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Color Theory 101 – Basics to Understanding White Balance

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What is White Balance? White Balance is the single most important setting to master on a digital camera. The color temperature you select that tells a computer/camera what values equal white. Why white?  That is simple.  Do you remember CRT (Cathrode Ray Tube) televisions/monitors? Remember being told not to touch the screen because it would blow up the TV? This was because the TV’s had the 3 tubes, one Red, another Blue and the last Green, that fired electrons that created a static electricity field around the set/monitor while delivering a picture to the screen.  Red, Green and Blue are … Continue reading →

Composition Theory – What is Dynamic Symmetry?

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Photography is its most basic element stems from Algebra, Chemistry and Optical Physics.  With digital photography we have kind of replaced Chemistry with Computer Science. Let’s face it, most of us are not fans of mathematics; and, many are shocked to learn how large a role math plays in photography.  Algebraic elements are at the core root to photography. Reverting to film base we know that there are two types of film that exist – negative and positive.   The same applies to photographic paper.  As a result, we print negatives using negative paper (two negatives equal a positive). Therefore, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to … Continue reading →

Exactly what are leading lines Leading lines simply explained are the visual lines that provide direction and guidance to the eye path throughout a visual image. (Example A) Leading lines are lines within an image that leads the eye to another point in the image, or occasionally, out of the image. Anything with a definite line can be a leading line. Fences, bridges, even a shoreline can lead the eye. You can use leading lines with a subject that is placed according to the rule of thirds your image should be very strong (Example B)   How do I create leading lines The … Continue reading →

Composition Theory – Understanding The Rule of Thirds

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Composition is important to the design of an image; it brings all of the visual elements together in concert to express the purpose of an image. Proper composition holds the viewer in the image and prompts the viewer to look where the creator intends. Effective composition can be pleasing or disturbing, depending on the intent of the image maker. Good placement of the subject matter A very successful arrangement Harmonious proportions Using dynamic symmetry to place most important objects Good rhythm is created by repetition, whether it is color, spaces, moods, or divisions of the photograph Perhaps the most well-known … Continue reading →

New Online Ordering System at LarmonPhoto.com

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Welcome to OPS, our Online Portal System. Larmon Photo is delighted to announce it has a new online user interface. The new interface allows you to easily order your photos online from your desktop/laptop and even your mobile devices. Let’s get started by visiting our website, www.larmonphoto.com. Click the Online Photo Prints icon as noted in example 1. The next step is to decide if you are going to order enlargements or order creative products such as photo books, aluminum prints, photo cards, canvas prints, collages and other photo gift items. Now click on the the appropriate icon as noted in example 2. … Continue reading →

Tips on using Flash in your Photography

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Shooting with a flash indoors can be a somewhat frustrating task, even for some professionals.  Although shooting inside can appear challenging at first, it’s far easier than, trying to create images on a summer day with a harsh high noon sun in the sky.  If you can remember these tips you will be able to create great images inside every time. #1 – GET AWAY FROM USING YOUR POP-UP FLASH If you own a DSLR you never want to use the on camera flash/strobe.  Why?  Because using a pop-up flash will generally hurt your image instead of enhancing it.  The … Continue reading →

Time to Clean & Check your DSLR Camera’s Sensor & Lenses

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If you’re using an DSLR camera, you’ll eventually require a “Clean & Check” to remove dust spots you encounter due to a dirty camera sensor.  When it occurs it is the result of sensor dust and you’ll need to know how to clean the sensor, and how to minimize the risk of this happening again. What does Sensor Dust look like? A dirty camera sensor is most apparent in smooth, light regions, such as bright skies: Visually check your sensor by taking a photo that includes the sky, Example A, or if in a studio a white or a white/off-white wall. Then import … Continue reading →

Portrait Lighting – Part 4 – Understanding Facial Characteristics

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It is a fact that about 80% of individuals do not like they way they look when having a portrait created of them.  Most do not realize that their issues are subconscious.  Why subconscious you ask?  Simple, when you look at a photograph of yourself you are seeing what everyone else see when they look at you, not the inverted image of yourself you are use to looking at everyday in the mirror.  Think about it, if you have a part in your hair it may look to you that it is on your right in the mirror, but everyone else … Continue reading →

Portrait Lighting – Part 3 – Understanding Light Patterns

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In creating strong portraits of people photographers define their subjects by using light patterns….     SHORT (narrow) Short Light is the most popular lighting pattern used by portrait photographers. The light falls primarily on the side of the face that is furthest from the camera’s viewpoint.  It has adopted the nickname “narrow” because it narrows/thins faces.       BROAD Broad Lighting patters are used generally to widen thin faces because light falls primarily on the side of the face that is closest to the camera’s viewpoint.  Broad Light is primarily a masculine light style.       SPLIT … Continue reading →

Portrait Lighting – Part 2 – Understanding Functions of Light

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There are so many names for light that one could easily get lost.  We have a Main source, which some prefer to call the Key, Modeling or even the Contrast Light.  Then there is a Fill source, which is also referred to as Supporting or Base.  There are background , Hair, and Accent which have a multitude of names such as Rim, Kicker, Back or Pencil.  But what do these source styles really do and how do we use them? MAIN LIGHT (Key/Modeling/Contrast) The Main is normally the strong or broad light source such as the sun, or in a studio … Continue reading →