Taking Photographs

[MrNorthIndyCpl]

Okay, I admit it, I'm just not artistic so I need your help.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a resource for learning how to take good photos?

My darling wife is lovely subject matter, but I know nothing about lighting, composition, etc.

Thanks!

John

[C n' D 4playin]

There are several links i have stashed away somewhere on my bookmarks.....and i'll try to dig out the best of them and get back here with them later today.
This is a link that i often send to friends and family when they ask similar questions. http://super.nova.org/PhotoClass/PhotoClass00.html ......it's far from all inclusive.....but a fair start in the basics. much of the info on this link concerns serious printing or developing.....but the front half of the information is pretty good......for freebies.
here is another...check out the archives. http://www.photographic.com/phototechniques/

if you edit in photoshop....these are some interesting methods....
http://graphicssoft.about.com/od/pho.../bllps5out.htm
http://www.dustylens.com/glamour_look.htm
http://www.geocities.com/kafuensis/

and if you are just looking for ideas.......try browsing some of the better photo shareing sites....you get to see some of the best work out there...and get to read the shared methods, equipment, (you're a guy and like toys...i mean tools...right?),and most importantly perhaps....the critique of the masses....it's not all spot on........but then nothing is. Ideas however, abound.... it's good to watch and see what others have learned or seen. for task specific examples....try searching the sites for nekkid chicks....or some similar phrase.

most of these sites do not require a registration to jsut browse......they do however require that if you want to participate in the multitude of forums. ya think swingers have opinions?.....you ain't seen anything yet........ :rollseyes

http://www.dpchallenge.com/
http://www.pbase.com/
http://www.photo.net/gallery/photocr...lders&period=7
http://www.photodiva.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/default.htm forums....
http://www.dpreview.com/ forums......

http://www.johnandjulia.com/photographytips.htm
http://www.betterphoto.com/home.asp
http://www.photoworkshop.com/index.html

these are in no particular order......and i'm sure that a fresh google might kick up a few new ones. these have been hanging around my bookmarks for ages now.

enjoy!......and if you need someone to hold a reflector......or a flash.....or hell even just run get a beer and cheerlead.....let me know.

dave

[Just_us49]

I know nothing about taking pictures...at least the techie stuff. BUT, I have learned that you have to take tons of shots to get a very few good ones. AND it's all about lighting.

For instance when the Mrs. takes a shower, I can snap around 100 photos and maybe 3 to 5 will be "man thats a hot photo." IMHO it's just catching that look or pose that makes it work.

I learned this while surfing the TV one night and stumbled onto National Geographic. This guy had been taking shots of this certain kind of bear for the cover of the Mag, and it comes out that he took over 360 rolls of film to get the 6 photos they used. It was one of those moments when I said "that's how they do it "

Sure you need good equipment etc. But take tons of pictures and a few will be excellent despite the fact you know nothing about it.

One other thing I found is M has become more photogenic since I'm always taking her picture. She can look at the pics and see what poses look good etc. I always coach her poses according to what I've seen in other pics. telling her "yea right their that looks good, raise your chin just a bit" etc.

Just a side note: I love the pics once she starts getting a bit turned on cause it comes thru on the pic.

-D

[Botcpl]

Nothing wrong with taking a class at the local Jr. College, you learn the basic, composition, lighting and even how to use a (photographic) darkroom. It's good to see how you compare to other students and it is nice to have someone look at your pictures and give constructive suggestions. But the real secret is to take tones of pictures. If 10% of your pictures produce "a keeper", you are doing very good.

P

[MrNorthIndyCpl]

Wow!

Thank you guys VERY much, great information! I'm already excited about trying some more shots!

John

[BiDrywallChick]

hre is a question that is slightly OT... Where do you take your film to be developed when your pics are slightly adult in nature. I am not talking hard core.. thats what a digi cam or polaroid is for. I am talking about the tastefully nude to semi nude erotic ones. I am wanting to have some done and made into a collage for our bedroom but I also dont feel like I need to explain it all to the lad tech at Wal-mart

[MrNorthIndyCpl]

Here is one:

http://www.intimateexposures.com/

Disclaimer: I've never used them, just seen their ads.

John

[JnCC]

I got a lot of good tips from a book called "Glamour Nude Photography" by Robert and Sheila Hurth. I purchased mine at a photo store, but Amazon probably has it as well.

I agree that there's no substitute for taking LOTS of photos. If your camera has a 3 or 5 frame "burst mode" you may find it useful. Self-critique every picture you take, and be prepared to delete about 75% of them. Also, critiquing other peoples photos can be helpful. When you see a picture you like, ask yourself what it is you like about it, and how that might be applied to the next set of pictures you take.

Oh yeah, one last thing. When you get some good ones, don't forget to share them with the rest of us...

[Justwatch]

If you're using film, make sure that whoever you're taking softcore pictures to is processing these onsite, it almost makes a 60 minute place worth it. We use a camera/printing shop near us that develops onsite, and we always tell them what's on the film (this is a courtesy to them, as there are a couple of girls there who don't want to see that kind of photo).

Can't stress shooting multiple frames enough either...film is cheap ($.10 a frame) and I used to be stingy with it, but one family vacation I had 'almost good enough' shots and realized that if I splurged on the extra frame or two I would've had really great photos instead of 'stick it in the album' stuff.

[dirtwr04]

Nudes are photos like anything else. Learn the basics of taking a good photo and it will look good regardless of clothes or lack of.

Try the rule of thirds. If you have a good photo but not a great one, sometimes you can crop the photo to get it closer to the rule of thirds (google rule of thirds and photography for a good explanation.)

Buy a digital SLR camera if you can or the best digital you can afford, preferably one with multiple frames capability. I use a Canon 20D at it is awesome. Be sure to save 179 dollars for a Canon Pixma printer that way you can print till the cows come home and never have any processing problems at Wal-mart or Savon Drugs. Over a short time you will save a lot of money because you only print the great photos and delete the crap ones which saves a lot in development costs. The actual prints cost about the same one for one.

I have had great luck with nature photos and back lighting. First find a remote area with a great view and nude girl and you have a winner. Also try shooting her in a dark room in front of a window. Esp. if she is a little shy because the pic is likely to come out great with enough detail to be erotic, and enough lack of detail to be both comfortable for your new model and sexy like lingerie leaving a little to the imagination. I have several pics of my GF opening a full length sliding glass door in the morning looking out to the mountains. It is so sexy and captures her escence. Also, try putting the photo behind frosted glass, that way you can display it in areas that are less private parts of the home. It tends to add an artistic quality that is more art and less porn.

I agree with the previous post about looking at photos for ideas. Try to recreate the photos. I did some good ones of my GF posing like Jane Fonda as a young girl on the beach.. I saw the pic in Time Life Century of Photos and loved the pick (not crazy about Fonda but she was hot). Also I recommend www.met-art.com or met-girls.com Sometimes they have a two day membership for cheap.. You can download Gigs of great artistic photos and movies that are really classy. Learn from the ones you like.

Good Luck.

[MrNorthIndyCpl]

You guys are fantastic! Thank you so much for all your great tips.

John