Category Archives: Photography

Top 7 Photography Books

Posted on by

If you love a photographer, then you’ll want to print a copy of this list. These are the most wished for books on Amazon. This means there is probably a book or two on this list your photographer would love. Save yourself some time by using this list as a shopping list. Your photographer will love you for it.

1. National Geographic Image Collection by National Geographic, Michelle Anne Delaney, Maura Mulvihill (5.0 out of 5 stars)

Behind National Geographic’s worldwide reputation as a powerhouse of photography lies one of the finest, most extensive, and most unique graphic resources on Earth: the National Geographic Image Collection. For the first time ever, readers will plumb the fascinating depths of this immense archive from the earliest photographs collected in the late 19th century to the cutting-edge work of today.

2. The Digital Photography Book, Volume 3 by Scott Kelby (4.3 out of 5 stars)

This book truly has a brilliant premise, and here’s how Scott describes it: “If you and I were out on a shoot and you asked me, ‘Hey Scott, I want the light for this portrait to look really soft and flattering. How far back should I put this softbox?’ I wouldn’t give you a lecture about lighting ratios, or flash modifiers. In real life, I’d just turn to you and say, ‘Move it in as close to your subject as you possibly can, without it actually showing up in the shot.’

3. VisionMongers: Making a Life and a Living in Photography by David duChemin (4.9 out of 5 stars)

A book for any photographer who’s ever felt compelled to combine their craft with the world of commerce and make the transition to becoming a vocational photographer. More like a sketchbook of ideas and wisdom than it is a system to get rich quick on photography, VisionMongers takes a look at the changing landscape of professional photography and the various journeys that can be taken to get there.

4. Within the Frame: The Journey of Photographic Vision by David duChemin (4.8 out of 5 stars)

A book about finding and expressing your photographic vision, specifically where people, places, and cultures are concerned. A personal book full of real-world wisdom and incredible images, author David duChemin (of pixelatedimage.com) shows you both the how and the why of finding, chasing, and expressing your vision with a camera to your eye.

5. The Photographer’s Eye: Composition and Design for Better Digital Photos by Michael Freeman (4.6 out of 5 stars)

Design is the single most important factor in creating a successful photograph. The ability to see the potential for a strong picture and then organize the graphic elements into an effective, compelling composition has always been one of the key skills in making photographs.

6. The Digital Photography Book, Volume 2 by Scott Kelby (4.6 out of 5 stars)

In Volume 2, Scott adds entirely new chapters packed with Plain English tips on using flash, shooting close up photography, travel photography, shooting people, and even how to build a studio from scratch, where he demystifies the process so anyone can start taking pro-quality portraits today! Plus, he’s got full chapters on his most requested topics.

7. The Moment It Clicks: Photography Secrets From One of the World’s Top Shooters by Joe McNally (4.2 out of 5 stars)

Joe McNally, one of the world’s top pro digital photographers, breaks new ground by doing something no photography book has ever done-blending the rich, stunning images and elegant layout of a coffee-table book with the invaluable training, no-nonsense insights, and photography secrets usually found only in those rare, best-of-breed educational books.

You don’t want to miss out on the rest of the list. Check out 10 Best Photography Books. I’m sure you’ll find something your photographer will love. And guess who gets the credit….you.

“I just love it. How did you know?”

Kerala Tourism Guide

Posted on by

Fascinating Facts:-
Kerala, the southern most state of India stretches for 550 km along the southwest coast of India.

The sole state of India which is famous for its tranquil back waters, that are the lifeline of the state.

Kerala famed worldwide for its ancient form of treatment know as Ayurveda.
It is home to the various ancient dance forms like Kathakali, Koodiyattam etc.

Another fascinating fact about Kerala is that it has the highest literacy rate among all the Indian states.

Introduction:-
Kerala, the paradise for travellers is a land famous for its tranquil backwaters, ancient temples, verdant valleys and vast plantations of cloves, cardamom and coffee. It is a land embellished with coconut groves and exotic beaches, which is sandwiched between the Arabian sea and the dense forests of Western Ghats.

This serene state of South India is also referred as the God’s own country as every part of the state has some exquisitely carved temples that are highly revered among the Keralites. Even Kerala is blessed with myriad of culture which are very well maintained by both the State government as well as people of the state.

Location of Kerala:-
Kerala which is one of the hot spots of honeymooners in India is positioned at the southwestern tip of the Indian mainland on the Arabian sea. It is bound by the Arabian sea on the west, Karnataka on the north and northeast and Tamil Nadu on the east.

The climate of this serene state is tropical. The weather in Kerala is never to chilly which is the main reason behind its emergence as a hot tourist destination.

Charm of Kerala:-
Kerala has an unique charisma of its own which is a totally different from other Indian states. There are an endless list of exhilarating things that can captivate your mesmerize by their beauty. Kerala has wide range of tourist attractions such as backwaters, ancient temples, wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, beaches and many more alluring things.

Tranquil backwaters:-
This serene state has over 900 km of interconnected waterways, rivers, lakes and inlets which are the main constituents of Kerala backwaters. If you don’t get the opportunity to visit Venice city and Gondolla ride, than you must come to Kerala to have the same experience. Most of the towns of Kerala serves as the starting and end points of backwaters cruises as well as hosts many renowned boat races. These towns are a blend of historic and modern world. Globetrotters from each and every nook and corner of the world comes here to enjoy the scenic beauty of these backwater destinations. Even they are also famed as an ideal honeymoon hot spot. Some of the famous backwaters towns of Kerala are Cochin, Alappuzha, Kasargod, Kollam, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Kumarakom, Kuttanad, Thiruvallam, and Thiruvananthapuram.

Exquisitely Carved temples:-
As Kerala is fondly referred as God’s own country, here you will get to see numerous exquisitely carved temples which has the ability to transform an atheist into a religious person. The beauty of Keralites temples are unparalleled to rest of the country. The architectural design of the temples of this state is in accordance with the natural resources and climatic conditions of the state. Each and every town of Kerala has at least one or more temples that trace their origins to antiquity. Some of the most revered temples of Kerala are Padmanabha Swami Temple, Sivagiri Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Guruvayoor Temple in Trichur, Sabarimala Temple, Pathanamthitta, Tiruvalla Temple, Mannarshala Temple, Ambalapuzha Temple in Alappuzha and many more temples.

Salubrious Hill Stations:-
Another most sought after hidden treasures of Kerala are its salubrious hill stations. These enchanting hill stations are nestled in the lap of the Western ghats and Blue mountains. Hill stations of the state are the ideal destinations to have a rendezvous with oneself. These hill resorts are so cool and calm, that they will surely mesmerize you by their simplicity. Kerala hill stations are home to the vast tea, coffee, cardamom, pepper, vanilla and rubber plantations. Munnar, Wayanad, Idukki, Ponmudi, Devikulam, Nelliampathy, Wagamon etc are some of the well known hill stations of Kerala. These panoramic hill stations are the best place for nature photography, trekking, mountain climbing, birding, spice tours, lake boat cruises etc.

Verdurous Wildlife Sanctuaries:-
Positioned amidst the lush canopies of Western Ghats, Kerala has 12 wildlife sanctuaries and 2 national parks. These wildlife sanctuaries and national parks has a rich collection of diverse flora and fauna. These abodes of rare wildlife has the ability to beckon the nature or wildlife lover from far and wide place. An elephant ride will be an appropriate one to explore the verdurous wildlife sanctuaries and national parks of the state. This wildlife tour will enable you to get more closer to the various wonderful creations of the Mother Nature. Some of the luscious wildlife sanctuaries and national parks are Peppara Wildlife sanctuary, Neyyar Wildlife sanctuary, Shenduruni Wildlife sanctuary, Periyar Wildlife sanctuary, Idduki Wildlife sanctuary, Chinnar Wildlife sanctuary, Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Silent Valley National Park,
Eravikulam National Park and many more. These wildlife resorts are apt for jungle trekking.

Exotic beaches:-
Among various other charming aspects of Kerala, beaches are one of the major attractions of the state. Kerala has 600km long shoreline embellished with some finest and world class exotic beaches, lagoons, natural harbors and sheltered coves. These beaches are the favorite resorts of both the International and National tourists. Kovalam beach, Poovar beach, Varkala beach, Alappuzha beach, Cherai beach, Fort Kochi beach, Kappad beach etc are some of the popular beaches blessed with breathtaking beauty. These beaches are the best place for enjoying a leisure vacation. But if you are an adventure enthusiasts, than you can indulge yourself in various water sports like swimming, scuba diving, surfing and many more.

Ayurveda Treatment:-
Last but not the least, Ayurveda treatment is another important attraction of Kerala. Ayurveda is an ancient form of treatment, believed to be originated in Kerala. Many vacationers comes to Kerala with a desire to cure their illness with the aid of ayurveda, which is assumed to be one of the best way of treating without undergoing any surgical operations or intaking heavy doses of costly medicines. So, whenever you visit Kerala, don’t miss to check out the various Ayurvedic centres of the state. Some of the famous Ayurveda center of the Kerala are Rajah Healthy Acres in Palakkad district, Manasa Sarovar Ayurveda Mandir at Trivandrum, Karakathi Beach House at Kovalam etc.

Access to Kerala:-
By Air: To aid both International and National tourists, Kerala has three well developed air ports such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. From these airports even international flights also ply regularly. International destination which are joined to Kerala are Colombo, Maldives, Abu dabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Bahrain, Doha, Ras-al-khaimah, Kuwait, Riyadh, Muscat, Fujairah and Singapore.
By Rail: Each and every place of Kerala is very well connected to each other by the extensive network of Indian Railway. Even with the other parts of India. There are nearly 200 railway stations present in Kerala. Long distance express trains connects Kerala with the four metropolitan cities of the country such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata.
By Road: A vast network of smooth roads connects every region of Kerala with each other. National Highway 47, 17 and 49 joins Kerala with rest of the country.

Choosing A Photography Career

Posted on by

As with any career where the path is a tricky one, the most important attribute you will need to have is determination to succeed. If you think it might be nice to be a professional photographer, but there are other careers you would also be happy in, don’t choose photography!

So, given that this is the career path you absolutely have to follow, which path is for you?

Portrait photography

The portrait photographer will either work out of a studio, or have the occasional location job; school photographs, or headshots for actors, singers, and dancers. They will need excellent organisational skills, as they will most likely be doing their own diary-management, as well as keeping themselves fully apprised of the latest developments both in digital photography and post-production. Although no formal qualifications are required, a reasonably high level of training and professional competence are essential.

Family photography

The family photographer will be almost entirely-studio based. Frequently dealing with fractious small children, their people skills are as important as their skills as a photographer. The family photographic shoot requires diplomacy, and an ability to keep people focussed yet relaxed. Like the portrait photographer, formal qualifications are desirable rather than essential.

Fashion photography

Breaking into this glamorous side of the industry is incredibly difficult. The fashion photographer will require an extensive physical portfolio of their work, and also an excellent personal website to serve as a gallery. Their digital manipulation skill of the images they shoot should be exceptional. Unlike most other fields of professional photography, the fashion photographer should have an agent, who will negotiate the sale of their work on their behalf.

Photojournalism

The photo journalist is essentially a storyteller, presenting the truth, with images seldom doctored before they find their way into print. Formal training could be more important here than in other fields, as a degree will present challenges and theoretical scenarios for the student to tackle. A graduate course will also provide vital contacts.

Wildlife photography

Again, the wildlife photographer will need a stand-out portfolio, and a keen interest in the natural world. With stock agencies overflowing with images, the budding wildlife photographer will need extreme levels of persistence, patience, and the ability to see the long game. Requiring excellent business and marketing skills, they will need to charm their way into good relationships with animal parks, enabling access to restricted areas.

Wedding photography

One for the adrenaline junkies of the photography world, wedding photographers need nerves of steel to be master of the perfect shot. Dealing with the preservation of people’s treasured memories, their people, and indeed crowd-management skills should be exceptional. Their editing skills should also be top-notch, as a little subtle photoshopping can make the difference between a good photograph, and a perfect one.

Your path within the profession depends as much upon your personality as your skill – if you tailor your career progression to who you are, you will find developing your skills extremely rewarding.

Geoffrey Chaucer. The Canterbury Tales. The Wife Of Bath’s Tale

Posted on by

In Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, The Wife of Bath’s Tale, although it has a more serious and moral tone than her prologue, is in many ways a continuation of her prologue, the story and the way in which it is told being dominated by her personality, attitudes, and beliefs. The most obvious connecting link is the common theme – the sovereignty of women in marriage. In her prologue The Wife describes how she has devoted much of her life to living up to her unshakeable decision:

An housbonde I wol have, I wol nat lette,
Which shal be bothe my dettour and my thral (154-5)

She uses her tale to extend this idea from being a personal preference, and a maxim to be followed by ‘every womman that is wys’ (524) to a universal truth. The knight of her tale is set the task of finding:

What thing is it that wommen moost desiren. (905)

When he gives his answer to a supreme court of women, headed by the queen, there is no disagreement at all:

Wommen desiren to have sovereinetee
As wel over hir housbond as hir love,
And for to been in maistrie him above. (1038-40)

In al the court ne was ther wyf, ne maide,
Ne widwe, that contraried that he saide, (1043-4)

The fact that the knight’s life is in the hands of the queen rather than the king is in itself a sign that the tale is a product of The Wife’s imagination. King Arthur has condemned the knight to death, according to the law of the land, and yet in response to the pleas of the queen and other women,

. . . yaf him to the queene, al at hir wille,
To chese wheither she wolde him save or spille (897-8)

Thus even The King of England is subject to his wife.

The Wife uses her tale as a vehicle for her own views, and often she leaves the tale altogether and resumes the self-centred theme and colloquial style of her prologue. She lists all the alternative answers the knight received to his question, the list including everything which, in her prologue, she has shown that she demands from a marriage as well as ‘sovereinetee’.

Somme seyde wommen loven best richesse,
Somme seyde honour, somme seyde jolinesse
Somme riche array, somme seyden lust abedde,
And oftetime to be widwe and wedde. (925-8)
. . .
And somme seyen that we loven best
For to be free, and do right as us lest, (935-6)

Her inclusion of herself with ‘we’, and the unusual inclusion of ‘oftetime to be widwe and wedde’ make it clear that this is The Wife’s own interpolation, beyond the requirements of the tale.

The Wife digresses from her tale after the first half dozen or so lines to air her views on another subject close to her heart, ‘limitours and othere hooly freres’ (866). Her grievances against the church are many. The church’s solemn repressive attitude towards sex, and most other forms of enjoyment, conflict strongly with her robust hedonism. In the prologue she exclaims

Allas, allas, that evere love was sinne! (614)

The church was also responsible for the dissemination of anti-feminist literature and attitudes, and here The Wife, an arch-feminist, is in direct conflict.

For trusteth wel, it is an impossible
That any clerk wol speke good of wives, (688-9)

If we turn to the character of the Loathly Lady of The Wife’s tale, we find some differences between her and The Wife, and some similarities. The main characteristic they have in common is the wish to dominate their husbands. There is also a marked similarity in their tactics for achieving this goal. Both make their husbands suffer, and both use the persuasive techniques of argument. Both also draw upon authorities in support of their arguments; The Wife from The Bible, Ovid, and many others, and The Loathly Lady from Dante and Seneca.

Just as, in the prologue, The Wife puts up the husband’s assumed complaints against her, putting him in the wrong, and knocking his arguments down one by one, so the Loathly Lady puts up the knight’s objections.

Thou art so loothly, and so oold also,
And therto comen of so lough a kinde (1100-1)

She adds the fault of being poor, not even mentioned by the knight, and by pseudo-logic presents the faults as virtues. Both women succeed in gaining the submission of their partners for the same reason – the husbands are so frustrated and exasperated that they give in to get some peace.

The chief difference in the approach of the two wives is that whereas The Wife argues almost entirely on personal grounds, The Loathly Lady argues on the more objective and moralistic grounds of living up to the claim of ‘Nobility’, the true source of which was a much discussed subject in the middle ages. On one level we can assume that Chaucer has introduced this theme for the edification of his audience, but it is also likely that The Wife has included this serious subject in order to comply with The Host’s original request in The General Prologue for,

Tales of best sentence and moost solaas (800).

In her prologue The Wife demonstrates herself to be an intelligent woman, and good at dissembling. At the funeral of her fourth husband, for example, she acts the part of the grieving widow, so she would undoubtedly be able to act out the serious tone necessary for the Loathly Lady’s ‘Nobility’ argument. Putting herself in the role of The Loathly Lady also serves The Wife’s purpose of championing the cause of women, in that to subjugate a knight and prove him to be ignoble would be a greater achievement than the real life subjugation of her first three elderly, feeble, husbands, and it is achieved by a more acceptable means than her childish deceitful attack on Jankin. In this way, and in the final transformation of The Loathly Lady into a beautiful young woman, the tale can be seen as a wish-fulfilment on the part of The Wife.

Thus The Wife’s tale is more than appropriate to the prologue; it is essential that we know the character of The Wife through her prologue before we can fully make sense of the tale.

Bibliography

Chaucer, Geoffrey. The Wife of Bath’s Prologue and Tale. Ed. James Winny. Cambridge University Press. 1965.

Chaucer, Geoffrey. The General Prologue to the Canterbury Tales. Ed. James Winny. Cambridge University Press. 1965.

Marriage ceremony Photography Courses – A Speedy Guideline

Posted on by

To find out the inner workings and trade secrets and techniques of the wedding ceremony photography business enterprise some photographers even worked as apprentice or trained beneath common wedding ceremony photographers. In purchase to develop their expertise required for marriage ceremony photography photographers do self examine by reading through on line and training on their very own.

You can master extra by way of diverse folks and you can obtain the teaching in many locations. The very best way to truly recognize how the entire enterprise will work is to apprentice below an established wedding ceremony photographer. As an apprentice you are necessary to guide established marriage ceremony photographers. Becoming an assistant will also introduce you to a lot of people moving around in the identical market, offering your future contacts if ever you determine to go after a occupation in marriage ceremony photography. Following supporting out in many shoots and viewing the photographer, you may be lucky plenty of to shoot a very few weddings and will get critiqued by your mentor. Previous to they grew to become common these photographers very first commenced out as apprentices to other photographers.rs.

Marriage ceremony photography courses give the flexibility that lots of amateur photographers need, even though giving the proper photography abilities and techniques wanted to operate your individual wedding ceremony photography small business.

What need to you count on as the final result of accessing a fantastic photography program?

The subsequent are just some of the details to seem for and assume.

Understanding of Marriage ceremony Photography!

Expertise is key and when you fully fully grasp not only how to seize and current breathtaking wedding ceremony photographs but also how the whole marriage ceremony setup performs, your self-assurance ranges will soar to new heights and you will think more prepared.

Self-belief in Your Photographic Capability

Self-belief is totally critical in the marriage ceremony photography small business. If you have self confidence in your products, seize configurations and what is needed from you all over the entire wedding, such as the organizing phases and article-wedding duties, your self self-assurance and perception will expand and you will excel at this and earn respect from individuals all over you.

To Learn How to Make Income!

You will be properly rewarded financially!

Respect.

After you generate respect from your to begin with marriage ceremony few, that respect grows as they notify their good friends and families about your get the job done. Then, as you turn into extra perfectly best-known, you get respect from your fellow photographers and buddies, from there on in your advertising and marketing expense will be almost unnecessary!

Independence that Comes from Having Your Unique Business.

There is no much better sensation than the day when you come to be a entirely fledged wedding ceremony photographer! Once you attain a stage of salary in your photography organization, it is time to go it by yourself and believe that me that feels superior! No slacking as soon as you get there now!

Ongoing Support.

Previous to you get the wedding photography course, you need to have to look at that you have assistance at any time you need to have it. This is critical as you will realise there are issues that you really don’t yet know that you have?

Photography courses what you need to know before signing up, Wedding ceremony Photography Programs – A Fast Tutorial, Wedding Photography Programs