Family Portrait Ideas, It's Not Necessarily Fine Art Photography

It would be great to have a standard family portrait pose, with everyone either seated or standing in a row, all dressed up and shining. Many families line up their living room wall with such photos. But wouldn't it be dull and boring if that's all you have? Here are some great family portrait ideas to spice up your collection of family pictures.

For the standard cut and dried pose, make sure you have a theme that everyone will follow. By theme I mean, the type of wardrobe. Have an appropriate background set for it as well. You can dress it up by creating a "natural frame" that will enclose the family, like tree branches or a wide window. If you want a very formal effect, have everyone wear a suit, sit on high back chairs or let the children stand behind their parents, who are seated together on Victorian-like chairs. Make sure the lighting is a bit subdued. Have the photos done in black and white as well. You will the love different effect that black and white photography will show.

Don't stick to just one style, be creative. Include lively family portraits that tell a story. Take pictures that will say something about your family, like what you enjoy doing together. Employ different settings. The next time you go camping or fishing plan to take a family portrait on site. Dress up for the shoot. Find clothes and props that will help make it come alive. Some favorites are barnyard themes, the sixties, and superheroes. Everyone will be enjoying the novelty of it and the great mood will come out in the portrait. You can also experiment with color themes. Have everyone in yellow and then shoot with a background that will make the yellow stand out.

Don't take the photo from one angle only. You can take the photo from an elevated angle. You can have them all peeking out of a pillar or a door or simply lining up a hall way. You can even have the family all lying down on the floor. There are countless possibilities for the shoot. It is always best to take lots and lots of photos and then simply choose the ones you'd like printed and dump those you don't like. Thanks to modern technology you choose which ones you like without having negatives done before you view them. You can even edit the photo itself on your computer. Family photography poses shouldn't be that difficult. Hopefully, this will get the creative juices flowing and give you some great family portrait ideas.

It would be great to have a standard family portrait pose, with everyone either seated or standing in a row, all dressed up and shining. Many families line up their living room wall with such photos. But wouldn't it be dull and boring if that's all you have? Here are some great family portrait ideas to spice up your collection of family pictures.
For the standard cut and dried pose, make sure you have a theme that everyone will follow. By theme I mean, the type of wardrobe. Have an appropriate background set for it as well. You can dress it up by creating a "natural frame" that will enclose the family, like tree branches or a wide window. If you want a very formal effect, have everyone wear a suit, sit on high back chairs or let the children stand behind their parents, who are seated together on Victorian-like chairs. Make sure the lighting is a bit subdued. Have the photos done in black and white as well. You will the love different effect that black and white photography will show.
Don't stick to just one style, be creative. Include lively family portraits that tell a story. Take pictures that will say something about your family, like what you enjoy doing together. Employ different settings. The next time you go camping or fishing plan to take a family portrait on site. Dress up for the shoot. Find clothes and props that will help make it come alive. Some favorites are barnyard themes, the sixties, and superheroes. Everyone will be enjoying the novelty of it and the great mood will come out in the portrait. You can also experiment with color themes. Have everyone in yellow and then shoot with a background that will make the yellow stand out.
Don't take the photo from one angle only. You can take the photo from an elevated angle. You can have them all peeking out of a pillar or a door or simply lining up a hall way. You can even have the family all lying down on the floor. There are countless possibilities for the shoot. It is always best to take lots and lots of photos and then simply choose the ones you'd like printed and dump those you don't like. Thanks to modern technology you choose which ones you like without having negatives done before you view them. You can even edit the photo itself on your computer. Family photography poses shouldn't be that difficult. Hopefully, this will get the creative juices flowing and give you some great family portrait ideas.


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The Connection Between Pop Art Photography and Commercial Art

One of the most obvious connections between pop art and commercial art comes from the realization that you can have a photo of Marilyn Monroe or of the famous 32 Campbell Soup Cans displayed on your wall with the same artist's name featured on either. Andy Warhol, a leader in pop art production, created those and many other pieces of work that fell under the this heading photography. The very departure of what fine art has always been perceived to be is the very definition of pop art.

Pop art is merely a shortened form of "popular art". This type of photography is the form used to create the prints that feature all types of celebrities, comic book characters, and commercial products such as soup cans. The idea that inspired the art form was that there should be no difference between high art culture and that which is based on everyday life. During the '60s, Andy Warhol became an important name in the production of pop art which focused on a wide range of topics. Although the art form had already began to make a name for itself in the late 1940's, it wasn't until later that it became a significant and recognizable art form across the country. Its rise coincided with that of pop music which featured up-and-coming stars like The Beatles and Elvis Presley.

Not only is there a connection between pop art and commercialism, but it is so well-established to the commercial symbolism that it is also referred to as commercial art. In spite of its modest beginnings and simple topics, art has taken its place as a respected art form which includes a collection of classic art that is equal to forms of fine art. It may depict any of a wide range of subjects from those that are simple and wholesome to others that are brutal and fierce.

Sometimes art can be difficult to interpret in the manner of traditional art. This is because the artist has created a print without the intention of sending a message but of simply creating a photo that is interesting to look at and not much else.

Many people enjoy having their own photos taken and finished in style so that it can be displayed on their wall. In addition to creating a unique representation of your image, it is also a fun way to add some modern art to any room.

Photography Business - The Fine Art Photography

All of the photos that express and meet an artist's creative vision are called fine art photography. This isn't the same as the commercial photographs and journalism that support the stories being published in printed media (newspapers, magazines, etc.). With commercial pictures the target is awfully clear: to sell a service. Then, photojournalism is necessary for any kind of magazine that utilizes documentaries. With this kind of photography business, keep in mind that this isn't concerned in any of these kinds of services; it just makes the artistic side of the job.

There are some genres that define this type of photography, which include natural landscapes, portraits and nudes. The last twenty years have seen a rise in the number of photography exhibitions around the globe. It's now considered very fashionable to use prints and frames for such photography too. Many galleries nowadays display photos on boards without glass. The size of the prints differs depending on the purpose and the theme of the photo. It's quite a fact that the beauty of such photos are undeniable!

In very artistic representations, photos can be staged and lit so a new dimension is being added to the photographer's vision. Furthermore, things have changed a lot with the arrival of full spectrum photography, thanks to the current digital technologies and complex cameras. The artist can now achieve a lot of effects by filtering ultraviolet light, visible light and infrared. Just as the technologies have improved, so does the printing, giving a lot of options to the artistic photographers.

It's amazing that a great number of fine art photography items sell in auction rooms annually, and for very high prices too. The flourishing collectors' market takes almost all of the photos available for sale, because the public still doesn't purchase this kind of photography as they only opt for prints of paintings. Also, some of the most beautiful pictures of the century can now be seen in museum studios and in prominent hallways. This is what occurs at trades, fashion shows and so many other multiple art events.

Special Lighting Required for Art Photography

It would seem that art photography should be one of the easiest forms to accomplish since the subject usually doesn't move, but unless the photographer uses appropriate lighting the full beauty of the object could be lost in the shadows. For many, art photography has a variety of meanings and for most it is the vision that is visible to the photographer as they attempt to present their view to others.

Whether the image is of a person, place or thing, the photograph is considered art by the photographer and many times everyday objects are pictured under certain lighting conditions in order to highlight the shadows, or obscure them, in the final rendition. With today's use of digital technology, photographers do not have to wait until natural lighting is at just the right stage to illuminate their subjects, as was the case a few years ago with landscapes staged as art.

Digital enhancements on the computer as opposed to enhancements in the darkroom have opened the windows much wider for art photography to become more easily manipulated than in the past. However, for others taking pictures of art works requires better lighting techniques, regardless of the type of photography used. In some instances of art photography filling in the shadows with well-placed lighting improves the quality while adjusting shadows by the use of lighting can offer a different perspective to the same piece.

The ability of the photographer to visualize the outcome before the picture is taken is the sign of a true artist, even with today's digital opportunities. Previously, several exposures may have to have been taken in order to replicate the mood of the picture taken through art photography. Today's digital photography allows the photographer to see the work almost immediately and either accept the outcome or retake the image.

As a medium, photography has gained much more acceptance as an art form than it had in the past. Even as recently as 50 or 60 years ago photography was not considered an art form as most believed a mechanical reproduction was not true art. More recently it has been accepted that the eye of the photographer and the images they could see and capture were as much a form of art as a painter with a brush. Fine art photography stands in contrast to photojournalism, which provides a visual account for news events, and commercial photography, the primary focus of which is to advertise products or services.

Boudoir Art Photography - Your First Step in Learning

Boudoir Art is a field of photography that intends to present the subject in her most beautiful form. "Boudoir" is French for "lady's bedroom". Its literal translation might lead you to think that this genre goes hand in hand with sexual innuendo but that is not the ambition of Boudoir Art. Women feel the need to be sexy, to be beautiful, and to be regarded with admiration and not shameless lust. Although the latter might be an unavoidable reaction to this sexy art, it exists mainly to enable women to channel their beauty and sexuality through images of themselves. There are six distinct styles available for them to do so: classic beauty, fashion, artistic, pin-up, sensual, and provocative.

Boudoir Portraits can be tricky. The model and photographer have to work together to capture the perfect pose and composition for the photo and draw out the correct response from its viewers: For a portrait of classic beauty; the model must look undoubtedly beautiful and capturing her sexuality only becomes second priority. For Fashion Boudoir Art, popular culture becomes the foundation. This is what you commonly see in various advertisements. The artistic style highlights the form of the subject instead of the face. For the sensual style, the goal is to depict someone as free and desirable. Its effect to an audience is inviting. For an image that is provocative, its main purpose is to capture and hold the spectator's attention.

Pin-up photography is known to be the style that is both cute and sexy. The model's expression and body language have to be playful and in sync with each other. The photographer must ensure that every part of the subject's body is correctly positioned. Since images are usually viewed in thirds, the photographer must look at the model in three dimensions. He must first consider the subject from the waist down. This means that he has to check on the upper thighs and buttocks, lower thighs and calves, and her feet and toes. Next on the list is her torso, arms, and hands; the bust has to be given attention as well. Last of the three body sections involve the neck, face, and hair. You may think that a misplaced strand cannot possibly cause any drastic effect but imagine how it can ruin the mood of a photo. It can be such a disaster.

The Beauty Of Venice Black And White Fine Art Photography

Venice is a beautiful city which was founded more than 1,500 years ago and to this day remains full of intrigue and romance. Stretching across 117 islands, more than 150 canals link the city with 409 bridges connecting the islands. It is unique because there are no cars as the maritime section of Venice has no streets, only narrow paths and footbridges. Most of the travel within Venice is done on foot or by water. Any tourist to this amazing city must take a camera so as to capture the beauty of Venice black and white mystique or the colorful Venetian carnivals.

The Piazza San Marco is the main square in Venice with the Basilica of San Marco situated at one end and wonderful buildings of architectural grandeur all around the square, one of which, the Procuratie Nuove houses the Correr Museum. As the Piazza San Marco is the lowest point in Venice, it tends to flood, which is inconvenient for the Venetians, but which provides a unique experience and a great opportunity for tourists to capture this in black and white. Imagine adding a framed black and white print of this to your collection of Venice pictures.

One of the most famous and romantic features of Venice are the gondolas. They are instantly associated the world over with the waterways of Venice, and provide an unusual means of transport between destinations, taking their passengers on journeys along the Grand canal or perhaps under the Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) or the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs). A Trip on The Grand Canal can be particularly mesmerising and beautiful in the evening, because of the reflections in the water of the amazing architecture.

One eye-catching display can be achieved in home interiors by arranging a collection of black and white posters featuring different views of Venice which include gondolas; perhaps taken from an unusual angle, or shown on a foggy day.

Venice is full of wonderful architecture such as the Basilica of San Marco which is one of the most famous sights associated with Venice. Full of history, it was first built in the 9th century as a shrine to St. Mark, but the building as it is today is not the original one, that one having been destroyed by fire. It is truly amazing with its domed exterior, and it houses many precious statues, carvings and mosaics.

The timeless elegance of black and white photography prints enables the beauty and wonderment of Venice to show through, whether it be the narrow alleys and tall buildings with washing hung out overhead, or perhaps the fireworks at the Festival of Redentore.

The Ca' Rezzonico is a 17th century baroque mansion which faces onto the Grand Canal and which has hosted many sumptuous costume balls over the years. The English poet, Robert Browning lived there until his death. It contains a fantastic series of ceiling frescoes by Tiepolo and a most magnificent ballroom and one can almost feel the atmosphere of life as it would have been in a Venetian palace in days gone by. Bring the magic of Venice into your home with black and white photography prints. Fine art photography prints of Venice would make a wonderful Christmas present for a loved one, or as a special personal gift as a reminder of a happy time spent there.