The multitude of models and makes that swarm the marketplace definitely don’t make your choice any easier so how do you decide which camera is the best for you? To start with, you first need to understand that every make of digital cameras is developed to cater to a certain set of needs. Hence, in order to determine which camera you need to buy, you first need to establish the purpose you’re going to use it for. A high speed camera which is developed in keeping with the interests of sports photographers will certainly not be a viable option for you, if all you’re going to use it for is the odd vacation photograph. Also, if you’re looking for more minute detailing in your photographs as well as a higher resolution, then the sleeker options that you find may not completely cater to your needs. This is because a majority of these models have been developed to ensure portability, and many include little more than the basic features.

Your second step would be to understand the world of digital photography. This would include familiarizing yourself with the most commonly used photography terms. For instance, you would need to know that an LCD is a screen attached to most cameras in addition to the viewfinder. This screen allows you to view your image before and immediately after you capture it, allowing to fine tune your focus and even re-capture the image if need be. However, several cameras are equipped only with the viewfinder, thus compelling you to hold the camera at an arm’s length while capturing the photograph. As one of the key requirements to a clear photograph is a steady and sure hand, without your face to rest the camera on, your image is at a higher risk of being distorted.

You must also learn to distinguish between an optical zoom and a digital zoom. An optical zoom functions like traditional cameras, magnifying the image you are shooting. A digital zoom enlarges the final image by doubling the size of the pixels, which may also lead to fuzzier images. Digital images are comprised of mega pixels which in turn determine the quality of the image. The higher the number of mega pixels, the clearer the image. You may also want to check if your camera comes along with a stand which is invaluable in ensuring a steady and clear picture.

Once you gather this basic information, you can then start looking around for models which catch your eye. Start making a shortlist, comparing and contrasting the different makes and strike those off that do not meet your budget or requirements or both! At this stage, you can also start referring to photography journals and magazines for expert reviews and advice, which will also enable you to learn about first hand experiences with some of the relatively unknown models, you may come across.

If you aren’t too comfortable with the notion of parting with your reliable old bulky camera, expense of film notwithstanding, but would still like the clarity that digital images offer, you can scan digital versions of your existing photographs and have them retouched with editing software or opt for an online photo service which will convert your film into digital reality. You can even use photo services to edit your photographs for minor glitches like red eye removal and adjusting the brightness and color.

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In Part One of How to Shoot Amazing Portraits, you learned about the value of choosing suitable locations, keeping your portrait subject comfortable and filling the frame with more of your subject’s face. In this second part of the article you will learn more about how to be in control of the creative portraiture process while letting your subject feel that he or she has command.

Portrait Tip #4: Speak-Up and Listen-Up!

As a professional photography educator, I’ve had countless occasions through the years to teach students who were sincerely terrified of social human contact and who did not possess the interpersonal skills that are so crucial to the occupation of full-time photographer. The truth, whether or not they wanted to hear it, is that most full-time professional photographers earn most of their income by photographing people rather than by shooting abstract macro images, Ansel Adam-ish landscapes or surreal photo manipulations. Yes, there is a market for non-human images and a small portion of photographers make a full-time living shooting these very genres for stock photo services or through publications. But consider that most of these photographers likely built-up their skills, repertoire, network and revenue base earlier in their careers by catering to “people” photography.

-This brings us to the inescapable truth that for almost all photographers, portraiture will be the bread and butter, from a revenue and daily activity standpoint, that supports the inanimate artistic forms of photographic expression.

-So, what’s the portrait tip associated with this particular revelation? Quite simply, portraiture deals with people and people like to talk. While you need to have the technical skills and stylistic presence of mind, you also need to engage your subject in conversation during the entire portrait shoot! -Do what Dale Carnegie taught us about being successful in business and friendships; ask a lot of questions! Listen intently to your subject’s answers. Ask more questions based on their answers and on your sincere interest in what more they have to say. Do all of this continually while you shoot. I guarantee that the resulting portraits will be truthful, natural and revealing. In short – compelling.

Portrait Tip #5: Experiment!

-It’s interesting to note how many photographers of “things” are more than willing to experiment with angles, perspectives, lighting, reflections, textures and so-on, but how the same photographers seem stuck in a rut when it comes to portraits.

-Experiment with angles; try getting higher and lower than your subject.

-Experiment with perspectives; position yourself so that your subject’s body is facing away from the camera and then engage them with conversation so that he or she swings the head around to face you. Poses with the body and face in different directions are interesting. Try getting half of the face in the frame. Experiment with eyes, mouth or profile exclusively.

-Experiment with the “silly”. Through your shared conversation and active listening, you’ll get a sense of how far you can or should explore the unconventional. You may find that your subject needs a break from the business of serious photography and welcomes the opportunity to show a different side. There’s far more to learn and, best of all, it’s all free! Visit www.FreePhotoCourse.com, for more totally free but comprehensive lessons, pro-secrets and tips, free digital images, contributor’s gallery, great prices on top-selling cameras and gear, and photographer’s forum. You can also find Part 1 of this article as published at this site and elsewhere on the web. – Article by Steve Kristof

Have you ever wondered why the ‘people’ photos you take with your digital camera end-up looking more like snapshots than the compelling portraits you intended to create? You’re not alone; this is one of the most common experiences shared by amateur and, yes, professional photographers. It’s not surprising that this is such a common problem, given that most of the photographs produced around the world at any given moment on any given day involve a human subject as the significant theme.

But if you count yourself as a member of the “BPB”, or the Boring Portrait Brotherhood as I like to call it, you’ve already set yourself apart from the pack and will likely be able to improve your results – perhaps even dramatically. That’s because most of the fingers snapping those shutters belong to people that simply cannot discern the difference between a compelling portrait and a rather ordinary snapshot of a human being. The fact that you want to improve the portraits you create suggests that you already recognize there is a difference between what you compose and what you’d like to compose.

Try some of these easy-to-follow tips to begin creating portraits that appear thoughtful, original and that show an authenticity of expression or personality.

Portrait Tip #1: It’s Like Real Estate – Location, Location, Location!

-Try to find locations that compliment your subject rather than compete for his or her attention.

-Avoid flat backgrounds and walls; they tend to produce “mugshots”. -If you can’t avoid a flat background, try to set your subject closer to the camera with greater distance between the subject and wall.

-Find a location in which your subject will feel comfortable and relaxed.

-Choose locations that fit the subject’s mood or the overall atmosphere you intend to bring about.

Portrait Tip #2: Comfort is King!

-One of the main stumbling blocks concealing the authenticity of a portrait subject’s mood or personality is the artificiality of the entire situation. That’s why many of today’s up-and-coming portrait photographers prefer to go to their subject’s home or meet them at another place of the subject’s choosing. While the controlled environment of a studio can enhance a photographer’s confidence, it also unfortunately tends to mute the subject’s genuine response. Ask your subject where THEY would like to have their portrait taken.

-Consider having your portrait subject DOING something while you snap the shutter. Whether he or she is manipulating something with which they are familiar, are at work or are at play, the act of “doing” tends to encourage more natural, relaxed and honest expressions.

Portrait Tip #3: Get Closer!

-Most pro photographers have one very important piece of advice for amateur photo enthusiasts who wish to improve their portrait skills. It goes like this, “Get closer. Now get closer again. O.K., now get even closer.” Filling more of the frame with your subject’s face will make it hard for momentary expressions and revelations of various personality traits to evade the camera’s lens.

-Try using a “gentle zoom” to get a bit closer. This will have the added benefit of shorter depth of field, which is sought-after in most portrait images. (Short depth of field allows the subject to be in focus while the background gets increasingly blurry with greater distance from the lens.) For those with some technical savvy, try using a zoom in the 80-120 mm focal length range which will allow you to get a closer shot without being in your subject’s face and yet avoid the distortion that often comes with longer focal lengths.

There’s far more to learn and, best of all, it’s all free! Visit www.FreePhotoCourse.com, for more indepth photography lessons, pro-secrets and tips, free desktop images, contributor’s gallery, how-to’s, photographer’s forum and great deals on top-selling cameras and photo gear. You can also find Part 2 of this article as published at this site and elsewhere on the web. – Article by Steve Kristof

Adobe is one of the best Photo editing software in the market. Adobe has a variety of software’s for editing which cover video, photos, PDF files and audio. The adobe software for editing photos is called Photoshop and is used the world over when it comes to making the pictures look better than they were before. If you are not so good at editing with Photoshop there is a tutorial which will guide you but it will be better to get someone to teach you how to use it and also start with an older version of Photoshop even though the new one has some added features.

Other great photo editing software’s out there include Corel Photo Paint which is actually one of the easiest to learn with. There is also JASC Paint shop which I haven’t used but heard good things about it. Ulead Photo Impact is another big contender when it comes to top leading editing software and let’s not forget, Corel Painter and ACDSee which are commonly used in the industry today.

Now is your chance to create a masterpiece out of a simple photograph. You can change the lighting and hue to your preference, making sure that people do not look like they were out of place. With today’s software’s anything is possible and you can always see the impossible come to life.

When using your photo editing software it is important to known that the work can never become completely perfect but you can get close. However don’t linger to long trying to correct things which might already be perfect the way they are because you might just over do it and end up having a different photo all together.

When learning how to use your photo editing software it is wise to use the tutorials that are given with the software depending on how you got the software. Most digital cameras come with their own software which is better because you don’t have to go looking for software and end up with fake software. If you don’t get the software with the camera search for it on the company’s website you will probably get it there.

The good thing about the software is that you can tweak the photos to your hearts content. For best results make sure you have saved the photos as RAW image and not in jpeg. Fix an otherwise spoilt photo to what you want it to be like.