| How to Start Doing Photography Posted: 13 Jun 2019 05:00 PM PDT There's something captivating about capturing images. If you're just starting out and would like to make photography a hobby, focus on the basics. Assemble gear for taking pictures and practice photographing with manual settings, using a tripod, and composing a shot. If you're an experienced photographer and you're considering making it a career, build on the basics while developing business goals. EditGathering Basic Equipment - Choose a camera according to your comfort level. If you're just starting out with photography, choose a point and shoot or digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera that you feel comfortable handling. It doesn't matter how many megapixels it can capture or how expensive it is. Start with what's affordable and buy used gear as you learn more.[1]
- Consider purchasing a refurbished camera that you can learn on.
- Regardless of what type of camera you buy, it's important to read the owner's manual. This will teach you about features that are unique to your camera.
- Purchase a prime lens if you have a DSLR camera. To have more control over your images, specifically the light and blurring of the background, use a prime lens. This lens is fixed so it doesn't zoom. A prime lens is useful when you're still learning how to balance aperture, shutter speed, and image sensitivity.[2]
- A common prime lens to start with is a 50mm 1.8.
- Buy several memory cards so you have backup storage. It's easy to think that if you have 1 large memory card, you're all set. Unfortunately, memory cards can become lost or stop working over time. Purchase a few memory cards in different storage sizes and keep a few in your camera bag so you always have access to memory.[3]
- Memory cards usually last between 2 and 5 years, so you'll need to replace them occasionally.
- Get a tripod to capture crisp images. Purchase an inexpensive tripod that you can secure your camera to. The tripod will stabilize your camera so you can take shots with a longer shutter speed without getting blurry images. For example, you can take pictures in the evening when the lighting is low.
- If you can't buy a tripod, set up a stack of books or place your camera on a flat post to steady it.
- Store your gear in a camera bag. Get a camera bag or backpack that holds your camera, any lenses you want to carry, and your tripod. Ensure that the bag is comfortable to carry around or you'll be less likely to actually use it.
- Most camera bags have small compartments for lenses, filters, and memory cards.
- Install photo-editing software on your computer. Editing your images on the computer is a large part of creating great pictures. Choose a photo-editing software that has tools you think you'll need in post-production, such as adjusting color balance and playing with contrast.[4]
- Capture One Pro, Adobe Lightroom, and Photoshop are popular photo-editing programs.
EditTaking Great Photographs - Photograph things that inspire you. Find what you're really passionate about photographing and spend lots of time taking pictures of it. Instead of trying to take perfect pictures, try to capture what made you excited about the shot or what sparked delight.[5]
- For example, if you love to travel, take pictures of everything on your trip. Over time, you might find that you're particularly drawn to photographing architecture or people that you meet.
- Work on composing your shots. As a beginner, take photographs of everything that draws and holds your attention. Pay attention to what's in your camera's viewfinder before you capture the image. A classic photography trick is to compose the picture by the rule of thirds. Imagine your frame is divided into thirds going horizontally and vertically. Then place interesting subjects along these lines.[6]
- For example, instead of taking a photograph of a tree in the middle of your frame, move the camera so the tree is off to the bottom left of the frame and you can see the valley behind it.
- If you'd like to take an extremely close up photograph of something, such as a flower or bug, use your camera's macro mode. This will allow you to capture rich details.
- Adjust the distance between your subject. Once you've found something you'd like to photograph and composed a shot, take a few pictures. Then move closer to the subject so it fills the frame and take a few more pictures. Walk around to photograph from different angles and then walk farther away from your subject. You might find that photographing even closer or farther away will give you a better image than the one you imagined.[7]
- This is a great trick to try if you're struggling to come up with a shot. Just start moving around your subject until something catches your eye.
- Play around with the exposure triangle to have more control. You'll probably start taking photos using your camera's automatic settings. Keep shooting automatic until you're ready to start learning more and being more creative. When you start photographing in manual, you'll be able to control aperture, shutter speed, and image sensitivity. These work together to determine the quality of the photo you take.[8]
- For example, imagine you want to photograph a track race. If you shoot in automatic, the camera will probably freeze the action to create a still image. If you'd rather take a picture where the runner is blurred and appears to be moving fast, use manual to slow the shutter speed.
- Find time to practice as much as possible. The best way to improve your photography skills is to photograph as often as you can. To make things interesting, give yourself challenges and show your photos to a photography mentor or friend. For example, challenge yourself to photograph action shots one day. Photograph nature scenes the next day. Then shoot food or fashion images the following day.[9]
- Consider enrolling in a photography class or taking a workshop where you can get one-on-one feedback.
EditTransitioning to a Photography Career - Play around with different styles of photography. If you're thinking about a career in photography, you may already know what style of photography you want to do. If not, spend time trying a variety of styles. For example, focus on:[10]
- Fine art
- Fashion
- Food and product styling
- Nature and landscape
- Family and events
- Photojournalism
- Build a solid portfolio of your best work. Once you've accumulated a lot of images that you're proud of, pick 10 to 20 of them to become your portfolio. Include photos that you can show to potential clients. Keep in mind that your portfolio should highlight the style of photography that you want to do for a living.[11]
- Consider having a physical portfolio that you can look through with clients, as well as an online portfolio that you can direct them to.
- Share your work on social media. Be as active as possible on social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Regular posts and images will earn you a large following that can earn you valuable work. Remember to direct viewers to your website so they can order prints or hire you.[12]
- Some photographers prefer to focus on social media before building a solid portfolio. Since there's no wrong or right way to approach this, do what feels comfortable to you.
- Learn the business aspects of being a professional photographer. If you're seriously considering a photography career, keep in mind that you'll be doing a lot of other things in addition to photographing. Decide if you're comfortable with balancing these demands or if you'd like to find a business partner.[13]
- Photographers need great people skills since you'll be interacting with clients.
- Set realistic goals for yourself. It's easy to feel frustrated if your photography career isn't taking off as quickly as you thought it would. To help you chart your progress, create a mixture of short term and long-term goals that are achievable. Set deadlines for some of the goals to hold yourself accountable.[14]
- For example, tell yourself to photograph 3 weddings within 1 year. A long-term goal might be photographing weddings every weekend during the summer.
- If you're taking photos of people you don't know, ask their permission before capturing the image.
- Only carry the photography equipment that you plan on using since it's easy to get packed down.
- Look through your favorite magazines and books for photography inspiration.
EditRelated wikiHows EditReferences
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Treat Peeling Sunburns Posted: 13 Jun 2019 09:00 AM PDT Sunburns are a common, annoying side effect from spending too much time in the sun or a tanning bed. Dealing with a sunburn can be an uncomfortable experience, especially when your skin starts peeling. Fortunately, you can ease the pain and discomfort from a peeling sunburn, and your treatments may even help with the peeling. Additionally, you can help your sunburn heal faster with a little self-care. However, it's best to see your doctor if your sunburn is widespread, blistering, or shows signs of infection. EditEasing Pain, Discomfort, and Peeling - Use a cool compress every 2-3 hours to help reduce pain and peeling. Run cool water over a washcloth or towel. For a cooler compress, put it in your freezer for up to 1 minute. Then, place the compress over your skin for up to 30 minutes. If the cloth becomes warm, refresh it by running cool water over it or popping it into the freezer for about 1 minute.[1]
- Don't get your compress too cold, and avoid using ice directly on the burn, as this can damage or irritate your peeling skin.[2]
- Keeping your skin cool may help prevent or limit skin peeling. Use your cold compress every 2-3 hours throughout the day for best results.
- Use aloe vera gel to soothe the burned skin and help with peeling. Put a dab of aloe vera gel onto your hands, then gently apply it over your sunburn. Let the aloe vera sit on top of your skin, rather than rubbing it in, which can cause irritation. The gel will seep into your skin on its own.[3]
- You can use aloe vera gel from an aloe vera plant by breaking off a leaf and collecting the gel that comes out. Alternatively, buy a container of aloe vera gel from your local drug store or online. Just check the ingredients to make sure it's at least 90% aloe vera.
- Moisturize your skin twice a day to hydrate it and prevent more peeling. Use a fragrance-free lotion, which will be less likely to irritate your skin than a highly-scented formula. Put the lotion in the palm of your hand, then apply it over your sunburn in a thin layer. Wait about 5 minutes for the lotion to dry before you put on clothes.[4]
- Sunburn dries out your skin, which can make peeling worse. Keeping your skin moist with lotion may help prevent or reduce peeling due to a sunburn.
- Take an oatmeal bath to ease your pain and prevent itching. Run a cool bath, then add about 1 cup (85 g) of colloidal oatmeal. Get into the bath and soak for 20 minutes. Then, rinse off in cool water and pat yourself dry with a clean towel. Finally, apply aloe vera or moisturizer to hydrate your skin.[5]
- The oatmeal bath should help relieve discomfort and itching, and may reduce your peeling.
- You can find colloidal oatmeal at your local drug store or online. As an alternative, grind up regular rolled oats in a blender or food processor.
- Alternatively, you can add of apple cider vinegar to a bath and soak your sunburned skin in it for up to 20 minutes. This may help balance the pH of your skin and promote healing.[6]
- You might also find 2-3 tablespoons (30-40 g) of baking soda to be a soothing addition to your bath.[7]
- Take an OTC NSAID to reduce your pain and inflammation. You can use over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) to relieve your discomfort and help you heal faster. However, check with your doctor before you take them, as they aren't right for everyone. Also, read the label and take your medication as directed.[8]
- Don't take more medication than the labels says is safe, even if you still have pain.
- Apply an OTC hydrocortisone cream 1-2 times daily for inflammation and pain. Read the label on your cream and make sure you follow the instructions exactly. Put a dab of hydrocortisone cream on the tip of your finger. Then, lightly apply a layer of the cream over your sunburned skin. Try not to get any of the cream on your healthy skin.[9]
- Use as little as the cream as possible because it can cause skin irritation if you use a lot.
- You can buy an OTC hydrocortisone cream at your local drug store or online.
EditHelping Your Skin Heal - Leave your skin alone rather than picking or scratching it. Your skin is very sensitive after a sunburn, and it needs time to heal. Scratching or peeling the skin will make it worse and could increase your risk of getting an infection. Don't try to make your skin peel faster by picking off the skin or exfoliating it. Let the skin slough away on its own.[10]
- Keep in mind that moisturizing your skin and using aloe vera will help it heal faster than trying to peel off the skin yourself. Additionally, these treatments could help your skin stop peeling altogether.
- Stay out of the sun or use sun protection until your sunburn heals. Don't expose your sunburned skin to sunlight, as this can make it worse. When you must go outside, cover your skin in a fragrance-free SPF 30 sunscreen. Additionally, cover your skin with clothing and try to stay in the shade. This will protect your skin from further damage so it will heal faster.[11]
- If your sunburned skin is exposed to more sun, then it will likely take longer to heal.
- Drink at least of water daily to help hydrate your skin. Your skin's hydration comes from the inside, so make sure you stay hydrated with lots of fluids. Just like applying lotion adds moisture on top of your skin, drinking lots of water will boost your skin's moisture from within. This can help your skin heal faster.[12]
- Staying hydrated may help you prevent or limit skin peeling after a sunburn. If you start peeling anyway, it may help the process go faster.
- Wear loose, cotton clothing while your sunburn heals. This will prevent friction from your clothing from making the peeling worse. Additionally, loose clothing will help you feel more comfortable. Cotton is the best material because it's lightweight and breathable.[13]
- If you can, leave your skin uncovered while you're indoors.
- Leave blisters alone, but treat broken blisters with antibiotic ointment. Don't pick or break your blisters. This can cause an infection. However, it's normal for blisters to break on their own. When this happens, apply an antibiotic ointment and a sterile bandage with non-stick gauze. Change the bandage every 6 hours or when it comes off.[14]
- If your blisters have discolored or smelly pus, go see your doctor. This might be a sign of an infection.
EditSeeking Medical Care - Visit your doctor for widespread sunburn, blistering, or signs of an infection. While most sunburns will heal on their own, a severe sunburn needs medical care. Your doctor can help you find relief from pain and discomfort caused by your sunburn. Plus, they can monitor you for an infection, which causes the following symptoms:[15]
- Fever
- Increased pain or tenderness
- Swelling
- Yellow pus coming from a blister
- Red streaks
- Get immediate care for high fever, nausea, chills, pain, and confusion. While you're likely okay, it's best to see a doctor because these might be signs of a more serious condition. For instance, you may develop heat stroke or dehydration after getting a bad sunburn. Similarly, it's possible to have a severe infection, as well. It's best to be safe and talk to your doctor immediately.[16]
- You're not likely to have serious symptoms when you have a sunburn, so try not to worry.
- Ask about a prescription corticosteroid cream for severe sunburn. Your doctor may decide you need a more concentrated corticosteroid cream that's only available by prescription. To use this cream, dab a very small amount directly onto your sunburn. Do your best not to get it onto your healthy skin, as it may cause irritation in large doses. The cream will help relieve your pain, inflammation, and itching.[17]
- Your doctor may recommend you try over-the-counter treatments first. However, they might decide you need a prescription cream if your sunburn is interfering with your daily activities or if you've already tried home treatments.
- Get an antibiotic if you develop an infection. If your doctor gives you an antibiotic, take it exactly as directed. Don't stop taking it early, even if you feel better. Your infection may return if you don't take the entire prescription.[18]
- In most cases, you won't take an antibiotic for a sunburn. However, your doctor may give you an antibiotic if you start to show signs of an infection.
- Your sunburn should start to heal in about 3 to 5 days after it happens. Once it starts peeling, it normally takes about a week for it to stop peeling. However, you may be able to shorten this time with home care.[19]
- Keep in mind that some severe sunburns may take several weeks to peel.
- If your sunburn is causing you severe discomfort, see your doctor. They can help you find the best treatment to help you feel better.
- Getting multiple sunburns can raise your risk of skin cancer, so always protect your skin with SPF 30 sunscreen and cover your skin with clothing.[20]
EditReferences
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Paint with a Palette Knife Posted: 13 Jun 2019 01:00 AM PDT Palette knives, also known as painting knives, have been favored by some of the greatest artists in history. Whether used with oil paints or acrylics, the blunt blades of these tapered tools can produce a variety of effects. With different angles and pressure levels, you can use a palette knife to build up layers of texture, cover large areas with blocks of color, soften hard edges, and add fine details. Gather some paints, a sturdy canvas, and a paint palette to start experimenting with your palette knife! EditGathering Supplies - Choose a palette knife or painting knife. Although the two terms are used interchangeably, you'll notice there are slight differences when you go to an art supply store. Painting knives have narrow, tapered blades and a deeper bend at the "neck" which is designed to keep your hands out of the paint. Palette knives typically have flat, wide blades. They're useful for mixing large amounts of paint and scraping off paint palettes. Pick whichever style suits your painting goals.[1]
- Palette and painting knives come in small, medium, and large sizes, with curved and pointed ends. If you're new to palette knife painting, experiment with a few different sizes and shapes to discover your favorite tool.
- If you're planning to create a painting with fine details, a smaller painting knife would be a good choice. But if you want to create big blocks of color, try a larger knife.
- Opt for a knife with a sturdy metal blade and wood handle. With a springy and flexible metal blade, you'll be able to easily manipulate the paint on your canvas. The blade on a painting knife should be dull since you'll be using it to spread, mix, and apply paint. You don't need to look for a sharp blade since it's not meant to be a cutting tool.[2]
- Plastic palette knives and painting knives are also available. While they might seem like a good choice for a beginner, they are less flexible, less durable, and harder to clean.
- A plastic knife can be purchased for as low as 1 USD while many metal knives cost around 10 USD or less. A versatile metal tool is well worth the investment.[3]
- Use a firm canvas board or stiff surface as the base of the painting. With a painting knife, it's easier to apply paint on a stiff surface. A sturdy surface can also help prevent cracks from developing in thick layers of paint.[4] Stretched canvases will pose difficulties to inexperienced palette knife painters. Instead, try a gessoed canvas board or a gessoed wood panel.
- Select a large canvas or board for your palette knife painting. Try a board that measures at least if you're just starting out. With more space to cover, you'll push yourself to create bolder strokes and more confident marks.[5]
- Remember that painting knives don't allow as much control as brushes do. Expect lots of happy accidents, and don't be surprised if these result in the most exciting details in your painting!
- Use a large rigid plastic or wooden paint palette. Choose a rectangular or ovular palette with a smooth, flat surface. It can have a hole for your thumb to go through, or a lidded storage case, but these aren't necessary features. A palette measuring about long will provide enough space to mix and manipulate your paints.
- Waxed palette paper and loose plastic wrap will shift around with the pressure and movement of your palette knife. Instead of using these materials on their own, try taping a single sheet securely onto a sturdy palette for easier cleanup.
- Place blobs of paint around the perimeter of the palette. Squeeze the acrylic or oil paints directly from the tubes onto the palette.[6] Consider placing similar hues near each other, but keep each color separate. Place the blobs about apart and leave a wide space in the center of the palette to give yourself enough space for picking up and blending the paints.
- Refrain from mixing in a thinning medium or diluting the paints, since knife painting techniques work best with heavy-bodied paints.[7]
- For even more texture, try mixing a thickening medium into your paint.
EditManipulating the Palette Knife - Grasp the handle of the painting knife sturdily and keep your wrists loose. Think of how an orchestra conductor would hold a baton, or a baker would hold a knife when frosting a cake. Position your hand with your knuckles at the side and underside of the knife. Your thumb will be resting near the top of the knife. The goal is to keep a firm but flexible grip on the knife, letting your wrist do most of the work.[8]
- Wielding a palette knife can take some practice, and it feels very different from holding a paintbrush or drawing pencil.
- Load up the knife with paint from the palette. Whether you want to add paint to the canvas directly or bring colors into the center of the palette to mix them, you'll follow the same technique. Use the flat, straight edge of the knife to scrape up a blob of paint from the perimeter of the palette. Place it down at the desired spot using a wiping motion.[9]
- It's easiest to load up paint onto the back side of the knife, but you can also scoop it up onto the front side.
- Clean paint off of the knife with a cloth or paper towel before changing colors. Use a dry or slightly damp cloth or a paper towel to wipe the wet paint off of the knife. You can pinch the base of the knife between the cloth and drag the cloth outwards to pull off the paint. Or try wiping each side of the knife with the cloth.[10] Clean off the thin edges as well as the "neck" of the blade which may have collected some paint.
- Keep the knife clean to avoid accidentally transferring colors or unintentionally mixing a murky shade.
- Blend paint colors together on the palette using the knife. Load up the knife with a single color and place it onto a clean spot near the center of the palette. Wipe off the knife with a paper towel or rag and then pick up another color. Add the new color to the same spot. Use the bottom or top of the blade to manipulate and combine the paints. Work in circular or seesaw motions to mix the colors, continuously applying downward pressure.[11]
- Knead the colors together until you reach the right shade.[12] Feel free to blend the colors completely or keep them partially separate.
- Angle the knife on the canvas to create different textures. Use the flat base of the knife to drag color flat across the canvas. Try pushing paint at a 45-degree angle for more texture. Flick the knife upwards at the end of the gesture to create a 3-dimensional peak. Or you can twist the knife in an undulating wave gesture to create irregular textures.[13]
- Point the knife in different directions to create visual movement. The most comfortable position may be holding the knife at a 45-degree angle in relation to your body. But try holding it perpendicular to your body to create vertical lines. Rotate your wrist as you apply paint to the canvas to create swirls. Try layering a series of shorter strokes on different angles to add dimension to your painting.[14]
- Use a variety of directions, angles, and gestures if you're interested in creating an organic, dynamic painting.
- Or, repeat the same motions if you want the final result to be uniform.[15]
EditCreating Different Paint Effects - Use the back of the blade to add smooth fields of color. A larger palette knife or painting knife will provide the most coverage, but this technique can be done using small and medium knives as well. Load up the back of the knife with paint and smooth it across the canvas. Hold the knife parallel to the canvas and touch the back of the knife to the canvas for a thinner layer of paint. Hold it slightly away from the canvas to spread on a thicker layer.
- This technique often results in hazy, patchy edges where you can see through to the layer of paint below.
- Try this anywhere you want blocks of color without much 3-dimensional texture. In a landscape painting, it might be useful for filling in the sky, for instance.[16]
- Add thin lines using the narrow edge of the blade. Mix your desired color and then wipe off the knife. Turn the knife on its side and dip the thin edge of the blade into the paint. Holding the knife perpendicular the canvas and touch the edge down to create skinny lines. You can drag the knife across the canvas for a longer line or dab the edge of the knife multiple times to create a dashed line effect. For an irregular line, twitch the knife from side to side as you draw it across the canvas.[17]
- This effect can be useful for painting water ripples and reflections, grasses, and trees.
- Apply small dots of paint using the tip and corners of the knife. After mixing your colors, wipe the knife clean and then scoop up a small amount of paint with just the tip, or one of the sharper corners. Dot or drag the paint onto the canvas, using a variety of angles and gestures to create fine details and pops of color.[18]
- Scrape some paint away using the sgraffito technique. Hold the knife above the canvas at a 45-degree angle. Depending on the direction you want to move the paint, pull or push the side of the knife over the canvas to scrape away the uppermost layer of color and reveal the underlayer. Try this on wet or partially-dry paint to blend hard edges into softer atmospheric edges.[19]
- Drag blotches of wet paint to dry areas using the scumbling technique. This is similar to the sgraffito technique, but instead of removing paint you'll be adding it. Keep the knife at a 45-degree angle and push wet paint onto an area of dry paint. You can use the long side of the blade to move more paint, or just the tip to create finer details.[20]
- Pick up multiple colors at a time to create partially-blended strokes. Instead of completely mixing 2 or more shades together on the palette, load up the knife with a few colors and put them down onto the canvas. Use a variety of gestures and angles to spread these colors out and swirl them together.[21]
- You can keep the colors mostly separate, or soften the edges with feathery strokes and gestures.
- Try creating an underpainting with a brush before starting your knife painting. Determine your painting's composition and block in areas of color. With some techniques the underlayer will be revealed, so this prevents white patches of canvas from showing through.[22]
- Let the paint dry completely before disturbing it. Acrylic paint may dry in a matter of hours or days, but thick oil paintings need to dry for upwards of 6 months. Even if peaks of paint are stiff to the touch, they are probably soft beneath the surface.[23]
- Palette and painting knives are useful for painting outdoors since they require minimal cleaning.[24]
EditThings You'll Need - Palette or painting knife
- Acrylic paints or oil paints
- Paint palette
- Gessoed canvas board or wood panel
- Cloth or paper towel
EditReferences
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
No comments:
Post a Comment