Photographing Fire

Technique of making an impressive fire image is very simple. Firstly, you should take a photograph.An easy way to do that is to go to a family picnic. Use an "A" (aperture) mode and set the aperture setting from f/5,6 to f/11. When you're using this values, you will take really good sharp images. Then set exposure compensation to -1 EV due to have a dark background. I recommend to use telephoto lens, because you can use it away from bonfire and your equipment will be intact. The best way to have good final image is to shoot in raw.

The second step is postprocessing. In Photoshop your raw image firstly opens in Camera Raw module. The main option here is Blacks. Set it to 40 or higher to make background almost black. Also you can use temperarture to change hue of the flames.

(above you see settings, which I'm using in 90% of firey images)

To complete this postprocessing you can darken the background using Burn Tool and increase contrast using Curves or Levels. And it's done!

Shoot The Show!

Hi everybody! Here is some notes about taking really nice pictures on concerts or shows.

Firstly, you mustn't use a flash. In big concert halls is fantastic colourful light. So, use it!
Secondly, there are two ways to take good place: close by the stage(shooting with wide-angle lens) or from the long distance(of course you must have a telephoto lens). if you use wide angle, your pictures will be very dramatic! But if you want to have portraits of musicians(or actors) you way is big distance and telephoto lens.
One of the most important in taking photographs of the show, that you really need camera with low level of noise when you using high ISO. But if the noise level is high you can use Adobe Photoshop with such plug-ins as Neat Image or Imagenomic Noiseware.

I'm sure, that now your photographs from a concerts and shows will be looking better!