Information Technology

Archive for the ‘Art Photography’ Category

People generally agree that the nude female form is more beautiful than the male. The arguments generally cited for this include that women have more curves and less obvious musculature, or that male bodies are more ‘functional’. Whatever the reason, couple it with the fact that (particularly historically) most artists are male, and you have a large preference in photography for nude photographs of women rather than of men.

But what makes a good nude female photograph? There are three main principles.

#1: It should be interesting to look at

Nude photography is synonymous with that branch of photography known as ‘fine art’. Fine art photography can be defined as ‘photography created for no other purpose than because it’s interesting to look at’. As such, nude female photography is about presenting the female form in a way that is interesting.

In order to make an interesting image, nude female photography tends to favor black-and-white images that are full of light, shadow, shape, and contrast. There are usually carefully composed and lit in order to achieve this.

#2: It should be anonymous

Nude photography is not ‘about’ the person that is in the photo – in fact, the face of the model is often not even included in the frame. Contrast this with portrait photography, where the idea is to reveal or display something about the subject’s life or (more often) their personality. Nude photography is really the opposite of this, because it’s about the female form in general, not this person in particular. In nude photography, the person in the photo really serves only as an example of a category, with the category being ‘women’s bodies’.

#3: It should be non-sexual

While any heterosexual man would enjoy looking at nude photographs of women for reasons that not entirely dispassionate, there is still a difference between nude photography and erotic photography. While the difference might be a slight one, it’s all about intent. Nude photography fits that fine art definition of intending only to produce ‘something interesting’. Erotic photography, on the other hand, is intended to titillate or arouse the viewer, and might not be all that interesting.

Given that what is ‘non-sexual’ to one person might be sexual to another, it is of course impossible for a photographer to know whether their intent to produce a nude photograph rather than an erotic one will be recognized by the audience. For this reason, at least in Western countries, certain conventions (such as leaving the genital region in dark shadow) are followed to provide an indication of the intent behind the photograph.

Computers and cellular phones, mobility and microchips – these are the trademarks of the world today. We live in a world continually changed by technology. Even the arts have continually changed due to technology. Think of it: from charcoal drawings to painting to photography to digital photography, we have come a long way in the visual arts. We have used various methods in capturing life and freezing time. New technology is continually being developed to make art easier and more fun. However, you should know that the art of digital photography is not as simple as aim and shoot.

The art of digital photography needs skill in order to pull off properly. Although some people may reason out that digital photography art can always be edited, many people do not really know how much work editing can be. Oh sure, we can say that technology has reached a level wherein a person needs to do practically nothing in order to achieve a great photograph, but of course, you need to know how to use the tools properly in order to do that.

The art of digital photography, in order to be truly mastered, needs three T’s: Time, talent and tactical placement of equipment. No, that’s not right. You need time, talent and treasure. Just what does this mean?

1) Time – one cannot be an instant expert in digital photography. You need to take the time to learn all about it. Even though you are some sort of protégé who has the talents of a genius, you actually need training to hone that talent. Remember that for all its power, a steamroller cannot be used to do the work of a hammer. There is wisdom in harnessing power properly.

Taking the time to train your self in the art of digital photography is something akin to sharpening a knife using a grindstone or forging a fine katana (that’s the Japanese samurai sword) by heating it and folding it over a thousand times –it may be painful, but it is necessary to produce the best.

2) Talent – of course, you need a bit of inherent talent in order to be truly great at the art of digital photography. You need to have an eye for the subjects that would make a great photograph. Otherwise, you will only end up being mediocre in a field that requires greatness.

Of course, the proper training can actually enhance your inherent talent and help you sharpen your skills in the art of digital photography.

3) Treasure – as said before, you will need the proper tools in order to be successful in the art of digital photography. This means that you will need to invest a lot of cash. Although there are a lot of digital art photography equipment that can be bought at inexpensive prices, the best equipment needs some serious pocket digging. This, of course, tests your courage because there’s nothing scarier to a man than having to pull out his wallet in the name of an untested interest.

Once you have invested money in the art of digital photography, there’s no turning back.

The art of digital photography may seem like it requires a lot. However, in order to be truly successful in something you need love and love always requires sacrifice. You should keep that in mind.

If you are new to photography or you are an avid photographer looking to get some recognition and put your work out to the world, entering a photo competition is a great way to start. Some companies run these competitions on a regularly basis. Some focus mainly on local talent, others international and some might only focus on a certain type of photography.

Photography contests may seem intimidating to new photographers and when you start looking at past winners of particular contests. Do not be put of by this because this is a great platform to boost not only your confidence but also your skill set. For the established photographers entering competitions outside your usual niche will also develop your skills as well as expand on your portfolio.

Entering Competitions:

Should you enter offline or online photo contests? This is a personal decision. With many companies moving submitting to photo contests online has become relatively popular. Ensure you select reputable websites and join photography sites that will build on your portfolio.

Read the instructions, rules and criteria for entering the photo contest. As you enter more professional competitions your photographs will be judged on many qualities (lighting, angles etc). Ensure that you fully understand what the judges are looking for.

Stick to the title but also show some creativity. Some photo contests may be looking for your best shot of a sunrise. Submitting a plain shot of your daily sunrise may not be utilizing your creative juices as a photographer. Think outside the square and do what ever it takes to get the best photo shot you can

Don’t get distracted by the prizes. Some companies offer amazing prizes and great avenues for emerging photographers to be recognized for their work. Focus on taking the best photo, making your work unique and add a personal touch or signature.

Good luck with your photo competition entries. If you need to find a website that lists the latest photo competitions visit Photo Art Gallery at www.photoartgallery.com. They also have information on  competitions run by other reputable online photography sites.