By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sanjay_Kali]Sanjay Kali
We can try answering the question "what is art?" by understanding the definition given in Britannica online which says that art is "the use of skill and imagination in the creation of aesthetic objects, environments, or experiences that can be shared with others."
In this regard it will be apt to have a glance at what Leo Tolstoy had to say about art in his book called "What is art?" written some 200 years back. One of the important points that he said about art is that "in order to correctly define art, it is necessary, first of all, to cease to consider it as a means to pleasure and to consider it as one of the conditions of human life. Viewing it in this way we cannot fail to observe that art is one of the means of intercourse between man and man." There are many other interesting views on art that has been expressed by him in his book titled "what is art?"
Many other definitions emphasize that
1. Art is subjective and art is more subjective than objective. 2. Art is form and content. 3. Art has an artistic process. 4. There is a connection between beauty and art and beauty is the measure of quality of art.
Then there are debatable questions to the basic question "what is art?", like
1. Can anything be art? 2. Is there any objective crieteria for art?
Perception of Art and the identity of the artist have always changed through history and contemporary society and therefore the question of "what is art?" looks like a bottom less pit.
Art & Artists in the Ancient World and Middle Ages, Art & Artists in the Renaissance are very different from Art & Artists of the modern world. What is the affect of modernism on art & artist is a highly debatable topic. It throws up issues like whether modernism has led to the end of art. It is an interesting study to see how modernism and politics and postmodernism have affected the art and artists of today.
Discussion of art and the question "what is art?" needs a detailed understanding of the usage, theories and utility of art. It should address the classification disputes, touch upon the controversial art scene and it should weigh the class and value of the art.
There are different forms, genres, mediums and styles for expression of artistic abilities and all these have their own characteristic skills & craft, value judgment models and communication styles.
The various types of commonly accepted artistic expressions are Architecture, Cinematography, Drawing, Erotic art, Music, dance, writing, Painting, Poetry, Sculpture and Photography. There are many more valid types of artistic expression apart from the one mentioned above.
Further the question "what is art?" will not be fully answered and the study of art and artists will remain incomplete if we do not touch in some measure the History of Art, Basic Art concepts & famous artists.
There cannot be a complete definition or answer ever to the question "what is art?" but still we can try to muster up some logical structure based on the following below mentioned points.
Art is-
1. the product of conscious intention with a mix of the unconscious expression, 2. a self rewarding activity but with a mix of larger view of love, empathy and compassion also, 3. a tendency to unite dissimilar things and break down similar things, 4. concerned with change and variety and bringing a stability in change and variety, 5. the aesthetic exploitation of familiarity vs. surprise and the journey into the known vs. unknown, 6. the aesthetic exploitation of tension vs. release and it is a balance between the creative tension vs. the destructive tension. 7. the imposition of order on disorder and a mix of creating disorder from order, 8. the creation of illusions as well as clearing the clouds of illusions, 9. an indulgence in sensuousness or at the other extreme it is a bucket of moral outpourings, 10. the exhibition of skill and craft, 11. a desire to convey meanings as well the desire to hide deeper symbols and expressions, 12. an indulgence in fantasy and also an attempt at bringing the fantasy into reality, 13. the aggrandizement of self or others, 14. illustration, 15. the heightening of existence through the knowledge of eventual destruction 16. revelation and hiding, 17. personal adornment or embellishment, 18. therapy, love, compassion, empathy and healing, 19. the giving of meaning to life knowing the meaninglessness of life, 20. the generation of self conscious experience and superconscious connection, 21. the provision of paradigms of order and/or disorder, 22. and training in the perception of reality by traveling the path of the surreal.
The list can be as long as we can imagine as it has to be said that defining art is just like defining life itself. I think now we can appreciate the depth of the question "what is art?"
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This site envisions the rise of womanhood in true sense that is the rise of the "essence" of womanhood in the physical, mental, intellectual and the spiritual planes. It calls for the beginning of a campaign for the true rise of women in all spheres of life for the restoration of the balance in nature.
Somewhere we have to make a beginning and it's always better if we make the initiation at our own self. We can strengthen this mass movement for the "rise of womanhood" by bringing about the necessary changes in our own life as felt by our inner self. Further we can transmit the new thinking to others who care to listen. A small step today will definitely lead to a giant leap tomorrow.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sanjay_Kali http://EzineArticles.com/?What-is-Art?&id=1635666
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Wall Art - Tips For Proper Placement
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anne_West]Anne West
Nothing can finish a room's décor like the effective use of wall art. But people are often perplexed about what to put where. Some of the most common mistakes I see are: art hung too high, size of art out of proportion with the size of the wall and art disconnected from the furniture beneath it.
Here are some tips to help ensure your wall art enhances, rather than detracts from, the overall look of your room.
1. The right height
Most people mistakenly believe that pictures should be hung at eye level. But whose eye? A 6'2" man or a 5'4" woman? A better way to gauge the correct height is by looking at how the picture relates to the furniture below it. A good rule of thumb is to hang a picture so that the bottom is 6-8 inches above a sofa back or 8-10 inches above other furniture. Higher than that and it becomes disconnected from the furniture and makes the room look out of balance.
2. The right balance
Another mistake people commonly make is hanging a small picture behind a large sofa. A picture should be one half to two thirds the width of the piece of furniture below it. If a picture is too narrow for the spot, you can flank it with two smaller pictures to fill the space.
3. Think of groupings as one picture
If you don't have a large enough piece of art to adequately fill a big space, you can use groupings of smaller pieces. The individual pictures should be framed in similar materials (metal, wood, etc.). They don't have to be identical, but they shouldn't "fight" with each other.
Before you hang your grouping, work out a pleasing arrangement on the floor. You can also cut out pieces of paper in the same shapes as your pictures and tape them on the wall with painter's tape until you are happy with the arrangement. For a cohesive look, the frames should not be more than about 3-4 inches apart.
4. Mirrors do triple duty
Mirrors not only have a functional and decorative use, but they can also become an architectural element. Placed where it will reflect a window and its view, a mirror can act almost as an additional window, increasing the amount of light in a room and making a room seem larger.
Placement of mirrors should follow the same rules of thumb as art, but make sure a mirror is high enough that people can see their reflections without having their heads cut off.
And don't lean a mirror on the mantel, as it will only reflect the ceiling.
If you follow these guidelines when hanging your art, you will see how much more cohesive and balanced your room will look.
Anne West is the owner of Redesign Doctor, a full-service, one-stop-shop home staging and redesign firm serving the North Shore of Chicago. Redesign Doctor provides budget-friendly decorating solutions by creatively using the furniture and accessories a homeowner already has. Visit http://www.redesigndoctor.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_West http://EzineArticles.com/?Wall-Art---Tips-For-Proper-Placement&id=1741933
Can You Turn Your Art or Craft Into a Business?
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=CD_Mohatta]CD Mohatta
What kinds of things do you for enjoyment? Do you paint on canvas? Do you paint on furniture? Do you knit, carve, make scrapbooks or jewelry, or make any other creative item? Any kind of craft or art can become a business. Turning your craft into a business can make it affordable to do more of what you enjoy. It can make your materials more affordable. You may have also been needing or wanting to earn more cash. Sometimes these side businesses become very profitable over time. You might have the option to quit your job one day and do your craft full time.
To explore this idea of having your own craft business, list the things you can make on the left hand side of a piece of paper. In a middle column beside each craft or item, put 1 - 5 stars to represent any positive response you have received for them, or a question mark if you don’t know what people think of it. Which items received a positive or enthusiastic response? Could any of those items be sold for profit? In a third column put a number of dollar signs that you would guess is the potential for profit. Even though an item is admired, it may take too much time to make or cost too much in materials to make it profitable. This is just a preliminary assessment based on what you know or can guess now. You can test your items in detail later.
There are many ways to market your crafts. Some people sell them to friends and co-workers. Some crafts, like painting murals, might be done when someone asks you to do it for them. But many crafts today are sold in galleries, at art shows, and online.
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=CD_Mohatta http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-You-Turn-Your-Art-or-Craft-Into-a-Business?&id=759100
What kinds of things do you for enjoyment? Do you paint on canvas? Do you paint on furniture? Do you knit, carve, make scrapbooks or jewelry, or make any other creative item? Any kind of craft or art can become a business. Turning your craft into a business can make it affordable to do more of what you enjoy. It can make your materials more affordable. You may have also been needing or wanting to earn more cash. Sometimes these side businesses become very profitable over time. You might have the option to quit your job one day and do your craft full time.
To explore this idea of having your own craft business, list the things you can make on the left hand side of a piece of paper. In a middle column beside each craft or item, put 1 - 5 stars to represent any positive response you have received for them, or a question mark if you don’t know what people think of it. Which items received a positive or enthusiastic response? Could any of those items be sold for profit? In a third column put a number of dollar signs that you would guess is the potential for profit. Even though an item is admired, it may take too much time to make or cost too much in materials to make it profitable. This is just a preliminary assessment based on what you know or can guess now. You can test your items in detail later.
There are many ways to market your crafts. Some people sell them to friends and co-workers. Some crafts, like painting murals, might be done when someone asks you to do it for them. But many crafts today are sold in galleries, at art shows, and online.
Social network users, click for [http://www.wishafriend.com/ac/]myspace comments such as compliments, cool comments, love, flirty, birthday, holidays, religion, funny, cute, etc. You can also use [http://www.wishafriend.com/graphics/]myspace graphics. If you love Halloween, click [http://www.wishafriend.com/graphics/holidays/halloween/]Myspace Halloween Graphics to send to your friends and add to your profile.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=CD_Mohatta http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-You-Turn-Your-Art-or-Craft-Into-a-Business?&id=759100
Buying Art on the Internet
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Groshan_Fabiola]Groshan Fabiola
Nowadays you don't even have to leave your house if you want to see or buy artwork, because the best way of finding original and innovative art, and also classical art of course, is to perform a search on the Internet.
the Internet has changed the art market, because it can offer an extremely large number of options, and it introduces anyone to thousands of new artist and creations so it can be said that the Internet brings art at everyone's fingertips.
This means that you can find and buy artwork from almost all over the world just with a few clicks. There are many good sites that are specialized is selling different types of artwork, and some of them also represent artists.At an online gallery you can browse all the artwork available, and buy whatever you desire to choose from the wide range of quality creations. Furthermore, some websites also offer the option of testing how a painting looks when it is placed on a wall that has the colour you desire, so that you can see how it fits in your home.
If you decide on buying artwork from an online store do not rush, first browse many categories until you find exactly what you desire, then find some informations about the site from where you wish to buy from, information that proves the site's quality and credibility, and then you can buy the artwork you like. Payment is usually done through paypal or by credit card.
Some say that buying artwork is also an art, and that it has some steps that must be followed - defining, selecting, researching and buying.The art market is quite hard to understand for someone who is new, especially because of the low-value items that are sold as high-value ones, which may trick newcomers, but in fact buying artwork is just like buying any other thing - you have to search for the best deals. Do not forget that there are thousands of art dealers online so there also are fake products sold, too.
On the other hand, if you are an artist and you wish to submit your work to art galleries you can do that easily. Just find the virtual gallery that you want to submit to and contact the owners of the site. This is a great way of making yourself and your work known to many people.
In conclusion, the Internet is perfect for buying artwork, but you can also get fooled if you are not attentive, so try dealing with a serious art dealer.
This article is one of Groshan Fabiola's finest work as a result in reseaching for [http://artscad.com]buying art. This delicate subject brings many questions and this article might be a sollution to them all. ALso there are many useful tips of [http://artscad.com]buying art over the internet, the great source of all documentation and the best market place.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Groshan_Fabiola http://EzineArticles.com/?Buying-Art-on-the-Internet&id=174289
Nowadays you don't even have to leave your house if you want to see or buy artwork, because the best way of finding original and innovative art, and also classical art of course, is to perform a search on the Internet.
the Internet has changed the art market, because it can offer an extremely large number of options, and it introduces anyone to thousands of new artist and creations so it can be said that the Internet brings art at everyone's fingertips.
This means that you can find and buy artwork from almost all over the world just with a few clicks. There are many good sites that are specialized is selling different types of artwork, and some of them also represent artists.At an online gallery you can browse all the artwork available, and buy whatever you desire to choose from the wide range of quality creations. Furthermore, some websites also offer the option of testing how a painting looks when it is placed on a wall that has the colour you desire, so that you can see how it fits in your home.
If you decide on buying artwork from an online store do not rush, first browse many categories until you find exactly what you desire, then find some informations about the site from where you wish to buy from, information that proves the site's quality and credibility, and then you can buy the artwork you like. Payment is usually done through paypal or by credit card.
Some say that buying artwork is also an art, and that it has some steps that must be followed - defining, selecting, researching and buying.The art market is quite hard to understand for someone who is new, especially because of the low-value items that are sold as high-value ones, which may trick newcomers, but in fact buying artwork is just like buying any other thing - you have to search for the best deals. Do not forget that there are thousands of art dealers online so there also are fake products sold, too.
On the other hand, if you are an artist and you wish to submit your work to art galleries you can do that easily. Just find the virtual gallery that you want to submit to and contact the owners of the site. This is a great way of making yourself and your work known to many people.
In conclusion, the Internet is perfect for buying artwork, but you can also get fooled if you are not attentive, so try dealing with a serious art dealer.
This article is one of Groshan Fabiola's finest work as a result in reseaching for [http://artscad.com]buying art. This delicate subject brings many questions and this article might be a sollution to them all. ALso there are many useful tips of [http://artscad.com]buying art over the internet, the great source of all documentation and the best market place.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Groshan_Fabiola http://EzineArticles.com/?Buying-Art-on-the-Internet&id=174289
Abstract Art of Indian Artists
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amardeep_Yadav]Amardeep Yadav
"Of all the arts, abstract painting is the most difficult. It demands that you know how to draw well, that you have a heightened sensitivity for composition and for colours, and that you be a true poet. This last is essential." - Wassily Kandinsky Contemporary abstract art work is becoming popular and this is happening not only in India, but also abroad. The market for this field of abstract art has been picking up in a more concerted way over the last couple of years. Here again, the buyers of abstract have not only increased in India, but internationally too including in the US, Europe, Australia, Singapore, China, Japan and Mauritius. Though the number of abstract artists in India is still very limited, they have enjoyed exclusivity, both in India and internationally.
According to a report in the Economics Times, the abstract work of artists like Manish Pushkale, Harshvardana, Kishor Shinde and Sujata Bajaj have achieved price ranges of between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. With Gaitonde, Raza and Swaminathan leading from the front, next in line of abstract artists are names like Prabhakar Kolte, Laxman Shrestha, Ambadas, Rajendra Dhawan and Ganesh Haloi. The third generation includes painters such as Akhilesh, Seema Ghurayya, Sujata Bajaj, Vanita Gupta, Sheetal Gattani and Manish Pushkale.
Abstract art is completely non-objective or non-representational. Abstract art is one without a recognisable subject, one which doesn't relate to anything external or try to "look like" something. Instead the colour and form (and often the materials and support) are the subject of the abstract painting.
The most common understanding of abstract art is as a phenomenon of 20th century. Abstract painting appeared at virtually the same time (1911) across the borders and continents of the cultures actively participating in Western culture. Therfore, it can not be pin pointed that who the first Modernist abstract painter was. It could have been Robert Delaunay in Paris; or the American Arthur Dove; the Russians Wassily Kandinsky or Kasimir Malevich; the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian; Franz Kupka, Balla in Italy or many others. Rather than an invention of an individual, abstraction in Modernist painting appeared as a cultural phenomenon.
With the prices of the master abstractionists having reached exorbitant levels, the middle and younger generation are being noticed world over and pushing forward on the price front.
Amardeep Yadav
Article Writer at http://www.techmagnate.com
Writing for http://www.mysticstrokes.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amardeep_Yadav http://EzineArticles.com/?Abstract-Art-of-Indian-Artists&id=1789503
"Of all the arts, abstract painting is the most difficult. It demands that you know how to draw well, that you have a heightened sensitivity for composition and for colours, and that you be a true poet. This last is essential." - Wassily Kandinsky Contemporary abstract art work is becoming popular and this is happening not only in India, but also abroad. The market for this field of abstract art has been picking up in a more concerted way over the last couple of years. Here again, the buyers of abstract have not only increased in India, but internationally too including in the US, Europe, Australia, Singapore, China, Japan and Mauritius. Though the number of abstract artists in India is still very limited, they have enjoyed exclusivity, both in India and internationally.
According to a report in the Economics Times, the abstract work of artists like Manish Pushkale, Harshvardana, Kishor Shinde and Sujata Bajaj have achieved price ranges of between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. With Gaitonde, Raza and Swaminathan leading from the front, next in line of abstract artists are names like Prabhakar Kolte, Laxman Shrestha, Ambadas, Rajendra Dhawan and Ganesh Haloi. The third generation includes painters such as Akhilesh, Seema Ghurayya, Sujata Bajaj, Vanita Gupta, Sheetal Gattani and Manish Pushkale.
Abstract art is completely non-objective or non-representational. Abstract art is one without a recognisable subject, one which doesn't relate to anything external or try to "look like" something. Instead the colour and form (and often the materials and support) are the subject of the abstract painting.
The most common understanding of abstract art is as a phenomenon of 20th century. Abstract painting appeared at virtually the same time (1911) across the borders and continents of the cultures actively participating in Western culture. Therfore, it can not be pin pointed that who the first Modernist abstract painter was. It could have been Robert Delaunay in Paris; or the American Arthur Dove; the Russians Wassily Kandinsky or Kasimir Malevich; the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian; Franz Kupka, Balla in Italy or many others. Rather than an invention of an individual, abstraction in Modernist painting appeared as a cultural phenomenon.
With the prices of the master abstractionists having reached exorbitant levels, the middle and younger generation are being noticed world over and pushing forward on the price front.
Amardeep Yadav
Article Writer at http://www.techmagnate.com
Writing for http://www.mysticstrokes.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amardeep_Yadav http://EzineArticles.com/?Abstract-Art-of-Indian-Artists&id=1789503
Wax Painting - A Unique Art Form
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Amitseo_Kumar_Singh]Amitseo Kumar Singh
Wax painting is a unique form of painting where molten wax is used as paints. Also known as encaustic painting this wonderful artwork provides the scope to explore the creative skills and bring in new innovations into the world of art. There is also the freedom to make alterations uninterruptedly. The wax painters indulge in unbridled creativity and make breathtaking creations of arts. They can add, remove and make changes according to their own will. Delightful yet mystical the wax paintings have interesting stories to tell.
Wax painting has a rich historical past. The tradition of painting with wax began in Egypt, Greece and Rome about several thousand years ago. The antique wax portraits bear a testimony of the existence wax paintings in the ancient times. Liquefied bees wax and colored pigments were blended to form colors. With course of time several other forms of waxes like caranauba wax, dry oils like linseed oil, colophony, dammar crystals and mastic were used to create the paints. The molten wax is then applied with brush on the surface. Wax paintings were generally carved out on canvas, paper, stones and wood panels. Some sources of heat were then passed over the surface in order to fuse the paintings. Finally they were let to freeze in. Later on the paintings were polished with soft fabrics for the extra shine and glow. The wax painters preferred encaustic method for several reasons -
- The paintings remained unaffected to moisture and unfair weather conditions.
- They produced rich textures and were subject to changes.
- The wax enabled other substances to be collaged to the surface with its adhesiveness
Wax paintings involved the usage of various forms of tools. A kind of metal palette knife called 'Cautarium' was used to blend deposited wax colors on the surface. A delicate metal needle with a sharp end called 'Cestrum' was used to sketch the painting. 'Pencillium' was a kind of paintbrush that was used to apply the wax color on the required places. Modern wax painting has come up with advanced tools and scientific techniques that speeds up the method of painting and add more perfection and uniformity. Electric irons, heat lamps and hotplates are used on surfaces like papers, cards and thin fragments of wood. Variety of art forms from landscape arts to figurative and abstract arts is reflected in the wax paintings.
Cold Waxing is another kind of wax painting technique. Dioscorides and Pliny, the noted Roman historians first propounded the idea of cold wax painting. Here beeswax is heated in salt seawater and filtered through cheesecloth and left open under the natural exposure for the whitening. Then they are blended with sodium bicarbonate and given soap like shapes. The impurities are drained out with the help of cheesecloth. They are then washed off in lukewarm water and dried in the air. Finally they are heated with other natural elements and used to form painting.
For comprehensive information on Wax Painting and related topics, please visit [http://www.ethnicpaintings.com]Wax Painting
Amit Singh is Content Coordinator for http://ethnicpaintings.com This website gives you comprehensive informations on painting history, development, trends, popular painting styles, great painters, famous paintings, painting galleries and museums, painting tips, painting classes. In other words, this website is a treat to painting freaks.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amitseo_Kumar_Singh http://EzineArticles.com/?Wax-Painting---A-Unique-Art-Form&id=1006260
Wax painting is a unique form of painting where molten wax is used as paints. Also known as encaustic painting this wonderful artwork provides the scope to explore the creative skills and bring in new innovations into the world of art. There is also the freedom to make alterations uninterruptedly. The wax painters indulge in unbridled creativity and make breathtaking creations of arts. They can add, remove and make changes according to their own will. Delightful yet mystical the wax paintings have interesting stories to tell.
Wax painting has a rich historical past. The tradition of painting with wax began in Egypt, Greece and Rome about several thousand years ago. The antique wax portraits bear a testimony of the existence wax paintings in the ancient times. Liquefied bees wax and colored pigments were blended to form colors. With course of time several other forms of waxes like caranauba wax, dry oils like linseed oil, colophony, dammar crystals and mastic were used to create the paints. The molten wax is then applied with brush on the surface. Wax paintings were generally carved out on canvas, paper, stones and wood panels. Some sources of heat were then passed over the surface in order to fuse the paintings. Finally they were let to freeze in. Later on the paintings were polished with soft fabrics for the extra shine and glow. The wax painters preferred encaustic method for several reasons -
- The paintings remained unaffected to moisture and unfair weather conditions.
- They produced rich textures and were subject to changes.
- The wax enabled other substances to be collaged to the surface with its adhesiveness
Wax paintings involved the usage of various forms of tools. A kind of metal palette knife called 'Cautarium' was used to blend deposited wax colors on the surface. A delicate metal needle with a sharp end called 'Cestrum' was used to sketch the painting. 'Pencillium' was a kind of paintbrush that was used to apply the wax color on the required places. Modern wax painting has come up with advanced tools and scientific techniques that speeds up the method of painting and add more perfection and uniformity. Electric irons, heat lamps and hotplates are used on surfaces like papers, cards and thin fragments of wood. Variety of art forms from landscape arts to figurative and abstract arts is reflected in the wax paintings.
Cold Waxing is another kind of wax painting technique. Dioscorides and Pliny, the noted Roman historians first propounded the idea of cold wax painting. Here beeswax is heated in salt seawater and filtered through cheesecloth and left open under the natural exposure for the whitening. Then they are blended with sodium bicarbonate and given soap like shapes. The impurities are drained out with the help of cheesecloth. They are then washed off in lukewarm water and dried in the air. Finally they are heated with other natural elements and used to form painting.
For comprehensive information on Wax Painting and related topics, please visit [http://www.ethnicpaintings.com]Wax Painting
Amit Singh is Content Coordinator for http://ethnicpaintings.com This website gives you comprehensive informations on painting history, development, trends, popular painting styles, great painters, famous paintings, painting galleries and museums, painting tips, painting classes. In other words, this website is a treat to painting freaks.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amitseo_Kumar_Singh http://EzineArticles.com/?Wax-Painting---A-Unique-Art-Form&id=1006260
Fabric Painting - A Unique Form of Art
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Murtaza_Habib]Murtaza Habib
Painting is a unique art and from very long time it has attracted people towards itself, either to learn this art or to admire this unique art. Paintings are the expressions of the painters and express the views and feelings of the painters. Michelangelo, L. D. Vinci, etc., are some of the great painters of their times, and they have given some awe-inspiring paintings to the world. Painting is done on walls, potteries, fabrics, glasses etc. However, among them fabric painting has become a famous homemade handcraft.
Fabric painting, a unique art of painting, finds its lively expression on the fabrics. Painting on fabric has become popular as a household craft work. Many people are practicing this art either as a hobby or for a livelihood. The procedure and technique of this painting are very simple and at an affordable expense attractive paintings can be carved out on the fabrics. This is why the demand for painted fabrics is increasing nowadays.
Ladies dresses, men shirts, hand bags, curtains, wall hangings, cushion covers, upholstery, and more are decorated with the help of the fabric paints. Don't think that if you are not expert in painting then you cannot be a fabric painter. You only need is sound knowledge on different methods of fabric painting and some creative skills and the rest is done automatically.
It is all about applying heat and mixing colors in proportions. A fabric painter works like a chemist whose work is to mix colors and perceive the reactions. However, the fact is that a fabric painter must know that how much heat and color is required so that a particular type of painting is created. The most famous section among the fabric paintings is dyeing, silk-screening, layering, batik painting, dyeing and water painting.
Among the different types of paintings on fabric, the simplest and common form is dyeing. In dyeing part of the fabric is tied and merged into the solutions of color dye while another part is abstained from dyeing. When these fabrics are folded to give a particular shape, various designs are formed by the integration of colored and uncolored portions. However, the most favored fabric painting is the Batik Painting which is prepared by blending to dye and wax.
Batik painting was originated in the Javas Indonesian island. The unusual tapestry, freedom of art and ensemble of colors of the Batik paintings mesmerizes the painting lovers. In this type of painting, first of all the waxing of the fabric is done, then it is dyed, and lastly it is de-waxed.
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'Murtaza Habib' has helped hundreds of newbies to start their painting courses, now you can do it too...Keep visiting [http://www.paintonmycanvas.com/ezine.html]Paint on my canvas for unique articles on drawing and painting.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Murtaza_Habib http://EzineArticles.com/?Fabric-Painting---A-Unique-Form-of-Art&id=1671345
Painting is a unique art and from very long time it has attracted people towards itself, either to learn this art or to admire this unique art. Paintings are the expressions of the painters and express the views and feelings of the painters. Michelangelo, L. D. Vinci, etc., are some of the great painters of their times, and they have given some awe-inspiring paintings to the world. Painting is done on walls, potteries, fabrics, glasses etc. However, among them fabric painting has become a famous homemade handcraft.
Fabric painting, a unique art of painting, finds its lively expression on the fabrics. Painting on fabric has become popular as a household craft work. Many people are practicing this art either as a hobby or for a livelihood. The procedure and technique of this painting are very simple and at an affordable expense attractive paintings can be carved out on the fabrics. This is why the demand for painted fabrics is increasing nowadays.
Ladies dresses, men shirts, hand bags, curtains, wall hangings, cushion covers, upholstery, and more are decorated with the help of the fabric paints. Don't think that if you are not expert in painting then you cannot be a fabric painter. You only need is sound knowledge on different methods of fabric painting and some creative skills and the rest is done automatically.
It is all about applying heat and mixing colors in proportions. A fabric painter works like a chemist whose work is to mix colors and perceive the reactions. However, the fact is that a fabric painter must know that how much heat and color is required so that a particular type of painting is created. The most famous section among the fabric paintings is dyeing, silk-screening, layering, batik painting, dyeing and water painting.
Among the different types of paintings on fabric, the simplest and common form is dyeing. In dyeing part of the fabric is tied and merged into the solutions of color dye while another part is abstained from dyeing. When these fabrics are folded to give a particular shape, various designs are formed by the integration of colored and uncolored portions. However, the most favored fabric painting is the Batik Painting which is prepared by blending to dye and wax.
Batik painting was originated in the Javas Indonesian island. The unusual tapestry, freedom of art and ensemble of colors of the Batik paintings mesmerizes the painting lovers. In this type of painting, first of all the waxing of the fabric is done, then it is dyed, and lastly it is de-waxed.
Are you able to bring your creativity on to your canvas? Will you take action step by step, if I help you to learn drawings and paintings until you succeed? Grab 6 lessons on Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Fabric Painting, Pencil Drawing, Color Theory.
==> Grab my free ebook on [http://www.paintonmycanvas.com/ezine.html]Drawing and Painting
'Murtaza Habib' has helped hundreds of newbies to start their painting courses, now you can do it too...Keep visiting [http://www.paintonmycanvas.com/ezine.html]Paint on my canvas for unique articles on drawing and painting.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Murtaza_Habib http://EzineArticles.com/?Fabric-Painting---A-Unique-Form-of-Art&id=1671345
Painting - A Beautiful Way of Art
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Divya_Agg]Divya Agg
Henry Ward once said, "Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." A painting is the artistic expression of a painter. Since the existence of the nomads to the present times, painting has been the most prominent part of the evolution of the mankind.
Today the magnitude of paintings has amplified to a massive extent. Painters Famous M.F Husain, Pablo Picasso, Gemini R Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Leonardo Da Vinci works are famous world-wide and appreciated. Now the work of famous painters is displayed in art exhibitions and their work is sold in millions of dollars. It seems like the craze of painting is never going to end. Over the years we have seen a great variety in the form of painting.
Reverse Glass Paintings
Reverse glass painting is an art of applying paint on a piece of glass and viewing the image by turning the glass and looking through the glass at the image. It is very creative and great fun to ooze out the creative instincts.
Madhubani Painting
It is a traditional folk art form which has succeeded in creating a place for itself in the internationally. It is an expression of day-to-day experiences and beliefs and is created with the beautiful treatment of color. The themes of daily activities, nature, flora and fauna and Hindu Gods are the most prominent. Madhubani painting is characterized by the vibrant and bold use of colors and traditional geometric patterns that supports the main theme, double line border, ornate floral patterns, abstract-like figures of deities and bulging eyes and a jolting nose of the faces of the figures.
Miniature Paintings
Miniature painting is a wall sized work, painted on the smooth surface. It is a traditional style of art that is very detailed and also referred to as "in miniature". It depicts the beautiful images inspired and taken from the Hindu epics and mythologies, Hindu deities, God and Goddesses and royal court scenes. It is depicted on pieces of glass, paper, silk and leather, and is appreciated for the magnificent display of rich colors and dazzling effects.
Patchitra Folk Art Paintings
It is a hereditary art, practiced by the family of the painters customarily living in the surrounding areas of the Jagannath temple and belongs to the state of Orissa in India. The paintings of Patchitra are characterized with the application of gallant outline and gleaming presentation of colors.
Thangka Paintings
Thangka Paintings are popular Tibetan paintings also known as 'Tanka', 'Thanka' or 'Tangka'. It heavily draws its inspiration heavenly from Nepalese, Chinese and Kashmiri styles. Thangka Paintings are painted Buddhist banner that can be hung in a monastery or a family altar. The most common shape of a Thangka is the upright rectangular form. A Thangka is more than just a painting. It is an object of devotion, an aid to spiritual practice, and a bringer of blessings. Hanging a Thangka painting is considered auspicious and brings blessings on the household and serves as a constant reminder of the Buddha's teachings of compassion, kindness and wisdom.
Warli Paintings
The word "Warli" come from the word "warla" which means the piece of land. Warli is the name of the biggest tribe found on the Northern outskirts of Mumbai. Warli Paintings originated in Maharashtra. Its tradition goes back to 2500 or 3000 BC. It is a rudimentary wall painting that uses a very basic graphic vocabulary like a circle, a triangle and a square. The circle represents the sun and the moon; and the triangle derived from mountains and pointed trees. The central motif in the Warli ritual paintings usually have male gods and scenes portraying hunting, fishing and farming, festivals and dances, trees and animals.
Face Painting
It is an integral part of the Indian culture that began thousands of years ago by the Indian tribes who used different face painting designs and techniques to identify their status, culture and tribe. Colors used for are as red clays, blue dyes from berries, clay, charcoal, roots, berries, tree bark, colored clay and other natural pigments. Interestingly it has evolved as a fun activity that is used all over the world.
For more information on various types of paintings, we invite you to visit our website ethnicpaintngs.com. The article has been written by Divya, an expert author at ethnicpaintings.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Divya_Agg http://EzineArticles.com/?Painting---A-Beautiful-Way-of-Art&id=1854067
Henry Ward once said, "Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." A painting is the artistic expression of a painter. Since the existence of the nomads to the present times, painting has been the most prominent part of the evolution of the mankind.
Today the magnitude of paintings has amplified to a massive extent. Painters Famous M.F Husain, Pablo Picasso, Gemini R Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Leonardo Da Vinci works are famous world-wide and appreciated. Now the work of famous painters is displayed in art exhibitions and their work is sold in millions of dollars. It seems like the craze of painting is never going to end. Over the years we have seen a great variety in the form of painting.
Reverse Glass Paintings
Reverse glass painting is an art of applying paint on a piece of glass and viewing the image by turning the glass and looking through the glass at the image. It is very creative and great fun to ooze out the creative instincts.
Madhubani Painting
It is a traditional folk art form which has succeeded in creating a place for itself in the internationally. It is an expression of day-to-day experiences and beliefs and is created with the beautiful treatment of color. The themes of daily activities, nature, flora and fauna and Hindu Gods are the most prominent. Madhubani painting is characterized by the vibrant and bold use of colors and traditional geometric patterns that supports the main theme, double line border, ornate floral patterns, abstract-like figures of deities and bulging eyes and a jolting nose of the faces of the figures.
Miniature Paintings
Miniature painting is a wall sized work, painted on the smooth surface. It is a traditional style of art that is very detailed and also referred to as "in miniature". It depicts the beautiful images inspired and taken from the Hindu epics and mythologies, Hindu deities, God and Goddesses and royal court scenes. It is depicted on pieces of glass, paper, silk and leather, and is appreciated for the magnificent display of rich colors and dazzling effects.
Patchitra Folk Art Paintings
It is a hereditary art, practiced by the family of the painters customarily living in the surrounding areas of the Jagannath temple and belongs to the state of Orissa in India. The paintings of Patchitra are characterized with the application of gallant outline and gleaming presentation of colors.
Thangka Paintings
Thangka Paintings are popular Tibetan paintings also known as 'Tanka', 'Thanka' or 'Tangka'. It heavily draws its inspiration heavenly from Nepalese, Chinese and Kashmiri styles. Thangka Paintings are painted Buddhist banner that can be hung in a monastery or a family altar. The most common shape of a Thangka is the upright rectangular form. A Thangka is more than just a painting. It is an object of devotion, an aid to spiritual practice, and a bringer of blessings. Hanging a Thangka painting is considered auspicious and brings blessings on the household and serves as a constant reminder of the Buddha's teachings of compassion, kindness and wisdom.
Warli Paintings
The word "Warli" come from the word "warla" which means the piece of land. Warli is the name of the biggest tribe found on the Northern outskirts of Mumbai. Warli Paintings originated in Maharashtra. Its tradition goes back to 2500 or 3000 BC. It is a rudimentary wall painting that uses a very basic graphic vocabulary like a circle, a triangle and a square. The circle represents the sun and the moon; and the triangle derived from mountains and pointed trees. The central motif in the Warli ritual paintings usually have male gods and scenes portraying hunting, fishing and farming, festivals and dances, trees and animals.
Face Painting
It is an integral part of the Indian culture that began thousands of years ago by the Indian tribes who used different face painting designs and techniques to identify their status, culture and tribe. Colors used for are as red clays, blue dyes from berries, clay, charcoal, roots, berries, tree bark, colored clay and other natural pigments. Interestingly it has evolved as a fun activity that is used all over the world.
For more information on various types of paintings, we invite you to visit our website ethnicpaintngs.com. The article has been written by Divya, an expert author at ethnicpaintings.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Divya_Agg http://EzineArticles.com/?Painting---A-Beautiful-Way-of-Art&id=1854067
Japanese Animation Art
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Gitundu]Peter Gitundu
Japanese animation has become the big thing in the cartoon industry. Many people are turning to animes as favorite cartoon series more and more each day. There are very little boundaries put on these kinds of cartoons. This is because the creators have broad minds and fantasy, fiction, facts, sci fi and much more is in their grasp.
Dated as far back as 1917, Japanese animation has grown to become a world wide sensation. It has gotten thousands of fans world wide and it is still growing. Known as anime now, form of animation brings to life creativity that had never been seen before. The anime selling point is that the cartoon series characters usually look like westerners but they speak in Japanese and the subtitles are in English, however you will find that there are some anime cartoons that are purely in spoken English.
The storyline of these Japanese animations are also another feature that has drawn thousands. Many of them are usually based in early Japan, when the country had villages and wars were fought. You will however find that the time might be during the olden times but you will find that modern things come in to play such as sunglasses, mobile phones and watches.
These animations are filled with vibrant colors and most of them you will find are a lot like fantasy. You will find that fantasy plays a big role in many of these cartoon animations because most of the characters will either have some sort of power or look like some sort of animal. They might have a human body but their heads will either look like for elves and maybe they will have teeth like for animals and a tail as well. Get these animations and enjoy the fantasy!
Peter Gitundu Researches And Reports On Anime. For More Information on Japanese Animation, Visit His Site at [http://www.merpetsales.com/anime/Japanese-Animation.php]JAPANESE ANIMATION. You Can Also Post Your Views About Japanese Animation On My Blog Here [http://merpetsales.com/2008/03/26/how-to-explain-the-sensitive-issues-happening-around-us-with-japanese-animation/]JAPANESE ANIMATION
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Gitundu http://EzineArticles.com/?Japanese-Animation-Art&id=1695462
Japanese animation has become the big thing in the cartoon industry. Many people are turning to animes as favorite cartoon series more and more each day. There are very little boundaries put on these kinds of cartoons. This is because the creators have broad minds and fantasy, fiction, facts, sci fi and much more is in their grasp.
Dated as far back as 1917, Japanese animation has grown to become a world wide sensation. It has gotten thousands of fans world wide and it is still growing. Known as anime now, form of animation brings to life creativity that had never been seen before. The anime selling point is that the cartoon series characters usually look like westerners but they speak in Japanese and the subtitles are in English, however you will find that there are some anime cartoons that are purely in spoken English.
The storyline of these Japanese animations are also another feature that has drawn thousands. Many of them are usually based in early Japan, when the country had villages and wars were fought. You will however find that the time might be during the olden times but you will find that modern things come in to play such as sunglasses, mobile phones and watches.
These animations are filled with vibrant colors and most of them you will find are a lot like fantasy. You will find that fantasy plays a big role in many of these cartoon animations because most of the characters will either have some sort of power or look like some sort of animal. They might have a human body but their heads will either look like for elves and maybe they will have teeth like for animals and a tail as well. Get these animations and enjoy the fantasy!
Peter Gitundu Researches And Reports On Anime. For More Information on Japanese Animation, Visit His Site at [http://www.merpetsales.com/anime/Japanese-Animation.php]JAPANESE ANIMATION. You Can Also Post Your Views About Japanese Animation On My Blog Here [http://merpetsales.com/2008/03/26/how-to-explain-the-sensitive-issues-happening-around-us-with-japanese-animation/]JAPANESE ANIMATION
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Gitundu http://EzineArticles.com/?Japanese-Animation-Art&id=1695462
Origami As An Art of Paper Folding
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann]David Urmann
Origami started in the 17th century in Japan. It makes geometric folds on a piece of paper to make different objects. It basically uses small folding patterns.
In the earlier Japanese days, origami was given as gifts or good luck tokens in ceremonies. Origami has come a very long way since this then. It is now considered an international art. And a million different patterns have already been created throughout the world.
Origami is like practical geometry, with paper as the basic material. Any parallel material can be used for folding. A normal paper for simple folds can weigh 70-90 g/m² or 19 to 24 pounds. Heavy paper of 100g/m² can be wet-folded. The technique allows a rounded sculpting of its replica which becomes firm when dried.
There is a Japanese paper called kami which is lighter than a copy paper. It is sold in prepackaged sizes of squares that range from 2.5 centimeters to 25 cm. The two sides have white and colored versions that can be used for changing model colors.
A foil-backed paper is another option. It is a thin sheet foil glued to a thin sheet of paper just like a tissue foil in the market. It should be handmade to make it suitable for complex models.
Washi is another kind of paper in Japan used for origami. It is tougher than an ordinary paper. Washi is made from gampi tree wood pulp used in traditional arts.
Another strong paper used in insect models is the artisan paper such as lokta, kozo, unryu, hanji and saa. They have thin long fibers and often back-coated with methylcellulose (wheat paste) before folding.
Paper money is also a popular material in making origami. It is commonly called moneygami. Some prefer to use folding bone like nails to aid with creasing and sharpening the edges while folding.
The most well known form of origami is the paper crane. It begins with a square sheet of paper with different colors on the sides. You can also make a finger ring, shirt and a dime from a paper bill. Children like to create origami animals like a snake, rabbit, frog and a dog face.
Origami covers moving objects also. Action origami can be moved in smart ways. It requires inflation to fly and uses hand kinetic energy to move. Japanese flapping bird was the first action origami that appeared.
To get you started, start with a square sheet of paper. It varies from one project to another. You can make your own sheet of paper or buy sheets at the craft stores. Origami paper is much expensive but will produce better results. If you are using non-origami paper, make sure it is crisp to avoid tearing.
Get clear instruction, one easy for you to understand. Start with simple projects, then work your way up to more complex designs.
Know the basic kinds of folding. It is the basis of even the most complex designs you will encounter. You may not be able to get it in your first try, but be patient. With continued practice, you will become more familiar with the basic folds.
Origami is requires patience, creativity and imagination.
For more information on [http://www.craft-ideas.org/easter.html]Craft ideas for Easter and [http://www.craft-ideas.org/christmas.html]Christmas craft ideas please visit our website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann http://EzineArticles.com/?Origami-As-An-Art-of-Paper-Folding&id=1834640
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann]David Urmann
Origami started in the 17th century in Japan. It makes geometric folds on a piece of paper to make different objects. It basically uses small folding patterns.
In the earlier Japanese days, origami was given as gifts or good luck tokens in ceremonies. Origami has come a very long way since this then. It is now considered an international art. And a million different patterns have already been created throughout the world.
Origami is like practical geometry, with paper as the basic material. Any parallel material can be used for folding. A normal paper for simple folds can weigh 70-90 g/m² or 19 to 24 pounds. Heavy paper of 100g/m² can be wet-folded. The technique allows a rounded sculpting of its replica which becomes firm when dried.
There is a Japanese paper called kami which is lighter than a copy paper. It is sold in prepackaged sizes of squares that range from 2.5 centimeters to 25 cm. The two sides have white and colored versions that can be used for changing model colors.
A foil-backed paper is another option. It is a thin sheet foil glued to a thin sheet of paper just like a tissue foil in the market. It should be handmade to make it suitable for complex models.
Washi is another kind of paper in Japan used for origami. It is tougher than an ordinary paper. Washi is made from gampi tree wood pulp used in traditional arts.
Another strong paper used in insect models is the artisan paper such as lokta, kozo, unryu, hanji and saa. They have thin long fibers and often back-coated with methylcellulose (wheat paste) before folding.
Paper money is also a popular material in making origami. It is commonly called moneygami. Some prefer to use folding bone like nails to aid with creasing and sharpening the edges while folding.
The most well known form of origami is the paper crane. It begins with a square sheet of paper with different colors on the sides. You can also make a finger ring, shirt and a dime from a paper bill. Children like to create origami animals like a snake, rabbit, frog and a dog face.
Origami covers moving objects also. Action origami can be moved in smart ways. It requires inflation to fly and uses hand kinetic energy to move. Japanese flapping bird was the first action origami that appeared.
To get you started, start with a square sheet of paper. It varies from one project to another. You can make your own sheet of paper or buy sheets at the craft stores. Origami paper is much expensive but will produce better results. If you are using non-origami paper, make sure it is crisp to avoid tearing.
Get clear instruction, one easy for you to understand. Start with simple projects, then work your way up to more complex designs.
Know the basic kinds of folding. It is the basis of even the most complex designs you will encounter. You may not be able to get it in your first try, but be patient. With continued practice, you will become more familiar with the basic folds.
Origami is requires patience, creativity and imagination.
For more information on [http://www.craft-ideas.org/easter.html]Craft ideas for Easter and [http://www.craft-ideas.org/christmas.html]Christmas craft ideas please visit our website.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Urmann http://EzineArticles.com/?Origami-As-An-Art-of-Paper-Folding&id=1834640
Photography Lenses and the Art of Photography
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rachel_M_Paul]Rachel M Paul
Photography lenses are the key elements in photography. The quality of an image is mainly determined by the lens being used. If you are interested in photography, you should understand the various types of lenses used in photography. Once you have your basics right, you can begin your photography experiments.
The most common photography lenses used are the Wide Angle, Normal and Telephoto. These lenses are defined according to their focal length, which determines the amount of magnification and angle of view a lens can see.
Wide Angle Lenses
A Wide Angle lens has a small magnification and a wide angle view. Lenses with 20mm to 35mm are called Wide Angle lenses. These lenses are the preferred choice when it comes to photographing landscapes, sweeping panoramas and other outdoor scenes. They are also good for group shots. These lenses offer deep depth of field, thereby making constant refocusing less important. This is why they are usually used in photojournalism, in which a subject is frequently moving.
Normal Lenses
Traditional or Normal lenses consist of 50mm focal length. They offer an angle view close to the human eye. These are the standard lenses that are supplied with an SLR.
Telephoto Lenses
Telephoto lenses offer high magnification and narrow angle view. Anything with a focal length of above 135mm is referred to as a telephoto lens. These lenses are used in sports, nature, and documentary style photography.
There is another type of photography lens which is known as Medium Telephoto lens. These lenses have a focal length of 85-135mm. They are perfect for portraits and that is why they are usually used in portrait studio photography. These lenses are able to isolate the subject from the background. Studio photographers use the increased focal length to slightly flatten the image and give it a more natural and flattering perspective.
One thing that becomes clear here is that you simply cannot use a single type of lens for all sorts of photography. For instance, studio photography is very different from wildlife or outdoor photography. Telephoto photography lenses are best suited for wildlife photography, while Medium Telephoto lenses work great for family or kid portraits.
Practicing
Once we have the basic knowledge about various lenses, we can begin honing our photography skills. The best thing to do is start taking pictures of your family. Good family photographers are always ready and are able to anticipate a photographic opportunity. Do not let the subjects know that you are taking pictures because that way you will get natural images. Plus if you set the aperture setting pretty low to narrow the depth of the field you can get some really cool images.
Tips
Another great way to practice your photography skills is to create children's portraits. In fact, kid photography is a very rewarding experience. It is all about being quick and understanding the psychology of the kids. Here are few tips to help you get great pictures.
-Get the kids interested in the settings. Let them explore the surroundings. That way you will get natural pictures.-Choose the location very carefully. Beach, park, or a bridge over a creek offer a natural setting in which the kids can be kids. Moreover, you get an awesome background.-Be quick because you never know when you can get that magic moment.-You have to be patient because it might take some time to get the right pictures.-Choose your lenses and equipments wisely.
With the right photography lenses and knowledge you can get some amazing shots of whatever that you are trying to take pictures of.
For more expert tips and advice on photography lenses and taking fantastic photos, visit us at http://www.photographynotes.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_M_Paul http://EzineArticles.com/?Photography-Lenses-and-the-Art-of-Photography&id=1884661
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rachel_M_Paul]Rachel M Paul
Photography lenses are the key elements in photography. The quality of an image is mainly determined by the lens being used. If you are interested in photography, you should understand the various types of lenses used in photography. Once you have your basics right, you can begin your photography experiments.
The most common photography lenses used are the Wide Angle, Normal and Telephoto. These lenses are defined according to their focal length, which determines the amount of magnification and angle of view a lens can see.
Wide Angle Lenses
A Wide Angle lens has a small magnification and a wide angle view. Lenses with 20mm to 35mm are called Wide Angle lenses. These lenses are the preferred choice when it comes to photographing landscapes, sweeping panoramas and other outdoor scenes. They are also good for group shots. These lenses offer deep depth of field, thereby making constant refocusing less important. This is why they are usually used in photojournalism, in which a subject is frequently moving.
Normal Lenses
Traditional or Normal lenses consist of 50mm focal length. They offer an angle view close to the human eye. These are the standard lenses that are supplied with an SLR.
Telephoto Lenses
Telephoto lenses offer high magnification and narrow angle view. Anything with a focal length of above 135mm is referred to as a telephoto lens. These lenses are used in sports, nature, and documentary style photography.
There is another type of photography lens which is known as Medium Telephoto lens. These lenses have a focal length of 85-135mm. They are perfect for portraits and that is why they are usually used in portrait studio photography. These lenses are able to isolate the subject from the background. Studio photographers use the increased focal length to slightly flatten the image and give it a more natural and flattering perspective.
One thing that becomes clear here is that you simply cannot use a single type of lens for all sorts of photography. For instance, studio photography is very different from wildlife or outdoor photography. Telephoto photography lenses are best suited for wildlife photography, while Medium Telephoto lenses work great for family or kid portraits.
Practicing
Once we have the basic knowledge about various lenses, we can begin honing our photography skills. The best thing to do is start taking pictures of your family. Good family photographers are always ready and are able to anticipate a photographic opportunity. Do not let the subjects know that you are taking pictures because that way you will get natural images. Plus if you set the aperture setting pretty low to narrow the depth of the field you can get some really cool images.
Tips
Another great way to practice your photography skills is to create children's portraits. In fact, kid photography is a very rewarding experience. It is all about being quick and understanding the psychology of the kids. Here are few tips to help you get great pictures.
-Get the kids interested in the settings. Let them explore the surroundings. That way you will get natural pictures.-Choose the location very carefully. Beach, park, or a bridge over a creek offer a natural setting in which the kids can be kids. Moreover, you get an awesome background.-Be quick because you never know when you can get that magic moment.-You have to be patient because it might take some time to get the right pictures.-Choose your lenses and equipments wisely.
With the right photography lenses and knowledge you can get some amazing shots of whatever that you are trying to take pictures of.
For more expert tips and advice on photography lenses and taking fantastic photos, visit us at http://www.photographynotes.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_M_Paul http://EzineArticles.com/?Photography-Lenses-and-the-Art-of-Photography&id=1884661
Glass Mosaic Tile Art - How to Make a Permanent Signature on Glass
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Bill_Enslen]Bill Enslen
Making wonderful glass mosaic tile art is easy! Let me show you how.
Ever wonder how to sign your indoor glass mosaics so the signature won't rub or wear off? Nothing seems to stick permanently to glass. Permanent marker isn't permanent. Acrylic and enamel paint rub, chip, or flake off. Nothing works!
Until recently, I signed my indoor glass mosaics with enamel paint. I covered the entire mosaic (except the signature) with old rags and towels, and then lightly sprayed on two light coats of clear acrylic sealer to protect the paint. That method works okay, but it doesn't seem to be as permanent as my new idea.
I had an epiphany a while ago and I've been signing all my indoor glass mosaics with this method ever since. Try it and see how it works for you. Use this method only for indoor mosaics. Do not use this method for outdoor mosaics or mosaics that will be displayed in a wet environment (e.g., a sauna or shower area).
CAUTION: Try this method on a piece of scrap glass before trying it on your mosaic art. Trying it on scrap glass first will let you know if this is how you actually want to sign your mosaic art. It will also give you practice before doing it on your mosaic art.
Using a fine-tip permanent marker, sign your name on the glass. I usually put my signature on the bottom-right corner of my indoor mosaics. Put yours where you like it best. I find a piece of tessera big enough to hold my entire signature so I don't have to write on any grout lines. If I have to write small to fit it on a single piece of tessera so I don't cross any grout lines, then I write small.
Lay your indoor mosaic art on a flat surface. Do this so the wet glue won't run or drip. If your mosaic is flat, the glue is thick enough so it stays where you apply it (i.e., it won't run or drip). With your indoor mosaic lying flat, carefully apply plain white Elmer's Glue-All over your entire signature. Don't touch the tip of the glue bottle to the signature or the ink might smudge. Slowly squeeze out enough white Elmer's Glue-All to cover the entire signature. (White Elmer's Glue-All is the stuff we all went to school with. I can usually buy a big 7.625-oz bottle at Walmart for about $1.50.)
Allow the glue to thoroughly dry overnight. White Elmer's Glue-All dries clear. When wet, the glue doesn't absorb or blur the ink. Instead, the ink stays intact and the signature looks good after the glue is dry and clear. The glass color also shows through so the glue doesn't affect the mosaic's appearance. The ink is entombed in the glue and the glue provides strong, permanent protection for my signature on my indoor mosaics.
Don't try to get cute by using a cotton swab or other tool to spread out the glue evenly. While trying to spread out the wet glue, if you press just a hair too hard and touch the ink, it will smudge. If you leave the ink alone, it won't smudge or blur, but it will with the slightest touch. Therefore, I suggest that you don't try to even out the glue lines. Instead, hold the tip of the glue bottle close to the glass and carefully squeeze out the glue. The edges will look a bit ragged (i.e., not perfectly straight and square with each other). In my opinion, that's okay, they don't need to be perfectly smooth, straight, and at perfect angles with each other. When the glue is dry and clear, I don't notice the raggedness unless my nose is right up to the mosaic.
As noted, don't use this method for outdoor mosaics or for mosaics that will be displayed in a wet environment (e.g., a sauna or shower area).
This process is explained on my website for free with lots of pictures, so if you don't quite understand it, go to my website and look at the pictures. Try this method on a piece of scrap glass and see if you like it. If you do, then you'll know a neat trick that allows you to sign your indoor mosaic art masterpieces and be comfortable that your signature won't rub or wear off over time.
Remember, making mosaic art is easy. You can do it. Yes, you can!
Bill Enslen has created lovely [http://www.glassmosaictileart.com/]mosaic art for 30 years. Please visit his website at [http://www.glassmosaictileart.com/]Glass Mosaic Tile Art. While browsing his mosaic gallery, you may think, "I wish I could do that." Well, you can! It's easy, fun, and you don't even have to be artsy. Have you ever read a mosaic book or website and thought, "Okay, so now what?" or "How in the world am I supposed to do that?" or "What does that mean?" You're not alone. To solve this dilemma, Bill wrote a new eBook, Mosaic Pieces: Essentials for Beginner and Professional Mosaic Artists. It gives you step-by-step details for creating your own mosaic masterpieces. It's jam-packed with color photographs and illustrations that make the process extremely easy to understand. Visit his website and read the free sample chapters. Let him show you just how easy it is. With Bill's help, you can do it. Yes, you can!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Enslen http://EzineArticles.com/?Glass-Mosaic-Tile-Art---How-to-Make-a-Permanent-Signature-on-Glass&id=1893915
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Bill_Enslen]Bill Enslen
Making wonderful glass mosaic tile art is easy! Let me show you how.
Ever wonder how to sign your indoor glass mosaics so the signature won't rub or wear off? Nothing seems to stick permanently to glass. Permanent marker isn't permanent. Acrylic and enamel paint rub, chip, or flake off. Nothing works!
Until recently, I signed my indoor glass mosaics with enamel paint. I covered the entire mosaic (except the signature) with old rags and towels, and then lightly sprayed on two light coats of clear acrylic sealer to protect the paint. That method works okay, but it doesn't seem to be as permanent as my new idea.
I had an epiphany a while ago and I've been signing all my indoor glass mosaics with this method ever since. Try it and see how it works for you. Use this method only for indoor mosaics. Do not use this method for outdoor mosaics or mosaics that will be displayed in a wet environment (e.g., a sauna or shower area).
CAUTION: Try this method on a piece of scrap glass before trying it on your mosaic art. Trying it on scrap glass first will let you know if this is how you actually want to sign your mosaic art. It will also give you practice before doing it on your mosaic art.
Using a fine-tip permanent marker, sign your name on the glass. I usually put my signature on the bottom-right corner of my indoor mosaics. Put yours where you like it best. I find a piece of tessera big enough to hold my entire signature so I don't have to write on any grout lines. If I have to write small to fit it on a single piece of tessera so I don't cross any grout lines, then I write small.
Lay your indoor mosaic art on a flat surface. Do this so the wet glue won't run or drip. If your mosaic is flat, the glue is thick enough so it stays where you apply it (i.e., it won't run or drip). With your indoor mosaic lying flat, carefully apply plain white Elmer's Glue-All over your entire signature. Don't touch the tip of the glue bottle to the signature or the ink might smudge. Slowly squeeze out enough white Elmer's Glue-All to cover the entire signature. (White Elmer's Glue-All is the stuff we all went to school with. I can usually buy a big 7.625-oz bottle at Walmart for about $1.50.)
Allow the glue to thoroughly dry overnight. White Elmer's Glue-All dries clear. When wet, the glue doesn't absorb or blur the ink. Instead, the ink stays intact and the signature looks good after the glue is dry and clear. The glass color also shows through so the glue doesn't affect the mosaic's appearance. The ink is entombed in the glue and the glue provides strong, permanent protection for my signature on my indoor mosaics.
Don't try to get cute by using a cotton swab or other tool to spread out the glue evenly. While trying to spread out the wet glue, if you press just a hair too hard and touch the ink, it will smudge. If you leave the ink alone, it won't smudge or blur, but it will with the slightest touch. Therefore, I suggest that you don't try to even out the glue lines. Instead, hold the tip of the glue bottle close to the glass and carefully squeeze out the glue. The edges will look a bit ragged (i.e., not perfectly straight and square with each other). In my opinion, that's okay, they don't need to be perfectly smooth, straight, and at perfect angles with each other. When the glue is dry and clear, I don't notice the raggedness unless my nose is right up to the mosaic.
As noted, don't use this method for outdoor mosaics or for mosaics that will be displayed in a wet environment (e.g., a sauna or shower area).
This process is explained on my website for free with lots of pictures, so if you don't quite understand it, go to my website and look at the pictures. Try this method on a piece of scrap glass and see if you like it. If you do, then you'll know a neat trick that allows you to sign your indoor mosaic art masterpieces and be comfortable that your signature won't rub or wear off over time.
Remember, making mosaic art is easy. You can do it. Yes, you can!
Bill Enslen has created lovely [http://www.glassmosaictileart.com/]mosaic art for 30 years. Please visit his website at [http://www.glassmosaictileart.com/]Glass Mosaic Tile Art. While browsing his mosaic gallery, you may think, "I wish I could do that." Well, you can! It's easy, fun, and you don't even have to be artsy. Have you ever read a mosaic book or website and thought, "Okay, so now what?" or "How in the world am I supposed to do that?" or "What does that mean?" You're not alone. To solve this dilemma, Bill wrote a new eBook, Mosaic Pieces: Essentials for Beginner and Professional Mosaic Artists. It gives you step-by-step details for creating your own mosaic masterpieces. It's jam-packed with color photographs and illustrations that make the process extremely easy to understand. Visit his website and read the free sample chapters. Let him show you just how easy it is. With Bill's help, you can do it. Yes, you can!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Enslen http://EzineArticles.com/?Glass-Mosaic-Tile-Art---How-to-Make-a-Permanent-Signature-on-Glass&id=1893915
Met Art Photography
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Gitundu]Peter Gitundu
As diverse as cultures and people of the world are, so are types of photography. Different from aerial, glamour kirlian and classical photography, Met art photography is a special category of photography that entails taking photographs of nude teens. This category provides the world with the most comprehensive collection of pictures.
Kindly note that this photography is purely artistic and has nothing to do with pornography.In any case the description of these pictures by many people who view them is 'beautiful, natural and dazzling'. The intensity of the description will however depend on the extent to which the models will give a brave pose for the photo shot.
To become a member in this domain as a model you are required to pay an annual membership fee of $100 but this can be payable in installments. After registration you then become a full member on the met art photography web page. the web site is updated daily to keep you posted on the offers available which could be from professional photographers of some free lancers.
Before signing up as a member to this met art photography web site, it is only wise that you get all the necessary information of the dos and don'ts as far as the models are concerned. On the web site you will be able to download photos that appeal for you either for advertisements or so that you can be able to gather information on how you can take part in live shows with the models.
Peter Gitundu researches and reports on Photography. For More Information on Met Art Photography, Visit His Site at [http://www.merpetsales.com/photography/Met-Art-Photography.php]MET ART PHOTOGRAPHY You Can Also Post Your Views About Met Art Photography On My Blog Here [http://merpetsales.com/2008/10/11/depth-of-field-in-photography/]MET ART PHOTOGRAPHY.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Gitundu http://EzineArticles.com/?Met-Art-Photography&id=1665393
What Art Therapy is and How it Can Be Used
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anne_Ream]Anne Ream
Art therapy is a clinical mental/emotional health expressive therapy. It is a highly evocative method of communicating feelings, thoughts, and needs. Because our primary communications (kinesthetic, aural and visual) occur or a preverbal level, expressive therapies can be more powerful than verbal therapy alone. This is especially true concerning feelings that render an individual more vulnerable. Therefore an art therapist must have a high degree of sensitivity and empathic ability.
Art therapy is NOT about being able to draw. It is about using art supplies to enhance verbal therapy. During an art therapy session individuals use a variety of art supplies (including collage, clay, mask making, sculpture) to illustrate their thoughts and feelings regarding an issue, as they talk about it.
Art therapy is NOT about the therapist reading or interpreting a person's artwork. The person who created the artwork does any interpretation.
Art therapy helps individuals work through their experiences on many levels. Creating a piece of art about an experience requires people to think and feel, deeply, about the experience. As they do this they transform raw experience into symbolic forms.
Symbols help people define themselves. They belong to us only when we define them. It is vital that individuals have the freedom to define themselves by defining their own symbols and perception of reality. Self-definition is part of recovery from many problems.
By making a symbolic map of an event individuals recognize different aspects and perspectives of it. Symbolizing the event allows individuals to look at it from a distance, making it easier to gain a degree of resolution. The persons concerns are talked about, as they are present in the artwork, not the self, providing a safe distance for the individual. Thoughts and feelings about the event become more manageable. The making of art that deals with difficult life experiences gives people an opportunity to gain mastery over that experience.
Metaphors also increase self-definition. When individuals illustrate their, "Current Mood as a Landscape", with guidance from the therapist, they create their own metaphor and increase self-awareness, which promotes healthy maturation.
As individuals illustrate an event or memory, they use imagination and the creative process to do so. While doing this people recognize the creative process they have as a strength. Using creative and imaginative powers in therapy helps people re-energize them and learn how to use them as coping skills. Being creative is closely aligned with good health.
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) requires its art therapists to have a master's degree from an approved university. During the clinical education students learn how to use a variety of different therapeutic (cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, etc.) approaches with art therapy.
"I am an artist at living, my life is my work of art" Suzuki
Anne is a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. Anne has been studying human development and relationships for over 45 years. She has been successfully working with families, in various capacities, for over 20 years. Her private practice is in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia PA. She specializes in helping people recover from various types of trauma, difficult changes and loss. Anne has an unusual ability to connect with children and adolescents, along with their parents. Parenting is the most important job we ever do, yet no one shows us how to do it or gives us the support we need. Anne has successfully coached many parents through a variety of critical stages in their children's lives. Anne's greatest joy is helping people understand themselves and each other. http://www.annescreativetherapy.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Ream http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Art-Therapy-is-and-How-it-Can-Be-Used&id=1771963
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Anne_Ream]Anne Ream
Art therapy is a clinical mental/emotional health expressive therapy. It is a highly evocative method of communicating feelings, thoughts, and needs. Because our primary communications (kinesthetic, aural and visual) occur or a preverbal level, expressive therapies can be more powerful than verbal therapy alone. This is especially true concerning feelings that render an individual more vulnerable. Therefore an art therapist must have a high degree of sensitivity and empathic ability.
Art therapy is NOT about being able to draw. It is about using art supplies to enhance verbal therapy. During an art therapy session individuals use a variety of art supplies (including collage, clay, mask making, sculpture) to illustrate their thoughts and feelings regarding an issue, as they talk about it.
Art therapy is NOT about the therapist reading or interpreting a person's artwork. The person who created the artwork does any interpretation.
Art therapy helps individuals work through their experiences on many levels. Creating a piece of art about an experience requires people to think and feel, deeply, about the experience. As they do this they transform raw experience into symbolic forms.
Symbols help people define themselves. They belong to us only when we define them. It is vital that individuals have the freedom to define themselves by defining their own symbols and perception of reality. Self-definition is part of recovery from many problems.
By making a symbolic map of an event individuals recognize different aspects and perspectives of it. Symbolizing the event allows individuals to look at it from a distance, making it easier to gain a degree of resolution. The persons concerns are talked about, as they are present in the artwork, not the self, providing a safe distance for the individual. Thoughts and feelings about the event become more manageable. The making of art that deals with difficult life experiences gives people an opportunity to gain mastery over that experience.
Metaphors also increase self-definition. When individuals illustrate their, "Current Mood as a Landscape", with guidance from the therapist, they create their own metaphor and increase self-awareness, which promotes healthy maturation.
As individuals illustrate an event or memory, they use imagination and the creative process to do so. While doing this people recognize the creative process they have as a strength. Using creative and imaginative powers in therapy helps people re-energize them and learn how to use them as coping skills. Being creative is closely aligned with good health.
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) requires its art therapists to have a master's degree from an approved university. During the clinical education students learn how to use a variety of different therapeutic (cognitive, behavioral, humanistic, etc.) approaches with art therapy.
"I am an artist at living, my life is my work of art" Suzuki
Anne is a Board Certified Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor. Anne has been studying human development and relationships for over 45 years. She has been successfully working with families, in various capacities, for over 20 years. Her private practice is in the Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia PA. She specializes in helping people recover from various types of trauma, difficult changes and loss. Anne has an unusual ability to connect with children and adolescents, along with their parents. Parenting is the most important job we ever do, yet no one shows us how to do it or gives us the support we need. Anne has successfully coached many parents through a variety of critical stages in their children's lives. Anne's greatest joy is helping people understand themselves and each other. http://www.annescreativetherapy.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anne_Ream http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Art-Therapy-is-and-How-it-Can-Be-Used&id=1771963
How to Purchase Fine Art
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Spohn]Rachel Spohn
You are finally at the stage in life where you can move from merely appreciating art to being able to purchase it for your home. But if you don't have much experience buying this luxury item, it can be a daunting task to find where, when, and how to buy. Here are a few guidelines for purchasing fine art that will have you soon on your way to buying like an expert.
When you are first considering a purchase, it is important to be as objective as possible. Make sure you get what you pay for by learning as much as you can about how the artistic market works and by gathering as much information as possible about the particular style, period, or artist you are interested in. Luckily, you have two ways of going about this pre-buying research. One method is to research the artist's significance and output in exhibition catalogues, books, and reviews by national and local critics. The second research method involves looking through available sale records in major public libraries and art galleries to determine how much the artist's work has gone for in the past.
Buying comes in all shapes and sizes; for instance you can choose to buy online, at an auction, or through a dealer. If it is your first time, your best bet is to find a gallery dealer. When buying through a gallery dealer, there are some key elements to consider before making a purchase.
The first is quality. A piece's quality is half subjective and half based on the artist's track record and his or her area within the artists' body of work that the piece is from. Another important element, rarity, can have an effect on quality. The rarity of a particular work is judged by the artist's output and availability.
A second consideration is condition. When it comes to determining value, a work's condition is a central factor, yet is often overlooked when a purchase is considered. To what extent has the work been cleaned, lined, and restored? A good dealer should be able to answer these questions and convey, in clear and understandable terms, the work's condition.
Third, authenticity. All qualified dealers will guarantee the authenticity of his or her merchandise in writing. One way of going about establishing authenticity is a work's exhibition history and provenance. (Provenance is a record of known ownership of a piece, in a lot of cases going back to the artist.) It is important to remember that authentic works can come with little or no provenance.
A final piece to the purchasing puzzle is the difference between dealer guarantees and auction "guarantees." A reputable dealer backs up your purchase, whereas an auction house is limited by "buyer beware" guidelines. It is important to understand that your protection is limited when buying at an auction.
Ferrell's Gallery ( http://ferrellsartgallery.com) brings Louisiana fine art within your reach with exquisite, guaranteed offerings. Rachel Spohn is a freelance writer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Spohn http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Purchase-Fine-Art&id=1859862
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Spohn]Rachel Spohn
You are finally at the stage in life where you can move from merely appreciating art to being able to purchase it for your home. But if you don't have much experience buying this luxury item, it can be a daunting task to find where, when, and how to buy. Here are a few guidelines for purchasing fine art that will have you soon on your way to buying like an expert.
When you are first considering a purchase, it is important to be as objective as possible. Make sure you get what you pay for by learning as much as you can about how the artistic market works and by gathering as much information as possible about the particular style, period, or artist you are interested in. Luckily, you have two ways of going about this pre-buying research. One method is to research the artist's significance and output in exhibition catalogues, books, and reviews by national and local critics. The second research method involves looking through available sale records in major public libraries and art galleries to determine how much the artist's work has gone for in the past.
Buying comes in all shapes and sizes; for instance you can choose to buy online, at an auction, or through a dealer. If it is your first time, your best bet is to find a gallery dealer. When buying through a gallery dealer, there are some key elements to consider before making a purchase.
The first is quality. A piece's quality is half subjective and half based on the artist's track record and his or her area within the artists' body of work that the piece is from. Another important element, rarity, can have an effect on quality. The rarity of a particular work is judged by the artist's output and availability.
A second consideration is condition. When it comes to determining value, a work's condition is a central factor, yet is often overlooked when a purchase is considered. To what extent has the work been cleaned, lined, and restored? A good dealer should be able to answer these questions and convey, in clear and understandable terms, the work's condition.
Third, authenticity. All qualified dealers will guarantee the authenticity of his or her merchandise in writing. One way of going about establishing authenticity is a work's exhibition history and provenance. (Provenance is a record of known ownership of a piece, in a lot of cases going back to the artist.) It is important to remember that authentic works can come with little or no provenance.
A final piece to the purchasing puzzle is the difference between dealer guarantees and auction "guarantees." A reputable dealer backs up your purchase, whereas an auction house is limited by "buyer beware" guidelines. It is important to understand that your protection is limited when buying at an auction.
Ferrell's Gallery ( http://ferrellsartgallery.com) brings Louisiana fine art within your reach with exquisite, guaranteed offerings. Rachel Spohn is a freelance writer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rachel_Spohn http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Purchase-Fine-Art&id=1859862
Learn Digital Photography - Working With Your Camera
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Danny_Feildman]Danny Feildman
Experiment with exposure Digital cameras usually work best in sunlight, just like film cameras. When you move indoors, or into dim light, things get much trickier -- just like film cameras. So experiment.
One thing you can do is try to shoot your subject from different angles, using a variety of different lighting. If your camera allows you to do so, try turning your flash off. If your camera allows what is called "fill flash," I recommend you try that as well. You will find that every once in a while a flawlessly exposed picture is made even better using fill flash. Also, from time to time turning off the flash and leaving the subject somewhat underexposed can add drama to the shot.
Every once in a while, you'll take the same picture three different ways, with three different exposure options, and get three radically different pictures -- and all of them will look good. But you've got to experiment.
If at all possible, bracket your shots, with one shot slightly underexposed, one slightly overexposed, and one "just right." Some digital cameras will do this automatically, but even then you need to practice. If you are expecting the camera to shoot one frame and it shoots three, there is an excellent chance the last two will look like they were taken by a very surprised photographer.
Special features Most digital cameras have a variety of built-in special features. Some will allow you to record sound, some allow you to take short QuickTime clips, and some allow you to experiment with special effects, such as shooting black and white or sepia-tone images. Until you learn the basics of your camera I recommend that you ignore the special features.
Keep in mind that some of these tricks, such as black and white or sepia-toned images, can be done without the camera. Just load up a normal color image in Photoshop and, in a few minutes, you can have perfect black and white or sepia-toned photos. In other words, if you can do it easily in Photoshop, you might be better off concentrating on taking a good color photo, and worrying about special effects later on at your leisure.
On the other hand, you should try out other special effects. For example, if you pan your camera to track a car moving at high speed, the car will be in sharp focus but the background will be blurred, making an interesting picture. Or you can do the opposite: focus on a particular stationary object -- a child flying a kite, a freshly-painted fire hydrant -- and allow a speeding car to enter the frame. You'll then have a sharply focused center of attention with the added benefit of motion.
Silhouettes are another nice special effect. Try taking a photo with your subject in shadow, eclipsing a brightly-exposed object in the background. The reverse -- a brightly exposed subject against a dark background -- can be just as interesting. Getting a good silhouette with film is expensive: you shoot a lot of frames with little or no reward. With a digital camera, however, the only cost is your time and patience, and your patience will be rewarded.
Did you like this article? Curious about [http://www.learndigitalphotographynow.com/]Dominating Digital Photography? Well now you can by Discovering this [http://www.learndigitalphotographynow.com/blog/]free Blog...what are you waiting for?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danny_Feildman http://EzineArticles.com/?Learn-Digital-Photography---Working-With-Your-Camera&id=1884290
Experiment with exposure Digital cameras usually work best in sunlight, just like film cameras. When you move indoors, or into dim light, things get much trickier -- just like film cameras. So experiment.
One thing you can do is try to shoot your subject from different angles, using a variety of different lighting. If your camera allows you to do so, try turning your flash off. If your camera allows what is called "fill flash," I recommend you try that as well. You will find that every once in a while a flawlessly exposed picture is made even better using fill flash. Also, from time to time turning off the flash and leaving the subject somewhat underexposed can add drama to the shot.
Every once in a while, you'll take the same picture three different ways, with three different exposure options, and get three radically different pictures -- and all of them will look good. But you've got to experiment.
If at all possible, bracket your shots, with one shot slightly underexposed, one slightly overexposed, and one "just right." Some digital cameras will do this automatically, but even then you need to practice. If you are expecting the camera to shoot one frame and it shoots three, there is an excellent chance the last two will look like they were taken by a very surprised photographer.
Special features Most digital cameras have a variety of built-in special features. Some will allow you to record sound, some allow you to take short QuickTime clips, and some allow you to experiment with special effects, such as shooting black and white or sepia-tone images. Until you learn the basics of your camera I recommend that you ignore the special features.
Keep in mind that some of these tricks, such as black and white or sepia-toned images, can be done without the camera. Just load up a normal color image in Photoshop and, in a few minutes, you can have perfect black and white or sepia-toned photos. In other words, if you can do it easily in Photoshop, you might be better off concentrating on taking a good color photo, and worrying about special effects later on at your leisure.
On the other hand, you should try out other special effects. For example, if you pan your camera to track a car moving at high speed, the car will be in sharp focus but the background will be blurred, making an interesting picture. Or you can do the opposite: focus on a particular stationary object -- a child flying a kite, a freshly-painted fire hydrant -- and allow a speeding car to enter the frame. You'll then have a sharply focused center of attention with the added benefit of motion.
Silhouettes are another nice special effect. Try taking a photo with your subject in shadow, eclipsing a brightly-exposed object in the background. The reverse -- a brightly exposed subject against a dark background -- can be just as interesting. Getting a good silhouette with film is expensive: you shoot a lot of frames with little or no reward. With a digital camera, however, the only cost is your time and patience, and your patience will be rewarded.
Did you like this article? Curious about [http://www.learndigitalphotographynow.com/]Dominating Digital Photography? Well now you can by Discovering this [http://www.learndigitalphotographynow.com/blog/]free Blog...what are you waiting for?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danny_Feildman http://EzineArticles.com/?Learn-Digital-Photography---Working-With-Your-Camera&id=1884290
Learning Entertainment Arts in the Modern World
[http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kim_Wist]Kim Wist
No matter how the world advances, skill will always be highly respected. I am a magician by profession and it is an art form that requires lots of skill and practice. If we look at a great stand up artist on stage, everything looks so simple, his just being himself and enjoys his time on stage and entertains his audience, but I can assure it wasn't always like that.
Today I want to focus on the effect internet has to the learning process and what has changed in the modern world. This is particularly true considering stand up entertainment.
The world has become enormously fast in the last few decades. The impact of internet, email and cell phones is huge, and everybody has access to all imaginable knowledge in an instant.
This affects also all learning processes, and I see it mostly as an improvement, but there are also disadvantages.
As a professional magician, wanting to learn something new, I still use old resources; books, videos and lecture notes. There are millions of videos on YouTube, but the information and knowledge provided is simply overwhelming. To learn something new, I need a quiet environment, time and concentration.
To me, internet is not the right place to learn from, by this I mean following an explanation from your computer screen. It creates easily a restless feeling which is not good for learning purposes. Granted, there are some great sites about tricks, videos and technique, but learning new moves, sleights and psychology is so demanding, I feel it requires a silent environment.
Furthermore a magic trick is never ready after it has been performed to a live audience. I remember so often feeling good about a particular routine and practicing it to perfection, only to find that something didn't work or something had to be changed in live stand up or close up situations. Sometimes it's very hard to understand what these "things" could be. The energy of a live performance is so different, the body does things differently and there is no room for mistakes, it's a demanding situation.
I see ads over the internet of magic tricks that I know for fact won't work in the real world. Magic ads are also cleverly made, they tell the truth, but usually only a part of it. If you buy a magic trick there is no refund because you pay partly for the secret. Sometimes you pay only for the secret, if you buy for example a downloadable eBook without any gimmicks.
Today it's very easy to buy magic from internet, anyone can do it. It used to be very different. Some sellers were very strict what to sell to whom. The secrets were protected. Today we have masked magician on TV revealing illusions and close up magic secrets. This is very unethical and unprofessional. Money talks and BS walks - quantity is not quality and will never be...
No matter how many magic secrets are revealed, the skill and atmosphere a seasoned performer can create can never be copied. Performing live stand up can only be learned by doing it. If we know the secrets of hundred tricks it will never make anyone a magician. All skill requires commitment and lots of work and practice, and I don't feel internet and our "speed world" contributes to that at all. Furthermore nothing can replace routine. A seasoned performer, who has done his program thousands of times knows exactly what to do or say in any situation, and can use something unexpected it to his advantage, where an inexperienced performer loses his rhythm and even worse, his audience...
People can forgive you if you make a mistake, but if they sense you are not up to it and they feel you are on stage practicing they will treat you accordingly.
These skills cannot be learned through internet, the only place to learn is the real world. To be able to touch an audience, whether we do stand up or close up magic, we have to create atmosphere and have a believable stage persona, after that we can do whatever we like.
Kim Wist is a professional magician and one of the most successful performers in Finland: [http://www.kimwist.com/english.htm]Taikuri Kim Wist
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kim_Wist http://EzineArticles.com/?Learning-Entertainment-Arts-in-the-Modern-World&id=1888781
No matter how the world advances, skill will always be highly respected. I am a magician by profession and it is an art form that requires lots of skill and practice. If we look at a great stand up artist on stage, everything looks so simple, his just being himself and enjoys his time on stage and entertains his audience, but I can assure it wasn't always like that.
Today I want to focus on the effect internet has to the learning process and what has changed in the modern world. This is particularly true considering stand up entertainment.
The world has become enormously fast in the last few decades. The impact of internet, email and cell phones is huge, and everybody has access to all imaginable knowledge in an instant.
This affects also all learning processes, and I see it mostly as an improvement, but there are also disadvantages.
As a professional magician, wanting to learn something new, I still use old resources; books, videos and lecture notes. There are millions of videos on YouTube, but the information and knowledge provided is simply overwhelming. To learn something new, I need a quiet environment, time and concentration.
To me, internet is not the right place to learn from, by this I mean following an explanation from your computer screen. It creates easily a restless feeling which is not good for learning purposes. Granted, there are some great sites about tricks, videos and technique, but learning new moves, sleights and psychology is so demanding, I feel it requires a silent environment.
Furthermore a magic trick is never ready after it has been performed to a live audience. I remember so often feeling good about a particular routine and practicing it to perfection, only to find that something didn't work or something had to be changed in live stand up or close up situations. Sometimes it's very hard to understand what these "things" could be. The energy of a live performance is so different, the body does things differently and there is no room for mistakes, it's a demanding situation.
I see ads over the internet of magic tricks that I know for fact won't work in the real world. Magic ads are also cleverly made, they tell the truth, but usually only a part of it. If you buy a magic trick there is no refund because you pay partly for the secret. Sometimes you pay only for the secret, if you buy for example a downloadable eBook without any gimmicks.
Today it's very easy to buy magic from internet, anyone can do it. It used to be very different. Some sellers were very strict what to sell to whom. The secrets were protected. Today we have masked magician on TV revealing illusions and close up magic secrets. This is very unethical and unprofessional. Money talks and BS walks - quantity is not quality and will never be...
No matter how many magic secrets are revealed, the skill and atmosphere a seasoned performer can create can never be copied. Performing live stand up can only be learned by doing it. If we know the secrets of hundred tricks it will never make anyone a magician. All skill requires commitment and lots of work and practice, and I don't feel internet and our "speed world" contributes to that at all. Furthermore nothing can replace routine. A seasoned performer, who has done his program thousands of times knows exactly what to do or say in any situation, and can use something unexpected it to his advantage, where an inexperienced performer loses his rhythm and even worse, his audience...
People can forgive you if you make a mistake, but if they sense you are not up to it and they feel you are on stage practicing they will treat you accordingly.
These skills cannot be learned through internet, the only place to learn is the real world. To be able to touch an audience, whether we do stand up or close up magic, we have to create atmosphere and have a believable stage persona, after that we can do whatever we like.
Kim Wist is a professional magician and one of the most successful performers in Finland: [http://www.kimwist.com/english.htm]Taikuri Kim Wist
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kim_Wist http://EzineArticles.com/?Learning-Entertainment-Arts-in-the-Modern-World&id=1888781
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