When taking a picture the exposure is affected by three components: Aperture, Shutters-speed and ISO Rating. The combination of these three elements is what determines the exposure of an image. After reading this article you will have a better understanding of the three key factors that are crucial for taking professional quality photographs.
Aperture Alternately called the f-Stop, aperture refers to the size of the lens opening. The size of the lens opening plays a vital role in deciding the volume of light that will reach the camera sensor. For more light to enter the camera a larger aperture opening is needed; for less light, a smaller aperture opening is needed. Larger openings have smaller numbers and vice versa; for example, a small aperture would read f/22 and a larger aperture would read f/4.
Shutter-speed This refers to the length of time the aperture stays open. The longer the shutter-speed (the longer the aperture stays open) the more light reaches the camera sensor. When the shutter-speed or aperture is shorter, less light reaches the camera sensor.
What do you think is necessary to take that perfect picture? You know, the one that turns out even better than it looked in real life. Have you often wondered how to make your photograph tell a story or capture an image in such a way that it moves people to view it? There are a number of things each photographer must consider before pushing finger to button to capture a still image our real world which is in constant, perpetual motion. Composition, of course, is extremely important. Composing a decent picture with your camera takes some knowledge, thought, and preparation. The following will be a collection of things to look for when composing your next photograph for your portfolio, album, or collage.
Shape in a photograph is an effective way to grab people's attention. Try drawing attention to shape in a photograph by contrasting it against a simple background such as water or sky. A picture's shapes are likely to be more emphasized when the composition of the photo is simpler. Crop and compose carefully and you can use the shapes in your photo to work with the shape of your picture.
We at Hampton Photo Arts have found that people nowadays take a lot more pictures than they used to. This has a lot to do with the advent of digital photography. It no longer costs money to take pictures, so people feel comfortable shooting hundreds or even thousands of images. Photographers build libraries and organize their photographs in as many different ways as there are applications for doing so. But once you have thousands of photographs, what do you do with them? A hard drive crash can take them all away - this can be as emotionally devastating as a house fire that destroys the only pictures of Junior when he was a child, or Aunt Bessy at her 90th birthday party. Printing them all is prohibitive, even if you have your own photo printer - glossy photo paper can sell for upwards of fifty cents per sheet, and inks can add a dollar per 8x10 to the cost. Even when you get done, most prints aren't just water-sensitive - almost any liquid at all and the photograph is completely ruined due to ink run, not just wrinkled.
No matter your lifestyle, a camera is more than just an accessory. Cameras have become part of our everyday lives. They are the way we capture our memories and document our lives.
A camera case is a must-have for anyone who takes photography seriously.
When choosing a camera bag, Hampton Photo Arts recommends a small bag designed for sleek digital point and shoot cameras as well as older film cameras. A small case protects your investment and also provides a convenient place to carry media and batteries. Always have more media with you than you will use, and always carry spare batteries. The picture of the century may be dependent on you having the equipment to shoot it.
Another must have is a lens cleaning kit. In this era of megapixel wars, don’t forget that the lens is still the most crucial element of image quality. NASA’s Hubble scientists can attest to this. If space is limited consider a lens cloth. They’re small enough to fit along side your camera in any case. If you have a larger case definitely upgrade to one of our kits that include cleaning fluid, brushes and swabs.
Digital photography can be a great way to capture images of the world around you. Digital cameras are improving each day, giving even an amateur photographer a way to take amazing photos. However without proper lighting, the best camera will still create sub-par images. Making use of the best lighting techniques will help anyone create the best pictures they can.
Many bad photos can be made better though the use of digital manipulation software. However there are still some things that cannot be fixed. Blurred images, indistinguishable characteristics, and dark shadows can be avoided by getting your digital photography lighting right before you take the photo. Take time to think about the lighting condition you have and make the best use of them before you take a single picture.
Our photo experts here at Hampton Photo Arts in Bridgehampton have come up with some basic tips to remember when dealing with digital photography lighting through out the day.
Those who have only used a point and shoot in the past are now turning to DSLR cameras to get more control over the quality of their photos. Still, without proper knowledge of your camera, you won’t be able to unlock the full capability of it. The most common error that photographers make is either overexposing or underexposing their pictures. With DSLR cameras becoming more user friendly, you will find that it’s easy to manually control the exposure of your photos.
It doesn’t take a trained eye to notice when a photo is over or underexposed. Just about anyone can see these faux pas. In photography, exposure refers to the amount of light that is captured by a camera. When too much light is let through the lens, it creates an overexposed photo that appears washed out. When a photo is underexposed, it will appear too dark and its detail will be lost in the shadowed areas. The goal of the photographer is to find just the right amount of light to achieve the proper exposure.
Compact Cameras are great, their small size makes them more portable than DSLRs and their relatively low cost makes them accessible to a wide range of costumers. While most people will use their compact cameras to document family trips and take snapshots of their friends, smaller cameras still offer enough control over their settings to allow users to take creative and beautiful photographs.
Most compact cameras do come with built in shooting modes to make sure you take the best picture possible. Your camera's Macro Mode setting will allow you to take great close up photos. This mode is perfect for taking close up pictures of flowers, insects or other small objects because it allows the camera to focus in on fine details. If your subject is a bit larger, however, you may want to use your camera's Landscape Mode to make sure you focus in on details that are a good distance away. The Low Light setting on your camera will allow you to take great photos indoors and at night while it’s Portrait Mode will use the best settings for a picture of your friend. Even though compact cameras come with built in shooting modes their versatility doesn't end there.
With so many digital camera options on the market today, how do you know which to buy? How do you choose what is the right digital camera for you?
The first step in choosing the best digital camera for you is determining what you expect the camera to do for you and what you expect to be able to do with the camera. That question is answered by knowing what type of photographer you really are.
Perhaps you are the “social” photographer who wants basic point and shoot capabilities to capture those candid moments of social gatherings and family events. Perhaps you are the “weekend” photographer who likes to explore the great outdoors for breathtaking wildlife and scenic views who needs the ability to manually adjust f-stops and shutter speeds. Or perhaps you are the “sports” photographer who needs to capture fast and continuous action with precision and clarity.
Printing on canvas is incredibly versatile and a great way to create a ready-to-hang image or artwork. Every canvas that we print is protected with a UV coated acrylic finish to guard the print from dust, moisture and fading. Do you want your canvas stretched on bars or non-stretched? Framed or unframed? Customize the work to make it truly your own.
Photography is an amazing art form. A photograph album is a catalogue of life's history as seen through the camera. People, animals, nature, holidays, celebrations and even disasters are captured instantly and recorded as part of history. It is through the powerful presentations of photography that we better understand the progression of time and life. Hampton Photo Arts has over twenty years of experience working with photographers as they seek to capture and preserve the history of families and communities.
When families get together, both children and adults love to look through photograph albums. They enjoy seeing the childhood photos of older family members and compare themselves to ancestors who lived a hundred or more years ago. Photos are among the most important treasures of every family. They should not be faded and dull. They contain the smiles, tears and emotions of generations. The staff members at Hampton Photo Arts display excellence in the art of photography reproduction. They work with the highest quality materials. They know how to create family memories that will be just as beautiful one hundred years from now as they are today.
Watercolor is an easy, fun medium for creating art. Color theory, composition and design can be explored freely with watercolor paint, paper, and brushes. Several techniques may be used with watercolors for varying effects including painting wet on wet, wet on dry, layering washes, and more.
Watercolor paper comes in cold press, hot press, and rough. Rough paper has the most texture, and its hills and valleys can result in interesting effects when paint is added. Hot press is the smoothest and has the finest texture. Cold press has a moderate amount of texture and is the paper most commonly chosen by watercolor artists.
Watercolor paper comes in several weights ranging from 90 lb. to 300 lb. based on the pounds per ream of paper. Most artists prefer to use at least 140 lb. paper. Papers vary somewhat between manufacturers, so sampling different papers is advisable. Paper can be purchased in pads, in blocks or in large sheets. The large sheets are usually the most economical and can be torn into whatever size is desired.
Photo Information 
We at 
No matter your lifestyle, a camera is more than just an accessory. Cameras have become part of our everyday lives. They are the way we capture our memories and document our lives. 
Digital photography can be a great way to capture images of the world around you. 
With so many digital camera options on the market today, how do you know which to buy? How do you choose what is the right digital camera for you?
Photography is an amazing art form. A photograph album is a catalogue of life's history as seen through the camera. People, animals, nature, holidays, celebrations and even disasters are captured instantly and recorded as part of history. It is through the powerful presentations of photography that we better understand the progression of time and life. Hampton Photo Arts has over twenty years of experience working with photographers as they seek to capture and preserve the history of families and communities.