Picture frames are basically a form of archival storage that is prepared for display. However, there is much more to it that simply buying photo frames at the local Mega-Mart and slipping your pictures in. Proper framing requires patience, skill and the right picture framing supplies; picture frames are only one part of the equation.One of the most basic picture framing supplies you need is mat board. The purpose of mat board is to provide a stiff backing for your photograph. You’ll attach your photo to the mat board using photo corners, which are self-adhesive and allow you to fix the photo to the mat board without the use of adhesive. Most of the better picture framing kits include mat boards and photo corners as well as the picture frames themselves.Next you need an additional piece of matting to place on top of the photograph. This accomplishes two things; it provides an attractive border for the photograph itself, and it keeps the surface of the photograph from coming in actual contact with the glazing material – which is the last element of picture framing kits other than the picture frames themselves.It is important that all matting materials be acid-free if you don’t want your photographs to become discolored and brittle. Most good quality mat board is impregnated with an alkaline barrier that neutralizes any acidic compounds. These are more expensive, but well worth the extra cost when it comes to the preservation of your photos.Glazing may be a piece of glass, acrylic or clear plastic. The function of the glazing is to protect the photograph from direct sunlight, dust and other environmental contaminants.If you photo is not of a standard size – or you simply don’t care for what is commercially and readily available – you might consider custom picture frames. These are unique picture frames that are made for a specific artifact. Once your photos are matted and has been inserted into picture frames, you’ll either want to hang them from the wall or set it on a cabinet, desk, or other appropriate piece of furniture. You’ll want to take this into consideration when choosing picture framing kits, incidentally; not every frame is right for every kind of décor. Think about the predominant colors in the room, the kinds of wood and finishes as well as the kind of furniture. Ideally, your photo frames will complement the picture rather than detract from it. The key to successful framing is to take you time, choose your Picture Frames wisely and have patience.

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Susan Slobac is an avid photographer. Susan believes a picture frame is more than just fashion; it’s a safeguard for something you love.

In order to display your photos effectively and attractively while preserving the artifact, it is necessary to select the proper photo frames. Of all your framing and matting supplies, good photo frames are the most important – because it can make or break your display. The right photo framing supplies can do wonders for even a less-than-stellar photographic piece; a poorly made, inferior photo frames can make  Ansel Adams prints look like cheap snapshots.What holds true about photo frames incidentally is equally true about all types of picture framing supplies.  Factors such as oil, acids, dust and ultra-violet rays can all have detrimental effects on your paintings and posters as well as your photographs. The purpose of framing and matting supplies is to create a protective environment in which to display the artifact. Good picture framing kits include everything needed for such a product, including matboard, mount board, hanging devices, and more.Photo frames are among the most important picture framing supplies mainly because they are what is most visible. When it comes to photographs – especially those of spectacular panoramas or other interesting subjects – plain, black metal frames may be the best choice. The reasons are that such frames will fit into virtually any décor, and are unobtrusive enough to allow the viewer to concentrate on the photo without being distracted by an elaborate frame.If you prefer, you might choose photo framing supplies that include wooden frames, and to be sure, natural wood offers a certain warmth that metal may be lacking. Again however, you’ll want to be selective; avoid frames with elaborate inlay work or decoration that may distract the viewer from the photograph itself.Other than the frame, it’s important that the reset of your art framing supplies be of the highest quality you can afford and be acid-free. If you have ever seen photos with unsightly discolorations, you know what acid can do.  Acid-free photo framing supplies serve as a barrier between the surface of the photo and any acidic surfaces.Picture framing supplies that you will need in order to protect your photo and display it properly include mount board, backing material and hinge tissue or photo corners in order to hold the photo in place,  and glazing to protect the surface from environmental substances such as dust and UV rays.Photo frames are just one element in the framing project, the whole of which represents an investment in time and money; however, those things are well spent when it comes to preserving your valuable photographs. After the time and trouble it takes to take and develop good photos, it pays to use the proper photo frames.

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About the Author:

Susan Slobac is an avid photographer. Susan believes a picture frame is more than just fashion; it’s a safeguard for something you love.

If you are not planning to display your photos right away, or need to store them for any length of time, you’ll need a good-quality archival photo storage system; simply dropping your photos into a cardboard box and stashing them in the attic or worse, the basement absolutely will not do. Archival storage boxes are specially designed to protect your photos from what people commonly call “the ravages of time,” which are actually dust, UV rays, moisture, acidity and other environmental pollutants. clear bags and acid free mount board are also necessary in addition to proper photo storage boxes in order to protect your photos properly as part of a comprehensive archival photo storage solution.Here’s the problem: the papermaking process has historically involved the use of chemicals that leave traces of acidity. These acids are in such low amounts that they do not harm us; however, these trace chemicals can cause interactions with the chemical dyes used on the photos themselves. This is the primary reason for using acid free mount board as well as crystal clear acid free plastic bags. When acid comes in contact with your photos, discoloration and brittleness can result, ultimately causing the complete destruction of your valuable non-digital images. Mounting the photos will keep them flat and rigid while in storage, and the clear bags will protect them from moisture as well.Acid free mount board as well as photo storage boxes have been especially treated with a high pH level, alkaline substance that is designed to neutralize any form of acid that could come in contact with the surface of your photos. This substance is known as a buffering agent, and is used in all good quality archival and framing materials.Another threat to your photos comes from sunlight, ironically enough. Although light is necessary in order to take traditional photos, the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause photos to fade. This is another reason for proper archival photo storage solutions.Of course, you should not tempt fate; archival photo storage should not be done in a basement or garage, or any other place that is subject to dampness, temperature extremes or chemical pollution. The best place to put your archival storage boxes is a shelf in a closet that is dark, dry and remains at a fairly constant.Archival photo storage is a science, but it is not a complex one; it is simply a matter of having the proper tools and elements for the job. Just make sure that the phot storage boxes and other materials of the highest quality you can afford, and do you archival photo storage in a place that is temperature constant and free of humidity.

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Susan Slobac is an avid photographer. Susan believes a picture frame is more than just fashion; it’s a safeguard for something you love.

If you find that you are not able to mount your photographs right away, you’ll need clear bags in order to store such artifacts properly. Despite the invention of new, high-tech materials used for photographic media, archival photo storage is a definite science. Unless your valuable photos are stored properly in the correct type of crystal clear acid free plastic bags, you’ll find them turning into ugly, discolored pieces of scrap in short order. High-quality, archival photo storage clear bags will both protect your photos while in storage and allow you to see them as well.Moisture and acidity post serious threats to your photos. The use of a archival photo storage box along with a clear bag for each photo stored will make sure that your photos are protected against those insidious water molecules that seem to be able to sneak into all sorts of places. Improper photo storage can result in these microscopic droplets of water coming into contact with the acidic substances in many environmental pollutants and causing chemical interactions with the chemical dyes used on your photos. The result can be stains, discoloring, and other kinds of serious damage.Ironically, the very thing that makes photography possible – light – is also an enemy of your photos. crystal clear acid free plastic bags contained inside proper photo storage boxes will protect your photos from the kind of fading that can result from exposure to the sun’s destructive ultra-violet rays. Both photo storage boxes and clear bags are manufactured using special space-age materials. The bags themselves are made from a modern, high-tech kind of plastic known as biaxially oriented polypropylene, which is almost invisible. These clear bags are available in over 500 different sizes, and are appropriate for the archival of not only photos, but other kinds of fine art and precious documents.When it’s time to archive your valuable photos and other documents, a small investment in the proper kind of clear bags is an investment in peace of mind. By archiving your photos properly, you’ll know that that such non-digital photos will be safe and guarded against the ravages of time and pollution as they sit their in their photo storage box, awaiting the day when you can frame and mount them on the wall. As with everything involving photography and fine art, the quality often depends on the amount you are willing to pay; always purchase the best quality clear bags you can afford.

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Susan Slobac is an avid photographer. Susan believes a picture frame is more than just fashion; it’s a safeguard for something you love.

Do you want to share your images or videos with your family or friends? If yes, then find out for a chic and handy digital camera, equipped with potent megapixel camera, flamboyant screen, excellent camera lens, optical zoom, huge storage space, self-timer, and manual features. Such a digital camera can randomly capture your moments, which you want to share them with your friends or family. But you might think its cost. Initially, digital cameras were expensive; but with the rapid increase of manufacturers in the market, the prices of digital cameras tend to fall, making the devices easily getable for all. You will find a cheap digital camera from the house of Nikon, Panasonic, Olympus, Sony, Kodak and the list goes on.     The term “cheap digital camera” does not mean that the camera lacks in software-based features and functions. Every camera, for instance consists of a built-in flash, a viewfinder for framing the picture, battery inserting chamber, brightness controller, megapixel resolution, zoom lens, storage space, and a video capability to make short movies. It does not mean that a cheap digital camera may never deliver good photographs and videos. No doubt, a high end digital camera renders optimal services, but if you have a cheap digital camera with various shooting options such as underwater, foliage, indoor, portrait, and automatic; your motive to look for a high end digital camera might come to an end. Because, this multifunctional cheap digital camera can easily outdo a high end digital camera in terms of pricing, features, and functions. With the introduction of online retail outlets, shopping for a cheap digital camera is not a hard nut a crack. You can find a plenty of options to search for a durable, versatile, and trendy digital camera at a cheaper price. Simultaneously, these outlets offer various tips related to usage, maintenance, and new technologies of digital cameras with a view to keep you aware about the benefits of such devices. So, stop searching for a cheap digital camera in the market! It is better to visit a website, compare the prices, features, and specifications, and place your order thereafter. You will surely receive your preferred digital camera at a cheaper price and may be provided with a free camera bag and a picture editing software. Want more!

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Porter’s is your one-stop shop for all Digital Camera including film and photography accessory, media cards, flash and lighting, filters, lenses, and all equipment. We also carry that hard to find darkroom equipment as well as film equipment.

Photography can be learned by anyone. In this modern age, photography is as common as anything else and there are a lot of people who need useful, solid tips, techniques, advices and ideas about taking pictures. Aperture to shutter speed, framing and film. From the basic principles to the advanced techniques. Amateurs photographers can learn the basics and the adepts can level up their skills by gaining more knowledge of the advance techniques. That is just how things are turning in the photographer’s world. You can’t just slack away and feel confident on your present skills, but you have to keep on learning and studying to be competitive.The process will take time but displaying passion and showing true interest in photography will make things a lot easier for you. Once you feel you have fully grasped the basics, you can now enter photo contests. The fun part begins and all your effort will be put into the test. The world og photography is vast, you will someday be a part of it and hopefully your name will be listed among the top.Build a Name, Utilize the InternetThis is the most exciting part and also the hardest. Building a name in a multitude of photo shooter is difficult, just imagine the numbers of amateur and professional photographers. But that doesn’t matter at all, stick to your style, be the best of it and eventually you will shine from the many. You can start by joining online photo contests. The internet offers many picture contest both for amateurs and professional photography ethusiasts. Since you are just starting, I suggest you first focus on picture contests without entrance fee or registration. Win or lose, you will have the chance to experience what it is like to compete with the world. In addition, your entry will still be posted on their sites. Viewers can help you develop your skills by posting comments and feedbacks onm your work. You will be assessed by the world, so be prepared with photo critics who might sound harsh. Their comments will somehow make you feel bad but don’t lose confidence, that’s how picture contests really works, basically these people are the ones who make picture contests more challenging and intimidating at the same time. Use google and find suitable photography contest to gain experience. Remember, stick to your natural style.Classification of Photography ContestsBlack and White PhotographyThe photographs are taken without colors..Portrait photographyPhotography of individual persons.Fine Art photographyPhotos taken with the intention and purpose for creativity.Fashion photographyAlso known as glamour photography.Photography specialised in displaying clothing, other fashion items and models. It is also a form of advertising photography.Architectural PhotographyCapture of building and architectural elements.Cityscape PhotographyUrban environment captured on photos. Examples of Cityscape photos.Nature photographyPhotography taken with the emphasis on nature, wildlife, flora and fauna.Advertising PhotographyPhotos generally done by advertising and design agencies or in-house design team that illustrate a service or product.Aerial PhotographyPhotos taken from a plane, helicopter or skydiver.Landscape PhotographyPhotographic interpretations of the land and its beauty.Underwater photographyPhotographs taken while underwater. It is usually done while scuba diving, snorkeling or swimming. Needs special equipment. Example of Underwater photography.Macro photographyPhotography where the image is taken close up.Food PhotographyTaking of food in an attractive and appetizing manner.Night photographyPhotographs taken outdoors between twilight and dusk.Fine Art Nude PhotographyTaking photos of unclothed persons for the purpose of artistic expression.Wedding photographyTaking images of a wedding event.Photography Tips by Geoff LawrenceHere are some must read tips before joining any photography contests. These guidelines were proven useful by professional photographers during their amateur years. When joining photography contests, stick to these 10 basic rules of rules in photo shooting.1. Selection - Select only the best of your pictures to show to others and leave the rest in the drawer. Showing someone every picture you have taken dilutes the effect of the best pictures and gets very boring. You may want to show twenty pictures of little Johnny at the park because they are all quite good and you can’t decide which are the best but, trust me, you will be better off making that decision and showing only the few good ones.2. Turn the Camera on it’s Side - At first it feels awkward holding the camera on it’s side, but it is worth getting used to. If the shape of your subject, a person or a building, fits into an upright rectangle, you waste so much picture space if you shoot in landscape. You paid for all those millions of pixels, don’t waste them.3. Framing - One of the easiest ways to improve your photography is with careful attention to framing. Look into the corners of the viewfinder to see what is there. Do you need all that background? Can you get closer to your subject or zoom in?4. Direction of Lighting - Photography is all about light, the direction of the light falling on your subject is most important, you must look at your subject carefully and see how the shadows fall.If you are able to choose the time of day to shoot your pictures, try to pick a time when the sun is low in the sky, either shoot in the early morning or late afternoon. Shooting pictures of people with the sun too high in the sky, tends to mean the subject’s eyes will be in shadow and/or your subject will be squinting in the strong light, both of which tend to look horrible. A nice side effect of shooting in the early morning or late afternoon is that the colour of the light is ‘warmer’, reds and yellows are stronger which generally gives a more pleasing effect.If you are photographing in sunlight, try to position yourself so that the sun hits your subject from the side, this will give you nice ‘modelling’ and help create a 3D effect in the picture.Sunlight behind the subject can give a very pleasing ‘backlight’ effect but be careful that you are not getting ‘flare’ in the lens, which degrades the contrast of the image.5. Direction of Lighting (2) - The very worst kind of lighting is provided by the little flash fitted into all modern cameras. Not only does it give your subjects the dreaded red eyes, but also flattens all faces into shadowless featureless blobs. Use the in camera flashlight only in an emergency, when there is no other choice.6. In Camera Flash - When you have to use the in camera flash, keep your subject(s) away from walls, especially light coloured ones, if at all possible, and avoid that ugly black shadow which looks like an outline. This will not show up against a dark background.7. Exposure - Using auto exposure to your advantage.If you have a modern camera, the chances are that the default metering system is ‘centre weighted average’, which means that, although it takes an average reading of the whole scene, it takes more notice of what is in the middle of the frame. Which is good news for us. The other good news is that it takes this reading at the time when you take ‘first pressure’ on the button to take your picture. When you push it halfway down and it beeps at you, not only is the focus now set (on an auto focus camera) but the exposure reading is taken and the aperture and shutter speed are set. So, if your main point of interest is not in the centre of the frame, it’s a good idea to put it there temporarily while you focus and take your light reading, then move the camera whilst still holding the button halfway down and compose the picture the way you want it to be. A common use for this technique is when you are taking a close up shot of two people and there is space between their heads, if you’re not careful the camera will focus on the wall or trees behind them. If the background is very dark or very light this can alter the exposure significantly and result in faces that are too dark or too light.8. Shutter Speeds - When the shutter speed is important as with moving objects, it’s a good idea to set the camera to ‘Shutter Speed Priority’ mode. This is where you select the shutter speed and the camera selects the appropriate aperture according to the light reading.9. Apertures - If depth of field is important to either make sure everything is in focus or to throw some things out of focus, select the ‘Aperture Priority’ mode on your camera. In this mode you select the aperture and the camera selects the shutter speed according to the available light.10. Neutral Density Filters - If you are shooting in bright light and want to restrict the depth of field, use a neutral density filter in front of the lens to reduce the light entering the lens. These are available in different densities, 2x, 4x, 8x etc. each one cutting the light in half, quarter, eighth etc. In extreme circumstances you can screw a couple of them together. Although they are ‘neutral density’ filters and should not effect the colour balance, if you use two or more together you might need a little colour correction at the printing stage.If you’re really planning big with your photography career, joining photo competitions is the fastest and easiest way to be recognized. Try putting your heart in every shot and try your very best in every photo competition you join. Some people join photo competition for the price, some for experience and some just do it because the of the fun that it brings. No matter what your reason is, have fun in every click of the camera.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/photography-articles/how-to-become-an-excellent-photographer-454962.html

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James D. Humphrey is one of the developers and sales executive of Photo laureates. The site’s photo contest provide a platform of artistic expression for amateur and professional photographers to gain exposure and recognition. We promote photographers through technical workshops, improvisation sessions as well as photography contests. Its renowned Photography Society identifies, awards and promotes new Photography Talent.

When it comes to safeguarding your valuable photographs, the proper archival solutions – including good quality photo storage boxes – are important. Good quality archival storage boxes will insure that your photographs remain in good condition for years. Archival photo storage solutions also include the use of clear bags, which will protect your photos from moisture and other environmental hazards while allowing you to see the photo itself. But what should you look for in a proper photo storage box?Obviously, you cannot simply place loose photographs into just any cardboard box , stash it in a closet or attic then expect it to remain in good condition. A good quality photo storage box, like proper picture frames, are designed to preserve photographs from what people like to call the “ravages of time” – but are actually a combination of factors, including environmental pollutants and contaminants, humidity, and temperature fluctuations as well as acidity that can cause the kinds of chemical reactions with photographic dyes that lead to staining and discoloration.The material used for archival storage boxes is typically treated with an alkaline substance that is designed to neutralize any acidic substances that may come in contact with the surface of the photo. This substance, known as a buffering agent, is impregnated into the material of the box itself.What goes for a photo storage box also apples to picture frames, incidentally. Framing is simply another form of archival photo storage, and the same concerns about moisture and acidity are the same, with one addition – ultraviolet light.It seems ironic that the same light that allows photographs to be created in the first place can be responsible for the destruction of those same photographs – but it’s true. The sun’s ultra-violet rays can cause photos to fade and/or turn yellow. Everything that you will look for in good quality archival storage boxes for your photos are things that you will want in your framing and matting supplies. These too should be treated with high-pH buffering agents that protect the surface of the photo from acid damage.In fact, any photos that you put into archival storage should be affixed to alkaline mount board before being placed into the proper clear bags in order to prevent them from curling up over time.A good quality photo storage box is the best investment you can make in protecting your valuable artifacts from environmental damage. It’s important not to skimp on this detail; make absolutely certain that you purchase the best archival storage boxes you can afford, and you’ll rest easier, knowing they are safe and will be ready for framing when the day comes.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/photography-articles/what-to-look-for-in-a-photo-storage-box-455357.html

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Susan Slobac is an avid photographer. Susan believes a picture frame is more than just fashion; it’s a safeguard for something you love.

It is over seventy years since the first Leica was manufactured by Ernst Leitz in Wetzlar Germany. Since then over 1,500,000 of these cameras have been manufactured. Leica cameras were well ahead of their time and focused (pardon the pun!) on being extremely small and high quality.

The initial models of Leica camera were designed by Leitz engineer Oskar Barnack, and similar designs continued to be manufactured right through the war. Today, this design of cameras are still called “Barnack-Leica” in Japan in order to differentiate them from the new M type Leica, of which the first model was made in 1954.

The iconic Leica IIIf was launched in 1950 with and featured a full synchronized contact. It became known as either the Black Synchro or Red Synchro according to the series of numbers - 1 through 20 - that were found around shutter dial. These numbers were engraved in Black on early model and were changed in Red on later model, hence the name. On the Red model, the shutter speed was also increased to make the synchronisation with the flash unit more efficientyncronization for Red model. The synchronized speed of the electronic flash is 1/30sec for the Black model and 1/50sec for the Red one.

A Self-timer was incorporated in the final model in 1954. The IIIf proved so popular that it continued to be made until 1957 even after the world-beating Leica M3 was released.

After the War, the camera industry started copying Leica in Japan as well as some other countries and the Leica IIIc(1945) and IIIf(1050) had become their main targets.

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If you would like to own one of these iconic cameras then why not seek one out at http://leicacameras.onlinehyperstore.com/

Those unforgettable days with near and dear ones- at parties, in the realm of calm sea, crowded beach with whistling sounds, patches of casuarina and many more are remembered, when a person makes his or her album. Those vibrant images, oftenly take you back to your treasured days of the life. While scrolling pages of the album, you remember all your mischievous and funny acts, which makes you feel happy. Telling the story about your adventurous trip to your friends across the world has been made easy with the help of new photo sharing technique.The photo sharing helps the users to share numerous images and videos with the world. This technique publishes or transfers the digital photos online. Moreover, it enables the users to share them with others- publicly or privately. This sharing functionality is provided through either websites or applications that facilitate the upload and display of images or both.Photo sharing can also be applied to the use of online photo galleries, which are setup and managed by individual users. Some of the online photo galleries includes photoblogs, youtring and many more. The first photo sharing site was originated in late 1990s primarily, from service providing online ordering of prints or photo-finishing. But the technique gained its popularity during the early years of 2000s. The technique became popular with the outcome of digital camera and internet. In comparison to traditional photographic printing, it is claimed that many digital cameras are not built to provide long-lasting photographic memories. While these complaints hold some ground, therefore, development on the internet over the past few years has meant that there is now an easy way to retain the longevity of captured photos through online picture sharing.The main goal of providing the photo sharing concept was permanent or centralised access to the users photos as well as in some cases video clips too. Undoubtedly, it resulted in different approaches to revenue generation and functionality amongst the providers.Uploading memorable photos and sharing them online comes with a wide list of benefits. First and foremost is that one can share and upload photos, images and videos with family and friends, even across the national boundaries. These online sharing is comparatively inexpensive and affordable, as one has to place them on an online photo album. It also helps the users to cut-down on the expenses like post photos to multiple senders by mail. Moreover, the online sharing technique offers a massive storage capacity to the users for their photos.This sharing concept is not only confined to the web and personal computers. As a matter of fact, with the help of portable devices such as camera phones, one can automatically transfer photos as he or she take them, to desired photo sharing sites and photo blogs. This sharing is also made possible even with the help of MMS. The camera focused phones with wireless networking and similar sharing functionality are other logical way to share the images, video and albums on the internet. The increasing popularity of online sharing sites has seen the emergence of many successful internet brands in the “new generation” web 2.0 sites.To conclude, the concept of photo sharing sites has flourished among both professionals as well as amateur photographers.

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Share your collection of images with people, visit YouTring and share photos online for free.

When taking photographs of people indoors, using flash, rather than the room lighting alone will produce a more pleasing result. Many homes and business locations are not evenly lighted, and this spotty lighting can fool the camera into exposing for the light source, leaving the subject too dark. Also, the typical light bulbs used in a home are tungsten, and if your film camera is using daylight film, or if your digital camera is set to expose for daylight, then your subject will appear an unnatural warm yellow color.In a business setting with fluorescent lighting above, the camera may be fooled into setting the exposure for the ceiling lights, thus leaving the subjects too dark. With the light overhead, even if your exposure is correct, your subjects can have dark areas around the eyes, under the nose, and under the chin. Plus, if your camera is set to expose for daylight conditions, fluorescent lights can cause a subject or room to have a greenish color cast.

The solution is to turn on your flash to properly light the people being photographed, and with the camera set to record daylight conditions, let the room lighting record as it really is (yellowish or greenish). This type of lighting technique is known as fill-flash, because you’re using the ambient light for your main exposure, and filling in the areas that are in shadows (your subjects’ faces) with your flash. The idea here is to have your camera expose correctly for the room, and to have the flash fill in the dark areas on your subjects’ faces.When you’re outdoors, part of the lighting problem is resolved, and recording the color correctly for a camera set to daylight conditions (around 5500 Kelvin at noon) is easy. However, the sun is overhead most of the day, and when sunlight falls on your subjects, it can produce those same dark areas in the eye sockets and under the nose and chin.

The solution is to turn on the flash! The color of the flash is almost the same daylight color as the outdoors, except when the lighting is in the golden-yellow range for the first half-hour after sunrise and the half- hour before sunset. If you use your flash, then the colors will match, unlike with the indoor tungsten or fluorescent lighting. And by using the flash, you will fill in the dark areas, and produce more pleasing results.

 When shooting outdoors, try to place your subjects in the shade, as this makes the lighting easier. If your subject is under a tree, you should try to put the subjects’ backs to the sun, as rays of light otherwise could still come through the branches and fall onto faces or bodies.If your subjects are in direct sun, place them with their backs to the sun, and make sure you have a lens shade in place to prevent lens flare. It’s also a good idea to have additional lens-shielding items at hand, such as a piece of cardboard spray-painted black, or a magazine, in case the sun is at such an angle as to render the lens shade ineffective.

Setting the flash in manual mode: If your subjects are in direct sun, place them with their backs to the sun, and adjust the light output to around one-and-a-half to two stops less than the proper outdoor exposure. This method gives you the most control over the outcome of the photographs, and with repeatable results.The idea is to bring the exposure on the faces closer to, but not the same as, the exposure for the rest of the scene. If you use too much flash it will look unnatural, and too little won’t help much. So if the outdoor exposure, with the camera set at 100 ASA, should be f16 at 1/100 second, then the flash should be set to somewhere between f11 and f8. Your flash may have power settings for full power, half-power, quarter-power, etc., and how much light from the flash falls on your subjects will depend on how far away you are from the subjects. You will need to learn this by doing tests, or using a flash meter and recording the amount of light output by the flash at given distances.

Using an automatic flash: This method is easier than the manual method, but the outcome is less predictable, and is only as good as your camera’s ability to properly adjust exposures under varying conditions. Also some flashes do not have a manual setting, or you may want to use a technique that is easier than setting the flash manually every time. The best way to master this method is to READ THE CAMERA MANUAL. Because each combination of camera and flash will vary, it’s a lot easier to use a flash that is dedicated to your camera; that is, specifically made for your camera by the camera manufacturer. That way, when you READ THE MANUAL, you can much more easily determine the best settings for a given situation. Normally, you will be setting your camera on a pre-programmed mode, and setting the flash to correspond with the selected exposure mode. Once you learn the results to the different combinations of exposure modes available on your camera, you’ll know from experience which to select for a certain situation. The best way to learn this is to test until you have a good idea as to the results.

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Robert Bruni is a creative San Diego Photographer with over 20 years experience in commercial photography. You can see his online portfolio at www.ambiencephoto.com.