Alphabet Name Photography
Light is Your Crayon – and There’s Always Another Color in the Box
In 30 years of photographic experience, I’ve made several great friends who work in Photo Labs. When asked about the biggest mistake they see every day; the response is always the same. They usually answer after a long sigh, “These people just don’t understand light.”
Remember: all cameras average the existing light. What that means is, just because you can see it . . . doesn’t mean the camera can. The human eye is far more sophisticated than the most expensive camera money can buy. If . . . for example, you stand someone in front of a bright window, your eye can still tell who that person is . . . but the camera can not, at least, not without help. Your eye will zoom into a person’s face and ignore that bright light around them, but the camera will not.
The camera’s whole purpose in life is to make an image that is 18% gray. Long ago, someone decided that 18% gray was as close to the human eye, as a camera can get. But if for example, 80% of the picture frame is filled with light that is brighter than 18% gray, what does the camera do? It tries to average out the given light. It will take your best friend and makes him or her, a silhouette. Don’t get mad at the camera, it’s only doing what it’s told to do.
Remember, if you want a subject to actually be white (a wedding dress for example) you will have to give the shot more light than the camera suggest. If you want it to actually be black, (a black horse for example) you have to give the shot less light than what the camera is indicating.
I like using a flash and do so about 80% of the time. Some events won’t allow a flash indoors. If that’s the case, get a higher speed film (400 or 800 ISO) and use a tripod. If you can’t give a subject more light, give it light for a longer period of time. If you use a flash, the camera speed is usually about 1/125th of a sec. or faster. But if you’re not allowed to use a flash for example, you may shoot available light at 1/30th of a sec. or slower. (That’s why I also suggest the tripod.)
I use flash more than most photographers I know, even outdoors, (when I happen to be shooting people, that is). Why? Just because there’s plenty of light, doesn’t mean that it’s the right kind of light. Bright light (like at high noon) causes harsh shadows. I can give a short burst of flash (commonly called: “Fill Flash”), and suddenly my colors are more vibrant and the shadows are less harsh. Keep in mind, if you don’t want the flash itself causing harsh shadows it has to be higher than your subject. That’s why studios use those light stands to begin with.
You have to make the decisions about how to expose your photos, not the camera. The camera is only a guide, but it has no artistic taste. It will only do what it knows how to do, which means it will give you an average exposure. If you want your shots to look extraordinary, don’t rely on just an average reading. There are 26 letters in the alphabet, but not every combination makes a great novel. What you do with those 26 letters determines if you are a great writer. What you do with the information your camera has, determines whether or not you are a great photographer.
About the Author
Award winning writer / photographer Tedric Garrison has 30 years experience in photography. As a Graphic Art Major, he has a unique perspective on the Elements of Design and how those elements relate to all aspects of photography. His photo eBook (Your Creative Edge) proves that creativity CAN be taught. Tedric shares his wealth of knowledge with the world, at: Better Photo Tips.com
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Classic Embossed Alphabet Blocks ABC $29.33 These standard ABC blocks are a generous 1_Ó (44mm) cubed and patterned after blocks from the turn-of-the-century, this set of 28 blocks is finely crafted and colorfully painted with non-toxic inks. Each block features a unique animal picture, a number or math symbol, and four letters (two embossed) for a total of four complete alphabets. Ages 2 and up…. |
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Melissa & Doug Deluxe 50-piece Wooden ABC/123 Blocks Set $8.19 Our durable blocks allow children to experience constructive play at its best!… |
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Elegant Baby Wooden Blocks- Colors $30.00 Parents and children alike will enjoy this simple set of alphabet blocks by Elegant Baby. Children will enjoy stacking the easy to handle blocks, with bright colors, fun drawings, and familiar words; parents will appreciate the crisp, simple design of the blocks, lending them an air of chic room decor and design. Set includes 36 ABC blocks, with every letter of the alphabet and triple vowels. … |
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Animals from A-Z: An Alphabet Photo Picture Book for Young Children (Beginner Series: Book 6) This is the perfect (flashcards) photo picture book to introduce alphabets to young children who love animals.The large alphabets (capital and small letters) are on top of the page, followed by the bright and clear animal photographs and their names below. The simple layout is intended to help young children recognize and learn the animals’ name through word and picture association more easily.You… |
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The Butterfly Alphabet $5.99 A world-renowned nature photographer presents photographs of butterflies from throughout the world, using close-up views of wing designs that look like letters of the alphabet…. |
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Alphabet Animals $28.28 Illustrations of animals in the shape of letters of the alphabet include slide-out pages with the letter of the alphabet and the name of each animal. |
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Animal Alphabet (Board) $16.36 A slide-and-seek alphabet book that matches each letter of the alphabet to an animal whose name starts with that letter. On board pages. |
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Alphabet B Name Mini Button by CafePress $3 Spell a name or special message with these alphabet buttons. Customize or personalize your clothing and accessories. Name Mini Button Add fun accents to jackets, backpacks, or mix ‘n match our Mini Buttons. Our Mini Buttons are the perfect size for trading and collecting. Pin ‘em on1 inch diameter. Metal shell. Mylar/UV protecting cover. Pinned metal back |
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Alphabet C Name Mini Button by CafePress $3 Spell a name or special message with these alphabet buttons. Customize or personalize your clothing and accessories. Name Mini Button Add fun accents to jackets, backpacks, or mix ‘n match our Mini Buttons. Our Mini Buttons are the perfect size for trading and collecting. Pin ‘em on1 inch diameter. Metal shell. Mylar/UV protecting cover. Pinned metal back |
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Alphabet E Name Mini Button by CafePress $3 Spell a name or special message with these alphabet buttons. Customize or personalize your clothing and accessories. Name Mini Button Add fun accents to jackets, backpacks, or mix ‘n match our Mini Buttons. Our Mini Buttons are the perfect size for trading and collecting. Pin ‘em on1 inch diameter. Metal shell. Mylar/UV protecting cover. Pinned metal back |
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Alphabet F Name Mini Button by CafePress $3 Spell a name or special message with these alphabet buttons. Customize or personalize your clothing and accessories. Name Mini Button Add fun accents to jackets, backpacks, or mix ‘n match our Mini Buttons. Our Mini Buttons are the perfect size for trading and collecting. Pin ‘em on1 inch diameter. Metal shell. Mylar/UV protecting cover. Pinned metal back |
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Personalized Wine Alphabet Photography Frame, Three Letters $49.95 Personalized Wine Alphabet Photography Frame: Prints come beautifully matted Framed under glass in a black wood frame Frame measures 10″ x 16″ Wall mount Item cannot be gift boxed |
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Personalized Wine Alphabet Photography Frame, Three Letters $59.95 Personalized Wine Alphabet Photography Frame: Prints come beautifully matted Framed under glass in a black wood frame Frame measures 10″ x 16″ Wall mount Item cannot be gift boxed |
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Personalized Wine Alphabet Photography Frame, Three Letters $59.95 Personalized Wine Alphabet Photography Frame: Prints come beautifully matted Framed under glass in a black wood frame Frame measures 10″ x 16″ Wall mount Item cannot be gift boxed |
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Personalized Wine Alphabet Photography Frame, Three Letters $59.95 Personalized Wine Alphabet Photography Frame: Prints come beautifully matted Framed under glass in a black wood frame Frame measures 10″ x 16″ Wall mount Item cannot be gift boxed |
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Personalized Wine Alphabet Photography Frame, Three Letters $49.95 Personalized Wine Alphabet Photography Frame: Prints come beautifully matted Framed under glass in a black wood frame Frame measures 10″ x 16″ Wall mount Item cannot be gift boxed |
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Personalized Wine Alphabet Photography Frame, Three Letters $59.95 Personalized Wine Alphabet Photography Frame: Prints come beautifully matted Framed under glass in a black wood frame Frame measures 10″ x 16″ Wall mount Item cannot be gift boxed |
