Filed under: Photography
Photographing in Snow – Exposure Challenge
Your camera’s exposure meter sees the world in middle or neutral gray tones. And if you are pointing your camera at white snow? Then your camera will try to make it a dingy gray! This “rule” applies whether you’re shooting digital or film, auto-exposure or manual, or whether you’re shooting Big Bear Lake Skiing, Aspen Snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or just plain winter landscapes. And yes, it applies even if your camera is the most expensive, most sophisticated digital model. Exposure solutions: - Substitute
Reading: Take an alternate meter reading off a middle tone – blue sky, gray card (sold in camera stores), or any medium-colored object. Simply point your camera at, say, the blue sky, fill up your viewfinder with that tone. Then keep those settings (via exposure lock or manual mode), re-compose your photo, and fire away. Note: If you are taking an alternate reading off the gray card or another average-colored object, be sure that the light falling on that substitute object is EXACTLY the same as that falling on your main subject.
- Exposure Compensation: This depends on the brightness of the scene. Add, say, +1.5 to +2 for sunny midday conditions when a big expanse of snow is influencing your meter. If the lighting is more subdued – i.e., early morning or late day, or heavy overcast – then go with +1/2 to +1.
Photographing in Snow – Protecting Your Camera Falling snow can add a fresh look to your picture, but care must be taken with all cameras. Some “pro” models handle minimal wetness better than others, but care should be taken with all cameras. Tips and tricks: - Attach a lens hood (or shade) to each of your lenses … besides preventing sun flare, the lens hood also helps ward off snow and mist. Note: The hood must be designed specifically for your lens. - An absorbent cloth – i.e., a chamois (chammy) – is ideal for soaking up snow and waterdrops on the camera body and lens body (but NOT the glass). - Lens cloth – i.e., microfiber – or lens tissue can be used on the lens front (glass).
Filed under: Photography
Photographing in Snow – Exposure Challenge
Your camera’s exposure meter sees the world in middle or neutral gray tones. And if you are pointing your camera at white snow? Then your camera will try to make it a dingy gray! This “rule” applies whether you’re shooting digital or film, auto-exposure or manual, or whether you’re shooting Big Bear Lake Skiing, Aspen Snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or just plain winter landscapes. And yes, it applies even if your camera is the most expensive, most sophisticated digital model. Exposure solutions: - Substitute
Reading: Take an alternate meter reading off a middle tone – blue sky, gray card (sold in camera stores), or any medium-colored object. Simply point your camera at, say, the blue sky, fill up your viewfinder with that tone. Then keep those settings (via exposure lock or manual mode), re-compose your photo, and fire away. Note: If you are taking an alternate reading off the gray card or another average-colored object, be sure that the light falling on that substitute object is EXACTLY the same as that falling on your main subject.
- Exposure Compensation: This depends on the brightness of the scene. Add, say, +1.5 to +2 for sunny midday conditions when a big expanse of snow is influencing your meter. If the lighting is more subdued – i.e., early morning or late day, or heavy overcast – then go with +1/2 to +1.
Photographing in Snow – Protecting Your Camera Falling snow can add a fresh look to your picture, but care must be taken with all cameras. Some “pro” models handle minimal wetness better than others, but care should be taken with all cameras. Tips and tricks: - Attach a lens hood (or shade) to each of your lenses … besides preventing sun flare, the lens hood also helps ward off snow and mist. Note: The hood must be designed specifically for your lens. - An absorbent cloth – i.e., a chamois (chammy) – is ideal for soaking up snow and waterdrops on the camera body and lens body (but NOT the glass). - Lens cloth – i.e., microfiber – or lens tissue can be used on the lens front (glass).
Filed under: Graphics 1 & 2
Do You Really Need a Graphic Designer? Part 1
by Karin Nead
First published online on 2 December 2004.
Marketing is the cornerstone to any business’ ability to grow their client base. Promotional displays and marketing brochures for products and services, distinctive logos, and signs and signage systems all come into play when trying to promote a company. Many times, businesses turn to graphic designers for help in creating the solutions to these communication issues. This involves the use of a variety of print, electronic, and film media and technologies to execute a design that meet a company’s communication needs.
But, is it really necessary to hire a graphic designer for this purpose? The first part of finding the answer to this is to define what a graphic designer is. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graphic designers plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They consider cognitive, cultural, physical, and social factors in planning and executing designs appropriate for a given context. This sounds complicated and may convince you that a designer would be a great person to have on your side when planning your marketing initiatives. However, the reality is that many graphic design services can be very expensive. While creativity is key, many firms only hire graphic designers that hold at a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and candidates with a master’s degree are highly sought. While this seems like an even better deal for clients of such designers and their firms, this also raises the price of the services. In addition, designers often use expensive computer software to develop their designs, thereby increasing the cost to their clients.
Many businesses fall into this expensive trap of using graphic design services for their communication needs. However, many times this cost extends beyond just the fees for design services. Trying to develop a company identity is difficult when the person doing the designing doesn’t understand the ins and outs of the company itself. No one knows better than the principals in the company what they stand for, their ideals and goals, and in what way they want this communicated. No number of meetings and brainstorming sessions will allow a designer to really understand your business the way you do. Positive images and branding are essential to any company. No amount of experience a design firm brings to the table will guarantee that their design will work for you; and, if it doesn’t, it may be too expensive to change.
Filed under: Graphics 1 & 2
Do You Really Need a Graphic Designer? Part 1
by Karin Nead
First published online on 2 December 2004.
Marketing is the cornerstone to any business’ ability to grow their client base. Promotional displays and marketing brochures for products and services, distinctive logos, and signs and signage systems all come into play when trying to promote a company. Many times, businesses turn to graphic designers for help in creating the solutions to these communication issues. This involves the use of a variety of print, electronic, and film media and technologies to execute a design that meet a company’s communication needs.
But, is it really necessary to hire a graphic designer for this purpose? The first part of finding the answer to this is to define what a graphic designer is. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graphic designers plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They consider cognitive, cultural, physical, and social factors in planning and executing designs appropriate for a given context. This sounds complicated and may convince you that a designer would be a great person to have on your side when planning your marketing initiatives. However, the reality is that many graphic design services can be very expensive. While creativity is key, many firms only hire graphic designers that hold at a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and candidates with a master’s degree are highly sought. While this seems like an even better deal for clients of such designers and their firms, this also raises the price of the services. In addition, designers often use expensive computer software to develop their designs, thereby increasing the cost to their clients.
Many businesses fall into this expensive trap of using graphic design services for their communication needs. However, many times this cost extends beyond just the fees for design services. Trying to develop a company identity is difficult when the person doing the designing doesn’t understand the ins and outs of the company itself. No one knows better than the principals in the company what they stand for, their ideals and goals, and in what way they want this communicated. No number of meetings and brainstorming sessions will allow a designer to really understand your business the way you do. Positive images and branding are essential to any company. No amount of experience a design firm brings to the table will guarantee that their design will work for you; and, if it doesn’t, it may be too expensive to change.
Filed under: Graphics 1 & 2
Do You Really Need a Graphic Designer? Part 1
by Karin Nead
First published online on 2 December 2004.
Marketing is the cornerstone to any business’ ability to grow their client base. Promotional displays and marketing brochures for products and services, distinctive logos, and signs and signage systems all come into play when trying to promote a company. Many times, businesses turn to graphic designers for help in creating the solutions to these communication issues. This involves the use of a variety of print, electronic, and film media and technologies to execute a design that meet a company’s communication needs.
But, is it really necessary to hire a graphic designer for this purpose? The first part of finding the answer to this is to define what a graphic designer is. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graphic designers plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They consider cognitive, cultural, physical, and social factors in planning and executing designs appropriate for a given context. This sounds complicated and may convince you that a designer would be a great person to have on your side when planning your marketing initiatives. However, the reality is that many graphic design services can be very expensive. While creativity is key, many firms only hire graphic designers that hold at a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and candidates with a master’s degree are highly sought. While this seems like an even better deal for clients of such designers and their firms, this also raises the price of the services. In addition, designers often use expensive computer software to develop their designs, thereby increasing the cost to their clients.
Many businesses fall into this expensive trap of using graphic design services for their communication needs. However, many times this cost extends beyond just the fees for design services. Trying to develop a company identity is difficult when the person doing the designing doesn’t understand the ins and outs of the company itself. No one knows better than the principals in the company what they stand for, their ideals and goals, and in what way they want this communicated. No number of meetings and brainstorming sessions will allow a designer to really understand your business the way you do. Positive images and branding are essential to any company. No amount of experience a design firm brings to the table will guarantee that their design will work for you; and, if it doesn’t, it may be too expensive to change.
Filed under: Graphics 1 & 2
Do You Really Need a Graphic Designer? Part 1
by Karin Nead
First published online on 2 December 2004.
Marketing is the cornerstone to any business’ ability to grow their client base. Promotional displays and marketing brochures for products and services, distinctive logos, and signs and signage systems all come into play when trying to promote a company. Many times, businesses turn to graphic designers for help in creating the solutions to these communication issues. This involves the use of a variety of print, electronic, and film media and technologies to execute a design that meet a company’s communication needs.
But, is it really necessary to hire a graphic designer for this purpose? The first part of finding the answer to this is to define what a graphic designer is. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graphic designers plan, analyze, and create visual solutions to communications problems. They consider cognitive, cultural, physical, and social factors in planning and executing designs appropriate for a given context. This sounds complicated and may convince you that a designer would be a great person to have on your side when planning your marketing initiatives. However, the reality is that many graphic design services can be very expensive. While creativity is key, many firms only hire graphic designers that hold at a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and candidates with a master’s degree are highly sought. While this seems like an even better deal for clients of such designers and their firms, this also raises the price of the services. In addition, designers often use expensive computer software to develop their designs, thereby increasing the cost to their clients.
Many businesses fall into this expensive trap of using graphic design services for their communication needs. However, many times this cost extends beyond just the fees for design services. Trying to develop a company identity is difficult when the person doing the designing doesn’t understand the ins and outs of the company itself. No one knows better than the principals in the company what they stand for, their ideals and goals, and in what way they want this communicated. No number of meetings and brainstorming sessions will allow a designer to really understand your business the way you do. Positive images and branding are essential to any company. No amount of experience a design firm brings to the table will guarantee that their design will work for you; and, if it doesn’t, it may be too expensive to change.
