Cash From Your Camera - 5 Steps to Write Your Way to Successful Photo Sales

If you are able to write quality articles on a variety of subjects and then shoot quality images you are far more likely to be able to find a market for your images. The magazine market especially are looking for good articles that have the associated images as part of the deal. If you can do this then you can storm to the front of the queue.

One of the problems that magazine editors face today is shrinking budgets. Getting together a great article on a relevant subject and then sending out a staff photographer to shoot it or pay a freelancer, is always a budgetary headache. If you can solve that problem then you will stand a great chance of finding someone who will buy your images together with a quality article. So how do you write your way to success?

1. Find a niche

Here you'll have to do a bit of a self evaluation. Find out what you enjoy doing and what your passions are, something that really interests you. Something that you have already been shooting for fun. Write articles around what you have already shot. If you like boating or dogs then you'll probably know which magazines focus on these topics. If you don't then research your market. Find out what magazines are available in your specific area of interest and what types of articles they focus on. Do they have photos in the articles? You want to ascertain whether a good article contains how many images. Then once you know this you will be able get ideas for articles. Of course it's better if you are a regular reader of the magazine and know what articles have appeared and when.

2. Contact the magazine editor

This is often the most difficult as we are not partial to rejection. What you need to do is come up with a few story ideas and then pitch them to the editor. Give a brief outline or summary of the story so that it gives the editor an idea of the article structure. If you already have images, work the story around them and then shoot any additional to fill in the gaps. With these ideas you may just give the editor some ideas that he hadn't thought of. Don't go to the editor and ask what they need. Remember that you are an unknown and a risk at this stage as they don't know what you can deliver.

3. Work on your ideas

Create something that is dramatic and outstanding that will catch the editor's ear first. If he can picture a finished article once you have submitted it then he will be far more open to looking at the photos that accompany it. The article needs to be professional and polished although the editor may refine it and cut out bits that aren't relevant or make the story too long. Don't rely on the magazine's editorial staff to make corrections to spelling and grammar. This may be the cause for the article getting rejected. Once your article is formulated, corrected and polished then it's ready to go to the next level.

4. Work on your images

Look through your portfolio of appropriate images. Select only the ones that are outstanding, that is, your best. If the image doesn't cut it or you are not sure, leave it out. You are showcasing your images, in some cases, to a national magazine who have very high standards. If you aren't sure then reshoot an image. Rather have too few that are of high quality than including one or two extras that lower the standard of the portfolio. If the editor likes your story they may ask you to provide additional or specific photos of a subject.

5. Evaluate the final product

Look at the article you have just created and visualise it in a magazine. Would it catch your attention. Would you read it? It's imperative that you evaluate the article carefully. Get a friend or associate to read through it with the images in place and give their opinion. Don't use family as they might give an emotionally biased opinion. You only have one chance to give a great first impression. This might be the break you have been waiting for so give it all you have.

If you really give you heart and soul to writing great articles, they will give you a foot in the door for your photos. But, make sure that your photos are as good as your articles and would deserve to be published in a quality magazine.

Do you want to learn more about photography in a digital world? I've just completed a brand new e-course delivered by e-mail. Download it here for free: http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/ To learn how you can take your photography from ordinary to outstanding visit http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/21steps.htm

Wayne Turner has been teaching photography for 25 years and has written three books on photography.

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Learn Digital Photography - Which Digital Camera Is For You?

Before deciding on purchasing a digital camera, it is important that you set yourself a budget. This should happen before going online or visiting an electronics shop. It is just like purchasing any other large item else such as a computer. There are a lot of options, and you don't want to get stuck biting off more than you can chew, expense-wise. High-end cameras offer the great zoom, more extra features and more megapixels.

Having more megapixels doesn't mean you will have the great picture quality. Unfortunately these cameras can also take a huge bite out of your wallet if you are not careful. When you are starting out in the wide world of digital photography, it is easier to not spend a huge amount of money on the high-end SLR cameras. Look for cheaper, yet effective, compact digital cameras that are a lot easier to hold. The best thing to do is learn the basics with this digital camera and make sure you enjoy the hobby before spending the cash for higher-end digital cameras.

Some people don't really enjoy going on airplanes or helicopters, how do they take those spectacular aerial photos? Guess what you don't have to use planes or helicopters! Sometimes aerial shots on planes can sometimes get expensive unless you have a friend with a plane. Flying in a little plane around a city a couple of times can be quite frightening for some people. The little secret that few photographers know is: some "in-flight" photos are not actually taken from a plane. Quite the contrary, they are taken from a countryside or city vantage point. Being in the observation deck of a skyscraper will actually get you just about as high as a low flying plane would. Your photographs will look like aerial shots that were taken as you were flying around, but in fact you didn't even enter in any aircraft.

Fall is one of the most pleasurable times for photographers. It brings beautiful orange, brown, and red leaf colors. If you plan on traveling to take advantage of nature's yearly fireworks display, you need to ensure you get to your destination at the peak period to enjoy the best fall leaves. If you live in the US, the US Department of Agriculture has a website that displays fall foliage information by geographical area. Finding out the best times to visit areas is crucial.

A good place is New England. A well planned trip could be the best way to get some really extraordanary pictures. Information is updated as soon as conditions permit. If traveling is out of the question for you, check with your government agriculture website to see the best times. Good research results in spectacular pictures. Here is a good source for US photographers: The Foliage Network - http://www.foliagenetwork.com/

When you are taking fireworks photos a good location is always essential with your digital camera. As in any other type of digital photography, when shooting fireworks, composition is necessary. Before the show begins, find a good angle that will provide you with a clear picture of the upcoming fireworks. Having people in front of your camera is completely unacceptable, avoid it at all costs. Streetlights will fade out the fire works phenomenally; therefore it is best to avoid streetlamps. Basically finding the best possible shot, with few lights, few people and not against the law is difficult but doable. Sometimes have a view on a boat is helpful if the water is calm.

Sometimes taking photos at night is more difficult than it seems. Shooting photos at dusk may provide your camera with just enough light to take fantastic cityscape photos. The sky is decently dark at dusk, but not so dark to prevent some degree of sunlight entering your digital camera, making it easier to take hand-held photos that do not result all blurry due to 'camera-shake'. If you are looking for a superb nighttime photo, it would be better to consider taking your photos at dusk instead of in the pitch black of night. Dusk only lasts for an hour or so. Research your shot locations and time beforehand. Keep your eye on the weather in the location you selected and make sure its not raining the day you decide to go out.

When you are taking pictures of a parade it is best to not ruin time by trying to focus after every picture. It is best to shoot as many photos as possible during a parade, think about buying a focus lock. This keeps your shutter button held halfway down and don't completely release it after taking a photo. Or you might want to set your camera up for manual focus. This way, you can take several photos in succession, or use your camera's "drive" mode for multiple shots within a small range of time. This would enable you to take a bunch of photos without having to refocus for each shot and your digital camera should function much quicker. Though you may want to set up and refocus for certain special shots, other times you may have just as much fun continuously shooting as the action in a parade can happen very fast.

When you are taking digital pictures on sunny days, you must be careful. Sometimes the sun can completely damage your electronic camera. Taking pictures of sunsets and rises can be amusing and enjoyable, but pointing your lens directly at the sun may damage it. Try to keep your lens pointed a little bit away from the sun directly. There is a similarity between your eye and the camera lens, they both can see and both can be damaged by the sun. As a little kid your parents told you never to look at the sun or you will see spots. The same concept applies to your camera. When you are not capturing fantastic views, turn off your camera and store in someplace room temperature so you don't damage it. It is best and easiest to take photos in increments, and then allow your camera to relax by enclosing it somewhere cool.

Let me Dan Feildman, Author of "Your Guide to Digital Photography" answer your questions. Are you looking for answers about check out my digital photography basics

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Take Spectacular Nighttime Photos with your Digital Camera - Part I

Night photographs express a special something that cannot be seen in normal daytime photography. Whether it is a photograph of a moon and starlit sky over a windy deserted beach, the excitement of a downtown cityscape when the lights go on, or just a picture of you and some friends in front of a favorite hangout, nighttime photos, when done right, are sure to attract attention.

However, even for experienced photographers, nighttime photography can be a tricky situation. Photos often look unfocused, blurry, or lacking crucial details, and many may not come out at all. There are some tricks, though, to taking spectacular nighttime photos with your digital camera, tricks that can be explained yet only completely learned through practice.

This first part of a three-part series on nighttime photography will cover tricks not necessarily related to digital camera settings, but tricks nonetheless that can result in better photographs or a more pleasing photo-taking experience.

* Although more expensive digital cameras do not necessarily result in better photos, realize that the cheapest cameras may not be capable of taking great photographs at night. It requires more work, both on your's and the camera's part, to take spectacular shots in very low-light situations. Though you don't have to spend over a thousand dollars for night photography, don't expect too much out of a sub-two hundred-dollar camera, either.

* Especially if you are not completely familiar with your camera's settings to enhance nighttime photography, consider first taking some photographs around dusk, when the sun has not yet completely left the sky. Dusk photos can sometimes be even more dramatic than those taken in the pitch-black sky, as the added light helps illuminate details easily missed in a completely dark environment Check your local newspaper where you are shooting photographs or a website such as http://www.weather.com for sunrise/sunset times, and be ready to shoot around a 20-30 minute window for best results.

* Plan your photos before you shoot! While it is always a good idea to study an area first, this is crucial if you are planning on snapping photographs around dusk! You will not have much time to plan, and if you spend five or ten minutes just getting a perfect angle or framing the perfect shot, the overall lighting will change as the sun slowly sets. And of course, remember when composing your photos that the sun sets in the west.

* Be prepared for the environment. If you're heading out by yourself, especially in a semi-deserted wilderness area, always carry a map so you remember how to get to your home, camp, or hotel. Check the weather before you go and wear a poncho or coat if necessary. Carry a flashlight, or, in the most extreme environments, a flare, to help others find you if you become lost. Also, bring along a WELL-CHARGED cell phone in case of emergency! You're taking photos at night to have fun and create spectacular results. Be prepared for unexpected situations so they don't ruin your experience.

While the results can be outstanding, night photography presents its own unique benefits and hazards. Not just any digital camera will do; lower-end models may not have the capability of taking spectacular shots. Timing is crucial, especially when taking pictures in the brief time between dusk and total darkness. And, the environment and weather can play havoc with your plans. By purchasing the correct equipment, studying the subject area before nighttime falls, and dealing with unexpected situations with the correct nighttime gear, you can be better prepared to take amazing nighttime photos.

Copyright 2004 Andrew Malek.

Andrew Malek is the owner of the MalekTips computer and technology help site at http://www.malektips.com. Visit his digital camera page at http://malektips.com/digital_cameras_help_and_tips.html for more digital photography advice.

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Camera Canon Digital PowerShot s2 - A Great Camera for Everyone

If you want to take high quality pictures you will surely need a high quality camera but which one? Today there is a wide range of cameras that you can buy. There are the old fashion cameras, the automatic cameras and of course the digital cameras. One of the best is the digital camera Canon PowerShot s2.

You will find that the digital camera Canon PowerShot s2 is packed with high quality features. The new version of the PowerShot s2 is an amazing improvement compared to its predecessor. The Camera Canon PowerShot s2 is like having a mix of a high quality camcorder and a high quality digital camera.

Here are some of the new features for the canon digital powershot s2:

- 12x optical Zoom Lens

- A large 1.8 inch LCD Display

- A New “Night Display” Feature

- DIGIC II image processor

The new night display is very useful; it will brighten the LCD screen and the EVF when you are in dark environments. Also the New DIGIC II image processor of the canon digital PowerShot s2 will provide you with amazing quality performance ability.

On top of that the brand new canon digital PowerShot s2 comes with a stereo sound recording giving you an excellent sound and pitch. Another important factor to know is that the canon PowerShot s2 has a 5 megapixal CCD.

If you are one of those who like to make home movies the canon digital PowerShot is perfect for you. You will have a wide range of features for movie making. Features like:

- Wind Filter

- Adjustable mic level

- Sound quality level

- and more

That’s not all; this camera canon digital PowerShot s2 brings you great features for adjusting the color quality. You can swap the colors and you can even highlight various parts of the picture! That’s pretty cool in my book.

By now you should agree with me that with so many features buying a digital camera Canon PowerShot s2 is a very good choice on top of that the PowerShot s2 uses many of the features of its predecessors. Features like:

- Optical image stabilization

- USB 2.0 High Speed Support

- Rotating LCD

- Secure Digital memory card (instead of CompactFlash cards)

On top of that the addition of manual controls, an amazing movie mode and support for various lenses makes the camera Canon Digital PowerShot s2 one of the most important part of your arsenal when you go out on holiday or special events.

Visit our website for more quality information about the Camera Canon Digital PowerShot s2. We offer various information about the art of digital photography and camera models. If you like our article about Camera Canon Digital PowerShot s2 visit our website for more quality articles.

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The Best Waterproof Digital Camera Anywhere

Are you looking to get some great underwater shark pictures in your quest to be National Geographics next big photographer? Or maybe you just want a camera that you don't have to worry about around the boat, beach or pool. While you can get an additional add-on waterproof case for some existing camera, they can be expensive, bulky and awkward to both pack and use. Why not get a camera that's already waterproof without needing to spend extra money on accessories.

There are several models out there, but my favorite choice would have to be the Olympus Stylus 790SW waterproof, shock proof, dust proof, and freeze proof. The 790SW is the successor the the 770SW, which is still available, but a little harder to find. The biggest difference between the two cameras, is that the older 770SW can go be used in up to 33 feet of water, whereas the newer 790SW can only be used in up to 10 feet of water. Olympus apparently decided that the demographic for the 790SW weren't big deep sea divers. Probably makes sense.

The other nice thing about the 790SW, is it's all around durability. This has got to be one of the toughest cameras out there. Dropping it from 5 feet or less has no affect on the sensitive internal workings. Why more cameras aren't built this way I have no idea. Not only can you take you take pictures under the water, you can take it out in the snow with no worries as well. Temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit, or -10 degrees Celsius won't damage the camera. I'm more of a warm weather fan myself.

Friends of ours recently used their 790SW at one of those indoor water slide parks. They shot a video while hurtling through one of those big blue tubes from beginning to final submersion at the bottom. It's a pretty trippy clip as the light streams through the semi-translucent tube and the riders pitch to and fro. Definitely a fun camera. Some slight sacrifice in image quality are completely outweighed by the fun factor under these circumstances.

While there are some other quirky / novelty waterproof cameras, (GoPro Digital HERO 3 Sports Wrist Camera and the Jazz Waterproof 3 In 1), none match the Olympus 790SW in terms of quality and durability. It still takes pretty darn good pictures and videos even in non waterproof environments. But, if you do feel a need to swim with the sharks, or follow in the footsteps of Indiana Jones, the 790SW is the sidekick for you.

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Never Buy A Canon PowerShot SD850 Digital Elph Camera

Never may be too harsh a word, but you'll want to learn of a few problems with the Canon PowerShot SD850 Digital Elph Camera before you actually buy one. It has some flaws you may not be aware of. Most digital camera reviews you read online are nothing but thinly veiled attempts to sell you the camera. There's no sales pitch here, just an attempt to bring to light problems with the Powershot SD850 Digital Elph.

Barrel distortion can be common with several cameras in this category and price range, but generally not to the extent that it is in the SD850. Barrel distortion in photography generally refers to an image whose quality is good at the center, but gets distorted the further you go from center. Barrel distortion is sometimes referred to as edge or corner softness.

Canon decided that giving you information you can't do much about, might be a good idea. Not really sure why. When the shutter button is half way pressed, the PowerShot SD850 displays the F/Stop setting the Digital Elph will be using for the picture your about to take. Which is nice, but it would be even nicer if you could adjust it. The way it's designed right now, you can't.

Ergonomics are important in digital cameras, especially because of their size. Being so small, digital cameras can be cumbersome even at the best of times. Especially for those with larger hands. The PowerShot SD850 seems to have missed the mark with a couple of points in this category. Firstly, the power button is positioned in such a way that getting greasy finger prints on the LCD is next to impossible. Secondly, due to a curved base, the SD850 DigitalElph can be tricky to set on a flat surface for the purpose of using the timer.

That's just a few points you should keep in mind if your considering a Canon PowerShot SD850 Digital Elph Camera. Lucky for you, there are plenty of other good digital cameras to consider. Good deals on digital cameras are plentiful these days, if you just know where to look.

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