Tips for your Photography needs

To start with a photograph has a clear subject, a theme, no distractions, and proper exposure. A photographic theme is a universal message to commuinicate with others. Meaning, who looks at the picture will know what the photograph is all about. Focus attention on the main subject in the frame. Pay close attention to the subject. Draw the viewer into the picture.

Simplify. Include only the necessary objects in the picture with the subject, making sure the viewer is not drawn away from the subject. The easiest way to maximize this would be to zoom in as close as you can and fill the entire frame with the subject without loosing any main componets of the subject.

The placement of the subject is important to consider. Try not to always have your subject in the center. To find the proper placement of the subject, imagine the frame is in three verticle parts, place your subject on one of the divisions. The subject should be on the left, or on the right, you do not want to cut the subject out of the frame.

Be a little more artistic with the camera by framing your subject with objects around the subject. Look for a way to naturally include something at the top and bottom of your subject, or even on the top, to the left(or right), and at the bottom of your subject. For instance, if you are out walking through the woods and a tree branches out to the left and right leaving a V-shape, and there is a deer in the V-shape. Take the shot! That is framing.

Look to see if you have the entire body of the subject in your frame, unless you are doing a head shot. Look again and see if anything looks disproportioned(i.e. over sized nose or feet). Check again to make sure there are no lens flares, color spots in your viewfinder(avoid this by using a lens hood), or heavy shadows.

Now that you have the subject the way you want to see it through your viewfinder, its time to check your camera settings. Is your F-stop correct? Is your exposure time adequate? This depends on the type of camera you have, the type of film you are using, how bright it is, how stable the camera and subject is. Using a light meter is a good way to get your F-stop and exposure setting. All you have to do is point the meter at your subject, or at the camera from your subject(depending on what kind of light meter you have), and it gives you the settings.

The end results should show a clear, colorful (or correct tones of black, gray, and white), beautiful picture that brings a smile to your face and makes you say, "I did this. I took this wonderful picture.". When a person is happy with her or his photographic work, than everyone is to.

The most important rule to follow is, keep film away from heat, moisture and harmful gases. It is unwise to buy and store film months or even years ahead of the date you plan to use the film. The older the film becomes the more receptable the film becomes to undesired changes you will recieve on your prossesed prints. Keep only enough film on hand that you know you will use with in the next couple of months. If there is an expiration date on the film box or canister take note of the date. If the film has not been used and the expiration date is coming up soon, throw away the film.

It is also important to have the film developed soon after being used, to ensure you recieve the best quality of your pictures.

If you will be traveling through security with your film, it is best to have the film in your "carry on" bag. Your film should not have any disruptions from the x-rays, if your luggage is just going through a couple of times. If you are a frequent traveler, you should have your bag hand checked.

In a hot temperate area keep film in a moisture free container in the refrigerator, freezer or a cool storage area. The container should be vapor-tight with desiccant (keeps moisture out). Before using the film, remove the container from the freezer, refrigerator or storage area at least 30 minutes before use, for best results allow warming for 2 hours. Leave the container sealed during this time to keep condesation from developing on the film. Use and develop your film as quickly as possible, as high temperatures often cause undesireable changes to the film.

Preserve your negatives, yes that's right, your negatives do not last forever. Storing your negatives at 35°F or lower increases the life expectancy of the negatives by 30 times. Keep the humidity between 15% and 40%. Take care in setting the humitdity setting, below 15% can cause brittleness and over 40% can create fungus. The ideal humidity for film is 40%. If you plan on taking the negative out of storage, let the negative warm up to room temperature before removing it from the protective container. If you plan to store your film and or negatives in a refigerator, use a frost proof modern refrigerator with low humidity settings. The system should include proper storage for envelopes and containers for your film and or negatives. The recamended envelopes are Kodak Storage Envelopes for Processed Film. The envelopes come in sizes 4x5 and 8x10. Be sure that the refigerator you are storing your film and or negatives in does not come in contact wtih food and beverages. It is best to have the refrigerator you are using for the film and or negatives be placed in a different area than the kitchen and all persons living in your home are aware that this refrigerator is off limits to food and beverages.

To prevent fading of your prized art prints, try not to display them in direct sunlight. If you are not able to hang your print in a less than sunny spot, consider having your print framed in a Ultra - Violet Resistent Glass. Take your print to a custom frame shop and request the Ultra - Violet Resistent Glass, when framing your photograph or art print. The Ultra - Violet Resistent Glass is a little more than the regular glass but is worth it. If you have the extra cash you should also look into the Polarized Glass. This will prevent glares from showing on the glass. This glass is more expensive than the Ultra - Violet Resistent Glass and is not kept in many frame shops.

When choosing a frame, consider a metal instead of wood. Wood gives off chemicals that may harm your print. Your print may become yellow over time from household pollutants, such as tobacco and air fresheners. If you are concerned about your print becoming yellow within time, you may want to inquir about vaccum sealed frameing. This is known as conservation mounting, and only specialist do this. Most of their work is done at museums, hotels and buisness offices. This will be expensive, but the print will be enjoyed by your family for generations to come.

When hanging your print, be sure the nail is well into the wall and the nail will not move, allowing your picture to fall, and possible break your beautifully custom frame. It is best to use an anchor and a screw. Also be wary of hanging the picture near any heaters or vents. The heat may ruin the picture! And your purchase of a custom made fine Ultra - Violet Resistent Glass frame will be for nothing. It is also best to have the photograph or digital art print printed on acid free paper. If you are unsure of what type of paper your photograph is printed on, you can consider sending the print into a proffessional hand printing lab technichian to have a piece of the paper tested. To find a local lab you will need to search your local area directory; phone book directory. Or you can send your inquiry to Kodak, you will find the address on the box of film, or Kodak product you have purchased.

If you need to store your framed print for any period of time make sure the framed print is protected. Do not store in a attic, garage or basement! When preparing your framed print for stoarge besure the materials do not include sulfur, acidic wood pulp or polyvinyl chloride, these ingredients will trigger deterioration. Look for "archival" products. You may have to do a lot of searching for this item because not all custom frame shops carry this product. When storing your framed print be cautious of fluctuating temperatures, bright sunlight, heat and moisture, extreme temperatures, insects and rodents; they could ruin your artwork even if you took the care to store the artwork porperly.