How to take photos of posters? First, check whether the length-to-width ratio of your photo is consistent with the length-to-width ratio of the poster. If not, crop it into the same size. Secondly, try to ensure that the original photo is of high pixels, otherwise it will be printed out. If the pixel density is not enough, there will be mosaic-like pixels that will affect the effect. This is why the cameras used to shoot commercial films are all high-pixel cameras. How to shoot magazine covers

Learn to shoot magazine covers - British WIRED Magazine

Do you want to know the birth process of a magazine cover? Check out how photographer Chris Crisman created the November 2012 issue of WIRED UK!

Let’s take a look at the finished cover first:

The photo mainly contains a total of 16 people, so how to take a good photo of everyone?

Studio mainly uses 3 lights for lighting: 1 large honeycomb light as the main side fill light, 1 light as the main front fill light, and then a small honeycomb light is used to add the blackboard. Create a Hightlight light source to bring focus to the character's face.

After each portrait was taken, it was time for the post-production part. The staff worked hard to understand the magazine editor, and then worked together to add everyone into the same photo. The result was very good!

It turns out that there is a lot of time in post-production. Take a look at the introduction of post-production expert Taisya Kuzmenko:

“At first, there were only three people on the cover. After we finished it, it looked quite beautiful. Then , we received a surprise from the UK - we were tasked with creating a triple fold, and joining many others. The first step was to create a backdrop - a clean and interesting environment for everyone to use. Taking different materials and photos, I created this background. The next step was to prepare everyone for placement on the background, which included many hours of pathing and masking, cleaning and basic toning, etc. After a while, everyone was on a new canvas. The biggest challenge of the project was to put 16 people on the same canvas - the light, tones, shadows needed to match and look more natural, and a lot of the time, I had to. You’ll find yourself working at 300% magnification”

That’s it, a beautiful magazine cover is born!

Learning portrait lighting from one picture

Portrait lighting is not an easy task. If you use a hot shoe flash without a modeling light, it's even harder to predict the results. However, there are some basic methods to follow when lighting. Once you've mastered these basic techniques, you can branch out and create something of your own.

Here is a "Portrait Lighting Quick Checker" from DIYPhotography. Here you can see some basic single-light lighting effects. Even the more complex lighting arrangements revolve around the key light. Therefore, once you are familiar with these effects and try them repeatedly, you can quickly master the techniques of portrait lighting.

Learn professional lighting techniques from Disney posters

"

There is nothing that cannot be made beautiful with light." ——Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Mermaid

This is a poster for Ursula, the sea witch in Disney's animated "The Mermaid," played by Queen Latifah. Generally, we simply think that such posters are mainly produced by Photoshop. Although the background and tone of the poster are certainly indispensable to Photoshop, don't forget that the effect of the main character is also achieved through strict and professional pre-shooting

. After all, Photoshop cannot control the light and shadow of the character's hair and face, nor can it decide which places have highlights and which places should have shadows.

The following are the photos and lighting diagram of this poster

The shooting scene. We can see that 9 lighting equipment, 7 lights and 2 assistants were used to shoot such a character.

Lighting

What follows is the evil behind-the-scenes of Snow White. Because the environment of this poster is simple, the lighting is relatively simple, using only 2 lights.

Lighting

There are several Disney posters below for everyone to enjoy. Interested readers may wish to guess the lighting methods behind these posters.

Prince Charming played by Beckham

Snow White

Peter Pan Peter Pan

Cinderella Cinderella< /p>

Stop blaming the equipment! The biggest obstacle to progress in photography is yourself

1. I don’t have money to buy good equipment

Equipment is one of the many factors that create a good photo. Depending on your photography needs, some may not be possible at all. No need for a good camera. Many famous travel photographers in Taiwan, such as Xiaofan and KYO, use cheap cameras. War correspondents such as John Rosted, one of the Nobel Prize winners of the photography team I met, do not require Leica. Davina Daniel, the winner of international wedding competitions, uses Nikon 35/2, a lens that many people think is "eye-sore". . These are the photographers I have come across who are worthy of learning from and being targeted. Always remember, don’t let equipment constrain you. Unless your photography goal is equipment, then good equipment is what can help you achieve your goals.

World-class photographers have a strong sense of style, this one shoots landmines

2. Many people who are famous for their photography are very proud

Some Taiwanese professional editors I have connections with photographers who have become famous. I have never met a proud photographer, so I cannot understand it. As for the senior photographers I have met abroad, they are even more approachable and do not have the arrogance of internationally renowned award winners. Technology is always easy to be replaced. In the end, it is the photographer's own ideas and life that must arouse the audience's approval and recognition. It’s not great works that make great photographers, it’s great people who can take great works. Can a respectable person be arrogant? I haven't touched it yet.

I have never seen a photography master who is not humble

3. Some people say that I took the wrong picture

(or the composition of this picture is wrong, should it be repaired? Figure.etc)

Art has no rules because it has various variables that cannot be fixed. Different values, different timings, different viewers, and different locations will all change the quality of art. If you think you’re doing the right thing, then you’re right. If you need other people’s approval, then listen to other people’s opinions. To put it bluntly, it’s actually so baffling.

Personally, I like to look at photos of amateurs the most. To paraphrase what I think is a great photographer, "When something returns to its most original state, it is pure." I like to look at photography. The artist's pure heart is more important than technique and composition. So often the photos I love are not loved by others because most of them look like they were taken by someone who has not learned anything.

4. I’m not a professional and I can’t take good pictures

For these two things, the award-winners and the creators are often not professional. Professional photographers have to do work that has nothing to do with their hobbies for a long time. They just come into contact with photography more often than ordinary people and rely on that as their main income. Don't compare your career with the degree of your work. Some people also say that many wedding photographers are unprofessional. To be honest, this is not the case. It is because many amateurs have practiced to a professional level (but when it comes to professional attitudes, there is still a difference). Don't be lazy because you are not a professional, and don't make unreasonable demands because someone else is a professional. Photographers are also office workers and have families to support.

5. Why are you so lucky and have so many opportunities for cooperation?

First, it’s luck, and second, my essence is to “make friends.” There are too many people who are more talented (and wealthy) than me, but cooperation between people often brings luck and happiness. I like to introduce talented people to each other, and I even recommended my creative platform to other good photographers and authors I know, but in the end there was no result. Loving and sharing friends is my greatest photography and personality trait. My editors, vendors, colleagues, and strangers are all my friends. Regardless of whether we have business dealings or not, I hope we can have a happy life because of each other. one day. If you want good luck, start by treating others well.

What causes a stir in the end of photography is often the photographer’s attitude towards life

6. Equipment control is so annoying

I am also an equipment control person. I just don’t want to spend this money, otherwise I would have opened a photographic equipment museum long ago. I love them all from the iPhone to the Leica MP, and I can’t bear to leave them from the Canon 18-200 to the 85 primes (but apart from the 18-200, they all belong to my friends).

To this day, I still take out my dad’s Polaroid SX-70, the Sony 828 that I just learned photography from, and the 18-200 that accompany me to witness the world to clean and play with.

I even wanted the gift camera from IKEA, and I almost bought the big three-yuan coffee cup. Although I am not willing to buy a Leica yet, if there is a show, I will not miss the opportunity to play it for free. Equipment geeks are a bit derogatory at the moment, but really, the equipment geeks I have met are all good people who are obsessed with photography. Every time I meet them, they give me a lot of precious opinions and knowledge (also 300 primes and LEICA allow me to Play).

I am not an equipment person, who is, this is not me

7. There are many perverts who love photography

What do you want me to do?

There are many perverts. I am also a photographer and have given birth to a child, so it is difficult to answer

8. I really hate the chatter in photography

I am a photographer and traveler Columnist, no matter how I reply, it seems like I’m punching myself in the face. All I can say is that I will pay more attention to myself, thank you for your reminder.

If you don’t like talking nonsense, don’t spend time watching, just take pictures

9. Advice for student photographers

Photography is difficult to make a living, so think carefully about it . Art and hobbies are about cultivating the mind and sharing. Being kind to others and giving more praise may sound mysterious but it will really improve your work. Many world-famous photographers debuted in their 20s (and won awards in their 20s). There is no absolute relationship between age and works. You can even say that young people have better plasticity and creativity.

Nearly all the photographers I love are younger than me. Xiaofan is in his early thirties, DAVINA is 25 years old, and Wang Wanyu is ten years younger than me. I have bought and signed works from all of the above people.

I predict that within five years almost all current photography celebrities will be oppressed by 20-year-olds. This is an inevitable wave of generational change.

The BASE required for the maturity of the photography world was opened by the digital age, and then technology was overcome by the convenience of technology. The next step is characteristics. Currently, each style has a famous photographer as an indicator. Can be learned and surpassed. Those raised in such an era are young players who have a strong sense of art, personal characteristics, and plasticity.

People of my age are very similar to those in the exploratory stage of photography. Too much time is consumed by pursuing equipment, theory, composition and other issues. Therefore, many of the corresponding works have no personality and only seek to have a regular composition. with sharpness. The most common mistakes young people make are not lasting, not laying a good foundation, thinking they know everything, and being self-aware and not listening to other people's opinions, which constrains their final growth.

Most of the photos of people in my generation are quite decent.

The biggest obstacle for people is always themselves.

Finally, please don’t call me Da Da. I’m embarrassed. Just call me John. To be honest, if you asked me to come out to shoot together, I would probably not be as good at shooting as you and I would be yelled at by you, which would be really difficult.

Diagonal composition makes your portrait photography full of movement

Portrait photography should pay attention to curves. If it cannot reflect natural curves, it is necessary to find ways to artificially create some curves and polylines. .

For example: If your body can bend, it may be very effective if you bend it a little. For example, the knees, fingers, waist, and neck are all movable joints. Try different combinations.

Portrait Diagonal Lines

If used well in portrait photography, diagonal lines can greatly increase the vitality of the photo.

The main contribution of diagonal lines to photos is the factor they bring, so they are not suitable for taking "regular" photos.

For example, taking a headshot is difficult. If you tilt it slightly, the effect will come out easily. Just use diagonal lines to compose the picture.

Diagonal composition of a large bust

When your model is not very good at posing, or does not have a good figure, or does not have good clothing, or does not have a good background, You can't say that the model is not qualified, haha, the photographer still has a job to do. At this time, large head portraits and large busts are the first choices. As long as you use diagonal composition, you will find that the clothing, background and even body shape are secondary.

When taking portraits in color, be sure to make the background sophisticated and simple so as not to overwhelm the subject, especially for half-length and full-body portraits.

If there is no pure white background, you can use white or light-colored sheets instead, and then use a flash to hit the background, and the background exposure should be 2 stops larger than the exposure of the characters.

Bust-length refers to the film that captures the model from the waist to the knees. At this time, most of the model's body, especially the hands, are included in the film, just like the bust. The key is how to pose the model's hands.

There are many poses for hands and arms. You can use the "bend" method in front, or you can stroke your hair and straddle the waist. In many poses, the model puts her hands on her thighs (it is best for the model to look at the camera at this time) (Teach you), or bend down to touch the calf (it is best for the model to look at the calf at this time). You can also borrow props such as sunglasses, hats, and handbags to help models pose.

Low-angle diagonal composition

Another characteristic of low-angle is that it can avoid unnecessary things on the ground, making the composition simple (this is one of the three major disciplines in New York textbooks ), in addition, you can use the lines of the background to construct more diagonal lines.

High-angle diagonal composition

High-angle is good at highlighting the model's figure and curves. As long as it is combined with movements, it is extremely easy to create exaggerated effects.

"Japanese style" photography skills

People from different countries take photos, each with a unique taste. Today I will introduce to you a simple style that I like very much - Japanese style.

What is unique about the photos taken by Japanese photographers? Generally speaking, it has the following characteristics:

Use more natural light

Make more white backgrounds, more simple

Low chroma and contrast, softer< /p>

In Japanese-style photography, "how to frame" plays a very important role. Please remember one important point: harmony. The photos look harmonious and the Japanese style appears naturally. This time, the author aims at still life photography, including food, groceries and indoor spaces, which can all be photographed at home.

1. Indoor shooting skills

1. Use natural light

Window light is the most important element, which can produce natural tones. Be careful to turn off other lights when shooting. If the light source is insufficient, you can use a reflector and increase the aperture. (White cardboard, pearl board or cloth will also work.) Please use a tripod to assist if necessary. Do not use flash, because the hard light of the flash will make the object look disharmonious.

2. Pay careful attention to changes in sunlight

When shooting at different times, the color temperature is different. You may wish to pay attention to the changes in sunlight throughout the day. You will find that before sunrise and after sunset, it has a heavy blue tone, which is a cold color temperature; from morning to afternoon, it is a warm color temperature, with a yellow tone. Avoid shooting at noon, as daylight is soft. If you shoot in the early morning or before dark, it will have a different flavor.

3. Think about the shooting angle

Shooting from directly above can show flat objects with distinctive shapes; shooting things with height from diagonally above or from the front; shooting close-up parts at close range. The feeling is different from different angles. If necessary, you can hang the object before shooting.

4. Make up a short story

Decoration is not just about placement. If the image can be arranged to have a story, then the work can add more artistic conception. Every object has its own meaning. You might as well think about which objects you need to use in this picture to express the feeling you want to present. Of course you can also take continuous or series of photos to tell a story.

2. Spend time on layout to create style

The layout of the scene is very important in the sense of harmony. The author below recommends several styles as a reference:

1. Simple style

Use monochrome as the keynote and avoid using too many colors. Don’t think about how to add something, think about how to take away something. The key is to strike a balance in matching, because if the picture is too simple, it will make people feel deserted.

Recommended small items: old fabrics, wooden boards, paper stamped with seals or old stamps, old items

2. Cute style

Quite suitable for photography Food and desserts. Not limited to Western style, you can try any combination as long as it makes you feel cute. Fabrics with different patterns are great, but keep in mind the balance between the pattern and the object. The pattern should be the same size as the object. If you want to put feminine decorations, one is enough.

Recommended small items: floral cloth, plaid cloth, lace, ribbons

3. Natural style

Use earth tones as the keynote to create an appropriate sense of life. The materials should be relatively simple, with wooden objects being the most commonly used props, and some flowers and plants can also be added. Shooting with a little bit of afternoon sunlight can create an even better atmosphere.

Recommended small items: wooden products, creased or unironed linen, old items

3. Practical comparison examples

Finally, the author shares the differences with everyone. Example comparison.

Sometimes it takes a lot of time to arrange carefully, but the author only shoots in daily life, and the effect is not bad without deliberately creating the arrangement. It is for everyone's reference.

Viewing from different angles, the feeling and focus are different

Safe and beautiful angle, the most simple

It is completely different when the angle is changed and the background is included

In short, it is not difficult to shoot Japanese style, just put some effort into finding simple beauty! Make good use of natural light and help with reflectors. Start at home and join the ranks of Japanese style today! How to take a bust portrait of a poster. The person who needs to be photographed stands in front of the poster and takes the photo directly. The length of the half body can be cut out through software.