subject: Money Saving Tips to Photography [print this page] Money Saving Tips to Photography Money Saving Tips to Photography
1. Make your own soft-focus filter
Soft-focus filters can be used to create old-fashioned, romantic portraits, dreamy landscapes and so forth.
Make your own by smearing a small amount of Vaseline onto an old skylight filter. Use a tiny blob to begin with and increase the amount to increase the softness. Leaving a clear spot in the centre will produce a blurred vignette effect while the centre of the image stays sharp.
Alternatively, for a variety of soft-focus effects experiment with cling film, sweet wrappers and, of course the classic black stocking as used by celebrity portrait photographers.
2. Use free software
The latest editing software offers amazing features but it's surprising what you can do with the many free applications that you can download on the web.
Try the following:
Adobe Photoshop Album SE 3.2 - fix and organise your photos |Video guide to using Adobe Photoshop Album SE3.2
Corel MediaOne - photo sorting and sharing |Video guide to using Corel MediaOne
Google Picasa - photo sorting, fixing and sharing |Video guide to using Google Picassa
Kodak EasyShare - organise your photos, make small fixes and access online services |Video guide to using Kodak EasyShare
MAGIX Photo Manager 2007 - manage your digital photos, burn CDs and access online service |Video guide to using MAGIX Photo Manager 2007
Gimp - Image Manipulation Program
IrfanView - view, optimise and convert images |Video guide to using IrfanView
Serif PhotoPlus 6
Picturenaut 2.12 - create composite images with a high dynamic range (HDR imaging) |Video guide to using Picturenaut 2.12
3. Make your own reflector
Tape some foil to a piece of card, and your home studio has an instant reflector.
If it's too harsh, scrunching the foil and flattening it back will soften the reflected light.
Alternatively, white card or a white table cloth or bed sheet makes a good soft reflector, and black card or fabric can be used to cast shadows back to the subject.
4. Make your own flash diffuser
Make your own flash diffuser with nothing more than a light tissue over the flash head.
Or tilt the bounce head upwards and tape a piece of white card behind it (like a scoop) to create a bounce diffuser.
If you're a milk drinker those translucent plastic cartons can be adapted to make a great softbox.
Cut a small aperture in the top just big enough to insert the head into.
Point the head directly forward or tilt it up (though you may want to put some foil or white card on the back to stop light spilling out the back.
