Commercializing your photography work

Till date I’ve never thought of commercializing my photography work, though lots of friends and colleagues have been asking me.

Image credits: Cpshis

Many friends argue that in-order to be a successful photographer you have to sell as many prints as you can. I beg to differ here; firstly because photography is my passion and not a means to livelihood, and secondly because I don’t want to get trapped in the business side of photography and miss all the adventure of it. I would rather sleep in a small tent in some remote valley than spend hours negotiating the price of my latest print.

To me photography is more about exploring my inner self rather than pleasing someone else. It’s my third eye and my photographs are the statement of how the world appears to me -and to me the world is really beautiful. If you find my photography work beautiful - I’m on the right path, If you find it dull and boring - I’m not able communicate my feelings, I’ll have to work harder.

The time when I’ll become old and want be able to hold the camera in my hands, I’ll sit by the fire place and open my photography records, if my memorabilia brings smile on my face, I’ll consider myself as a successful photographer.

Happy Shooting!

What is your definition of a prefect photograph?

Every picture we take is not a photograph. Even the best of the photographers struggle to capture that perfect picture -the perfect photograph. Then what exactly is a photograph?. Why the pictures taken by us don’t have the appeal of a pro?. It’s not the camera but the person behind the camera who takes the pictures, hence our choice of equipment does not determine the quality of the images. So what make the photographs taken by the pros stand out?.

‘Pensive Duck’ by Sunil Parashar

“A great photograph has a musical feel to it, it’s the feeling that counts.”~(author unknown) I feel that this quote explains everything. It is the feeling well conveyed what makes a photograph stand apart. Pictures taken without any pre-visualization, without any careful planning generally lacks the appeal hence we call them ‘snapshots’.

‘You don't take a photograph, you make it.’ - Ansel Adams

A good photograph is timeless because it has a feeling to it, it has a story to tell, an emotion to convey. If a photographer is able to convey the emotions he felt during taking the picture, then the picture becomes a timeless photograph.


‘A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words.’ - Ansel Adams

I myself toil hard to inculcate the habit of carefully planning & visualizing the image before making an exposure. So next time before releasing the camera shutter, let us make it a point to pause and ask: ‘Is there any story involved here?’,  ‘what is the feeling I want to convey?’.

Happy Shooting!

How to handle the ‘50mm, 1.8 lens’ focus problem?

Nikkor 50mm, 1.8 is one of the sharpest and the cheapest lens available in the market today and one generally buys it for:

Nikkor, 50mm 1.8D lens

a) Fast speed (Low light photography)
b) Sharp images
b) Shallow ‘Depth of field’

f/1.8 aperture makes it an idle choice for the low light photography, but it is complained that the final images are not as sharp as seen through the viewfinder. This happens due to two reasons.

1. Manual focus problem:
This lens does not auto focus on most of the entry level DSLRs (ones without AF motor), so while focusing manually we must observe the green dot in the viewfinder, it glows when the focussing is right.

2. Wide open aperture problem:
The lens renders a bit soft images when used at wide open apertures such as f/1.8, f/2.0 and f/2.8. The images are more sharper at aperture values smaller than f/2.8.

Conclusion:
In case of 50mm 1.8 lens while focusing manually the best results can be obtained by:
a) Relying upon the green dot in the electronic viewfinder.
b) Using aperture value of f/2.8 or smaller.

‘Supar Studio’ is now on Facebook

Hello friends, your favorite photography blog ‘Supar Studio’ is now available on Facebook. The link is OVER HERE.
        Please feel free to join the rapidly growing family and participate to the fullest. Your participation matters a lot. This’ll not only allow me to write what you want but will also make ‘Supar Studio’ the best knowledge hud of photography.
So please join Supar Studio page at facebook and let the knowledge database grow.

Thank You,
Happy Shooting!

6 reasons why your first camera should be a DSLR?

1. DSLR can work as Point & Shoot:

A DSLR used in the fully auto mode works like a point & shoot camera. But a Point & Shoot camera does not allow the flexibility of a DSLR.

2. Manual controls:
In Manual mode a DSLR allows full control over each and every aspect (Shutter speed, Aperture value, ISO speed, White balance etc etc) of photo capturing. Though the P&S cameras these days have the manual mode but due to smaller sensor size and fixed lens, their aperture value and the shutter speed can be varied in a limited range only, thereby limiting out the creative possibilities.

3. Shooting in RAW:
The greatest advantage a DSLR offers over a P&S is the ability to shoot in the RAW format, RAW format is the digital equivalent of the negative film. A RAW image captures maximum possible data and allows endless creative possibilities during post processing.



4. Better sensor, better image quality:
As compared to Point & Shoot cameras, sensors used in DSLRs are of higher quality hence the output is better.

5. Loads of features:
A DSLR camera has semi manual features such as 'Aperture priority' and 'Shutter priority' modes which come handy in situations such as sports, events, nature etc.

6. Choice of lenses:
One of the reasons why Point & Shoot cameras can never beat DSLRs is the flexibility in choice of lenses.

Advantages of a P&S over DSLR:
1. Compact size
A P&S camera can be carried in pocket but a DSLR may require extra bag.

2. Easy to handle
Modern P&S cameras come with loads of built in functions such as ‘Face detection’, Smile mode, Kids, Birds etc etc where all we need is to point the camera at the subject and capture a wonderful image.

3. Zoom
Point & Shoot cameras these days offer optical zooms as high as 18X.

Many people argue that one should not directly go for a DSLR, rather buy a P&S first, learn the basics of photography, and then switch over to a DSLR. I think this will be an costly affair. There isn't anything complex about DSLRs, if one can master the P&S - he/she can master the DSLR too.

So what are your plans?
Happy Shooting!

Fungus - The greatest enemy of camera lenses

Fungus can cause serious damage to our lenses. In some cases the damage can be upto such an extent that the entire lens needs to be replaced with a new one. As the fungus secretes many liquid substances, these substances further enhance the attack. Fungus may attack when:
a) The camera/lens is stored in a damp area.
b) The camera/lens is not moisture free.
c) The camera/lens is not in use since long.
If checked timely one can prevent the lens from a serious damage.

Photo by Simplebot

Preventing your lens from the fungus attack:
1. Sometimes we need to shoot in a wet or rainy condition. Before packing your camera, clean the body and the lens with a soft cloth so as no remains of water are left.

2. The camera bag used should be moisture free, for this we can keep a small pouch of Silica gel inside the storage compartment.

3. Periodically expose the camera body and lens to the sun light, because the UV rays in the sun light are the biggest enemy of the fungi. If you wish to dry the body and lens separately, do make sure that the camera cap & the lens cap (provided by the manufacturer) are used, else dust may cause damage to your equipment.

Photo by Katherine

4. The technique I use to safeguard my equipment from fungus is to first wrap the camera with a plastic sheet and then store it in the bag.

5. Other methods of fungus removal are:
Using Hydrogen peroxide solution, keeping the lens under UV lamp etc etc, but under serious infection it’s better to send the lens to the nearest customer care center.

Summary:

• Fungus attack can cause serious damage to our lenses
• Prevention is better than cure
• Regular use of camera can prevent the fungus attack
• Use of Silica gel at the storage place is the easiest & the most effective prevention

Supar Studio is not dead, it's sleeping

Thank you friends for your constant love and support. I know many of you are angry with me for such a long absence, but at times we all need a break, and I was busy settling things at my end.

Many of you also thought that Supar Studio is dead, but photography is my long cherished passion and it is not easy to kill it. Supar Studio is not dead, it is simply sleeping.

You are invited to join me on 'Facebook', my profile link is  Over here.
Thank You,
Happy Shooting!

Best camera for you & the 80-20 rule

Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto very intelligently made an observation known as the ‘Pareto Principle’ or the 80-20 rule. The observation states that 80% of the output comes from 20% of the input. It can also interpreted as:

• 20% of the workers produce 80% of the result

• 20% of the customers create 80% of the revenue

In photography this rule can be understood as:

• 20% of the photographers produce 80% of the great photographs

• (Only) 20% of the users use 80% of their camera features

‘Maa Bhimakali Temple’, Sarahan, Himachal

The last point i.e only 20% users use 80% of the features provided in their camera is the key point. Most of us blame our camera for the quality of images but it is not the camera but our understanding of it responsible for the quality of images. Any camera if used judiciously has the capability to produce great pictures, after all it’s not the camera but the person behind it responsible for the images.

So the best camera for you is the one you are possessing right now(point & shoot, mobile phone, or a DSLR). Befriend it, use it as much as possible and the results are bound to improve with time. Happy Clicking!