Pages

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Nifty Fifty: Quick and Forgotten Tips For 50mm Lens Users

Prime lens are fixed at one focal length (i.e. 35mm, 50mm, 55mm, etc.). They do not charge focal lengths like zoom lenses which are named after there zoom range (i.e. 17-35mm or 70-200mm) The fact that prime lenses don’t zoom, at first, might seem like a turn off. Oh, but wait. Prime lenses have much more to offer:



Relatively inexpensive
Compact and lightweight
Tack sharp image clarity
Very controllable shallow depth of field
Amazing Bokeh
Great for portraits
Fabulous in low light
Incredibly Fast Glass
Little to no lens distortion
Simple and long-lasting construction

One of the most valuable and versatile pieces of equipment a photographer has is a 50mm lens. When we first start using it, we are immediately astonished by just how much the image quality of our cameras can improve. However, we also do tend to forget lots of points that are important to know in order to ensure optimal image quality and excellent results. Here’s a list to keep in mind.

Remember To Zoom With Your Feet
Because a photographer no longer has a zoom lens on their camera, he/she must remember that zooming with your feet is essential. That means that if you want to take a picture of a building, bird, person, etc then you’ll need to get up close enough to ensure that your subject fills the entire frame.

Stop the Lens Down
Most 50mm lenses reach optimal sharpness at F4. Remember that keeping your lens wide open at F1.4 or F1.8 will not allow users to get as much in focus as needed. That said: don’t get distracted by the bokeh effect in which you just try to get images with a nice blurry background. Focus instead on what you’re actually trying to capture and capture it well. This is essential with portraits as you can sometimes get your subject’s nose in focus and not the rest of the critical features such as the eyes.

Sometimes Manual Focus is Best
50mm lenses can be plagued by autofocus problems. Because of this reason, users should learn to manually focus their lenses.

Pay Close Attention To Where It Focuses
When shooting at wider open F stops like F1.8 or F2, it is very possible for the photographer to think that they are getting everything that they want in focus. Try moving the focus ring around that intended area of focus and watch how your subject moves sharper in focus and out of focus. Stopping your lenses down also helps.

Take Off Your UV Filter
As probably the most important thing for beginners to know—your UV filter can destroy your image quality. If a salesperson tells you to buy one, then the reasons are possibly to protect your lens in case of a fall or because they merely want to make a sale. Either be careful with your camera/lenses or keep your lens cap on. Another option is getting a lens hood of some sort for your 50mm.

Stay Fabulous,
ShahnazM

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Why do you want to choose "PHOTOGRAPHY" and "WHY" would you buy a DSLR?...

I think this is the most common question people ask with a “weird” look when you start your journey in the PHOTOGRAPHY zone....“Out of all of the other hobbies out there, why I was drawn to photography?”..and then comes this more concern question from our Family/Parents/Guardian..Why do you have to buy a DSLR?..(ummm its a pretty EXPENSIVE HOBBY indeed)





In my case i always had a fascination toward "TAKING PICTURES" all the time..even sometimes my friends get frustrated (in a funny way though)..n someone even told me "I have to ask your mom if you were born with a cam??"..Actually I "WAS" born into it.I got that tipical gene from my family i must say..I have grown up with all the shutterbugs around me (though none ever said they were into Photography..they actually LOVE/LOVED taking pictures..capturing moments..thats it..Some of the B&W Portraits of my relatives taken by my Paternal Grand-father still amazes me..his sence of lights n shades was too cool(ummm sometime I THINK that B&W gene was somehow transported to me too cos I love GRAY portraits a lot more than colorful one)..My Dad still loves taking RANDOM pictures when we travel even if that’s with a disposable camera..he just LOVES taking pictures (n YES he is the BIGGEST critic of my pictures so far..n rarely likes them..he always find some flaw in every pictures :-/)..The person in my family who started "PHOTOGRAPHY" with large format SLR was my maternal Uncle (and i was his all time model)..and i used to WISH that "SOMEDAY" i will have those BIG camera n will take pictures like him (for him that was a HOBBY..so is for me)..So it's also kind of a personal yearning for the way things used to be and a creative way for me to recreate parts of those emotions and experiences. With time i realized that "Photography" is that creative way i can express those emotions while still being tied to some sort of present tense visual reality. To me, it take you somewhere magical. Photography is an amazing stress reliever for me..a personal experience..a creative release..and a piece of my soul..Simply "I love it"!

I know some of you (who came along reading till this part) have this question in mind "why she is writing "BIOGRAPHY"!!..she was suppose to share some TIPS & TRICKS..right?"...the reason is i want YOU to "THINK"..this is the first step (or i should say the main Tricky Tip of all)..look inside and ask your self WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE A PHOTOGRAPHER? Is it for "FAME"..is it for "MONEY"..is it a "COMPETITION" with your friends (and "ENEMIES")..Though its a little funny (with due respect) when i heard some people want to buy "DSLR" only because they love to take pictures of their own (YES doing self-portrait if ABSOLUTE FUN)...you will definitely find a VALID reason..and when you will get that answer within..GO FOR IT..no matter what people say or obstacle you have to go through..just do NOTE some point in your mind (this is what i believe..n my very personal believe)

1. You are doing this for the sake of CREATIVITY..throw that "SHOW OFF" part on the bin..It will CHANGE your pictures INSTANTLY..
 

2. With time FAME & Money will come to your way ("IF" you want to take it as a Proffesion)..so dont rush for it..
 

3. Dont get into the "RAT RACE"..there are far more better "PHOTOGRAPHERS" in the line..try to stick eith your own thoughts n creativity..
 

4. THINK..THINK..n THINK MORE..This will IMPROVE you as a better person..n thus a Better Photo-catcher..

Stay Fabulous,
ShahnazM

Thursday, July 18, 2013

A "MAN" i Adore...



I guess you already know from the picture that it’s Fawad Afzal Khan!!!!!

After watching HUMSAFAR, I became a fan of him...n then a friend of mine recommended "ZINDEGI GULZAR HAI"..n ohhhh...TRUST ME..I TOTTALY FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM..So far I have seen his TV Serials Dastaan, Akbari Asghari, Kuch Pyar Ka Pagalpan Bhi Tha, and ASHK..n now the ongoing one "NUMM"..Also his AWESOME Movie KHUDA KE LIYE..as well as his Telefilms BEHADD, ARMAAN, AAJ KUCH NA KAHO and KAL..and i fall in LOVE with him all over and over again.

Here are Few Things You Want To Know About Fawad Afzal Khan:

  • Fawad Afzal Khan came in the list of top Pakistani stars, models and actors. Khan’s performances in Humsafar, Dastaan and Khuda K Liye were truly appreciated.
  • Fawad was born in Lahore on Nov 29, 1981. completed his A-Levels from Johar town branch of Lahore Grammar School System. One thing I did not sure about him, but according to the news that I collect he was also the head boy during A-Levels in Lahore Grammar School. Fawad did his graduation from National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences Lahore , which is the abbreviation of NUCES.  He studied in computer sciences there.
  • He spent his early childhood in Manchester. After this for some time he lived in Saudi Arabia and Greece. He returned to his home town Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan, when he was 12 years old.
  • Fawad Khan’s  first appearance in public was in a high school play. The director of this play was also his friend whose name is  Manal Butt . By watching his performance in this play the famous director of Pakistan, Shahzad Anjum was really impressed. Anjum encouraged Khan to also perform in TV and films as well.
  • By zodiacs  Fawad Khan  is Sagittarius. It is commonly known that Sagittarius persons are straight forward, honest and broad minded people. The sense of humor of these people is also good.
  • Fawad is 1.78 meter tall which is equal to 5 feet and 10 inches.
  • The color of his eyes is Hazel brown. At the early stage of his career most of his fans believes that he looks like Hollywood actor Tom Cruise.
  • His aim was to study in Law or Social Sciences. While an interview he says that, he was not enjoying while studying in computer sciences.
  • He is the patient of diabetes and I can bet most of his fans did not know about his disease.
  • Fawad Khan  says that, he proposed his wife at the age of 17, when he was totally hopeless romantic. Fawad married Sadaf on November 12, 2005. He has a 4-year old son, Ayaan Khan.
  • He and his beautiful wife is also the owner of brand named "SILK". This brand was launched on 18  August of 2012.
  • According to his point of view, the most awkward time of his life was is his teenage. 
  • Khan also knows how to play drums, bass and guitar. He learned these entire things at the age of twenty.
  • Jatt and Bond was the first drama serial in which Fawad Afzal Khan appeared. His former band member  Ahmed Ali Butt  is also appearing in this drama in 2000. The first big screen platform for him was  Khuda K Liye . This role was offered to  Ali Zafar but he refused due to his busy schedule
  • Fawad Afzal Khan  has also won the best TV actor award for his role in drama serial  DASTAAN. In this drama he played the role of  Hasan . For this role he was also nominated in Lux Style awards as well. He also won the Lux Style Best Actor award for HUMSAFAR where he played the role of Asher Hussain.
  • Khan is also appears in comedy sitcom Rubber Band. He has also appeared in a video parody song with Noman "Aijaz"  . This song was sing by string band.

Stay Fabulous,
ShahnazM

Saturday, May 04, 2013

My life in iphone photos...

There are times when I don't want to forget the small details of life or the simple moments that can sometimes slip from memory, so I'm posting a capsule of my Life, In These Moments...


Stay Fabulous,
ShahnazM

Monday, April 15, 2013

My life in iphone photos

And these are the moments that made the drama, stress, and "will-you-please-just-smile" worth it all. These moments when we're together, happy, and whole. These moments? Well, it's priceless.


Stay Fabulous,
ShahnazM

Monday, April 01, 2013

Good reads : Eat Pray Love................

During my last one and more than half year JOBLESS time one common thing I have heard from my Family..friends and loved ones was YOU ARE FEELING “BAD” COS YOU ARE DOING “NOTHING”…being jobless doesn’t mean im doing NOTHING..not at all…cos so far I know that I am doing the 3 most important thing one can do…EAT…PRAY...LOVE……

Few months back when I went to the book shop to look out for something NEW to read..i come across this book luckily which I was looking for looong..to be exact from the moment I saw the trailer of the movie..YES I haven’t seen that movie yet..cos I didn’t wanted to..i wanted to READ the original book..which I always do…READ…

I could write pages about this book I guess…but im not in the writing mood now...all I'm going to say about it is that it's wonderful, honest and beautiful. I won’t say that It has changed my life..Rather it changed my perception of many things and I'm so glad I've read it…

Here I want to share some of the quotes from the book with some lame pictures I have taken throughout the soulful reading session…

“We search for happiness everywhere, but we are like Tolstoy’s fabled beggar who spent his life sitting on a pot of gold, under him the whole time. Your treasure–your perfection–is within you already. But to claim it, you must leave the buy commotion of the mind and abandon the desires of the ego and enter into the silence of the heart.”

 “There is so much about my fate that I cannot control, but other things do fall under the jurisdiction. I can decide how I spend my time, whom I interact with, whom I share my body and life and money and energy with. I can select what I can read and eat and study. I can choose how I'm going to regard unfortunate circumstances in my life-whether I will see them as curses or opportunities. I can choose my words and the tone of voice in which I speak to others. And most of all, I can choose my thoughts.”

“I think I deserve something beautiful.”

“I’m here. I love you. I don’t care if you need to stay up crying all night long, I will stay with you. There’s nothing you can ever do to lose my love. I will protect you until you die, and after your death I will still protect you. I am stronger than Depression and I am braver than Loneliness and nothing will ever exhaust me.”

“There’s a crack (or cracks) in everyone…that’s how the light of God gets in.” 

 “In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.” 

Stay Fabulous,
ShahnazM

Learning How to Photograph a Water Splash


Water splashes create some very cool pictures, but capturing them can be a lot harder than it looks. You have to ensure that your ISO is correct, that you’re set to the right shutter speed and that you are focused on the correct thing. And, that’s just part of the entire picture.

So, to help you capture amazing water splash pictures, here are some tips on how to photograph water splash.



Setting up the Scene & SHOOT..SHOOT..SHOOT...

For today's shot i used a Mandarin orange. The set-up is toooo simple. I just kept the half-cut Mandarin under the Kitchen sink tap. When i was done with all the setting (For camera n Safety precautions) i opened the tap and VoilĂ !!!! (oh i also placed a black cake tin behind the mandarin so the water splash can be seen properly).

As i was feeling too "LAZY" and my additional lights (continuous lights) cheated on me, i had to take this picture with my flash (YN565EX). but for this kind of hi-speed freezing motion shots its best to play with the shutter-speed (which with flash is not possible/or may be possible..i have to check more on FLASHES :-/)..but the bottom line was i simply HAD to take splash shoot today (hmmm i do have some snapping madness like this..some composition n ideas pops-up in my mind n I HAD TO DO IT:-/ )..Dont worry i will definitely show you some more PROPER techniques later ;-)

Avoid Getting the Camera Wet

Whatever you do, test the area to ensure that you are far enough away so that the camera doesn’t’ get wet from any high splashes. You may try tightly pulling a piece of clear plastic across the lens of the camera. Or, use a filter that can take a little bit of wear and tear.

Important things to keep in mind
  • Set your camera to a pretty high ISO setting. You can’t use flash since it will just reflect either off the bowl or the water. If a high ISO still doesn’t provide enough light, try adding additional lighting. Lamps or photography lights will work. Or, invest in a strobe that will add a lot of light for a number of seconds allowing you to take a bunch of pictures before the strobe flicks off.
  • You may even have to move around your lighting until it’s in the right position. And, try experimenting with your aperture. While you generally want to allow as much light in as possible in low-light situations, you may actually want to make a smaller aperture for water splashes since they will be reflecting a lot of the ambient lighting.
Finally, you need to take a lot of shots. Set your camera to the continuous shooting mode, and be prepared for a number of bad shots. You need a lot of practice to get this right. As you learn, however, you’ll eventually land a number of wonderful water splash pictures.


Stay Fabulous,
ShahnazM