Creative, commercial photographers.

How to take photographs of people

June 20, 2009

Commercial photographers often take shots of people to use in advertising campaigns as it can help them market their products effectively. The use of people in photos is particularly prevalent in catalogue photography. The people in these photos often become people we can relate to, admire and even trust so the way these photos are taken by a commercial photographer are of great importance. Photographing people is not an easy task but there are some tips and things to consider that can help you do so successfully.

The use of light in the shot is one of the most important points. Different lighting can display people’s skin tones and details in different ways. Soft light is often preferred by professionals when taking photographs of people but this will depend on the purpose of the shot.

The lens used when photographing people must also (more…)

Filed under: Photography Advice — written by Jane

Exhibition of photography in Leeds

June 19, 2009

An exhibition of photography in Leeds, ‘The Object of Photography’, is being held at The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery.

Photography is known to be a passion of many people currently living in Leeds and the surrounding areas. There are some highly recommended commercial photographers (more…)

Filed under: Photography News — written by David

How you can be a 360 photographer too

June 18, 2009

360 photography is increasing in popularity because of the abundance of information it can give. This technique is often used by commercial photographers in major cities in the UK such as Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester and London. 360 photography is particularly useful in commercial photography because it can show a potential customer a product in great detail. Instead of viewers just being able to view an item from one angle, they are able to see it from many different positions. As they are shown the item in detail, there is a greater chance that they will be fully aware of what is on offer and so can then make an informed decision as to whether the item is suitable for them or not. If people are not really sure of what they are buying, they may hesitate and then their business could be lost.

360 photography can also be a useful (more…)

Filed under: Photography Advice — written by Robert

A Brief History of Commercial Photography

June 17, 2009

Modern photography is generally considered to have begun in the 1820s. It was during this time that the first permanent photographs were taken and interest in the subject began to spark. The first permanent image is thought to have been created by Joseph Nicephore Niepce in 1825. His images were produced on a polished pewter plate covered with bitumen of Judea, which is a petroleum derivative. However, despite the development of photography in this time, photographs were not often used for commercial purposes and the commercial photographer had not yet been born. Occasionally, advertising images would be used on trade cards or in a catalogue but this didn’t happen very often as the potential for this kind of marketing had not been recognised.

It was in the Twentieth century that people became more aware of commercial photography and what it had to offer. Improvements in technology began to mean that photographs could be reproduced quickly and also be of a higher quality. During the years before the First World War, any photographs used to advertise a product were generally designed to inform people of the benefits of the product only. Basically, they would provide a short lecture on why this item should be purchased and that was all the information that was given.

However, shortly after this people began to notice how important and effective the element of suggestion could be in this type of advertising. They found that photographs could help make products or services appear more desirable. A more subtle and suggestive approach was then taken towards commercial photography and by 1930, around 80% of illustrated advertisements were using photographs instead of illustrated drawings. This was compared to only 15% of illustrated advertisements using photographs in 1920. Things really began to take off for commercial photography during this time and the roles of art directors, copywriters and psychologists were all created so they could contribute and play their part in the quickly developing area of commercial photography.

Using photography in marketing campaigns has continued and progressed throughout the years branching in to new directions and embracing new technological developments such as interactive video for web and 360 photography. Commercial photography is regarded by any business as a vital part of advertising. Companies in major cities in the UK such as Leeds, are regularly employing commercial photographers to help them market their products and services efficiently and successfully.

Filed under: Photography History — written by Jane

How the use of Colour can Affect a Photograph

June 16, 2009

Commercial photography in Leeds is a popular choice for businesses looking to market their products in an innovative and effective way. Simple tips and advice form a creative photographer such as this can help anyone improve the quality of the photographs that they take themselves.

An important factor to consider when organising a photograph is the use of colour. How we use different colours in our photograph can really affect the final product we have in many ways.

A commercial photographer can use colours in a unique way to attract the attention of a potential customer and any photograph that is created can benefit from thoughtful colour preparation. By using colour creatively in a shot you will likely not only attract attention with your eye-grabbing photograph, but also encourage people to spend a little longer exploring the detail and information captured in it. The colours around us play a huge role in determining what catches our eye and also what holds our interest.

Different colours in a photograph can influence how the photograph makes us feel. For example, reds and oranges may give a photograph a warm feeling and blues and greens may give it a cooling effect. Different colours can also be used to successfully convey emotions such as anger, fear, or calm. Red is commonly viewed as a colour of warning or anger and yellow a colour of joy. Due to the cooling effect that blues and greens have, they are regarded as colours that can calm and relax us.

The natural colour in a photograph is also of great importance. If a photo is taken in direct sunlight, it is more likely to be viewed as intense and as to have more clarity whilst a photo not taken in direct sunlight is more likely to have a peaceful and relaxing feel about it. A shot taken during sunrise or sunset will often be warmer and more calming due to the natural orange tones present in the photograph.

A commercial photographer is also aware of the impact a black and white photograph can have and how the use of only these colours can change the photo. By using only black and white in an image, more attention to certain shapes and areas can be created. If one area of the photo is of particular importance, this can be very useful indeed. Photographs taken in black and white can also be more dramatic and atmospheric.

There are many important factors to consider when taking a photograph and colour is definitely one of them. By planning the colours in your photograph carefully and thoughtfully you will be able to create a shot that attracts attention and evokes interest.

Filed under: Photography Advice — written by David
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