikon D3300

This was a sunset that I witnessed in Iceland. I particularly like the colours in the image and the gap in the clouds allows just enough sunlight to come through. The black silhouettes is contrasted against the sun.                                         
                                                      
                                                     Taken in Iceland with Nikon D3300

This is one of my favourite photos that I have taken. The photo focuses on the sunlights reflection on water and the clouds which let enough sunlight through to effectively brighten the environment.                                         


                                                     Taken in Iceland with Nikon D3300

This photograph was taken on a black sand beach in Iceland. I focused on the rock formation in order to bring out the detail.


                                              Taken on a ferry crossing with Nikon D3300

Tripod

The tripod is one of the most commonly used pieces of camera equipment of all time. Tripods are commonly used to stabilize a camera and can be used when filming or taking still photographs. They are stable due to their three legged design which allows for a table but agile design, making them ideal for angling photos or ensuring that films or photographs are level due to the adjustable legs.
Tripods can be rigid but also bendable such as the GorrilaPod which allows cameras to be attached to high up objects such as trees. This is particularly useful as it enables time-lapses in unusual places, allowing for a different artistic style. Tripods can also be attached to roller or runners on a film set which allow for fast but steady camera movement for chase sequence.

I use a tripod when I am taking photos and it is one of the most essential pieces of equipment that I use when taking photos. I don't leave my house with the intention of taking photos without it.